1998 Moto Guzzi V11 EV

[philwarner]

I will be going to look at a 1998 Moto Guzzi V11 EV soon.  22K miles, small bags, windshield, Corbin seat, asking 3K.  The owner doesn't know if the relays or regulator have been changed but says it runs well.  He has owned it for 11 years but not put a lot of miles on it himself.  He has no service records.

 He sounded like a reasonable guy and said he is selling the Guzzi because at 69 he decided he should ride a Can-Am.  I am 76, 5-6, 160 pounds, and ride a 2004 Triumph America with a Corbin seat which fits me quite well, but it is set up for solo riding and I thought the Guzzi might be better for two up (if I can get my wife to try riding with me)

I need advice on what I should look for and/or ask.

[Tom]

I don't think you'll have any problems.  If it starts up right away, you're good.  Suspension might need refreshing over the oem stuff.  The relays are cheap to replace.  If they're the Siemens brand, it might be good to replace those.

[oldbike54]

 Make sure the charging system is working .

 Dusty

[Gusable]

I love mine.  I was told by two people in the guzzi industry that the 98 was one of the best bikes they ever made! I said really?? COOL!! My research affirms it many many EV’s out there with Over 100k miles.  Little issues here and there but that can be said about any motorcycle   What color is it?

[guzzisteve]

Welcome to the Forum of Forums.     If you like it, buy it, go through it, and ride it!!   My 98EV has a Corbin, nice seat.

[T4halo]

I was looking at the same bike (on-line pictures). Look like it was taken care of.

[ejs]

The Corbin saddle is high and wide. I did not like it. Fixed the original seat instead.🤔

[Kiwi_Roy]

I love mine.  I was told by two people in the guzzi industry that the 98 was one of the best bikes they ever made............... ..................

It must have been a great year for Guzzi, nearly every EV you hear about was a 98, mine was a 98 too with tubeless rims. It will probably have the large P8 ECU but there's nothing wrong with that.
22K miles, that's hardly run in and a steal at $3,000.
The tires may be due for replacement although if it's been garage kept not something I would do straight away.
Look at the condition of the paintwork and rubber parts along with the red needles and text inside the gauges, Red will fade if it's been left outside.

Don't snooze, it won't be there long.

BTW Welcome to the forum.
I should warn you, Guzzis are very addictive, you can't just have one.

Roy

[Vagrant]

I have 165000 on 2 different EV's. love them. But if it's too big for you gos buy a V7 III.

[philwarner]

I love mine.  I was told by two people in the guzzi industry that the 98 was one of the best bikes they ever made! I said really?? COOL!! My research affirms it many many EV’s out there with Over 100k miles.  Little issues here and there but that can be said about any motorcycle   What color is it?

He says it is a very dark green that looks black but can be seen as green in the sunlight.  NADA is not very kind to this year Guzzi listing $1500 as ave retail, but KBB says $2k trade-in and $3K typical listing price.  The seller was leaving on a trip last week when I called, and yesterday called to say he was back now.  Unfortunately I was gone and my wife answered the phone so the cat is out of the bag now.  I don't usually "bother" her with things I consider until I've made up my mind and try to limit her eye rolling to actual purchases.  When I bought my Triumph she wouldn't even look at for a week.  If I buy the Guzzi she will demand I buy her something of equal cost to I have to consider double the asking price.  Good thing she's still pretty cute.

T4halo,  where are you located that you saw the listing?  There was also an earlier one so it has been for sale for a couple of months and apparently ignored by the Harley crowd.  I happen to have a soft spot for the unusual and orphans myself.  It is about a 2 hour ride from me so I need a day without rain which may be awhile.

Thanks for all the replies.  This seems like an active group.  Hope I get to join in the fun myself.

[oldbike54]

 Just noticed you are in NW Arkansas , there are several of us in NE Oklahoma , SW MO , SE Kansas , and NWA . Guessing someone would volunteer to lay eyes on this bike for you .

 Dusty

 Edit , PM sent .

[philwarner]

Just noticed you are in NW Arkansas , there are several of us in NE Oklahoma , SW MO , SE Kansas , and NWA . Guessing someone would volunteer to lay eyes on this bike for you .

 Dusty

 Edit , PM sent .

Hi Phil ,

 Welcome to WG .

 Where are you located in NWA ? Mentioned in your thread there are several of us nearby , likely one of us knows the EV and its owner . Let us know if we can help , and good luck .

 Dusty

Hi Dusty,

   I am near Lost Bridge Village north of Rogers near the Arkansas/Missouri border off of Hwy 127.  The bike is north of Grove Oklahoma.  The owner's name is Don but I didn't get a last name.  One interesting thing to me is that Don measured the seat height at 31 inches ( I need to be able to touch the ground when I stop) and the stock seat height in the specs is 30 inches.  More padding in the Corbin?  I do like the Corbin on my Triumph and the one on this Guzzi looks good.

[oldbike54]

 Hmm , Don , North of Grove . Can't place him , doesn't mean we haven't met . Anyone know Don , or this bike ?

 Wait , pretty sure I have seen this bike , have you actually viewed any pictures ?

