Griso - So like a GS yet so different

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've had the Griso for a few weeks now and have managed to get 500ish miles added to the 1400 miles already on the bike.

Having been to the Ilse of Man at the end of last month to pick her up the weather has been sh1te - have to say I've felt somewhat guilty taking her out in the rain when she's obviously been so well looked after and, I suspect, never got wet before despite being two years old.

I've owned a couple of Guzzis in the past and have been eagarly looking forward to seeing what a 'modern' Guzzi is like in comparison.

First off, IMVHO of course, I reckon it has to be one of the best looking bikes out there and so, it seems, does everybody else. Car drivers and other bikers comment on it when stopped in traffic and when parked up there is nearly always somebody close by giving it a butchers - as I bought it as a bit of a sunny sunday pose bike I can't say I'm disapointed

The seating position is unusual, but I like it - I gather from others that it's one of those things that either suits you, or doesn't. I can best describe it as a GS with rear sets; high(ish) wide bars which are a fair stretch from the seat and with your feet high and behind you. Puts a fair bit of weight over the front but not uncomfortably so.

It does turn you into a bit of a sail at speed though. Above three figures you are literally hanging on, it's not possible to sustain speeds over the ton and 80/90 is the comfortable limit for any period of time. I reckon a cockpit screen could be on the cards.

The engine dominates the bike. Both visually and in the way that she rides.
It's a Breva 1100 unit but with a lower primary drive ratio. Which means that what was already a fairly close ratio box is feels even more so. This results in very rapid acceleration but with a tall top gear it can still lollop along should you want to.

I feels quite a lot like the GS (R1200) in the way that it spins up very quickly and has a similar linear power delivery, with a bit of a step at 5,500/6,000 revs. It will, however pull lower down which means less clutch feathering in traffic. I think the engine is a bit more tractable but mostly this seems to be down to the gearing.

The gearbox itself is very much like the GS's as is the shaft and amount of 'play' in the system. It feels a bit tighter to me and neutral is very easy to find (it utalises a 'pre-selecter'). Clutchless up changes however need a lot more precision than on the GS - mind you, like a Boxer, Guzzi lumps/boxes smooth out with the miles so this may get better.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

So, in many ways, it feels like the GS.

One thing that the GS does is flatter ones riding. They are sooooo easy to ride and forgive all sorts of ham-fisted riding and braking. The Griso is somewhat different and this has been quite a shock to me.

When I got her the suspension was on factory settings. On smooth, open fast roads she was a delight to ride but on tight, bumpy, nadgery stuff quite hard work. I've been thrown out of the seat a few times which, whilst never dangerous, has kept me on my toes A long wheel base, fairly steep geometry (for a Guzzi!) and stiff suspension has made for an interesting time and a serious change of (lazy GS) riding style.

I have found that I need to move my body more, counter-steer less more body leaning and smooth, smooth, smoothly does it. I've also discovered how badly I must trail my brakes into bends on the GS; do that on the Guzzi and she sits up good and proper

I've played around with the suspension settings (decreased front preload and front and rear compresion damping whilst winding up the rebound damping on front and rear) which seems to have helped but I'm nowhere near where I want to be.

Reading back over that makes it sound like she doesn't handle. That's not true, she does but I feel I need to relearn how to ride a big bike and get out of some bad habits. I also feel that I've not got the suspension set up as well as it can go but, TBH, I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to the amount of adjustment possible on the Showa forks and Boge rear shock - probably best to let somebody who knows what they are doing take a look.

The biggest difference is in how involving the bike is to ride and in this area the GS and Griso are like chalk and cheese.

I love my GS, she's taken me to three different continents, to Tesco and everywhere inbetween. She's a keeper and I intend having plenty more adventures on her yet, but, she is so damm good, so efficient that she has yet to stir my soul - plenty of laughs and memorable rides (and some) but no soul stirring.
The Griso does however (and some). The lumpy thud, thud, thud of the engine and every time she gets a bit out of shape on a bumpy Derbyshire B road and you just can't help but 'know' that the bike is not perfect, that it is Italian and that for that very reason she is, in many ways, such a better bike than the GS - she makes you feel alive

Andres

 

[Davy F]

I've always loved the look of the Griso since they came out. You cretaintly picked up one clean used machine there.























Best of all, Ewan also owns one...................................

 

[AndyT]

that was supposed to be my bike..........


I loved it and was so tempted.... you got a great deal

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Best of all, Ewan also owns one...................................

Oh feck............I'd forgotten that

I even wear my tw@at suit on it

Andres

 

[Dahoum]

that wall/house joint needs attention.

 

[(RIP) Nakambale]

Lovely bike, you picked up a nice one there

I'm still toying with getting one too but still have to get that one past my better half

 

[adv_gs800]

I absolutely love the Griso...

I really want one, there's a nice one on ebay at the moment- however I fancy the 1200 white model... I sat on it in the dealerahip, and just loved the riding position...

 

[buellzebub]

A beautiful bike and an excellent review!

I wish you many happy miles/smiles together

Mick

 

[FatAl]

A great bike, what does it sound like with the none standard silencer?

 

[Ogmios]

so it was YOU that got it!

A beautiful bike and an excellent review!

