school me on the sport 1100

[harrytief]

I am turning seventy some time soon and there are still inappropriate bikes on my bucket list. Two are the griso and the sport 1100. I've ridden the griso and loved it but know very little about the sport 1100. I see sport 1100's come up here often enough but don't know enough to choose between the later bikes with the fuel injection and the usd fork or the earlier bikes. I would love to see a comparison of the two from owners of both. The griso (love it in red for 2016) strikes me as the circle closed for the sport 1100 and getting one is just a short drive down to the store. Do I wait for a primo sport 1100  (like the blue on WG currently) to present itself or think griso. Will someone who has owned both try a comparison of the sport 1100 and the griso.
Now back to pulling the clutch out of the cx100...
Thanks
Harry

[Chuck in Indiana]

Depends on what you want. The Grease O is much more refined, and a "better" motorcycle. That said, the Kid is selling his big G and keeping the spot.
The Spineys are the last of the *real* Guzzis.   

[fotoguzzi]

Sport has the clunky 5 speed, Griso the smooth as butter 6 speed.. plus you need gorilla arms to reach the bars on the Sport.

for me there's no real comparison- get a Griso.

[Dilliw]

I've only tooted around on a Spine but I rode the Griso about 300 miles the other day then hopped on my EV for a while.  Holy shite Batman!  The Griso is a completely different animal in terms of motor and transmission.  It's crack for Guzzi addicts 

[rocker59]

58- inch wheelbase on the Sport 1100.  62-inch wheelbase on the GRiSO.

Clip-ons for the Sport 1100, and not much room for height adjustment.  Tubular bars on the GRiSO.

Sport 1100 is a 1980s-tech Italian racebike built for the street in the 1990s.  There's no mistaking the link to the racetrack when you ride one.

GRiSO is a 21st Century standard roadster with a relaxed wheelbase and seating position.

I've owned a total of seven Guzzis.  My first was the 1996 Sport 1100, which remains in my garage.  It's an awesome, elemental Italian sportsbike.  Definitely not for everyone.  Really only right for a few.  You will have to be willing to adapt to the Sport 1100 to become comfortable and confident on it.  If not, then you will be disappointed.

I rode my Sport 1100 in the Colorado Classic 1000 last year.  It was great fun.  I know only a handful of people who would agree.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I rode my Sport 1100 in the Colorado Classic 1000 last year.  It was great fun.  I know only a handful of people who would agree.

Count me in. The Sport is great out on the road. Not so much in town..

[tazio]

You must have a very well cared for body to be considering an 1100 sport. Lol
Totally committed riding position (think Duc 916), but a most beautiful bike!
Did a SaddleSore1000 on my 1997 Sport i "just because". Most of the time bike is a constant
reminder of MY physical thresholds of pain, except on those glorious rare occasions (think fast sweepers). Body parts replacement will make you cry..
That said, it is a true BLB (Bucket List Bike) Lifes Short!!
I only have 300 on my new Griso, I just feel faster and smoother on it.With less effort.
It fits me, it suits me.
In your shoes, "I" would get the sport!!
In the fastest yellow color, of course!!

[yogidozer]

Yeah it's a reach to the clip ons. Don't really notice it much at speed. Seat is surprisingly comfortable.
Not an "around town" bike for sure.

[Trogladyte]

Griso is a much more practical day to day bike. The 1100 is a force of nature, and only really feels right for me on fast curvy roads. And you need to be flexible, fit and slightly mad to deal with the sheer sporting commitment of the thing.

Having said that, I'm planning to put clip-ons on my Griso...

