Author Topic: Centauro v Griso (Read 6019 times)

Tkelly · « **on:** July 09, 2020, 09:07:23 PM »

Thinking about getting one or the other,price is not the issue,what are the pros and cons?

LowRyter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2020, 09:13:06 PM »

I'd get a late model 8v Griso if was going to ride it. If I wanted to work on it and keep a collectible, then the Centauro.

If I wanted to ride a beauty, a V11 Sport Greenie is the best choice.

TN Mark · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2020, 09:24:24 PM »

I’ve had both and can’t think of a single aspect of ownership or performance where a V10 Centauro beats a Griso 8V. IMHO, a Griso 8V delivers on the V10 Centauro hopes and promises.

YMMV

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2020, 09:34:27 PM »

If $$ is no issue, I'd get one of each

MotoG5 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2020, 09:52:36 PM »

I owned and rode a V11 Sport (Greenie) for ten years. I have also ridden both the 8V Griso and the Centauro. The Centauro was a fantastic bike I had a chance to ride for several long runs. The 8V Griso I had a chance to ride on a few test rides hosted at a couple of rallies. It was my opinion that the 8V Griso was the Centauro refined and finished. Where the Centauro was a hairy chested beast that delivered the goods in a hard edged way and was a gas to ride the 8V Griso did the same job with a smooth and refined feel.
As for the V11S I was totally in love with it and only let it go when I just could not handle the riding position. Not the fault of the bike just an aging body that couldn't adapt any more. Still miss that bike.
If I were the OP I would go for the 8V Griso, rollered if a pre 2013, as the Centuro has some issues that one would want to deal with that are very pricy. Oil pump up grade being at the heart of it.
Just my opinion. The memories of riding that Centauro on the mountain roads north of Elko Nevada are some of the best I have. The fact that it belonged to a very good friend that is no longer with us make them even better.

rschrum · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2020, 10:02:28 PM »

I have, and enjoy both, but if I had to choose it would be the Griso Even though the Centauro is fully sorted, the Carac bikes are much more refined.

JJ · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2020, 07:07:36 AM »

I own a '98 Centauro GT and have ridden my friend's 8V 1200 a time or two.

My vote ? Go with the Griso...it's faster, smoother, and a more modern and forgiving bike all around!

...and I do like "a greenie" version as well.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2020, 07:41:14 AM »

Quote from: MotoG5 on July 09, 2020, 09:52:36 PM

I owned and rode a V11 Sport (Greenie) for ten years. I have also ridden both the 8V Griso and the Centauro. The Centauro was a fantastic bike I had a chance to ride for several long runs. The 8V Griso I had a chance to ride on a few test rides hosted at a couple of rallies. It was my opinion that the 8V Griso was the Centauro refined and finished. Where the Centauro was a hairy chested beast that delivered the goods in a hard edged way and was a gas to ride the 8V Griso did the same job with a smooth and refined feel.
As for the V11S I was totally in love with it and only let it go when I just could not handle the riding position. Not the fault of the bike just an aging body that couldn't adapt any more. Still miss that bike.
If I were the OP I would go for the 8V Griso, rollered if a pre 2013, as the Centuro has some issues that one would want to deal with that are very pricy. Oil pump up grade being at the heart of it.
Just my opinion. The memories of riding that Centauro on the mountain roads north of Elko Nevada are some of the best I have. The fact that it belonged to a very good friend that is no longer with us make them even better.

That sums it up in a nut shell. I put a lot of miles on the Centauro, but it was labor intensive to do it. *Fun* labor, but still.. It would have eventually cost some money to do the necessary mods.

Travlr · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2020, 09:20:23 AM »

As a 2nd bike I'd pick the Centauro. As my only bike the Griso. (I've owned both)

Mike

Wayne Orwig · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2020, 09:32:30 AM »

The Griso is too 'civilized'.

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2020, 09:33:38 AM »

Quote from: MotoG5 on July 09, 2020, 09:52:36 PM

I have also ridden both the 8V Griso and the Centauro. The Centauro was a fantastic bike I had a chance to ride for several long runs. The 8V Griso I had a chance to ride on a few test rides hosted at a couple of rallies. It was my opinion that the 8V Griso was the Centauro refined and finished. Where the Centauro was a hairy chested beast that delivered the goods in a hard edged way and was a gas to ride the 8V Griso did the same job with a smooth and refined feel.

