INTRODUCTION
 Griso. Simply unique.
Before, it wasn’t there. Now it is. But trying to find a category to fit the Moto Guzzi Griso is more difficult than trying to think up a name for a wind, an idea or a feeling. Because the Griso has come to life at the hands of the man who conceived it, and has evolved in such a way that even the design team are amazed.
It all began with a blank sheet, and an engine. No mean engine, of course, because Guzzi’s legendary 90° V-Twin is the hero of a thousand battles; super-reliable, tried and tested like no other, and part of the very history of motorcycling. A special place is reserved for it in the hearts of all motorcycling enthusiasts. This legendary unit has been invigorated by the latest technology, and thoroughly redesigned from the valves to the crankcase to ride us into the new millennium. Its reassuringly powerful throbbing is like an invincible and tireless heartbeat, pulsating to the rhythm of a lifestyle in which pride of place always goes to a motorcycle with an eagle on its tank.
At the outset the equation was simple. Multiply 1.100 cc of pure passion by the relaxed power of a large V-Twin and the result must be a Power Cruiser. But then the designer’s hand started to forge a brand new concept around that pulsating nucleus. And the concept became an idea, so amazingly innovative that there was no way it could be described as a touring muscle bike. So perhaps it could be a Techno-custom, somebody said; technically advanced, easy and satisfying to ride. But there was too much that did not fit the mould. Customs are made for straight roads, while the Griso loved to lean. So make it a Naked, the next man suggested, still not quite convinced by the mere absence of a fairing.
The fact is that the Griso can only be described as a fantastic new Moto Guzzi, stunning to look at and amazing to ride, but certainly well outside any mould, beyond market segments and categories. That is precisely why it is such an object of desire, a masterpiece designed and made for the motorcyclist in search of an individual, distinctive machine, one that attracts more than its fair share of attention and envy, a bike that guarantees absolute riding pleasure, whether you are showing off around town or burning up the asphalt of straights and bends.
THE NAME
On a bike like this, it’s not easy to be good ...
To get to Mandello del Lario you have to ride along the winding road that meanders alongside the lake, through an almost rhythmic succession of tunnels. After this, riding into Mandello itself is like a revelation. The lake appears as if by magic in all its shining splendour. The mountains reach up from its surface as if called into being by an age-old spell.
It is no coincidence that this was the setting chosen by Alessandro Manzoni, one of Italy’s most famous writers, for his masterpiece, “The Betrothed”, in which the character named “Griso” first appeared. It is likewise no coincidence that the factory that has written more pages of motorcycling history than any other was founded and thrived here, at the foot of these towering hills. So it should come as no surprise that this fantastic location is also the birthplace of the Griso, the bike that sidesteps all design conventions to announce to the world that creativity is still alive and cannot be categorised. In the famous novel, Griso was the tough but just leader of the "bravoes", the only man hard enough to take on all comers. The modern Griso is designed in the same mould, with the guts to tackle any road, fascinating from the first glance, and with that deep, reassuring “voice” familiar to all heroic Guzzis. The Griso promises and delivers excitement, with total domination of the tightest bends, because the bike cut its teeth on some of the twistiest roads around.
Alessandro Manzoni described his Griso as the “most valiant member of the entire family”. We can’t say if the same is true of the Moto Guzzi Griso, but those who have ridden it insist it is. It certainly is true that whenever the splendidly aggressive Griso roars through a town or village, the impression it leaves on all who see it or hear it go past is that this bike is certainly “the boss”.
The Griso is a motorcycle made to leave its mark. To ride it is to believe.
STYLING
Fresh air for the brain.
When convinced of the validity of an idea, a good designer is always loath to betray it, to water it down, to compromise. All too often, though, the task proves too arduous: concepts have to become reality; technical restraints, historical precedents and the latest fashions can whittle away at the strongest wills.
Sometimes, however, a designer has the courage to cast aside all doubt, uncertainty and fear, and present the concept in all its purity. The Griso proves it can be done. “It’s an instinctively designed bike based on a pure concept”, its designer told us. “It’s not tied down by marketing rules, the latest trends or the technical restraints of homologation. Think of it as a breath of fresh air for the brain.” The Griso really does seem to have appeared from nowhere, as solid as the rock of the mountains that surround the southern reaches of Lake Como. It’s no surprise the bike was born here, of course. “The Griso is the right bike for the right engine. They are both rugged and powerful, solidly built with one helluva personality.”
The Griso and the Guzzi 90° V-Twin are the perfect travelling companions, and link Guzzi’s glorious past with a whole new age in motorcycling. It’s easy to make a specific type of bike with a specific type of engine, but we’re not talking building blocks here. “I hate the idea of grey designs. Black has to be black and white has to be white”. So the Griso is the Griso. There’s nothing else like it. It’s not a blend of conventional ideas. It’s simply in a class of its own. “Everything about the Griso was made to amaze. Its concept is unique, its exhaust system is awe inspiring, and the frame is designed to give expression to the cylinders.”