[Nic in Western NYS]

I am turning seventy some time soon and there are still inappropriate bikes on my bucket list. Two are the griso and the sport 1100. I've ridden the griso and loved it but know very little about the sport 1100. I see sport 1100's come up here often enough but don't know enough to choose between the later bikes with the fuel injection and the usd fork or the earlier bikes. I would love to see a comparison of the two from owners of both. The griso (love it in red for 2016) strikes me as the circle closed for the sport 1100 and getting one is just a short drive down to the store. Do I wait for a primo sport 1100  (like the blue on WG currently) to present itself or think griso. Will someone who has owned both try a comparison of the sport 1100 and the griso.
Now back to pulling the clutch out of the cx100...
Thanks
Harry

Any 70 year old on a Sport 1100 is badass by definition.

[rocker59]

The thread needs pics.

My Sport 1100 has been from Sea Level in Mississippi, to 14,114 at Pikes Peak.  Alabama to Utah, Mississipipi to Illinois, and most States in between.  It's worn soft luggage, a Givi top case, it's been used as a commuter, as a track day mount, and for long distance riding.  It's a super fine motorcycle.

Through all that, the bike has kept it's stock seat, stock pegs, and stock clip-ons, though I did try Heli-Bars for a bit, before returning to stock.  I've upgraded the front brakes, the carbs, and the exhaust.  The Staintune exhaust REALLY made a difference.  The Keihin FCR41 carbs REALLY improved the riding experience.  The bike dynos in the mid-80s and returns fuel economy in the mid-40s.

19-years of ownership:

Departing Cripple Creek for Denver, and the start of the 2015 CC1000.


Atop Pikes Peak, a couple days after the 2015 CC1000.


Lunch Ride to Buffalo River.  2013.


Watching Boxley Valley Elk after a Withrow Springs campout.  2012.


Wringing it out at Barber's in Birmingham. 2005.


Hallett Oklahoma.  2004.


Monticello Utah.  1999.

[arveno]

The 1100 sport , it is just a beauty .( imho )
no matter what .
I could look at it all day long....
I personally like the simplicity of the carbed model .

Look at this beauty.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcd/5458738717.html

[Trogladyte]

Amazing pics

Awesome. Great to see it on track! Just awesome.

[rocker59]

Do I wait for a primo sport 1100  (like the blue on WG currently) 

Which blue one?  Has someone listed a blue Sport 1100 for sale?  I haven't seen it...

[arveno]

Which blue one?  Has someone listed a blue Sport 1100 for sale?  I haven't seen it...

On the Classifieds MGNO

[rocker59]

Awesome. Great to see it on track! Just awesome.

Another Barber's pic


Another Hallett pic

[Devildog]

Rocker59 has given you great advice...I just want to emphasize the importance of fitness, the Sport is demanding and gets tiring after 5-6 hrs or even less time on challenging roads, but much more fun than my old BMW R1100R.

[arveno]

may i suggest you a Le mans 1000 ?
Powerful engine , simple machine , less tiring riding position .

Have you already owned one ? of le mans ? ( in that case , disregard this post. )

btw the blue 1100 sport is gorgeous .

[Aaron D.]

Sport 1100 is a snorting crazy machine. The handling really only makes sense at speeds that will get you a ticket. Touring can e done but you have to have the attitude that it will be uncomfortable after 500 miles.

[Greenman]

I've got one, they're mad, make no sense in the modern world, only understand being ridden hard. and will make you young again.
Everyone should have one.

[oldbike54]

Any 70 year old on a Sport 1100 is badass by definition.

 We would say he is about 1/2 bulldog here in Oklahoma 

 Dusty
 

[radguzzi]

I am in the process of putting the '97 back on the road. 

It was put in long term storage a few years ago, the clutch rod was one of the batch that had a soft tip and needed to be replaced,  I was not up to it then so I put it away and just a few weeks ago pulled it back out to get going on it again.

She will also receive new paint, I have neat Verlicchi multi adjustable bars to go on it, the PO had installed Centauro controls and those will stay...

The Sporti is absolutely visceral in it's power delivery and I love the roar of even the stock cans however, I cannot ride it for very long...

Like I told one of my colleagues just today, I am not old, I am chronologically mature... LOL

If I never did ride it again, I love to just look at it...  gorgeous machine.

