Pexi's Moto Guzzi Weblog

Some answers...

Q: How would a rider (33" inseam, 100 Kg and 189 cm) fit on the 750 and the 1100?

I don't know really. One of my friends is really tall, almost 2m (6'6"), and he said that the 750 feels good, but as you know, "your mileage may vary"... 1100 has adjustable gear and break levers so I'd guess that it is better for tall people...

G: How good commuter bikes (in your opinion) are the 750 and the 1100: short distances with very dense traffic and plenty of filtering - 750 v/s 1100?

Ha! I'm an expert here! Trust me, the 750 is the commuter bike! It's a joy in a traffic jam. It can beat both the scooters and those Japanese street fighters on traffic lights. Really.

Q: Long distance comfort: 750 v/s 1100?

IMHO the 1100 is made for long distance and for faster riding.

Q: Would it be worth getting the promised ABS on the 2006 version of the 1100?

That's a difficult question as I have no experience! I have never ever felt uncomfortable with the braking power or braking feel of either these two bikes. Both the 750 and the 1100 simply have top notch brakes. They both have plenty of feel and power for any road. I know can do a stoppie with 750 if I need to (been there, done that), and I really think I might be able do a stoppie with the 1100. I have too much confidence on myself so I don't think that an ABS system is a must. On the other hand, I would have probably opt for the ABS if that was an option when I bought the bike...

Riding position, windscreen etc

Thanks for the questions and comments, guys!

About the riding position of the 1100: compared to the 750, the biggest difference is caused by the width of the bars. The 750 feels like being equipped with narrow clip-ons in comparison. Now that I have been riding the 1100 some 1000 km, I'd say that the riding position of the 1100 feels kind of "proud" and relaxed, and there's nothing wrong with that feeling! It may be upright for some tastes: I need to strongly squeeze the tank with my knees and lean quite strongly forward when  accelerating "seriously". Likewise, on tight curves with deep lean angles (well ok, "deep" is a relative word), I find that I get the best feeling and fun if I lean forward, bending my elbows somewhere close to 90° angle. Then, I've adjusted the gear lever tap to its highest position, it feels more natural like that. Perfect. This is really hard to explain and probably incredibly subjective stuff anyway - anyone who is reading this should remember that I'm best described as a short dwarf, with non-standard body proportions: my jeans are 30" inseam, and when I buy a suit, I need to get trousers of size S and the jacket of size L. I should have done some leg training in the gym, too, LOL. Anyway, the attached picture may explain something.

Then about the windscreen: yes, I removed it to see if the buffeting was really caused by the windscreen. Oh yes it was! In the lowest settings the screen was causing strong turbulence and in-helmet noise; in the most upright position it was causing very strong turbulence, causing fuzzy road vision at 140 km/h as my head was vibrating so much. Without the screen the bike not just looks better, but the overall pleasure of riding is far superior too, and the Schuberth helmet is ... well, silent again - and my head is steady. At least for the time being that windscreen will remain stocked on the garage shelf. I don't like it :(

On the other side of the book, that sexy nakedness of the bike is now causing strong air pressure to the helmet and what happens then: there's not enough room for my chin inside the helmet and the helmet's "chin bar", or whatever it's called, is in full contact to my jaws. That's not a safe feeling.

Two Brevas on the road

Yep, both of my Brevas were breathing that healthy mountain air  on Friday evening:

Shiny details

In addition to washing and polishing, I've been riding as much as the work, weather and life has allowed. As a proof of the polishing stuff: look at that black paint, isn't it just immaculate - like a mirror?

Pictures, pictures

We finally have sunny spells now and then, but even today the rain somewhat ruined our short two-up Sunday ride. Too bad, as it was the first time that the missus came on-board the Breva 1100 and she immediately declared that the seating comfort is great... then the rain started and we returned back to home. Bah.

While waiting for the OEM side panniers and tank-bag, I've installed the top box from the 750 - it looks less awkward with this bigger bike, but nevertheless it's absolutely not cool. But it's practical - I can't understand how people riding with back-bags survive in this heat!

Chicken stripes

After the first 350 km, both the big Breva and Pexi are starting to loose their initial roughness. Yet the chicken stripes are still visible on the rear wheel.

I sat some five hours on the saddle today, mostly stuck in a traffic jam, but also had the opportunity to test the familiar curves going uphill from the coast...

My feelings so far:

Positive things

• The engine, lots of torque, no disturbing vibes
• The frame - it's rock solid at high speed curves
• She's a long legged lady: break-in period, max 5000 rpm is good for 145 km/h
• Brake balance better than on the 750 Breva, the front does not dive in too much
• The suspension is VERY comfortable
• Individuality - a chat magnet
• Fuel consumption!

Negative things

• The optional windscreen produces lots of turbulence and in-helmet noise
• She is a heavy and wide lady, negotiating through the traffic jam is not that easy

Good question - what happened to the 750?

The 750 is still in my garage - I'll still ride her from time to time, until next spring. Then, before the next summer, WE are going to make one never-forgettable "Guzzi tour" to Finland, 3000 km up north, back to my hometown. WE = two black Brevas, the 750 and the 1100, plus me and my brother in law, the Sitting Bull, chief Indian. He and my son will then take good care of my trusty 750  - and I'll ride back to the south solo with the 1100. Well, that's the plan at the moment. Not a bad plan at all, if I may add.

Got the Breva 1100 today

The shiny black pussycat with longer legs and larger jugs arrived today to my household. She's got a statue like shape and an inviting sound - of course, as she's been born in Italy and is called Breva 1100. Ooohhhhh she is so sexy!

To Toulon and back via Port Grimaud

I got my train tickets to Toulon from the recently opened railway station of Grasse (pic on the left) on Saturday morning. The TER train to Cannes started from Grasse at 9:12 and was the cleanest train I've ever seen (pic 1 below). I arrived in Toulon already around 11 o'clock and stupidly (it was hot, hot, hot!) decided to walk those few blocks to Motard Service (pic 2), where I found my Breva repaired as promised. By the time I was ready to leave, it was already lunch time, so I rode down to the port of Toulon to get something to eat and to plan the route back to home (pic 3).

After a beer and a salade provençal, I took the coastal road towards Port Grimaud, where I stopped for a tourist tour. Port Grimaud is quite an incredible artificial, modern petit Venice, situated across the bay to Saint Tropez. It's been designed by architect François Spoerry on 1950's (I think) and then built on 1960's. Interior has been decorated with canals, small bridges, charming houses and BOATS. Rest of the pictures are from there.

Breva is fixed

The clutch cable has been replaced and the bike is now ready for pick up in Motard Service, Toulon. Looking forward to taking a train to Toulon on Saturday morning and then it's couple of hours enjoyable ride back to home. The weather should be good too: