Test riding RBOE's baby

[the Ferret]

Wait..that doesn't sound right does it? Oh well...

I had to make a run over to the local Moto Guzzi dealer to pick up a can of Plexus for my brother. As I pulled up I spotted this (among others) sitting out front.



Moto Guzzi 1200 Griso, often compared to the CB 1100 in road tests for some reason even though to me they wouldn't be on the same buyers radar, and as I type that, I again think of Rboe lol. Maybe they are.

Pretty color I thought. So I walk inside and buy the plastic polish and say "That's a pretty Griso out front" and the guy says 'you can test ride it". Reaaalllly! Sign me up. lol

So he makes a copy of my driv lic and makes me sign some papers saying they are not responsible if anything happens, but I or my heirs, are responsible if anything happens (that was ominous), gives me a few instructions, incl it won't run right and it won't shift right until it gets hot, so go for a good long ride. Sounds good, and off I go. Well off I tried to go. Legs were too short to get the side stand up. Took me several tries before I could get the sidestand up because it's waaay out front. Honestly the first two times I tried to get it, I got a cramp in my foot and had to let it go. On the third time I got it.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/DSCF4079_zpsjaecwpuq.jpg.html]

Once rolling I put my foot on the pegs and noticed they are really high. I know Rboe has like a 37" inseam. How in the heck does he get his legs folded up to get his feet on these pegs? And the reach to the bars was long. I imagine Rboe has no problem with that. I turn out of the parking lot and accelerate down the road. He's right it doesn't run well, or shift well., and the gear shifter is really tucked in and hard to reach. I missed a lot of shifts in the first couple of miles. At first I thought it was only running on 1 cylinder. It was rough running, but seemed to pick up the other cylinder at 3500 rpms. The front and rear brakes were actually quite good but required a long pull/push to get them on. It shook and vibrated like a Harley. At a couple of lights I thought it was going to stall at idle, but it didn't. I went down a curvy road and it seemed to handle well. The exhaust note was quite loud compared to the CB but most would enjoy that. I rode about 10 miles on surface roads between 25 and 40 mph and really was not enjoying myself. I wound my way over to the freeway and ran it up to freeway speed.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/DSCF4080_zpsniislgvt.jpg.html]

Here is where the Griso really came into it's own. At 4,000 rpms, about 70 mph it seemed to smooth out. It pulled well and made pleasant music. I thought this would make a good long distance mount. Everything seemed to come into focus. One could ride this bike a long way. I can see why Rboe likes it so much for trips.In another 10 miles I hit the exit to head back to the shop. Once on the surface roads, it became unpleasant for me again.

Definitely quirky and an acquired taste.

I handed back the keys, thanked them and mounted the CB for the ride home. Dang, what a nice bike, Smooth, quiet, comfortable to sit on, shifts well, brakes well. I hit the entrance ramp to the freeway, and shot up to 70 mph for the ride back home and thought yep, I made the right choice.

So far this year I have ridden XSR 900, FJ-09, FZ-09,FZ-07, Super Tenere, an Indian Scout and now this Griso, and each time the ride home on the CB made me realize what a great job Honda did with this bike. I love my CB..

 

[clearviewx]

Looks like something out of Star Wars

 

[Chapomis_imp]

Excellent report, not that it was on my radar, but that's what the way I feel about the CB after riding different bikes.

 

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Great looking bike. Awesome report. Still love my CB.

 

[rboe]

I had to go with lowered pegs to accomodate my 43" inseam. I added ROX risers to bring the bars back a bit to help my lower back.

The side stand was a problem at first, even used my hands to extend it at first. But now I use my foot and it's now a non-issue.

Stock seat, for me, sucks rocks. Funny you didn't mention that.

Something that you did't mention but I still find a wee bit unnerving, rolling on the throttle like you do the CB will, without any warning or hint, have you doing the ton. I have yet to feel the motor work. Giving it the bees and all my blood goes to the back of my head and I get very light headed. The motor: she just gets up and hauls.

I thought it was decent in town until I got the CB. The CB is much better at the tight twistie bits, the Griso much prefers the fast sweapers.

Some guys, literally around the world (Seattle, Australia and Netherlands) have developed an independent map that is pretty silly easy to upload and makes the bike more civilized. You need to buy a cable to interface the laptop with the bike, everything else is free - donations are encouraged.

