Moto Guzzi vs Yamaha sound shootout

[faffi]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJRW10FLU0M


Bonus video - I have often come close to buying one, but - unlike the Bulldog - riding knowing I'd be riding too fast too often is the feature that kept me from it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q2MLDQ_5io

[73 sport]

    What is "Too Fast". It's not the bike, it's the right hand. Well tuned Guzzis are capable of over 100 mph. If you like the bike and can afford it, get it.

[faffi]

    What is "Too Fast". It's not the bike, it's the right hand. Well tuned Guzzis are capable of over 100 mph. If you like the bike and can afford it, get it.

Just about every bike can go too fast, but some are tempting me (a lot) more than other bikes. The MT-01 has a lot more power than the BT1100 and V9 Roamer, and a LOT more cornering clearance and superior suspension. This is similar to putting a 100 beers in front of a recovering alcoholic, or a pile of pizzas in front of a person who has been long on a very restricted diet to lose 200 lbs. Can they withstand the temptation?

[73 sport]

    For Faffi. Where in Norway are you located? I spent eight months working with the Norwegian navy in 1970. We surveyed the coast from Oslo to Nordkapp. What fjords we didn't cover on the way up  we surveyed on the way south. It was a wonderful trip, I learned a lot of the language, customs, the food,and the country.

[SIR REAL ED]

Just about every bike can go too fast, but some are tempting me (a lot) more than other bikes. The MT-01 has a lot more power than the BT1100 and V9 Roamer, and a LOT more cornering clearance and superior suspension. This is similar to putting a 100 beers in front of a recovering alcoholic, or a pile of pizzas in front of a person who has been long on a very restricted diet to lose 200 lbs. Can they withstand the temptation?

Right you are.  Some bikes constantly whisper in your ear:  "Faster!  Faster!  You are boring me riding like an old lady!"

Add to the fact that they are uncomfortable, and not riding or buying one becomes a matter of practicality.

[faffi]

73 sport, I live in Rogaland, not that far off Boknafjorden. I was 6 years old in 1970

[Yan]

I happen to own a MG Griso 1100 and a Yamaha MT-01. The bikes are basically contemporaries: the MT-01 was produced between 2005-2012. They are both air-cooled V-twins, are both unusual (in many ways) but can be lumped in a "muscle bike"-category, and both bikes are torquey and powerful.  They are heavy (the MT-01 weighs 584 lb wet...): although they pull like a rhinoceros they also have the nimbleness of a rhinoceros.

However, the MT-01's stock suspension is MUCH more refined than the GRiSO's. It feels wonderful to navigate our potholed roads. The other difference is the torque: the MT-01 has 150.3 N⋅m (110.9 lb⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm compared to the 'paltry' 89 N⋅m (65 lb⋅ft) at 6,400 rpm of the GRiSO 1100. (The power is identical: 89 hp vs 87 hp).  The very strange thing is that the MT-01 doesn't rev. I find myself going way above legal speed limits within seconds but the engine seems not even trying. In fact it takes some effort to get this engine to go above 4000 RPM. I am not sure if I ever will get used to it.

Even with my stock exhaust, the sound of this engine is incredible. Not exactly loud but just, well, frightening.  You kind of 'feel' the sound with your body.  One magazine reviewer in 2005 described it well: "At low speed the sound pressure, even with ear plugs in, is slightly uncomfortable as you crack the throttle open and your ears pop from the sudden vacuum", and later he writes: "Small children point and stare when you coast by, and start crying when you accelerate. If you roll off the throttle they get blown over by the back-blast". 

I like that it is a very odd motorcycle: it has a 1670 cc cruiser engine in a sportbike frame. Even in 2005 the Yamaha execs must have realised that this bike was not going to sell well. But they still built it. Just as the GRiSO, it is an example of a rare case when designers and motorcycle enthusiasts convinced the bean-counters to "just build it, because we like it".

[faffi]

Interesting info, Yan, thanks for sharing

[Bulldog9]

I happen to own a MG Griso 1100 and a Yamaha MT-01. The bikes are basically contemporaries: the MT-01 was produced between 2005-2012. They are both air-cooled V-twins, are both unusual (in many ways) but can be lumped in a "muscle bike"-category, and both bikes are torquey and powerful.  They are heavy (the MT-01 weighs 584 lb wet...): although they pull like a rhinoceros they also have the nimbleness of a rhinoceros.

However, the MT-01's stock suspension is MUCH more refined than the GRiSO's. It feels wonderful to navigate our potholed roads. The other difference is the torque: the MT-01 has 150.3 N⋅m (110.9 lb⋅ft) at 3,750 rpm compared to the 'paltry' 89 N⋅m (65 lb⋅ft) at 6,400 rpm of the GRiSO 1100. (The power is identical: 89 hp vs 87 hp).  The very strange thing is that the MT-01 doesn't rev. I find myself going way above legal speed limits within seconds but the engine seems not even trying. In fact it takes some effort to get this engine to go above 4000 RPM. I am not sure if I ever will get used to it.

Even with my stock exhaust, the sound of this engine is incredible. Not exactly loud but just, well, frightening.  You kind of 'feel' the sound with your body.  One magazine reviewer in 2005 described it well: "At low speed the sound pressure, even with ear plugs in, is slightly uncomfortable as you crack the throttle open and your ears pop from the sudden vacuum", and later he writes: "Small children point and stare when you coast by, and start crying when you accelerate. If you roll off the throttle they get blown over by the back-blast". 

I like that it is a very odd motorcycle: it has a 1670 cc cruiser engine in a sportbike frame. Even in 2005 the Yamaha execs must have realised that this bike was not going to sell well. But they still built it. Just as the GRiSO, it is an example of a rare case when designers and motorcycle enthusiasts convinced the bean-counters to "just build it, because we like it".

Yan,

The Griso is one of those bikes than can be horrible to ride if the suspension and tire pressures arent right.  Have you taken the time to sort it out? I was fortunate to have Moto International set up my suspension for my weight and riding style. With the ability to adjust compression and rebound damping and spring pre-load front and rear, there is a lot to get wrong. It's also sensitive moreso than any other bike I've owned to tire pressures and quality/style.  Mine has been a nimble comfortable rock solid canyon carver and sport tourer from day one.  I've ridden a few others that were like school busses, all from tires and suspension setup.  Some bikes like the Breva/Norge seem like they can care less about those things, but the Griso is picky. 

I was disappointed YMC didn't sell the MT01 or Bulldog in the states. I was a long time Yamaha rider before my Guzzi days. Still have my 1979 XS1100 which was always like trying to ride king kong............

[Yan]

I was mainly referring to the weight of both bikes: these are not light-weights. I am used to it but when riding e.g. an Enfield of smaller KTM through a busy part of town, I realise that lightweight bikes are really FUN in tight situations, and that heavy weight is not always a good thing.
I know that the stock suspension (esp the rear shock) of the Griso is adequate at best, and can (or in fact should) be upgraded, but I just can't really be bothered. I am no Valentino Rossi, and I think the (more or less serious amount of) money for an Öhlins, YSS or Wilbers shock would not be worth it (if I am even able to feel the differences). But you are right that even with the stock items, the riding experience will be improved if these are set up correctly.