Time for a new ride... (ideas welcome!)

[Priller]

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GTAM is the best!

And also, the worst...

You hurt the ones you love the most...

I let a friend ride my Str675r... she put it into a ditch.

Financial loss, but wasn't worth the buyback.

Counts as an "at fault" for me, even though she has a comparable bike with full insurance, and she was at fault for her single vehicle accident.

Just as a back-story...

Fack, as an old friend named Blackie would say...

I went and bought a replacement in Quebec.

Seems to be more reasonably priced street triples there. It was worth the 12h round trip.

Locally, most sellers wanted $6500, with more km. The Quebec bike needed a few things, but nothing was a deal breaker.

Might want to consider doing the same.

I've always wondered about the logistics of doing this. Even when I was shopping for a supernaked in BC that ended up being the Tuono, the lowest prices in Canada were always in Quebec. I figure I'll need to save at least $1000 to make up for the gas there and back, plus the time and paperwork. How hard is it to register a Quebec bike in Ontario? It was super easy from BC, just needed a safety, but I thought I read somewhere that Quebec was harder...

2022 Ducati 950 super sport , original and super clean , 436kms from new . 10k firm . This is what you need , DM for my address….

Fack again. Fantastic bike, and the closest thing to the old VFR800 formula you can buy today.

No lowballers. He knows what he has. Lady driven. Highway miles only. Never seen rain. Mint. Previous owner only dropped it from a standstill. Needs nothing to certify.

I think I read every one of these skimming through Kijiji briefly just now...

How about this then?

A neighbour is an incorrigible bike collector, and he's recently started picking up Ducatis for some reason, despite loving Japanese bikes. Here's three, the middle one he races with VRRA:



The Paso is surprisingly mint bar a hideous Ducati logo on the opaque windscreen. Out of shot is the BMW K1 he also picked up recently...

You guys talking about the street triple is getting me interested. I am planning on upgrading my and my wifes bikes for this coming season.

Are there any specific years, models that are the better ones?

As @matt365 noted earlier, there's a sizeable jump in insurance when you get to the 765cc newer models...

Funny, because I skimmed Kijiji for anything interesting for this thread and I didn't turn up anything good for Priller. BUT

Somewhat rare red 1983 GS1100E. It has a Windjammer on it but seller says they still have the parts to revert it. Only $3000! I would be thinking about it if I didn't already have more bikes than I should

1983 Suzuki GS1100E with Safety Certificate. $3000.00 | Sport Touring | Oakville / Halton Region | Kijiji Classifieds

1983 Suzuki GS1100E. In-line 4 cylinder, 16 valves. Windjammer Fairing, Ventura Luggage Rack, Gears Saddle Bags, Corbin Motorcycle Saddle, Derale Oil Cooler, Tarozzi Fork Brace, Braided Steel Brake Lines, Wiseco Piston Kit – 1166cc (installed at 35,000 Km), Progressive Suspension Shocks, Lithium...

www.kijiji.ca

That thing is a stunner. Then you see the Windjammer, and...

Mission accomplished. Thread hijack completed.

In the best possible way. At least folks aren't shouting about Trudeau. As the OP, I thoroughly endorse these hijacks.

This was my 2005. First year, and I'm pretty sure the black ones are the fastest.

View attachment 69969

Opposite to the Street Triple, I have discovered that insurance for the first 1050 gen of the Speed Triple is significantly more expensive (at least for me) than later models. I was quoted $1319/yr for a 2011, and $2001/yr for a 2005. No idea why...

 

[Relax]

How about this then?

 

[oioioi]

I can't keep up with all the suggestion or your want and don't wants.
But here is a decent one

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[mimico_polak]

I can't keep up with all the suggestion or your want and don't wants.
But here is a decent one

View attachment 70026

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Wow that’s nice!

 

[Jayell]

@Priller

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[Priller]

@Priller

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[bigpoppa]

kind of crazy they dont make that bike anymore

 

[mimico_polak]

@Priller

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That is a beaut! Nice sound too from the video!

 

[GreyGhost]

Old school cool? Magna v30 for $1200

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[Evoex]

@Priller

2020 Triumph Street Triple R

Discover your next 2020 Triumph Street Triple R at AM SALES for only $7,900 CAD. Find this and other great Triumph models in Concord, ON today

www.amsalestoronto.com

 

[matt365]

@Priller

2020 Triumph Street Triple R

Discover your next 2020 Triumph Street Triple R at AM SALES for only $7,900 CAD. Find this and other great Triumph models in Concord, ON today

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Man thats nice.

Price is good too.

Insurance is nearly 1.5-2x that of the 675r, but I'd be tempted.

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[Priller]

Old school cool? Magna v30 for $1200

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I'm too young to be nostalgic about that era of '80s Japanese cruisers, they were just before my time (hence my love for '90s sportbikes instead).
Dig the Magna, but if I wanted a Japanese muscle bike that didn't handle worth a s*it, I think the V-Max is better looking. They're also not as muscle-ey as they were at the time, with 100 hp being low-average these days.