Guzzi's do seem to take a while to bond with the rider - they kinda sneak up on ya. A good 100+ mile ride will be better. Glad you got a chance to ride one. They do tend to polarize riders, you either love it or you don't get it. By the way, the whole CARC line (Griso, Stelvio, Norge, Breva) are no more. They have had their run.

Oh, mine is the prettier faster Tenni Green one.
A couple years ago a buddy and I took my Griso and CB to the New Years Tortilla Flat. On the way there and back we did some 65mph roll on's (he was on the Griso and was being seduced to the torque).

He'd twist the throttle and the bike would launch ahead. The CB just slowing accelerated. It will bring out the 16 year old bad boy in you. But watching that steam locomotive surge ahead was impressive.

 

[the Ferret]

I have a tuff butt. A seat would have to be gawdawful to bother me. I could probably sit on just the frame rails and not complain.

Yea the Griso ( like all Euro bikes I have ridden) seem to run best when stretching their legs. 4,000 rpms and up is where they seem to prefer. Riding the Griso like I ride my CB...2500-3500 rpms was frustrating. Once I hit that on ramp though the bike became an entirely different beast.

Glad I got to ride one. Good experience.

 

[Capo]

I loved the top end hit of the Griso, and it is a stunning bike to look at. Ferret, I guess you nailed the difference. I can't stand short shifting at 2500 rpm's and its one of the frustrations I have with the way the CB prefers to be ridden. Once in top gear, it's roll on/ roll off, though, and fun to play with the torque.

Rboe, I haven't heard the news of the end of the road for the CARC bikes...is that confirmed?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Frulk_imp]

I had to go with lowered pegs to accomodate my 43" inseam. I added ROX risers to bring the bars back a bit to help my lower back.

The side stand was a problem at first, even used my hands to extend it at first. But now I use my foot and it's now a non-issue.

Stock seat, for me, sucks rocks. Funny you didn't mention that.

Something that you did't mention but I still find a wee bit unnerving, rolling on the throttle like you do the CB will, without any warning or hint, have you doing the ton. I have yet to feel the motor work. Giving it the bees and all my blood goes to the back of my head and I get very light headed. The motor: she just gets up and hauls.

I thought it was decent in town until I got the CB. The CB is much better at the tight twistie bits, the Griso much prefers the fast sweapers.

Some guys, literally around the world (Seattle, Australia and Netherlands) have developed an independent map that is pretty silly easy to upload and makes the bike more civilized. You need to buy a cable to interface the laptop with the bike, everything else is free - donations are encouraged.

Guzzi's do seem to take a while to bond with the rider - they kinda sneak up on ya. A good 100+ mile ride will be better. Glad you got a chance to ride one. They do tend to polarize riders, you either love it or you don't get it. By the way, the whole CARC line (Griso, Stelvio, Norge, Breva) are no more. They have had their run.

Oh, mine is the prettier faster Tenni Green one.
A couple years ago a buddy and I took my Griso and CB to the New Years Tortilla Flat. On the way there and back we did some 65mph roll on's (he was on the Griso and was being seduced to the torque).

He'd twist the throttle and the bike would launch ahead. The CB just slowing accelerated. It will bring out the 16 year old bad boy in you. But watching that steam locomotive surge ahead was impressive.

For sure the Tenni Green was the LOOKER of their year group. I sat on a Red/Black Griso in the early spring of this year like the one Ferret test rode. It was hard walking away from those massive opposed cylinders. If it had been a Tenni Green with that brown seat it would be sitting in my garage next to the V7R. The red/black color scheme just didn't do it for me on that bike.

EGAlverez, since we're on Guzzi's for the moment and I'm speaking of LOOKERS....your MG Touring Cali fits the bill. Drop dead gorgeous from ANY angle your bike is! (typed with a bit of a Yoda drawl).
Well done!!! :beerchug:

 

[Olyrider]

Rboe wrote:

to accomodate my 43" inseam.


Tell me that's a typo!

 

[rboe]

I was exaggerating just a bit. It's closer to 36".

Ya, confirmed, CARC is now history. Guzzi will concentrate on the V9 (some say the V7 is not yet quite dead) and the 1400 lump and all of its' derivatives. For the simple reason as that is were the sales numbers are.

We tease gals about buying shoes because they are pretty but that is the main reason I bought the Tenni Griso. Dang she is a looker. More power than I'll ever need too.

The new map the guys came up with let the Griso pull from deep in the basement. Around 1000rpm. Idle is at 1200 so I guess from idle up. Not unlike the CB. They have maps for the stock pipe and many of the popular after market pipes. I don't hear my pipe at speed (anything above 55 or so) but when I've done high speed passes of fellow riders they say it sounds pretty good. Stock pipe too.

