MG 750 Breva….touring bike?

[Perazzimx14]

ABS is a prime example: less to go wrong & no concerns about old fluid trapped in the pump during brake fluid refresh (part of maintenance). I haven't fully investigated V7 foibles yet; should the pump be activated during brake fluid change/bleeding, as with some/all Triumphs? No evap/SAI nonsense on my Breva.. blocked filter anyone? On the V7, I've already softened the spring inside the fuel cap as a first step to tank vacuum prevention, otherwise it's canister removal time.
Then there's canbus.. why, though? Unnecessary complication, with more to trip up the ECU. Greater potential to leave you stranded?

Canbus in a lot of ways is a simplification of the elecrical system where computer and a couple wires perform the same and more function over traditional home run wiring, dry contact switches, diodes, relays and fuses.  It has also proven to be reliable and durable.

[Scott Carpenter]

Done about 100,000 miles on Breva 750 - since first getting one in 2004 - my only bike in that time. I find it perfect for solo touring, which is my only type of touring. I'm 5 foot 3 though. Been all over the UK and Europe on it, commuting, scratching, moto camping, staying in places as variable as a camping barn in the Trough of Bowland and a rather posh hotel in the Ardennes......  Its not huge fun on the motorway, but they are a means to an end - the good roads, the mountains, the scenery. Its good there. Prices are pretty good for a Breva 750, as its not as loved as the V7s. But they are great bikes. The 2004s were not great cosmetically, the last ones in 2008? were much improved in that way. I only wish they had kept going with the model, and would even like a "baby V75 watercooled Breva" but thats meat mince in a pastry case in the upper atmosphere! 

Viva la Breva, Viva la Brevisti!!!!

[Kev m]

ABS is a prime example: less to go wrong & no concerns about old fluid trapped in the pump during brake fluid refresh (part of maintenance). I haven't fully investigated V7 foibles yet; should the pump be activated during brake fluid change/bleeding, as with some/all Triumphs? No evap/SAI nonsense on my Breva.. blocked filter anyone? On the V7, I've already softened the spring inside the fuel cap as a first step to tank vacuum prevention, otherwise it's canister removal time.
Then there's canbus.. why, though? Unnecessary complication, with more to trip up the ECU. Greater potential to leave you stranded?

There's a difference between flushing a brake system during maintenance using fresh fluid to push out and replace old fluid and bleeding air from a system after a repair.

Many systems might benefit from actively running the modulator during flushing but most don't require it.

Bleeding varies.

And your CANbus question is based on the same fallacy that assumes fragility that I mentioned earlier.

[jhem68]

  Bleeding the rear brake on my 2018 Milano (after installing Sato rear sets which required a pressure switch for the rear brake light) was finicky. But no worse than after putting braided lines on either my SP or Convert with the linked system. It is greatly aided in both systems to remove the caliper(s) and raise it higher than the other components in the brake system.

Actually, easier on my newer smallblock because there is only one caliper that I had to raise above the level of the pump.

 And my Breva 750 was a great light weight solo touring bike. Wonderful on the secondary roads and would do adequate work all day long on interstates if that was required.


John H


 

[Perazzimx14]

Just yesterday I flushed and bled the brakes on a buddy's 2012 R1200GS. Bleed them normally and your done or if you want to really go all out connect a GS911 or MotoScan and actuate the ABS pump depress the lever 3 times for 2 seconds  then bleed again....dun. Took about a 3/4 of a pint of brake fluid as I ran several master cylincers full through each caliper. Killed flies with a sledgehammer

[DoubleGuzzi]

I never said bleeding the brakes was difficult; just making the point that it is an added complication with ABS, compared to not having it.
 

I'll agree to disagree on the other areas, regarding complications etc.
There's also the difference in weights between the bikes but didn't think it relevant to the OP's queries. Sorry, I'm not buying into bigger is best thang. 

[Kev m]

I never said bleeding the brakes was difficult; just making the point that it is an added complication with ABS, compared to not having it.
 