@Priller

2020 Triumph Street Triple R

Discover your next 2020 Triumph Street Triple R at AM SALES for only $7,900 CAD. Find this and other great Triumph models in Concord, ON today

www.amsalestoronto.com

Saw the year and was all set to gripe about cost creep again, but that's a very fair price. Was just listening to an older Front End Chatter podcast recently where they went through the Street Triple evolution, and they seemed to actually prefer the old 675 version for simplicity and pure fun factor, though. One even went as far as saying he'd put the 675 version up against any of the modern middleweights (Ninja 650, GSXS800, CBR650R, etc.) as a fun, simple, no BS bike.

Man thats nice.

Price is good too.

Insurance is nearly 1.5-2x that of the 675r, but I'd be tempted.

The more I've hunted around and thought about what I'm looking for, the more I've moved away from the sport-tourers I was initially focusing on.

I think something cruiser-ish without a) looking too much like a cruiser, and b) handling like a cruiser. Something that's comfortable to lope along in 6th without being in a hurry with loads of torque. Everything I've read about the Griso suggests it's a kind of unique mix of cruiser and sports naked, with decent suspension, lots of ground clearance, muscle bike looks, very torquey, and a big, lazy motor that still can rev a bit. The 'best used bikes' description from Cycle World back in the day describes it thus: "The Griso magically bridges the gap between sportbike and relaxed cruiser."

That sounds pretty much exactly like what I'm looking for...

It's a pretty narrow field, including also maybe the Yamaha MT-01 (overdesigned and not as pretty to my eyes) and not much else. The simplicity and easy head access of the Moto Guzzi transverse V layout is also appealing, the exhaust note is unique and not potato-potato, and I really dig the looks.

The problem is they barely sold any here, so there's not exactly stacks of them kicking around. If this one isn't a fit, I'll either have to be patient, which isn't my strong suit, or look elsewhere. If I'm forced to do the latter, then the 675R is top of my list...

 

[matt365]

I'm too young to be nostalgic about that era of '80s Japanese cruisers, they were just before my time (hence my love for '90s sportbikes instead).
Dig the Magna, but if I wanted a Japanese muscle bike that didn't handle worth a s*it, I think the V-Max is better looking. They're also not as muscle-ey as they were at the time, with 100 hp being low-average these days.


Saw the year and was all set to gripe about cost creep again, but that's a very fair price. Was just listening to an older Front End Chatter podcast recently where they went through the Street Triple evolution, and they seemed to actually prefer the old 675 version for simplicity and pure fun factor, though. One even went as far as saying he'd put the 675 version up against any of the modern middleweights (Ninja 650, GSXS800, CBR650R, etc.) as a fun, simple, no BS bike.



The more I've hunted around and thought about what I'm looking for, the more I've moved away from the sport-tourers I was initially focusing on.

I think something cruiser-ish without a) looking too much like a cruiser, and b) handling like a cruiser. Something that's comfortable to lope along in 6th without being in a hurry with loads of torque. Everything I've read about the Griso suggests it's a kind of unique mix of cruiser and sports naked, with decent suspension, lots of ground clearance, muscle bike looks, very torquey, and a big, lazy motor that still can rev a bit. The 'best used bikes' description from Cycle World back in the day describes it thus: "The Griso magically bridges the gap between sportbike and relaxed cruiser."

That sounds pretty much exactly like what I'm looking for...

It's a pretty narrow field, including also maybe the Yamaha MT-01 (overdesigned and not as pretty to my eyes) and not much else. The simplicity and easy head access of the Moto Guzzi transverse V layout is also appealing, the exhaust note is unique and not potato-potato, and I really dig the looks.

The problem is they barely sold any here, so there's not exactly stacks of them kicking around. If this one isn't a fit, I'll either have to be patient, which isn't my strong suit, or look elsewhere. If I'm forced to do the latter, then the 675R is top of my list...

Its funny, I saw a Griso in Georgetown a couple hours ago... thought it might have been a Stelvio, but the wheels looked to be 17".

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[Priller]

Its funny, I saw a Griso in Georgetown a couple hours ago... thought it might have been a Stelvio, but the wheels looked to be 17".

The new Stelvio I really dig. The old Stelvio looks great as long as you can't see those comedy surprised-cartoon-character headlights...

 

[MacDoc]

Everytime you say Stelvio I think of the sweetener. Figured I needed a actual picture to dispel the association.
Lovely bike

carry on with the hunt...are you looking for a bargain given you are late in the season,?

 

[mimico_polak]

I dunno @Priller sure sounds like a Ducati Scrambler should be on the menu for you…

 

[Priller]

Everytime you say Stelvio I think of the sweetener. Figured I needed a actual picture to dispel the association.

Here's an even better picture to recalibrate the name away from horrible sugar substitutes:



The bike is named after the Stelvio Pass, a legendary road that clings to a cliff in Northern Italy between there and Austria, and that's quite close to the Moto Guzzi factory. It's also well known as a classic climb in the Giro d'Italia bicycle race, one of the most difficult in Europe.



