Need some GRiSO help.

Some of you guys might know me, dhansen, from the Sea of Cheese and Illuminati world. My old best friend from way back in my San Diego days is thinking about coming over to the Guzzi side and getting a brandy new GRiSO. I've been trying to get him to come into the ghetto but he isn't much of the computer type and since I'm in Maine and he is in California, I can't drop in to guide him here. (I will eventually do it over the phone, I hope). Until then, maybe 'youz guys could offer some thoughts.

Do any of you know anything about the Guzzi dealer in San Diego, GP Motorcycles on India Street? What about the dealer up in Escondido? I don't want him to finally get a Guzzi and end up getting turned off by a bad experience with the dealer. Do either of these dealers know about beetle's maps and install them? Any independent enthusiasts in the SD area that could help him with remapping?

I'd have been lost with my V11 without everything I've learned from the various forums and a couple of key people who have shared their knowledge with me over the years. I'll eventually get weasel (how could you not like a guy called weasel?) dialed into this forum but for now I'd appreciate any feedback as to where he might begin his journey.

Thanks everyone.

Dennis in Maine

Hi Dennis, I can't help with the dealers, but my maps aren't available from any dealers (except Roper). Best if we can get someone local who already has one of my maps to assist.

Thanks beetle. I suspected that was the case. Hope someone from the San Diego area chimes in.

While I was hoping that we could get the mapping thing going as a beer money earner at the end of the day Mark seems more than happy to just give his work away which is fine by me but I certainly would get my nose out of joint a bit if I found that someone was copying or plagiarising his efforts and using them for profit.

There's no way this can be prevented. Anyone who can download and use Guzzidiag can read any one of Mark's maps, or any other map. If they then go on and charge people lots of money for something that they haven't assisted in the development of and which is available for free? Well in my book that makes them a thieving, lowlife, scumbag who needs their underpants setting on fire while they're inside them.

YOMV.

Anyone who is really skeered of futzing about with their ECU? I'lll happily flash theirs up if they send it to me. It should be remembered though that the TPS will need re-setting with the ECU on the bike after reflashing so the person in question will need one or other of the proprietary tools that can do that. Guzzidiag, PADS, Navi or the Centurion package. The self learning parameters will also need resetting but that can be done simply by pulling the 30A fuse or disconnecting the battery.

If people come to me to get a remap I ask them to donate something to Mark ONCE and they pay me my hourly rate for whatever I do, (Most people are happy for me to check the TB balance prior to the flash.) but after that any further updates are free. I hardly think this is gouging.

Pete

Going through San Diego on your next trip over Pete?

I am in SoCal but I am about three hours away from San Diego.
But..... I have a rotating work schedule that gets me 5 days off every third weekend.
This upcoming weekend is one of those. I might be corrupted into heading that way but I am not riding my GRiSO for the moment cuz I need to get the oil pump looked at.

DM

GP and Escondido are the only two dealers in SoCal that happen to have the new red 2015 GRiSO. I have heard good things about GP, but absolutely nothing about Escondido.

Before I bought my 2013 GRiSO in Tucson AZ I spoke with a guy at GP in San Diego about a new GRiSO at the dealership. The guy was helpful and willing to deal, offered to pick me up at the airport in San Diego and bring me back to the dealership. Suggested I do a fly in and buy then ride back to AZ. I got a call the next day from Renaissance Cycles in Tucson the next day telling me they had just received a new 2013 GRiSO, drove down that day and bought it. Everything I have heard about GP has been first class.

I just bought a used GRiSO remotely from GP motors - I'm in NorCal (Santa Cruz). My buddy went in and check the bike out. I picked it up over the christmas break, rode the SD backroads and brought it back up to Santa Cruz.

Mike, the owner, seem like a good guy, smooth transaction, knowlegable guys on euro bikes....

Definitely worth talking to them...

GP gets some worrisome reviews on Yelp for the quality of their service. Couldn't find anything on the dealer in Escondido.

My personal opinion on negative reviews is that they are probably a bunch of whiners that are not happy with anything you do for them. Look at the phrasing to decide if they are describing legitimate issues or just a hissy tantrum.

