should I buy a V11?

big J · February 2, 2005

I'm looking to buy a new bike in the near future,and quite fancy a v11,but I'm told there may be reliability worries. I realise that this may be the equivelant of asking a preacher if religion's a good thing,but any honest,impartial advice from you guys out there would be much appreciated.All the best,John.

Paul Minnaert · February 2, 2005

John,

Anything that can go possibly wrong is discribed here in the forum. That also means there is an awnser to every problem.

That doesn't mean it's a bad bike. It depends why you buy a bike, if the v11 is for you. Did you take one out on the road?

I think most of the probelems people have are more or less production faults, so getting a used one that has done miles isn't a bad thing.

I have a daytona( the grandfather of the v11), for 10 years, that has never let me standing beside the road. Only once when I was out of fuel:-)

But you are not the first with this question, so read here in the forum.

BrianG · February 3, 2005

John, a Guzzi has lots of character. It's not a toaster. If you want something you can plug in and go on forever, and then just turn off until you want to go forever again, you need a Honda. If you enjoy getting to know your machine and you like to look after maintenance issues yourself......... and you want a bike that you can recognize in a parking lot of motorcycles, the Guzzi is your ride! :bier:

Take note......... this from a guy that drive a '86 Porsche 928! :drink:

antonio carroccio · February 3, 2005

John, a Guzzi has lots of character. It's not a toaster. If you want something you can plug in and go on forever, and then just turn off until you want to go forever again, you need a Honda.

I thought a BMW???

Maybe too steady but always straight on....

BrianG · February 3, 2005

I thought a BMW???
Maybe too steady but always straight on....

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Maybe, Antonio...... but look where you live! BMW's are something of a status symbol here, because the $$$$ certainly don't buy the performance of the rice-rockets.

Here, a Guzzi says "STYLE"........ er.. "eccentric". :rasta:

jimbemotumbo · February 3, 2005

Always an impossible question to give one answer ... like what kind of oil is best.

Depends ....

I can tell you this. I have owned and ridden nearly every make and type of motorcycle over my 35 years of riding. Really, just about everything. Some of my worst mechanical nightmares have been on Japanese 4's, and a BMW r, supposedly the bastions of reliability. So my concerns now are not related to how often the bike needs to be fussed with, but what is the magnitude of potential failure and can I fix it myself (or have it done cheaply). The probs I've had with the bikes above have been very very few ... but when they broke, they broke in a huge way and I lacked the tools/expertise to make them right again. Expensive beasts to repair. Never again.

The Vmax was a good one (45k on that with no probs), but never really enjoyed riding it. Funny, the worst one was a Road Star - nearly as unreliable as my old combat commando or trident.

Character is also a basic need for me. Luckily the prob bikes had none so I haven't missed them a bit.

My most reliable bike ever has been a Harley FLH (evo motor) that went 65,000 before needed new bearings and gaskets. Never failed on me. Sold it at 120,000 to a friend and he's run it up to 150k with a few more minor parts that have worn out. Still going strong. Now on a twin cam Road King (20k and not a prob ever). Sorry... got into HDs before their character became commonplace.

My V11 thus far has been completely fuss free.. Plus, it's easier to work on than even my Harley, and it has character to spare! Che bella machina! I expect this to be a long term relationship.

My current bikes are easily my favorites of all. I just wish I had the space for more Guzzi's.

Sorry for rambling. Just trying to help.

Jim

bento · February 3, 2005

the only problem i've had is the tranny recall. then again at 15k miles my bike is barely broken in. :blush:

what i can't understand, is how someone can pass on a guzzi for the price. once the bugs are worked out it's a tank.

and my sport is very well mannered in most conditions.

the one thing i would warn you about is the vibration. the first 5k miles on a new one are hell. the motor really smooths out at 5k+ rpm.

big J · February 3, 2005

the only problem i've had is the tranny recall. then again at 15k miles my bike is barely broken in.

what i can't understand, is how someone can pass on a guzzi for the price. once the bugs are worked out it's a tank.

and my sport is very well mannered in most conditions.

the one thing i would warn you about is the vibration. the first 5k miles on a new one are hell. the motor really smooths out at 5k+ rpm.

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big J · February 3, 2005

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Thanks for the feedback guys,gonna go get a v11.The main thing worryingme is the fact that I've just moved to Ireland,and as far as I know there are no Guzzi dealers here.I've owned most brit bikes,a tuned Laverda Mirage and a Harley shovelhead,and do all my own maintainance so no problems there,but if for aexample the electronics go bad I have to cross the Irish Sea with the bike in a van, then maybe have to return at a later date to collect it;mucho expense and hassle. Ah ,to hell with it,I really want one so it's off to England first chance I get! Thank you all,John.

bento · February 3, 2005

i've done a bit of riding in the wet. we seem to enjoy it. i don't know what it is. on my ninja, if i see sprinkles i'm scrambling for home. but the gootz, i swear she likes it.

oh, and get some metzlers

big J · February 3, 2005

i've done a bit of riding in the wet. we seem to enjoy it. i don't know what it is. on my ninja, if i see sprinkles i'm scrambling for home. but the gootz, i swear she likes it.

oh, and get some metzlers

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Cheers, Bento,as a Scot living in Ireland,rain holds no fears here! But Metz's on a Guz? Surely Pirelli's would be the tyres of choice?! :race:

bento · February 3, 2005

i haven't tried pirellis yet. the metzies seem to be everything i could ask for in the "oh crap" zone.

the shop i got them from steered me into them. maybe next batch...

Guzzirider · February 3, 2005

Thanks for the feedback guys,gonna go get a v11.The main thing worryingme is the fact that I've just moved to Ireland,and as far as I know there are no Guzzi dealers here.
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If you do not mind a trip up north, there is a Guzzi dealer in Newtownards:

Xtreme, Newtownards, Northern Ireland Tel: 02891 812153

I have knowledge of how good they are- maybe someone else on the forum knows??

Plenty of second hand V11s for sale here in England at bargain prices and you can get huge discounts on new ones.

Have a look at the Guzzi selection on www.biketrader.co.uk.

Also plenty of specialist parts importers who will post bits to you efficiently.

Regards

Guy :helmet:

big J · February 3, 2005

If you do not mind a trip up north, there is a Guzzi dealer in Newtownards:

Xtreme, Newtownards, Northern Ireland Tel: 02891 812153

I have knowledge of how good they are- maybe someone else on the forum knows??

Plenty of second hand V11s for sale here in England at bargain prices and you can get huge discounts on new ones.

Have a look at the Guzzi selection on www.biketrader.co.uk.

Also plenty of specialist parts importers who will post bits to you efficiently.

Regards

Guy

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big J · February 3, 2005

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Thanks Guy,didnt know about them,I'll check them out.

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