Best,
Rob

[didge]

I am turning seventy some time soon and there are still inappropriate bikes on my bucket list. Two are the griso and the sport 1100. I've ridden the griso and loved it but know very little about the sport 1100. I see sport 1100's come up here often enough but don't know enough to choose between the later bikes with the fuel injection and the usd fork or the earlier bikes. I would love to see a comparison of the two from owners of both. The griso (love it in red for 2016) strikes me as the circle closed for the sport 1100 and getting one is just a short drive down to the store. Do I wait for a primo sport 1100  (like the blue on WG currently) to present itself or think griso. Will someone who has owned both try a comparison of the sport 1100 and the griso.
Now back to pulling the clutch out of the cx100...
Thanks
Harry

Gidday Harry,
I have a 97 Sport 1100, really not suitable for town work, but get her on the open road and magic happens! As many have said, the seating position is a bit of a stretch but sitting fwd on the seat helps, I love mine puts a smile on my face every time I "throw a leg over her"!;-)
Flexible hips and knees are the go for this girl and good core strength! If you have these abilities then you should be ok, they are not the most comfortable! For me it's a real pleasure to ride through twisty mountain roads!
Try to ride one if you can before committing! As, I agree they are not for everyone.
Good Luck & Cheers!
PS I am 5'10" 86kg and good flexibility for my age (58) (LOL)!!!!

[BMWDavid]

May I suggest a V11 LeMans? A bit better riding position than a Sport due to the bars mounted above the triple clamps. Still a spiny and plenty of character. I'm 61 and have two of these bikes. Got into the Moto Guzzi's last year. Should have done this years ago.

[keener]

Quick Question , how similar/different are the engines   1100 Griso ,....Sport 1100

thanks

[Chuck in Indiana]

Gidday Harry,
I have a 97 Sport 1100, really not suitable for town work, but get her on the open road and magic happens! As many have said, the seating position is a bit of a stretch but sitting fwd on the seat helps, I love mine puts a smile on my face every time I "throw a leg over her"!;-)
Flexible hips and knees are the go for this girl and good core strength! If you have these abilities then you should be ok, they are not the most comfortable! For me it's a real pleasure to ride through twisty mountain roads!
Try to ride one if you can before committing! As, I agree they are not for everyone.
Good Luck & Cheers!
PS I am 5'10" 86kg and good flexibility for my age (58) (LOL)!!!!

Welcome to WG, and you are absolutely right. I was really bummed when I was a mere youth in my 60s and had a problem riding sport bikes. I thought I was in pretty good shape for my age.. a personal trainer thought otherwise. What doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger..  He said my core strength sucked, we'd work on that, and I was back on sport bikes in no time. I can now ride the Aero Lario or the Mighty Scura all day without an issue.
 

[rocker59]

Quick Question , how similar/different are the engines   1100 Griso ,....Sport 1100

thanks

Well, they're both Moto Guzzi V-Twins...  I don't think much interchanges, though... 

The Griso makes more power, but the Sport 1100 is in a pretty high state of tune, so runs nicely.  Especially with a little carb and exhaust work.  The USA bikes were pretty corked up.

[Aaron D.]

Welcome to WG, and you are absolutely right. I was really bummed when I was a mere youth in my 60s and had a problem riding sport bikes. I thought I was in pretty good shape for my age.. a personal trainer thought otherwise. What doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger..  He said my core strength sucked, we'd work on that, and I was back on sport bikes in no time. I can now ride the Aero Lario or the Mighty Scura all day without an issue.

Every ride, I have no weight on my arms as I start out, and if the ride is a few hundred mile I have all my weight on my arms at the end!

[ponti_33609]

Which blue one?  Has someone listed a blue Sport 1100 for sale?  I haven't seen it...

It is pretty nice looking to me.  Not a bad price for a model that is on the rise.

[rocker59]

It is pretty nice looking to me.  Not a bad price for a model that is on the rise.

Youse guys are killing me. How's about a link to this blue bike?