I think the Breva 1100/1200 is going to ride in to history as one of the best...

[bad Chad]

I love my Red Arrow.  Its good looking, as it looks like a 1200 Sport, and it does everything well.   It's been bullet proof over the 6 years I have been flogging it.  It handles better than it should, can carry a huge load, plus my large azz, in comfort.  It will go 125 plus MPH.  Great brakes, solid linear execration, it's just a hell of a good bike.   

Down side, looks are subjective, does put out more heat than I would like when it's 90 plus out, a little top heavy, geared a tad high,( aren't most Guzzi?) but that's about it.

I'm just saying, it will do about anything asked of it, and not complain, and needs very little TLC!  I think it is one of the best do it all bikes ever made!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

solid linear execration

It poops bricks? Cool! ;-)

[AH Fan]

Hmmmm ............. I've said it before, if they could have put the 2008 1200 Sport power unit in the Norge there would be no need to have any more than one Goose for the open road.
                       Ciao.   

[ohiorider]

Hmmmm ............. I've said it before, if they could have put the 2008 1200 Sport power unit in the Norge there would be no need to have any more than one Goose for the open road.
                       Ciao.   

I ride a 2008 2v 1200 Sport.  In your opinion, is the Sport engine that much more tractable than the engine that came in the 2v Norge?  I truly enjoy the Sport, but have never ridden a 2v Norge for comparison.

I have read (probably here) that the Sport came with better suspension than the Norge of the same period.

Bob

[bad Chad]

Hmmmm ............. I've said it before, if they could have put the 2008 1200 Sport power unit in the Norge there would be no need to have any more than one Goose for the open road.
                       Ciao.   

You have said it before, why?   Because, they did.   The only  power plant difference between the 1200 sport, and the Norge at that point was a mild altercation of the map, causing one,(don't recall which) to develop power at different rpms.   The actually motors where physically 100% the same.   Perhaps you are thinking of the 8vSport, it never made it to north american shores.

[Kiwi Dave]

The only  power plant difference between the 1200 sport, and the Norge at that point was a mild altercation of the map, causing one,(don't recall which) to develop power at different rpms.

Not so sure of this, I've studied the main fuel maps for both and I recall they're identical. I believe the only difference is for the speedometer correction  (1630 vs 13044 for the Norge) because of ABS.

[AH Fan]

Well boys............ those two power units may be the same as far as interpretation goes but they sure were different in the real world to me when running the two I had.
Just loved that power delivery( smooth and linear ) as well as that trans and the way it shifted on the 2008 Sport.......... If what I was experiencing was to do with mapping,Im still all into that generation of big block.
That being said I still am loving all M/Gs up to and including the last generation 8V Norge.

Maybe I had a incorrect experience .......... anyone?

Ciao.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

My 1200 Sport hits all the right buttons for me! Love the look, sound, engine, and riding position (with lowered foot pegs). Very comfortable even with the stock bars.

Took my camping gear and rode thru PA, NY, CT, MA, and on fantastic route 100 in Vermont on my way to the national Guzzi rally in Keane, NH this past June.  From interstates to back roads to dirt roads, it did it all and I had a blast!

As far as the heat, I heard they moved the cat converter on the 1200 Sport and it must be better because it doesn't bother me. The heat/warmth from the cylinders on my shins and knees feels great below 75 degrees. And above that I don't mind it.

[ohiorider]

My 1200 Sport hits all the right buttons for me! Love the look, sound, engine, and riding position (with lowered foot pegs). Very comfortable even with the stock bars.

Took my camping gear and rode thru PA, NY, CT, MA, and on fantastic route 100 in Vermont on my way to the national Guzzi rally in Keane, NH this past June.  From interstates to back roads to dirt roads, it did it all and I had a blast!

As far as the heat, I heard they moved the cat converter on the 1200 Sport and it must be better because it doesn't bother me. The heat/warmth from the cylinders on my shins and knees feels great below 75 degrees. And above that I don't mind it.

