Another Potential GRiSO Owner

Hello Everyone,

It's new motorcycle time and the 1200 GRiSO is near the top off the short list.   I would love to hear some feed back from you pros and cons of owning a GRiSO.  I usually put on 10-13k a year during a way too short of a riding season.   I'm coming off a 2011 f650gs and while it was a good bike, it was a bit boring.  I commute, tour and do just about everything on my bike I even go trail ( nothing too crazy, just gravel roads and obscure dirt roads ) riding.  I would love to eventually do a cross country trip on a bike.  Does it sound like a GRiSO match my riding needs?

thanks,

jae.

Welcome from another Albertan  
I would say a 1200 GRiSO would suit you fine, as long as its a newer model or has been roller converted.
The 1100 would be a good bet as well and they seem to have less issues than the 1200.
For me i find the riding position a bit cramped but it would depend on your stature that would determine  long term comfort on a tour as you suggested you may do.The GRiSO could be a mostly do it all bike but gravel or off road maybe a challenge .
i think your best bet is to search through the threads here , you will find loads of information on the GRiSO to do with everything imaginable with this great motorcycle , its all covered from A to Z .
Keener

Its a motorcycle............. Once you get past your choice on the basic format - adventure touring, sport, standard sport standard, sport touring, Cruiser, Cruiser Touring, Bagger etc, 90% of the equation is your preference.

Objectively, The GRiSO is a mid performing, mid sized standard naked motorcycle on the sporting side. Shaft Drive, 6 speed Trans, V Twin Air/Oil Cooled.

Subjectively - It's how you like it.... How it fits you.

Ride cross country? How wet do you want to get, how much do you want to carry, ability to stretch out your legs, etc. Ability to ride on dirt and gravel roads? All of these make off road and X country on ANY sport standard a poor choice in my book and a NO GO for me, but that is all up to you.  

Go ride one, see how it fits. I rented a GS650 and rode around Hawaii for a few days, the most HATED motorcycle experience I've had in 40 years. Thought I would love it, but hated it. Same for my friend's FZ09, first Yamaha I havent liked in years. Both were huge surprises.

Thanks keener and bulldog for your input. I took an FZ 09 for demo ride too and I walked feeling kinda meh I thought I was going to love it but I didn't. There's a few things that make want to get a GRiSO. My other two two wheeled rides are vintage Italian scooters and the idea of getting an Italian air/oil cooled Italian big bike would complete the theme. I took a GRiSO out for a test ride a week ago and I have to admit, it made me feel very cool. It was extremely fun to ride. I just remember getting back on my beemer to go home and thinking how crappy it felt ( the beemer and not the GRiSO ).

I use my GRiSO for everything, commuting, touring, including 2 up, riding twisty roads like the great Ocean Road and for travelling along gravel roads. While it doesn't really like the gravel, it does cope. You just have to adjust your speed to stay upright. The GRiSO is just a fun bike to ride, and it really does bring out your inner hooligan. I really have trouble riding at the speed limit and it's a wonder I still have my license.

Welcome.

How far is your commute? If it's only a few kilometres, then the GRiSO won't be the optimum ride. If it's 30-40km, better. The 8V suffers from over-cooling and you can get a deli load of mayo in the valve covers and breather-box if you don't get GRiSO nice and hot. The 1100 2V is better option in that respect.

I don't want to repeat all the advice already posted here, so I'll just say WELCOME, jae!

My commute is about 20 kms. How often does the Mayo thing happen? and I saw an oil cooler cover that is adjustable online would that help prevent the mayo thing?

G'day Jae
Welcome from us all down under in Tasmania
I have a fast red 1100 and love it .......
Hope your decision turns out ok for you
Stay safe

Don't have a GRiSO, but do have a Sport - off the bitumen track is good, provided you don't do anything stupid - mine is usually fully loaded. Care is the main factor here, and I have ridden some pretty shitty (you could call it dirt but more like rock/sand/gravel/clay) dirt roads. You will need to get a Beetle Map so you have good control at low throttle openings - and when you hit the black stuff, it's the mating call of a crow - FAAAAAAAARRRRRKKKKK!

Go ride one for a few hours - all Guzzis can get under your skin...

The GRiSO's wide bars and more upright ride position is better than a supersport for dirt roads.

However, wide sportsbike tyres are never good. If you are experienced, any bike is capable but it will be far inferior to the F650 GS.
On our side of Oz I've ridden lots of roads with ball bearing like pea gravel that makes the GRiSO ride almost a floating experience. It is not good but can be done.

For distance riding, I fold a big sheepskin (my bed) over the seat. This raises the height several cm's and relieves the ankle and knee bend. The cramped effect may not be a problem unless you are around 6 ft. Some people have lower pegs for the same effect.