Thinking of a Breva 1200

[Pizza Guzzi]

I'm thinking of adding a 2008 Breva1200 to my fleet. I'm going to look at it soon, it looks clean and tidy in pics. Seller is asking $6400 AUD, 40000km with two owners and full documented service history. Includes genuine panniers with liners, genuine tank bag and touring screen.
I know to check for molestation of the sacred screw and expect to grease swing arm bearings and links also steering head bearings too. Seller reports slight pulse in front brakes at very low speeds - disc/ pads / front tyre issue ?
Looking to use this for two up riding as it should cope better than the V7 which I intend keeping.
Any words of caution or advice on other things to be aware of greatly appreciated.

Glenn

[Kiwi Dave]

Basically a Breva 1100 with the 1200 Sport 2-valve donk.

You can research any issues these might have had. I once owned 2x Breva 1100s and still own 3x 1200 Sports and have nothing bad to say about either.

[pete roper]

Pulsing brakes are probably just tight bobbins. Usual CARC stuff needs to be addressed. Swingarm and linkage bearings. Throttlebodies, map etc.

[Bobic69]

I saw that one. Looks like a great deal.

[molly]

Assuming it's the non US Breva 1200 then it is a Norge without a fairing. Pulsing brakes on mine needed new discs due to uneven wear, change to EBC HH pads to avoid it happening again.

[Kiwi Dave]

Assuming it's the non US Breva 1200 then it is a Norge without a fairing.

Does it have ABS?

[boatdetective]

Touring screen? Is this a 1200 sport?

Ergonomics on the 1200 sport can be an issue for some in terms of reach to the bars. There were some bar risers out there,  but they are like hen's teeth to find. Aside form what you mention, I did the following:

remove tank to replace the fuel filter (the original unit tends to swell with ethanol)
Replace fule line quick disconnect fitting (factory unit is awful)
startus interruptus rewire (quick and easy)
install crash bars fwd of jugs
replace faulty immobilizer at ignition (required tearing out way more stuff than you would imagine)
install rear wheel hugger
repair fatigue cracking at fairing


Over all, it was not bad for a Guzzi. The engine is reliable and rugged enough. The CARC design is simple and rugged.  It has a very, very irritating problem with high idle. I tried everything claimed here to be a fix- but if the temperature dropped into the 50'sF, then the bike would idle close to 2,000rpm.  The dash is a serious concern. If you ride in the rain- ever- there is a good chance that it will go out. Far as I know, they now are unobtanium. Honestly- it's why I sold the bike. I didn't want to take the chance. I bought a BMW R1200R.


The 1200S was compared to the BMW R1200R when both bikes were introduced. The 1200S looks the business, but the Beemer is a better bike in every way except for looks.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Thanks for the input ! In answer to a couple of posts - the bike is not ABS equipped.
It's not a 1200 Sport it's a Breva 1200 with the Moto Guzzi accessory touring screen and panniers.
I understand the concerns around the dash but it's not enough of a worry to rule the bike out for me.
Will report back after inspecting and riding the bike ( seller is happy for me to do a test ride )

Glenn

[Bisbonian]

I've had my 2008 1200 Sport since new, close enough I'd wager.

I had pulsing brakes during the first year or so. I ended up just putting the EBC HH pads on it and have never had the problem again, no other new parts added.

I had some failed dashes, but Carmo fixed one for me and I've been good since then (and it has been years). It appears the problem was lack of proper waterproofing on the circuit board. Member Moto (pretty sure of the name) posted some good threads on waterproofing the dash yourself if you are so inclined.

And that's the extent of any issues that come to mind on mine. I've considered selling it a couple of times, probably just because I want something different, but then I go for a ride and realize this bike fits me well and I'd have to start over with the next thing. And of course it's paid for now so getting something different would just require spending money.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Just another quick question before I go to look at the bike - if I find the sacred screw has been molested is that a 100% deal breaker ?

Glenn

[Kiwi Dave]

It wouldn't be to me if it runs well.

How will you be able to tell?  Fresh nail polish on the screws can hide a multitude of sins.  But if there's any running issues, you might not realize what you are about to get into.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Fair point Dave I was relying on seeing original factory paint on the screw head but that might be unrealistic on an 11 year old bike. I'm leaning toward if it runs well that's good but if not there could be a can of worms lurking.

Glenn

[pete roper]

Fair point Dave I was relying on seeing original factory paint on the screw head but that might be unrealistic on an 11 year old bike. I'm leaning toward if it runs well that's good but if not there could be a can of worms lurking.

