At the recent GMG, to great anticipation, Mandello has unleashed the tremendous new Griso 1200 8v. The new machine is certainly striking, carrying the very latest incarnation of our beloved v-twin lump in its 1200cc 8v format.

But, I can hear Daytona and Centauro owners shouting from the back, the "quattrovalvole" motor isn't new for Guzzi is it? What does the factory say?

"Although designed along traditional lines, the new engine features 563 brand new components and is a celebration of the logic behind the 90° V concept. It features a single overhead camshaft per head that operates the four valves on each cylinder with noiseless timing chains.

This is quite an evolution of the 1200 cc engine that, with its 75% of its components renewed, now puts out 110 CV at 7,500 rpm with maximum torque of 11 kgm at 6,400 rpm..."

So there you have it. Guzzi are undeniably proud of this model, but I sense that the real basis of their pride is the motor itself. Is this the engine that will keep our beloved v-twin on the road for the next few years?



How much more can be squeezed out of this glorious lump? The 8v configuration is evidently a feature that will, I'm sure, form the basis of any future models and I venture this is why the factory are extolling its virtues and using buzzwords such as..."incomparable style...sheer pleasure...beauty in motion...sheer power..."

Agreed, the above are standard, evocative, marketing mantras that any manufacturer would expect from its appointed brand management teams but, at the same time, I detect that for this release there is a genuine affection. I cannot, for example remember there being such a fanfare for the original versions of the Griso, the 850 and 1100 versions. Additionally, let's not forget the Stelvio is just around the corner...and also a rumoured new sportsbike...a new Monza perhaps?



"... the character of the new Griso 8V that is the smartest and most high spirited Moto Guzzi ever made and that encompasses an absolute new sense of “Sporting spirit” stemming from the power and technology of the innovative “Quattrovalvole” engine"

The fact that the 8v unit has churned out more power than ever before may be a significant one if we are to witness the arrival of a new sportsbike. Some say this will be as early as next year, but the wheels of motor manufacturers move slowly, thought processes change...we'll have to wait and see!

The 8v logo is emblazoned with great pride on the tank and on the cylinder heads...to leave you in no doubt at what you are looking at.




Our buddy MrCape was one of the lucky bleeders to get close to the beast and he has allowed us to make use of his video clip!

We'd like to thank MrCape from the bottom of our oil sumps for allowing us to publish this. We have added a link to his page at the credit section below.

As you can see it represents a re-working of the original Griso model and one of the main differences apart from the new heads, is the revised exhaust can but...just to prove it sounds as appetising as a Mandello model should, MrCape is gracious enough to fire the beast up at the end of the video.

I would advise you play the thing loud so you get to fully apreciate the richness of tone that emmanates from that massive double-barrell megaphone! It still retains its traditional Guzzi long legged, low slung form, its languid stance almost daring you to recline over the tank to see what it can do.

The lines are accentuated on the left hand side by the extravagant plumbing arrangement to feed the aforementioned exhaust can. Whilst the pipes dominate the left hand side in shiny chrome, the right hand side of the bike is there to show off the gorgeous matte black finish of the motor block.

Only time will tell if on this model the engine paint will last the course...Guzzi is not alone in this realm, no matter what the jap-biased motorcycle press tell you...the quality of the castings and the general machining quality of the component parts is, without question, of the highest quality.

Ultimately however, from outside the goldfish bowl of Guzzisti looking in, it is the number of Grisos on the road that will determine whether this beast is successful. As Guzzisti, however, we will judge it on more than just pure sales figures but I would like to see this machine pull in people that would otherwise have bought a bike from one of the other manufacturers.

There is an interesting, I think, bit of blurb on the Griso page of the Moto Guzzi official website as follows:

"The figures speak for themselves: 110 CV at 7,500 rpm with maximum torque of 11 Kgm at 6,400 rpm. These readings make the Moto Guzzi twin one of the most powerful air-cooled engines ever made. A final drive ratio of 12/44 transforms all this power into over 230 kph (143 mph). Although speeds like this are illegal just about everywhere, they give some idea of what the new Griso is capable of. Perhaps more importantly are the facts that the engine meets the new Euro 3 standards thanks to improved thermodynamic output and that it uses less fuel than the 1100cc version."

It is when you read between the lines that the words take on a slightly different meaning...with all the enthusiasm over this motor, is there a slight acceptance that maybe the v-twin has come to the end of the road? Let's examine this further.

"These readings make the Moto Guzzi twin one of the most powerful air-cooled engines ever made." Sure, without doubt, and there are some that will say that, ultimately, all motors are air cooled. Most other manufacturers use liquid cooled motors of differing configurations these days and all produce a far higher power output. I just wonder whether this is now the zenith of the 90 deg twin that we love and the blurb hints just a little at a new direction.

