Wanna buy

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:28 pm

Hi. I am getting a new bike within the next few weeks and I have narrowed it down to a Multi or, get this, a Griso. I am aware I am posting on Multistrada.net, yes, but to me these bikes, though they look completely different, can be used for the type of upright riding I enjoy. I will do touring. Short and long. And general riding. I know the Multi has reasonable wind protection, the Guzzi, well, few options, I would put a screen on it. I often ride two up. I will get pannier options for either bike. I like to use my soft tail bag, so a rack kit for the Guzzi if I go that way; the Multi seems like it will take the Cortech bag as is. So, give me your biased opinions; I am here because I respect them, be they one sided. Yes I love the way the Guzzi looks, and I have grown to like the Ducati, but....
My height is 6'1"
I weigh about 175.
Let 'er rip....
{Oh, PS, what should my OTD be, if you've recently bought?}

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:38 pm

What about a big new shiny BMW GS thinggamaboab instead?

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:16 pm

No experience with Guzzi except a test ride on a Norge 1200. Power from the bike is weak compared to the Multi. Would definitely get boring fast. The only neat thing about it was revving it at a light. The twist is kind of a good feeling.
We ride the Multi 2 up ( stock seat,windscreen and bars ) and find it very comfortable. She's also VERY reliable. 25000kms and never let us down. (Get red,it's faster and invisible to police radar. As for the ( fucking )BMW -- well ......... they'll probably wave to you so long as you're riding euro.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:22 pm

..........As for the (fucking) BMW, what kind of talk is this on this site,pretty biased kind of a dude you are!

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:27 pm

I was looking through some old posts and found one of your assesments on these fine German machines. That sums up an unbiased opinion. I almost bought one in '88. Got invited to a wine & cheese affair for the new '89 model intro. Went for beer & chicken wings instead and bought a Concours. Never considered a ( fucking )BMW again.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:58 pm

tigertim955 wrote:I was looking through some old posts and found one of your assesments on these fine German machines. That sums up an unbiased opinion. I almost bought one in '88. Got invited to a wine & cheese affair for the new '89 model intro. Went for beer & chicken wings instead and bought a Concours. Never considered a ( fucking )BMW again.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:20 pm

Have you ridden a Griso? It looks like it has much less legroom than an MTS. Less power. More unsprung weight due to shaft drive. The Griso is pretty high on the pose factor, and that can be nice down at Starbucks. I think if you push on a bit when riding that you'll like the MTS much more. Griso maintenance costs should be lower though.

One of the guides for the tourist group on last year's Centopassi was riding a Griso, and he made it look fast, but I think he'd have made a Honda 50 step through look fast.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:33 pm

Humm, I'm not sufficiently experienced to give answers so let me ask a question... what did you like/dislike about your last bike - maybe that can guide other more experienced answers.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:57 pm

OK, thanks gentlemen. The Beemer is not under consideration at all. They may be fine, but are uninteresting to me. As for Starbucks...I hate what they've done to my city...haha. Really, though.

I've only sat on both bikes, and the legroom is close, but the Multi has a little more. The Griso is a bit more of a reach to the bars. Not a stretch, it's just that the Multi gives a more relaxed position.

The suspension travel and height of the Ducati is significantly greater. So it's got to have a plusher ride. But I'm so used to riding old junky vibrators and hardtails and slowboats, I think the performance of either bike would be a revelation to me. But I hadn't considered the the Guzzi would be "weak" compared to the Multi. Interesting.

Just tell me fellas, how do you get used to that Deco-fairing and grill? And the rocket-ship exhaust?

And what's left on the bike when the Duc hard bags are removed? Something ugly?
Thanks,
Vincent

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:36 pm

We have the hard bags on ours.They come off easy and the mounts don't look terrible,in my opinion . My Girlfriend loved the look right away and it took me a ride to get used to it but love the look now !! Also you must remember -- the Ducati will get to anywhere you want to go and when you're there you have a DUCATI to ride. The more you read about the Duc , the more you learn to admire them. It's been on this site before ----- EDUCATION. Smart people ride Ducs. Me,not so much. Just smarter by association.

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:22 pm

Maybe me too. I mean by association. Thanks for your generous information. You see I am very serious because it's a big decision, haha. (Sorry, nervously trying to fend off future buyer's remorse.)

A few other things came to mind:
*The clutch pull seems real stiff on the new Multi. Does that change when it's running? (I installed a clutch helper on my last bike because I have some hand problems which flare up with a lot of stiff clutching.)
*Guzzi should be bringing the new 1200cc 8V Griso to the US soon; I think it's in Euro already. That's got to be a lot more expensive....

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:35 pm

Ducatis' have querks. They are totally different from any other ride out there. Honda, (fucking ) BMW et al engineer character out of their products. Ducatis ooze the stuff !!

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:48 pm

By formerly owning a rideing several friend's Guzzis, I feel that you will thoroughly enjoy either one you choose. But they are completely different animals.

The Duck will feel 20 years newer than the Guzzi in engine refinement, and far more confidence inspiring during spirited rideing.

With the Guzzi engine, you will relish in it's raw character. I and some others do, but not everybody.

The Guzzi engine, much like the Duc, will start life with quite a bit of vibes.
But much more so with the Guzzi.
Feels like someone is tapping on the bars with a ball peen hammer with every fireing.
But while the Duc's vibes reduce rather quickly in it's life, the Gussi's linger on much longer.

The saying goes, the Guzzi's engine is just completing it's "breaking in" period at 10,000 miles.

Dependability wise, although neither of my 3 current Ducs have ever given me any trouble, I' hafta say that the Guzzi motor is a stouter, longer lasting design.

But if you EVER should need parts (from the factory), the Guzzi could be sitting for months on end. Far worse than Ducati timewise.

It's really more about what your looking for in a bike.
I view the MTS as a VERY sporting sport tourer.
To me, the Grisso is a standard rideing position "cruiser".

If spirited rideing isn't important to you, the Grisso may be the better choice, and feel more natural to you, comming from a cruiser background and all.

Which ever you choose, have fun & be safe !!!!!!!!

but the Duc IS a MUCH MUCH better bike !!!!!!

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:24 pm

hahahahaha, awesome!

But what about clutch pull?

Post Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:56 pm

If you do get stuck in slow traffic the multi's clutch will get to your hands quickly if you have problems with your fingers. If you do not normally get stuck in traffic the clutch is not too bad because you only have to pull it in halfway to shift.

Since Aprilia bought Moto Guzzi a ton of money has gone into modernizing the engine and transmission. They are much smoother running now and shift as well as the best transmissions.

The multi is much better in the turns and faster in acceleration while the Guzzi may have the upper hand in first impressions for looks. Yes the multi may not be everyones cup of tea in looks but I get a least one thumbs up or yelled nice bike everyday.

Wanna buy » Your biased opinions, please...