Moto Guzzi Breva 1200

comfort- power and style. handles well and as long as you do not thrash it the bike, opening up the power is thrilling and addictive, the 1200v has a lot of low down power, not quite the 'warp factor' of the Sports Breva but still good and it sips at the fuel if treated with care . its a lovely bike to ride and have. the only draw back is that it is on the heavy side which you may not be used to, so try it first - it hides this well but you have to bare it in mind if you have had smaller bikes. it is a very well made and durable bit of kit and will out live us all. above all it lovely to look at and great to ride, mine has hard luggage so practical too.

I bought my Breva 1200 in Feb 2009. I bought it in the Uk, but immediately exported it to France, where I live, so saving about '4,000 on the price here after getting it French registered. I had the Breva 750 before and we needed something a bit bigger both physically for 2 up holidays and as I now felt more comfortable after 20 something years away from bikes. I love the bike for Sunday trips out, holidays and some commuting (c.22 miles each way). It is comfortable, easy to ride and attracts admiring looks wherever it is parked (even in the Le Mans 10,000 motorbike parking lot at the MotoGP last weekend). Bad points; well it leaked oil when it was new and turned out that the right hand cyclinder head had no gasket fitted at the factory (put right free by my local dealer)and we had an electrical failure leaving us stranded one Sunday, but the warranty got us transported home and the problem has not reappeared. All in all very happy with it and no plans to change.

This is my second Guzzi, having had everything from Yamaha 650 Dragstar,which was ghastly,and Raleigh Runabouts, Harley 1200 Sportsters, with and without sidecar !,Jawa 350 with and without a sidecar, ER5 Kawasaki, various Suzuki strokers,Honda CG125, and the inevitable 600 Suzuki Bandit, brilliantly reliable, but very characterless.

The Last Guzzi was a 1064 cc California Stone, which didn't let me down in 46,000 miles in four years, and did Lake Como to Oxford in one day,covering five countries and 850 miles without missing a beat.

When |I decided to replace it, to celebrate my 50th Birthday, I chose the 1200 Breva, not the Sport model as I need to cover biggish milelages in comfort. The Breva is built to an excellent standard, as they are now owned by Piaggio, who also own Derbi, Vespa, Aprilia and Gilera, and who have invested very heavily in sorting out the previous problems with finish and characterful Italian electrical issues !

I have covered 4,500 miles in 3 months, and it is quite brilliant, very much smoother than the California, and more than quick enough, with 95 bhp on tap, It will cruise all day on the continent at 90 plus, and return over 50 mpg when loaded with camping gear, whilst doing it.

The bike has a completly revamped version of the old Guzzi 2 valve air cooled engine, now 1151 cc, with a cunning single sided swingarm, and cast Brembo wheels, with modern sizes, giving a wide choice of rubber, The Metzeler Roadtecs fitted are well on the way to doing over 6000 miles, and the six speed gearbox is at least as slick as any Japanese bike I have ridden.(A real revelation for anyone used to previous Guzzis !)

It has a very clever onboard computer working out average speeds/mpg, maximum speed since last fillup etc, even battery output. Also a charging socket built in under the seat for mobile phones/airbeds and the like

I acn highly recommend taking any of the new generation Guzzis out for a test ride, and without any of the resrvations and caveats that buying Italian used to involve, Enjoy !!

BOBELPFAN