I believe the cat converter is located in the slip-on muffler on the 1200 Sport.  I don't notice the heat Norge riders comment about, either (or maybe it's the B11 owners mentioning the heat .... don't recall.)  After owning a 1985 K100RS, I'll never complain about engine heat from my 12S, what little there is.

[ohiorider]

I love my Red Arrow.  Its good looking, as it looks like a 1200 Sport, and it does everything well.   It's been bullet proof over the 6 years I have been flogging it.  It handles better than it should, can carry a huge load, plus my large azz, in comfort.  It will go 125 plus MPH.  Great brakes, solid linear execration, it's just a hell of a good bike.   

Down side, looks are subjective, does put out more heat than I would like when it's 90 plus out, a little top heavy, geared a tad high,( aren't most Guzzi?) but that's about it.

I'm just saying, it will do about anything asked of it, and not complain, and needs very little TLC!  I think it is one of the best do it all bikes ever made!

What'd you do, Chad, add the bikini fairing and seat cowl from the 1200 Sport?  That little fairing actually does a good job, considering its small size.  I'm with you on this ..... the BNS12 may be one of the best series to come out of Mandello.

[Chuck in Indiana]

was a mild altercation

 

[lucian]

 

[bad Chad]

Yep.  It's now a 1200 sport wannabe!    I got a real good deal on the seat, cowel and fairing off a crashed  sport.

[Kev m]

Man, I will say this, my B11 felt REALLY WELL BUILT. Motor was great, frame and chassis were awesome. Felt like it would last 100 years.

I never warmed to the bodywork. If it had more classic lines I MIGHT still have it.

And in hindsight the electronics got scary (after I sold it).

And yeah, it was just too hot for me to be comfortable in the summer.

But it was in many ways a great bike.

[Dean Rose]

I couldn't stand the looks of the BIG Breva when it first came out. But when I had a chance to get one VERY CHEAP I thought that maybe I could change the look a bit to suit my taste and I like it now. It just keeps running too.

It has the Hepco/Becker bags on it now.



Dean

[Kev m]

I couldn't stand the looks of the BIG Breva when it first came out. But when I had a chance to get one VERY CHEAP I thought that maybe I could change the look a bit to suit my taste and I like it now. It just keeps running too.

Ha ha, me too (and maybe not very cheap, but a definite discount). It did grow on me, but I never loved it.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Never had a problem with heat on the B11.  I thought mine in black was beautiful and it rode great in all regards - nimble with good braking and throttle feel.  Miss it!

[canuguzzi]

The styling of the Breva make it timeless. It isn't retro but has that classic yet updated styling that sets it apart.

Few bikes have that sit in style but without the tired sitting puppy look. I saw one the other day in SF sitting next to  a Triumph of all things. A block away you could tell it was more than the typical bike in a line of bikes.

The Breva should have been kept in the lineup with engines from 500 to 1200 to fit any rider.

If there was one styling design that had legs it was the Breva, Moto Guzzi could have done so much with it, naked, dressed and anything in between via factory options and accessories.

The Breva could have been MGs way to a mass appeal ala HD and with some good dealer support backed up by the factory, the Breva could easily outsell every other Guzzi model.

Those who have a Breva are seriously fortunate.

[father guzzi obrian]

Mine was bullet proof, and did everything I wanted it too.... It was almost Japanese like in that it had no quirks and was a little lacking in character....

[bad Chad]

The Breva did have one fairly significant short coming, however, it didn't sell well at all!   Like several previous Guzzi models, it too sat on the sales floor and gathered dust.  Now that they are no more, more folks seem to appreciate what they have to offer.

