1100 Sport

[Guzzidad]

   Finally got a chance to ride my newly refreshed 96 Sport after 2 weeks of solid rain. Never really got out of town but hit some roads where I could at least hit 70mph. Still, that's only 3rd gear. It's a difficult bike to ride but in the right environment it's extremely rewarding. Turned 124,000 miles today. Trying to get more miles on it so I can depend on it to do more long distance rides. Not crazy long distance, just three day weekends, 1000 miles or so.

[rocker59]

 

[malik]

Good on you. The longer distances at decent speeds is what it's good at.

You are aware, are you not, that if you ride one of these, you have an obligation to been seen. Often.

[Mr Revhead]

 
Nothing like a Sport and some flowing corners!

[Devildog]

Yes they are a challenging ride. It's a learning process, they don't change direction without lots of rider input.

[bodine99]

Sounds like you need to load it up and head to TWO-Suches GA. for the Guzzi gathering Sept 13-15!!!!!

[wirespokes]

I hadn't heard that about the 1100 Sport - that it's not flickable. Any idea what the problem is? Tires too fat? Steering geometry?

My LM4 was like that till I converted to 90 series tires - same size as LM3 and LM5.

[rocker59]

I hadn't heard that about the 1100 Sport - that it's not flickable. Any idea what the problem is? Tires too fat? Steering geometry?

My LM4 was like that till I converted to 90 series tires - same size as LM3 and LM5.

58-inch wheelbase.  26-degree steering head.  Old-school steering geometry.

Two easy things help them:  1)  lower the front end by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  2) select 'pointy' tires.

Lowering the front of mine, and making sure I didn't buy "round profile" tires helped a lot.  A tire like the Bridgeston T-31 is a current good one.

[Tusayan]

I made mine handle better (for me) by raising the front end and using the roundest profile tire I could find, at that time a Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa.  I prefer the bike to be absolutely hands off neutral at all lean angles, cannot stand a bike that’s light off vertical, then falls in, then finally goes neutral again at max lean. 

[rocker59]

I made mine handle better (for me) by raising the front end and using the roundest profile tire I could find, at that time a Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa.  I prefer the bike to be absolutely hands off neutral at all lean angles, cannot stand a bike that’s light off vertical, then falls in, then finally goes neutral again at max lean.

How did you "raise the front end" ???  The bike came from the factory with the tubes flush to the top clamp.  The only way to go is down with the front end, by raising the tubes in the clamps

On my bike, the round profile tires from Avon and Pirelli slowed the turn-in and raised the effort.

[Tusayan]

I value stability and neutrality at every lean angle over reduced steering effort.  Also, if you set it up so it turns in easily, it’s typically harder to lift back up. I tried all kinds of combinations of tire and fork positions and ended up with fork flush.

Lowering the front end would also reduce cornering clearance although that can be addressed to a great extent by reducing the side stand rubber bumper to 1/8 inch thickness and reshaping the foot.  With those items done and front end at its highest position I had no problems.

[voncrump]

58-inch wheelbase.  26-degree steering head.  Old-school steering geometry.

Two easy things help them:  1)  lower the front end by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple clamps.  2) select 'pointy' tires.

Lowering the front of mine, and making sure I didn't buy "round profile" tires helped a lot.  A tire like the Bridgeston T-31 is a current good one.

I agree with the T31 front tire to lighten up the front end feel.
I went from T30s to T31s and I had to get used to the very light lower speed response.
In fact on both of my bikes the latest tire choices have lightened up the response.
T31s on my 1100sport and BT45s on my V7.
Cheers, voncrump.

[rocker59]

I value stability and neutrality at every lean angle over reduced steering effort.  Also, if you set it up so it turns in easily, it’s typically harder to lift back up. I tried all kinds of combinations of tire and fork positions and ended up with fork flush.

Lowering the front end would also reduce cornering clearance although that can be addressed to a great extent by reducing the side stand rubber bumper to 1/8 inch thickness and reshaping the foot.  With those items done and front end at its highest position I had no problems.

I used to drag my stock exhaust.  Mainly the header/crossover clamps.  No problem, once changed to full Staintune.  The sidestand foot took care of itself, the asphalt beveling it to it's "correct" shape!  adjusting the rubber bumper helped, too.  Not an issue on the street, but I always removed the sidestand for trackdays. 

Everyone is different, but raising the tubes 20mm and using Bridgestone tires was my best answer to the "problem".

[D Knaus]

I bought my Sporti at the end of '97.  It was set up by the dealer with the fork tubes even with the upper triple clamp.  and didn't handle well.
The factory manual was not available when I purchased the bike, and when I finally got one, it said to set the fork tubes 10mm above the clamp.  This helped the handling quite a bit.  I haven't varied it since, but may try to raise them more next time I'm messing with it.
-Dale

[Tusayan]

I bought my Sporti at the end of '97.  It was set up by the dealer with the fork tubes even with the upper triple clamp.  and didn't handle well.
The factory manual was not available when I purchased the bike, and when I finally got one, it said to set the fork tubes 10mm above the clamp.  This helped the handling quite a bit.  I haven't varied it since, but may try to raise them more next time I'm messing with it.
-Dale

The stock injected 1100 Sport sport touring tires were terrible - they fitted them including a high profile rear tire to distinguish the bike from the more expensive Daytona RS.  Lowering the front with those did make it slightly better but in the end after several years of experimentation I figured out they had the geometry right all along, it was the tires that were the problem. 

Header pipes do indeed drag if you drop the front of the bike.

[rschrum]

First longish ride on my 97 yesterday. It came to me with new Pirelli Diablos. Was pleased with the handling, I tend to adapt to the bike rather than changing a bunch of stuff. This thing really rips, the creedon chip and mistrals worked their magic, fueling was perfect.

[LowRyter]

I saw a blue one being converted to monoposto here in OKC. 

The owner was from Wichita IIRC, I wonder if it was the one for sale here? 

[Guzzidad]

   
Sounds like you need to load it up and head to TWO-Suches GA. for the Guzzi gathering Sept 13-15!!!!!

   I plan to be there, weather permitting, but not on the Sport. I currently don't have insurance on it. FL doesn't require insurance on bikes. But I do have insurance on the Norge and EV. GA requires insurance.
   Some other comments on replies. I like Pirelli tires. I've been through 13 sets of tires on this bike including Michelin, Dunlop, and Bridgestone.
   The long wheel base is why they don't seem "flickable". Their strength is in the sweeping curves.
   You really can't compare the injected models with the carb models. They may look the same from 20 feet away, but on closer inspection they are totally different. One important difference is the wheels. Injected uses a 17" rear, carb model uses 18" rear. Also, I think the injected models have cush drive. Carb models have none.