Moto Guzzi V11 Cafe Sport reviews

I've had many bikes over the last 32 years, from the Honda CB200 to the BMW R1150GS. Until owning my Special Sport I've never owned one for more than a couple of years and most of them, not even one. I do thousands of miles, so I soon get to know my bikes. I usually pick them for distance work, so there are a few features I must have but not without compromise. I soon get to know them and because I like to 'crack on' I soon get to know their limits too. So, with some authority on the subject, I'd like to say a few words about my special sport. I've had it for three and a half years now and I've no intention of ever selling it, so that tells you something. Here are some bullets: It's not the fastest but it can easily break the law in any gear, regardless of load. It's sublimely comfortable and stays comfortable for hours. It has the most natural seating position of any bike I've ever seen, let alone owned. It's reliable as long it's properly maintained; it has never let me down. It's economical at 45 miles per English gallon, no matter how I ride and because it sounds so amazing, I tend to get on with my rides. It can take as much luggage as any other bike I've owned, including the GS and with much less impact on handling. It handles unbelievably well for a bike of it's style and I've surprised many sports bike riders on it. It looks stunning (most of the time) and it's timeless, so ther's no worry about looking out of date (if that matters to you). It's very easy maintenance and cheap to do. I do all my own, so it's really cheap and I know exactly what's been done (You can't trust many humans when it comes to money). It'll bob across fields loaded with camping gear with no problem, as long as it's dry and because my feet can rest flat on the ground, I feel very confident fully loaded, off and on road. I can move it around easily straddled across it and because of the excellent side stand, I don't worry about how and what I'm parking on. I get all the protection I need from its simple screen, though I usually don't have one at all; only during the bug season(Yuck!). It's an absolutely perfect bike for me and ticks most of the boxes, most of the time. Downers: It's a pig to clean and because the materials used to build it aren't so good, cleaning better be something you don't neglect. I've had my wheels replaced with stailess ones and I've reworked the electrics for English weather. I've also got rid of the grey paint on the diff and coated it with black, smooth Amarite. Looks great! Things have fallen off it in the past. The naff chrome look plastic bits on the mud guards have long gone but I've replaced them with real McCoy. At tickover, the engine sounds like a bag of bolts but I know there's nothing wrong. Apparently it's just the way they are but I'm determined to sort that out later this year. In one word though, this bike has something in bucket loads that makes it stand out from the rest; heart. I love it. Show less

I got this bike new as a leftover late last year. It looks even better in reality, it sounds great, and once I rode it (my first Guzzi) I was hooked. Actually, I had been looking for a R1150R, but I was glad to discover that there's something unique about this bike. You've got to ride one to see for yourself. It won't win speed contests, though it's plenty fast for any real-life situation. Instead, it's rock-solid, corners like on rails, and it feels and sounds like nothing else. It's also good to know that Guzzi is the second oldest motorcycle company in the world that has continued production with no interruption. The bike is very comfortable for a sporty ride. Probably more so than its clip-on siblings. The handlebar is wide and fairly raised and the seat is comfortable for a whole day. Other than minor niggles that can be sorted out fairly easily (e.g., my speedo/odo cable quit on me after about 700 miles and was replaced under warranty), these bikes are known to be pretty bulletproof. The engine has been basically used for the Guzzis for the last 40 years. It is a great design that is simple and stone-ax reliable. Maintenance is a breeze. Valves are probably the easiest to adjust anywhere. All is very simple and straightforward. Just make sure that you put good engine oil in it and change it every 3000 miles. They say the engine gets better as the miles pile up. I can't see myself ever giving up on this bike. Show less

I purchased this brand new 2000 V11 Sport and I absolutely love it. Right from the start it felt like something special. Just the way the bike feels on the road and the heavenly sound the pipes make. I did end up adding the Guzzi TI racing kit with the upgraded ECU and it has made a great difference. The bike pulls even better and the sound is fantastic. Plus the pipes are so light I think the bike is now about 15 pounds lighter. It has been really reliable and has never let me down at all. All these years later it still turns heads and even more so now that all bikes are starting to look the same and the V11 really stands out among the flock. It is also comfy enough to take on long trips with a reasonable amount of luggage. Bottom line is that I would for sure buy this bike again if I were to make another bike purchase. Show less