It looks as if the Griso appeared almost as a finished bike in its designer’s mind, ready to be drawn and built. “The tubes of the frame and the cylinders are designed to look as if they are in awe of each other. Though they form a highly rigid assembly, they appear to be shying away.” The poetry of the designer’s fantasy defies all explanation. “Try asking your favourite vocalist how they strung together those notes that send shivers down your spine every time you hear them. You’re not going to get a mathematical explanation!”
Yet the visual symphony behind the Griso is instantly comprehensible to everyone, and never fails to impress. “The Griso is amazing, but there’s no way I can explain how it came to be like that.”
Two arms stretching forwards.
The man who went over the Griso in his head a thousand times before committing it to paper adds, “I’m delighted with the side panels over the cylinders. They’ve turned out exactly as I wanted them, like two arms with clenched fists stretching forwards. The tank is unique in shape and size too. At the bottom it’s overwhelmed a bit by the main tubes of the frame, but it gets its revenge at the top with that incredible fuel filler. I baptised the design the “pit stop” because I got the idea from Formula One refuelling technology. The tail is like a nail, ready to scratch its mark on the air behind it. Finally, though the front end is race inspired, the certainly isn’t.”
The designer’s words trail off, as if enchanted by the Griso’s refined satin finish, its elegant reflections mirrored in the chrome. We haven’t got the time to say all we would like about the generous range of instruments, the active matrix LCD or the futuristic on-board computer capable of displaying fuel consumption, average and maximum speeds, odometer with double trip counter, and even autodiagnostic information. The tail light cluster seems stolen from the future too, with its three high intensity LEDs, invisible from the outside, but made to ensure great passive visibility to match the powerful illumination of the headlight. Everything about the Griso is individually impressive, but put it all together and the result is simply amazing. There really is nothing like the Griso.
RIDABILITY
Scraping the footrests.
The instant you see the Griso, its evident solidity, hefty tank, and closely finned cylinders protruding proudly from the frame give the impression of a rock-solid machine. Sit on the bike, even without starting the engine, and the sensation becomes one of absolute confidence, a feeling of perfect balance, the sort of equilibrium that can guarantee sports performance from a top class frame. A true story illustrates the point. In the original design, the footrests were actually two centimetres lower, but the test riders whose job it was to thrash the bike around the Lecco lakeside road kept coming home with the footrests ground away. The design team simply had to accept a reality even they had not expected: the Griso was far more agile than anyone had thought possible.
The wide, biconical handlebars make a major contribution to the bike’s agility, as does the large steering angle, essential in city traffic. The Griso is as stable as a power cruiser, as agile as a lightweight naked, as sophisticated as a techno-custom, and as powerful as a muscle bike, a combination of characteristics that places it beyond the reach of any other motorcycle.
Finally, the legendary Guzzi 90° V-Twin pulls effortlessly as soon as the engine leaves idling revs, assisted by a transmission that delivers all of the benefits of shaft drive with none of its drawbacks.
CHASSIS
Made to dance around the hairpins.
The expression on the faces of the test riders lucky enough to put the Griso through its paces around Mandello del Lario left no doubt. There’s no mistaking the meaning of an ear-to-ear grin on the face of a biker. So don’t let the long and low power cruiser profile fool you. The Griso’s super-rigid frame delivers unsuspected agility and surgical precision as well as amazing comfort and total insulation from all vibration.
The high strength tubular steel frame that envelops the engine is partnered by a swingarm that incorporates the reactive shaft drive system. In terms of handling, the Griso feels like a natural extension of your mind and body. The front stays well planted, and glued to the tarmac by the upside-down fork and its rugged 43 mm stanchions, a technical solution that ensures precision trajectories, transmits tremendous feel, and keeps the bike perfectly stable even at the highest speeds. Grip is guaranteed by high performance tyres, 120/70 ZR17” at the front and 180/55 ZR17” at the rear, on magnificent triple hollow spoke, aluminium alloy wheels.
The front suspension is derived from supersports machines and is adjustable in spring preload and in compression and rebound damping, so you can set it up to suit any riding style and conditions. Road holding and safety are guaranteed when you power out of bends too, thanks to a rear suspension based on a single sided swingarm with rising rate linkages, and a monoshock that is again adjustable in preload, compression and rebound, and equipped with a separate gas reservoir. Even with a passenger and a full load of luggage, comfort is never an issue.
