Looking for some Guzzi Guidance

[racer1735]

After years of lusting after Moto Guzzi's, dating back to the early 80s and a LeMans III poster on my door, I believe that I'm ready to dive in to Guzzi ownership.

I'm looking used, as this will be my 'second bike' to my '23 KTM 1290 SAS. I currently have my eye on three ... a 2008 Griso 1100 w/23,000 miles and some nice farkles .... a 2009 Griso 1200 8v w/35,000 (its been rollerized) and a 2002 V11 Le Mans 13,500 miles.

I know there is a vast difference between the 'modern' Guzzi's and the V11, but any caveats (the rollerization on the '09 should take away some anxiety? All are very clean (the '09 is at a dealership which also sells Guzzi's) and owned by people who seem to have taken care of their bikes. The two Griso across the country from me, so the only 'first-hand' look I'll have of them is a video walk-thru, while the V11 is five hours from me.

I guess what I'm asking is, can you give me any pointers on which way to go?

[chuck peterson]

Most here have experienced Guzzi model drift…you buy your first and while you’re out riding poof! A few more appear in the garage all by themselves…

Your first one doesn’t matter, you’ll be collecting them all pretty soon

All three sound good, I would go for the one locally

Start parking the cars outside…

[fotoguzzi]

The V11 is a real visceral experience.
Think of it as the last and best of the analog Moto Guzzi’s
I’d get the V11 hands down. Still miss mine..

[Dave Swanson]

I would take the day and check out the V11 in person.   No need to buy a Griso long distance by using a bit of patience.  One will pop up close by in due time.   Neither one of the Grisos sound like special enough gems to warrant the long distance to buy IMO. 

To whet your V11 appetite, I will leave these for you. 

https://youtu.be/VvgKvX1ZlYk?si=NyjKbFiDY8TmwT32

[blackcat]

I'd buy the 8V Griso depending on price and condition, will the dealer let you do a test ride?  I have nothing against the V11 series but would only consider one with Ohlins suspension and that is based on owning a 03 Rosso. Keep in mind that the V11's with ITI speedometers usually go bad around the 10K mark. 

[Huzo]

I would take the day and check out the V11 in person.   No need to buy a Griso long distance by using a bit of patience.  One will pop up close by in due time.   Neither one of the Grisos sound like special enough gems to warrant the long distance to buy IMO. 

To whet your V11 appetite, I will leave these for you. 

https://youtu.be/VvgKvX1ZlYk?si=NyjKbFiDY8TmwT32

Arse…! 

[racer1735]

To update a bit more....I'm located in West Texas.  The bikes are located in South Carolina and South Florida (the Griso's) and Northern Colorado (the V11 LeMans).  So not in a position to take a day for a look at them.  Once I can narrow things down (I'm leaning towards the 1100 or the V11 as they are private sales and the owners have been very open about their ownership) then I'll find someone in the area who can go lay eyes on them for me, as well as me doing a FaceTime.

[moto]

The V11 Lemans and the Griso 1100 have similar engines but different purposes. The Lemans is intended to get you on the highway and ride 3 1/2 hours from Amarillo to the mountains in New Mexico, and then have fun. But so is your KTM, and it can do it better no doubt. The Griso is more of a short distance bike that has never been produced with a fairing. It would be much better for around town and to the coffee shop than your KTM.

Neither of these bikes was intended for the north Texas panhandle. They were built in and for the Alps. The KTM is a great choice for where you find yourself. You should think about what the actual mission can be for a Moto Guzzi.

[racer1735]

Last week, a buddy and I took our ADV bikes to the Northern New Mexico mountains (about a 4 hour ride) and spent 2 1/2 days riding the mountain twisties and elevation changes (up to 10,200').  The 1290 was great and I'm thinking either the V11 (which would probably be a better ride getting there and back) or the Griso would be perfect in that role.  I also have two sizeable canyons (Palo Duro and Caprock) and their twisties within a 30 minute ride from home.  It is flat ... and straight ... out here, but there is some variation if you know where to go.

[Kiwi_Roy]

After years of lusting after Moto Guzzi's, dating back to the early 80s and a LeMans III poster on my door, I believe that I'm ready to dive in to Guzzi ownership.

I'm looking used, as this will be my 'second bike' to my '23 KTM 1290 SAS. I currently have my eye on three ... a 2008 Griso 1100 w/23,000 miles and some nice farkles .... a 2009 Griso 1200 8v w/35,000 (its been rollerized) and a 2002 V11 Le Mans 13,500 miles.

I know there is a vast difference between the 'modern' Guzzi's and the V11, but any caveats (the rollerization on the '09 should take away some anxiety? All are very clean (the '09 is at a dealership which also sells Guzzi's) and owned by people who seem to have taken care of their bikes. The two Griso across the country from me, so the only 'first-hand' look I'll have of them is a video walk-thru, while the V11 is five hours from me.

I guess what I'm asking is, can you give me any pointers on which way to go?
How can you go wrong, they are all good choices but personally I would go 2009 Griso 1200 fly and ride.

[rocker59]

the Griso is a fine bike, but with only 4-gallons of fuel on board, it would not be my choice for riding where you ride. the V11 LeMans is a great machine with an additional 1+ gallons of fuel allowing more range, the ability to carry luggage (I ran Hepco Becker on mine), handle great in the mountains (Ohlins!), and knock out big miles on the prairie to get there.

my V11 blog on Wildguzzi:
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=31009.0

[pebra]

Having owned a Griso for many years, but only ridden a V11 Sport (which iteration?) on one occasion - this is my take on the question at hand

Both bikes are charismatic and stand out in most crowds, have fine motors and sound great.

The Griso is a long, heavy pig, great for long distance riding. Not so much for switchbacks and riding in town.
At my age I didn't mind its 220 km+ tank, and found it easy to set up the bike for luggage and 150+ kph touring.
Loved the 8V motor and the gearbox....

[Tom]

Never owned a Griso but rode one at the National MGNOC Rally in CO. I own a V11 LeMans Nero Corsa & V11 LeMans Black.  I had a V11 LeMans Silver and a Rosso Mandello.  I vote V11 LeMans.  Great for solo sport touring.     Some other alternatives are the California 1100 bikes. 

The GRIN NM state rally is coming up real soon.  There's a thread on it.  Good chance to check out other Moto Guzzi and you get a chance to win a Moto Guzzi. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

The V11 Sport is the last of the *real* Guzzis.  Raw and visceral. Never lets you forget you are operating a "machine." I've had two.. an 03 Rosso, and an 02 hopped up Scura, which is my favorite bike of all time. There's a reason for that.. I've done long trips on both in relative comfort, and when you get to the good stuff, they do really well. As Black cat says, get one with the Ohlins suspension..you'll be glad you did. Sadly, I've aged out of the V11S, but am certainly glad I had those years with them.
Edit:
Forgot. For the world's knowledge base on V11 Sports, go to V11lemans.com

[JJ]

This is my old 2002 V11 Le Mans. 

Arguably, the BEST modern Guzzi I have ever owned and ridden...

[guzzi4me]

I would lean towards the V11. Same engine as my Jackal and Stone..of course they were very unreliable.

Only got 100k+ out of each. Really monopolized my time...always thinking about the next ride!!

Guzzi ownership is a sickness......

Jeff