1200 Sport or 8V Griso?

[rauchman]

Greetings,

For the past week or so, just about every second of available time has been used to do Guzzi research.  The Guzzi bug has bit me and bit hard.  I came close to buying a used V11 LeMans a few years ago, but A.) I thought the seating position wasn't the best for me with a really long stretch to the bars and B.) I didn't know much about Guzzi's at the time.  It was a BEAUTIFUL bike though.  I've following Guzzi's line up for the last few years and have been slowly swayed over to a full appreciation of these machines.

I've had a 2002 SV650S and 2002 Yami RoadStar and am currently on a 2007 Suzy SV1KS.  I've done the Convertibar, Sargeant and Buell peg mods and this has helped tremendously for comfort issues.  I'll be doing a 5 day run the end of this month on the new setup to see how it works for touring.  But, as you can see from all the bikes I've had..... I'm a twin fan.  My wife rides a 2003 Kawi Z1000.  That's the only I4 I've ever ridden and while it is nice in it's own way, I like the more visceral nature of twins.

Motorcycle Mall in Belleville, NJ has been carrying MG and Aprila for a year or so.  I went there last weekend w/ the wife (who also REALLY likes Guzzi bikes) and would up sitting on the 1200 Sport, California Vintage, Norge and Stelvio.  Of course the one I didn't sit on was the Griso.  They were each very cool in their own way, but the 1200 Sport and, a few days later, the Griso were really singing to me.  If the 1200 Sport had the 8V engine, the decision would be very easy.  

Can anyone tell me if they have experience comparing the 2v head engine (1200 Sport) vs. the 4v head (Griso) and how they compare?  I really like the idea of what the 1200 Sport offers and its looks.  I've seen pictures w/ Hepco Becker hard bags attached and it gives me wood.  The Griso is very cool also, but it has a small gas tank and I wonder if the leg position would be too tight.  Does anyone know the tank range of a Griso 8V?

So.....which bike, the r1200 Sport or the Griso?

[garry]

I haven't ridden either, but have been watching the 1200 Sport since they introduced it. Like you say, a 1200 Sport with the new 8V engine would be my choice. Tests I've read indicate the 2V head has more grunt and the 4V head likes to rev more.  

[Orson]

I had a chance to ride an 8 valve Stelvio for a few days.

I thought it accelerated harder than my V11, but not enough to completely outclass my V11.

That's just my opinion. I usually ride in the 70-80 mph range, so I'm happy with my V11's output.

[rauchman]

I haven't ridden either, but have been watching the 1200 Sport since they introduced it. Like you say, a 1200 Sport with the new 8V engine would be my choice. Tests I've read indicate the 2V head has more grunt and the 4V head likes to rev more.  

I understand that although Europe has the 8V Sport, it, so far, hasn't made it into the US.  Unfortunate.  I really like the looks of the 1200 Sport and the dealer I mentioned has both a black and red one.  We didn't talk numbers on the 1200 Sport, but he did mention he could get me out the door on a 2008 Stevlio for $10.5K.  I'm assuming that I could get the Sport for about $9K OTD or so.  Then I ask myself, do I want a great deal on a bike that I feel maybe compromised by the motor I want, or do I get the bike.... that I want?  The Griso has the engine, but the Sport has everything else.  A test ride would probably answer these questions, but unfortunately, this particular dealer doesn't do test rides.

[chornbe]

$9k OTD on a Sport...

Do it. The suspension upgrades alone to bring a Breva up to Sport specs are major bucks.

Go for it.  

The other day I had my Breva out doing some twisties and I hit some of them pretty hard. It was a little wallowy, and there was definitely a need to set up and pay attention to what you're doing, but it did it just fine. Once I do some fork work and get a better-damped shock, I'm going to *really* love riding this thing in the mountains.

Did I mention...? Go for it!  

[Rincewind]

Seeing as you only like the Griso in hindsight, and didn't sit on it at the dealer, it seems the 1200 Sport is what you should get.  

I'd probably get the Griso 8V myself mostly because it's sportier in stance, smaller in size, and sexier.

I had considered these bikes last year and got some good advice in another thread on the 8v vs 2v engines..

