8v in Virginia

Hi everyone,

John here. Back in the 70s, I was a Norton, Ducati, Moto Guzzi dealer. Nortons were our big seller and we closed the business when Norton went under. I bought a slightly used 72 Commando in 76 and kept it until last year. When the new version of the MG V7 Sport came out, I came down with a case of nostalgia for the V7 Sport that I had back in 74. None of the MG dealers nearby had any Guzzis in stock, so it was a while before I finally found one, about 250 miles away. I was excited to see the V7 in person, but when I got to the dealership, the Sport was sitting next to a GRiSO. Forget the Sport, I was sold on the GRiSO.

As soon as I got home, I started liquidating my 35 year accumulation of Norton parts. It became apparent that this was going to take some time. So as soon as I had enough money, I bought a 2002 V11 LeMans to hold me over until I could afford the GRiSO [Ironically, the guy I bought the LeMans from turned out to be a former customer who told me he bought the LeMans because he had coveted my V7 Sport back in the day]. The LeMans was OK - reliable, but handled like a limo and had terrible vibration compared to the Norton. It took another year to sell everything, including the LeMans.

I put the word out that I was looking for a GRiSO and a friend phoned me from Riders Hill to let me know they had a black 2009 8v factory demo on sale. He put the sales guy on the phone and a few minutes later, I owned a GRiSO, sight unseen. That was last December. The bike had 3500 miles on it then - now it has 12000. Before the GRiSO, I was all about working on bikes; riding was secondary. But that's all changed. When people ask how I like it, I tell them honestly that I think it's the best bike ever made. And I've owned and ridden a lot of bikes, from Velocettes to Lambrettas.

Sorry I don't have a picture. Everything you can see is pretty much stock, except for the AirHawks and Cortech soft bags. Lately, I've disabled the Lambda and have been working on the map in Tunerpro/Guzzidiag (so I guess I'm not completely cured on the need to work on bikes). I'll try to post a summary of my progress when I get a chance.

Welcome to the Ghetto JD! Looking forward to your efforts in mapping and making it all your own.

Another one falls under the GRiSO spell...

Welcome.

I hear you - I am completely besotted with my G.


  

Same thing happened to me four years ago. I wanted a V7 Classic but got attracted and sold on a 8VSE sitting beside the V7.

Love at first sight. My G8VSE at the dealer's floor among other geese, was excited hence the blurry picture.

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Welcome on board!

Phang

Phang wrote:

Same thing happened to me four years ago. I wanted a V7 Classic but got attracted and sold on a 8VSE sitting beside the V7.

Love at first sight. My G8VSE at the dealer's floor among other geese, was excited hence the blurry picture.

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Welcome on board!

Phang

That's a beauty!! I really wanted an SE, but I couldn't find one for sale at the time. That's the only bike I would even consider trading my black GRiSO for.

Hey John, would love to hear some stories from your dealer days. I think most of us on the other side of the "fence" often daydream about what it must be like to run a motorcycle business with a shop full of cool rides. I'm sure it's a case of the "grass being greener" but I am also sure you have some great stories!

I was actually looking for Ducati Monsters and Triumph Speed Triples when I happened upon my GRiSO. One short test ride was all it took... I wasn't even interested in testing the other bikes after that. They're great rides, no doubt. But the G is truly something special.

Yep what Phang said
"Love at first sight"
As soon as I seen the one on the net I bought, I knew I would have it.

Harry

John,

The great lost love of my life was a Norton Commando 750 Roadster, a beauty in black and gold. I bought it new in '71 and rode it for more than a dozen years until the kick starter nearly wrecked my knee and I got tired of stopping every hundred miles to reattach something that had vibrated loose.

Now I've found a bike that's just as much fun to ride and -- so far -- less of a pain to keep running. I have ridden my '12 GRiSO Black Devil SE from my home in Richmond past Colonial Heights a few times and would love to hook up when the weather turns a little warmer.

(Another Va. John)

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