Noob 1200 Breva/Sport

[Lovey]

G'day all,
I've got two bikes (a Breva 1200 2V & a 1200 Sport 4V) to check out next weekend. 
I understand that all makes and models have their peculiarities, quirks and problems, but is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for with these two models?

I know that the Breva has an odometer that won't change, and the Sport has been rollerised.

Can you give me a complete nooby/gumbies guide to Guzzi buying please?
Many thanks again for your help,
Steve

[Huzo]

Not going anywhere near Central NSW perchance...?

[Travlr]

When riding you might compare the motors.  Many of us here prefer the 2V motor.  A long, flat torque curve vs the 2 step power of the 4V.  But either way, the best bike Guzzi has made in many years.  Love mine.

Mike

[Mackers]

I would check that each bike has two keys, or I would want the owner's personal code and I would check that it worked.  If you have two keys you can change the code.  If you have one key and the code, you can program more keys.

[Lovey]

Not going anywhere near Central NSW perchance...?

Certainly am, this weekend.
Thanks again for the heads up.

[Lovey]

When riding you might compare the motors.  Many of us here prefer the 2V motor.  A long, flat torque curve vs the 2 step power of the 4V.  But either way, the best bike Guzzi has made in many years.  Love mine.

Mike

Thanks Mike
The 'two step' power is not something I've heard of n relation to the MG before, but I'm definitely used to it with the VTEC on my VFR.

[Lovey]

I would check that each bike has two keys, or I would want the owner's personal code and I would check that it worked.  If you have two keys you can change the code.  If you have one key and the code, you can program more keys.

If I get both keys with the bike, do I need to do anything else in relation to codes/keys?

[moto]

G'day all,
I've got two bikes (a Breva 1200 2V & a 1200 Sport 4V) to check out next weekend. 
I understand that all makes and models have their peculiarities, quirks and problems, but is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for with these two models?

I know that the Breva has an odometer that won't change, and the Sport has been rollerised.

Can you give me a complete nooby/gumbies guide to Guzzi buying please?
Many thanks again for your help,
Steve

The odometer problem might be a sign of a coming complete dashboard failure. New, these cost US$691 and up (today at af1racing.com), depending on the exact model, if you can get the exact model. Used, there are some pitfalls to watch out for. It is impractical to substitute a generic dash since it is deeply integrated with the electronics. You might search for "Breva dash" on this board.

You should use this information when negotiating a price.

Dash failures seem to be rare in Australia, probably because of aridity, so I wouldn't be too worried about this on the other bike if it is not showing symptoms. It wouldn't hurt to ask about dash problems.

One other thing to worry about is whether the rear shock linkage and swing arm bearings have been serviced, since the factory typically didn't sufficiently grease them. But this not expensive to rectify if you do the work yourself, and should not be a deal breaker.

Moto

P.S. Welcome to the board! Those are both great bikes, bulletproof in most respects.

[Mackers]

With two keys, you're all systems go.  You can then set your own code or change it back to 00000.  Check that both keys work.

Ref the stuck odometer: you could try disconnecting the battery, turning the key "ON" and leaving it overnight. When you reconnect and it boots up, it may start working again.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Just my 2c in Aus $ of course.
Both bikes will of course have a dry clutch - I believe the Breva is a twin plate and the 1200 Sport has a single plate clutch.
With the lever pulled in on my Breva1200 at idle there is a heinous rattle emitted ( perfectly normal ).
With my 4 valve per cylinder 1200 Sport I don't recall any clutch noise at all.

[Lovey]

The odometer problem might be a sign of a coming complete dashboard failure. New, these cost US$691 and up (today at af1racing.com), depending on the exact model, if you can get the exact model. Used, there are some pitfalls to watch out for. It is impractical to substitute a generic dash since it is deeply integrated with the electronics. You might search for "Breva dash" on this board.

You should use this information when negotiating a price.

