Properly Sorted Griso

[RiderAJ]

Hey guys.

I'm considering buying a deeply discounted 2016 Griso before they all go away.  From what I can glean here and other sites on the interwebs, the bike would benefit from some tweaks, both mechanical and from the comfort perspective - suspension, saddle, screen, etc.

Would you guys mind sharing recommended tweaks/upgrades/comfort items?  There's no such thing as too specificity, as I'm trying back in to total costs to make the bike right - including even options for soft luggage...

Any attempts to talk me out of this silly notion would be greatly appreciated.....

[Dilliw]

It doesn't take much IMO to get comfortable on a Griso.  Note that I'm 6'1" and 235lbs so not a small guy

1. Knight Design 1" lowering pegs.  You will also need the adjustable brake pedal once you lower the peg (no need to change shifter).
2. Onar's 15mm risers if you can still get them.  Those put you more into a standard position and in combination with the pegs give enough room.
3. Screens are to taste.  I generally don't like a screen on my Griso but they are needed for Interstate duty.  I have one that I can easily remove once I get to where I'm going.
4. The seat is not horrible but could be improved.  The rise to the pillion is a little early and if I could flatten that out a bit I think I could be happy with it.
5. Once you get the sag set on both ends the stock suspension is actually better than a lot of bikes I've tried.  I'm going to get Wayne to take my rear shock over to Traxxion in Atlanta for a re-spring/re-valve but I could live with just a lot of preload on the stock shock.

[Bill Hagan]

It doesn't take much IMO to get comfortable on a Griso.  Note that I'm 6'1" and 235lbs so not a small guy

1. Knight Design 1" lowering pegs.  You will also need the adjustable brake pedal once you lower the peg (no need to change shifter).
2. Onar's 15mm risers if you can still get them.  Those put you more into a standard position and in combination with the pegs give enough room.
3. Screens are to taste.  I generally don't like a screen on my Griso but they are needed for Interstate duty.  I have one that I can easily remove once I get to where I'm going.
4. The seat is not horrible but could be improved.  The rise to the pillion is a little early and if I could flatten that out a bit I think I could be happy with it.
5. Once you get the sag set on both ends the stock suspension is actually better than a lot of bikes I've tried.  I'm going to get Wayne to take my rear shock over to Traxxion in Atlanta for a re-spring/re-valve but I could live with just a lot of preload on the stock shock.

I was pecking out mine while George was writing his, so I'll just paste mine as it is, with an additional comment on George's take tossed in along the way.

First, congrats.

Second, before I forget, you might also join the Griso Ghetto forum, https://www.grisoghetto.com.

Third, love my Griso.  It's a 2010, and all issues I am aware involving Grisos have been taken care of by the '16's.  I think viewing a motorcycle as an "investment" is silly talk -- well, OK, unless we are using that as a ploy to get spousal-unit CFO approval. 

That said, while all depreciate out the door, I think the Griso is a model that will always have an appeal beyond even the usual Guzzi "character."

But we -- at least most of us here, I think -- buy Guzzis to ride.  What a grinning joy my Griso is, so, no, won't try to talk you out of it.

For those of us with no nerve endings in our gluteus maximus end or who think a modified fetal position is especially appropriate for the way we ride, it is a fine tourer.  OTOH, if not so "talented," it is not a multi-day tourer, as it can be a cramped cockpit. George's ergo sugggestions no doubt work wonders.

That said, I take multi-day rides on it and find it just fine, save the somewhat harsh suspension.  If I were more disciplined, I would do something about that rather then just talk about it, but rides call me more strongly than sag tests! 

The Traxxion folks also make a "shock sock," that, for <$20, is a cheaper (and more effective, IMO) option than a rear hugger to keep muck off the shock.  The huggers do look good, so my poseur side bought one.   

I use the H-B C-Bow system to mount the H-B soft luggage.  That is fine for light duty, but only so-so for carrying much beyond the minimums in bulk and weight.  It is also pricey.  I was going to remove the brackets after every trip, as that is no special chore, but the C-Bow mounts look fine with or without bags.

