school me on the sport 1100

[Murray]

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

Turns like a truck and stops like a cartoon character on a banana peel.

The latter sports had much lighter wheels and a much better front suspension, there is also now the knowledge to sort the injection. Having said that I have the carbed version but they really need FCRs and a exhaust to sort them out some money thrown at the suspension and brakes also helps no end. I've ridden a 2valve griso yes the gearbox is a bit slicker but other than that was completely underwhelmed. I'm not sure what Guzzi did to the motor less compression milder cam smaller valves heavier flywheel, whatever it was the motor lacked the bite of the 1100 sports and its not like the sport is a fire breather to begin with. The half fairing on the sport is also pretty effective where as the griso at elevated speeds you'll be doing your very best impersonation of a wind sock Supposedly the carbed versions were the meanest edition of the 2valve motor ever made emissions and noise regs caught up with it after than although we are talking single digit percentages here. My understanding is the sport is quiet a bit lighter than the Griso to boot. Ride them both buy the one to like the most.

The other complication to throw in is the V11 Lemans offers good wind protection and middle ground between the sport and the Griso might be worth checking out.

[ponti_33609]

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

http://www.mgnoc.com/classifieds.html

2nd or 3rd listing down

[Dean Rose]

http://www.mgnoc.com/classifieds.html

2nd or 3rd listing down

[rocker59]

Thanks Ponti and Dean.  I was looking around here on WG and neglected to check MGNOC.

[flip]

The red is pretty...the yellow is sexy... but the blue, the blue is too gorgeous to be an inanimate object.


[/quote]

[cruzziguzzi]

A thought.

Not knowing the testicular encumberation of a Griso but well aware of that of the Sports.

Maybe a practical difference is in nard displacement?

Those Sports are swimmer killers.

Me? I have just enough inseam to be OK but I've seen folk struggle mightily for their love of the Sports. It's really not too comely a sight.


Todd.

[Roebling3]

+1 Greenman.  I've not owned a Sport, but have wanted one for years. I know it will be as comfy as the Daytona, with the same; Nobody passes me attitude. Full face grins in your full face helmet. Funny how I can do a 400 mile day on the Daytona w/ 10+ years on you. Question: Do you have a rowing machine? BTW. Getting the side stand down has always been big trouble.
   Good fortune,  R3~

[Vince in Milwaukee]

My friend has the carb version of the Sport 1100, 1996(?).  Anyhow, I love this thing for the raw, uncompromising brute that it is.  I used to call it Moto Guzzi's version of Kawasaki's ZX11 back in the day.  Pulls like a freight train (comparable to a Buell S1 White Lightning), and easily goes past 100mph with no effort.  Comfort wise, it's not!  Even as a young man in my early 30s, I had no desire to ride the thing a long distance and this was after having had my LM3 for years with clip ons.  Even though I've never been fortunate enough to ride a Griso, it sounds like from what others here are saying, that it's the way to go. 

[Murray]

BTW. Getting the side stand down has always been big trouble.
   Good fortune,  R3~

While sitting on the bike reach down with your left hand and extend the stand.

[rocker59]

Deploying sidestand.

For the longest time, I got off of the bike, then deployed the sidestand with my right foot.

Then, I picked up a V11 Sport/Lemans side stand with the wire handle on it.  Now I can deploy the sidestand while seated.

Many people replaced the pivot bolt to disable the auto retract function, but I never did.

I got used to the auto retract, though I always have to warn people who might be tempted to sit on it!  I use a bungee from the sidestand to the brake rotor, when the bike is left unattended in public places.  A trick I picked up from a Bimota friend who learned the hard way...

[arveno]

Deploying sidestand.
 I got off of the bike, then deployed the sidestand with my right foot.

I always thought this is the way to do it , no matter the motorcycle. ( and it is what i have been doing it )
I only seen Harley guys deploying it while being seated....LOL that is funny as hell to me....

[Tom]

I've used the left hand while seated.  Definitely got rid of the pivot pin and stopped the auto-retract.  I'm 5'8".  Reaching the handle bars not a problem but you have to ride differently than a LeMans V11.  A tank bag helps.

[yogidozer]

yeah, that auto retract is crazy. WTH were they thinking?

[Tom]

Cheap safety feature.  Most riders start a bike up after getting upright.

[rocker59]

yeah, that auto retract is crazy. WTH were they thinking?

a "safety" law was enacted that a motorcycle should not be able to run in gear with side deployed.  Late 80s / Early 90s law.

Instead of adding a side stand switch interlock, most Italian OEMs did the spring-loaded suicide stand.

Easy way to comply with the law without adding electrical complication to the bike.

Guzzi, Ducati, even Bimota had bikes so equipped, until in the late 90s the makers began doing the side stand switch that wouldn't allow the bike to run in gear with the stand deployed.