I'll agree to disagree on the other areas, regarding complications etc.
There's also the difference in weights between the bikes but didn't think it relevant to the OP's queries. Sorry, I'm not buying into bigger is best thang. 

I made the point that maintenance is easier on the newer models (example you never have synchronize a single throttle body). You countered that it was more complicated (using ABS as an example). Seems silly to claim you didn't mean more difficult.

Agree to disagree all you want but it's a known fact in the industry that ice motors have gotten more and more reliable.

I didn't argue bigger is better.

None of this is meant to discourage the OP from a Breva. It's just laying out the pros and cons.

[DoubleGuzzi]

None of this is meant to discourage the OP from a Breva. It's just laying out the pros and cons.

That I can agree with. 

BTW, my comments weren't directed at a specific person. For clarity, you were meant to read between the lines: heavier/bigger bike generally is more stable on crosswind open highways - if one has the 'heft' to cope with it.

[DoubleGuzzi]

The 2004s were not great cosmetically, the last ones in 2008?

In the UK, at least there is/was a 2009 model with black engine (final transition to V7?). The private sale one that I done a short test drive on, was too much of a neglected wreck (like me!) to purchase. I envisage the black motor to be easier to maintain its looks, if nothing else.

[Moparnut72]

Canbus in a lot of ways is a simplification of the elecrical system where computer and a couple wires perform the same and more function over traditional home run wiring, dry contact switches, diodes, relays and fuses.  It has also proven to be reliable and durable.

This is like the old Commodore 64 computers. They used one wire to connect all the external devices to the computer, a couple of disc drives, printer, tape storage etc. The wire passed through each of the devices which were assigned id numbers. The computer knew which one it was talking to when the operator gave it the device number to access. Commodore called it a daisy chain but sounds like a can bus to me. When I installed an HD tachometer to my 2006 Sportster all I had to do was connect it to a keyed hot lead, ground and the can bus. Worked just fine. But I guess it would make it difficult to diagnose a problem without proper equipment like Pads. My 2006 Big Twin developed a problem where cruise and the gear indicator didn't work. The readout on the dash said faulty neutral switch and even gave a part number. It did it when it was cold, I didn't fix it as it was buried in the bowels of the bike and I traded it for my Audace anyway.
kk
kk

[DoubleGuzzi]

This is like the old Commodore 64 computers..

I remember them quite well, though purchased a cheaper Dragon 32. Didn't know the Commodore used SCSI type signalling - I likely know the system used but can't recall offhand.
I've been in IT for almost as long as they were introduced, so not averse/ignorant of electrical/electronic communications. Just saying.
Regarding the tachometer: this must be specific to HD, for the ID to be correctly recognised by the system. I have a hatred for proprietary systems, primarily in computing but also other fields. Open source and (de facto) standards please.

[Perazzimx14]

In the UK, at least there is/was a 2009 model with black engine (final transition to V7?). The private sale one that I done a short test drive on, was too much of a neglected wreck (like me!) to purchase. I envisage the black motor to be easier to maintain its looks, if nothing else.

Black engines are as easy to keep clean as black vehicles, not very!

[DoubleGuzzi]

Black engines are as easy to keep clean as black vehicles, not very!

I'm not talking about cleaning really but stone chips and lacquer loss. Easier IME, to touch up with a wee dab of black paint rather than a mismatched silver. If you can enlighten me as to how to get my scabby Breva motor looking good, without an engine-out, media blasting job, then I'm all ears, so to speak. 

Literally, goes out to wash the black Breva and car, with perhaps a refresh of the "shiny" too... I may be some time.

[Kev m]

That I can agree with. 

BTW, my comments weren't directed at a specific person. For clarity, you were meant to read between the lines: heavier/bigger bike generally is more stable on crosswind open highways - if one has the 'heft' to cope with it.

Ahhh, copy that. I was thinking how much more stable my additional mass is in a cross wind.


Oh and I like black wheels and black engines because you don't have to keep them clean. They hide layer of grease, oil, brake dust, etc where the silver counterparts always look dirty.

