Moto Guzzi 1200 sport

[Green1]

Any one out there with a Moto Guzzi how reliable are they I saw one in the shop the other day and can't stop thinking about it.I made the mistake of starting it 
It was an 07reg one owner with 3500miles on the clock with genuine guzzi panniers and extra fruity pipe the dealer wanted £5000 for it and offered me £1700 for my Triumph speed four
What would you do?
Not the bike but one like it
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTO-GUZZI-V1200-SPORT-/151545378885?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2348cef845

Mick

[Bryanj]

Unless they have changed a lot you have to take the sump off to change the oil filter and you daren't go over 70 or the Italian chrome blows off

[UK Pete]

Tasty looking bike mick, if you have the money then follow your gut instinct , you only live once, but dont do what i have done and spend all your money on bikes and taking time off work cause it all ends in tears LOL

[Lobo]

Mick,

I've a 2011 MotoGuzzi Griso SE, 1200, 8v. (I paid £7800 @ 1 yo)

A totally impulsive buy... no logic, just smitten.

I'm not a seasoned biker, and can't qualitively comment upon its handling etc. Frankly tho', any modern bike's handling will be way beyond my capabilities....
It's not very practical... I reckon I get 33 mpg... on a weeny tank. By 110 miles it's flashing its thirsty light at me. The horn switch is oddly placed; I reckon I'd never find it in anger.
No ABS, no traction control, no self cancelling indicators... ie unrefined.
I don't do enough miles to need spares, but do get the feeling it won't be as easy as my 40yo CB750.
Certainly oil changes (on the 8v Griso) are easy with spin off filter. The shaft drive is easy to drain / replenish. Tappets are easy. Rest of it needs a computer geek...
(Bryan had a point tho' .... earlier models were rather involved oil change wise. Also, in the back of my mind there was an engine 'issue' on the earlier 8v models... 'soft valves' / cam issues I think)
I can't knock the build quality... seems beautifully put together / finished. Consequently I have no reason to doubt its reliability.
Wheels black powder.
Lots of beautiful brushed alloy... not much chrome to be honest. (down pipes only thing that comes to mind)
Superb brakes &  clear instrumentation.
Mine has a leather seat... classy.
The drive train is a bit snatchy in 1st gear, it rolls with throttle....
I suspect a BMW rider might pull his nose at it.
But I just love it /  bloody grin on every outing....

Simon

(Steve - why my pics upside down??? I'm posting from Oz... but surely this ain't the reason!!!)

[SteveD CB500K0]

(Steve - why my pics upside down??? I'm posting from Oz... but surely this ain't the reason!!!)

It's a special service reserved for anyone using a Southern Hemisphere IP address...

I assume that you took them on your mobile phone?
Mobiles take great pictures nowadays and look after you well - they even rotate them automatically to show you the right way up!

... unfortunately, the actual image file is still the wrong way up, so though it may look ok on your phone screen, when you upload it, it is upside down (or sideways)

Steve

[tom400f]

right-click->open in new window and they are fine 

Edit: using Chrome

[Lobo]

I remain confused... ALL the pics taken on the same iPhone (4)!
Ho hum...

Ahhhh... just got it! Understand now! Must always try to use the phone in the same orientation is what you're saying. Ta!

[SteveD CB500K0]

Ahhhh... just got it! Understand now! Must always try to use the phone in the same orientation is what you're saying. Ta!

Yes, or save on your PC in correct orientation before uploading to forum.

[Green1]

I'v worked bloody hard and got nothing to show for it so I thought I would treat myself.

I told myself to never buy Italian again after owning a couple of Aprilia's and Fiats but there's just something about them.
You can't order any spares for Aprilia's because the lazy Ities slack off in the summer so I kind of expect the same with Moto Guzzi. I did here of the soft valve issue that does have me a little worried.
My pegaso has just over 30k on the clock and the garage told me they have never seen one with so many miles on it. Its had 2 sprag clutches,head gasket,2 rectifiers,water pump a broken weld on the frame and subframe,rear calliper seized the fuel light rarely works even though there is nothing wrong with it so it leaves me stranded far to often and it holed the plastic fuel tank for no reason and countless carb issues.Oh and best of all it backfires through the carbs if you let the throttle of quick setting fire to the air filter under the seat. right between your legs.
But saying all that it still does not put me off buying another.

