VtwinStorm

I really enjoy the "freight train" feel of the big yellow pig. She's heavier than I'd prefer, but she's a great bike. "You haven't driven a motorcar until you have driven a Rolls-Royce." Yes. But how? What is the experience like? 😆 That's what I'm interested in knowing because I'm the kind of joker who bought one without even a test ride...so everything will be a surprise for me when it arrives.

Last bike was a Daytona 1200.

So, to mirror the old ad slogan for Packard Motor Cars. "Ask the man (or lady?) who rides a V11 Sport/LeMans." I'm waiting impatiently for my '01 V11 Sport to get shipped to me from 1900 miles away. I'm confident that our forum is for fans of this fine motorcycle, not Debbie Downers. That said, what is your honest assessment of the V11? What does the gearbox act like? The engine? The delivery of power? The braking, suspension? Any quirky/eccentric qualities of the machine? I want the good and the bad. Also, what compares to a V11, so I have a baseline? I'd like as much feedback as possible to tide me over as I expectantly await the arrival of my new to me baby. Thank you all! I love this forum. -VTS

Erik Buell is a brilliant engineer, and he did some work on the XB9 and XB12 engines to make them better, but they were never known for being high quality. Also, an XB12 cost around the same as any number of Japan Inc. literbikes at the time. That, and HD cultists shunning Buells, and them not being competitive, not selling enough motorcycles, killed the brand.

Yes, it's like a Japanese Buell, but, you know, without a garbage asthmatic Hardly-Abelson engine. 😂 Confession: I really wanted an XB12R around 2 years ago. The YammerHammer is still better. It has to be.

That MT-01 really looks the business next to a V11. Great contrast and great taste.

No worries. I am able to visualize it, Guzzler. Thank you again, friend! I want to go with chrome bar end mirrors, something like the Napoleons in style. I'm not really into the foldaway round ones.

No, I won't. I see where the winds are blowing. This is why I have so many motorcycles. They don't build them how I like any longer. Nothing Ducati, Triumph or Guzzi currently build excite me. They no longer build V11s, so I bought one before doing so would be very costly or impossible. I also have a hoard of parts because that supply will dry up. I'd say gassers will be under 50% on new motorcycle sales in another 20-30 years. Plenty of time to play with gasoline...but at least in terms of style, the best years of new motorcycles and automobiles are looooong behind us.

Thank you, Docc! Will buy and install one post-haste!

I understand the oil pickup is up front and during hard acceleration can lead to oil starvation---Not good. In the intertest of not lunching my engine, I'll take the cheap insurance. I've been doing some reading about it and want to get a Roper tray. Paging Dr. Roper?

What a unicorn.

I say it all the time: "I was born way too late. Should have been born in the 30s-50s."

I would love to fall under the mercy of buying such a fine machine. 😂

That Daytona is such a sexy beast.

Facts.

Excellent points, Docc. I tend to prefer narrow, lighter, high-torque motorcycles like the 900SS with buckets of midrange and a smooth engine. That said, I can still appreciate big bruisers like the Daytona 1200, Guzzi V11, BMW K, etc. I'm sure the V11 will be a little culture shock for me, and I welcome it. Torque pulling the bike to the right when you blip the throttle, smooth compliant suspension eating most road irregularities, a smooth but very mechanical gearchange...rattling dry clutch, a nearly turbine-like engine above 3k RPM that just pulls and pulls all day long through sweepers...All from what I hear about the V11. VTwinStorm, and his damned run-on sentences...I know. I can't contain my excitement. I ordered the factory shop manual from a nice gent in New Zealand. I'll begin reading it when it arrives. I have MUCH to learn about big Guzzi V twins. Another planet entirely from my air-cooled Ducatis I'm so used to. The V11 must be the prettiest production machine ever to emerge from the factory in Mandello. I'm torn between the Sport and LeMans. They both are breathtaking in person. How a machine with such a brutal drivetrain can be wrapped in such elegant and understated bodywork is a miracle of style. Tamburini level style.

Yes, but it doesn't help the D1200 only turns 60 degrees, lock to lock. She's a big, heavy lorry. But, a very rapid one.

I'm not a small guy, but my Daytona 1200, at 560lbs. with a full tank is a lot of mass to move around at slow speeds. The V11 is around 500lbs. I understand, so a little better. I can never get the Goldwing or dresser Harley guys with 800-1100lb. machines. Bonkers.

Yes. He's my go-to for NOS/OEM Ducati/Triumph, and now, Guzzi parts. Love him and his store! Always A+++ service.

So are the Rizoma mirrors threaded so they just drop in the V11 clipons, Guzzler?

Sadly, not a lot of ladies ride, from what I can see. Girls who ride are awesome. Girls who ride something like a Guzzi, Ducati, or Triumph, these are unicorns. I don't do group rides because they are always a sausage fest. That, and the people who love to destroy their bikes and make the group look like a bunch of jackwagons by "stunting".

I must be one LUCKY fella! Look what I found on eBay in Italy: 50 Euro shipped to my door: https://www.ebay.com/itm/255075561894 (seat cowl pad, NOS!) AF1 Racing in Austin had the black OEM seat cowl, and all the fasteners and washers I needed...200.00 with shipping for everything...So under 300 USD, and I was somehow able to find everything. I am so relieved! Result!

Unpainted for that price...ugh. FOX seems to have black painted cowls...but for 2003-2004...are the different than my 2001? GU006 V 11 Cat. 1100 2003-2004 Your thoughts? Saddle cover, black GU01466491 $294.00 https://www.foxpowersportsparts.com/oemparts/a/mgz/5d274a9687a866048cf6b116/saddle-rear-fairing

I have two 900SSes...they notice me already. The Guzzi V11 is just extra dripping cheese on my lasagna.