Black painted tins are a totally different thing.

[drdwb]

It is what you make it. People tour on Vespas and Monkeys. All depends on your expectations.

I'm 5'10 and 200+/- and IMO am borderline too big for the bike. It's a fun little bike. I bought mine for my wife, but that was a failure. I initially considered keeping it for when I am in my 70-80s

I found one that had developed “problems” that 3 guzzi shops couldn’t diagnose or fix, I then spent the better part of 4 months going through it and found and fixed a loose connection on the left side fuel injector which fixed everything I then spent sometime tweaking it for my wife. I put a set of Hepco bags, a center stand, and a small Vetter Quicksilver fairing on it, and a set of bar backs to allow riding more upright. After all that I found the bike a real hot rod, and often found myself quite a bit above posted speed limits,without even realizing it, it is a blast to ride.

However, after a couple 500 mile weekend end runs, my dear wife informed me she would no longer tour on it,and went back to her 2004 Stone / California because it was so much more comfortable. She is 5’8” and probably 150-60 lbs. she will occasionally ride it for our Saturday morning runs for breakfast, usually under 120 miles round trip.
I’ve kept it cus it’s such a hoot to ride such a lite sport bike compared to my 03 EV and 07 Norge. I actually ride it more than she does. Now at age 70 I too am wondering about how long I’ll be physically capable of handling the weight of the Norge, maybe another 3-5 years. The EV now has a side car attached, so I should be good for a long time there. The fairing was removed and replaced with a Plexifairing because she found the turbulence behind the Vetter very annoying.

I too am now considering letting the Baby Breva go to someone who will really use it.

[hzbloke]

Wondering how a 2004 Breva would work as a tourer, I’m almost 6’ and 210#?
Any known issues with the early models? Rarely see any running around…..

I'm pretty much the same build as you. I bought a 2008 Breva 750 in 2016. It had about 10,000km on it. I had the seat re-covered and made a couple of inches higher and that's the only alteration I've made to allow for my height. I took the screen off because I never found a height at which it did anything but cause unpleasant buffeting. I've now done a bit over 100,000km on it. Many long, multi-day trips (I don't camp) and lots and lots of 300 to 400km day trips. I still find it comfortable.

It's only let me down once: the connector between the alternator and the regulator melted (a known issue). I had some seals replaced in the engine and gearbox but otherwise it is entirely original. I do all my own maintenance.

It may not be of much interest to you but a friend liked mine so much he bought one for himself. He may be 5ft tall on a good day. He got a lower seat, and lowered everything else he could and is very, very pleased.

[DoubleGuzzi]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/moto-guzzi-motorbikes/moto-guzzi-breva-750-touring-bike-hpi-clear/1493977322

[vxn750]

I recently purchased an ‘04 Breva 750 that was listed here on the forum. I did a fly-n-ride from TX to FL to pick it up. Took the long way home down to the Keys and up again. I mostly camped and stayed with Bunk-a-Biker folks twice on my ride back to TX,

The bike was equipped with side cases, top case, windshield, heated grips and bar risers. It had been lowered in the rear with aftermarket shocks and the front forks were lowered in the triple tree. The previous owner was shorter than me, I’m 5’4”. This is my second Breva 750 and I absolutely love it.

I do consider it a perfect touring bike, but that’s coming from someone who toured on an ‘09 Triumph Street Triple all over the Western US and down into Baja Mexico. Longest trip being 3k miles. It was also my daily commuter in Southern California.

My first Guzzi was a 2003 V11 Le Mans Rosso Corsa that I got fly-n-ride to Vancouver Canada. I took that bike on a 12k mile trip around the US and into Canada ten years ago. I had a 2013 V7 Stone that I enjoyed, but it felt too “refined” compared to the V11, so I ended up selling to my brother.

My modified Baby Breva is a great fit for me. At your height, it’s hard to tell but most likely you may feel cramped without modification.. Have you considered the Breva 1100 or Norge?