| Moto Guzzi BREVA 1100: first ride |  Written: 13/01/2006 : 16:27. Read 28098 times (13/day). | When you get the chance to make your first ride of the year on a new italian machine, moreover being a twin-cylinder, and coming directly from Mandelo del Lano, then you know that this year is beginning the best way it ever could.
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METICULOUS WORK
First of all, it starts with a detailed inspection of the machine. Even though you will not mistake it with another brand because of its engine geometry and the shaft drive which are recognisable at first sight, it will surprise you with how well it is finished. And not only dealing with the quality of the materials used but also with their assembly.
The time when the electric wires were swinging under the seat, the tank and behind the headlight bucket, just as thrown at random and looking more like "do-it-yourself" rather than ordered cabling you bearly notice, is long gone.
And no more moulding erros on the main mechanical parts that are now neatly smooth and painted.
No really, this Breva 11OO has only few commons points with those Guzzi of our grandparents.... And that's when we wonder if the external progresses would not make roads into the soul of this very beautiful motorcycle.
A COMPLETE EQUIPMENT
With waiting no more, the ignition is switched on, the check is carried out by the lighting of indicators of all kinds and by the ascent and descent of the dashboard needles. You just have to press the impulsive starter briefly to let the engine start by itself and wait for the automatic choke to set the idling speed without touching anything more (so much technique!)
These few seconds enable me to detail the controls, common to Aprilia bikes, and the computer which is an huge data base about : clock, outside temperature, two daily meters, average and instantaneous consumption, average and top speed, your personnal lap record thanks to a stopwatch set off by the headlights command, and all i did not see yet!
So it is very complete, but bearly legible as only the informations from the mileometers are big enough to be read.
THE DISCRETE ITALIAN......
Who cares?! We dont't look for widescreen tele on our bikes after all. Just apply a little throttle and you will feel the torque reaction, but discretely, much more civilized than it used to be on Guzzi products. Let's go! Get the left lever and................. Driiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnngg................... No, it is not my mobile phone but the dry clutch starting "singing" softly. Dry clutch and torque reaction, it is a bit as if this Breva was the result of a forbidden affair between a BMW R1150 and a Ducati Monster.
Selecting first gear (without any "clong" or "crac", nothing, to the point that we wonder if the neutral light did not extinguish by error) and there we go! But not to fast, brand new tires, brand new brakes (by Brembo) and strong humidity on the road are there to calm down my fervour.
And yet, as soon as the wheels turn, you will not feel the massive 231 dry weight kgs anymore. The very pleasant riding position, the weight distribution, the commands docility, everything is to make you feel confident. Once the first turns have been taken with caution, the rythm rises to get to next ones and, surprise, the machine turns out to be rather sharp. You will very easily tame this Breva 1100 as it is intuitive, stable when on the angle and a good braker (the rear brake is nearly too strong and is difficult to measure, but I'd rather like too much than not enough!). The precise locking gearbox is still a little slow and needs you to be careful when selecting a lower gear but the very soft clutch will assist you perfectly.
BUT NOT INVISIBLE!
The engine appears obedient as long as the speedometer needle does not go under 2000 RPM, bearing under which, like any twin-cylinders, vibrations and jolts are getting too bothering. Endowed with a very strong torque (85Nm/6800RPM), the engine will deliver a good thrust until 4500RPM, moment when the sound coming from the airbox gets hoarse and when the thrust gets stronger. Never monstrous (86 HP/ 7500RPM), the engine is full and gives the impression to never fail and to never get out of breath.
Back in town, the Breva evolves without any problem thanks to its steering angle, a reasonnable seat height (around 800cm) and its general softness. However, the engine won't stand this exercise too long during the summer because of its air/oil cooling system. Knee sweating assured! ..... But a Guzzi, as civilized as it can be, does not have many things to do in cities. And we can easily feel that it only looks for secondary roads turn, where she seems to excel. Moreover can I add that Mr GUZZI proposes options such as windshields of different sizes and cases, so it might be as efficient as a GT (which will have to be confirmed during a long distance test).
CONCLUSION
This BREVA 1100 has therefore nothing to do with the 750 Breva, which seems to be of another time. Equipped with technological refinements that would make a more expensive and lesser equipped R1150R turn pale (its designated target), well finished and a typicaly italian personality (even tough a little quietened down), this GUZZI is definetely well born and tears up the a priori showing this brand as oldish. You can easily notice this with the new Griso! Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Laverda being only one from now on surely is responsible for all this. But when we get to see the result, who would complain?.....
Text and pictures: Fastfreddy - translation: Poutoutpou
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