First Guzzi - Advice Sought

[Kev m]

I'm not sure your definition of a lot Pete but the leftover Stone prices are so cheap you'd have to be insane to get a used twin tb, plastic tank model unless $1-2k makes a big difference in your life.

[LowRyter]

even if he purchased a Griso, it won't have the beans of a K-bike.

[Huzo]

even if he purchased a Griso, it won't have the beans of a K-bike.

He was asking for advice advice on an easy to manage, inoffensive bike within his set parameters.
Fast, (relatively) heavy and expensive was not a direction that he indicated he wanted to go.
Perhaps do multiple test rides of well used inexpensive V7’s and see if they pull you towards them.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

again, read the first post folks....  the MILANO is the clear & obvious choice.  It's got the Tach, it looks tits, and it's a V7~~ the best bike guzzi makes to fit his needs

[bad Chad]

An 8v Griso won’t have the beans of a k bike?

Weren’t the k bikes limited to a 100 hp?   

[Bulldog9]

No argument the V7 is a fantastic platform and a great re-entry bike.  My thoughts on the Griso is though it is heavier, and more capable in many ways, it is also an easy bike to ride slow. If the OP came off K bikes, he may find himself regretting passing on the Griso.  Ultimately all good choices, and the Milano is a beautiful bike. 

Will be interesting to see what his thoughts/feelings are when he sees/rides these gems.

[LowRyter]

An 8v Griso won’t have the beans of a k bike?

Weren’t the k bikes limited to a 100 hp?

sounds right

[bad Chad]

A Griso has more power, quicker gear box and similar weight, why would a k bike be faster?

[LowRyter]

A Griso has more power, quicker gear box and similar weight, why would a k bike be faster?

I don't think the Griso has the power of a K-bike.  I could be wrong.

[Tom]

Thank you everybody for your time. I did send an email to the local Guzzi club but have not gotten a response as of yet. They have a campout in Canby so I'll drop by if I don't hear anything.

The camp out's at Gary Jenkins house.  Very large backyard with fruit trees.  The cherries/plums/apricots should be ripe for the picking.  He'll have slices of log to make Moto Guzzi coasters with a branding iron.  Cool stuff.  I made a bunch in Texas.  If you show, club members will more than likely let sit on their bikes and bench race on Moto Guzzis.  Gary had/has a red Norge dressed out for touring for sale.  You might find that some of the older Guzzis may work for you vs. a brand new one.

[bad Chad]

Late model Griso are said to have 110hp in stock set up, I agree with you, you might be mistaken. 

[vstevens]

I'm a "returning rider" ... a mid-sized bike for around town and back road day tripping.

Jim, I was in the same place a few years back (2015).  I'm about 5'11" and 170lb and the stone fit me well.  I looked at the Griso, which was much more expensive then, and a 2013 V7 stone (white).  After finding this forum, my worries about a brand I knew very little about were largely dispelled.  I bought the V7 and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I sold it a bit more than two years later (wasn't the bike's fault). 

The V7 was perfect for getting back into riding.  I loved the exciting look of the Griso but it felt much too top heavy (still does) and was too expensive.  I rode the V7 primarily on two lane back roads and commuted a bit.  I hated longer trips on the highway.  To me, it wasn't big enough or stable enough to comfortably travel at high speeds (80 +) for long periods of time.  Not that it can't, but it just wasn't comfortable enough for that (to me).  It was perfect at 70 give or take and can do that all day.  The seat is OK for an hour or so but gets uncomfortable after that.  I found that the beaded seat covers do a great job increasing the comfort and cooling over distances.  Commuting isn't fun anyway, so I typically drive or take public transit.  The times I did ride into work were fine and sorting through stop and go traffic on the highway is a real plus.

After getting to know the V7, I really appreciated the way it revs (I learned from this forum that you don't want to 'lug' the V7... it really likes to rev).  The sound of the stock pipes got better after a few thousand miles and I found no need to change them.  I added a Marlin wind screen which really increased comfort at speed without taking away from the aesthetics.  Also, I changed the mirrors to Aprilia Tuono mirrors (I think several Aprilia models use them) which greatly increased visibility.  That's it.  The only thing I might have done if I kept the V7 might be to add a beetle map. 

Hope that is helpful, take you time and enjoy the bike you choose.  For me, the V7 was a perfect choice.

Vince

[Cage Free]

You said you want mid size bike but didn't mention your size. Im 6'2" 225lbs and my Griso feels like a small bike compared to my Stelvio, I've sat on V7"s and they feel like a toy in comparison. At least at my local dealer(GP San Diego) they will let you take any bike for a test ride, so I'd hit your local dealer and see for yourself what works for you.

[s1120]

You said you want mid size bike but didn't mention your size. Im 6'2" 225lbs and my Griso feels like a small bike compared to my Stelvio, I've sat on V7"s and they feel like a toy in comparison. At least at my local dealer(GP San Diego) they will let you take any bike for a test ride, so I'd hit your local dealer and see for yourself what works for you.

Did you ride the 7?  Im 6'3"  tall. and 250ish lbs. It did feel real small when I first sat on it..  But once I started riding it really felt good. Not sure I would want to two up tour on it for a few hundred miles...  But I gotta say it felt good under me riding it.

[LowRyter]

Late model Griso are said to have 110hp in stock set up, I agree with you, you might be mistaken. 

110HP?   

[Kev m]

Maybe it would help if people talked apples and apples (crank hp to crank hp claims or rwhp to rwhp).


BMW K100
Claimed 536-548# wet
Claimed Crank power - 88 hp (90 PS/metric hp)
RWHP: ~ 68 hp @ 7500 rpm  & 53.6 torques @ 6200 rpm (with a considerable dip in the middle)
1/4 mile - 12.5 seconds

see https://ibmwr.org/index.php/1999/03/01/dyno-testing-of-k100-performance-modifications/ for Dyno chart.

see https://motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/bmw/bmw_k100rs%2083.htm for other claimed specs. Not the best source, but hard to find 1/4 mile and wet weight data on a model that old.


Guzzi Griso 1200 8V (2015 # from MCN)
553# wet (MCN)
Claimed Crank Power (OEM) - 110 hp @ 7500 rpm
RWHP (MCN): 98 hp & 72 torques
11.42 1/4 mile (MCN)


Certainly seems like the Griso would be even fastener and potentially more of a handful/temptation.

[LowRyter]

I guess my thinking was that Europe (France) had a 100 HP limit at the time.  Many liter class bikes were tuned for torque and rpm limited so they would pull 99 RWHP.   Now I know that several variants were made from the Kbike with more power than other variants.  I've ridden with a K biker (I suppose it was an "S" model) and they seemed have about the same getup as my 1200 Bandit which also made for Europe rules and made 99 RWHP (add slip on + jet = 115 rwhp).

I think that 4v Guzzis are nice rides.  I am guessing they have about 80-85 RWHP.  My V11 Sport has about 75 but it's got strong mid range whereas the 4v has better top end rush.

I suppose my memory and guessing are pretty foggy.