Thinking of purchase!?

[kevdog3019]

My wife and I are already Guzzi owners, but are attracted to the Le Mans for obvious reasons. Besides, we NEED a third Guzzi! Anyhow, we are looking for a used model from 2002-2004. If you all could spill your guts on things we should be aware of on any of these model years (good or bad) that would be very insightful and appreciated. We want to be educated buyers and know what we are getting. We will never think outside the stable of Guzzi however.

Thanks in advance.

-Kevin

[bigbikerrick]

My wife and I are already Guzzi owners, but are attracted to the Le Mans for obvious reasons.  Besides, we NEED a third Guzzi!  Anyhow, we are looking for a used model from 2002-2004.  If you all could spill your guts on things we should be aware of on any of these model years (good or bad) that would be very insightful and appreciated.  We want to be educated buyers and know what we are getting.  We will never think outside the stable of Guzzi however.

Thanks in advance.

-Kevin

79795[/snapback]

What guzzis do you already have and what type of riding do you mostly do? weekend rides, or long tours?

[kevdog3019]

We have two Breva 750's ('04). I was turned onto the Le Mans last Summer by a local. We tossed up the idea of having a third bike for two reasons:

first... in case one bike is down or getting serviced, we could still both ride.

 

secondly... it would be nice to have a large block Guzzi, and one that has weight, a fairing, and gonads for both around town fun and highway cruising. It's got everything our Breva may fall short with.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Breva is an amazing bike I will probably never part with just because it is easy to ride, great for commuting, flickably fun, yet still has loads of power and brings a smile every time I ride.

 

My wife has done a long haul on her Breva over a weekend, and I plan on doing some this Summer. This bike might be the answer. God... it's a beauty also!

[badmotogoozer]

Buy the black one.

 

Rj

[jrt]

It's quite a different bike than the Breva, but that's not a bad thing. My wife has a Breva that we've toured extensively on (she on the Breva, me on whatever I happen to be riding). I really like the 750's. Great bikes.

The Sport or the LeMans are great bikes for brute force riding compared to the Breva. I would rather ride the Breva in town, but I'd rather ride my Sport on the highway. Also, I have to agree and expound on RJ's comment, but it's purely personal- a red frame and black bodywork is definitely faster and better handling than any other variant. Stay away from the Scura and Tenni variants unless you're either an alcoholic or comfortable with your manliness respectively. Just my opinion.

Seriously- I posted some differences in various Sport models over the years in the 'FAQ' section. You might want to look at that. Also, the big blocks are completely different bikes. The Breva and the Sport both have great strengths and I hope you enjoy them.

[Ouiji Veck]

I've got an 02 LeMans myself..Chmpagne

It's my favcrite bike in 35yrs of riding.

The 03 seems to have less bugs. according to the reading

I've done here in a year, but I've really had no trouble with mine.

"Cept the Sachs shock going away on me...dried seals...fresh oil and it was cured.

It's a deep soulful thrill it delivers. Big fat power, beutiful note..very confident handling.

Walking @ 80...purring

[antonio carroccio]

Joe Camarda and some other guy was selling his bike.

Ask them.....

 

BTW this is a V11 forum NOT a Breva one

[waspp]

: Stay away from the Scura and Tenni variants unless you're either an alcoholic or comfortable with your manliness respectively.  Just my opinion.'

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Poor guys ... no respect!

[Guest Nogbad]

Might be wise to avoid the single plate clutch variants until the issues with these are a bit clearer.

[V11UK]

BTW this is a V11 forum NOT a Breva one

79876[/snapback]

 

[antonio carroccio]

You Chris, watch out, otherwise we will ban you out......

