Big-bore watercooled 1420cc Guzzi Griso: finally, the horses to match the looks.

The Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 was welcomed by the biking fraternity upon its release as a bike that actually went, stopped and turned while still inexplicably being a Moto Guzzi. Its odd cruiser-meets-naked looks and gargantuan exhaust gave it a bad-boy presence all of its own and from all reports it’s a sporty and composed ride as much as a looker.

But a claimed 87 horsepower (dyno measured at a disappointing 71 by motorcycle.com) was never going to excite a nakedbike market that was used to getting over 100 horses at the wheel of the “pedestrian” Hornet 919 (of which I’m a huge fan) worth around US$6 grand less. Naturally enough, the aftermarket has stepped in to develop a big-bore kit that gives the big Guzzi engine the poke to match its aggressive looks.

Increasing the engine capacity to a hearty 1420cc has required the fitment of a water-cooling system to keep the injected donk operating at its peak - and the result is a much healthier horsepower figure somewhere between 120 and 130. That certainly gives the Griso a lot more “hello boys!” than the stocker. And while you’d expect it to cost a pretty penny, Griso owners have already paid a premium to be sitting on these imposing Italian twins - the extra juice might well be worth the dollars.

All I know is those extra 50 thundering ponies transforms the Griso from “meh” to “well well well” in my books.

Pics of the bike are from millepercento.com - and further information about the power-up kit can be found at bigbore.it (what a sensational domain name!)