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Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 SE 8V (Pic Heavy)

15K views 43 replies 22 participants last post by  Sal Paradise  
#1 ·
I'm a long time Triumph rider and currently ride a 2013 Triumph Trophy SE. Other Triumph bikes previously owned were the 2013 Bonneville, two 4th generation Thunderbirds 96 & 03, and an 05 Triumph Sprint ST. I was contemplating adding the new bobber to the stables as a 2nd bike for urban around town kind of riding. But, I've always liked the looks of the Moto Guzzi Griso 1200, so I went to the dealership to check it out. I took one on a test ride and that was all she wrote, I bought it right then and there. I've never considered a Guzzi when looking for a new bike, but the raw power and torque of this 8 valve shaft drive 109 HP 1200cc 11 to 1 compression ratio performance V twin motor took me by surprise, its a brute torque monster. The looks of the bike drew me in, but it was the ride that set the hook. So now I own my first Guzzi, and my first V-twin. I've never been a Harley fan, and after test riding two of them, I'm still not. The fit & finish on the Griso is impeccable, the paint work is pristine, and the curves and lines of this roadster are striking to say the least. The V twin rumble is a note that I have to get use to after coming from several Triumphs and a few Japanese bikes, but it sounds really good. Hopefully with a good track record, this will be one that I don't get rid of. I don't know a lot about the other Guzzi models, but after riding this bike for 5 days now, I wanted to share my first impressions and a few pics of the 2016 Guzzi Griso 1200 SE.





And a couple from the dealership


 
#2 ·
I have an old 2003 Guzzi Breva 750 amongst my bikes.I don't use it very often as I usually ride two up,however it is a cracking little bike,easy and light to handle.Sounds great with the reverse cone megas I fitted and is just a fun bike.
I don't really use it enough to justify keeping it but just love it and can't let go.
Enjoy your lovely new addition to the stable.
 
#4 ·
Very nice. I don't know about the US, but in Europe the big block Guzzi models of 2016 do not meet Euro 4 specs so your new bike is the last of the line until Guzzi revamps. If they do at all. No Norge or Stelvio either. The Griso is being discounted in Europe for this reason. I'd like that exact bike in my garage as well. Have fun.
 
#7 ·
That exhaust appeared on the very first 1100 Griso. Design exercise. Big twins have big exhaust pulses. They need the volume, but that doesn't stop owners from installing much smaller cans. The big block bikes are better than the smaller ones such as your V7 in my view. Not every V7 owner had your issues I'd wager as well.
 
#10 ·
Yes the Tenni Green was also my favorite, but unfortunately that was the 2012 color and is no longer available. For me, the Rossi Trophy color that I got for the 2016 is a close 2nd to the Tenni Green color, I thinks its a little more sportier color so I don't mind not being able to get the green. I also like that beautiful brown saddle that they came with the Tenni Green model.

As far as mods, I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I do like the fender eliminator kit on this one.

 
#15 ·
a good lookin high spec bike for sure + TUBLESS spoke wheels with alum rim + alpina spokes!!!! i have no dealers close, about a 100 miles north or south + although Gizzi's reputation is not the best i might have to test ride one next summer. good luck + keep us updated on your feelings about this bike!!!
 
#16 ·
We had a great MG dealer near my place in Connecticut, in East Windsor- they've been shuttered for at least eight or so years now. Freddie Marsh was the patriarch of the shop, run by his nephew, and I can recall him riding laps around on a scooter in the parking lot even towards the end of his long life:

http://motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=222
 
#19 ·
In order for MG, indeed all moto makers to get lean enough to comply with Euro 4, they are going to have to cough up some kind of liquid cooling! You knew that the you know what had hit the fan when Harley put wet heads on their biggest motors, and most of them now have oil cooling if nothing else. Don't be surprised if you see a big honking radiator hanging front of the glides in the next few years. The new 8 valve engines are perhaps flexible enough for ten more years at most.
 
#20 ·
There are several videos with various exhausts...GPR, Terimognoni, Agostini, Zara. Unfortunately, the sound quality of the videos aren't the best, but still it gets my heart racing. That V twin is glorious.

I was visiting a local BMW dealer and a guy was there trading in his 2013 Griso. I was just about to offer him a couple hundred more than whatever he was going to get in trade. But what I'm really in the market for right now is a bike for two up riding. I still regret not trying.


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#21 ·
Zebra,

Congratulations on a fine big block. I own a 2012 Moto Guzzi V7R. Love the bike, it has charm. Tested a Griso once: too big, too heavy for me and opted for the lighter Street Triple RX. You will find a lot of Griso experts on Wildguzzi, but there is a specialty forum also for just Griso. Bike is discontinued as mentioned. Be cautious on Wildguzzi forum as they are not very friendly especially to new people. I left after nearly five years membership. Some very toxic members and Admin that plays all sorts of games.

Hope you have a good dealer. Be sure to update maps and keep up with maintenance. Moto Guzzi is on a roll--very curious to see what comes out of Mandello in the next couple of years. V9 appears to not be selling very well, but it will evolve.

Ride safe!
 
#22 ·
Thanks and thanks for the heads up on the Wildguzzi forum and the others. I had already been to most of the Guzzi forums as a lurker during my research on the bike prior to buying. I got a lot of good useful info there and joined Moto Guzzi Riders forum earlier today. Unfortunately, the days of the air cooled bikes are coming to an end. I really don't have issue with water cooled bikes other than all the additional weight it gives a bike, and on many, the radiator just doesn't look good. So I guess this will be my last air cooled bike since they are all slowly going away. I took it out for about half the day today and it was a joy, nice 73 degrees and sunny out.
 
#30 · (Edited)
That bike looks gorgeous, it has a powerful presence.

Doesn't seem like Motus is manufacturing inventory, rather all bikes on the assembly line are ordered and sold. The crate engine business was a surprise to them. Time will tell whether they survive or not.
I don't think MOTUS has a very high production rate. I'd love to see them succeed, but I think it might be a case of bad timing for them as the sport touring market has changed and been changing for the last five years. The sport tourers that we know are dying away and being replaced with adventurer touring bikes like the Tigers, Explorers, BMW's GS line, KTM's 1190 Adventure, 1290 Super Adventure, the Yamaha Super Tenere and so on. Triumph is discontinuing the Trophy SE due to a lack of sales, Honda discontinued their ST1300 for the same reasons in 2013. Current sales of Yamaha's FJR1300 and Kawasaki's Concourse 1400 are not doing well either. I don't think the high end MOTUS will survive on their bike sales alone due to the current sport touring market changes.
 
#24 ·
It's really great to find a bike that you love to ride. The more I look at your bike, the more it reminds me of my TBS. It's an odd thing to say, but that's what I start to see when I look at it. Sorry, can't stand the exhaust, though. Replace it with a reverse cone, and I think you'd really have something. Thumbs up on the FEK, too.
Enjoy and ride safe!
 
#27 ·
Doesn't look like it has ABS. Is that true or am I not seeing the sensor ring? That would be a deal breaker for Euro 4 right there. The original BMW NineT is not Euro4, I believe they have until April of '17 to comply. I assume because of the engine's mild output, BMW will be able to tweek the code for compliance. Maybe it's the same for Guzzi and it just would need ABS if it is missing. I know Motus can't be sold in Europe because of the lack of ABS, but the owners were quite adamant at the NYC show that they don't care if it's sold in Europe or not. I'm assuming Euro 4 and then 5, is not a US thing. But, a small manufacturer is hardly going to just make a model to ship to the US that they can't sell in Europe and beyond.