Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ohiorider on May 29, 2015, 06:40:59 PM
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I own and have ridden several thousand miles on my 1200 Sport. Also own a 4v/head Griso, and have put approx. 10k miles on that lovely bike. I know which engine I enjoy most. Does anyone else have an opinion about 2v big block vs 4v big block engines? Not looking for performance opinions, ie, which engine out drags the other, just opinions on which engine they like to ride.
Bob
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I like simple. I prefer my 2v stuff. As I look at a 1200 upgrade I'm not considering a 4v. $0.02
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Can I pick "both"? ;D
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I like 'em both, I just like the 8V more!
Pete
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Mostest simplest - hydro. ;-T
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Hydro is nice but simplest?
Being sensible about it though none of the Guzzi engines are complex. Why there is this belief that the 8V is somehow much more difficult to work on and deal with I can't fathom. It's really no more difficult than the old pushrod engine. Getting a head off an 8V takes no longer than a pushrod bike really. Getting the engine out of a Stelvio is a pig of a job but a Griso? No harder than a T3! Really!
Pete
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:pop
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Honestly, I liked them about evenly when I owned both for a while (Stelvio and still owned Cali) - they just seemed quite different to me. The 8V did seem to run a bit hotter but it has its own charms to make up for it.
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I'm lazy, Pete. Hydro + outsider + Convert + EFI = near-zero maintenance. I like that in my bikes and my wimmins*.
* I have two bikes and no wimmins. ::)
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Half yer luck!
I currently have two wimmins and no motorbike! ??? ::) :wife: :BEER:
Pete
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I'll take 8 valves........... small blocks. ;-T
I've got one that's reminding me more and more of a mini Centauro. It's got that same visceral "beast" in it but not quite as untamed.
My 4 valve BB V11 Lemans is sweet.
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2V for me in both Guzzi and Ducati.
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I own and have ridden several thousand miles on my 1200 Sport. Also own a 4v/head Griso, and have put approx. 10k miles on that lovely bike. I know which engine I enjoy most. Does anyone else have an opinion about 2v big block vs 4v big block engines? Not looking for performance opinions, ie, which engine out drags the other, just opinions on which engine they like to ride.
Bob
It's a bit of a cop out answer, but I like both of mine for different reasons. The 2V 1200 is very smooth from idle to redline, and I really like the midrange on it. My 4V is a little lumpier, but the top end is awesome. If I could only have one, I'd be happy with either.
Steve
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I test rode a 4V Griso before I bought my 1200. The 4V does come on strong on the top end but lacks some grunt at the lower end. I like the low end torque on my 1200 2V because I tend to spend the most time between 2500 and 5500 rpm. The 2V feels great at any rpm. The sweet spot is from 4000-5000 where it is buttery smooth and seductively strong.
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I do my own maintenance and would rather ride than adjust valves so I'm not sure I'd ever go to an 8v.
I want low end power. I'll never ride close to a ton but I hate slowing down for corners. Grunt is good.
Finally I favor the Baritone of the lower revs to the Tenor of the higher revs. Who needs a tape deck when you can listen to the rise and fall of the Guzzi on a windy road? Not everyone likes the registers of tenors & sopranos.
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I do my own maintenance and would rather ride than adjust valves so I'm not sure I'd ever go to an 8v.
I want low end power. I'll never ride close to a ton but I hate slowing down for corners. Grunt is good.
Finally I favor the Baritone of the lower revs to the Tenor of the higher revs. Who needs a tape deck when you can listen to the rise and fall of the Guzzi on a windy road? Not everyone likes the registers of tenors & sopranos.
OK, 2V engine 16 bolts to remove rocker covers and four adjusters to adjust. Total of 36 *Operations* to perform to adjust valves. 8V? 8 bolts to remove rocker covers and eight adjusters to adjust. Total number of *Operations* to perform valve adjust? 24! Now, which one was quicker and easier again? ???
Look, I have no problem with people preferring the 2V engine for whatever reason but at least let's be sensible and rational in our reasons for making a choice! :beat_horse
Pete
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Pete, sensible, rational thinking don't exist on the interwebs.
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I have both and I like both.
the 2V made you feel quick but the 4V is actually quicker.
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OK, 2V engine 16 bolts to remove rocker covers and four adjusters to adjust. Total of 36 *Operations* to perform to adjust valves. 8V? 8 bolts to remove rocker covers and eight adjusters to adjust. Total number of *Operations* to perform valve adjust? 24! Now, which one was quicker and easier again? ???
Look, I have no problem with people preferring the 2V engine for whatever reason but at least let's be sensible and rational in our reasons for making a choice! :beat_horse
Pete
36 *operations*? 24? I hope that includes a funnybonectomy. :D
The lowly hydro needn't be sprightly nor fast. While you solid tappet sillies are playing *operation* I'll be getting a head start. 8)
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Yeah, but there's a shitload of tiny oil galleries in lifters to clog up! ~;
No, I know what you mean and I still maintain that the Hydro motor should of been the engine in the original Norge. That thing is such a complete frontbottom to work on. If it had the mighty H in it it would of been a joy!
Pete
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I'll go along with RK in praising the hydro. One of those unfortunate roads the company took by dropping an engine just as they had it figgered out. Mine ran like budda.
