cyclobutch
Cruisin' Guzzisti
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2008
- Messages
- 119
Well, at the second time of listing on ebay I’ve been able to off load my Gll. The end, finally, of a broken dream. When I first saw this bike in yellow it was quite clearly the best looking production bike for me. And made by Guzzi, seuremly win win? I spent six months tracking one down in this colour, surely the only shade worth having (seemingly not given the lack of activity I’ve endured whilst trying to sell). Never mind the horse power drop I’d be accepting in stepping on to this model – from a Speed Triple.
So ultimately I’ve spent four years of ownership; accepting that I lost most of the first summer waiting for CARC recall work to be conducted, trying to appreciate the finer points. Idiosyncratic clocks, with a propensity to steam up at any opportunity. Abrupt fuelling and an even worse drive line. Speedo sensors that you have to attend to with bathroom sealant. Occasional blown fuses and that lack of confidence that anything will stir when you hit the go button. And dodgy fuel lines of course. Pete may well suggest that these are all acceptable vagaries of a low volume manufacturer but I disagree. I have other hobby bikes, this one had a job to do. For me, the V50 (which I still have from new) was a much more swept up model when it was released than the Griso was.
The replacement is large and green and has four cylinders. Despite being on an ’07 plate it has carburettors and proper gauges with rolling numbered drums that tell me how far I’ve been. When I switch it on it just works, just as I know it will. Damn this lack of character. And in my unskilled hands it handles just as well and goes faster. I’ve only previously had one large Jap four, but it felt like coming home the moment I threw a leg over it.
I’ve owned and ridden some awful machines, but this has been the most disappointing by a country mile. I shall continue with my V50 and look for another ‘Big Twin’ in a year or two – but it will have round barrels. I think I’m done with new Guzzis.
Sorry, limp wristed I must be. Good luck.
So ultimately I’ve spent four years of ownership; accepting that I lost most of the first summer waiting for CARC recall work to be conducted, trying to appreciate the finer points. Idiosyncratic clocks, with a propensity to steam up at any opportunity. Abrupt fuelling and an even worse drive line. Speedo sensors that you have to attend to with bathroom sealant. Occasional blown fuses and that lack of confidence that anything will stir when you hit the go button. And dodgy fuel lines of course. Pete may well suggest that these are all acceptable vagaries of a low volume manufacturer but I disagree. I have other hobby bikes, this one had a job to do. For me, the V50 (which I still have from new) was a much more swept up model when it was released than the Griso was.
The replacement is large and green and has four cylinders. Despite being on an ’07 plate it has carburettors and proper gauges with rolling numbered drums that tell me how far I’ve been. When I switch it on it just works, just as I know it will. Damn this lack of character. And in my unskilled hands it handles just as well and goes faster. I’ve only previously had one large Jap four, but it felt like coming home the moment I threw a leg over it.
I’ve owned and ridden some awful machines, but this has been the most disappointing by a country mile. I shall continue with my V50 and look for another ‘Big Twin’ in a year or two – but it will have round barrels. I think I’m done with new Guzzis.
Sorry, limp wristed I must be. Good luck.
