Moto Guzzi Griso 8V demo ride

Enjoyed a test ride on this machine today. Unfortunately it decided to rain today which did put a bit of a damper on it. I did find some dry back roads outside of Richmond (Tas) to push it along a bit.
The bike was fitted with the accessory Termignoni muffler (with baffle removed) and sounded bloody glorious.

Suspension was firm but well controlled, with potential to tune it to your weight and ride style.

Handling/steering was light and quite precise, very stable at low and high speeds and on nasty roads. It slipped a bit in the slippery conditions but was easily controlled, certainly not scary no doubt the Metzeler M3s also helped. Never noticed that it was shaft drive. The CARC system works very well.

Fuelling was in my view as close to perfect as can be done in these days of tight emission laws. A bit fluffy around 3k revs but otherwise it was crisp and immediately responsive. Did I mention it sounded glorious!!!

Quality was to a high standard, great paint, great fittings, classy looks.
The ergonomics suited my 5'10" and was very comfortable, lovely seat, bar and peg triangle.

The bike produces plenty of low down torque and power climbs steadily and in a very linear sort of way until 6k revs. After 6k it then lifts its skirts and flys into the redline. (Its like it comes on cam, or a turbo cuts in.) I didn't notice any flat spot at all. Love the torque reaction as you blip it changing down gears.

Vibration is typically v twin re-assurring and comfortable, gets a bit more buzzy above 6k revs. But not an issue. Did I mention it sounded bloody glorious!!!

The only things I didn't like was the tank is on the small side (about 16.5 litres I think) and the instrument panel fogged up a little, no doubt due to the rain. (This has been an ongoing minor glitch with Guzzi and I believe Aprilia instruments.)

I can't believe that only 3 riders took the opportunity to test ride this bike, I thought there may have been more interest.
I'm planning on getting to the Melbourne Bike Show this year as I am in the market, but I am having a hard time imagining that there will be a better bike for me.

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It's all part of the adventure!

Last edited by Tel on Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:44 pm; edited 1 time in total

Thanks for the review & pic Tel

Its the 1st time I`ve seen one

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Some more photos

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It's all part of the adventure!

That's nice

, I like it!!

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At the moment I just can't get enough of this machine:

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It's all part of the adventure!

Okay the last ones

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It's all part of the adventure!

Love it,and I'd dearly love one,only I cant bear to part with the Guzzi I've got.

Well the bike arived here and the next week the ne MG dealers closed their doors and went back to Honda.
So i missed out on a ride, I did however ride the 1st 2 valve Griso and I loved it, it would/is my next pick of bike... just cant part with the one I have.

The turbo feel, interesting you should say that as I have had and do have turbo bikes, I once rode the last Daytona 4 valve Guzzi and it was a odd feeling from a big loaping V2 airhead, the 4v Griss must have the same felling... COOL
http://rides.webshots.com/album/548014025iEufyv I do prefer the Griss in red tho the white is meh and the black dosnt show the lines aswell.

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Fours belong in cars

V11 Nero Corsa
RD350lc PC race bike
MT100 GP replica F4
CB125t bucket racer
XN85 turbo

Red is faster anyway LOL!

Never been a Guzzi fan (always thought they just hadn't got it together in the looks department ) but I gotta say that is one nice looking BIKE!

And D, you know I reckon yours is bloody sexy! Bikes not bad either!

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If you haven't the strength to impose your own terms upon life, then you must accept the terms it offers you.