Hey Dennis, we haven't heard from any of the San Diego members yet, so I will ping them and ask for their input on the two dealers down there.

Is your buddy any good with a wrench himself, or would he rather just outsource all maintenance to the dealer?

SD

I guess the GRiSO purchase is on hold for now. He has decided to get his SV1000 Suzuki back on the road and sell it first. I'll keep nudging him. We'll see what happens.

Thanks for all the input. He is a good wrench and does all of his own regular maintenance. Truthfully, I am the one that is more concerned that the dealer will be there if he ever needs their help. His last new bike was a Wee Strom which he uses to commute to work. (45,000 on it now). The 1000 he picked up from a relative that was hurting for money. It had a few issues that he has not yet sorted out. Oh, and actually he bought a brand new 2014 Yamaha XT250 just to goof around on. He'd like to get something a little more unique than the Jap bikes he has always owned and the GRiSO caught his eye. I'm doing my best to convince him it will capture his heart as well.

SV1000? Always wanted one when I was a Suzuki guy. That was in another life though.

Hey, I've been off the grid for a bit but got the email. Here's what I know. I bought my GRiSO at BMW of Escondido. They bought the Guzzi line in 2012 and have one Guzzi certified mechanic who seems to know his shit. They are super friendly, and even though they are a beemer dealer, there isn't even a scent of snootiness. They did my first 600 maintenance for me and have answered my stupid questions without complaint. I bought the '13 GRiSO in July '14. They were asking 11,6, I offered 11 even and they took it. I might have been able to get them lower, but why, it was a good deal. Anyway, GP was the first dealer I went to, to look at the Guzzi's, they seemed a little snobby to me, but it may have just been an off day. Went by for some advice from the mechanic and was not impressed with his answer. He offered me a $9000 fishing expedition into my transmission and shaft drive. The forum on here said bleed the clutch and get a new mechanic, I did both. A few months ago, I lost the captive screw on my tool kit compartment under the seat. Stopped into to GP to get a new one. They upgraded me to screw I could operate with my fingers instead of a hex bit (Guzzi should have thought of that) and when I only had a debit card to pay them 2 bucks, they just said don't worry about it, give us your business in the future. Good stuff. Check out Spokesmen at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] one of the founding members of that club is also a co-owner of GP.

Honestly, you could go either way. I know it sounded like I was leaning towards Escondido, but in reality GP has more experience with Italian bikes. They just know that they don't have to push them or compromise on price, as they sell themselves.

Thanks for the feedback Austin. By the way, stock trim IS a thumbwheel bolt for the tool compartment. If a hex bolt was in yours, it was already a replacement.

I knew the word "thumb" was in there, just had a senior moment. Mine came with a hex head bolt, no washer or anything to hold it in place, so of course it worked itself out and is gone. Cheers.

I have experience with both dealers, albeit not for Guzzi.

GP as I understand it is owned by Paul, and I think Mike is head salesman. I and a friend of mine have had negative experiences with their service department, my buddy on two occasions and he is a super mellow guy. Basically the last one was the bike (Multistrada) was in for a major service (read big $$$) with a booked appointment, returned two days later than promised without so much as an I'm sorry or lame excuse OR phone call. He's done with them. My experience is also with the sales staff, specifically Arron. Was not pleasant. Jerked me around and could care less about my business. Mike I hear is the guy to bargain with. My wife's story with A is even worse. She won't set foot in the place. Paul is a good guy though. Place has a bit of a high brow vibe. Not the kind of place you want to just hang out. Plus the parking really sucks!!

Escondido BMW (Guzzi, Aprilia) I've dealt with since 2009, sales, service and parts. I have only positive experiences.

If I were clunking down $11K +, easy decision which one to go with.

I bought my '13 GRiSO from GP Motorsports- they were really easy to deal with. I haven't used them for service so I can't comment on that aspect of it.

Thanks for your input San Diegans!

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Nice to know the dealer in Escondido is a viable alternative. Thanks guys.