cycdude6

I wonder what type failed in cycdude6's? Siemens. Is the headlight bulb on the V11's an H-4? Bike's in shop and there's nothing in the manual. I'm trying to figure out which kit to order for the Ballabio. Thanks, John

Bike is at Wagners, had a bad relay, as well as a couple of mispositioned relays from swapping them out trying to fix the bike. Marzocchi left fork tube will be replaced, mechanic fixed once already. Broken fuel line disconnect repaired by campfire-side with epoxy and a cotter pin. The next step is to find someone to help me rewire the headlight circuit with it's own relay and redo and dielectric grease all the electrical connections. John

Ahhh, it's up to the dealer now. Every switch tested ok, solenoid ok. No start.

Bike won't start and 6 other problems, returned to dealer, two weeks, repaired. Fork seal leaking again. Bike won't start again. Took bike on short camping trip (Yankee Beemers, Taconic State Park, NY, USA), bike won't start. All switches test ok, solenoid and starter ok. Tachometer quits, headlight quits. I Break the fuel line disconnect when removing tank to check all connections . Called Wagner Motorsports, after some discussion the manager drove two hours, picked up the Ballabio and lent me their Ducati GT1000 demo until the Guzzi was fixed or lemon-lawed. (Drove the Ducati, loved it's competence (and the fact it always started!) and revvy motor. I found it to be a little more comfortable than the Ballabio and similar tho lighter handling. The exhaust note was very nice and the bike is attractive) However, I prefer the looks and motor of the Guzzi, I think it's a sexier bike and would prefer to keep it. If they can't fix the Ballabio, then I may have to consider the GT as a replacement. 1) My Guzzi may really be a lemon; do you think it's repairable (multiple electrical intermittent gremlins --the only one which matters tho is the starting issue.) 2) Even if they manage to fix the bike I've been stuck too many times...it will have to regain my trust. Can a Guzzi really ever become reliable after a really bad start? 3) Please, your thoughts on the Ducati GT as a replacement...

Sorry to hear that, but I do know how you feel....Will you get another Guzzi? John It is likely that my Guz and I will be parting ways in the spring. I've had enough. I'm already loooongggg past my tolerance for "sorting". Hope yours sorts better than mine has... cheers, Rj An update on the Ballabio: from Wagner Motorsports Service Dept. Fuel tank suck ----improperly installed vent filter Bad kill switch ---replaced leaky forks ---seal replaced battery drain in 45 mins of operation ----battery replaced (I hope that's it and not the rectifier) parts fell off kickstand ---parts replaced low fuel light doesn't work. ---broken wire, not connected to harness

Thank you all for the outpouring of support. I am cured. No more whining from me! John S.

It's odd, before the bike purchase I talked to quite a few people about their Guzzi's and none reported anywhere near the amount of problems my bike has, and all reported satisfaction with their Guzzi's overall. I purchased what may be a Lemon that's gonna sit in the shop god knows how long...a bike that I gave up some hard earned cash for can't be used because Moto Guzzi messed up. All the problems are KNOWN issues and should have been addressed years ago, if the company had any pride in it's products. That said I hope I get to eat my words when Wagner Motorsports delivers a good running Ballabio in a reasonable amount of time before the season ends here in the northeast US. Also, I do appreciate all the feedback and remain impressed with this great bulletin board. Thank you. John

That's funny....it's obvious I'm not alone here. But where is the crown of thorns and the cross I shoulda got with my bike?!

Well said and very thoughtful! However I am very busy with my work, I want to ride when I have the chance, not wrench, and I don't care how many inebriated italian farmers it took to assemble, by hand god forbid, my beautiful Ballabio. I have the skills to maintain the bike on a regular basis and fix the occasional issue, but neither the time nor the inclination to fix the stuff the factory should have caught and if not them then the dealer. It is they who've dropped the ball, so to speak.

Please excuse all my whining! What a great forum... However, I bought the bike to ride, not sit in the shop waiting for parts while the riding season winds down. Also, my bike seems to have more than it's fair share of teething problems and as others have said, it's the dealers fault as well for not being the least bit proactive in prepping a bike with known issues nor informing me at the time of purchase. I have contacted Piaggio USA customer service (customercare@piaggiogroupusa.com) and they have promised to expedite the parts issues. Then it will be up to Wagner. The longer they keep the bike, the closer I am to reaching the 15 days in the shop as specified by Mass. Lemon Law. I love the bike, want to keep it but I'm not thrilled with the Moto Guzzi philosophy "we're not happy until you're not happy!" John

As presented in a previous post my new Ballabio has the following issues: Fuel tank suck Bad kill switch leaky forks battery drain in 45 mins of operation parts fell off kickstand low fuel light doesn't work. In three weeks of ownership I've managed to only put 400 miles on it, without one trip being breakdown free. I've delivered the bike (one hour drive) to Wagner Motor Sports, who wouldn't come pick it up. Two business days pass, the service department tells me it will be at least a week and probably more before the parts come in. The state of Massachusetts has a Lemon Law that states...There's a specific process that anyone considering using the Massachusetts Lemon Law must follow: You need to bring the car (or other vehicle) in for repair of the same problem at least three times or for a total of 15 days. You need to officially notify the manufacturer of one final attempt to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer has seven days to comply. If the manufacturer tries to repair it and fails, you have the right to ask for a refund or replacement. If the manufacturer does not respond to your final request, you need to ask for a mediation or arbitration hearing. Has anyone gone the Lemon Law route before? Ask me if I'd ever buy another Guzzi, go ahead, I dare you! I've owned 20 bikes over the years and I don't think I've had this many problems combined. Damn I'm getting angry at Guzzi. Who do you contact at Guzzi to complain? Anyone?

Thanks for the commiseration guys! I appreciate it. I do believe Wagner Motor Sports will do everything possible to make the bike work, under warranty. But right now it's torture, waiting for the day to come when I can ride the bike, with confidence. John

Hi all, I'm looking forward to being an active member of this board! Great stuff. I just purchased an '04 Ballabio leftover from Wagner Motorsports in Worcester, MA, USA. My issues with the new bike are as follows; 1) Bad kill switch, intermittent. To be replaced. 2) Bad starter relay? -- bike doesn't turn over, fuel pump working, battery charged. 3) Low fuel light not working, ran out of gas. 4) Vacuum builds in tank, bike starves, must open fuel cap. 5) Left front fork seal leaking, to be replaced. By far this is the most trouble-prone bike I've ever owned and I've owned twenty over the years including German, Japanese and modern British bikes. My bmw r11rt with 70K hasn't had this many issues yet! That said, if the bike can be sorted out properly, I may have found a keeper. Love the handling, motor, ride and attention the bike gets... John from Connecticut