I wish you many happy miles/smiles together

Mick

yes - better review than any of the 'professional' ones i've read .
ya jammy sod i'd love to have it.

only one worry;
could it cope (as well as my Cali) with two up and 2 weeks luggage for a tour?

jeezus! - it is one hell of a good looking machine...

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
*Og goes off muttering about sale of the Cali, the GS, a kidney and wotever else was needed*

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

A great bike, what does it sound like with the none standard silencer?

Fruity but not offensively loud - it's a Staintune with the baffle out.

I still can't decide whether to go louder with a short stubby (race) silencer or put the original back for it's (weird) looks but have to say the Staintune is growing on me.......................

only one worry;
could it cope (as well as my Cali) with two up and 2 weeks luggage for a tour?

Guzzi do pannier rails and rear rack with matching 'soft' panniers and tail pack, as well as a tank bag so in that respect, no problem sir.

The only problem may be pillion provision as the rear perch, whilst not sports bike small is certainly not as sumptuous as a GS / Cali perch. Took Amnda out on it for a 60 mile round trip the other evening and she reckoned her knees (the pegs are fairly high up) and @rse wouldn't have stood much more.

Andres

 

[Shep]

That looks lovely and very clean, what's with the wonky toast rack on the engine?

Shep

 

[alimey4u2]

Hand numbing, finger tingling vibes ?? Pray tell....

 

[Ogmios]

Mr Munch,

Ta for reply.
1./ soft luggage? argh! no! - holds too little, is insecure and always ends up damp and smelling of old socks (in my experience).
2./ pillion perch - well Lindas only 4'10" and is more hardassed a Biker than me.
based on her being able to put up with a sandwich boxed sized pad on a certain Honda we had years ago.... but hmm, i dunno.
- needs looking into / but surely cureable.

oh - did you get to Roquefort en Terre? do tell we did - about 2 weeks ago.


Shep,
that toast rack - is a radiator. probably the first victim in a spill.

Mr A. Limey,
in my experience - i've got ON a Guzzi with backache (and boy do i get backache) and got OFF relieved;
low frequency vibes, for me anyhow are pleasant not nasty. hence my DISlike of jap fours. got fed up with "white knuckle" / early stages of Reynauds syndrome, vibes, nunbness, cold and pain.
HTH.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

That looks lovely and very clean, what's with the wonky toast rack on the engine?

'tis the oil cooler - big and ugly but makes the engine look even more imposing (in a good way)

Hand numbing, finger tingling vibes ?? Pray tell....

No, lovely thud, thud, thud Guzzi vibes Certainly no more intrusive than a GS and slightly lower frequency

Mr Munch,

Ta for reply.

2./ pillion perch - well Lindas only 4'10" and is more hardassed a Biker than me.
based on her being able to put up with a sandwich boxed sized pad on a certain Honda we had years ago.... but hmm, i dunno.
- needs looking into / but surely cureable.

oh - did you get to Roquefort en Terre? do tell we did - about 2 weeks ago.
.

Mmmmm........ Amanda's posterior is, how shall I put this, somewhat more developed From what you say I reckon (joking aside) Linda would be more than ok on the bike.

I had a tunnel crossing booked for the begining of Sept, to pop over for a long weekend, but a Hill Climb in Devon got in the way, sooooo, it's been transfered to the begining of May '09 - bit of a wait but defo going

Andres

 

[Ogmios]

'tis the oil cooler - big and ugly but makes the engine look even more imposing (in a good way)


oil cooler - 's wot i meant to say .....


Mmmmm........ Amanda's posterior is, how shall I put this, somewhat more developed From what you say I reckon (joking aside) Linda would be more than ok on the bike.
you Sir, have a talent for words Lindas ... not boney arsed like me. hardier and doesn't fidget like me. must see if i can "borrow" the Griso from the dealer here.... it's the only way to tell.

I had a tunnel crossing booked for the begining of Sept, to pop over for a long weekend, but a Hill Climb in Devon got in the way, sooooo, it's been transfered to the begining of May '09 - bit of a wait but defo going

awww. - we asked if any other loons on Bikes had been there recently / just got a blank look.
fyi; that hotel i suggested - they gave me a deal on "half board" (demi pension);
we got our bed, breakfast and a damn nice dinner for €96 all in for two! now we have to go back a third time as some of the best shops were closed...
Andres

..............

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

awww. - we asked if any other loons on Bikes had been there recently / just got a blank look.

I promise to uphold true Tosser honour and live up to your description as best we can when we go over there

Andres

 

[pint7x]

Good review - must say I love the looks of the Griso, though not sure if the riding position would suit - must get a demo ride sometime.

Always slightly put off Guzzis after taking an 1100 Cali out on test. At 75mph in top it was vibrating like a road drill and I felt in danger of getting white knuckle syndrome.

That Griso looks damn good though......

 

[Deleted account 111026]

Outtomunch-good write-up, you're right about the GS as well, sometimes it can be like a fridge, it works perfectly but you don't want to sit and look at it!
I bought myself a Buell purely for the character, engine noise, torque, etc. But it's useless two-up, and I can't justify two bikes, hence it's going.
It's made me realise how good a 'naked' bike feels to ride, so it's decision time.....sell the 1100GS, (been a good six years through a lot of countries), or convert it into a supermoto, in other words remove all the front end and replace with just a headlamp, decisions, decisions!
Please, no more Griso photos, it just makes the decision harder!