Dreaming Griso again

[nashopolis]

Couple of Q’s for the collective.

Yesterday I scored a quick ride on an 2017 8v Griso.  I liked it! Probably should’ve bought it but the surprise of it having a rebuild title made me pause long enough to miss the opportunity.

I had previously tested a 4v ( i think it was a 2007) a few years ago and I recall passing in it because it didn’t fit me well.  I remember the tank digging into my knees in a weird way and the pegs seemed higher than I wanted. 

None of those issues remained on the test ride yesterday.
It got me thinking did anything change ergonomically from the 4v to the 8v or did I change my tune?

I ask because I’m starting to look around and see if the right Griso is out there for me.
 
I’ve been smitten with the looks of them for years.  Life is changing for me and I’m into the idea of a do all naked bike that can do double duty as a local rider and occasional touring machine.  Something I can get hard bags for pretty easily and get on it and go!

The life change - a baby boy!
My time is much more limited these days and I’m finding that my fleet of older bikes, while awesome, are giving me more of a wrenching experience rather than a riding experience.  Thus I’m considering the bizarre idea of rolling a few old bikes into one newish / reliable ride that can simplify my life a little and get me on the road more often when I get the opportunity.

So all that to say besides the  motor being different are there any other big differences between the 4v and 8v Grisos?
I know to be aware of the flat tappet era of bikes. 
Ergos
Are the 4v bikes tubeless?
Anything that wouldn’t be  obvious from the 20 magazine reviews I’ve read of both bikes
I think my priorities are simplicity, reliability, character, comfort over speed.

There are more and cheaper 4v bikes within driving distance of my location - I see lots of early Griso’s with low miles.  A few 2013’s and a few pricier 2017’s
Apparently everyone with a 2014-16 is content at the moment.

Cheaper and closer is better but  I’d be willing to consider a little more$ or go a little further for a newer 8v if I thought it would give me more reliability,  riding comfort, ease of ownership.

Plus the Black Devil paint scheme is really sharp in my opinion.

Anyone happen to have one not listed I should check out?

Y’all are great I appreciate this forum a lot even though I rarely post

 

[groundhog105]

I bought a leftover 2017 Griso last fall and have over 8000 miles on it.  I just completed a two week 4500 mile trip thru 8 states. I mounted HB 30 ltr hard bags and this is the best all round bike I have ever had. It will scratch in the canyons and tour comfortably. I’m 71 years old so I’m no spring chicken that can fold in half all day.  I will also add that the Griso got between 45 to 52 mpg. On that trip 


moffitt cancer center

[Bulldog9]

The Griso is a special bike.  I do not believe there were any changes to the chassis from the 4V motor to 8V. Likely the bike you rode had lowered pegs, possibly risers.  I have Knight lowered pegs and Ohnur's risers on mine.  I found the stock position unrideable, the lowered pegs (1.5") are perfect, and the 1" riser which is a spacer that mounts under the bar clamp stem keeps the forward lean in place, but is more comfortable. 

I prefer the 4V motor and dual plate clutch over the 8V, but that is a matter of preference.

GO FOR IT!

[beetle]

Handlebars on the 1100 are wider than the 1200. The 1100 also has rubber on the footpegs.

Just the difference in bars may have been the reason for your change in 'tune".

[not-fishing]

My first bike, when I got back into motorcycles after 20 years (kids are grown) was a used Griso 1100.  It came with the knight dropped pegs and needed new tires, brakes along with other work.  Now I've had it about 40,000 miles.  I went back to stock pegs because I kept locking up the rear on panic stops (even in my 60's I can drive the brake pedal to hard).  Stock pegs work much better and no more sliding the rear to a stop.  I did add a sheepskin seat cover to raise my seat an inch, maybe, and be cooler in hot weather.

LED bulb in the headlight made a big difference on those 850 mile days while touring.

I have done the starter power jumper as the G11 started blowing fuses when it was around 10 years old.  (startus interruptus)

I've had all three fairings, the Dart, the Dart Marlin and the Parabellum.  The Dart protects the gauges and that's about all.  The Dart Marlin is great for shorter rides or when it's hot, like now.  When I first got the Marlin I did a multiday ride up the the National at John Day, Oregon and had to slow down to 50 mph on the deserted freeway due to a ferocious headwind.  I figured it was my Bell Bullett Helmet giving me trouble.  Now I have an AGV Pista helmet and the wind buffet is greatly reduced.  The Parabellum is great for touring when it's cold and rainy but I had to put on risers for clearances and still notched the fairing to clear the turn signals.

When I had the front shocks rebuilt I wish I'd upgraded the springs.  I'm used to riding horses and rigid bicycles so I raise up off the seat over bumps.

For touring I started with RKA bags (decent but small) and now have graduated to Hepco Becker rack with Tusk (cheaper) Alum Boxes.  The boxes are great and work much better for extended motorcycle camping. 

I'm happy with the 2 valve.  Less maintenance for me and it's plenty quick enough to 100.

I put on Stelvio handguards that really help keep the hands warm.  No electric hand warmers for me.

I have a pair of Denali D2 lights that I'm going to mount down on the forks.  I got them with the yellow lenses so cars will think I'm a cop and for better depth of field.  The fancy LED light is so flat compared to sealed beams.

I keep looking at smaller Guzzi's but until they make the V85-Griso I'll stick with the G11.

Mark

[nashopolis]

Thanks for sharing your experiences.
This is all confirming my suspicions that I’m on the right track.

Do the 1100’s have tubeless or tubed wheels - I noticed at least one year had cast wheels.

[moto]

I believe all the 1100's had cast Brembo wheels and tubeless tires.

The seat of the 1200 differs somewhat from the original, as you can see in photos.

Moto

[Dilliw]

How about something like this?

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Moto-Guzzi-GRISO-8V-SE-5013025904

Factory roller and comes with a good deal of accessories.  The MG tail bag is one of my favorites.
 

[Dave Swanson]

How about something like this?

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2013-Moto-Guzzi-GRISO-8V-SE-5013025904

Factory roller and comes with a good deal of accessories.  The MG tail bag is one of my favorites.

Wow that is well kitted out!

[nashopolis]

Dilliw and Dave saw that one too - got a message out to him!

What changed on the seats?

[Dilliw]

Dilliw and Dave saw that one too - got a message out to him!

What changed on the seats?

The seats have the same pan.  The 8v seat has a little "dome" to it making seam narrower and taller.  I wish it was flatter and I have an extra seat that will one day become a custom.