Why should I buy a Griso?

[Toecutter]

I own and love a '15 V7. Bought it new last summer and I put 10K km on it between July and September. I've had some issues with the final drive, but they're sorted, finally. (Stripped bolts resulting in a leak and total rebuild, and a missing bushing *after* said rebuild).

As I said, I love it.

But, I've had a really good price thrown my way on a new '14 Griso. I have no immediate desire to get rid of my V7, it's damn near perfect for me, but this Griso is ticking the back of my skull...

Just want some real world opinions, if you don't mind sharing?

[beetle]

They're awesome. 'Nuff said.

[beetle]

Oh. Real world? Hmm. If you're tall, the stock pegs are too high. You need gorilla arms to reach the bars. The stock map is awful. The tank is too small. The headlight is woeful. The seat will give you bum ache after 1 hour. The stock exhaust is ugly and really heavy. They're not much fun for pillions either.

[Perazzimx14]

Its easy to get good deal on leftover Guzzi's. Typically 1,000's off MSRP. So don't get caught up in this is a deal of a lifetime because most likely the deal can be replicated or beaten at several dealers.

Griso's to me are like boats the two happiest day in a Griso owners life are they day they buy it and the day they get someone else to buy it. The aforementioned being the better of the two. The only thing I miss about it is the look.

[Dilliw]

I just bought one so I only have about 500 miles on it (before sending it in for tappets) but as Beetle said they are awesome and that is indeed enough.

But to expand a little it's not going to be as good as your V7 for around town stuff and it's not as good as my EVT for two up or longer trips.  The spot where it shines for me is day trips out in the countryside.  Those rides for me got a lot more interesting with the Griso and the right wrist thingy...

[pete roper]

It's the only thing left in the Guzzi line up with even mildly sporting pretensions and can be made to go hard if you want to. They're not for everyone and to get them really good you have to spend money on suspension and, for most people, ergonomics. Apart from that brake pads are cheap as is a decent map. Tune and set up is very important. A poorly tuned 8V or one that has been poorly mapped and fitted with aftermarket widgetry to *Fix* it's problems will be a thirsty, disappointing, pig.

You'll either *Get* the Griso or you won't. There doesn't seem to be any halfway house. As has been said before you don't choose a Griso. It chooses you.

Pete

[Chuck in Indiana]

You'll just have to ride one. There's nothing like a Grease O at full song. (Shrug ) It's a cacophony of sound and sensation. .

[beetle]

If you need a bike to poot down to the shops, or a short commute, you must keep the V7. A Griso is for giving it the berries through the sweepers, or for doing 100mph between the tight bits, for the raw visceral sensation of a big block on song. They are not a gentleman's bike.

[rboe]

A couple points; there is a fellow that hits our rally's in the southwest from the Seattle area. Of his last seven bikes, half have been V7's, half Griso's (I know its 3 & 4, I just can't recall which number goes with which). He showed up in Datil on a V7ii. Figures he'll stick with the V7 now (he's over 80 now). Uses the stock seats - I have no idea how. No windscreen. Old school, tough and the nicest fellow you could ever meet. He could be a Honda rider. 

If he has a hard time noodling it out I can only imagine your troubles. 

Now; I put on ROX risers to help with the bars, peg lowers to help with the long legs. Russell Day Long because the stock seat killed my arse within 20 minutes. Local fellow did up a second seat for me with a cafe look. Good for several hours (not stress tested yet) while looking much better than the RDL.

Exhaust; I took it off last year for some reason; much lighter than I expected. You do have to get used to its' looks as it is not the most handsome bit of piping. But really, much lighter than the volume would indicate. I'm keeping it. Too cheap really to do otherwise. 

It does pay to have someone that really knows what they are doing set up the suspension for you (but you may have that skill set already). Stock; not very good.

I run hot and cold on the Griso. On the open road I love the bike. In town I much prefer the CB1100 or the XR650L. I got the CB over the V7 because; well, it's an inline four that sounds great when pushed, but rides like a Buick and is just a wee bit bigger for my longer frame.

[dsrdave]

I just got an '07 and the weather has not been the best but the few times I've had it out it's a GREAT bike.  Decent handling than can be made even better.  I've got an 1100 but I'm happy with the power, it pulls pretty strong and it's a BEAUTIFUL looking bike !!!  I did put lowering pegs on, I'm 6-1 and it's pretty comfy but the bars on mine would be different than a '14. 

[lucian]

Can you think of any reason not to? Take it for a spin and see if it likes you.

