Featured A New Addition

Since selling my VRF800 to a friend last year I haven't got a bike in the garage that's really suitable for touring on. The Street Triple could be press ganged into that role I suppose and would no doubt perform admirably, but I was on the look out for something reasonably small (easy to handle and move around in the garage and driveway) That was my thinking anyway.

High on the list of candidates was a Guzzi V7. I was loaned one for the day when I took my Tuono in for a service a couple of years ago. I think Guzzi's tend to be Marmite bikes. You love them or you leave them. I've had a few big block Guzzis in my time and I'm in the former camp. I love the laid back attitude and easy mile munching capabilities of Moto Guzzi's large capacity V twins. I hadn't really thought of another big block Guzzi as I'm in my mid 60's now and having ridden a V7, they seemed ideal for the job with the shaft drive, comparatively light weight and all.

Then I spied an advert for the Breva 1100. As the owner didn't live too far from me (about an hours ride). I went to have a look and the bike was as good as the advert said it was. The owner is a smashing bloke who has several other bikes and as he's lived and worked overseas for many years that explained why a 16 year old bike had less than 2500 miles on the odo. Although not shown in the photo, the bike came with the matching hard panniers which are a doddle to fit and remove from the bike itself. The large touring screen also keeps you out of the elements. It was recently serviced with new tyres, so ironically after the search for a smaller and lighter bike than the VFR, I've gone and bought a larger and heavier one! Riding it home yesterday I had a broad grin on my face as these bikes truly are very capable tourers. All I need to do now is to get my a**e into gear and go touring on it.

 

Not one, but two Tuonos slumbering in the garage this week. Junior borrowed the Guzzi a week ago and I'm yet to get it back. .