5g: Gone and Got a Guzzi Griso in the Garage

[AustinW]

I think it looks brilliant, it rides fabulously, loud, lumpy, torquey, vibey, a bit scary, and not hugely comfortable. Impractical. I love it. Picked it up on Thursday so the honeymoon has barely started. It needs a bit fettling. I’ve still got my V85tt.

 

[Wrinkly]

Lovely, and the SE model. enjoy.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Oh well done!

 

[Oldrat]

Ooo, love that.
I have a soft spot for Grisos, I just live the look of them.

Great addition to the garage, well done Sir!

 

[EKIMYRF]

I love the Griso I had one for 6 years

 

[Santa-2512]

Ooo, love that.
I have a soft spot for Grisos, I just live the look of them.

Great addition to the garage, well done Sir!

The one Guzzi, my other half said that she liked, without any prompting

 

[brut33]

Best looking Guzzi out there. A bike I could never get comfortable on but like you said, who cares with looks like that.

 

[Andrew Dean]

Wish I’d never part chopped mine, big mistake, enjoy.

 

[xsgraham]

Love a Griso and that SE burnt orange is the best colour nest to the matt green one.

Had a go on my mates 1200 a few years ago but found it too uncomfortable compared to the 1200 Sport I had at the time.

 

[FatAl]

One of the nicest looking Guzzis. I was fortunate enough to have one loaned to me for 24 hours by the Rocket Centre in Blackburn whilst my Stelvio was having a recall done. The bike was fitted with an aftermarket end can and it sounded fabulous, far better than the standard rather ugly IMHO silencer. I would have liked to own one but the bend at the knee was too much for my comfort. I think I would have fitted bar risers as well.
I'm rather jealous of you Austin, FAB looking machine.

 

[AustinW]

Thanks Al. Tbh I haven’t found the knee bend too bad, but the longest I’ve been on it is about an hour. Weight on my hands is a different matter so yeah maybe some bar risers will be added. But I’m never going to be touring or doing very long distances on it so I may not bother. Exhaust…. I think I like the standard one you know. It’s got a cool look to it imho. My priority is probably to sort the suspension out first anyway. The rear shock is very rusty and the whole setup is unfeasibly stiff. I may get away with a bit of a fettle but I think a new shock will be needed.

I’m just happy to have it my garage. First bike I’ve owned where I’ve really let heart rule my head.

 

[The Other PaulG]

In a world where bikes are becoming more sanitised and - in my opinion - a lot of new bike choices are quite unimaginative, that Griso just oozes character and soul. Yes it's perhaps uncomfortable, impractical.. all those things you mentioned but it'll probably be a bike you can just go to the garage and spend time looking at. I'd also think that amongst a long line of parked up adv bikes, this is the bike people would stop and comment upon.

On paper there are doubtless many, many 'better' bikes. But that would be to miss the point entirely, wouldn't it?

 

[AustinW]

Hope there is life in the old dog for a bit yet Pete but I have some other trouble developed outside the cancer stuff ,, and am currently not getting to a proper diagnosis of what the issue may be .
Had a CT scan and am off on Monday for another consultation

In a world where bikes are becoming more sanitised and - in my opinion - a lot of new bike choices are quite unimaginative, that Griso just oozes character and soul. Yes it's perhaps uncomfortable, impractical.. all those things you mentioned but it'll probably be a bike you can just go to the garage and spend time looking at. I'd also think that amongst a long line of parked up adv bikes, this is the bike people would stop and comment upon.

On paper there are doubtless many, many 'better' bikes. But that would be to miss the point entirely, wouldn't it?

Exactly. Well said.

 

[Clifton]

Great looking and fun motorcycle you have there, Austin!
I've not ridden a 4v Griso but it must run quite well because my 2007 2v 1100 Griso ran pretty well. It came with slightly lowered pegs, Termignoni silencer (that sounded wonderful!), and a tank bag which mounted to the fuel cap ring (that I didn't care for). Probably one I should have kept, in fact Barb was appalled when I told her I sold it.