[Skeeve]

My wife and I are already Guzzi owners, but are attracted to the Le Mans for obvious reasons.[1]  Besides, we NEED a third Guzzi![2] Anyhow, we are looking for a used model from 2002-2004.[3]  If you all could spill your guts on things we should be aware of on any of these model years (good or bad) that would be very insightful and appreciated.[4]  ...snip

79795[/snapback]

 

[1] Of course! Be forewarned: there are those (severely lacking in taste & aesthetic awareness ) who consider the v11LM to be "ugly." While not as pleasing as the most beautiful Guzzi ever [the 1100 Sport, in yellow ], the v11LM is nevertheless a gorgeous bike (confirmed by my mom, who hates bikes in general ) Altho' tempting, don't waste your time trying to raise the awareness of these microcephalic idiots; they were born without taste, & no amount of training will enable them to distinguish between, say, the wonderful organic curves of the v11LeMans & the bizarre origami foldings of a Kawasaki ZX10. It's really tragic, but the best thing you can do is shrug & move on...

 

[2] You always need another bike.

 

[3] 2002 models have an external fuel pump, which has led to some vapor-lock issues. Tenni models mount the fuel pump in a different location, & are largely exempted thereby. The fuel return on these leads to a "phantom gallon" that cannot be used - this, more than the vapor lock issue, seems to be the biggest complaint of that vintage.

2003/4 models have the fuel pump embedded in the gas tank, which eliminates the vapor lock problem; iirc, the change in fuel pump location also did something to help with the low-fuel scenario too, but don't quote me on it. The later models also have the "second x-over" about 12" from the exhaust valve, to help fill in the "4k rpm hole in the powerband" experienced in the models without that crossover.

 

[4] If you came here for insight, boy are YOU ever lost!

 

Ride on,

 

[bigbikerrick]

We have two Breva 750's ('04).  I was turned onto the Le Mans last Summer by a local.  We tossed up the idea of having a third bike for two reasons:

first... in case one bike is down or getting serviced, we could still both ride.

 

secondly... it would be nice to have a large block Guzzi, and one that has weight, a fairing, and gonads for both around town fun and highway cruising.  It's got everything our Breva may fall short with.

 

Don't get me wrong, the Breva is an amazing bike I will probably never part with just because it is easy to ride, great for commuting, flickably fun, yet still has loads of power and brings a smile every time I ride.

 

My wife has done a long haul on her Breva over a weekend, and I plan on doing some this Summer.  This bike might be the answer.  God... it's a beauty also!

79830[/snapback]

The Lemans will be a great choice for you Im sure. You may also consider a V 11 sport naked, and put a Givi fairing ,or moto guzzi fairing . with a nice tank bag and maybe a tail rack /bag combo makes a great sport tourer. for 1-2 week tours I take my kawasaki nomad dresser,but for anything less than that my V 11 sport is the mount of choice. Ive ridden a 750 breva, let me tell you the difference between it and the V11 is like kissing your sister, or a wild night with Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson,and Angelina Jolie.........

[kevdog3019]

Thanks all for your feedback. I have done some digging in the archives and such and look to have better educated myself on the Le Mans. I would consider the V11 Sport, but I just don't fit. I feel as though the bikes tank does not do well with long legs. I don't fit into the indents at all on the tank. It's just too compact for me (34 inseem). Must be the LeMans tank is narrower or things are more stretched out or something. I fit into the 750 like a glove. Is there a difference with the sport VS. Lemans? If anyone hears about an '03 for grabs let me know.

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks all for your feedback.  I have done some digging in the archives and such and look to have better educated myself on the Le Mans.  I would consider the V11 Sport, but I just don't fit.  I feel as though the bikes tank does not do well with long legs.  I don't fit into the indents at all on the tank.  It's just too compact for me (34 inseem).  Must be the LeMans tank is narrower or things are more stretched out or something.  I fit into the 750 like a glove.  Is there a difference with the sport VS. Lemans?  If anyone hears about an '03 for grabs let me know.

80270[/snapback]

Kev, there is no difference in that respect from the LM,and V11 sport. a LM fairing can be put on a v 11 sport naked , no problema. the tank is the same , Im pretty sure. maybe some of the more knowledgable folks like dlaing, carl,ratchethack,mike, ,pete, Al,etc will give you more info.. Rick.