MOTO-GUZZI V11 (2001 - 2005) Review

Nice power delivery from the traditional air cooled 2V V twin, much smoother than you may imagine

Much better than people may think, bulletproof engine and quality cycle parts

Less than £100 for a basic service, Guzzi’s are simple to diy service

Very planted on the road, the Ohlins set up is great, firm but compliant, on A and B roads. Brakes fine for the speed of the bike.

If you’re not used to it you think it’s knackered when you start it, but in the move it has loads of torque and a decent kick from about 5000. It’s not a fast bike, but ridden well will keep with most bikes on the road. I back off for my licence and safety before the bike gives up!

Quality components all round. The exhaust system looks new and it’s 14 years old.

Regulator rectifier has been replaced. Always sounds like it won’t start but does first time. The finish is superb. Quality components including Ohlins all round.

Ohlins all round. Very basic instruments, but really what do you need? It’s a retro bike, it doesn’t need much. What you get is good quality.

It's such a simple bike, you can do all the work yourself

GOOD bits:1) No-one ever talks about the comfort. I have ridden a couple of 800km days in the saddle, no qualms. 2) Brakes are exactly as per the late ‘90s 996/RSV Mille et al. They work well. The Scura/Ballabio and the other “up specced V11 Sports had radial Brembos, which work even better. 3) If you can afford the Ohlins equipped bikes they are worth it. They seem to float effortlessly yet handle impeccably. The Marzocchi kitted bikes are still good handlers, but a tad harsh over bumps. 4) Shaftie. 5) LOOKS 6) Sound. You need to junk the original cans and crossover, and refuel to match but they sound really cracking. Not like a Ducati drone. Better. 7) You won’t be able to buy one cheaper than right now – they WILL APPRECIATE. You can’t lose money on these things. 8) By now, they’ve been enthusiast owned and all the electrical niggles will be sorted. Forums and community support is high. Most owners are in some sort of Guzzi club and will have made the improvements for you by now. So don’t be intimidated. Spares are plentiful as they are shared between various Guzzi models.

The engine is a cracker. Easy 10/10. 70% max torque from just 2700rpm. I’d say it runs out of puff at about 6.5/7k rpm, but the speed limit here is 3.4k anyway and 200km/hr is plenty. It’ll get upto an INDICATED 230 (probably 215 really) if you abuse it. It really is a chugger. But a meaty chugger – there’s not really anything else like it. Kind of like if someone tuned up an old airhead BMW R100 to the muts nuts and stuck it in a spondon frame with modern performance suspension and brakes. But not as German.

Having ridden the old Guzzis, it really does feel like an old Guzzi. A bit of valve clatter from thepushrod, two valve, aircooled donk adds to the feel. As do the vibes. And the transverse twist when you blip the throttle. It all adds to that character and gives you the feeling that you are riding a proper mechanical contraption, with y’know....gears and whirly things put together by men with spanners. If you want “refined” you should buy a Honda CB1100 and be prepared for boredom if you do. I used to have a VFR 750 – did everything very well. Sold it back to my mate after 6 months – not a bike that gets under your skin like this machine. It makes me smile. So it’s a keeper. BAD bits: 1) mine is an early Sport with a short swingarm and steep rake angle. Very short wheelbase. If you push it hard out of corners it gives you a slow wiggle. Nothing too disconcerting, and can be adjusted out with the fitted steering damper. The ’02 onwards bikes had longer wheelbases and don’t handle any worse for it. 2) GEARBOX. If you’re used to riding modern jap bikes, BE PATIENT. For the most part, you can’t get away with clutchless shifts. And until you dial in to the bike be prepared to hit some false neutrals. I also don’t think the 6-speed ‘box is an improvement over the 1100 Sport 5-speed box. Gears 4 and 5 are very very close together, making me wonder why they bothered differentiating the two ratios. 3) The 2003 models were hit-and-miss with warranty issues with hydraulic heads. Avoid unless it’s got 30k on the clock which proves it works. If it’s very low mileage that might be because its always waiting to be fixed.

it is a beautiful machine