2008 Breva

[Lovey]

G’day all,

I currently have a VFR800 but I’m looking at something with a bit less of a sporty riding position. I admit that I’m not ‘ride fit’ and that I could probably adapt to the VFR if I did enough riding, but I don’t have the opportunity to ride a lot these days. The comfort mod that I’ve done by adding handlebar risers hasn’t done a lot for me so far, and I always end up with sore wrists and elbows after a decent ride.

My speed demon days are well and truly over, but I still want something that goes ok and handles well, however I don’t want to get a cruiser. In my searching I’ve found an ‘08 Breva 1200 which from the photos, looks to be in great condition. I’ve always liked the look of Moto Guzzi’s, although I’ve never ridden (or even sat on) one. I’ve checked the cycle-ergo site and the Breva looks to have a seating position somewhere between the VFR and a cruiser, so the comfort factor should be up there.

The only thing is that is really putting me off is that the owner said that the odometer doesn’t work, so the listed km’s travelled is only a guesstimate.  He said that he's been in touch with Moto Guzzi and they can't offer an explanation as to the fault, and a replacement speedo is approximately $1000.  I’ve been in further contact with the owner about the specifics of the odometer and he told me that the LCD still displays, but that it’s stuck on a number and won’t advance.  He told me that it's travelled about 15,000km, but the odometer is stuck on 33,000km's.

I’ve searched the forums and found reference to some speedo faults with the Breva, but not that particular problem.

I’ve arranged a date to go and check out the bike in a few weeks’ time.  Now assuming that a test ride goes well and I’m comfortable on it, would the odometer fault prove to be deal breaker, or just offer a bit of leverage on the asking price?
Is that a common problem with that model and does it have an easy fix, or would I be up for a small fortune for a repair?  I realise that was a bit of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ type question, but better to ask.
Are there any other quirks or specific faults to look for when checking out the bike?

Thanks for looking,

Steve

[Kiwi_Roy]

Welcome to the forum.
I would think its done at least 33,000 km which is not a lot, 100,000 miles before an overhaul.
I have never heard of an odometer jumping forward so evaluate it as having done what it reads.
A Breva 1200 would be a pretty decent bike.
I would not like to say what the value would be in Aust $
I'm sure Pete Roper could tell you what a new dash is worth.

[flip]

Is that an 8 valve engine?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Is that an 8 valve engine?

Good Question, if it is probably the nasty tappets

[Lovey]

Welcome to the forum.
I would think its done at least 33,000 km which is not a lot, 100,000 miles before an overhaul.
I have never heard of an odometer jumping forward so evaluate it as having done what it reads.
A Breva 1200 would be a pretty decent bike.
I would not like to say what the value would be in Aust $
I'm sure Pete Roper could tell you what a new dash is worth.

Thanks Kiwi-Roy,
I’m lucky that I don’t live super far from Bungendore, so Mr Roper’s help isn’t too far away.

Is that an 8 valve engine?

G’day Flip,
The ad says that it’s a 4V.  Showing my noobiness, is there a way to tell by looking at the engine whether it’s a 4V or 8V?
Thanks again,
Steve

[Kiwi Dave]

Don't think it would be an 8-valve model -did they make any? (not including the "Breva" 1200 Sports)

The speedo went on one of mine, it was @ 26,980 kM when it jumped to 335,544 kM and froze.  Also could not clear service wrench.  I replaced it with a second hand speedo off a 1200 Sport.

[Bobic69]

I use the odometer on my Bellagio as a fuel gauge. Look at refuelling around 300kms. The Breva has a fuel gauge so that's not an issue. Other than that, just to see how far I've travelled when touring. And as you know, a non working odometer is a possible turn off for a potential buyer.  I think it would mess with my OCD if it wasn't working but I guess it's not a big deal.

[Kiwi Dave]

I forgot to say, when my Odometer went on my Breva, the trip meters still worked fine.  No problems in knowing the distanced traveled between refueling.

[Scott of the Sahara]

Was the '08 Breva the 1200 or the 1100? I thought the 1200 was the Sport.
I have the "08 Norge and it has been a stellar machine. 38,000 Miles and no real problems to speak of.
I tried out my friend's Breva 1100 and was sold on Moto Guzzi. I decided I needed the Fairing and Hard Bags, so I went with the Norge.
in '08 it was the 2 Valve motor except on the Stelvio.

[bad Chad]

 The 1200 Breva is a two valve per cylinder it never came to the United States.   It’s exactly the same as the 1100 except for the slightly larger motor.  The dash unit is a known potential problem. They don’t all appear to fail, my 2007 still works fine but enough have to be concern, leverage on purchase.  There doesn’t seem to be a way to repair the unit.  Braves are wonderful bikes if you can get it for the right price I would do it

[BRG-BIRD]

We bought our 2009 Norge with a frozen odometer at 419,xxx miles, it had done 17,xxx miles before the odometer went bad, the trip odometers worked fine. I sent the unit off to Carmo and they “fixed” it however the next spring it went completely dead, sent it to Carmo again and it was diagnosed with a bad processor and not repairable. They did refund our money and I spent a crazy amount on a new dash that has worked perfectly.

There are a few theories about what happens, water infiltration being one. The gentleman at Carmo explained that the electronics in the dash can be a bit touchy and his theory is if the battery is let go flat and then attempt to key on and start the bike it can mess up the dash. I’m not sure if this happened but the dealer we bought it from did put a new battery in and he told me when they went to start the bike in the spring that’s when the dash acted up.

If I remember correctly when the dash was ordered the part number had changed so maybe the new dashes are better? Who knows.

I can say that when the Norge was purchased I had a Triumph Sprint ST, a direct competitor to the VFR, and the though was that the Sprint would be kept and ridden solo. 50 miles into riding the Norge home frozen odometer and all I realized the Sprint would get very few miles and sold it. You will really enjoy the Breva IMO

[alanp]

We didn't get the 1200 Breva in the states, so I am not familiar with the specifics as to how it differs from my 2008 1200 Sport, but I have to say that the 1200 Sport is an absolutely wonderful bike.  Mine has over 34,000 miles, runs perfectly, and handles amazingly well.  It is my favorite Guzzi ever. 
As already stated, the dashes were an issue, but I would simply consider it a negotiating point.  Another thing to consider, although personal preference, the seats were generally considered to be terrible.  I had my seat rebuilt by a local guy and it is good now, but the stock seat was the worst seat I ever sat on!

[bad Chad]

I disagree on the seat comment.  I have the original 07 Breva seat, and a 08 Sport seat, and though slightly different I find them both reasonably comfy.

The Cycle World review done when the Breva first came to the US, had the reviewer saying that it was the most comfortable seat ever put on a motorcycle!

To each his own.

[Huzo]

Hi mate and welcome.
e mail this bloke, he’s offered me a deal on a rollered  8V 1200 Sport with 33,000 k on the clock for my Mk 2 Le Mans, but it’s a bit hard logistically.


He’s happy to get rid of it, he wants to get into the old stuff...(bike wise.. )

[Pizza Guzzi]

Steve PM sent.

[Lovey]

Hi mate and welcome.
e mail this bloke, he’s offered me a deal on a rollered  8V 1200 Sport with 33,000 k on the clock for my Mk 2 Le Mans, but it’s a bit hard logistically.


He’s happy to get rid of it, he wants to get into the old stuff...(bike wise.. )

Thanks Huzo, I've sent you a PM.
Steve.

[Lovey]

Steve PM sent.

Thanks Pizza Guzzi, I've replied via PM.
Thanks again,
Steve.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Thanks Steve - email sent.

[Huzo]

Thanks Steve - email sent.

I’ve got the ok mate..
Check again your messages..
Huzo.

[tris]

Assuming it's a Big Breva, as far as I'm aware they were all 2V per cylinder

Re the Speedo not advancing, the sensor on the front wheel has a tendency to let in water and die

Mine played up and it took me 4 months to work out what was going on

They're not cheap, but it is possible to sort one out for a fraction of the cost using an industrial one.

Give me a shout if you need more info and I'll see if I can track down what I did

[Lovey]

Thanks Tris, hopefully it won't be anything major $$$.

[cee2cee]

Not to worry about the speedo but if you care to, you can probably find replacements on eBay.  Here is a listing for the entire instrument gauge on eBay.  As for the seat, I have a 07 Breva 750 and the seat is pretty comfortable and the ride always puts a smile on my face.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EB792-2007-07-MOTO-GUZZI-BREVA-1200-S-INSTRUMENT-GAUGE-SPEEDO-SPEEDOMETER-KM/303363113884?hash=item46a1d9c39c:g:rIIAAOSw2ZldzaWF

[Lovey]

Thanks cee2cee, but I couldn't get the link to work.
A bit of an update,with thanks to Huzo who put me in touch with a chap who is looking to sell his 1200 Sport.  I rang him today and had a chat with him. I've teed up a visit to go and check out his bike too. 
Although he lives a fair distance from me (6 hrs), he lives only 30 minutes away from the owner of the Breva, so 2 bikes to check and compare very close to each other  .

[Huzo]

I happen to have a couple of shots of the Sport.
I don’t think I’m breaking any rules of etiquette by posting them..

[Kiwi Dave]

Roller cam followers installed?  The 8V 1200 Sport was only ever released from the factory with flat tappets.

[Huzo]

Roller cam followers installed?  The 8V 1200 Sport was only ever released from the factory with flat tappets.

Yes..
Chatting with Pete today, he said he’d happily check it out.
But it does have rollers.