Jackal Impressions

I bought a new 2001 left over dealer stock V11 Jackal, on Friday March 15, 2002. I've had the bike for 5 days, and absolutely love it! This is my first Moto Guzzi, but I have primarily had twins anyway. The stock seat isn't as bad as some people state, you just have to remove everything from your back pockets (I remember having to do this on many other bikes.) I'm 6' and 155 lbs, and the bike fits me perfect. Gas mileage isn't what they claim, but that's probably because it's in the break in period. I get about 37 mpg, where max advertised is 50. If you ask people on the MGCL list, or in the discussion, 37 is about right for any of the 1100s. I'm happy with the way it handles, it does much better at parking lot speed than the Ducati Monster 750.

From the pictures the foot pegs don't look very forward, but sitting on it I find that they're as far forward as I could want. The passenger pegs are easy to get to on long solo rides, and are nice for a different seating position. It's taken a little bit of getting used to the way the transmission is, just like every euro bike I've ridden, you need to shift deliberately. I've never driven a heel to toe shifter before this one, so that's probably mostly my problem. I've got almost 400 mi on it all ready, and have absolutely no regrets. This, and it's successor the California Stone, are great entry level bikes into a marquee that's almost synonymous with reliability.

I purchased a 2000 Jackal in July of this year and have put about 4000 miles on it. A really great bike though I don't have a lot of experience, moving up from a Yamaha 400 Maxim. I had the seat redone, put extra padding in the sitting area and had a 2 inch lip added to the back. I got it done locally for $85.00 though I sometimes wish I had gotten more of a lip since the torque on this bike has a tendency to scoot me back. I am 5'8" and 170 lbs. I get the advertised 47 mpg and sometimes 50 mpg if I don't hot rod it. The bike was used when I got it so I have no idea what they are like right out of the box. I ride in the Colorado mountains from 6500 feet elevation up to 10500. The bike performs with no hiccups or hesitation no matter the elevation. I just checked the oil and was down a pint in the 2000 miles since my 24000 mile service. I don't know if that is normal or not, but I have been riding it hard and fast lately as I get more comfortable with the bike. I always use premium fuel.

I didn't like all the extra shiny bits on the EV, so I was looking for another 1100i. I went to what had been a Guzzi dealer, he had lost the franchise to the Aprillia dealer in the same town, and had no used 1100i's. He was mad at Guzzi for taking the franchise away and just wanted what he had left sold. He offered me a black Jackal for £1000 under list price. I signed up straight away and collected the bike the next week.

My first impressions were that the EFI was much better, the engine seemed smoother, the old Cali had been chiped and had the filter + x over done so I did not expect the same performance, but it was not down on power, probably because it was lighter. The suspension was a lot better than the old Cali, stiffer on the back and the front seemed ok. I had to change rear shocks on the old 96 bike, they were way too soft. I treated it gently for a while slowly increasing the power. I acquired a second hand EV screen, rack & panniers and bolted them on, Did a 2 trips to Belgium and 1 to Germany. The end of the running in period came and after the service, I started to give it full power occasionally, I was getting happier about the bike by then, I hate running bikes in. The first year of ownership was a slow one for me, for various club & personal reasons I did not do much riding.

I was determined to do better in 2002 and it started well with a good rally in February, after a few more rallies and a wedding in Germany, the bike was running real good. I decided that I was going to do the rally in Mandello at the end of September. I had done enough miles by then and thought it was time to give it a thrashing.

I loaded up with 2 weeks gear, tent and cooking stuff too, and set off. The extra weight was no problem and I was in Dover waiting for the boat in 45 minutes (48 miles from home) Rode through till I got close to Metz, stayed at a Formula 1 overnight. I left Metz about 9am and I swear that bike ran better and better the nearer I got to Italy. In Switzerland was the only time I ever found the single disc not enough. With all the extra luggage, it didn't pull me up fast enough on down hill runs. I don't want to ride slower in the mountains, It's too much fun and the bike is very good at it, so before I head South again I will fit the second disc. I arrived in Mandello about 3.30 after building the tent, spent a pleasant evening having a drink with some Dutch guys. The next morning checking over the bike I found one bolt in the front caliper had jumped ship, since I left Metz, I don't regard that as a Bike fault that's sloppy maintenance by me.. Got a new bolt at Agostini's, they even offered to fit it. On the way back from Italy I took a different pass and ended up nearer to Munich than France, (shows what my navigation is like, I was about 200 mile too far East) I had to do a diagonal run, to get to a Bikers Campsite in Holland I had promise to meet people at. The bike was superb throughout the trip, never missed a beat, got me round bends I misjudged a couple of times, making less of it than I did.

Since then I have kept up the riding, done 14 rallies in 2004, as many as I have ever done before. I have just got back from Belgium and I am going to Germany next month. In the 4 years I have had the bike, apart from consumables. it has had a new gas cap under warranty, and just had new push rod seals and clutch. The total cost in replacement parts, that I had to buy, has been £200, less than £1 a week. I have spent a lot more than that but mostly by choice, because it's worth it. I replaced all the relays and run a 2nd earth to the regulator. Apart from the 2nd disc, I am going to fit a new exhaust system and airfilter.

Turned 50 years old and I purchased a used 2001 Jackal, I had a 850 back in the 70’s and that was a bike I’ll never forget. Well, the Jackal lives up to it’s name. Nothing fancy and no visual ballyhoos but this bike just wants to cruise at 60 to 70 mph. I can’t say enough good about this bike. The gentleman who purchased it new had different exhaust put on so one can hear the Guzzi bark. The guys at the local H-D dealer thought it was funny looking when I went there to buy a cover.

After a few rode it a couple of miles they won’t give up their H-D’s but they realize there’s a lot of get up and go for 570 lbs. of machine. The Jackal like to run at 2500 to 3500 rpm’s that’s where the power bands seem to be. Solid tappets take some getting used to but I remember building old car engines and putting in a Crane cam with solids so nothing floats at the high end. Gotta love a Guzzi. The other bike shop near where I live ( Hogs and Rice ) never heard of Moto Guzzi