"...transforms all this power into over 230 kph (143 mph). Although speeds like this are illegal just about everywhere..." Again, 143 mph makes this machine no slouch, but there is no doubt that compared to other machines on the road it is not anywhere near competitive in this area.

An example of this is my Honda X-11 from 2000 that will comfortably out perform the Griso in any respect.

I think the factory are aware of this too, which is why the statement is followed by "...although speeds like this are illegal just about everywhere..." a rather bland attempt at saying to the wavering buyer...you may as well buy this bike, you can't legally run at 160mph on that other bike anyway, so you may as well buy this one, it's pretty...and it also meets Euro 3 regs and uses less fuel than the 100 version... I'm not sure, it could be paranoia as the end of the v-twin has been mentioned so many times before and here it is, in a gorgeous "new" incaranation.

The sad fact is that Moto Guzzi motorcycles are a little like the National Health Service in Spain. The care is excellent, the way of life is healthy, the population is living longer, so the care system has to cater for many other older people. It's the same with our beloved Guzzis...everyone knows they get better with age, which is why owners keep them for a long time, the motors are long lived because of the low stress of the motor...so who needs to buy a new one? Maybe they should be a little more "disposable", like other motorcycles...I mean, you'd happily run a 1000SP on a daily basis, but who on earth is gonna be riding one of the original versions of the R1 when that bike reaches the age of the afrorementioned SP? I mean, Ewan McGregor bought one of the first Grisos into the UK, but for his new mount he's chosen a Cali Vintage...

For the moment, however, let us enjoy what we have. We love our Guzzis and, judging by the enthusiasm of Guzzisti in forums around the world, we love this one...but, like the italian Guzzisti are so keen to point out on one of their forums...let's keep one eye on the future... that is where Guzzi has traditionally been, and where we all want it to be! I mean, there is no doubt this is a fantastic looking motorcycle and it's a Guzzi, so I'll bet it rides as good as it looks too!

What do our readers think? Has anyone out there bought one yet? Get in touch and add your voice, I would love to hear opinions expressed from the horse's mouth. The people that know motorcycles best are those that ride them, and that is what we are most interested in at Squadra Guzzista...not what the press have to say!

At the foot of this page you will find a Griso 1200 8v UK spec press release pack in the form of a pdf document which I have added as an attachment.

Add a comment at the bottom of the page, or send me an e-mail at joe@guzzista.com .

Griso 8v Specification and Features:

DESIGN


− 8V logo and new Moon White colour scheme.
− New handlebars in black anodised aluminium.
− New sports style saddle.
− New streamlined bodywork.
− Racing footpegs.
− “Quattrovalvole” full black powertrain.


ENGINE

− 1200 V 90° “Quattrovalvole” twin
− Single overhead cam per head with hydraulically operated valves.
− Single plate clutch
− New exhaust system with two-into-one coiled pipes.
− New block with integrated front bearings.
− New valves with 5 mm stems
− New 55% stiffer crankshaft.
− New 3 segment Asso forged pistons.
− New conical valve springs
− Independent self-contained oil cooled heads
− Pistons cooled by oil jets.
− New oil cooler pump with overpressure valve.
− New coaxial oil lubrication pump with cooling pump.
− Gear driven timing shaft and oil pump.
− New type of con rod bearings.
− Silent “Morse” camshaft chains.
− Hydraulic chain tensioners and rollers.
− New 50 mm throttle body.
− New Marelli IWP 189 injectors.
− Noise reducing “floating” rocker covers.
− “Reactive” shaft drive transmission
− 6-speed gearbox.
− Euro 3


FRAME

− High tensile steel tubular twin cradle
− Upside down 43 mm pre-load adjustable hydraulic front forks with mounting for radial calipers.
− Pre-load and rebound adjustable shock absorber
− Rear suspension with single progressive swingarm adjustment
− Front brakes with 320 mm perforated wave discs and 4 (opposed) piston calipers.
− Rear 282 mm disc with floating caliper fitted with 2 parallel pistons
− Rear tyre 180/55/17
− Front tyre 120/70/17

Seen at EICMA 2007

Are you a "Grisoholic"? If so, Squadra guzzista member joscosta needs to hear from you...he is definitely a Grisoholic and has started a page to honour what he thinks is the best bike ever made. If you agree, help him build the Grisoholics page by adding your videos and photos!

Credits:
Thank you to MrCape for allowing us to use his video footage. Click here for his youtube page: GO
Photos by ledzep

Motorcycle .com have reviewed the fabulous Griso and have found it a delight! Read it here: GO

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