Can't believe I'm think'n of trading for a Griso

maxer900 · 09-08-2006, 09:49 AM

Hi everyone:
I love my R11S but I took the Moto Guzzi Griso for a test drive and it was very impressive. Smooth, lots of torque and great handling. I even like the odd styling.
Maybe I should find a way to keep the R11S.

Anyone have any long term experience with the Griso?

The basic engine has been around for along time.

I tried to insert a pic but no luck.

thanks
Gary

jonyo · 09-08-2006, 10:01 AM

Please tell us it wasn't their ads that did it for you!

Rapid Dog · 09-08-2006, 10:08 AM

maxer900 · 09-08-2006, 10:37 AM

ummmm never seen their ads.
I remember seeing a road test in one of the mags and the test was very positive.
The dealer has done the R&D to put a Remus slip-on onto the bike and it improves the look tremendously. Replaces the stock Bazooka and move the can up higher.
I am in Canada so with only about 5 dealers nationwide they are not very common.
I like the quirky styling. Just imagine it with that stock can gone.

repoe3 · 09-08-2006, 10:43 AM

its on the short list for new bikes for me in 08! plan to pruchase something in the west or PNW and ride it home with some friends doing the same thing. look to camp and take a bit more relaxed pace back across than we did last year. wish the griso had a bit more power, but i think i could live with it. nice alternative machine to ride. it has the same forks that are on the tuono, so i know the front end will handle nicely.

trying to work my way onto a husky SM610 sometime next year. not sur ehow i am going to do that...

repoe3

jonyo · 09-08-2006, 11:11 AM

Maybe it was an ad for the Breva. I don't think it ran for long.
It had naked dude stradling the front tire and caressing the headlight. It was some seriously Gaylord sh#@. It was enough to cure any thoughts of owning a new guzzi. More broke ***** mountain stuff for rapid.

maxer900 · 09-08-2006, 11:20 AM

Jeez, that kind of commercial would put me off for good.lol

While the stated hp is in the eighties it definitely does feel alot stronger.

No Question it is faster than my R11S. Lots of low end torque and very smooth.

Lots of other parts are shared with the Aprillia line

repoe3 · 09-08-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by maxer900
No Question it is faster than my R11S. Lots of low end torque and very smooth.

WHA??? how is that? it is as heavy, if not heavier, less HP and its gearing cant do more than give it more take-off grunt vs. top speed. granted i have not ridden one...but i find that hard to believe. not that i am knocking the bike...as stated, its on my short list of new bikes for 08.

repoe3

maxer900 · 02:25 PM

I found it hard to believe as well for all of the reasons you stated it shouldn't be as fast as it is.

I rode both bikes back to back.

You got to find yourself a test ride to see,

...or let's put it this way there was no percievable difference between the two.

I was expecting the Guzzi to be much slower than it was.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

still looks like an old honda cx500 or cx650 (after a steroid overdose) to me.

jclark · jclark's Garage

Nahhh, the CX500 has water cooling and looks bettah...

Now the MT01 or the LeMans ( Corsa Rosso ), there's a Guzzi...

jeff

R111S · R111S's Garage

Been attending Moto Guzzi Rallys here in the Midewest for several years...they're small (~250 riders), usually no venders, and they put on a feast...I really enjoy these rallys.

http://www.mgnoc.com/

My favorite is the V10 Centauro...http://www.centauro-owners.com/

davidb2 · 09-08-2006, 10:22 PM

I owned a 2003 v11 sport naked which has the same basic engine and possibly the same transmission. The QA from the factory is terrible. I had problems with the relays, rear main seal 2 times, fromt timing cover, transmission spring, Guido forgot to grease the rear drive bearing, etc. The MG group that I rode with had simular problems and some gave up and purchased more reliable bikes such as a Aprilia, bmw, honda etc. Aprilia owned MG but the QA didnt improve at the MG factory. Parts and dealers are a whole nother story. Buy it if you want, but you had better do your homework. I also owned a 2004 bcr at the same time,my son and I raced them a few times .(10 to 15) the guzzi would pull the bcr for a few hundred feet of the line then the bcr would stomp the ***** out of the guzzi once it would get past the 5000 rpm range. If your r1100s is slower than the griso, there is something wrong with your S.

davidb2 · 09-08-2006, 10:33 PM

maxer900, go to the v11/lemans site and lerk for a few weeks to get a idea on dealer support (lack of) parts availability (months often). I would like to have a centauro for putting around locally, but for reliability, and 2000 mile trips, the guzzi is not going to replace your beemer.

branners · 09-09-2006, 05:56 AM

I had a Gutsy on my list of bikes I considered buying. Until I rode one.

maxer900 · 09-09-2006, 08:36 AM

What specifically didn't you like about the ride?

Thanks for all the input. My post is step one in doing my homework on the Guzzi. I figured this would be a good place to start as there are alot of very knowledgeble folks on this site. I really was not turning up enough info on the web on key factors like quality control and dealer support.
I was hoping that since the revitalization of Moto Guzzi that quality and support had improved.
I was thinking since the basic engine has been around for years and since a great deal of the remaining parts are off the shelf items like Brembo and Showa the bike should be pretty reliable.

Thanks for all the input.

John Lyon · 09-09-2006, 09:18 AM

The Guzzi is a fine bike, very reliable and good handling. The main things you give up vs. a BMW are the telelever suspension, maybe ABS (don't know for sure), a somewhat higher center of gravity (vs the boxer engine), fewer accessories, and a smaller dealer network.

Otherwise, my experience with Guzzi was very positive - they do have the shaft drive and run forever. Just expect spending some time up front on the fuel injection, unless things have changed in the past few years. Many guys replace the chip, etc. to overcome the less refined attempts to meet EPA requirements.

markjenn · 09-09-2006, 11:49 AM

I've been lusting after a Griso ever since they first surfaced. I'm sure Guzzi ownership is a labor of love, but then again, so are our beloved R1100S/R1200S bikes compared to a VFR or Gixxer.

I even love the bazooka pipe. I hope I can resist the urges.

- Mark

maxer900 · 09-09-2006, 12:32 PM

Part of the attraction of buying from this dealer is that he is willing to fabricate a transition pipe that will allow a Remis to be installed in a more raised up position. This includes the dyno tuning which would hopefully eliminate any fuel injection issues with the stock set up.

I expected the bike to me slower than it was and to be very top heavy.
The bike had a very balanced and solid feel to it.

repoe3 · 09-10-2006, 05:58 AM

the griso got a great write-up in the naked and nasty comparo in one of this month's moto rags...best of show went to the new tuono. no surprise there...except for the fact they uglified it.

repoe3