A sad couple of weeks

All,

I'm saddened and kicking myself for wrecking my GRiSO. It has been totaled and I've decided to not buy it back. I'm embarrassed but wanted you all to know in case you're interested in monitoring the co-part auction based in Maryland. There's plenty of parts that could find a new home. It had extensive engine damage.. I was planning on getting an engine guard for it too.. ugh... This happened on 12/23.

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Very sorry to read that.

Good luck with the Copart auction.  I tried to buy my brother's 8v Norge after it was totaled, but it slipped away from me.

OBTW, when I visited him in the ER just after a woman t-boned him, he was looking on line for a new Norge.  Bought one, too.

So ... what's your next mount?  

Bill

Ouch! More to the point, are YOU okay?

Yes, this. ^^^^^^^^


How are you doing?

Yes how are you and what happened ?

Hoping you are physically OK?

Looking at it the damage doesn't look bad at all. Looks like it just took a slide. A new rocker cover and drop the sump to flush any crap that got into the top end, pop the headlight back in and replace a few bits like the levers and it would probably be good to go. If it was here and could be re-registered I'd be all over it like a rash!

Forks look a little bit "wrong" but hey, wtf would I know?

I'm okay guys. I always wear full gear and fortunately just a sore left arm and bruised hip. I really appreciate the concern. I should've led with that. Sorry.

I know i shouldn't have downshifted that late going into the corner but did it anyway... Got too confident I suppose. I'm surprised they quoted it over $5500 in damages. I was thinking of trying to buy it back but think it's a sign I should be without a bike for a bit. This is actually the 2nd accident in 2 years where I wrecked a bike due to my error. Both were non-abs and both occurred cause of downshifting and braking. So if I get another bike in a few years, think I'll go with one that has it.

In the meantime, I need to save some money and research what my next one would be someday. I was leaning to something more of a sport tourer and more fuel efficiency... Yamaha tracer 9 gt.. Suzuki vstrom 800re.. kawi versus.. however, I'm not a fan of the sound these bikes emit. And the looks I could take or leave. I feel the Guzzi V100 or maybe a new stelvio would be the next bike after they've been around for a bit and I can find a clean used example like this GRiSO.

The V85TT's have abs

MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

I'm okay guys. I always wear full gear and fortunately just a sore left arm and bruised hip. I really appreciate the concern. I should've led with that. Sorry.

I know i shouldn't have downshifted that late going into the corner but did it anyway... Got too confident I suppose. I'm surprised they quoted it over $5500 in damages. I was thinking of trying to buy it back but think it's a sign I should be without a bike for a bit. This is actually the 2nd accident in 2 years where I wrecked a bike due to my error. Both were non-abs and both occurred cause of downshifting and braking. So if I get another bike in a few years, think I'll go with one that has it.

In the meantime, I need to save some money and research what my next one would be someday. I was leaning to something more of a sport tourer and more fuel efficiency... Yamaha tracer 9 gt.. Suzuki vstrom 800re.. kawi versus.. however, I'm not a fan of the sound these bikes emit. And the looks I could take or leave. I feel the Guzzi V100 or maybe a new stelvio would be the next bike after they've been around for a bit and I can find a clean used example like this GRiSO.

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

The V85TT's have abs

Lordy, I, too, miss my GRiSO ...


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But, what Tony said about the V85.

I posted this on another Guzzi site earlier today:

==========

"I sold my GRiSO last summer at about same time I bought my V85 'Oreo Guard.'

I had originally found the "Jurassic Park beak" look off-putting, and had intended to get a V100. For lots of reasons -- almost all serendipitous -- I found myself with the V85 and am so glad I did.

In fact, the V85 is my favorite motorcycle ... so far.

Seriously, while hardly a GXR liter bike, it is one of those rare machines that will do most everything else quite well, and, especially, in the critical smiles per mile category."


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=========

You are most welcome to come out to the Moto Grappa and demo mine.  

Moreover, I am hosting the 2024 edition of Moto Grappa Tech Days out here 16-18 February.  I'll send a detailed invitational email to you if interested.  Here's a slideshow of the last one:  MGTD 2023

Mostly, but not all Guzzisti, but all motorcycle enthusiasts.

Bill

Bill Hagan wrote:

Lordy, I, too, miss my GRiSO ...

Bill, you could buy it back . . .  

It's up for sale =>

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Speedfrog wrote:

Bill Hagan wrote:

Lordy, I, too, miss my GRiSO ...

Bill, you could buy it back . . .  

It's up for sale =>

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.

Thank you, @Speedfrog ; that was quite a surprise.  

Officially, of course, none of my business, but disappointing nonetheless.  

The seller is a good guy, so I suppose he just didn't fall for the GRiSO as I and most others here do.  C'est la vie.

In the meantime, as with all lovers in our past -- Sweet Jesus; thankfully Kathi doesn't lurk here    -- it's rare to rekindle such relationships.  My present moto-harem is quite enough in fun and challenges.  

Bill

Proof once more that GRiSO isn't for everybody. 

It never worries me if people move them on quickly, GRiSO is a very *Individual* bike. There is little else out there like it. Long, low, slow steering, comparatively heavy, it's the antithesis of what most *Modern* motorcyclists expect from a motorbike! A lot of folks are attracted by the styling and I expect the 'Cachet' that comes with such a bike but then the lustre wears off and they realise it's just too weird and alien for them! There's nothing wrong and no shame in that. There are a host of other bikes that many people rave about. Look as those huge GS BMW monstrosities! I'd rather feed my scrotum into a blender than ride one of them but people seem to love them!

What does shit me is people who have absolutely zero experience of GRiSO or Guzzi in general shit-talking them. If they bought one and didn't like it or had mechanical issues and were disappointed all well and good but then raving on about how bad they are really bugs me. As I've said before if a bike had been designed specifically for me it couldn't be done any better than GRiSO. Is it perfect straight out of the factory? No, far from it! But it can be tuned and *Personalised* to the individual very easily and as an open road 'Gentleman's Express' its second to none. If you want a track bike with lights or a back roads explorer you don't want a GRiSO. GRiSO's charms lie elsewhere.

Hey what a great post. I've never thought of my GRiSO as a gentleman's express. I love that description. After 14 years of ownership I totally agree. I've had the stock suspension tuned by race specialists, what a massive improvement. The factory setup is a vanilla guess. How you ride and your weight dictate how the suspension should be adjusted.

Bill Hagan wrote:

Lordy, I, too, miss my GRiSO ...


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Bill

Bill, I'll be back in the NOVA area next summer and you can ride mine (the better 4V kind) anytime you want. Knight Pegs and Mana Bars make it very Comfy.

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MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

I'm okay guys. I always wear full gear and fortunately just a sore left arm and bruised hip. I really appreciate the concern. I should've led with that. Sorry.

I know i shouldn't have downshifted that late going into the corner but did it anyway... Got too confident I suppose. I'm surprised they quoted it over $5500 in damages. I was thinking of trying to buy it back but think it's a sign I should be without a bike for a bit. This is actually the 2nd accident in 2 years where I wrecked a bike due to my error. Both were non-abs and both occurred cause of downshifting and braking. So if I get another bike in a few years, think I'll go with one that has it.

In the meantime, I need to save some money and research what my next one would be someday. I was leaning to something more of a sport tourer and more fuel efficiency... Yamaha tracer 9 gt.. Suzuki vstrom 800re.. kawi versus.. however, I'm not a fan of the sound these bikes emit. And the looks I could take or leave. I feel the Guzzi V100 or maybe a new stelvio would be the next bike after they've been around for a bit and I can find a clean used example like this GRiSO.

Glad you walked away without $5500 in damage though the ego can be costly.

Let's do a bit of a 'riding clinic'. We can all learn from our (and others) mistakes. You say you downshifted (tried to scrub speed) late in a turn. Looking at the pics, that was not too tight of a turn, so I assume you were riding at high speed? Or was it that you also locked up the rear tire braking? Did the back of the bike slide out? Did you low side? Go wide and Hit the divider? Just going too fast? Ice/Debris?

Help us to understand what went wrong (twice) and maybe we can all help each other become better riders. Good idea to lay off the bikes for a while, but it is important to retrain your muscle memory and riding habits before getting on again. I've had one accident in my years of riding, and there was another vehicle involved, but I took 3-4 months after deconstructing and analyzing what went wrong and what I could do to avoid the same accident in the future. In short, it was to SLOW DOWN.

Bill Hagan wrote:

MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

I'm okay guys. I always wear full gear and fortunately just a sore left arm and bruised hip. I really appreciate the concern. I should've led with that. Sorry.

I know i shouldn't have downshifted that late going into the corner but did it anyway... Got too confident I suppose. I'm surprised they quoted it over $5500 in damages. I was thinking of trying to buy it back but think it's a sign I should be without a bike for a bit. This is actually the 2nd accident in 2 years where I wrecked a bike due to my error. Both were non-abs and both occurred cause of downshifting and braking. So if I get another bike in a few years, think I'll go with one that has it.

In the meantime, I need to save some money and research what my next one would be someday. I was leaning to something more of a sport tourer and more fuel efficiency... Yamaha tracer 9 gt.. Suzuki vstrom 800re.. kawi versus.. however, I'm not a fan of the sound these bikes emit. And the looks I could take or leave. I feel the Guzzi V100 or maybe a new stelvio would be the next bike after they've been around for a bit and I can find a clean used example like this GRiSO.

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:

The V85TT's have abs

Lordy, I, too, miss my GRiSO ...


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


But, what Tony said about the V85.

I posted this on another Guzzi site earlier today:

==========

"I sold my GRiSO last summer at about same time I bought my V85 'Oreo Guard.'

I had originally found the "Jurassic Park beak" look off-putting, and had intended to get a V100. For lots of reasons -- almost all serendipitous -- I found myself with the V85 and am so glad I did.

In fact, the V85 is my favorite motorcycle ... so far.

Seriously, while hardly a GXR liter bike, it is one of those rare machines that will do most everything else quite well, and, especially, in the critical smiles per mile category."


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


=========

You are most welcome to come out to the Moto Grappa and demo mine.  

Moreover, I am hosting the 2024 edition of Moto Grappa Tech Days out here 16-18 February.  I'll send a detailed invitational email to you if interested.  Here's a slideshow of the last one:  MGTD 2023

Mostly, but not all Guzzisti, but all motorcycle enthusiasts.

Bill

The V85 looks too big for me lol. I have seen them at events and not sure I'd enjoy something that tall. I did see a 2016 stelvio ntx abs nearby that's been sitting at the dealer since I brought my GRiSO in for state inspection over a year ago. That also looked quite big for me. I stand at 5'7. I have been thinking while I save some money, I will try and participate in the demo days as I see them come up. But that stelvio abs has me thinking of checking it out.

I'd appreciate coming to that Moto Grappa. Unfortunately, I'll be out of town that weekend.

Bulldog9 wrote:

MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

I'm okay guys. I always wear full gear and fortunately just a sore left arm and bruised hip. I really appreciate the concern. I should've led with that. Sorry.

I know i shouldn't have downshifted that late going into the corner but did it anyway... Got too confident I suppose. I'm surprised they quoted it over $5500 in damages. I was thinking of trying to buy it back but think it's a sign I should be without a bike for a bit. This is actually the 2nd accident in 2 years where I wrecked a bike due to my error. Both were non-abs and both occurred cause of downshifting and braking. So if I get another bike in a few years, think I'll go with one that has it.

In the meantime, I need to save some money and research what my next one would be someday. I was leaning to something more of a sport tourer and more fuel efficiency... Yamaha tracer 9 gt.. Suzuki vstrom 800re.. kawi versus.. however, I'm not a fan of the sound these bikes emit. And the looks I could take or leave. I feel the Guzzi V100 or maybe a new stelvio would be the next bike after they've been around for a bit and I can find a clean used example like this GRiSO.

Glad you walked away without $5500 in damage though the ego can be costly.

Let's do a bit of a 'riding clinic'. We can all learn from our (and others) mistakes.  You say you downshifted (tried to scrub speed) late in a turn. Looking at the pics, that was not too tight of a turn, so I assume you were riding at high speed? Or was it that you also locked up the rear tire braking? Did the back of the bike slide out? Did you low side? Go wide and Hit the divider? Just going too fast? Ice/Debris?

Help us to understand what went wrong (twice) and maybe we can all help each other become better riders. Good idea to lay off the bikes for a while, but it is important to retrain your muscle memory and riding habits before getting on again. I've had one accident in my years of riding, and there was another vehicle involved, but I took 3-4 months after deconstructing and analyzing what went wrong and what I could do to avoid the same accident in the future. In short, it was to SLOW DOWN.

