After the ER-6n surprise-ride this morning it was across to A1 in Ringwood, where trusty old Glen had promised me a Guzzi Breva 1100. Just after the release of the Breva 750 some time ago, I was lucky enough to get a tester for some hours and came away stumped. [URL]http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/brevaguzzi/message/34[/URL] for the write up. I expected a bigger/ faster/more beefy version of the 750.and came away with mixed feelings. First things first: It's big, it's low, and it's heavy. All up ok then? Hmmm..sort of. Turning the key brings the "instant-disco" to life in one hit.Buck Rogers would've been proud of it. Lights and spinning needles galore, any colour of the rainbow is displayed.annoying. Even after the circus has gone to sleep again. The seat is low, everything falls to hand. The hydraulic clutch seems to drag at take-off in 1.gear.as if trying to prevent stalling. The bike had a freshly-fitted MADAZ pipe, while looking good and ridiculously small for the size of the bike, it caused drumming inside the helmet within 10km. Gave the impression of being quicker than I really was. Which in turn showed up the real negative point (to me, as opinionated as I am) of the package: engine. The new CARC-drive seems to work as advertised; hardly any shaft-drive reactions are noticeable. Bars are wide and high, the plastic-tank is wide and high, creating a pocket behind it, one feels "at-home" at the tiller. The Brembo's up front are superb. Massive.and effective. The handling is sweet, chassis solid, suspension somewhat harsh at the rear-end (but adjustable via easily-accessed turn-knob). So far it IS the bigger 750. Easy handling, quick turn-in for a bike that size, the excess-weight is hardly noticed. Different at the slow stuff though.that's where the weight shows.and there's plenty of it. Way too much. Gear changes are lighter and even more positive than on the 750. Engine braking is impressive and perfectly usable. Unlike the rear brake, which is hopelessly aggressive. Even light tabs result in lockups.it's ridiculous. Dangerous, too, as there' s no way of telling/ feeling where the point of "bite" is. At the lights the gearbox/ clutch sound like something's floating around loose in there. Something heavy. Up Mountain Hwy, the standard "test-track" and the Breva 11 shows it's weakest spot.unless held above 5000rpm, the big twin "dies-in-the-arse" on corner exits in 2. and 3. gears. No grunt, no punch when compared with my usual ride (V-Strom 1000cc-twin). The Madaz pipe is the only thing going, everything else feels flat. Above 5000rpm things get moving though.it's just the sort of bike (with a "guessed", unmarked redline around 7500?? rpm), that should have way more meat down-low. The engine feels "gooey/ rubbery" up to that point, then frees up and spins up happily. The standard Guzzi-shakes disappear around 2000-2500rpm, standing at the lights still gives a free Pilates-session, mirrors moving like hit by a cyclone. The headlight's got a "droopy nose" (like it or hate it), the single-sided swingarm looks cool. All up: Hmmm.. it's a Breva 750 for 2-up work.with a few things having turned sour between the 2. What should've been a natural progression from the 750 has got too significant shortfalls, the rear-brake is useless to me (as a "both-brakes-rider), the rear suspension too harsh, the bike's way too heavy, the Captain Starbuck dash is a nuisance. Tried for another 20km out the back of Monbulk, then short-cutted back to Ringwood, as nothing more/ different bubbled up. Still was a nice ride though It's "Thumbs down" for me on the Breva11. Cheers pete