The surefooted Griso also boasts a high performance braking system. At the front there are two 320 mm floating discs and two powerful calipers with four opposing pistons, while the back end is stopped by a single 282 mm disc with a floating caliper and 2 parallel pistons.
ENGINE
A twin made to surprise.
Seen on the test bench at Mandello del Lario, the famous 90° V-Twin is almost unrecognisable, even to faithful Guzzisti. Where has the alternator gone? Why does the whole engine look so much slimmer and streamlined, not to say younger? Perhaps it is the new cylinder heads?
The answers are willingly revealed by the mechanics at Mandello del Lario. The alternator is no longer mounted in front of the crank, but now fits neatly in the 90° groove between the cylinders. This stroke of genius has made the entire engine more compact and a whole 4 cm shorter. Weight distribution has improved too. And it’s not just the position of the alternator that’s clever! The unit develops a mighty 540 Watts, more than enough to drive all electrical power users, but only generates electricity when it is actually required, leaving maximum engine power available at the wheel at all other times.
Changes to the engine run more than skin deep. Look inside and you will find an impressive number of innovations. The conrods are 10% lighter, dramatically reducing the mass in alternating motion. The ratio between conrod length and piston stroke has been improved too, to reduce inertia and vibrations.
The pistons and piston rings are slimmer, with shorter skirts and improved profiles. The gudgeon pins are lubricated by double oil sprays for extended working life and improved efficiency. The old klingerite gaskets have been replaced by new metal gaskets for better heat transmission and to ensure that pressure from the cylinder head studs remains constant.
The sound remains the same.
The engine might look completely new on the bench, but as soon as you turn the key that marvellous Guzzi sound comes back as music to the ears. Those thudding pulsations caress your stomach muscles, reminding you that the legend of Guzzi is back on the road, with electronic fuel injection and stepper-motor control for touch-of-a-button starting and silky smooth idling even in the coldest of climates.
The song remains the same when you finally ride away. Power delivery is smooth and progressive, with emissions and consumption reduced to a minimum. Though generous and tireless, the new V-Twin is happy to oblige with supersports power on tap. Consistent high performance is ensured by technical solutions like twin spark ignition, and fuel injectors in the inlet manifolds for perfect combustion.
The Griso is environmentally friendly too, conforming to the coming Euro3 emission control standards. Maximum power is 64.8 kW (88.1 HP) at 7,600 rpm and maximum torque is 89 Nm at 6,400 rpm. But of course, these are mere statistics, interesting, but unable to convey the feeling you get from riding the Griso, an extraordinary and immediate complicity between man and machine. Uncontrollable horsepower and screaming engines is not what the Griso is all about. Here is a machine that delivers satisfaction through generous torque and instant response. The innovations made to the intake and exhaust systems enable this latest Guzzi V-Twin to pull even harder at lower revs, delivering amazing muscle and a sensation of rocket propulsion out of bends.
The impressive exhaust system, with its twin collectors and stainless steel silencer with aluminium end plate, also contributes to the unique character of this stunningly beautiful Italian motorcycle.
TRANSMISSION AND GEARBOX
Seen but not felt.
The Griso’s original styling reflects its thoroughly innovative technology. Even Guzzi’s classic shaft drive has been totally redesigned for superior comfort and ridability.
The Griso boasts Moto Guzzi’s patented, revolutionary CA.R.C. compact reactive shaft drive. (CA.R.C. stands for Cardano Reattivo Compatto, and coincidentally is also the first half of the surname of the great Giulio Cesare Carcano, father of the amazing Otto Cilindri, one of the legendary motorcycles of Mandello del Lario’s glory days.) In this brand new system, the drive shaft is integrated inside the aluminium alloy swingarm, with bevel gear and shaft left free to oscillate. The drive shaft incorporates two universal joints with built-in torsional shock absorbers. The system delivers smooth, precise and jerk-free power, and eliminates the anti-shaft effect associated with conventional shaft drives. The single-piece swingarm also enhances the rigidity of the chassis and, because the reaction shaft is no longer load bearing, improves safety and reliability too.
On the Griso, even the ordinary components are designed for out-of-the-ordinary performance. The gearbox, for example, brings you previously unobtainable feel and performance, the result of a total redesign aimed at maximum comfort and ease of operation. The indexed gear selector has a sliding desmodromic preselector. The gearbox also weighs 2 kg less than its predecessors, and offers a number of advantages, including silent running, easy location of neutral and precision gear changes.
The primary drive features helical gearing and engages the clutch shaft through just one secondary shaft. The primary drive ratio is also lower for bags of fun and smoking tyres when pulling away from the lights. The Griso deserves nothing less.
ACCESSORIES
There is only one Griso.
