MOTO-GUZZI BREVA 1200 (2005 - 2011) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Power: | 86 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
Weight: | High (514 lbs / 233 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe compact and nimble Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 is a totally different animal to the Moto Guzzi California 1100EV or Moto Guzzi V11, which are that bit harder to ride. The Breva 1100 has a lighter clutch, niftier chassis and smoother V-twin than Moto Guzzis of old. The Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 feels much shorter, carrying its weight that bit lower somehow. The Breva 1100 makes a very decent all rounder.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineFor a roadster the Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 handles respectably, with well balanced suspension, so the rider can tour two-up, or commute on pot-holed streets, confidently. For a Moto Guzzi, the Breva 1100 handles miraculously, especially when you consider its 233kgs weight - the Breva 1100 feels much lighter and more agile than it ever should.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityWhat Moto Guzzi has done with the Breva 1100 is fit lighter pistons and conrods, shifted the alternator and revised its shaft drive assembly to make the engine/gearbox on the Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 shorter. It's revvy by Moto Guzzi standards, but you get used to it and soon revel in the steady power delivery of the Breva 1100. A claimed 86bhp is just enough to have fun on any type of road. Uprated 1200cc version introduced in 2007.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueIt's Italian, and even though it looks and feels like a Moto Guzzi from the 21st century, you have to have some concerns over the overall longevity of the Breva 1100. For £7000 you'd think that Moto Guzzi would offer more than a 12 month warranty on the Breva 1100 too.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentMoto Guzzis are the Guinness stout of motorbiking; an acquired taste that’s a bit on the heavy side. There's no denying the Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 feels like a massive step forwards for Moto Guzzi, but in a crowded market segment, the expensive price, plus the potentially limited resale options it carries make ownership of a Breva 1100 a bit of a gamble. Find a Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 for sale.
Equipment
The Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 is a Giacomo-of-all-trades with a good sized saddle, pillion grab handles, on-board computer, trip/fuel calculator, as well as hard pannier mountings already on the motorcycle. The three spoke wheels add a touch of class, too. For the money, the Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 has plenty of details that set it slightly apart, which is no bad thing.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1064cc |
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Engine type | 4v, V-twin, 6 gears |
Frame type | Steel tubular type |
Fuel capacity | 24 litres |
Seat height | 800mm |
Bike weight | 233kg |
Front suspension | Preload |
Rear suspension | Preload, rebound |
Front brake | Twin 320mm discs |
Rear brake | 282mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 42 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | - |
New price | - |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
13 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 86 bhp |
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Max torque | 63.7 ft-lb |
Top speed | 120 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 12.4 secs |
Tank range | 190 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2005: Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 launched.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the MOTO-GUZZI BREVA 1200 (2005 - 2011)
6 owners have reviewed their MOTO-GUZZI BREVA 1200 (2005 - 2011) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your MOTO-GUZZI BREVA 1200 (2005 - 2011)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: |
Year: 2011
Was looking for a litre+ twin with shaft drive and decent fuel capacity. Hello Guzzi Breva! Fine looking/ sounding/ feeling machine. Muscular beast but absurdly agile for the size. Had expected much torquier powerplant but enjoys middle rev range more than low down. Fat, comfortable seat for rider and pillion. Gets ~380km to a tank. Barely breaks a sweat at ~130km/h. Looks gorgeous and have never seen another on the road. Had never considered a Moto Guzzi, don’t see many of them in Western Australia (they’re out there, I’m told). Very glad I took the punt.
Version: v1100ie
Year: 2005
Excellent allrounder, can do local touring, very comfy and stable 2 up, classic V twin noise and grunt, pulls like a train, not overly fast over 60 mph though, shaft drive simplicity, nice upright position and low to average seat height, looks good - I know some people don't seem to think so but wherever I park mine people always come and look at it and not the Jap bikes parked next to it...
I am not a fast rider so the soft suspension suits me. On British A and B roads it means you can keep speed up without fatigue. Borrowed a friends MT07, that was painful, hard suspension and seat. Very quick and nice but I much prefer mine. The saddle is super comfy for rider and passenger. Very powerful front brake, but suspension tends to dive because of soft suspension
Pulls your arms off from 2000 to 5000 but not much point in revving it more. Feels fast up to 60, much less so after. Characterful noise, but obviously vibration is there. Gearbox is as light and snickerty as a 125... total opposite of the tractor I expected, very easy to ride. Throttle control is a bit jerky though and with shaft this makes it tricky at low speed. I would prefer it on carbs, but that affects a lot of bikes, especially in early days of fuel injection
All good except: front forks pitted, knocking on transmission was the shaft torque arm (CARC) bush at the swing arm end: replace this with a 'silentbloc' MG version and everything becomes quiet again
This is where people get put off: Though it's great not having the mess of a chain, there are 3 oils to change, engine, gearbox and shaft transmission. Plus 2 sparks per cylinder and valve adjustments. Mpg not great so far (36-40). Jap bikes are cheaper to keep running. Think of MG bike as like the difference between running a Ford Focus and a big old Jag or Merc.
Handlebar shields really good for wind blast - total calm around gloves. Heated for when its cold. Fly screen initially caused a lot of buffeting. Raising it above the headlight so there was a gap there seemed to calm it down a lot. I think the air leaking into the bottom of the screen made the flow better. It's pretty basic otherwise, though there is a 12v socket under the seat
Buying experience: Private - bigger cc MGs are very cheap
Love it, very comfy, great two up, stands out from the crowd, its one of those bikes that looks better in the flesh,there is so much attention to detail,its also a bike that is very easy to maintain and service yourself. Go test one A.S.A.P.
Bought a 08 with 5K on the clock I've had it two months and its now at 8K. Very very comfortable (Unlike the CBF1000), fast enough for me, 200 mile plus from a tank when I'm not being silly, build quality as good as any beemer (alot cheaper too) and it handles very well. What more could you ask for. Only question is why isnt everyone else riding these??
What an excellent bike. Underpowered for some tastes but 85hp allows you to hold your own on the M25 and A1. Actually, more than hold your own, as nothing passed me on a run from Brighton to Lincoln. It has a road presence that isn't bullied and the addition of the screen allows er... swift progress. I was initially nervous about filtering with the panniers, not having a good grasp of how wide I was, but bit the bullet and went for it on the A1 at Blyth (horrendous roadwork jam). That was very enjoyable, having fun at 15 mph. White van mirrors seem the same height as my mirrors, which makes for some hairy moments. I've got the screen on the highest setting but a bit of a play may be needed, opinions differ on its effectiveness. Stock rear suspension seems way to soft, so have dialled in the settings for load and passenger, which seems fine to me. I may be in danger of developing an emotional attachment.
An excellent bike, looks superb and rides gracefully: cons ? Being only 86bhp in this sport obsessed market might be not sufficient for some..while it might became a bargain for others. Touring Capability, fast in the city and head turner at all traffic lights. Enjoy