[Vagrant]

it must be ridden. it either works for you or it doesn't. loved my Stelvio and hated the Griso I rode. But, the owner of the Griso hated my Stelvio and loved his Griso.
right Bill?
now for the V7 if you don't love it there is something very wrong with you. 

[jackson]

As others have commented, the Griso doesn't fit every body type (leg & arm length, etc) and it's not a good, two-up tourer.  Lower pegs, different bars and possibly a different seat need to be figured into the equation for many people who've bought a Griso so the best advice I can give you is to test ride one for an hour or so to see if it suits you.

[tazio]

a V7 makes more sense zzzzzzzzzzzzz
a stelvio makes more sense zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
a norge makes more sense zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
but the mighty Griso? ~ BOING !!!   

[HardAspie]

. . . because i couldn't!

[boatdetective]

I don't think it's a case of "getting" it. As others have mentioned- you either like them or not. Mine didn't work out and I'm happy with my 1200S. Because of the "either/or" thing- I wouldn't suggest jumping right in. If there's any way to can get an extended test- that might be good. Then again, jumping on a griso after a V7 will get you going if only from the power. 

[ohiorider]

My lovely 8vSE in Tenni Green was a love/hate relationship.  When she was in the garage, I wanted her gone.  Now that she's gone, I want her (or another) back.  Has anyone dated/married someone that inspired these feelings?  Dear Abby .... what should I do?

Realistically, if the Griso had more compliant suspension that would have tolerated Ohio's county roads, she would still be in my garage.  Even though, at 5'7", the reach to the bars was a stretch, while at the same time, I had to add foot peg adjusters to give me a bit more seat to peg distance.  And bar spacers to raise them a little bit.

On the other hand, my 2008 1200 Sport, with only a few mods (pegs and Mana bars) still works for me, 62000 miles later.

As they say, different strokes for different folks.  Can't expect off the shelf stuff to always fit, and some of it just can't be altered to work, no matter how much cutting and hacking is involved.

But I will say ..... she was a runnin' SOB!


Bob

[Lcarlson]

When I rode a Griso as a loaner, I was not that impressed. Not a bad bike, but the ergonomics were not that great for me, and my Beemer, which is directly competitive with the Griso, is, to me, a nicer ride. One place where the Griso clearly outshines the Beemer: the sound -- no comparison.

[Yan]

Yes, the stock suspension is not perfect and the ergonomics are weird (my knees are touching my shoulders), but that is irrelevant. Last summer, just for fun, I tried out many other (non-Guzzi) bikes during these dealer-organised test-rides of new models. All these bikes were nice, new, shiny machines, but that was all they were. Without exception the best part of these test rides was the trip back home on my Griso. It's like the Griso is alive. Like it's riding together with you. Perhaps more like a horse. The other bikes are like the horses in a carousel, while the Griso is the real thing. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yes, the stock suspension is not perfect and the ergonomics are weird (my knees are touching my shoulders), but that is irrelevant. Last summer, just for fun, I tried out many other (non-Guzzi) bikes during these dealer-organised test-rides of new models. All these bikes were nice, new, shiny machines, but that was all they were. Without exception the best part of these test rides was the trip back home on my Griso. It's like the Griso is alive. Like it's riding together with you. Perhaps more like a horse. The other bikes are like the horses in a carousel, while the Griso is the real thing.

Yeah, you get it. I've never ridden a Guzzi I didn't like, but the Grease O is near the top. 

[PJPR01]

It's like the Griso is alive. Like it's riding together with you. Perhaps more like a horse. The other bikes are like the horses in a carousel, while the Griso is the real thing.

  That's a great description! 

[jdelv]

If you have to ask why, dude, you wouldn't understand...

The Griso exemplifies "Italian motorcycle"

[jdelv]

When I rode a Griso as a loaner, I was not that impressed. Not a bad bike, but the ergonomics were not that great for me, and my Beemer, which is directly competitive with the Griso, is, to me, a nicer ride. One place where the Griso clearly outshines the Beemer: the sound -- no comparison.

Understandable review.  Two things that could have faked you out on the Griso impression:

1.  Tire pressure.  I test rode my Griso and the shop only had 19 psi in the tires when I took it out!  When I left on the bike after buying it, with proper tire pressure, the thing had laser like handling in comparison.
2.  Ergos.  I needed to buy Knight Design lowering pegs, ditch the bikini screen, and installed bar riser spacers gifted to me from a Guzzi rider in North Dakota.  I'm 5'8" and the bike fits me like a glove now.

Of course, personal tastes are what they are.