Glenn

Nope. That paint is fairly robust. It won't come off in a hurry even in a very hostile environment.

If it has been buggered about with? As long as the TPS hasn't been recalibrated and the linkage rod hasn't been messed with it is easy enough to bring it back to where it should be. If there is further mucking about done it gets exponentially more difficult.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Thanks Pete.

Glenn

[Bobic69]

One has popped up in Queensland for $5K.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Help please if someone can reply quickly ( Pete ?)
Just about to ride the Breva 1200 Clutch rattles like a can of marbles with the lever in, quiet when lever released.
Time to run away ?

Glenn.

[pete roper]

Nope. Twin plate clutch and very light flywheel means it will ring like a bell with the clutch engaged.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Thanks Pete. Out on a test ride now - bike seems to run ok although high idle around 2000 rpm even when engine hot. Stepper motor ?
Glenn.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Sacred screw has been messed with probably Harry hometune trying to address the high idle.....
I dunno I think it's time to walk away.
Oh yeah Service warning on dash too !

Glenn.

[Pizza Guzzi]

I dunno - just restarted the bike & idle back to 1200 rpm and Service warning gone.

Glenn

[pete roper]

Have a look at the OBD and see if there are any active or stored faults.

Sounds like it may have issues. I'd probably walk.

There seem to be a load of 8V Sports on Bikesales at the moment going cheap. Why not buy a dirt cheap one of them and rollerise it?

Pete

[Pizza Guzzi]

 By the time I read your last post Pete I'd ridden a bit more on it and quite liked it so I've ended up buying it.
Like a complete moron I didn't even think of checking for codes ... Doh !!
Anyway it is what it is and I will expect zero sympathy when I inevitably post her for help with some issue.

Glenn

[pete roper]

It'll probably be OK. Dunno whether the B12 uses a Breva code or the Sport one? Have you got Guzzidiag and a decent manometer to balance the TB's? First thing I'd do is check the TPS reading. If it's far off 4.6* I'd try adjusting the Sacred Screw so it reads 4.6 again and see if that helps it. If it doesn't you can always return it to where it was.

Pete

[Pizza Guzzi]

Thanks Pete.
I've got Guzzidiag but I've got to get a balancing tool.
When I get the bike home I'll do exactly as you advise with checking the TPS and report back.

Glenn

[pete roper]

Thanks Pete.
I've got Guzzidiag but I've got to get a balancing tool.
When I get the bike home I'll do exactly as you advise with checking the TPS and report back.

Glenn

My advice would be the Morgan Carbtune. A very good and reasonably priced tool with no nasty chemicals.

Pete

[jas67]

The dash is a serious concern. If you ride in the rain- ever- there is a good chance that it will go out. Far as I know, they now are unobtanium. Honestly- it's why I sold the bike. I didn't want to take the chance. I bought a BMW R1200R.

I sold my Breva 1100 for the same reason after having replaced the dash TWICE.   
I'm very happy with the R1200RS that I ultimately ended up with (had an F800GT in between).

[Pizza Guzzi]

My advice would be the Morgan Carbtune. A very good and reasonably priced tool with no nasty chemicals.

Pete

Funnily enough I used to have a Morgan Carbtune but it disappeared when I moved house ! Looks like it's time to replace it.
They are a good bit of kit for the money.

Glenn.

[Pizza Guzzi]

Well I finally got the Breva home - not a great pic but was raining most of the way so grabbed a quick shot between downpours when stopped for coffee.
As mentioned the sacred screw has been fiddled with however the bike ran well on the ride home, starts easily, good throttle response, tractable at low speed in traffic etc and no trace of the high idle that was evident on my initial test ride.
I've hooked up Guzzidiag and throttle reading is 4.1. I'm hoping this might indicate whoever molested the sacred screw may not have done a TPS reset but maybe that's wishful thinking. My understanding is if the stop screw was moved to any extent and a TPS reset done it would read 4.6.
Maybe someone with proper understanding could comment on this.
Sacred screw notwithstanding I'm loving the bike, makes a great companion to the V7.

Glenn

[pete roper]

Try just adjusting it back with the screw until it reads 4.6 and see what happens. Slap some gauges on it and see what the balance is like and check to see if both air bleeds are open.

Pete

[Pizza Guzzi]

Try just adjusting it back with the screw until it reads 4.6 and see what happens. Slap some gauges on it and see what the balance is like and check to see if both air bleeds are open.

Pete

Thanks Pete I'll do that as soon as I get a chance.

Glenn