Dash failures seem to be rare in Australia, probably because of aridity, so I wouldn't be too worried about this on the other bike if it is not showing symptoms. It wouldn't hurt to ask about dash problems.

One other thing to worry about is whether the rear shock linkage and swing arm bearings have been serviced, since the factory typically didn't sufficiently grease them. But this not expensive to rectify if you do the work yourself, and should not be a deal breaker.

Moto

P.S. Welcome to the board! Those are both great bikes, bulletproof in most respects.

Thanks so much for the welcome and the detailed reply, that's great information to know.

[Lovey]

With two keys, you're all systems go.  You can then set your own code or change it back to 00000.  Check that both keys work.

Ref the stuck odometer: you could try disconnecting the battery, turning the key "ON" and leaving it overnight. When you reconnect and it boots up, it may start working again.

Thanks for the detailed information Mackers, I really appreciate it.

[Lovey]

Just my 2c in Aus $ of course.
Both bikes will of course have a dry clutch - I believe the Breva is a twin plate and the 1200 Sport has a single plate clutch.
With the lever pulled in on my Breva1200 at idle there is a heinous rattle emitted ( perfectly normal ).
With my 4 valve per cylinder 1200 Sport I don't recall any clutch noise at all.

Thanks so much Glenn, that's great info to know.

[Thunderbutt]

I bought a 2008 Sport early last year doing a 700 mile fly and ride.  Having previously owned an 08 Norge I generally had an idea what to expect.  The Breva Sport did not disappoint.   Plenty of power for the interstate and handled on rails thru the twisty mountain roads.
My only complaint was the wind buffeting at my helmet while on the interstate.  I have since added a taller wind deflector which cured that problem.  I have also added a set of hard bags in the event I take longer trips.
Ref the speedo/dash,  the dash had been replaced @22,000 miles by the previous owner.  No problems since i have owned the bike.

[Lovey]

That's a gorgeous looking bike Thunderbutt.
I test ride the Breva (2V 1200) today, super comfy and very torquey low down. The owner didn't know if the swing arm bearing had been done, and he only has one key, but he's looking for the other one as he recently moved house and it might be packed away. The only 'worrying' thing was that during the test ride I was playing with the 'mode button' and the clock went back to zero. I don't know if that's a sign of bad things to come, or just a temporary glitch.
Anyhoo, I'm off to test the Sport (4V 1200) tomorrow.
Thanks again for your help.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Steve what did you think of the 1200 Sport ?

Glenn

[Lovey]

G'day Glenn,
I took the Sport out on Sunday morning and loved it.  To be honest, I couldn't really feel much of a difference between the 2V and 4V, admittedly they were only short rides though.
I ended up buying the Sport and I trailered it home that day.  Here's a couple of pics.








Thanks again for everyone's help with my noob questions, I really appreciate it.
Take it easy,
Steve

[Huzo]

G'day Glenn,
I took the Sport out on Sunday morning and loved it.  To be honest, I couldn't really feel much of a difference between the 2V and 4V, admittedly they were only short rides though.
I ended up buying the Sport and I trailered it home that day.  Here's a couple of pics.








Thanks again for everyone's help with my noob questions, I really appreciate it.
Take it easy,
Steve

I’m heading off tomorrow for a 4 day jaunt on the V85.
Wonder if I’d be welcome to drop in for a look...?
My cell# is 0437070946
Peter.

[Lovey]

I'll PM you.

[Bobic69]

Congrats mate. Hope to see you out and about on the South Coast. I'm riding the Bellagio down to Mollymook for the long weekend.

[Lovey]

Congrats mate. Hope to see you out and about on the South Coast. I'm riding the Bellagio down to Mollymook for the long weekend.

Thanks Bob,
I haven't got it registered yet, I'm trying to get a blue slip organised and unfortunately I'm working over the long weekend 
Hopefully I'll see you around the traps,
Steve.

[BRG-BIRD]

Nice sport, congratulations!