There is only one Griso but every rider is an individual and therefore different. That is why Moto Guzzi has designed a range of dedicated accessories to let you personalise your motorcycle, turning it into a mirror for your soul. Specially designed to enhance the personality of a machine that is already unique, these original Moto Guzzi accessories help the Griso express its many talents in line with your own personal style, preferences and needs.
25 litre semi-rigid pannier kit
Once you’re on a Griso you’re not going to want to get off. Luckily, you can rely on this semi-rigid pannier kit to tackle even the longest journeys without having to leave anything at home. The panniers are made from an innovative high-tech fabric and feature a host of important details, like lock slots in the zippers, reflective inserts and a customised Guzzi logo. Easy to fit and remove, thanks to Moto Guzzi’s patented Fast Click® system with security key, these panniers come complete with a mounting rack designed, tested and homologated by Moto Guzzi. Thermally sealed, rain-proof hoods mean that you can carry on riding whatever the weather.
Luggage rack kit
This elegant yet robust luggage rack is designed specially for the Griso. Made from chrome plated steel, it also acts as a practical grab handle for your passengers.
Nose fairing kit
This semi-transparent nose fairing provides enhanced aerodynamic protection and reduces rider strain. The mountings are designed to integrate perfectly with the styling of the Griso.
Tank bag
This super-practical PVC and nylon tank bag stores important items where you can keep an eye on them and retrieve them quickly when needed. The bag fits the sleek forms of the Griso’s tank like a glove. It is extremely well protected against the elements, and comes with a waterproof zip, rain hood and reflective inserts. The kit also includes the bag base.
Ergal parts
If you want to stand out wherever you go, these ergal parts are for you. The series includes adjustable brake and clutch levers, clutch and brake master cylinder caps, rider footrests, rear brake reservoir and number plate holder.
Bike cover
It’s only natural you should want to protect your Griso, so Moto Guzzi has created this elegant black bike cover in strong, scratch-proof fabric, featuring the Griso logo on both sides.
Fashion accessories
If riding is not enough, and you want to live your Griso even when you’re off it, you’ll be delighted with this collection of fashion accessories including eyewear, jacket and sweatshirt.
Technical Specifications
ENGINE
Type: 90° V-Twin, 4 stroke
Cooling system: air cooled
Displacement: 1,064 cc
Bore and stroke: 92 x 80 mm
Compression ratio: 9.8 : 1
Valve gear: 2 overhead valves operated by light alloy push-rods and rockers; exhaust valve maximum lift: 106° B.T.D.C. of overlap inlet valve maximum lift: 104° A.T.D.C. of overlap
Maximum power: 64,8 KW (88.1 HP) a 7,600 rpm
Maximum torque: 89 Nm a 6,400 rpm
Fuel system: Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection with stepper motor control
Starting : electric
Ignition: inductive discharge, digitally controlled, electronic twin spark ignition
Exhaust system: stainless steel, 2 in 1, with tree ways catalyser and Lambda probe oxygen sensor
Homologation: Euro 3
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: 6 speed
Internal ratios: 1^ 17/38 = 1 : 2.235
: 2^ 20/34 = 1 : 1.700
: 3^ 23/31 = 1 : 1.348
: 4^ 26/29 = 1 : 1.115
: 5^ 31/30 = 1 : 0.968
: 6^ 29/25 = 1 : 0.862
Lubrication: splash
Primary drive: helical gears, ratio 24/35 =1: 1.458
Final drive: CA.R.C. Compact Reactive Shaft Drive; double universal joint with floating bevel gear, ratio 12/44 =1: 3.667
Clutch: dry
CHASSIS
Frame: double cradle, in high tensile strenght tubular steel
Wheelbase: 1,554 mm
Trail: 108 mm
Steering head angle: 26°
Steering angle: 34°
Front suspension: 43 mm upside down fork, fully adjustable in spring preload and compression and rebound damping
Front wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear suspension: 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
Front brake: Twin Ø 320 mm stainless steel floating discs and two calipers with four opposed pistons
Rear brake: Single Ø 282 mm stainless steel fixed disc and floating caliper with two parallel pistons
Wheels: Chill cast aluminium alloy, triple hollow spoke
Front wheel: 3.50” x 17”
Rear wheel: 5.50” x 17”
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17”
Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR17”
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage: 12 V
Battery: 12 V - 18 Ah
Alternator: 12 V - 540 W
DIMENSIONS
Lenght: 2,260 mm
Width (habdlebars) : 880 mm
Height: 1,070 mm
Seat height: 800 mm
Ground clearance: 185 mm
Rider footrest height: 375 mm
Dry weight: 227 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 17.2 litres
Reserve: 3.4 litres
Maximum speed: 200 Km/h
The photo gallery is here
|
(not translated yet) Contact Breva 1100 GUZZI