I agree with that after having rides on both. Sean Connery vs Roger Moore. The Griso was nice, the Stelvio accelerated to 105 so fast it was scary, the Centauro is still in my garage. Grin factor won out. Regarding maintenance over the last 15 years. Belts, fork fluid change, some extra grounds, a Guzzitech pc3 mapped by MD racing. Only time ever in the shop while I've owned it because of a loss of oil pressure due to the o-ring on the oil filter splitting. Shut it down immediately and let Joe W the Guzzi Doc take a look. Been running strong ever since. Except for this year while it been sitting in storage waiting for the house to be completed.

Tkelly · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2020, 01:27:33 PM »

TheCentauroI am looking at has the Daytona tuned motor.Does that change anyone’s opinion?What is aDaytonalike to ride?

Roebling3 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2020, 01:56:38 PM »

I'm almost out of riding the Daytona. It doesn't feel any heavier than the V7 iii and still produces a huge grin. I just need someone to reliably put the side stand down, when I stop. Yes, it's a bit tighter (clip-ons of course), than a Centauro. R3~

steven c · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2020, 02:02:33 PM »

I love riding my Centauro more the I thought I would, just a fun bike to ride. My late friend Ron the, PO had it well sorted. I did the belts this past winter. But I always wanted a Griso and would trade in a minute.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2020, 05:37:19 PM »

Quote from: Wayne Orwig on July 10, 2020, 09:32:30 AM

The Griso is too 'civilized'.

That is kind of my feeling, but I'm an anachronism, and realize that.. <shrug>

JamesNFalconaut · « **Reply #15 on:** July 10, 2020, 09:32:10 PM »

The wheelbase of the Griso is quite a bit longer than the Centauro (1550 Vs 1475 mm).
How does their handling compare?

lucky phil · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2020, 10:04:29 PM »

Quote from: Tkelly on July 09, 2020, 09:07:23 PM

Thinking about getting one or the other,price is not the issue,what are the pros and cons?

There are some fine answers posted here but there is only really one choice I'm afraid if riding the bike is you're priority, the Griso. As someone who has just completed a total engine rebuild on a Centauro/Daytona engine I can tell you parts are getting virtually impossible to find now even second hand and it wont be getting any easier in the future. They only made 3418 Daytona/Centauro engines combined over the production life plus a few MGS-01's which are a little different in internal details so unless somebody like me picks up the gauntlet and starts having stuff made again which I'm investigating currently nothing will become available in the future as the economic numbers simply dont add up for a larger supplier.
Apart from all that the Centauro engine top end is a long way from bullet proof and has issues with high wear esp with guides and followers.
I love this engine as an engineer because it's a challenge but it's not a sensible purchase these days.
If you could find a Centi with less than 30,000 klms on it and you didn't see yourself doing many klms per year then maybe. But the roller engined 8 valve Griso is a better engine in just about every way.

Ciao

lucky phil · « **Reply #17 on:** July 10, 2020, 10:10:56 PM »

Quote from: Tkelly on July 10, 2020, 01:27:33 PM

TheCentauroI am looking at has the Daytona tuned motor.Does that change anyone’s opinion?What is aDaytonalike to ride?

Depending on the country of sale the Centi and Daytona RS engines are the same output. USA, Swiss and Singapore Daytona RS's had the same cams and everything else as the Centy. The European Daytona RS's had the different hotter cams. All the other variations are basically identical with the exception of pistons which were different in the earlier Daytonas pre centy.

Ciao

Tusayan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 10, 2020, 11:29:28 PM »

Quote from: lucky phil on July 10, 2020, 10:10:56 PM

Depending on the country of sale the Centi and Daytona RS engines are the same output. USA, Swiss and Singapore Daytona RS's had the same cams and everything else as the Centy. The European Daytona RS's had the different hotter cams. All the other variations are basically identical with the exception of pistons which were different in the earlier Daytonas pre centy.

Centauros and RSs have Carrillo con-rods, earlier Daytona engines have Guzzi rods.

lucky phil · « **Reply #19 on:** July 10, 2020, 11:57:53 PM »

Quote from: Tusayan on July 10, 2020, 11:29:28 PM

Centauros and RSs have Carrillo con-rods, earlier Daytona engines have Guzzi rods.

