VOL. 53 ISSUE 16 APRIL 26, 2016 P97
like I said before, those numbers
don't really matter. It's the riding
experience of a Guzzi that does
and, like driving an old Alfa Ro-
meo is a rite of passage if you're
a real car aficionado, the same
is said for riding a Guzzi for the
two-wheel equivalent.
If you've ever ridden a boxer
BMW (and there are more of
you out there than Guzzi riders),
you'll know about the gentle
sway the opposing pistons
create in the chassis each time
you give the throttle a stab at
standstill. Now times that by five,
along with a fairly noticeable
driveshaft snatch, and you'll get
someway to knowing the feeling
of accelerating from a standstill
on the Griso. But whereas this
would really piss me off on other
bikes, it just seems part of the
fun in riding a bike you very
rarely see on the road.
But once you're upright and
going, the swaying cancels itself
out (for the most part). And the
Griso has a want of revs that's
surprising given its general aes-
thetics and demeanor. Nail the
throttle at 65 mph on the free-
way in sixth and there's torque
by the barrel, even if the gearbox
is best used once and left to its
own devices. The Griso can play
the game at traffic lights well
enough, but hammer the throttle
hard at a standstill and you'll
really know about the piston pull
and push. Snatch second gear
like you're going for the win at
Daytona and the right side of the
Griso tries to rotate around the
left as the power makes its way
from the production end to the
business end of the driveshaft.
Y'see, plenty of character.
But it's not all about the en-
gine. The Griso is graced with
fully adjustable Marzocchi forks
and shock, plus there's Brembo
radial-mounted calipers, a gor-
geous single-sided swingarm
and ergonomics that, if you don't
mind the plank-style seat, mean
you can spend hours on board
listening to that meaty thump of
the 90° V-twin while contemplat-
ing the financial hardships that
(Right) The
muffler actually
looks better in
the metal than it
does in photos. It
certainly does it's
job – the Guzzi is
remarkably quiet.
(Far right)
Minimal dash
is devoid of all
but the required
clutter.
Flat seat, single arm, transverse
twin – the Griso is a statement bike.
