By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 (MY2009) vs Ducati Monster 796 (MY2010)
Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 vs Ducati Monster 796: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll feel the Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 surge ahead in one linear shove as you open the throttle. The Ducati Monster 796 snaps awake and stays smooth.
So which one do you buy?
The Monster 796 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: Monster 796
On a winding road, the Monster 796 comes out a touch ahead. What tips it: stronger brakes. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Nothing in it on value
At these used prices, neither bike comes out ahead on value. The Griso 1100 and Monster 796 sit close enough that the money doesn't pick a winner.
What makes each one tick
Griso 1100
Across the Texas Hill Country's fast sweepers, the Griso doesn't wander, because its stretched wheelbase and low-slung mass keep the chassis tracking true. Slow hairpins take real effort. At the brake lever there's Brembo hardware, and it has the full weight of the bike to haul down. The transverse twin barks hard on every pull.
Monster 796
The Monster's light chassis flicks from bend to bend, and the trellis frame sends back a clear read of the grip. Corner entry takes one light push. There's torque from the desmo L-twin in a wide, even spread.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Griso 1100 makes more peak torque: 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) vs 58 lb-ft (79 Nm).
- The Griso 1100 has the larger engine: 1064 cc vs 803 cc.
- The Griso 1100 has the larger fuel tank: 4.5 US gal (17.2 L) vs 4.0 US gal (15 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: Griso 1100
No first-bike verdict for the Griso 1100. It's a step up for later.
Traveling with luggage
Not their thing
Loading up for a long trip isn't a strength of either bike. Expect to compromise on what you bring.
Don't look for a gap on commuting: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Griso 1100
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent stability at speed
- High-quality build and finish
- Torquey, characterful V-twin engine
Trade-offs
- Heavy and less manoeuvrable in tight corners
Monster 796
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile and engaging handling
- Iconic Ducati styling
- Torquey and characterful L-twin engine
- Dependable and proven engine reliability
Known problems to check before you buy
Griso 1100
- Instrument cluster susceptible to water damage The instrument cluster can allow water ingress leading to malfunctioning speedo sensor and erratic dash readings.
Monster 796
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old Griso 1100 with a 15-year-old Monster 796.
- Griso 1100
- about $5,400
- Monster 796
- about $5,700
What they share
- Seat height
- 31.5 in (800 mm)
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Griso 1100 | Monster 796 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1064 cc | 803 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | L-twin |
| Power | 88 hp (65 kW) | 87 hp (64 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,600 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 58 lb-ft (79 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,400 rpm | 6,250 rpm |
| Griso 1100 | Monster 796 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 4.5 US gal (17.2 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| Griso 1100 | Monster 796 | |
|---|---|---|
| Final drive | Shaft | Chain |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Griso 1100 | Monster 796 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Option |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
