V11UK

V11's - they sure have that certain something! Enjoy

Oi! we resemble that remark Jaap . I guess most of us are in our forties and can (just about) remember the 1970's when we started riding bikes. Aye, them were the days..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Totally off topic, at the show yesterday was this rather nice Ducati:

Oooops I forgot to state that the RD LC's are 25 years old this year. Some nerdy anorak on another site has just pulled me up.....

Two strokes - remember them? At the Classic Mechanics Show in Stafford today the Yamaha RD Club celebrated the fact that the RD range is 25 years old this year. Suddenly I feel very old .

Chill out guys - I can't see what all the fuss is about . Too much negativity. Some of you seem to have condemned the Breva/Griso transmission before its had a chance. Have a little faith - the new engine/transmission has undergone extensive testing after all. I've certainly no worries about it .

Breva V1100 and V11 Sport - most of the replies have hit the nail squarely on the head. Being lucky enough to own both I can appreciate why some V11 owners don't like the new Breva - which is a 'roadster' rather than a 'sports' model. In best road test stylee, marks out of 10 for both bikes: Performance: Breva = 8. V11 = 10. Style: Breva = 7. V11 = 10. Comfort: Breva = 10. V11 = 7. Design/function: Breva = 10. V11 = 6. Quality/finish: Breva = 10. V11 = 6. Character: Breva = 5. V11 = 10. Garage-look-back-ability: Breva = 8. V11 = 15 () If I could only have one bike it would be the V11 Sport that I have now - it is raw and quirky (a bit like the Buell) and just has so much character....

Well I like it . 3650 miles in 5 weeks ownership and no regrets .

Great news Jaap!

Martin, I'm just starting to put together next years Buell events for the UK Buell Enthusiasts Group and may do a specific V11 UK event. Ideally at a location with rooms and camping so everyone is taken care of. I should have everything sorted by the end of November latest and will post accordingly. We visited the German V11 event at the Oldtimer Cafe in 2003 and enjoyed it very much - although we didn't stay at the actual location. I've booked early to make sure we have a room in the inn . They also have a small field for camping. This particular part of Germany is beautiful and the roads are brilliant plus it's an easy days ride from any of the Dutch ports.

Details of the 2006 V11 rally are shown here We've signed up already . Anyone fancy making it a multi-European V11 event?

It was having a well earned rest . Can I have permission to take more time off work to take the V11 to Austria? .

Another picture for your enjoyment . Taken in Mittersill, Austria, at a glass factory.....

v50man - if you want a Buell that bad, then buy one. You won't regret it - follow your heart. The XB series are pretty reliable and can be considered a more finished product than the 'tube-framed' S1/S2/S3/M2/X1 series. Having said that, my S1 has had no major issues in 21,500 miles. Buell and Moto Guzzi appeal to me because of their 'feel', uniqueness, style and character. Both marques have that certain 'something' which has been engineered out of the machines sold by the mainstream volume manufacturers.

Good question . The owner wasn't there to speak to when I took these pictures. The bike has an Austrian registration plate if that helps. Perhaps someone out there could confirm this.

A brief selection featuring

Antonio - you can go ............. . We got back yesterday after a brilliant trip. 2204 miles in two weeks, taking in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, the GMG in Italy and Austria. The new Breva has now done 3403 miles in 4 weeks of ownership. More pictures to follow, but have this BIG one for now....

England is still a free(ish) country and you can choose not to be just another goverment issued registration number....

In short, no. The V11 is a classic - especially the 1999 model in green/red . As nice as the new Breva V1100 is, both in form and function, it would never replace it. If I was limited to just one bike it would be the V11. I was lucky enough to marry a brilliant lady who insists that I have more than one bike....

Been busy riding ....... I had the first service done yesterday, having completed 692 miles since collecting the bike on Saturday. First impressions are very favourable . The comfort and overall feel of the bike is spot-on. I'm 6ft 3" and don't feel cramped on the Breva as I do on the V11 over long distances. I can see myself using this bike for all my long distance trips - it really is that comfortable. The engine feels smooth with torque in all the right places under the 5,000 rpm break-in limit. Once I've covered a few thousand miles the gearbox will feel better in the lower gears, its just a bit clunky at the moment. The Breva's 6-speed unit feels completely different to the V11's - more like a late model twin cylinder BMW. Quality is light-years ahead of the early V11 models - its hard to believe that the same factory made it. More to follow when I return from the Italy trip. That will be a good test of the new bike.

At last, he's mine . Even though I'm restricted to 5,000 rpm during the running in process, I've had a lot of fun during my first 166 miles. With good weather for the rest of this Bank Holiday weekend I'll easily complete the 625 miles before the first service on Tuesday .

I've had to wait a while to take delivery but as we don't leave for the GMG in Mandello until 10th September, I've just enough time to cover the initial 625 miles/1000 km and have the first service done . It was a good long test ride which really sold me on this new model. It's so refined compared to the V11 but still has plenty of that unique Guzzi character. I know a few magazine road tests have said that the engine lacks punch, but I thought it was better than the V11 at low to medium revs. Moto Strada in Shipley are supplying the bike and they've had a lot of interest from existing BMW owners, who've found that their newer models lack any real character.

I finally collect my Breva V1100 this weekend . Having covered well over 44,000 miles on the V11 (which I'm keeping of course) I'm really looking forwards to doing the same on the Breva.

Antonio, what's a chicken strip?.....

Better late than never . My V11 in Mandello September 2004.