I've had the 2V in my 1200 and the Griso. About as simple as it gets- but I'd really like to try the 8V. As Pete points out- once you are in there with the screwdriver and feeler gauges, it's no big deal.
Pardon the drift- but to use a Goldilocks analogy- i'm looking for a mama bear engine. Not too small, not too big.
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To add a little to what I typed earlier - and it makes sense given other comments - is that I prefer the 2V Hydro in my Stone for in town or country leisurely riding. It seems to run cooler, more relaxed (to me) at low speed driving, seemingly the perfect engine for my semi-standard "cruiser" in Stone. Though not exactly either bikes' forte per se, the Hydro also seems (to me) to be a little more efficient or at least my mpg numbers were just a bit better with the 2V Hydro or otherwise (I've had 2 Hydros, a Special, and a Jackal). ;-T
On the highway and when the pace heats up, yes, I would most definitely take the 8V. It's more at ease at the speeds I like to travel on the big, big roads and it's certainly more lively per se. And too, the greater heat of the 8V was whisked away the faster you go. Honestly, they are both fantastic and make very distinctive and intoxicating sounds.
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I like simple. I prefer my 2v stuff. As I look at a 1200 upgrade I'm not considering a 4v. $0.02
I've not ridden a 4V, but, do love the simplicity of my 2V motors (the vast majority of my bikes have 2-valve motors, and most of them are push rod twins).
I'm satisfied with performance of my B11, so, I probably ought not even ride a 4V big block.
Likewise, I bought my Monster 796 to get the last of the air-cooled 2V Monsters. Sure, the 821 is 112 HP vs. the "lowly" 87 HP of the 796, but, it also has a cooling system to maintain, and twice the adjustments to make at valve adjustment time. I won't confuse things with the fact that the Testastretta (current 4V Duc) motor's valve maintenance interval is twice as long.
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2V for me too.
My Jackal, Breva 1100, and now V7 all have performed exactly as I've wanted.
The B11 was bordering on power I didn't need.
But I very much liked the feel of all 3 motors.
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The B11 was bordering on power I didn't need.
It isn't about need ~;
That said, the B11 is perfect for me. Nothing good would come from more power (for me, anyway).
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I like the feel of my B11 2v better than the Stelvio, cannot put my finger on why or express it in words just like it.
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And still the whole thing about 'Power'?
................... ...
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That said, the B11 is perfect for me. Nothing good would come from more power (for me, anyway).
<smacks his little brother on the head>
I said the same thing
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My V11 Sport seemed the equal of the 8v Grisos and Norges I test road. And the Greenie looked better doing it I might add.
The Cal 14 seemed to be the one that surprised me with power.
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I had a 02 V11 before the NTX.
Both were great motors.
Now with only one bike, I'll take the 8V. It gives me some top end to play around with when I feel frisky.
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OK, 2V engine 16 bolts to remove rocker covers and four adjusters to adjust. Total of 36 *Operations* to perform to adjust valves. 8V? 8 bolts to remove rocker covers and eight adjusters to adjust. Total number of *Operations* to perform valve adjust? 24! Now, which one was quicker and easier again? ??
Pete
You've forgotten Murphy's law
With the 4v I only have 6 things to screw up valves and valve cover gaskets
With the 8v I have 10 things to screw up and believe me Murphy seems to be my neighbor
For me thenumber of things that can be screwed up define how quick and easy it is. this comes from decades of personal experience :pop
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Suppose you were an experienced rider but never on a Guzzi...Would you be able to tell the difference between a 2 and 4 valve head after a ride?
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Suppose you were an experienced rider but never on a Guzzi...Would you be able to tell the difference between a 2 and 4 valve head after a ride?
I think so!
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Suppose you were an experienced rider but never on a Guzzi...Would you be able to tell the difference between a 2 and 4 valve head after a ride?
That's a tough one. I'd say probably not. What would you base your observations against? <shrug>
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My Vintage is the only Guzzi I've owned, so I'm not really qualified to compare. However, I don't care for the complexity of the electronic gizmos (though I've grown rather fond of electronic FI and ignition) and I've never craved more power than the 2V delivers. I lusted for a Big Block for a long time before I finally pulled the trigger on mine back in '07. If it keeps delivering big smiles, I may never know what I'm missing...
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I believe it was George Orwell who said; 'four valves good, two valves better'...
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Suppose you were an experienced rider but never on a Guzzi...Would you be able to tell the difference between a 2 and 4 valve head after a ride?
I can answer this. Before I purchased my first Guzzi a used 02 V11, I never rode a Guzzi before.
I test rode new Guzzi's at MI before the used purchase.
Rode the 2V and 4V Griso as well as the 1st Gen Stelvio, all back to back.
I could clearly feel the difference in the 2V and 4v motors in the Griso.
The performance differences were exactly what I expected and what everyone here knows.
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Suppose you were an experienced rider but never on a Guzzi...Would you be able to tell the difference between a 2 and 4 valve head after a ride?
The better question in my mind is if you could not see the engines, would you think/suspect they are related? If I was the pop of these 2 pups I'd definitely be asking mom why one of my boys was born speaking fluent swahili.