Another 2V versus 4V thread

[Buckturgidson]

It is early to compare, I have 26K miles on the '07 2V Norge and 1K miles on the 4V '17 Griso. But I rode them back to back this weekend and if someone forced me to make a choice I would say I prefer the 2V. Of course it is slower, but somethong about the feel from the motor seems more right. And of course it has ample power to do what is needed. I have no regrets about buying the Griso, but if I had to have one bike it would be the 2V Norge. Where I live, a western state, sometimes you need to cover a lot of distance and the Norge has exceptional wind protection, without a fairing the size of a barn door (see Triumph Trophy and 1200RT.) It loves to sit at 85-90 mph. The pictures are near some pinnacles on Beckwourth/Genesee Road and Pyramid Lake today.

[tazio]

Cool bikes, you've got both ends and the spectrum covered.
GRiSO ain't broke in yet.
Sweet Norge!

[Kiwi Dave]

But different bikes.  It would be better to hear from someone who has the same model in both 2V & 8V configurations.

[pete roper]

I've owned Grisos in both formats and have ridden all the other models that had the option extensively. To me there is simply no comparison. That isn't to say the 2V vesrsioms are bad. Simply that the 4V versions are in every quantifiable way, better.

[Huzo]

I used to go on and on about this ad nauseum.
Then I had a ride on an 8V Griso and Stelvio..(I should have done that first)
I have not had a go on an 8 V Norge.
The 8 V’s are indisputably more willing to play with the big boys. Above 5,000 rpm are far better and there are times when that level of rush would be lovely on my old ‘07 Norge. Yes, The 8V is better in every “quantifiable” way performance wise.
I still prefer the “feel” of the 2V due to it’s softness of delivery, but that is highly subjective and requires you to wear your rose coloured visor if you have one.
The 8V Griso is like being hit with an iron glove, my Norge is like being hit with a hard leather glove.
On another point, when Wyno let me ride his 8V Griso, I thought 1st gear felt a bit shorter such that I reached 4,000 rpm at a lower speed than on mine.
That’s to say, my bike feels longer legged in first gear...(but ONLY in first gear.. )
I’d offer the opinion that the 8V can’t do anything better below licence loss or impound speed, (and a couple of things not as well) as the 2V, but as I was correctly told once before, that reasoning is a product of altering the goal posts to suit where your kick went...
(My words not his)
If I suddenly found a rollered 8V motor in my old 2V Norge I don’t think I’d remove it, but I don’t want it badly enough to make it happen.

[Bulldog9]

I prefer the sound and feel of the 4V 1100 in my Griso FAR more than the 1200 8V in my Norge, but the Norge has far more power, especially in the upper rev range. That said, I'd much prefer the 4V motor in my 2nd gen Norge body. The 4V is a bit livelier and responsive at mid to lower revs.

[M0T0Geezer]

Since fuel usage is seldom mentioned here, let me say for the record my '07 Norge (2-Valve heads) with 45,000 miles delivers between 45-49 miles per gallon.  I live near Phoenix AZ which is about 1,000 feet altitude.

Riding 10000 miles per year, 40 mpg requires 250 gallons of fuel, while 49 mpg requires only 205 gallons.

What do you pay for mid-grade fuel?  $3.75/gal ?  That's a $150 annual savings. 

I may be slower than your badass 4-Valve Big Block Guzzi, but I can afford to order a steak for dinner when I get there.

'Geezer

[Buckturgidson]

Agree preferring a 2V is subjective, it is taking me time to get accustomed to a 4V Guzzi that wants to spin at higher revs. Horsepower and numbers are not everything, enjoying the riding experience is what it is all about. I love both bikes.