Yeah, I was initially moving briskly to get around slower drivers as I neared the exit.. dumb move. I was going approximately 45-50mph off the ramp when I downshifted to help slow down quicker... I know the corner but I'm still fairly new in lean angles on these type of sport/roadster type bikes so I do tend to go slower than what I feel the bike is capable of. And I was getting more confident on my new set of Dunlop mutants.

For Cold temps, I believe it was 40 degrees, clear day. There was possibly salt brine now I remember seeing some earlier in the week. I believed the mutants were warmed up as this is typically a 20 min commute from work and I was just 3-4 mins away from home at that point.

So at the point of braking around 50mph as I approached the corner, I panicked and wanted to slow down quicker. I remember the rear tire squealed and slide out from under me and I high sided. I personally couldn't see what happened to the bike as it kept going and I landed on my elbow pads and slide towards the concrete barrier. Fortunately, I stopped sliding before my helmet collided with the concrete. I'm honestly still confused and try to replay it with my frustrations. I do remember the bike falling down on its side next to me but it slide into the wall I think and kept sliding down the road. The tires were clearly scuffed with the concrete so I wonder if it rode sideways on the wall as it slide..idk. I really was surprised what looked like it was minimal damage at the time.

Despite my confidence and the braking performance this bike had, I really feel ABS would've helped and the only issue would've been me needing to change my pants. I don't have experience with a bike that has ABS but I guess I had to learn twice that for me, I need something with rider aids. Whatever I end up with, I do intend for it to be slower, rider aids, more fuel efficient, more travel capable with saddlebags, and yet have some sportiness to do long highway miles.

And because of Guzzi's dealer network, I feel I should stick to Japanese bikes should anything go wrong that I'm not willingly capable of learning myself.

Pete Roper wrote:

Proof once more that GRiSO isn't for everybody. 

It never worries me if people move them on quickly, GRiSO is a very *Individual* bike. There is little else out there like it. Long, low, slow steering, comparatively heavy, it's the antithesis of what most *Modern* motorcyclists expect from a motorbike! A lot of folks are attracted by the styling and I expect the 'Cachet' that comes with such a bike but then the lustre wears off and they realise it's just too weird and alien for them! There's nothing wrong and no shame in that. There are a host of other bikes that many people rave about. Look as those huge GS BMW monstrosities! I'd rather feed my scrotum into a blender than ride one of them but people seem to love them!

What does shit me is people who have absolutely zero experience of GRiSO or Guzzi in general shit-talking them. If they bought one and didn't like it or had mechanical issues and were disappointed all well and good but then raving on about how bad they are really bugs me. As I've said before if a bike had been designed specifically for me it couldn't be done any better than GRiSO. Is it perfect straight out of the factory? No, far from it! But it can be tuned and *Personalised* to the individual very easily and as an open road 'Gentleman's Express' its second to none. If you want a track bike with lights or a back roads explorer you don't want a GRiSO. GRiSO's charms lie elsewhere.

Well said. I absolutely loved everything about this bike. It was one I planned to own for as long as I was able to stay healthy enough to ride. I intended to add another bike someday.. something that was more tourer friendly and still enjoy the GRiSO on daily/weekend commutes. I had planned to learn working on it and grow with it.maybe someday I will have another when I have the capability to own 2 bikes at once. It's just a damn shame. Fortunately, I'm still hear to kick myself over the loss rather than have my family in mourning. Ride safe all

MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

Yeah, I was initially moving briskly to get around slower drivers as I neared the exit.. dumb move.  I was going approximately 45-50mph off the ramp when I downshifted to help slow down quicker... I know the corner but I'm still fairly new in lean angles on these type of sport/roadster type bikes so I do tend to go slower than what I feel the bike is capable of. And I was getting more confident on my new set of Dunlop mutants.

For Cold temps, I believe it was 40 degrees, clear day. There was possibly salt brine now I remember seeing some earlier in the week. I believed the mutants were warmed up as this is typically a 20 min commute from work and I was just 3-4 mins away from home at that point.

