After a series of fits and starts, Moto Guzzi's storied design works have at last spat out a production version of the much-ballyhooed 1100cc Griso. We flew out to Italy's Lake Como for a spin on the new machine to see if the long wait was worth it.
The interminable delay (the Griso was first concepted in 2001, revealed at Intermot in 2002, and initially scheduled for production in late 2003) has a lot to do with the business end of the equation. The recent takeover of Aprilia (Moto Guzzi's parent company) by Italian two-wheel giant Piaggio has resulted in warm and fuzzy relaunches of both the Guzzi and Aprilia brands, and with the new company line clearly focused on the future, the firm's latest designs now tout technological improvements as well as an aesthetic refreshening. It looks like the company is finally showing signs of real progress rather than continuing in its role as a sentimental favorite with a dusty inventory.
In true Italian fashion, however, the debut of the latest Moto Guzzi comes with a side order of confusion; the Griso is being billed as a "Techno-custom," but what that means in English is anybody's guess. It's part streetfighter and part naked cruiser, yes, but it's no wonder the marketing wonks at Mandello del Lario had a hard time positioning this thing. The Griso's not power-cruisery enough to compete with the V-Rod, and the claimed 88 horsepower isn't stout enough to grant entry into the muscle-bike club (unless there's a "well-toned" companion membership available).
In any case, Guzzi certainly has a looker on its hands with the Griso (when it will show up in dealerships, however, is another matter).
The Eye Of The Beholder
To my mind, the Griso's got the best curb appeal of any streetbike Moto Guzzi has produced in recent years. An urban design slant is unmistakable, but when walking around the Griso, your first impression is of size. Low and classic from some angles, muscular and modern from others, this bike is long-legged yet squat, too. That trademark Guzzi V-twin sports closely packed fins and pokes belligerently from beneath a set of substantial, exterior steel frame tubes (a big design element of the Griso) that execute a series of subtle kinks as they wrap around a generous fuel tank and airbox. Not only does this look good, it creates a super-rigid assembly when combined with the engine.
Up top, the oversized racing fuel cap takes command of the visuals. From the rear, a huge stainless steel muffler and aluminum end plate joining two header pipes resembles the business end of a booster rocket. A stylized tail section with a high-intensity LED light cluster nestles above it all. From the right side a more refined, mechanical tone holds sway, with a massive single-sided swingarm integrating the engine and gearbox to create an imposing metallic block. It's all enhanced by a side-mounted oil radiator at the bottom-the lack of any fairing dictates this sump-side positioning, and Guzzi manages to make it look refined. A blend of matte satin and high-gloss chrome adds to the classy feeling.
The Griso isn't a parts bin bike, either-there are 70 new components (out of 180) on this machine. With nicely drawn lines and well-designed details, the build quality and finish are excellent, even several steps up from previous Mandello del Lario products. What's more impressive is that Guzzi makes all its own components or uses local Italian companies without turning to Asian outsourcing.