[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

I'm fairly relaxed about the insurance write off as long as the bike rides right and has no obvious crash damage. 

I'd be surprised if I do more than 2000 miles a year on this bike. But I'm sure I'll feel a $1 million for every one of those miles riding such a beautiful (and rare) machine.

The only thing stopping me from buying it will be the ergonomics.

 

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

On 8/15/2025 at 12:51 AM, docc said:

@Oxfo-Moto,

I would be curious about the tenth digit of the VIN (year of manufacture). It will not likely be a "6."

As to "particular things to pay attention to " before buying:

1) That you already love the bike and some blindness is acceptable from the start.

2) No history or signs of a crash.

3) No history of running out of oil/ significant engine repairs. Is there a written service history?

4) Assess the charging system. Put a voltmeter on the battery: key on/ idle/ at some rpm (13.8 -14.2). Look at the battery type/ age/ terminals and general wiring status. Is there an added ground strap to from the regulator to the engine?

5) Under the seat: are there signs of monkey business? (added wiring, shoddy changes, "something" plugged-up between the ECU and the harness). What sort of relays are installed (original, quality replacements, shoddy replacements, mixed bag?)

6) Original, working speedometer/ odometer and tachometer.

7) Presence of factory yellow "witness" paint dabs on all of the tuning screws (TPS etc.)

8) Tire condition and date codes

9) Starts, idles, runs, and rides.

10) That you already love the bike and some blindness is acceptable from the start.   

Ok. Many thanks for your input docc. In response:

1. That is a given

2. It was an insurance write off

3. Roger that 

4. Ditto

5. Thanks

6. Apparently on its 3rd Speedo

7.  Will check

8. Natch 

9. Tbc

10. Yes indeed. 

Viewing this week hopefully.

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

16 hours ago, motortouring said:

A nero sounds like a nice version. What is the model year? My 2002 V11 Sport was first registered in 2005 and that helps for getting better air-pollution ratings, but all that is newer than  2001 is in general not a problem in the European cities.

It's a '06.

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

Well, after sleeping on this for a few months, it looks like I'm back in the game.  I've found a beautiful V11 Le Mans Nero that I'm going to have a look at this week.  If it was just an ornament, I'd buy it on the spot but having never ridden a v11 before and having given up sports bikes over 10 years ago, I need to check whether it is comfortable enough to take round Europe for a 9 day tour next month. 

Are there any things that I should pay particular attention to?  The bike has done 17K miles.

TIA

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

3 minutes ago, gstallons said:

You need a V11 because you don't have one

And that, sir, is the correct answer.

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

18 minutes ago, audiomick said:

A more serious attempt at that question.

I haven't ridden a 4-V big-block (your Griso, for instance) or a V85, but...

The 4-valve head is the "modern" iteration of the old big block motor. From what I've heard and read, it is very good. The V85 is the latest generation of the motor in my V35 and my Breva. By all accounts, also very good.

The motor in the V11 is more or less the ultimate developement of the 2-valve big block motors. As far as I understand it, the motor in the 2-valve Griso, 1100 Breva and 1100 Norge was not much different, but they were all CARC models and a bit more refined than a "classic" Guzzi. The V11 has the spine frame, so not a classic Tonti frame and therefore not quite a classic Guzzi anymore, but also not that far away from it because of the motor.

What you have is a big, classic Guzzi twin tuned to within an inch of it's life wrapped up in a pretty good frame and suspension. In its time, very good. All the character of the old Guzzi V-twin combined with pretty snappy motor response, and very useful handling and brakes. It is a combination I like.

The difference to the other two you have? Barely concealed brute force. A bit like a bouncer in a dinner suit.

I'm just hoping it rides as good as it looks. And if the bouncer in the dinner suit looks like Dakota Ditcheva (Google her) then I'm quids in. 

Thanks for the reply.

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

51 minutes ago, audiomick said:

Despite all that, I love it. You need one.

"Well darling, audiomick told me I needed one, so here it is".

That should seal the deal😂

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

5 minutes ago, Scud said:

The V11 will give you a more sporty and crisp-handling bike that is still comfortable for distance. And it will give you the chance to hang out here with the cool kids.

The V11 represents an entirely different era of Moto Guzzi. You have a modern trellis-framed V85 and a CARC bike (the Griso).  You obviously need a spine frame (the V11). BTW, you will probably need to add a Tonti-framed bike soon. And you can keep going back one generation at a time with your ensuing purchases... a loop frame would be next.

FFS! My marriage is doomed...

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

6 hours ago, gstallons said:

After winning the debate , you might find the Amusement Park closed or very limited hours of operation . Better think of a different strategy !

The amusement park is overgrown, the gates are padlocked and the whole area is patrolled by Rottweilers

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

7 hours ago, p6x said:

 

So what do you tell your wife?

does she need all these handbags?

Argh! I have more motorcycles than she has handbags.

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

I'm not man enough to lift my Griso when I drop it moving it into my garage. Had to get my mate's 16 year old son to help lift it.

And you've obviously not met my wife...

15 minutes ago, Lucky Phil said:

If you're worried about being consigned to the dog house by your wife then you're not MAN enough for a V11 Le Mans or Sport

Phil

 

[Give me one good reason why I should (or shouldn't) buy a V11 Le Mans?]

I'm a fairly new convert to Moto Guzzi, having owned a 2007 4v Griso for 5 years and a V85TT for 3 months.  But, as I suspect is the case with the majority of folk lurking here, I seem to have contracted a severe case of Guzzitis.  As any medical practitioner will tell you an '-itis' involves inflammation or, in lay terms, swelling. Now this maladie is making me positively giddy with the idea of swelling the number of transverse V-twins from Italy in my garage.  One bike that totally went under my radar was the V11 Le Mans which I saw for the 1st time a matter of days ago, and which I now can't get out of my head.  Bellissimo! So tell me why should I risk my marriage by buying another Guzzi and do I really need 3 of them?  What will the V11 offer me that the other 2 don't?

 

Over to you...