So at the point of braking around 50mph as I approached the corner, I panicked and wanted to slow down quicker. I remember the rear tire squealed and slide out from under me and I high sided. I personally couldn't see what happened to the bike as it kept going and I landed on my elbow pads and slide towards the concrete barrier. Fortunately, I stopped sliding before my helmet collided with the concrete. I'm honestly still confused and try to replay it with my frustrations. I do remember the bike falling down on its side next to me but it slide into the wall I think and kept sliding down the road. The tires were clearly scuffed with the concrete so I wonder if it rode sideways on the wall as it slide..idk. I really was surprised what looked like it was minimal damage at the time.

Despite my confidence and the braking performance this bike had, I really feel ABS would've helped and the only issue would've been me needing to change my pants. I don't have experience with a bike that has ABS but I guess I had to learn twice that for me, I need something with rider aids. Whatever I end up with, I do intend for it to be slower, rider aids, more fuel efficient, more travel capable with saddlebags, and yet have some sportiness to do long highway miles.

And because of Guzzi's dealer network, I feel I should stick to Japanese bikes should anything go wrong that I'm not willingly capable of learning myself.

ugh...  really sorry that that happened to you.  glad that you came away so relatively unscathed - high sides are bad enough without them happening on a public road with a concrete barrier nearby.

from your description of what happened, I'm 99% certain that it's the downshift that locked the rear wheel and got you.  the GRiSO really doesn't tolerate banging downshifts well.  it has so much "big twin" engine braking, and a clutch that skews more tractor than race bike that - even if you match revs well and release the clutch with care - it's never quite happy in that scenario; it's easy to get wrong.

i think a bike with rider aids is a great idea.  cornering abs, slipper clutches and traction control are all a massive help in emergency/panic situations.  don't let any old-timer luddites ("i don't need all that electronic shit...") tell you otherwise.

also, personally speaking, i think that the best rider aid of all is getting some advanced training.  nothing has done more to make me a better/safer street rider than the various classes i've taken on race tracks.  it's expensive, but yamaha champions school was probably the best.

anyway, hope you heal-up, and best of luck going forward.

[quote="FrankBlank"]

MotoCuzzi13 wrote:

... from your description of what happened, I'm 99% certain that it's the downshift that locked the rear wheel and got you.  the GRiSO really doesn't tolerate banging downshifts well.  it has so much "big twin" engine braking, and a clutch that skews more tractor than race bike that - even if you match revs well and release the clutch with care - it's never quite happy in that scenario; it's easy to get wrong.
...

I agree that the clutch engagement in the lower gear locked up the wheel and caused your loss of control. The GRiSO doesn't have a slipper clutch, so mistakes like this have immediate consequences.

With the power of modern brakes, including the GRiSO's, many recommend not using engine braking to slow down. This solves the problem you had, and also saves the clutch from wear. (Brake pads are cheaper to replace than clutch pads.)

Using the only the two brakes without the clutch-and-engine is simpler and smoother.

You don't need all that electronic shit, just better habits and practice.

<>

Agreed. I believe rider aids can help a rider who already has developed their skills and habits, but can also give a sense of false confidence to others. Witness driverless cars.......

rick pope wrote:

<>

Agreed.  I believe rider aids can help a rider who already has developed their skills and habits, but can also give a sense of false confidence to others.  Witness driverless cars.......

Do not disagree, Farmer Rick.  Yet, WRT only to the issue of autonomous vehicles ... I sometimes think that we motorcyclists might be safer if there were more driverless vehicles out there!  

Yes, I am aware of and support the AMA's push for more tests that improve the present ability of AV's to "see" motorcycles.

Yet, every day as a cage driver -- too cold here to ride, darn it -- I see drivers do such incredibly stupid, inattentive, rude, etc. after etc. acts that I really do wonder if it would not be better for those folks with their "sense of false confidence" (and thus us riders) to have them sit, text, and whatever else they mindlessly do while letting Mr. AI chauffers them from A to B.

Returning now to the OP's plight and other comments about downshifting ... I am pretty surr (now, at least) that it downshifting that unhorsed me from my GRiSO in 2013 while negotiating a familiar-to-me downhill, near-90º right-hand turn on a rural backroad.  At the time, I blamed the flash-to-bang transition from shade to blinding sun while straightening up.  And. indubitably, the unseen sand in that corner made it all happen faster.  But, in embarrassed hindsight, my lowside was most likely caused by an ill-considered downshift so I could roll out of that turn in a "more manly" fashion.  

Bill