I've ridden one and the suspension was not dialled-in for my weight or style. That spoiled the ride a bit. But, afaik, it's fully adjustable. It's still my dream 'road warrior'. This post is just treading water until some actual owners shop up .
I'd call the dealer and, considering your health concerns, see if you can get an extended test ride. My local dealer (about 45 miles away) will give a full morning or afternoon on a bike if you are serious about buying. Why not make it a nice day out?
I have a friend who has recently received a new 2012 Griso, he states it came set very firm from the factory, but buy backing off the compression and rebound damping front and rear he now states it rides like a limo
My 2007 Griso was set up very wrong, as most are. Too much comp damping makes for a harsh ride. A few minutes with the clickers and you are all set. I dropped my fork tubes in the trees which made the bike track much better in corners. All adjustments are described in the shop manuals.
I have a 2011 Tenni 8v Griso. I think they all come set up a bit stiff, but it is adjustable and softens up. Roads are horrible where I live and I'm surviving fine.. Very fun ride, you wouldn't regret it...at least in my opinion.
Woud it be this lovely bike: <img src="https://ronsatspokane.smugmug.com/Other/Miscellaneous/i-JrrhJFb/0/L/_MG_5500-L.jpg" /> <img src="https://ronsatspokane.smugmug.com/Other/Miscellaneous/i-RZ7gDXs/0/L/_MG_5501-L.jpg" /> <img src="https://ronsatspokane.smugmug.com/Other/Miscellaneous/i-brkTCHt/0/L/_MG_5502-L.jpg" /> When I first got it, it was harsh. Set the SAG front and rear, backed off on the compression and now it rides good. Firm but no longer harsh. Some of the initial harshness issue I had was that the preload was set for some who must have weighed 300 lbs. My first comments were that it's a bike that'll put a little blood in your urine. The trouble with trying one at a dealer is that it won't be setup for you and it sounds like a lot of folks had to go through a complete suspension setup like I did so a dealer bike won't be too representitive of what it can be. Remember though that it wants to be a sport bike so the suspension is on the firm side.
How does it go around corners? I test rode a 1200 sport a couple a years ago because I liked the look of it and the guzzi ethos but I absolutely hated it. That thing just wouldn't corner properly - it either wanted to go straight, or wallowed the bars. I honestly thought I was going to fall over midcorner in a roundbout for a while there. But it might have been that particular bike that was horribly setup. How's yours for handling? I know it's a heavy bike but does it feel neutral and relaxed in a corner or do you have to muscle it around?
Always had a 'thing' about that bike.. nearly pulled the trigger on one in May of last year. Unfortunately, the dealer network - what dealer network - here in NC pretty much doesn't exist. The one dealer we had in the state went TU, and just recently a dealer in Charlotte - on the other side of the state from me - picked up M-G. I do all my own routine maintenance, but it's a RPITA to get the bike to and from Charlotte..
My answer to handling would be a word like "surprising". I've owned a lot of bikes over the years including liter and half liter sport bikes, bikes with premium suspensions and I've done a few track days over the years as well so I have a pretty good idea of what good handling is and what it does for you. My opinion is that for as long as the wheel base is I didn't expect it to be as good as it is. I'm pleasantly surprised. It's not as precise as a dedicated sport bike but close and it's not as controlled when pushing into the corners hard as a dedicated sport bike but it's close there as well. It's billing as a gentlemans sport bike is pretty spot on in my experience. I ride pretty hard and I've had no asshole pucker moments when getting into a corner a bit to hot. It's pretty confidence inspiring and I dont find myself wanting for anything better in most riding conditions. The exception being riding in stop and go traffic. The fueling below 4500 rpm could be a bit better.
Yes, it takes a bit of tuning. With your issues I'd focus on the riding position to see if that bothers you. It's a bit of an oddball riding position that takes some getting used to. It's a bit of a reach to the bars, not quite sport touring but not fully upright either and the pegs are a bit further forward than you would think. Seems natural to me now and it works well for the way I ride but it may be everybody's cup of tea.
I too have an itch for one and that one is a beaut. What kind of range does the tank allow for in lets say an aggressive type of riding situation?
Aggressive... I'd not let it go more than 150 miles before filling up. I think I could make 200 miles or more on a tank if I were more gentle on the throttle but I never am so I'll never know.
When a bike looks as sweet as that green Griso, I'd just bring it to the pros & pay whatever it takes to dial in that suspension for me. I know I'd spend more time sitting in the garage staring at it than riding it anyway.