 Dusty

[philwarner]

Hmm , Don , North of Grove . Can't place him , doesn't mean we haven't met . Anyone know Don , or this bike ?

 Wait , pretty sure I have seen this bike , have you actually viewed any pictures ?

 Dusty

Photos from his listing:

[oldbike54]

 ^^^ Not the bike I saw , although that one looks familiar .

 Dusty

[normzone]

That is a VERY nice bike, and I would acquire it if I could.

However, I am of the opinion that the best year of the marque is the '99.

 

[guzzisteve]

Wow, that bike actually has orange on the gauge needles. Must not have been in the sun much.

[Vagrant]

It's a real buy because you can also sail the seven seas with that riders backrest!
that's the standard black and silver paint but the black has a flake in it that can look blue or a bit green based on light.
bet he takes $2500 cash for it.

[Gusable]

Phil we must be married to sister... I’ve had plenty of “eye rolls” when it comes to motorcycles!! lol. My 98 just came back to me after a 2 year absence.  My wife is just waiting for me to move it again but it ain’t gonna happen this time!! I learned from my mistake.  I clipped my gooses wings.  Staying here!!

[pehayes]

Wow, that bike actually has orange on the gauge needles. Must not have been in the sun much.

Yes, but the speedo needle is darker than the tach needle.  And neither gauge is mounted particularly square.  The bike does look low mileage and good care.  Just sayin'.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Kiwi_Roy]

---------- Unfortunately I was gone and my wife answered the phone so the cat is out of the bag now.  I don't usually "bother" her with things I consider until I've made up my mind and try to limit her eye rolling to actual purchases.  When I bought my Triumph she wouldn't even look at for a week.  If I buy the Guzzi she will demand I buy her something of equal cost to I have to consider double the asking price.  Good thing she's still pretty cute.
 -----------------

That's easy, "Honey I was buying it for you as a surprise"

That is a nice example, I love the tubeless rims they used on that model.

[philwarner]

OK, you guys are getting me excited despite the anticipated eye rolls and recriminations that would be  sure to follow.  Maybe I can make the trip tomorrow if the bitter half goes to church and the weather is not too bad.  Might have to take the Mini Cooper in lieu of the Triumph if it is raining.  In any case Don sounded like a nice guy and it might be worth it to meet a fellow enthusiast even if he has graduated to three wheels.  If I get to go I'll report back.

So...Standard black and silver but with a metal flake that can look green in sunlight?  and the back rest?  I believe it can be moved to the front seat which I would probably do.  I really like the back rest on my triumph's Corbin.





BTW, that's a Triumph tank bag on the rear rack - handy for gloves, locks, hats and the like.  It's on the rack because it would cover the tach and lights on the tank.

[Gusable]

Get the bike and  You’ll be in a “ special “ club for sure....🤫

[philwarner]

Bad news!  I called Don to see if he would be home today and he said he promised to hold it for a guy coming from Pennsylvania tomorrow.  He said, "I called you about it yesterday and when  didn't hear back I told him I'd hold it for him."  I told him the only message I got from my wife was that some guy called about a bike and said he was home now and she didn't indicate any urgency to call him back.  He said he hasn't seen any money yet but the Pennsylvania guy is bringing a trailer so he is sure he will buy it.

  Oh well,  Guess I won't have to see her eyes roll this time and I am only out the hours I spent researching Guzzis on the web and you guys are out the time spent answering my questions.  Nice group here and I will definitely be back if I happen across another Guzzi.

  I am reminded of the story of the man whose wife would say vague things and he'd have to play twenty questions to learn what she was trying to say, so he decided to try a different tactic. He came home one day and she said, "The men came today." so he asked, "What did you tell them dear?" And she replied, "I told them to go ahead."

[Gusable]

Well the bug has bitten you.  We’ll see you around for sure

[Vagrant]

There was a 2001 red and white low mile u it li k here a couple of weeks ago. Up east. Go get it if av. So i don't have too.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Fair warning, Phil. I see you are vertically challenged, as am I. Dorcia and I demoed a new HD&M EV when they first came out, and it was a no go for us. The boards made it tough for me to get my feet down unless I went behind them (from memory) and that interfered with her feet.

[philwarner]

Fair warning, Phil. I see you are vertically challenged, as am I. Dorcia and I demoed a new HD&M EV when they first came out, and it was a no go for us. The boards made it tough for me to get my feet down unless I went behind them (from memory) and that interfered with her feet.

Thanks for the information, Chuck,
  That's why I wanted to go try it out before I committed to purchase.  I was once 5-8 but am shorter now and I did wonder how the foot boards would affect stops and if the Corbin seat was actually higher than stock.  I guess it is a moot point now except that if I have the chance to sit on one I will know for the future.  In the mean time I am still very satisfied with my Triumph for solo riding, chain, pegs, and all.

[MAC]

Funny,I just purchased a bike and was looking for info and came across this thread. This is the bike, I purchased it from the guy from PA.

[Kiwi_Roy]

That looks like the same bike 98 EVs are a dime a dozen but that fugly seat has to be unique