IMO, a w/s is a must, and mine is rarely on the slab, so I disagree with George a bit.  Maybe he just rides slow.     Not.   

The OEM, if available -- and usually it's not -- is stoooopid expensive.  I had one and gave it away.  Now have the Marlin Dart.  Cheap in comparison to OEM; looks better; is almost as effective.  If one needs a "barn door" w/s, a Griso is likely not best choice as a mount anyway.

More as it occurs to me, but others will likely chime in, too.  And, don't forget the ghetto site.

Best,

Bill

[Porterhouse]

What is comfort?

I'm over 50, 6'2", 15 stones, and have been riding GRiSOs in stock trim for nearly ten years and over 60K miles (across three GRiSOs.)  I wouldn't hesitate to ride one all day long straight out of the crate.

If it works for you, buy it and enjoy it.

[not-fishing]

I've had my G11 for a few years and close to 20,000 miles.  My longest ride was 13+ hrs straight (and I was 62 then).

Here's my list:

Dart Marlin Screen  the regular dart is just for looks
1" dropped pegs with adjustable shifter / brake pieces.
GT muffler  must of dropped 15 lbs from the old one
Reflash the ECU
Rear rack with Kriega 20 tail bag  get the stucchi rack and not the cheaper one I got where you have to drill holes in the tailpiece
LED light bulb  much brighter but flat light
Battery tender plug
Tail chop with LED license lights  yeah it's and ego thing
RKA 50 liter soft luggage no mounting hardware and it stays off the bike except for trips

My G11 is close to 50,000 miles and though she's a little big for commuting I use her for everything.

[pete roper]

Biggest issue with the Griso in stock trim is its under sprung and over damped. While some of us have gone completely troppo on suspension mods it really isn't necessary unless you're a suspension nut and/or have emerging health issues that mean that not having really top notch suspension means that you get off the bike having done ten rounds with Mike Tyson! You can greatly improve the stock forks by simply puting in 5wt oil and cranking the spring preload up before adjusting the damping. The rear shock is a bit trickier, it needs a heavier spring unless you are a bantamweight and the damping needles are very coarse meaning that small adjustments make a big difference. Stock suspension can be made to work acceptably though.

Ergonomics are a very individual thing but lowering the pegs, even for a short legged, 'Duck's Disease' affected fatty like me helped a lot with comfort, as did Onur's risers which are BRILLIANT!

Important thing to factor in to the purchase or at least first service costs is pulling the swingarm to grease the swingarm bearings and shock linkage. These are never done right at the factory and their life will be short unless they are done properly.

I also recommend swapping to HH pads, especially at the front. Brakes are pretty good though.

Don't put an open pipe on it.(There are plenty of good aftermarket cans with dB killers out there. A loud pipe won't improve performance one jot!) Don't put a rock strainer air filter in it. Get it tuned properly and sling a Beetlemap in it. Go ride?

[AH Fan]

What is comfort?

I'm over 50, 6'2", 15 stones, and have been riding GRiSOs in stock trim for nearly ten years and over 60K miles (across three GRiSOs.)  I wouldn't hesitate to ride one all day long straight out of the crate.

If it works for you, buy it and enjoy it.

Yup ......... Ill second that. I have done back to back 600 mile days with mine with no therapy required at the end.   

Oh.......... 5 ft 10 .... 178 lbs.

Ciao

[Bill Hagan]

Yup ......... Ill second that. I have done back to back 600 mile days with mine with no therapy required at the end.   

Oh.......... 5 ft 10 .... 178 lbs.

Ciao

No therapy at end?

I'm betting you don't consider a beer or two at end of both long days to be "therapy." 

Bill

[guzziboy66]

I'm 6 ft tall and weigh in at around 250 lbs. 
I have a 14 and based on everything I had read here and at GRiSO Ghetto I went ahead and added the following things right away...

