New Owner: 2010 8V

I just bought a used, fully documented 2010 8V with ~13,000 kms. I previously owned a 2007 1100 and traded it for a Bonneville. After over a year and in spite of also buying a Cali 1400 recently, I was determined to get another. And so when this opportunity presented itself, I grabbed it.

After reading about the earlier 8Vs, I became aware of a looming tappet issue and hoped to get some information - appreciating that it has been written about extensively...

Should I be concerned? Does this apply to the 2010 model year? Was there an official recall on the 2010s to address this? Is there an online VIN listing of recalls/issues? Is there any preventative measure I should pursue?

Please note, I haven't actually noticed anything unusual i.e. in terms of noise and there is nothing in the service history to suggest any concern. Also, the bike had a service on Jan/15 and at that time, no recalls were noted.

Any help would be much appreciated and thanks!

Quite a bit of discussion on this subject, obviously... I can only add my experience to the mix.

At Pete Roper's suggestion I had mine inspected at the 6K mile mark. They found early signs of wear and have initiated a claim with Piaggio.

Piaggio will pay for the replacement parts, and I will be paying for the inspection and the labor for installation.

Good Luck,
RightD

Thanks for the quick response RightD. Clearly, its not something that's going to go away. I will arrange to have it looked it as early as possible.

And now for the somewhat rhetorical question: Is it safe to ride until then?

Not sure that there is a definitive answer to this one... I chose not to.

I wouldn't. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Points taken Pete and RightD. In hindsight, I'm beginning to wonder if buying a pre-2012 GRiSO was a wise decision...

Apart from this particular issue, is there anything else that I should have checked?

Thanks for, undoubtedly, having to replay the same conversation over.

Pull the swingarm and grease the bearings and shock linkage bearings. Make sure the throttle bodies are unmolested.

Pete

Wine and cheese are the only Italian made goods that can be considered a wise purchase. If wisdom were part of the equation, we'd all be on a Japanese scooter forum. Enjoy your GRiSO. Once you have it rollerised, it will be a shining example of the greatest motorcycle ever made.

LBC Tenni wrote:

.......... it will be a shining example of the greatest motorcycle ever made.

I like the way you think...

Thanks everyone for the input.  After more reading on various forums, including this thread: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] its apparent the conversion will have to be done.

So, it comes down to waiting for some evidence of failure or take it in now to have checked hoping there is enough to base a claim on with MG.  As the former will drive me to distraction and ultimately, psychosis - I'll take it in and hope for the best (or rather, the worst).

Truthfully, I was starting to kick myself for not doing my homework before buying the bike and likely, passing on it altogether.  But then, I went for a long ride and have decided it was well worth the headache.

Thanks again for the replies!

lvgs wrote:

............ But then, I went for a long ride and have decided it was well worth the headache.

Thanks again for the replies!

And that's what the GRiSO does to you...best looking fun bike ever made by any Brand in a lonnnng time.
You will enjoy it Sir...

I thought I would post a pic for those interested...and again, thanks.
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Same color as mine, and also a 2010.  I just had mine rollarized at just under 6,000 miles.  The factory will pay for the parts!

Looks nice!

John Lyon wrote:

Same color as mine, and also a 2010.  I just had mine rollarized at just under 6,000 miles.  The factory will pay for the parts!

Ditto same (gorgeous & proper) color as mine.

I note that the forward part of the instrument pod is black; mine is silver. You gotta love Mandello, the moto home of whim and caprice.

Bill

There are small differences among the Tennis too. My 2011 has the rear brake unit in gold color, but most of the other Tennis seem to have the black unit. Arbitrary and capricious, yet somehow endearing.

Like lvgs, I have also bitten the bullet (also did not do my homework) and purchased a 2010 GRiSO. Same color and all. Unlike Ivgs GRiSO, mine has 14k on it and is about to hit 15k under my tutelage. As of now, no noise and no reason to take it down to check. I am planning to ride it until this Winter, a relative term in Texas, then tear into it and check. Talked to my Moto Guzzi pusher and they are willing to work with me to get a free kit; with appropriate pics and all that.

As noted above, anything made in Italy, besides chees, wine and woman are a purchase of passion not wisdom.

I wouldn't wait. Really.

Pete Roper wrote:

I wouldn't wait. Really.

I am at 14,500 Miles on the clock; will take it to 15k and then open the covers and look for what you noted as a early symptom - see if there is a recessed tappet; also will check how the valve lash is.

That isn't enough. You have to remove the cambox to look. Using the theory that wear would manifest itself by opening gaps cost me my engine. At 15,000 miles I would expect the wear to be fairly well advanced but there may still be enough DLC left to mask the issue.

Pete

Pete Roper wrote:

That isn't enough. You have to remove the cambox to look. Using the theory that wear would manifest itself by opening gaps cost me my engine. At 15,000 miles I would expect the wear to be fairly well advanced but there may still be enough DLC left to mask the issue.

Pete

Point taken! It has been bothering me anyway; might as well give the other scooters a workout while I use the GRiSO for "quality" shop time.

Good decision Rudolf. My tappets were shot at only 6k miles.

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