Griso buying advice 2V v 4V

[Adan]

Hello,

It's been a while since I hung out here regularly.  I sold my Tenni Griso a couple years ago when my family was in a financial crunch.  Long story short, things are looking up for us, and I'm yearning to get a Griso back in the garage.  Surprisingly, even my wife supports this, as she says she always liked the Griso best amongst my bikes.

I sold my Griso to a very fine fellow, Steve Valin, who has recently told me he'd consider selling it back to me.  Seems he has been diagnosed TMBS (too many bikes syndrome) and is looking for a cure.  My ex-Griso has about 10,000 miles and as far as I know is in great shape.  It's going to be a financial stretch for me to buy it back, but I'm seriously considering it.

Then I saw this come up on CL:  http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcd/5104215217.html

A very clean 2007 with 2700 miles.  From the pictures, it looks like it's been babied.

From a personal perspective, there's something about reaquiring my own bike that would make it special for me.  And obviously, it's a Tenni which makes it special objectively. 

I'm mainly looking for feedback on 2V versus 4V models.  I liked the 4V engine, but the top end power was never really important to me.  I just don't ride in a manner that it comes into play very often.  Other issues would be fueling and reliability. 

The price difference is significant for me.  I can afford the 2V now, but the Tenni might be several months off even if everything goes well.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to rejoining the Guzzi community sometime soon.

[fotoguzzi]

welcome back! Man I'd go for the black one quick! the luggage and Staintune pipe make it a no brainer. (i could be happy w/the 2 valve)

[Adan]

My ex-Griso has a Mistral, touring screen, and the same luggage. 

I do favor the cast wheels over the spoke. 

[Vasco DG]

They're both great bikes but I have to say I'd find it hard to be satisfied with an 1100 after years of riding a 1200.

Pete

[sbaker]

Hello;

Pete has probably has the best perspective.. The 2v 1100 engine has just a tad more grunt in the lower RPMs.. but the 4v engine has a HUGE kick in the pants at 5,000 rpm and better top end... It is really a choice of riding styles...

[not-fishing]

I have an 07 G11 with 38,000 and the price on this G11 is good.  The body panels look better than mine. I purchased mine without luggage,with the tail, with the stock muffler, needing tires, needing brakes done and with more many miles for not much less but I'd do it all over in a heat beat.

One think I'd ask is if the ECU has been reflashed to deal with the non-stock muffler.

As to lack of top end, I haven't really noticed and if I really wanted more top end I'd buy an Aprilia.

[Bill Hagan]

My comments are from the perspective of someone with a stock 2010 8v with 13K but who has put 2K+ on a tarted-up 1100 Griso.

I pretty much agree with what others have said before, as, if given a choice, with all as many things being equal as possible, I'd choose the 8v, simply because it seems more visceral to me. I always find it odd when I read others here say that the 8v Griso is "refined."  The mechanical structure may be, but it is a growling, truculent beast that would be insulted to be called refined.  Like offering John Wayne a latte.   

I also prefer the (stock) 1200 bars v. the seemed-odd-to-me first-gen ones.

But, after I got off that 1100, having ridden it from Illinois to Virginia, then back to Illinois, all on back roads of all sorts, I remember thinking that it was mighty hard to justify the price difference between the 1100 and 1200.

Granted, that 1100 was  (Rose Farm Classics) Jim Baron's personal bike, so unlikely there is a better running example anywhere.  But, I found it hard to fault the power piece as it would flat out scoot.  The rest, ergos, etc., (and it had different bars than stock) were pretty much the same.

And, with whatever cans he had on that thing, the exhaust note was a booming Italian extravaganza that made up for any "smoothness" in the engine over mine.

Yet another YMMV, but welcome back whatever course you choose.

Bill

P.S.  Keep that wife, too.   

[Travman]

The 2v 1100 engine has just a tad more grunt in the lower RPMs.. but the 4v engine has a HUGE kick in the pants at 5,000 rpm and better top end... It is really a choice of riding styles...

I've seen this several times over the years, but I'm not sure it is true. I have not ridden the two versions back to back, but I have ridden both and it seems to me that the 8V was more powerful everywhere in the RPM range.

[sbaker]

I've seen this several times over the years, but I'm not sure it is true. I have not ridden the two versions back to back, but I have ridden both and it seems to me that the 8V was more powerful everywhere in the RPM range.

Travis... I have ridden both, but not back to back either... The 4v is does have great power and is a bit more even in it's delivery. However the 1100 can be just a smooth when properly sorted and tweaked. The 8V does have a noticeable kick at 5K... ALL the 8 Valves; Griso, Norge, Stelvio do (well not sure about the 1400, it just pulls like crazy everywhere). My point really is around riding style and desired goal.

[Adan]

Well the 1100 sold within about 5 hours of going on CL, so that decision's been made for me.  It's probably just as well, I really believe the Tenni and I were meant to be reunited.  I suppose I could sell this kidney I'm not using  .

And yes, Bill Hagan, the wife is keeper.

[Vasco DG]

Any problems with lack of bottom end in the 8V have been well and truly addressed now and the mapping can be altered and adjusted either by using one of the many 'Off the Shelf' maps available or building one yourself. Anybody who chooses to stick with the stock mappings, purchases an expensive and poorly built alternative or uses a horrid plug-in is doing themselves out of a lot of enjoyment.

While the same can be said of the 1100 the results are a lot less pronounced than with the 8V motor.

Pete

[beetle]

Tee hee Bill. "Truculent". Very apt.   

It's a myth that the 2V has a better bottom end. The 8V was let down my crappy factory mapping is all. Without any other mod, a properly fueled 8V will stomp on a 2V from idle to redline. Oh, the 5500 RPM rush was also a result of the crap map.

As for 'smoothness'? Well, that's as subjective as how good looking you think you are.   

[ohiorider]

I'm running stock map.  2012 Griso 8vSE.  Strong from 2500rpm to redline.  Don't notice a punch at 5000rpm, since the bike is about to go into orbit by this time!  Apparently the factory improved the maps in later 8v Grisos.  I'd try a new map, but why?  My particular bike seems to fuel well, and accelerates thru the rpm range like its on steroids.

Bob

[Vasco DG]

No change to the Griso map since about 2010. The current bikes are still running the GRS8V-03