Yes true, forgot about that. The Centy and RS Daytona Carrillos also have larger rod bolts than the std Carrillos as well. Not that it really matters.

Ciao

Old Jock · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2020, 03:27:09 AM »

Phil did the later Daytonas not also have a lightened crank

I don't know for certain but I've heard that if you ordered the 'C' Kit for an early Daytona, which is what the RS engine is, Guzzi gave you a new crank.

The 'C' bikes' mains had a far tighter tolerance on the big ends and I heard that they also lightened the crank too

You'd probably never notice it for day to day riding though

John

lucky phil · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2020, 06:41:44 AM »

Quote from: Old Jock on July 11, 2020, 03:27:09 AM

Phil did the later Daytonas not also have a lightened crank

I don't know for certain but I've heard that if you ordered the 'C' Kit for an early Daytona, which is what the RS engine is, Guzzi gave you a new crank.

The 'C' bikes' mains had a far tighter tolerance on the big ends and I heard that they also lightened the crank too

You'd probably never notice it for day to day riding though

John

Main bearing and big end clearances are all the same John from early Daytona to Centy and RS. The cranks are a different part number from early Daytona to Centy and RS probably because they would be balanced differently to accommodate the Carrillo rods which would be lighter. Not sure what came in a "C" Kit but if it was rods then that's probably why you'd get a crank I'd imagine. The MGS crank is different and looks like it has material removed off the crank bob weights to accommodate the 100mm Cosworth pistons.

Ciao

Tkelly · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2020, 06:47:23 AM »

Thanks to all for the education,looking for a Griso.

AH Fan · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2020, 10:00:16 AM »

Quote from: JJ on July 10, 2020, 07:07:36 AM

I own a '98 Centauro GT and have ridden my friend's 8V 1200 a time or two.

My vote ? Go with the Griso...it's faster, smoother, and a more modern and forgiving bike all around!

...and I do like "a greenie" version as well.

No JJ say it isnt so......

JJ · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2020, 10:29:18 AM »

Quote from: AH Fan on July 11, 2020, 10:00:16 AM

No JJ say it isnt so......

Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed my Centauro over the last fiver years, and I have installed all the mods / upgrades to make it a reliable, sports touring machine.

I am just saying that IMHO, the Griso is a more refined, modern, smoother, and faster Guzzi!

Before I had the Centauro, I almost bought a brand new Griso...but I wanted something different, quirky, and unique.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2020, 12:20:39 PM »

Quote from: Tkelly on July 11, 2020, 06:47:23 AM

Thanks to all for the education,looking for a Griso.

Good choice! Make sure to let us know how the search goes.

guzzisteve · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2020, 12:35:29 PM »

If you don't like the newer dashes, that would be the thing, not a triangle/service in sight.
I been looking for a Centy off and on. Was tracking one here in GA, well it popped back up a different color.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Moto-Guzzi-V10-Centauro/153998481247?hash=item23db06575f:g:GckAAOSwIPhfBJUB

And this time the owner put a MyECU in it w/O2 sniffer. Pretty nice bike, no affiliation w/seller. I was wondering what happened to the Blue Centy.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2020, 12:50:22 PM »

The Centauro is a hairy beast , the Griso is a hairy beast that has been to charm school .

Dusty

lucky phil · « **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2020, 08:25:22 PM »

Quote from: JJ on July 11, 2020, 10:29:18 AM

Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed my Centauro over the last fiver years, and I have installed all the mods / upgrades to make it a reliable, sports touring machine.

I am just saying that IMHO, the Griso is a more refined, modern, smoother, and faster Guzzi!

Before I had the Centauro, I almost bought a brand new Griso...but I wanted something different, quirky, and unique.

I think everyone falls in love with the look of the Daytona engine including me. That's the only reason I put one in my V11, it certainly wasn't a rational choice.

Ciao

wymple · « **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2020, 10:03:37 PM »

I never gave the Centauro much thought...until I saw one. I like it a lot, refinement be damned.

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Author Topic: Centauro v Griso (Read 6019 times)

oldbike54