Rode a v7II special and V7iii aniversario yesterday... Sticking with the Breva!

[willard]

A Facebook group I am a part of was notified of a Guzzi sale for the Black Friday weekend. All new bikes selling at cost!

I couldn't pass up this opportunity to look at some of the new machine, so I went in and even test rode a few of the bikes.

The v7II special was so good looking. It had noticably more power and fun factor than my Breva 750. The seat was hard hard hard, though, but I got used to it. It was a demo bike selling with 2k miles "as new with warranty" for 6500. 3000 less than they claimed they paid for it in 2015, with saddle bags and bar end mirrors!

The Anniversario was beautiful as well. I was afraid I was going to scratch the chrome. The new Viii engine was nice, but not a hug improvement over the vii like the vii was to the original v750 in my Breva. Seat was a little more comfy, and I liked the digital gauges telling me my fuel consumption.

When all was over, I had my Breva going in as a trade in and out a down payment on the v7II special. I had to leave to get my Breva's title and planned to come back the next day to finish paperwork and bring home the special.

On the way home I was stunned, riding my Breva 750... The 13 year old 30k mile breva handles almost better than either new bikes and is much more comfy to ride! The engine is so similar that it made me regret wanting to get rid of it, especially for the meager $1500 they were crediting for trade in. I was excited to finally own a "new" bike, but saddened by the thought of losing the breva. Then it hit me. I had planned to use my remaining credit card space to pay for the V7 since I was told financing would be impossible for me, but I needed that space to pay tuition for my last semester of college. I had to back out of the deal.

Riding my Breva today and yesterday, I'm not as sad about it. The breva is a great bike and a huge value for the price they command in today's market. I can thrash this thing around and have as much fun as possible without worrying that I'm going to damage a pricy fairing or scratch a chomed out tank, and the experience is so similar to that of the V7 series, I wonder why I even wanted to trade it in in the first place. I think it's just easy to get caught up in new bike lust, when the one you have is probably just fine.

[Guzzistajohn]

Crosby,Stills,Nash& young said,”if can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with” taking the hit on a new bike is something I’m not willing to do myself.

[twowheeladdict]

So, how much were they willing to sell the Anniversary for?


I really want a stornello, but it isn't as cool as my cafe.  It is too much the same to have both even though I know I would ride the stornello more than I do the cafe because of comfort. 

[Sheepdog]

The Breva 750 is a fine machine. If you�re in school, I believe you made the right decision. It�s difficult to predict what expenses you may face; either in school or in the transition that follows. If you are even remotely �into� your Breva, a new bike can wait until you are a little more settled...

[willard]

So, how much were they willing to sell the Anniversary for?

I really want a stornello, but it isn't as cool as my cafe.  It is too much the same to have both even though I know I would ride the stornello more than I do the cafe because of comfort.

I think it would have been around 8k.

[willard]

The Breda 750 is a fine machine. If you�re in school, I believe you made the right decision. It�s difficult to predict what expenses you may face; either in school or in the transition that follows. If you are even remotely �into� your Breva, a new bike can wait until you are a little more settled...

That's my thought as well. I can't afford to take a semester away from school right now, so close to graduating!

[DaSwami]

Since I've only known of the brand since 2013, I know nothing about any of the models before then.  The V7 Stone was my first exposure, and it was love at first ride.

The Breva looks good and has some neat curvy lines.

If she runs good, you made a good decision.

[willard]

Couldn't I replace the Breva's seat and tank from the seat and tank from a v7 stone or racer if I wanted?

I love the styling of those models, but the breva is a fine running and riding bike. Could be a good compromise.

[timonbik]

You made the right decision.  Buying a bike on a Credit card is not the wisest move unless you can pay it off on the due date without any interest.  At 24% you would likely end up paying for the bike twice.  Enjoy your Breva, there will be plenty of opportunity to by other bikes when you have the CASH.

Tim

[stonelover]

Good "keeper" decision.  If the wheels go around and it is paid for you're in a fine position.  Go for the education!

[Guzzi Gal]

Good "keeper" decision.  If the wheels go around and it is paid for you're in a fine position.  Go for the education!

 :1:

[malik]

I'm with these guys. Good decision. The Breva is paid for, the riding position is comfortable & a little more over the front wheel, so the handling is good. The 2TB motor could be considered better (I prefer the lower idle) & the ECU more reliable/flexible than later offerings. And at 30k miles, it is barely run in. Plenty of life in it.

You could V7-ised it, but it's likely to be a fiddly and expensive exercise. The Breva frame, although basically the same, has a lot more extra lugs on it to take the bodywork and may require chopping some bits off & welding others on. If you go this far, it would be sensible to go for the range of the metal V7 tank, which also means a new fuel pump and fuel hoses to the injectors, as well as a new rear mounting plate. V7 solo seats are cheap, but the plate at the rear to take the lock pin will have to be fabricated. The bottom frame rails have different lugs for the footpegs. Likely to be not worth the exercise.

If you fancy doing something like this, and you have the garage space, you could start collecting bits as you can afford them (with your excess disposable income). An old neglected/wrecked Nevada would likely be cheaper and the frame needs less work. In the meantime you would have a source of switchable spare parts as well as an eminently rideable bike that's not off the road. Without any time constraints you could afford to wait until the bits you need turn up cheaply, and work on the project in your leisure time.

Good luck. Ride the wheels off that Breva.

[twowheeladdict]

Here is a nice write-up on the Breva.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/motorcycle-road-test-moto-guzzi-breva-750

[wavedog]

You made the right decision. The Breva is paid for and will get you riding for a long while. Finishing school is the correct course of action. Good choice. A bike that is paid for, runs well and gives one enjoyment is worth more to the owner than anyone else. Being debt free is priceless.

[chuck peterson]

Complete fail....

Should have maxed out the card, skipped school and put 10k on the new bike, and meet a new sweetie..

Geez...missed opportunity.....how else are you gonna have any stories when your teeth are stored on the nightstand?

 

Just kidding...Max the card on a trip with the Breva, skip school, and meet a new sweetie...how's that?

[MMRanch]

 

Wow ???

I think I'll just keep my old Harley too ! 

Its paided for and still runs great ...

Good call Willard

[M0T0Geezer]

No one can go wrong with the small block Moto Guzzi.  Mine is a good example:

2004 Moto Guzzi Breva 750cc
     Bought used:  6,059 miles on 20130304
     YEARS later: 54,544 miles on 20171125 (Trouble Free)

I have put this out many time before, but if you missed it the Breva 750 fyi I've gathered over 4 1/2 years will be of use:

  http://www.dansher.com/bikepix/Guzzi/_V7_fyi.txt

After all my bikes, after all these years, my Breva still evokes an irrational passion:

 

Ride long and safe, Grasshopper

'Geezer

[jas67]

So, how much were they willing to sell the Anniversary for?


I really want a stornello, but it isn't as cool as my cafe.  It is too much the same to have both even though I know I would ride the stornello more than I do the cafe because of comfort.

I have a '14 Special, and a '13 Racer with Record fairing.   The Special gets about 3-4X the miles put on it, partially on comfort, but, mostly because of the hard luggage on the Special and the fact that a lot of my riding is commuting to work, and running errands.