The most regrettable GRiSO

In reading "The Perfect GRiSO" thread, it occurred to me that this might make a good complimentary topic. So:

Let's assume I bought a shiny new '16 GRiSO, and I'm all ready to make it my own (because it's not already unique enough). Which mods and additions seem appealing, but in reality are a real let-down? So far, things I've considered and then re-considered after spending some time here:

1) clip-ons and rearsets
2) Swiss cheese the airbox lid and drop in a K&N filter
3) High flow "shorty" exhaust with O2 sensor emulator in place of pretzel bend and proper tune-able setup
4) Always fill the oil to the top of the "full" range on the dipstick, and use tried and true Motul 3100 Gold
5) Steering dampener, because all bikes need one and it looks cool
6) Fill the tank with E85 once and leave it in the sun. INSTANT added fuel capacity from all the swelling!

OK, I may not have actually considered one or two of the thoughts above, but I'm trying to summarize and learn from the collective wisdom here what NOT to do to or with a GRiSO that is often done to/with other bikes with better results.

What mods/maintenance/additions have you done that you've subsequently UN-done because they suck?

Have you seen one with knobby tires? That should definitely be on the regrettable list.

Putting on the Guzzitech right hand exhaust was my big regret - 108dB

ecs wrote:

Putting on the Guzzitech right hand exhaust was my big regret - 108dB

One of mine too. I was suckered by the Kool-Aid much to my regret. Never bought anything from that source that fitted or worked and got stiffed into the bargain. Nice.

O2 sensor foolers are one of my biggest bugbears in terms of 'Tuning' aids. As far as preventative maintenance goes? Don't bother greasing your swingarm bearings and shock linkages, especially if you live in a damp climate. That will pay huge dividends, not! Also on the preventative front, if you own a pre '13 bike? Rollerise early and often!

Pete

I bought the Agostini straight through mid pipe to replace the stock "pretzel" and their hydroformed muffler before I'd even taken delivery of the bike (and before I read much about tuning the 8v motor) and that was a regretful experience that cost me several hundred dollars. Despite Mark's best efforts and multiple different maps emailed back and forth we just couldn't make her run right around town. And that particular pipe combo was very drone-y. Almost painful to ride without earplugs.

I regretted installing a hugger. But that won't apply to everyone.

Good replies so far.  Keep 'em coming!  

beetle, what was the issue with the hugger you installed?  Did it not address the issue, or was there never an issue to begin with?  Aesthetics?

Edit: never mind... search is my friend

I seriously Regret buying a Power Commander V , full kit with the dash screen . Kool aid indeed, ran shitty before, and shittier after fitting. No end of fiddling seemed to help, The poxy program supplied with the kit wouldn't allow any adjustments below about 4000 rpms, Grrrrrr
So all the crap now sits in a box in the shed, we should have a ceremonious burning at a cabal sometime , the pretty flames coming off burning plastic might be nice to watch.

Oh yeah, I forgot about that turd. The most money I ever spent on the bike in foul swoop, and the thing I regret the most.


Ron, if you want to put it use, I have away it can be helpful. It will mean reinstalling it again.

beetle wrote:

Oh yeah, I forgot about that turd. The most money I ever spent on the bike in foul swoop, and the thing I regret the most.


Ron, if you want to put it use, I have away it can be helpful. It will mean reinstalling it again.

You Speak with Forked Tongue kemosabi

I do not. If I can make a silk purse out of a boar's ear, I will.

I guess this is using it like your system? Turning the lambda back on and using the wide band input to trim the ECU?

Pete

Yes Pete. We're going off topic, but peruse [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] thread from 2014. At least until it goes off-topic. I have advanced the idea further since then.

Yah. We've discussed it before. Yes, it sounds interesting, the only thing is my bike is running so well I can see little point apart from a minor improvement in fuel economy. Quite happy to try and assist in any way I can but I gave away my PCV and I'm sure as shit not buying another one!

Now the cooler weather is back my cold start issue has returned. Not a big problem, just noticeable.

Pete

Refresh my memory on cold start issue.

Yep,PCv sittin in the draw.but there are a few more things NOT to do.
Play with the throttle stop screw (s)
Play with throttle likage rod
Rev shit out of it with cold oil
Not rev shit out of it with hot oil
DONT ride it like its a harley, let em sing

Is / are the throttle stop screw(s) the so-called "sacred screw," or is that another screw?

Yes, the throttle stop screws. Do not touch!

waterbottle wrote:

You Speak with Forked Tongue kemosabi

"Tonto, we're surrounded by bad guys.  What do we do?"

"What you mean, 'we,' white man?"

Left the G.P.R Deeptone installed (came with the bike).
It is in the process of melting the left indicator.

The only regretable thing I can offer is being sober when I bought it. I have no excuse

Are you takin the piss?

He was....

Scott? If it has been such a disappointment to you why don't you just move on and learn from the experience? Buy something else but do a bit more research so you don't end up in a similarly challenging situation with your next purchase.

I fully understand your frustrations but it's scarcely as if the problem with the flat tappets has been a secret, especially in the UK. Surely a quick internet search along the lines of 'Moto Guzzi GRiSO 1200 problems' would yield some inkling as to the issue? Wel, yes it does. I just looked.

Personally, even though my ownership has cost me an engine I wouldn't swap my GRiSO for anything else available at this time from any manufacturer. I do of course have the skills and abilities needed to fix the fuck-ups and I realise others do not but even so in this age of incredible access to information at least a rudimentary search would of enabled you to avoid your current frustrations.

Pete

I regret having the motor rebuilt rather than buying new.  Now I'm not sure whether to stick with a potential grenade or buy a diablo rosso.  

It is a serious comment and something that should be considered before pouring 5 or 6K into a rebuild.

But the red one is pretty.