Griso questions for a newbie?

[desmoface]

Hey gang,

Just came back from a test ride on a Norge and a V7 Stone.  I have to admit, I was really impressed with the little v7.  I'm used to liter bikes (my last bike was a ducati st3) and I thought the stone would seem anemic but it wasn't at all - ample torque for anything I would ever do.

Anyway, they didn't have any griso's in for me to try on for size, but I did get to ride a Norge..didn't care for the riding position at all - the pegs were higher than I liked and it just didn't do it for me.  The dealer mentioned that the peg/seat relation would be similar on the griso; can anyone comment on this? 

Also, I was reading about the old hose clamp on the oil filter trick; the dealer said that with the griso, the oil filter doesn't sit in the sump anymore, it's got a access panel?  It was a quick conversation so I'm not sure I'm quoting him 100%, but can anyone comment on this? 

Thanks in advance.

Steve

[Vasco DG]

The ergonomics are quite different between the Norge and the Griso. If your dealer says there is an access panel to get to the oil filter he's an idiot. There is no 'Panel' the filter sits in a recess in the sump and requires a cap wrench to remove it but there is no 'Panel' or cover as there was on the 'Broad Sump' V11 motors. But you'd hardly expect a dealer to know that would you? After all the design has only been around for a decade.......

[desmoface]

Hiya Vasco, I may have misunderstood what he said, but what I took away from the conversation was that you dont have to drop the oil pan to access the filter? Thanks for the reply.

Steve

[Vasco DG]

Right. That is somewhat more sensible.

I suggest you find somewhere that will let you take a Griso for a test ride. Griso doesn't speak to everyone and it should be remembered that in stock form they don't fuel up particularly well and the suspension sucks as it is under sprung and over damped. If you're looking at second hand bikes avoid any that have loud pipes and tuning *Widgets* on them. Open pipes do NOT work on the 8V Guzzi motor despite what some will tell you. Some of the tuning widgets will kill your engine stone dead in very short order due to gross over-fuelling.

Pete

[desmoface]

Hi Vasco, thanks for the great info.  I think I found a diagram of the griso's sump, does this look accurate? http://corsameccanica.com/content/images/thumbs/0004134_oil-filters-griso-v-8v-1200-2007-2013.jpeg

Thanks for the heads up on open pipes and tuning as I was thinking I'd want something a little louder than stock, but I now know to leave well enough alone, LOL.  Thanks again.

Steve

[Vasco DG]

2015 models use the sump from the Cali 1400 but the principles are the same.

No reason to stick with stock, there are plenty of options out there, it's just that the Guzzi 8V because of its strange mix of old and new architecture does not respond well to some of the outdated 'Tuning' principles espoused by people still stuck in the past.

If you want accurate info on what works and what doesn't I suggest you nip over to...

http://www.grisoghetto.com

Mainly Griso related but generally aimed at all the W5AM/CARC bikes.

Pete

[desmoface]

Thanks for the link vasco, I'll head on over.  I know that carc refers to the final drive, but what is the significance of w5am?  My dealer mentioned agostini pipes and sending the ecu out to be reflashed/reprogrammed for the pipes. 

Thanks again for all the advice.

Steve

[Vasco DG]

W5AM is the type/model of ECU. No need to send the ECU anywhere, you can do it yourself very easily and virtually for free.

Pete

[desmoface]

Ahhh.  This must be the guzzidiag (sp)? That I've read about.  Thanks again.

Steve

[bross]

I actually went to my Guzzi dealer to buy a Norge. My wife rides a Street Triple so can't carry much on trips, hence my bike is the pack mule so I need bags and usually a top case as well. Was going over the Norge and he went to check on something, I'd always liked the Griso so hopped on it and it just felt right. Salesman came back and said that looks like it fits. I agreed but said I needed to be able to carry our stuff. He said no problem we can put bags on a Griso!



So my Griso is now my Sport Tourer, daily commuter, canyon carver, basically every thing except my dual sport. Great bike, no regrets.

[desmoface]

That's a nice looking machine.  I wish my wife wanted her own bike, that would make life a lot easier, LOL.

Steve