Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 Query
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I hired a Breva for a week in July in Italy - cool bike, good for luggage etc. Then I took out a Griso and absolutely fell in love with it. I'd go Griso over Breva, but maybe change the exhaust - its BIG and seriously heavy - there's stuff available. And luggage is available if you want to tour.
thass right, I have one in my garage. It's not exactly a cruiser, it's more a standard/sport tourer...hard to categorize this bike.
I've had nothing but good things to say about it until my last road trip to San Diego. 1,000 miles in five days and then suddenly the front brake rotors warped (8,000 total miles on the bike). These are 5mm thick 320mm diameter Brembo rotors. I don't know what happened but I began to feel a grab/release sensation that quickly turned into my fork acting like pogo stick when stopping.
OK, stuff happens. The part that chaps me is this: I took the bike back to the dealer (8 months after purchase) and told them I had at least 1.6mm runout in the front brake rotors (I measured)they told me to bring the the bike back in a couple of days so they could confirm a problem then told me "yeah, it's 1.5mm on one side and 1.7mm on the other, we'll have to contact Piaggio for authorization to replace them". Bear in mind that this is a standard/sport tourer machine, I don't thrash it.
That was a month ago. My Breva is still in the garage waiting for parts and repair.
I could contrast this with my MV experience, but suffice to say my MV dealer (and distributor) did NOT treat me this way.
I've had nothing but good things to say about it until my last road trip to San Diego. 1,000 miles in five days and then suddenly the front brake rotors warped (8,000 total miles on the bike). These are 5mm thick 320mm diameter Brembo rotors. I don't know what happened but I began to feel a grab/release sensation that quickly turned into my fork acting like pogo stick when stopping.
OK, stuff happens. The part that chaps me is this: I took the bike back to the dealer (8 months after purchase) and told them I had at least 1.6mm runout in the front brake rotors (I measured)they told me to bring the the bike back in a couple of days so they could confirm a problem then told me "yeah, it's 1.5mm on one side and 1.7mm on the other, we'll have to contact Piaggio for authorization to replace them". Bear in mind that this is a standard/sport tourer machine, I don't thrash it.
That was a month ago. My Breva is still in the garage waiting for parts and repair.
I could contrast this with my MV experience, but suffice to say my MV dealer (and distributor) did NOT treat me this way.
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756 Posts
I test rode the Breva 1100 and thought it was a good all around bike, but wasn't particularly impressed. I thought it was a tad underpowered. My friend just bought a new R1200R, which I like a lot better. More power, handling comparable, but feels lighter than the Breva. Maybe the Breva is slightly better for touring, but you can put bags on the new R. In short, I might suggest a test ride on the BMW - personal preference on liking one over the other - but they are both good all around bikes. On the other hand, I really like the look of the Griso. One of the best new designs I've seen.
The dealer network (Piaggio) does make me wary. I havent found one I like in the DFW area, so I would be doing most if not all of the maintanance. It appears from the above posts that parts availability is the problem? I agree that the Griso looks tougher and probably runs harder than the Breva, however I intend to use the goose as a tourer/commuter. I would think that I would want the extra weight, and to me, the Breva looks better for 2 up riding. I like the BMW, but the price is killing me, and since buying the MV I have aquired a disgusting stage 3 Italian fettish as far as bikes, cars and women apply. (you can keep the shoes) :naughty:
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Funny, if I were to by a commuter bike, the BMW R1200R and Breva 1100 would be tops on the list.
Just sitting still in the dealer, I like the feel of the Guzzi better. But BMWs tend to have more nice accessories like bags, etc.
Koop, doesn't your bike just have a standard Brembo caliper and disc setup? I'll have to look at the Guzzi at my dealer to be sure... But I think that's all VERY standard stuff, and it shouldn't warp or cause problems. And it's not like the parts are rare either. Maybe the carrier is unique to that bike? But the discs and calipers I believe are parts bin items for lots of Italian bikes. I think even the BMW has the same calipers, just rebranded.
Just sitting still in the dealer, I like the feel of the Guzzi better. But BMWs tend to have more nice accessories like bags, etc.
Koop, doesn't your bike just have a standard Brembo caliper and disc setup? I'll have to look at the Guzzi at my dealer to be sure... But I think that's all VERY standard stuff, and it shouldn't warp or cause problems. And it's not like the parts are rare either. Maybe the carrier is unique to that bike? But the discs and calipers I believe are parts bin items for lots of Italian bikes. I think even the BMW has the same calipers, just rebranded.
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756 Posts
Breva does feel more substantial. I haven't ridden many Moto Guzzi's so I also found the vibration from the engine odd. I guess I'm used to the BMW's. Also, the new R1200R is really nothing like the R1150R - vast improvement in the handling/weight dept. All that being said, the Breva is a lot of bike for the $
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the only real problem with the guzzi's is that there distribution is horrible parts take forever eveen for us as a dealer, so if you break you will need to be patient as guzzi is slow, hell we are a guzzi dealer and we have all guzzi warranty suspended until guzzi can get right so our customers can be treated properly.
just my .02
just my .02
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