[cruzziguzzi]

I fortunately never found a need to deploy mine with my hand but I did learn to not lean it onto the stand till I was full off.

That "safety" return spring knob lasted something like a week for me.


Todd.

[Murray]

My biggest problem with the auto retract is my other road bike doesn't do it. In gear let clutch out motor stops.

[Howard R]

After dropping the bike a couple of times trying to deploy the stand, I changed out the bolt so that it no longer retracts.  I have never felt comfortable stepping off of a motorcycle that was not already "standing" on its own.

Gratuitous pic:

And, everyone says it's completely impossible to tour on one.  (Especially if you are old, fat, and ugly.)

[Aaron D.]

I have no trouble deploying the stand while seated. I do it every time.

I have no auto-retract. Also our 2015 Indians have no side stand interlock.

[voncrump]

64 years old, 70kgs 5 ft 6  and a bit. I call my 1100 sport the exercise machine. I have been riding motor cycles for over 50 years and this contraption has taken me to a new level of motor cycle pleasure. Track days, sport riding, touring, rallies,Sunday rides and also its not really that bad around town, just stick it in second and chaff along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg3-5tYAVSo






I dont know how these bikes have slipped through the classic cracks but they are very enjoyable to ride. I have to reach forward and deploy the side stand by hand while I am seated on the bike, no auto retract on mine.

Cheers, voncrump

[keener]

 Great vid Voncrump
and nice smooth riding  ..nice to hear that Guzzi roar ...

[blackcat]

Sport has the clunky 5 speed,

I actually prefer the 5 speed on the Daytona.

[Scud]

Sidestands: the ones on the V11 sports with the wire loop are super-easy. Most of my street bikes have been easy to set on the stand and then dismount. But it's not a worry to dismount first and then deploy the stand - maybe dirt bikes have gotten me used to that.

1100 Sports - yummy. Thanks for the photos, especially the blue one. If one were to be available nearby at the same as I had some cash in pocket, it would extremely hard to resist...

To the OP: one of the "special edition" V11 sports with Ohlins suspension might be worth looking at: Scura (if flywheel issue already addressed), Rosso Corsa, Nero Corsa, Cafe Sport. All the V11 sports have the wonderful 6-speed tranny.

[rocker59]

I actually prefer the 5 speed on the Daytona.

Yeah.  And, I don't mind it on the Sport 1100.

The bikes are geared pretty tall and don't require a lot of shifting.

[guzziboy66]

I own both.
The GRiSO is faster, more comfortable and smoother.  It just is.  It's by far a better bike than the Sport.

That said...

The SPOrT is WAY more rewarding to ride fast.  I had the baby brother of the 916 - a 748 and it was a scalpel compared to the SPOrT, which is akin to a broadsword.

But take that Broadsword and perform a castration on a bull without dying - well now you're an artist...


Eric

[malik]

I've only ridden the 87v Griso some 500km, great power, great handling & I can understand the addiction of others, but not nearly as "exciting" as the Sport. The Sport is more satisfying to look at, more satisfying to sit on at rest, more satisfying to start up, more satisfying to ride. But then the Sport fits me like a glove (5'11", 33" inseam, 80kg, & now only 69) & is the most comfortable long distance tourer I've ever ridden.

No weight at all on the wrists usually (gravel roads excepted, but that my lack of skill) and at the end of one particular stretch of road - 80km & a reported 5,000 corners in mostly 2nd & 3rd gear the wrists did feel well-used. It's not nimble in town, so I compensate accordingly. My sidestand doesn't self-retract & the left hand reaches it easily - it's just down a bit from the hand grip, and I can kick it out with my foot to deploy it. I've put an extra couple of inches on the end of the stand, so it doesn't tend to fall over with luggage anymore, although it does flex alarmingly.

I'd prefer the Sport to the Griso, but it has to FIT you. So try each & see which "speaks" to you. The name of the game is "smiles per miles"

[Devildog]

I actually prefer the 5 speed on the Daytona.

Thanks Blackcat, I've never ridden a new bike so the Sport/Daytona 5 speed seems pretty normal to me.

[Murray]

The GRiSO is faster,

The 8 valve Griso is the 2 valve isn't

[Chuck in Indiana]

Faster? Eh, I could name *several* that are faster. Doesn't matter.. these things are toys. Do you enjoy operating it? Does it "speak" to you? If you're not having fun with your toys, you are playing with the wrong toys. 
Jets are for kids.. 

[keener]

Faster? Eh, I could name *several* that are faster. Doesn't matter.. these things are toys. Do you enjoy operating it? Does it "speak" to you? If you're not having fun with your toys, you are playing with the wrong toys. 
Jets are for kids.. 

yep this faster , slower than stuff means little ..its how you feel when you ride  and having fun is what its all about IMO