You may also notice the Tonale Pass, and recall that Alfa Romeo also sells a Stelvio plus a Tonale model...

(Incidentally, the Aprilia factory is the blue dot roughly equidistant between Padua and Venice in the bottom right of the above map. It's a pretty good part of the world in which to make motorcycles and cars...)

carry on with the hunt...are you looking for a bargain given you are late in the season,?

That's the hope, but when I'm down to a sample size of one for Griso's to buy locally, I may have to be patient. There's a few cheaper for sale out west, but it's not worth the hassle of shipping at this price point. My main problem is in researching, I've kind of fallen for the ridiculous thing, and am struggling to look at other bikes and think anything besides, "It's really nice, but it's not as cool as a Griso." I dig the stupid motor design, the weird frame layout that visually splits the tank, the colours, the logo, the checkered brand history, the whole bit. Not an ideal place from which to shop for deals, as it makes walking away a lot harder.

Even the name, which is taken from a relatively minor tough guy character in the 1800's Italian book series, 'I promessi sposi', is bizarre. It would be familiar to most Italians because the books are typically taught in the equivalent of high school there, but makes zero sense to any non-Italian. Naturally, this makes me love it all the more...

I dunno @Priller sure sounds like a Ducati Scrambler should be on the menu for you…

I dunno, it's really nice, but it's not as cool as a Griso... (see above)

 

[Hardwrkr13]

Here's an even better picture to recalibrate the name away from horrible sugar substitutes:

View attachment 70142

The bike is named after the Stelvio Pass, a legendary road that clings to a cliff in Northern Italy between there and Austria, and that's quite close to the Moto Guzzi factory. It's also well known as a classic climb in the Giro d'Italia bicycle race, one of the most difficult in Europe.

View attachment 70145

You may also notice the Tonale Pass, and recall that Alfa Romeo also sells a Stelvio plus a Tonale model...

(Incidentally, the Aprilia factory is the blue dot roughly equidistant between Padua and Venice in the bottom right of the above map. It's a pretty good part of the world in which to make motorcycles and cars...)


That's the hope, but when I'm down to a sample size of one for Griso's to buy locally, I may have to be patient. There's a few cheaper for sale out west, but it's not worth the hassle of shipping at this price point. My main problem is in researching, I've kind of fallen for the ridiculous thing, and am struggling to look at other bikes and think anything besides, "It's really nice, but it's not as cool as a Griso." I dig the stupid motor design, the weird frame layout that visually splits the tank, the colours, the logo, the checkered brand history, the whole bit. Not an ideal place from which to shop for deals, as it makes walking away a lot harder.

Even the name, which is taken from a relatively minor tough guy character in the 1800's Italian book series, 'I promessi sposi', is bizarre. It would be familiar to most Italians because the books are typically taught in the equivalent of high school there, but makes zero sense to any non-Italian. Naturally, this makes me love it all the more...



I dunno, it's really nice, but it's not as cool as a Griso... (see above)

Doesn't help me as I always join the two and call it the Stelvia Pass all the time.

 

[bigpoppa]

@Priller
Have you considered a neo-retro? From your description (relaxed cruiser looks and ergos but decent handling) something like an RnineT or a triumph bonnie might fit the description?

Both are probably easier to find for purchasing than an old guzzi

 

[Priller]

@Priller
Have you considered a neo-retro? From your description (relaxed cruiser looks and ergos but decent handling) something like an RnineT or a triumph bonnie might fit the description?

Both are probably easier to find for purchasing than an old guzzi

I absolutely have.

The R nineT is even nice enough to overcome my BMW aversion, but even the cheapest out there are closer to $10k. And while I like them a lot, the vibe of them does feel a bit manufactured by a consumer study group looking to make a bike that appeals to CB400 custom cafe racer hipsters. They're beautifully done, but just don't have the oddball charisma of the Griso to me. Also, the group tests I've found regularly rate the Griso above the Beemer, which is definitely a surprise. Beemer wins on weight and agility, but the Guzzi wins with much better suspension and a more engaging ride. YMMV etc.

As for a Triumph, the Bonneville variants are missing the torque I'm looking for. The motors are really designed for beginners, and so are a bit fluffy. I do need to do some digging into the Speed Twin variants, some 900, some 1200, but I definitely prefer the originality of the Guzzi over the '60s nostalgia of the Triumphs.

Closer to the mark is a ZRX, which is a remake that hits closer to home for me, but they're bloody expensive for what they are, and asking $8500+ for a 25 year old bike just feels a bit rich.

We'll see. The Griso I'm looking at is on hold due to a lumpy cold idle issue the owner reported before I could even let ok at it first hand, so it's at Moto Motori now. I'm away trailer camping at Letchworth State Park in New York this week, so the soonest I'll be able to look at it is the holiday Monday. Definitely a bit frustrating for a guy who loves himself some instant gratification, but it's also given me time to make sure the Griso isn't too much of an impulse buy.

Definitely appreciate the ideas, by the way. The R nineT is a great choice, and super close to the mark...

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