2007–2009 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Italian Torque With Attitude
The Griso 1200 8V is Moto Guzzi's muscle roadster, and its engine defines it. The 1151 cc air/oil-cooled 90° V-twin runs four valves per cylinder, makes 110 hp and 80 lb-ft, and sends it all through a six-speed box and the CARC shaft drive. It sits in a steel trellis frame with a long, low, muscular stance, radial Brembo brakes and adjustable suspension at both ends. Nothing on it is electronic in the modern sense. There is no ABS, no traction control and there are no ride modes. In the naked class it is a design piece with real mechanical substance behind it, and it is finished with genuine care.
On the road it wants a steady rhythm rather than frantic inputs. Low-end pull is strong, it gathers speed with authority, and at highway pace it tracks dead straight. At 500 lb (227 kg) wet it is no lightweight, though the 31.5 in (800 mm) seat keeps it manageable at a standstill. Ownership needs attention. Pre-2012 8V engines suffer premature camshaft and flat-tappet wear, and the roller-tappet upgrade is the fix to budget for. On top of that, the swingarm and linkage bearings leave the factory dry, the CARC rear-drive bearings wear early when oil changes get skipped, and electrical gremlins and crankshaft sensor failures show up. Buy it for the character, and buy the service history along with it.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 110 hp (81 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1151 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air/oil-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) |
| Wet weight | 500 lb (227 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 4.4 gal (16.5 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Much of what I know about the Griso 8V comes from outside my own test rides. It comes from paddock conversations, from coffee with owners, from club-night chatter and from the messages riders send me. They keep telling me the same thing. Owners love the engine and how the bike carries itself through fast sweepers, and their complaints center on slow steering and the controls.
The engine comes up first in nearly every conversation. Riders describe it as soulful and effortless, and the midrange is where they say it comes alive. Next comes the long chassis, which owners say settles into sweeping bends and gives them the confidence to keep their speed up there. Riders coming from older Guzzis single out the paint, metalwork and detailing as a big step forward. One owner also praised the lever feel at the front brake.
The complaint riders raise most is steering. Owners say it needs deliberate inputs and doesn't like being hustled through tight corners. A few individual gripes follow. The dry clutch is heavy and wears out the left hand in stop-and-go traffic, and the gearbox feels clunky by modern standards. The stock seat falls short on long days, and some owners end up replacing it.
Early valvetrain wear (flat tappet failure)
Pre-2012 1200 8V engines suffer from premature camshaft and lifter wear due to inadequate hardening. Recommended upgrade to roller tappets.
Rear main seal oil leak
Some owners report an oil leak from the rear seal at around 8000 miles, repaired under warranty.
Swingarm and suspension linkage bearings dry from factory
Bearings often leave the factory with minimal grease, requiring early service to prevent wear.
Rear gearbox bearing wear
Bearings in the rear drive (CARC) can wear out prematurely, especially with neglected oil changes, leading to noise or vibration.
Electrical gremlins and CKP sensor failure
Poor connector quality, oxidation, and crankshaft sensor (CKP) failures can cause occasional misfires, stalling, or rough running.
Where this Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 8V pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Griso 1200 8V is actually built for.
On the Dragon's tight switchbacks, 500 lb of long-wheelbase Guzzi takes deliberate work. The flowing sweepers of Cherohala and the Blue Ridge suit its torque and stability far better.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
A strong fit. It has big low-end torque for the sweepers, stays calm at speed between towns and looks right parked outside the BBQ joint. Just plan your fuel stops around the 4.4 gal tank.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Texas Hill Country BDR-X · Twisted Sisters
Know what you're buying: a heavy, stable roadster that rewards smooth lines, not a scalpel. On the fast sweepers of Angeles Crest, its torque and composure make for a deeply satisfying ride.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005–2007
Italian Muscle With A Soul
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2010–2016
Torque, Soul, Shaft Drive
Competitor · 2009–2011
Torque, Soul, Light Steel
Competitor · 2009–2010
Flat-Track Attitude, Street Legal
Same Platform · 2009–2013
Italian Soul, Shaft-Driven Calm