Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

This sweet Guzzi is my eyestone. I imported it from Germany in 2007. I think there are two, maybe three, of the Quota 1000 in Norway. It's a tremendous tourer, while being a bit on the heavy side for commuting. I'm about to restore it and put it in a somewhat different condition (re-paint it, get rid of some electric bugs etc) the upcoming winter. She had not been taken good care of by its previous owner, so we need to take good care of this girl in the future. She's here to stay!

Read about my experiences with the Quota!

Why a Quota and not a BMW GS?

Revamping the bike - The Quota Project

This is another one of my eyestones. I've built this sidecar rig myself, with some help from my very good friend Tor. I bought this pretty shabby T5 from a friend's brother, who is a motorcycle dealer in Kristiansand, in 2006. He had taken it as part exchange and hadn't even started rolling it into the workshop to fix it before I rang and bought it as it was for a cheap lump of money. I traded my old Ural sidecar (piece of crap, btw) with the Watsonian sidecar, got the forks, shocks and fasteners and rigged it all together. Works great!

(Oh, and as the picture reveals, I really need to intensify my exercising....)

(Click on image to view specs)

I actually never saw myself as a Griso owner, but chances saw to it that I today sit with one in my garage. We have parted with all non-Guzzis in our garage after I sold the Tenere just before Whitsunday 2009. I was ready to buy another Guzzi to fill its space and looked at importing a 1000S from Germany. But then I saw this Griso advertised. The guy had already priced it pretty low, and after some bargaining we agreed upon a price. 2 June 09 I rode the bike back home to the garage. It was a hoot to ride and I like its looks. It sort of grows upon me. Guzzis don't leave our garage, so this is a keeper. With a wee lower seat it's even possible for my wife to ride it. She looked mighty cool on it.

(Click on image to view specs)