Guzzi's in general are much freer reving lumps than other V twins. I hit the rev limiter (8500) from time to time, usually on the entrance ramp - I've been known to forget to shift - as the motor does not act like she is sweating or running out of breath. If you run under 4K you are lugging her.

Now that said, it sounds like a lot of rpm's but it certainly does not feel like it. The CB is much more busy at 4K than the Griso. I think it's because of two fewer cylinders firing away. I bet you could get used to it, especially with the new map. But I don't think you are a Griso person (I rarely fit the mold myself!) so don't take that as trying to sell you one.

The Griso is a wild Italian woman that many guys fantasize about; the CB is the one most will marry.

 

[the Ferret]

I think all the Euro bikes I have ridden over the years BMW's, Ducati's, KTM's, Moto Guzzi's prefer to be revved. I think the 2500 -3500 rpm lugging is a particular American style of riding where we want the rpms too be as low as possible even with our sedate speed limits Europeans must value high speed spirited riding and build bikes that reflect that.

 

[CIP57_imp]

We have a motorcycle shop in town (Hunter Motorcycle // Yamaha Dealer) that was opened in 1968 by Erik & Dorothy Guenkel. Erik is a long time motocross rider for team Yamaha. They recently sold the building and business which re-opened yesterday. Had a chance to look and sit on a few Moto Guzzi's.

 

[Capo]

I was exaggerating just a bit. It's closer to 36".

Ya, confirmed, CARC is now history. Guzzi will concentrate on the V9 (some say the V7 is not yet quite dead) and the 1400 lump and all of its' derivatives. For the simple reason as that is were the sales numbers are.

We tease gals about buying shoes because they are pretty but that is the main reason I bought the Tenni Griso. Dang she is a looker. More power than I'll ever need too.

The new map the guys came up with let the Griso pull from deep in the basement. Around 1000rpm. Idle is at 1200 so I guess from idle up. Not unlike the CB. They have maps for the stock pipe and many of the popular after market pipes. I don't hear my pipe at speed (anything above 55 or so) but when I've done high speed passes of fellow riders they say it sounds pretty good. Stock pipe too.

Guzzi's in general are much freer reving lumps than other V twins. I hit the rev limiter (8500) from time to time, usually on the entrance ramp - I've been known to forget to shift - as the motor does not act like she is sweating or running out of breath. If you run under 4K you are lugging her.

Now that said, it sounds like a lot of rpm's but it certainly does not feel like it. The CB is much more busy at 4K than the Griso. I think it's because of two fewer cylinders firing away. I bet you could get used to it, especially with the new map. But I don't think you are a Griso person (I rarely fit the mold myself!) so don't take that as trying to sell you one.

The Griso is a wild Italian woman that many guys fantasize about; the CB is the one most will marry.

I agree, I had to divorce my Tenni Griso, she tried to burn my house down...but I still fantasize about her. I'd cheat on the CB with another!

Jury still out on the V9, I hope they come up with some more interesting derivatives.

 

[redbirds_imp]

My 1100 Breva was just as you described Ferret. Above 4K, smooth and quick but rough at lower rpms. The Breva has a tighter wheel base than the Griso and turns in well even at low speeds. The brakes on mine felt much like those on the CB, strong and easy to modulate. The Breva was traded for the CB and I've never regretted the move. Guzzi's are an acquired taste and I might have another one day but I'm keeping the CB.

 

[rboe]

Guzzi folks and CB1100 folks seem to go together fairly well. Maybe because we're all motorcycle guys vs. brand guys. Maybe it's just because owning both, both are on my radar.

I almost bought a Moto Guzzi Sport (pretty much a Breva with bikini fairing and different bars I think), at times I think I should have. Nice nice bike.

 

[LongRanger_imp]

My neighbor has an '08 Guzzi 1200 Sport that he bought inexpensively in 2011 as a new leftover (Rboe, you know him from WG). Wonderful motorcycle. Very gutty, like a BMW boxer, but loves to rev and smooths out nicely. Very planted in the twisties too. I'd own another Guzzi if I wasn't so soured on the dealer situation.
[attachment=4942]

 

[rboe]

Looking back, I may have been better off with the sport. I really liked the one our dealer had. sigh.....

 

[rboe]

Had to show the Griso some love this morning.....