Griso or Thunderbird?

[Papa Lazarou]

I am now thinking of trading my Thunderbird 900 in-prices are rising on these bikes but I do want something with a bit more oomph. Without putting a Speed Triple engine in it.

I have always loved Guzzis-I've had three over the years.

So-the Griso. I hear the 1100 has more Guzzista charm than the 8v 1200.

But-I need an all round bike. Something that can tour but can also do the ride to work. The Tbird does this okay, but...

No Japanese bikes advice, please. No Ducatis or HD's either.

Advice?

[Rogue]

It's a MG forum so.....get a BMW R1200R.

[Dan K]

'05-'11 Sprint ST.  That's what I use it for - it's my commuting work horse with a top case big enough for my briefcase with oversized laptop and suit jacket and to hold my helmet and riding jacket and gloves while I'm in the office (I add the side cases for touring). It has great ooomph with a great power delivery.  Not Hayabusa / ZX-14 or K1300S power, but more than the Thunderbird, and plenty to get you in trouble.

- Dan

Can't speak on the Guzzi's, as I've never ridden one.

[Yankee Dog]

so what's wrong with the Speed Triple.

[Dan K]

so what's wrong with the Speed Triple.

Too fast for Papa - he'll get in trouble too easily.

[Papa Lazarou]

Too fast for Papa - he'll get in trouble too easily.

Ridden them. Disappointed.  

[atadaskew]

Griso is a perfect do it all bike.
Shaft drive - that is rock solid - just adds to the charm.

I'd pick the 8V over the 4V - smoother, more powerful, sounds better (with stock pipes).

You should search for MisterSmooth's 4v vs 8v test ride write up.

[Pete Roper]

Biggest advantage the 8V has is 30 more HP.

If set up right and maintained properly they are bulletproof. I'm over 50,000 on mine now and it just keeps on getting better.

You'll hear horror stories about the 8V due to early models having had soft tappets. I have yet to have ANY 8V I've ever serviced from new fail, including ones supposed to have soft tappets.

My advice to anyone thinking of buying any Guzzi is buy from one of the known and respected dealers, even if they are a bit more expensive, to do otherwise is a false economy.

Pete

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

the Griso is the perfect touring bike if you have a nervous bladder. 130 miles and you have to stop for gas anyway. Other than that the bike is solid and steady. The accessories market is very small but growing. IF you meet somebody else on a Guzzi and you have a friend for life. you also get 12 extra stile points.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I hear the 1100 has more Guzzista charm than the 8v 1200.

Urban legend by those not in the know. Or stuck with a 4 valver.


 

[Pete Roper]

Urban legend by those not in the know. Or stuck with a 4 valver.


 

To use the vernacular of certain Guzzi boards, +1

The *old* griso is a wonderfull bike. I know I owned one for over 30,000Km and loved it.. At the end of the day the Griso is the sum of its parts and I'm afraid the 8V is just *better* in every quantifiable way. The extra 30 HP helps but the 8V is simply more visceral and *modern*.

If yiu want an 'Old* motorbike? Fine, buy an old one or Guzzi are srill making some sort of modern variants of the 'Old' platforms. The only one worth a pinch of shit in my book is the Bellagio and yoiu don't get that in the USA.

For the first time in nearly four decades Guzzi are building truly 'World Class' bikes and all the corn-cob ppe set seem to want is endless re-hashes of semi-successful 40 year old designs. BOLLOCKS! I've got 'Old' ones and love them dearly but the future is in looking FORWARD. Not BACKWARDS.

if the company's future is only to be a skeletal dressmaker's dummy for fey, effete latte sippers to pose at cafe's near I'll abandon the marque and buy a V4 Tuono. Not because it will do anything I need better then my 8V Griso but because I couldn't stand having to listen to the blather from people who reckon the Guzzi has at last 'Found It's Way'. while riding a tarted-up, cheap-arse 1970's shitter.

As my T-shirt from my mate Jon says.

'Griso. Ride more, pose less!!!'

 

Pete

[radlefty]

"if the company's future is only to be a skeletal dressmaker's dummy for fey, effete latte sippers to pose at cafe's near I'll abandon the marque and buy a V4 Tuono. Not because it will do anything I need better then my 8V Griso but because I couldn't stand having to listen to the blather from people who reckon the Guzzi has at last 'Found It's Way'. while riding a tarted-up, cheap-arse 1970's shitter."


Well you've done it again Pete. You made me spit my latte all over my screen.  

[Pete Roper]

As always I aim to please!!!

[Papa Lazarou]

As always I aim to please!!!

Wot-YOU spit the latte?

Okay-to summarise. The best version of the Griso is the 8v 1200. Is that right?

Faults usually include speedo misting up if it rains...

What's the comfort of one of these things on a longer haul?

[Moto Morphin Power Ranger]

What's the comfort of one of these things on a longer haul?

i just got gel shorts and i am good for a 300 mile day.

[Pete Roper]

I've done lots of 4-500 mile days both here in Oz and in the USA on 8 Valvers.  Just sucks it up and asks for more.

Daniel Kalal has done some bigish days on my Green Griso and my previous yellow 1100 so he can probably tell you more.

Pete

[Papa Lazarou]

Do you get the Guzzi Bellagio where you are? I always wished it came to the U.S. but it never did. I'd assume you could put hard bags on it.

Yes, we do. In fact, the very last new one has just been brought over by a London bike shop. Can't say I'm taken by the looks.

[Daniel Kalal]

Reference point: I’m 6’ 4” with a 35” inseam.

The 2VH (yellow) and4VH (green) bikes of course have much more in common than any real differences.  The 2V has wider bars, although I’m not sure if the change to slightly more narrow bars happened with the 4VH introduction.  In any event, the 4VH bike puts the rider in a position that is a bit more sporting and less like a SuperMotard.  My only complaint after a long day’s ride would be from my legs folded up more than is necessary for this sort of bike.  Rather than lower the pegs, a nicer solution would be for the seat to be an inch higher.  But, that’s not as easy, so lower pegs with the penalty that you’ll be more likely to drag the sides of your boots on occasion would be the answer if I owned one of these (both these examples belong to Pete).

If compared side-by-side, I probably was generally in a lower gear when riding the 4V bike than the 2V.  It just seems to prefer to run at higher RPMs.  Both bikes are very smooth—vibration is not a problem.  The 4V has a big kick when you really get on it that sets it apart.  Both are terrific sport-touring bikes that you could run many miles day after day, but if I were to buy one of these, I’d hold out for the 4VH model with the same larger shield (as shown).

[Pete Roper]

It sould be noted that since Daniel rode my 8V it has been re-mapped and is significantly more pleasant to ride at the lower RPM required for staying at or near the legal limit. MY11/12 bikes run another map again that works significantly better than the original map earlier bikes were shipped with. Running a lower gear at those speeds is now redundant.

Pete

[atadaskew]

if I were to buy one of these, I’d hold out for the 4VH model with the same larger shield (as shown).

Who makes the smaller shield?
And while I'm sure the larger works better, is the smaller any good at all?  I just really prefer the way it looks..
 

Thanks!