Single sided swingarm with rising rate
linkages, monoshock with separate gas reservoir, fully adjustable in spring
preload and compression and rebound damping
Rear Wheel Travel
110 mm / 4.4 in
Front Brakes
2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 282mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre
120/70 ZR17
Rear Tyre
180/55 ZR17
Trail
108 mm / 4.3 in
Dimensions
Length 2250 mm / 88.6 in
Width 870 mm / 34.2 in
Wheelbase
1560 mm / 61.4in
Seat Height
790 mm / 31.1 in
Dry Weight
227 kg / 504.8 lbs
Fuel Capacity
17.2 Litres
/ 4.5 US gal
This quote from “I promessi sposi” by Alessandro Manzoni,
refers to Griso, the head of a group known as the “Bravi” “to whom the most
dangerous jobs were entrusted”. This refers to 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.
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.
The power delivery is silky smooth and on the open road the bike’s true
sports character shines along with the countless technical innovations and
the new sense of style. Although the exclusive exhaust system with twin
coiled pipes has been seen before, it now truly reflects the greater power
of these machines.
From the looks point of view, the Griso 8V has undergone customising that
includes particular stylistic details like the new saddle and streamlined
bodywork as well as equipment levels of the highest possible level. Even the
most discerning of palates will appreciate the front end with its Brembo
P4/34 radial caliper brakes that act on wave floating discs measuring Ø
320mm. They will also delight in the Showa upside-down forks that have had
43 layers of carbon nitride treatment.
Sitting astride the bike, the rider can immediately appreciate the sports
riding position that the new setup between handlebars, saddle and footpegs
provides. These are all new components and were specially designed to make
the rider feel completely in control. The two-seater saddle creates a superb
rear view and there seems to be a tail like on a single seater. In fact
there is more than enough room for a passenger to sit in great comfort.
Powerful, elegant and exclusive, the Griso 8V will soon become an icon among
those who truly appreciate elite motorcycles. The Griso is offered in two
colour schemes: Jet Black or Moon White.
With the Griso 8V, Moto Guzzi once more majestically
demonstrates how it can come up with a concept then develop it without
having to give in to technical, traditional or other constraints.
This machine is an instinctive creation, pure, solid as a rock and has a
distinct personality. It appears simply as a work of art.
Design details, discreet hollows and unexpected new lines blend together in
chrome and satin finished metal to form miracles of design. The fuel tank
for example seems to bend to the power of the massive frame only to form an
aerodynamic teardrop of exquisite beauty. The tail seems no more than an
afterthought yet houses three high intensity LED light units. The new Griso
is decidedly masculine and powerful yet the “Quattrovalvole” engine seems to
be set like a jewel in a frame that shows off its revolutionary design to
the utmost effect. A glance at the fins carefully laid out on the black
cylinders is all that is needed. They have been so designed to provide
maximum cooling. The rocker covers too draw the eye and, bit by bit, the
care and attention paid to the creation of this machine come clear
especially when you examine the superb exhaust system.
The incredible two-into-one exhaust system underscores the potential of the
new Griso 8V.
Returning to the reality of performance, it becomes obvious that the
sophisticated components are not mere technical details included for the
sake of style. Take the front end that would be more at home on a racing
bike with its oversized upside-down forks, radial caliper brakes and wave
discs. The sporting lines of the saddle and bodywork complete the picture as
do the new handlebars that have been specially designed to improve the
aerodynamic package with the rider an integral part.
Details like this and simple intuition make the Griso 8V a machine to leave
an impression before you even ride it.
ust sit astride the Griso 8V to really understand how unique
it will be to ride.
With a new setup between saddle and the sports type handlebars, the Griso
welcomes the rider with a spectacular view of chromed, anodised and
satin-finished components, displays and commands that leave nothing to the
imagination.
Once aboard the Griso, the saddle that is only 800 mm from the road, grips
the rider yet allows easy changes in riding position further aided by the
slightly set-back high racing type footpegs.
The riding position is sporting where the rider is not “in” but over the
engine and the feet feel “natural” on the footpegs. The rider’s body tends
to lean in to the handlebars that are now wider and provide a perfect grip
of the levers.
This position is ideal for precise accurate steering made even better
perfectly designed front end geometry and generous tyre sizes. The Griso is
a hedonist’s dream come true and the growl of the new “Quattrovalvole”
engine echoes in your ears even under the most difficult conditions like
city traffic. The 8V takes conditions like these in its stride and the ease
of changing direction and constant load on the front end make even such
riding a pleasure. This however does not mean that the fashion naked from
Mandello is not suited to more aggressive riding. In fact there are certain
times when the total lack of vibration from the new “Quattrovalvole” seems
to get lost in the seductive style, the superb finish, the softness of
commands and the of the completeness of the instrumentation.
