Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 test ride at Mandello

That's right! I had the privilege to test ride the big Breva at Mandello del Lario last Friday. Unfortunately the weather was totally terrible - it had been raining all day and by the time in the afternoon I got the bike the rain was absolutely pouring from the sky.

"Great test report" might not be the right wording to describe what comes out when we combine heavy rain, unknown environment, unfamiliar new bike and my lack of riding experience in rain. But anyway, I rode the bike in less than optimal conditions and what you'll read below are real subjective results of that riding experience.

Here she is (pic on the left), a bit battered press bike waiting for me, under the wings of the famous factory eagle. I had plenty of time to check the bike while waiting for the paperwork and noticed that some hooligan press people had already given her hard time - the signs on the rear tire were more than clear. Sniff, I sweared the weather even more.

Then I fired the v-twin and couldn't care less about the weather - what a soundtrack! Euro-regulated it is, but it sounds awesome still! Not too loud, but a clearly self confident, proud tone, exactly like the Guzzis from the past. I think my hands were trembling now - still waiting for Giorgio to bring those papers...

The chromed decorative "strip" at the side of the tank, the item I critized when I first saw the bike in real life (at the exhibition one week ago, see below) seems to be a good looking quality part in these production bikes. The bike on the exhibition was obviously some kind of pre-production model - so please ignore my text from the exhibition.

Compared to my 750 Breva, there is a lot of useful space under the the saddle. Two separate boxes, one for bike papers plus e.g. for emergency rain suit, and the bigger one, into which I could easily fit my camera equipment - with a lot of remaining space. It's not a scooter though, so you need to store your helmet and a six pack somewhere else.

Eventually I signed the papers, clicked the visor down and hit the road. I'm not one of the world's most talented riders and I value my life, so I took it Carefully (yes, with capital C). Even so, my first feelings, only after riding the small streets of the Mandello down to the shore to take some shots:

1) the gearbox, the clutch and the engine work together like a dream. A two phase change from first to second exists no more. The engine could probably survive with a box with three gears - it doesn't hesitate no matter whatever gear you use.

2) The handlebar feels wide, making town manouvering easy. But squeezing into the narrow gaps between cars feels more worrying than with the 750 as the whole bike feels much wider.

3) The suspension is very comfortable. I could even go as far as saying that it is incredibly comfortable. Yet remember that the front and rear are both adjustable and I have no idea how this bike was set up by the factory experts.

Now, why's that trimmed athlete in the wet suit posing in the above picture!?? And where are the girls from the beach?

On the highway to Lecco (the pics above are from there) the Breva felt relaxed and steady. There were absolutely no wibes at all at the steady 100 km/h and the engine was pulling really effortlessly. Unfortunately the rain was far too bad for me to test any higher speed cruising. I could only imagine what a great touring bike this would be with a windshield and side panniers. Maybe some day...

As a summary I'd say that my expectations were high and I was not disappointed. 1100 Breva feels and looks like a solid, well built bike which radiates positive Guzzi-feeling. And it is easy and comfortable to ride. Should be a good recipe, non?

Ok, enough blah blah for one day, I'll post more material and pictures from inside the factory and the production lines etc soon.

Ciao!