Moto Guzzi Breva Appreciation Thread

[BrevaIsTheName]

Ciao a tutti! I am convinced that the Breva (both in its small block and big block form) represented one of the best standards Moto Guzzi has made in the 21st century. I've been riding my 1100 around just admiring its smooth but potent engine and its drop-dead good looks. If you have a Breva, post a pic below and tell me what you like most about it!

I just put a Bikini Fairing on my 1100, which is actually jut the OEM B750 fairing with a little red paint on it 



She doesn't look too bad naked though, either:




What I love most about the big block Breva is it's ability to be both sedate and still very raw compared to the 750's smoothness. The CARC's "cush drive" (if you can call it that) makes for a very direct feel through the transmission, while the vibes are present enough to let you know you're riding a 1L V2 without being a sensory overload if you want to relax and enjoy the scenery.

The 750 is amazing, too. It has a car-like smoothness about it and the smaller motor loves to rev in a way that only a SB can. The light weight makes it a fantastic around-town bike as well.

Let's see some pics!

[DoubleGuzzi]

Mine is skulking in the back of the garage, under cover and listed for sale (at the moment).



The pic above doesn't do it justice; it's actually kinda scabby.  Not my primary machine however.

[BrevaIsTheName]

that gorgeous black hides the scab well enough for my eyes, lol. How does the 750 'Brev compare to your V7 III? I haven't actually ridden any of the "normal" small blocks yet  

[willowstreetguzziguy]

After 42 years of riding, I found this ‘08 1200 Sport in 2013. It is light on its feet, so versatile, engine is a brute, and it has amazing character. Wouldn’t trade it for anything else. After picking it up in Oklahoma and riding it back to PA, I was only on it for 2 hours and I named it the “Bull Train”

.

[DoubleGuzzi]

..this ‘08 1200 Sport ..

Is this still a Breva? 

[DoubleGuzzi]

How does the 750 'Brev compare to your V7 III?

For when you get bored/have time to kill, I do some comparisons here:
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=122408.0
One of the joys of ethanol and plastic tanks..



I note that yours is an early one, going by the paint scheme alone and AFAIK, has different gearbox ratios i.e. higher revs for a given speed. Ideally, I'd like a 2009 'final edition' with black engine.

[BrevaIsTheName]

Is this still a Breva? 

Clearly it is a Breva and therefore I get to call my B11 an "1100 Sport". I can live in delusion believing it is a track weapon while barely out-gunning a modest 650 

They really are fantastic bikes. I get the appeal of a GRiSO, but for the day-to-day, you couldn't pay me to leave my Breva and her clacky, CARC'ey goodness behind! Someone actually called it the 21st century version of the 850 T3 and I totally see it. It's a "do-everything" kind of bike that will run until the sun blows up.

[Bulldog9]

Is this still a Breva? 

YES, is the Breva 1100 with a 1200 motor, better front fork, rear suspension, fancy front rotors, different handlebars,
and some body work (seat cover/cowl and small front fairing but majority of the bike is the same as a Breva







I love my 1200 (Breva) Sport, and the Breva 750, but like the GRiSO and Norge a little more

[BrevaIsTheName]

YES, is the Breva 1100 with a 1200 motor, better front fork, rear suspension, fancy front rotors, different handlebars,
and some body work (seat cover/cowl and small front fairing but majority of the bike is the same as a Breva







I love my 1200 (Breva) Sport, and the Breva 750, but like the GRiSO and Norge a little more

Okay, now this is interesting. What's the difference between a Norge and a Breva? I had always assumed that the character of the bike was the exact same, save for the larger fairing on the Norge. How would you describe the their differences?

[Cam3512]

Is this still a Breva? 

Made only one year - 2008.  I remember them on the showroom floor in black or red.  Basically a naked Norge?

[nick949]

I never really bonded with the black Breva 1100 I had a few years ago. Then a friend offered his red one for sale at a price I couldn't resist. Now I find I'm loving it.
More than enough power for my needs. Plenty of Guzziness. Wonderful handling and brakes. A great all around bike.

Here's a recent 'Breva Love' video (Finding Contentment)

https://youtu.be/2sTU7mncxPg

Nick

[BrevaIsTheName]

Fantastic vid, Nick! your videos helped convince me to get my Breva, in fact :) I love your rides on the eldorado as well, it blows my mind how well a 50+ year old machine like that is up for the task!

[Kev m]

Made only one year - 2008.  I remember them on the showroom floor in black or red.  Basically a naked Norge?

Made multiple years, but only sold in NA for one.

The B1100 is not the same as the B1200 Sport though they are more sane than different.

There were things I really liked about my B11, like the freight train feel of the motor and chassis. It was solid and capable.

But I didn't like the plastic tank or the excessive amount of heat it put out or kept in the rider triangle.

I went to smallblocks for a better overall experience, but sometimes miss that solid push at all speeds.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Seen on feeBay yesterday.. the confusion continues: both 2008, one a Breva the other a Norge.






Due to various (even subtle) differences, I'll stick with Brevas are 750, 1100 and the elusive 850. Yet just read this on a 850 review..

The Moto Guzzi Breva comes in 3 variants: the smaller framed 750, an 850 and a new 1200 which replaces the existing 1100.

[BrevaIsTheName]

I went to smallblocks for a better overall experience, but sometimes miss that solid push at all speeds.

That's why you need both!






It's fun to have both because they are so wildly different as motorcycles. The 750 is muuch easier to live with but like others have said how can you get away from the big block power? I love them both so much and should have never bought the SB after my 1100 because they've both grown on me so quickly!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Nick,  With that wonderful video, you captured how I feel every time I set out on my 1200 Sport! And I thought I was the only one crazy enough to take my Breva 1200 on dirt roads.

[yrunvs]

On our local CL. Don't know the seller. Not promoting it.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/mcy/d/victoria-2007-moto-guzzi-breva-1100/7859764201.html

[Kev m]

That's why you need both!

Not even a little bit.

I put 15k miles on my B11 before I gave up on it.

The negatives weren't worth the positives to me.

I'm so much happier with my V7's it's not funny. The lower power level is fine. It's not like the big block was setting the world on fire anyway.

Like Kramer was king of the dojo.

[Rebochi]

   My 2008 Frankenstein 1200S with 2013 Griso Engine

[Mwether]

This may be the coolest thing I've seen in a while.

A Breva set up for solo touring with a one-off fairing, hand-laid in fiberglass; custom saddle; bags; and a frigging Weber grill of a rear rack. All designed and handmade by the owner, who was a career fabricator and is now aging out of riding at 83.

It's Norge-adjacent but SO much cooler. Noreva? Brevorge?







I've asked for current pictures/start-up video and will post if I get them.