It is at moments like this when the rider is in complete harmony with the
machine, when he is in total command of an engine that can take him up to
enormous speed or he can just cruise along with masses of torque ever on
tap. One thing that is certain is that just looking at the rev counter can
never really explain what the new Griso 8V is all about.
Don’t let the long low profile fool you: The Griso 8V has
handling that would not shame a supersport machine. The secret lies in the
high-tensile steel frame with twin upper supports whose design owes little
to aesthetics and much to sophisticated engineering concepts that provide
exceptional rigidity under moments of extreme torsional stress. The tubular
steel twin cradle frame is connected to a single-sided aluminium rear
swingarm housing the CARC system.
The frame geometry had been carefully calculated to provide stability with
the steering angle set at 26° and rake at 108 mm. The wheelbase measures
1544 mm and the Griso 8V is surprisingly manoeuvrable, even lightning fast
in changes of direction.
These handling characteristics are due to the low centre of gravity and a
rock solid off-set steering head that provides an immediate response to
pressure on the handlebars. The front end is glued to the road thanks to
upside down forks from racing stock. The 43 mm forks are adjustable for
rebound and compression. A Boge progressive suspension unit is fitted to the
rear and this too had three classic settings. The sophisticated suspension
ensures a neutral set-up on entering and exiting corners, under acceleration
from the 110 CV “Quattrovalvole” engine and under braking from the Brembo
brake system. These brakes are both aesthetically pleasing and highly
effective with their radial calipers acting on “wave” discs that have been
specially designed for maximum heat dispersion.
What really counts in the frame is the sum of all the parts and, here again,
the Griso is beyond compare.
Don’t let the long low profile fool you: The Griso 8V has handling that
would not shame a supersport machine. The secret lies in the high-tensile
steel frame with twin upper supports whose design owes little to aesthetics
and much to sophisticated engineering concepts that provide exceptional
rigidity under moments of extreme torsional stress. The tubular steel twin
cradle frame is connected to a single-sided aluminium rear swingarm housing
the CARC system.
The frame geometry had been carefully calculated to provide stability with
the steering angle set at 26° and rake at 108 mm. The wheelbase measures
1544 mm and the Griso 8V is surprisingly manoeuvrable, even lightning fast
in changes of direction.
These handling characteristics are due to the low centre of gravity and a
rock solid off-set steering head that provides an immediate response to
pressure on the handlebars. The front end is glued to the road thanks to
upside down forks from racing stock. The 43 mm forks are adjustable for
rebound and compression. A Boge progressive suspension unit is fitted to the
rear and this too had three classic settings. The sophisticated suspension
ensures a neutral set-up on entering and exiting corners, under acceleration
from the 110 CV “Quattrovalvole” engine and under braking from the Brembo
brake system. These brakes are both aesthetically pleasing and highly
effective with their radial calipers acting on “wave” discs that have been
specially designed for maximum heat dispersion.
What really counts in the frame is the sum of all the parts and, here again,
the Griso is beyond compare.
The new “Quattrovalvole” is the most evolved V 90 twin in the Moto Guzzi
range. Even die-hard enthusiasts would not recognise this new engine that
features components and performance characteristics never before seen in a
production Moto Guzzi machine.
The new engine features a chain-driven single overhead camshaft per cylinder
that operates two intake and two exhaust valves inclined respectively at
15.5° and 16.5°.
The highly sophisticated new engine now houses 563 new components specially
designed to reduce weight and friction between moving parts and was created
through advanced studies into the disciplines of thermodynamics and fuel
supply. The final results provide an engine made up of 75% of new components
with improved performance, reliability and flexibility characteristics that
set new standards in quality. Among the most important new components are
the 55% stiffer crankshaft and a new system of ducting oil to the bearings,
3-segment pistons cooled by oil jets on the casing and extremely light
valves with 5 mm stems held by conical section springs that eliminate
resonance and power loss at high revs.
Lubrication and cooling are looked after by two coaxial pumps that have
drastically reduced engine clutter and are activated by a series of gears.
These pumps carry oil in ducts that are separated from the cylinder heads to
the exhaust valve seats where temperatures are at their highest. A new more
compact block was designed so as to accommodate these new components and
this unit now sits on an integral front support on bearings. The rear
support features a new flange and more efficient oil feed system.
The most seductive element of the new “Quattrovalvole” is without any doubt
the modern design of the cylinders that are more compact and feature cooling
fins aimed at the on-coming flow of air. As part of the new project, the
rocker covers have been redesigned and apart from “Quattrovalvole” logos,
feature a “floating” system that further adds to the quietness of the timing
system operated by Morse chains and fitted with hydraulically operated chain
tensioners.
Fuel feed too has seen significant modifications in terms of now having 50
mm throttle bodies and new Marelli IWP 189 injectors. Needles to say, the
six-speed gearbox is a gem of engineering. The gears are quiet and finding
neutral is easy thanks to the fitting of a soft silent single plate clutch.
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.