 

[AustinW]

Great looking and fun motorcycle you have there, Austin!
I've not ridden a 4v Griso but it must run quite well because my 2007 2v 1100 Griso ran pretty well. It came with slightly lowered pegs, Termignoni silencer (that sounded wonderful!), and a tank bag which mounted to the fuel cap ring (that I didn't care for). Probably one I should have kept, in fact Barb was appalled when I told her I sold it.


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The engine is a beaut Clifton. Very torquey at all revs and then pulls like a train past about 5000 rpm. I’m planning to keep it mostly standard, but as everyone raves about Termigioni exhausts that’ll probably change once I see and hear one. Handling wise, it’s not so good, the previous owner had had it to suspension setup place (there’s a receipt in the pack of documents I got with the bike) but it was a few years ago and obviously personal to that rider, and the rear shock looks absolutely goosed too so that setup needs some tweaks. Otherwise it’s brilliant, I love its growl especially.

 

[The Other PaulG]

The engine is a beaut Clifton. Very torquey at all revs and then pulls like a train past about 5000 rpm. I’m planning to keep it mostly standard, but as everyone raves about Termigioni exhausts that’ll probably change once I see and hear one. Handling wise, it’s not so good, the previous owner had had it to suspension setup place (there’s a receipt in the pack of documents I got with the bike) but it was a few years ago and obviously personal to that rider, and the rear shock looks absolutely goosed too so that setup needs some tweaks. Otherwise it’s brilliant, I love its growl especially.

I put a Remus on an oil head, then removed it because I hated the motorway drone. But on the Guzzi, a fruity pipe sounds glorious and I am really glad mine has one (mistral).
It's not intrusive, but lets you hear the v twin soundtrack and it pops and crackles wonderfully on the overrun.

 

[AustinW]

I had the full mistral setup on my V85, but ditched the end can for the original as the sound was too harsh - wife was deafened on pillion especially. It sounds real nice now. Tip for other owners - full bore header & decat + oem pipe gives a good sound together with the v twin boost and you get a seat in the pants increase in torque. The v85 really needs to make Griso levels of torque though.

Quite a few fasteners on the Griso under the bike are quite rusty so over the winter I will be going through all them and replacing with stainless. Then my priority will be a new shock. Very tempted by Öhlins or Maxton, but HOW MUCH!! Maxton is cheaper than Ohlins but still quoted me £595 + vat for their basic shock. Hyper pro is half that. I’m not sure I’m a good enough rider to appreciate the difference. A lot on Griso Ghetto recommend a (old version) Stelvio rear shock for raised ride height and longer stroke which gives a plusher ride and opens up the seating position so I will probably do that. The bike seems very sensitive to tyre pressures too. They were just 2-3psi down but putting them right improved things out of all proportion to the tiny tweak.

 

[Tetley]

Nice one Austin.

 

[theoneandonly]

In a world where bikes are becoming more sanitised and - in my opinion - a lot of new bike choices are quite unimaginative, that Griso just oozes character and soul. Yes it's perhaps uncomfortable, impractical.. all those things you mentioned but it'll probably be a bike you can just go to the garage and spend time looking at. I'd also think that amongst a long line of parked up adv bikes, this is the bike people would stop and comment upon.

when you consider that it came out in December 05 , they still get stared at .

Mr E.McG. brought the first one we sold , and i got stopped on the PDI road test , by 2 traffic cops , who wanted a look.

 

[BBB888]

I have the 2014 SE think its called 'black devil' or something. Love it. Has a Guzzi OEM fly screen which is just enough for long trips. Been to Barcelona for Catalunya MotoGP and all good for 300-400 mile days. Termi silencer and a Wilbers rear shock and then all set up by MCP. Handles well, and if only it were 20kgs lighter it would almost be a sportsbike!