[Graham UK]

I wasn't sure about the Breva 1100 until I bought one; it was a slow burn for me, but over time I grew to absolutely love it: the timeless styling, the smooth power delivery, the excellent handling - and not much to go wrong.  It seems just about the perfect bike and I really don't understand why it didn't sell well.  I recently decided to go down from two bikes to one and so I sold the Cali and just today I traded in the Breva for something which covers both bases in a way I'm happy with.  The hardest part of that was saying good-bye to the Breva.

[ohiorider]

I wasn't sure about the Breva 1100 until I bought one; it was a slow burn for me, but over time I grew to absolutely love it: the timeless styling, the smooth power delivery, the excellent handling - and not much to go wrong.  It seems just about the perfect bike and I really don't understand why it didn't sell well.  I recently decided to go down from two bikes to one and so I sold the Cali and just today I traded in the Breva for something which covers both bases in a way I'm happy with.  The hardest part of that was saying good-bye to the Breva.

Understood!

[willowstreetguzziguy]

And here I thought Ohiorider and I were the only admirers of the 1200 Sport. Started to believe it was the Rodney Dangerfield of Guzzi's... "Just doesn't get any respect!"

The Breva did have one fairly significant short coming, however, it didn't sell well at all!   Like several previous Guzzi models, it too sat on the sales floor and gathered dust.  Now that they are no more, more folks seem to appreciate what they have to offer.

The way I figure, there were six models in 2008 and when you divide ~750 imported bikes by 6 models, you get maybe 125 or less - 1200 Sports brought here that year, making it a fairly low production model from a low production manufacturer. Maybe it's the "Split Window" Corvette of Guzzis.

[tpeever]

And here I thought Ohiorider and I were the only admirers of the 1200 Sport. Started to believe it was the Rodney Dangerfield of Guzzi's... "Just doesn't get any respect!"

The way I figure, there were six models in 2008 and when you divide ~750 imported bikes by 6 models, you get maybe 125 or less - 1200 Sports brought here that year, making it a fairly low production model from a low production manufacturer. Maybe it's the "Split Window" Corvette of Guzzis.

I sure like my 1200 Sport very much and I think it will become a classic over time. It does a lot of things very well and is a great bike now that it is running Molly's awesome fuel map!! Possibly the crappiest motorcycle seat of all time but I've fixed that with a Corbin.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

black is actually the fastest color, and the 1200 Sport fairing is the hottest farkle IMHO

[molly]

A great bike the 1200 Sport 2v. Just to nail any myths the motor is identical to  the 2v Norge and both run the same map with different numbers. My custom map will suit both just fine.
Luckily the US market was spared the 8v version which had more than it's fair share of the cam problems, rather tainting the 2v Sport in the process.
I also had the 1200 2v Breva version (again not for the US) but the Sport had the extra bit of class which made it a keeper.

[bad Chad]

Funny, i have a review from Motorcyclist, or Cycle world, when the Breva first came out, and the reviewer commented on the seat being "the most comfortable seat ever made for a motorcycle."  Really!

It has been scientifically proven that the coefficient of drag of black paint is much higher then that of Corsa Red, and thus red Breva are significantly faster than any other color!

[Kiwi Dave]

Just to nail any myths the motor is identical to  the 2v Norge and both run the same map with different numbers. My custom map will suit both just fine.

Except for the speedometer correction factor, dare I suggest?

I confirm Molly's map is a great improvement compared with stock and other offerings that may hit your pocket rather hard.

[ohiorider]

You have your P-51 and ME-109.  And you have your F4U and P-47.  The 1200 Sport is no P-51, for sure.  But, to use an aircraft analogy, she may be the the Corsair or Thunderbolt of Guzzi motorcycles, IMO.



                                                    Love this big old do-it-all bike!

[tpeever]

Funny, i have a review from Motorcyclist, or Cycle world, when the Breva first came out, and the reviewer commented on the seat being "the most comfortable seat ever made for a motorcycle."  Really!

Maybe for a 150 lb Italian. Not for 215 lb me. WAY too soft and side support was another big problem. Very uncomfortable on long rides but I use my bike mostly for touring.