Matris Rear Shock
A Hugger
The Stuchi Rear Rack
A Givi V47 rear trunk
Bar end mirrors
Dart fly screen
Brembo RCS master cylinder
Tank ring and bag from SW Motech (Did this before Onur came on the scene)
Agostini Horse Hoof slip on w/ Cat/Con & DB killer

Later I added...

A Fenda Extenda
A Dipstick thermometer
LGC adjustable radiator/oil cooler cover

Stock pegs have not bothered me yet.
Screen is helpful, but I bought it more to keep the dead bugs out from the gauge/headlight area...
The Trunk does nothing for the looks of the bike, but it is so damn convenient!  It has a backrest and that was a prerequisite for my wife allowing my daughter to go for a ride...
Fenda Extenda and hugger were to keep things cleaner.
Dipstick thermometer and Oil cooler cover were to be sure I keep it warm enough in the winter.
The Master cylinder improved braking...  HH pads make it even better.  (Pads are probably all you need)

I've ridden it to VT, spent a week there and then ridden back with no issues.

Other than that, just regular maintenance
Put Michelin PR4's on it.
Swing Arm Greased

Map update is next.


Good Luck!

[bpreynolds]

If you've had any lower back issues ever, I would advise against it as per comfort.  For me personally and my slipped discs, it was like a masochist' dream:  very wide at the knees (pinching lower back), feet forward, short distance to pegs, and you are leaned over the tank.  I tried Onur's Risers (very nice product), I tried offset risers, I tried lowering the pegs.  It was still the most uncomfortable bike over miles I've ever ridden in my life.  It made my former Street Triple feel like a tourer.  Definitely get at least a good 40 miles or advisedly more on a test drive.  Again, most of this was just complications with my specific back issues.  I still don't regret buying it or throwing money at it to try and make it work.  I mean, it is probably the most gorgeous motorcycle on Earth, handles like it's on rails with that stonking motor making wonderful noises and pulses right beneath ya.  Who wouldn't want to try and keep that marriage together?   

[guzziownr]

6' 4" 57 Y.O.  The seat was the most expensive thin. List member "Uncle" says the stock seat is perfectly fine.  I liked the Corbin but it is a solo.

Stelvio rear shock
HH front brake pads
custom seat
1" dropped pegs
MG rack and bags
MG flyscreen
Fenda extenda
Onur tankring
grip puppies

[Dilliw]

We picked up my brother's Monster from service yesterday and I couldn't let him leave without a short ride:

[Bill Hagan]

If you've had any lower back issues ever, I would advise against it as per comfort.  For me personally and my slipped discs, it was like a masochist' dream:  very wide at the knees (pinching lower back), feet forward, short distance to pegs, and you are leaned over the tank.  I tried Onur's Risers (very nice product), I tried offset risers, I tried lowering the pegs.  It was still the most uncomfortable bike over miles I've ever ridden in my life.  It made my former Street Triple feel like a tourer.  Definitely get at least a good 40 miles or advisedly more on a test drive.  Again, most of this was just complications with my specific back issues.  I still don't regret buying it or throwing money at it to try and make it work.  I mean, it is probably the most gorgeous motorcycle on Earth, handles like it's on rails with that stonking motor making wonderful noises and pulses right beneath ya.  Who wouldn't want to try and keep that marriage together? 

Interesting.

I was aware, along with others here, of your commendable struggle to avoid a "divorce."   

I have to add, however, my own view as a guy with a long history of lower-back problems stemming from a parachuting accident decades ago.

While, obviously, as with virtually everything in life, YMMV, I actually find the Griso (and Norge) to be easier on my back over long hauls than my EV.

The "sit up & beg" of the EV and similar mounts causes me soon to sag; the Griso and Norge, with their modest lean-forward ergos, force me into a more comfortable proper curvature of my back.

Yes, in the interests of full disclosure, I do take aspirin along on extended trips, and a flask of something medicinal if needed, too.   

Bill

[pebra]

What Bill said  -  parachuting aside!
I find the relatively "cramped" riding position of the Griso and the roadster  -  feet slightly backwards, torso slightly forward  -  much more comfortable than the cruisers I've had (EV included).