Moto Guzzi V11 Cafe Sport reviews

I recently traded my 2001 Guzzi V11 Rosso Mandello for the new improved Scura. Almost all of the things that needed to be changed to improve the bike were done. Ohlins front and rear certainly make the handling much better. Lengthening the frame and bracing it reduced the flex. This is now a cool great handling bike with great sound and looks. If you want to be different get this bike. Show less

Not withstanding the electrical problems, I bought a bunch of relays from Radio Shack (online and cheap). I love this bike. No other bike will make people stop in their tracks and look. Fun to ride, and love that sound......I'd recommend it if your looking for something different. Show less

I have owned my Guzzi since new. I have after market pipes and I have replaced the following. All relays 1 x Gearbox (blew to bits) 2 x rear exhaust brackets 1 x clutch reservoir bracket 1 x front brake reservoir bracket 1 x bar end mirror (for da looks) 2 x oil cooler brackets 1 x headlight (inner deflector failure) 1 x regulator 1 x battery (regulator failure) 2 x sets of wheel bearings (both at 20,000) 1 x set universals 1 x left side cover 1 x right side cover 1 x tacho So yip I have replaced a few bits, but mostly it was warranty work. I have tried all tyre variants and I find the Batlax 202's the best of the bunch. I get good miles and it handles likes it's on rails either in or out of the rain. I am about to replace the Speedo as well as the tacho due to the dials fading to the point of non existence. I have also to replace the Speedo cable which has also failed. I am also getting the two rear exhaust mounts (frame) reinforced as they are starting to crack. Apart from the failures that I have had, well all I can stay is BUGGAR! It worries me but at least my baby still runs like a cut kat, and nobody yet has been able to catch me around the Rotomas (15 k road the twists up and down hills). If you consider the V11 that you are getting over your ordinary run of the mill bikes then you can see what it is all about. I love this bike and if anyone wants to dis it then lets fight! Show less

Bought my black one in Arizona and brought back to El Paso, a left over new 2000. Cooked the relays in the first 300 miles; new ones sent to my house in 24 hours by Moto Guzzi USA with cooperation of Renaissance Motorcycles in Arizona!! Tail light circuit shorted out due to loose wire in tach/speedo assembly. Best sounding engine I've heard; kind of like a bass version of a Ducati, even with stock pipes. Love it totally. Handle bar vibration not nearly as bad as magazines say it is. Show less

I own several bikes including sport bikes, standard bikes etc. The Guzzi is a very flickable bike with a few idiosyncrasies. It does vibrate between 4 and 5 thousand rpm but smoothes out at 5. The paint job on the Rosso is one of the best I have seen on a bike. The carbon fiber etc. make the bike a standout. It however is let down a bit by its twitchy handling on any curves with small bumps etc. The tires do not slide but the bike wallows a bit. It was difficult to keep up with full sport bikes due to its twitchy nature. Other than that the bike is great. If you want something different go for it. Show less

...if anyone has had problems with the two ignition housing bolts falling out of the 2000 v-11 sport ignition housing, please let me know. I've contacted the westcoast area rep. via internet as to the warranty status and if this is a common problem. thks ..bruce Show less

If you buy this bike, ensure you have the new set of relays before you buy. The relays fix the electrical problems that seem to be prevalent with some bikes. I had the same issue, but the relays take care of it right away. The motor and tranny on this bike are very nice, with just gobs of torque from the V twin. Handlebar vibration is noticeable but not objectionable, however the mirrors suck, so buy some bar end mirrors and you'll be ok. I too wish there was a better fairing option, although the larger Magni fairing is very expensive. Styling on the bike is drop dead gorgeous; it gets looks everwhere I ride it. Bike is a tad small(cramped) for those over 6'. Show less

I have always been intrigued by the british cafe racers of old. The V11 sport has the look and the feel of a real street thrasher. The motor feel and silky gearbox combined with the freight train pulling power has left me in awe. The sound of the motor and its rumble at idle is music to my ears. And the sound at peak rpms is, well, thrilling to say the least. I have had thirty nine bikes to date, and have been looking for this one the whole time. It is already a hard to find classic that would complete anyones collection of one of a kind bikes. All it really needed was the colour matched fairing to complete the look. Not the fastest, not the slowest, but truly a great sport bike. Show less

I too have had similar problems as did the "push" review. Very frustrating! Show less

The dealer's owner let me ride his personal bike for a few hours on the "last nice day of the season" in New England. Winding through the backroads, the sun shining through the autumn leaves was nirvana! The bike is outstandingly comfortable-perfect ergonomics that are much better than my VTR1000. The vibration bemoaned in the press was annoying only between 4000-4200 rpm. It surprised me at first, but I quickly got used to it. The transmission is great. It's much better than my VTR1000 Superhawk. I had the "Harley guys" gawking...They new it wasn't Japanese, but had no idea what it was. Real horns, great brakes with SS lines(I wish they used the more attractive "star pattern" rotors like the Ducati 900SS. The looks! This thing is beautiful in person. I'd like to see one in Italian Red w/Silver frame. The handling is great. This is the best handling shaft driven bike I've ridden. (I've owned a few BMWs and Honda shafties) My only complaints are that the mirrors stink and a few odd fasteners look like they will quickly corrode. Unfortunately there are not too many accessories available for Moto Guzzis. I've seen a work stand and a small Monster-like fairing that looks a bit cheesy. I'd like a midsize fairing as an option. I guess my only problem is for my dealer to find me a Green one! Show less