[garry]

Here is the review I was thinking of that compares the two engines (from MCN UK, printed in motorcycle-usa):

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/195/2034/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Moto-Guzzi-1200-Sport-4V.aspx

[rauchman]

Here is the review I was thinking of that compares the two engines (from MCN UK, printed in motorcycle-usa):

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/195/2034/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Moto-Guzzi-1200-Sport-4V.aspx

Cool info, thanks.  

Does anyone know where to find Dyno graphs of the 2 engines?

[Orson]

Does anyone know where to find Dyno graphs of the 2 engines?

Here's a thread showing some old V11 dyno charts:

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8556&hl=dyno%20charts&st=0

Here's a thread on Pete Roper's 8V Griso. I think it's the one Daniel Kalal borrowed in Australia:

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15518&hl=dyno%20charts&st=0

I wouldn't put much weight on dyno charts though. Guzzis are too visceral for any chart to gauge  

[atadaskew]

The Griso has a lower c of g, stiffer frame and better handling.  It is the sportier bike.
But, the Sport still is really nice, has a much larger gas tank and can take the excellent Breva hard luggage.

So really what it comes down to is do you care about the bigger gas tank and luggage ability?  Cuz ultimately on the open road, once all the BS disappears, you'll be going the same speed if you're not riding like a douche.

It really is a win win.  Straddle both bikes and get the one that does it for you.  They both are wonderful.  Don't get the better deal if that's not the bike you really want as that just sets you up for regret later.

[kendenton]

I've ridden a Griso 8v (thanks EricJ!) and the 1200 Sport (thanks Guzzi@Americade!).

I didn't get on with the riding position on the Griso, thought it was a bit cramped.  The 1200 Sport felt roomier, and if you rotate the bars forward a bit you can eliminate the long reach up top.  That would make the ergos on the 1200 Sport about perfect.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the difference in engines, as the 1200 Sport ride was in the rain.

Lots of bag options for the Sport, don't know about the Griso.

Both gorgeous of course.

[chornbe]

Lots of bag options for the Sport

Hepco & Becker make racks, and of course the Journey bags are awesome.   Just north of $800 MSRP for the kit. Stockers are available new as a complete kit, right in the same price. Givi does not make a native setup for it.

don't know about the Griso.

Nothing from Moto Guzzi direct. Nothing from Givi. Similar setup from Hepco & Becker as on the Breva/Sport.

Options are out there, it's a matter of money and being happy with the limited selections.

[Rabidsnipe]

Doesn't it seem odd that the Italian motorcycle luggage company doesn't make bags for the Italian motorcycle while the German company does

[falconati]

I had the same dilemma.  I decided to wait and see if they release a sport with the 8v motor.  Otherwise, I can always go out and buy a Griso

[falconati]

PS if I were you I'd tell them that you want one of the two, but you're not buying anything you haven't ridden.

[sagerat]

Sport, I just love that bike.  

[chornbe]

Sport, I just love that bike.  

Agreed.

I think the Griso is bordering just this side of  

$.02  

[kendenton]

Agreed.

I think the Griso is bordering just this side of 

$.02 

   Really?  Of the current lineup only the Stelvio is bad looking to me.





It's like Salma vs Penelope

[MisterSmooth]

I rode the 1200 Sport for a day in Italy in 2007.  Wonderful bike.  Just a little bit of a Euro 3 glitch in the fueling at walking speeds, and maybe for my own personal use I'd fit the bar from the 8V Griso.

There's a thread with pictures in the STN Moto Guzzi archives somewhere.


Also, I rode the Griso 1100 back to back with the Griso 8V.  That was a good, good day.  Thread with descriptions and pictures here.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,31915.0.html

If cost was no object, I'd get the 8V Griso.  It's an excellent bike without any excuses or obligatory references to Italian quirkiness, matched against anything from any manutacturer.

But they are expensive, and you can get a Sport for a ridiculous price right now.  And they're both sexy.  

[Playinthestreet]

If they're like the Ducatis... I like the exhaust sound of the 2V much better than  the 4V (and I'm a slug so the  "better" 4V performance is wasted on me!