Simon I think the griso is a quirky beast but I like it. someone told me there a bit of a stretch to the bars how do you find yours 


 

[tom400f]

Your arms get longer after you've tweaked the throttle a few times so reach isn't a problem 

[Lobo]

Hi again,

I've never 'thought' for one minute about the 'stretch' you talk of; I rode it 3 hrs through bloody London once in 27 degrees (M25 issues) and dismounted feeling relatively fresh. (I'm 5'8")
(though as Tom's alluded to... it pulls like a bloody train and maybe my arms have been stretched)

What I especially like about it is the low seat (800mm I think) - makes town so much easier. (esp as it is pretty heavy when not moving).

The major 'comfort' comment I would have would be hand grip vibration - but if you're gonna buy a big V-twin you deserve all you get in this department! With this & the 140 mile range it's prob not the perfect touring machine... (thankfully it seems to have a reliable fuel level warning!)

I had a quick re-visit to the 'soft tappet' issue... a few comments were critical of valves likely mis-set - by poor servicing - ie not a design fault.

My machine had only done 950 miles when I bought it; I was keen to preserve its 'dealership' service record... but Internet accusations of dubious servicing, and the fact that I couldn't easily find a dealer near me (Basingstoke) put me off. So I did the 1000 mile service myself.... easy.

Basically then, I've delved (to a point) with various panels off, rocker covers etc... and the build quality is seen every where; whether it be welds, brackets, loom supports, quality fixings, Japanese-like electrical boots / connectors and beautifully milled alloy components. I've never stripped a BMW, but honestly, I can't fault what I see on the 'Guzzi.

Your Pegaso sounds like a character (!)... and this perhaps explains your attachment to it. I'll say again, the Griso is not refined in terms of modern standards, but it too has character, and besides, what price beauty? (well, to me)

Simon.

(PS - if you do go ahead, and assuming its like the Griso, make sure you get the 'code' to reset the spanner icon which appears as you approach each service. This code (as I remember) is imperative if you loose a key.. without it you might be stuffed. )

[Green1]

Good to know I will be able to reach the floor as I'm 5'8'' I was surprised how light it felt compared to my dads 1200 trophy the centre of gravity is much lower.
The vibration doesn't worry me as the peg is pretty bone shaking not that I'v ridden it much lately carb issues again 
Dubious servicing doesn't surprise me as most garages tend to get the apprentices to do the basics.   
I should think the one I'm looking at is way past its warranty being on an 07 so I will be digging in.

I do have a proper love hate relationship with the peg I'v had it since I was 17 and can't see me parting with it.
Key codes seem to be plague on all modern bikes and cars. You can pick up dirt cheap Ducati's when the master is lost but your screwed if you lose the remaining key

Mick

[Green1]

Well I got bored messing around with the cg and went out on my Triumph I don't know how it happened but I ended up stopping to look at the guzzi.
I'm picking it up in the next couple of days. I would have brought it home today but I didn't want to get it dirty.
The garage stuck to there work and gave me £1700 trade in witch I think is fair.Even though when he took it out for its test ride it didn't start.

Mick 

[Nurse Julie]

So you just happened to be passing and just happened to stop outside that shop, well I never !!!! How exciting 

[Lobo]

Aye carrumba! Great Mick... hope you enjoy it.

Yea Julie, these things happen! I first saw 'my' Griso in a bloody showroom in Melbourne / Oz, and inexplicably kept returning to it time after time...just drooling. Came home ... and saw one on ebay. Did something naughty (as I HAD to have it) and contacted the seller mentioning that I wouldn't be around til the end of the auction (truth)...and at what price would he take it off for? The stars aligned (whatever)... and 2 days later it was in my sticky mits. Love it when a plan comes together....

Interestingly, this Oz bike was A$27000 (new); back then abouts £17000 at the rate of ex. In the UK it was circa £11K.... the Ozzies do get stung.

Mick... maybe we'll have to get pooling spares!!!

And don't forget to post a pic...

Simon