I have been riding for over 35 years. My favorite bikes were the BMW GS 1100, Harley FLHT, Yamaha TDM, and Suzuki V-Strom. Well, I now have a new favorite. I purchased a 2002 Guzzi Special Sport a year ago from a little man that complained the stiff suspension caused him pain. It was perfect for my 250 pound butt! This is a do anything bike. It handles like a sport bike, and will run away from my son on his Ninja on mountain roads. It is a better touring bike than the FLHT, plus it is faster. It gets the same gas mileage as my wifes 450 Nighthawk. It is a better off road bike that my V-Strom or GS 1100. I am selling all my other bikes as I spend 90% of my riding time on the Goose. My Special Sport tips the scales at 545 pounds, but feels it weighs only 350. Folks, this is the perfect all around motorcycle. Never any problems at all. Show less

Purchased a slightly used ( less than 9000km ) v11 sport with mods: Gianelli carbon fibre pipes, carbon front fairing, carbon wheel well, K&N air cleaners. Handles very well. I usually do not exceed 4200rpm in 6th. Love the style; its uniqueness on the road; it gets its fair share of looks, even when beside customized Harleys. Show less

What can you say about an Italian VTwin with Shaft Drive? It's awesome, beautiful and fun to drive. Plenty of power and torque. Shaft drive and 6 speed transmission are like butter. It gets lots of comments from all riders. It is a little quirky, but dependable and refined. The sound is wonderful. The only thing I changed were the mirrors(bar ends instead of mickey mouse ears). I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a unique sport bike. Looking forward to many years of riding this bike. Show less

I got this bike two weeks ago and I have already put 650 miles on it. The bike has an upright seating position, which is still sporty enough to tuck in sometimes. At 70mph, the bike will rumble along all day and it loves to run 85 to 90. It has tons of torque and nobody knows what it is so it gets lots of attention. The only gripes I have is that the windscreen is funky and has a funny buffeting sensation sometimes when I sit upright, the engine has some vibration which does not bother me as it is a down low type but it does make it impossible to see out of the rear view mirrors. However the brakes are superb, handling is perfect and the little quirks are no reason not to own this Italian beauty. Shaft drive is another advantage too. Show less

At 475 miles speedo/odo went out. This is common per dealer because it is still gear driven, but an easy fix. The seat is very comfortable on the day trips, 200 miles plus. Handling is excellent. Lean forward into the turns to move a little weight to the front end, relax elbows and look through the turn and this bike is on a rail all the way. Get used to the cam whirr and you don't need to see the tach. Only 40 were imported, so it is a huge eye catcher every time you park it. It will take a few thousand to break in the transmission. It is pretty notchy for now but improving. With the included titanium can upgrade and chip this one is a keeper on looks alone. It has a beautiful sound somewhere between the very low H-D thump and the higher reving duc v-twin purr. Ya Gotta Love it. Show less

This is my second street bike ever, so I havent got much to compare to. I went into the dealer looking for a "naked" bike, something with style, and power. This bike has it in spades. I bought a ferrari red version with black underbody. Hot! Engine grunts like a mac truck, and sounds fantastic. All the jap bike boys look over with envy when they hear it. Transmission can be a bit finicky, but I find it is mostly when engaging from neutral, and it is solved by dropping the clutch out a bit, much like on older trucks without syncros. Not a problem once you figure the trick out. My bike is a 2004 model, and I am hoping they solved the electical and fuel lock issues that some other users have reported in earlier models. Also benefit from some Aprilia engineering now that they were bought, and now Piaggio has bought them both, so dealer network should expand. I think Moto Guzzi is a great bike, built like a tank and style to boot, although I fear our little secret will escape and in a few years there will be tons of them on the road. Here's hoping not... Show less

This green metallic bike with its red frame is a good looking classic bike, with some modern touches like fuel injection and electronic management, yet it maintains the essentials of a long line of classic motorbikes, like its stomping V2 and its shaft drive. The engine is quite civilized, powerful and full of torque right through to its redline at 8000 rpm. It has a slick six speed box, that really works, like a knife through butter. Its maintenance free shaft drive and 1st class suspension, makes it a comfortable and fast tourer although the back seat is a bit cramped for longer distances. This is also a sports Moto Guzzi where you can go fast through corners, and I mean FAST, it leans well, it turns sharply but it wobbles through corners unless you give it power through. Initially this can be quite unsetteling, until you learn to pile it on; where the bike then shines with stability like a train, right up to top speed of approximately 220 to 230 km. Acceleration is brisk to fierce, and the bike is an absolute delight. Highly desirable. Moto Guzzi's are known for their quirky attitudes, and the bike and you need to bond over a period. You are likely to have some initial faults with the machine, nothing serious, because they are very durable. We are talking more of nuisance problems. If you are prepared for that, and able to live this period through, you will be rewarded with a bike which will bring a smile to your face every time you ride it. It is one of life's small pleasures that bikes like these are still being built and are available to mere mortals like us. Grab one, enjoy life. I did, and I do! Show less