New To Me Breva 750

[stuv65]

At last bought myself a Breva 750.  First ride today - 73 miles around the hills and thought you might like to hear my first impressions of the bike.

I usually ride a Lario and a V65 dressed as a Monza, so will compare the Breva to those bikes.

The Breva has a very comfy seat, softer suspension and handles just a little better.  The front brake needs a good squeeze for it to bite anywhere as well as my other bikes.  It ticks over a little high (1,200 rpm) or maybe I've just got the others set too low.  It prefers a few more revs to pull away but then picks up quickly, more like the 4 valve Lario than the 2 valve V65.

Good power band in 5th gear between 50 - 80 mph but then starts to run out of grunt.  The bike is totally standard but the pipes still produce a muted but pleasant grumble.  It starts without choke but either needs to be warmed up or have the choke on to be ridden away. 

It really could do with a 6th gear for high speed cruising.  70mph in 5th gear is fine but pushing over 80mph would get a little wearing for long periods.  There's not much wind protection from that little fly screen.

The fuel injection is pretty smooth but not 100% on the button - you can still feel like its hunting on the odd occasion.  The bike started very easily from hot or cold. The clutch is light and so is the throttle.  The gearbox didn't feel much better than my other bikes, in fact, there doesn't seem to be much of a gap between 1st & 2nd.  Finding neutral isn't a problem but the neutral light can come on and the bike can still be in gear.

The rear brake needs a heavy foot to be effective, but again, I'm used to the old linked braking system.

What did strike me is that the footpegs seem to be set back.  More like the Lario than the V65.  It wasn't uncomfortable I just wasn't expecting it from an upright riding position.  I might try some lower handlebars at some point.  They standard ones suit the bike but slightly lower may feel more normal with the slightly set back footpegs.

Mucho fun was had - I will probably now sell my KLR and keep the 3 Guzzi's (or just get a bigger shed).

I forgot to say - it's a cool looking bike :-)

ta
stuart

[Kev m]

Fun little bike. It was the first smallblock that ever tempted me. Enjoy.

[steven c]

 I had one for a while it was very fun bike that has seemed to have been forgotten.

[Hugh Straub]

I've had my 2006 750 Breva for about five years.  I had engine stumbling issues which stymied me for a long time, until I realized the throttle position indicator was faulty.  Once replaced the bike became a jewel...far and away my all time favorite.  If you have issues, feel free to chat.

Kind regards

Hugh

[SLDMRossi]

One just came my way, as well. It's the right size, powerful enough, fun to ride, easy to push around the garage and has quite a nice look about it. Certainly, a 6th gear would be nice.

Yes, people seem to have forgotten about them, particularly with all the V7 attention. And...they're priced right. The 2004's were a little soft, but the improved 2007/8 range got a bit crisper and more precise. And if you come across one with hard bags, it can't be beat!

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT

[hzbloke]

I've had my 2008 Breva for about 3 years and have done about 70,000km. I recently bought a new, somewhat bigger bike but will be keeping the Breva because it is just too much fun. With a topbox and panniers it is fine for everything from doing the shopping to touring.

My TPS also was also failing. There's a previous thread about the Harley one that is identical and much cheaper. I recently replaced my front pads with EBC-FAZ44HH ones and it transformed the braking. I wish I had of done it years ago.

Happy riding.

[severely]

I just purchased an 04 Breva 750 in August, has 4k miles since. I also have a Stelvio and an Ambassador in the garage. I really like the Breva, a modern day Ambassador, changed the brake pads, installed GW 1200 footpegs and a windshield and it's now my go to ride locally. I reset the TPS, synched the TB's at speed AND idle and I have it running as smoothly as anything I've ridden. Good luck.