Motorcycle specifications Moto-Guzzi1100 V 11 SPORT Naked 2002 The flight of an eagle

The fruit of the passion of a handful of Guzzi engineers, the V 11 has elegantly made its debut on the market. Inheriting the charm of a glorious era for the Italian brand, this motorcycle is simply beautiful. Bewitching with its generous forms and monumental engine, this spiritual daughter of the old V 7 S is as charming as it is imposing. A Mandello trademark, the twin with transverse cylinder heads contributes as much to the aesthetics as to the life of this bike. This mill is not new. Originally from the Calif, it has been reworked to increase its power. The result: almost 90 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, but a lack of gniak in the 4,000 zone. It proves torquey and supple, picking up low in the rev range, but the most important thing is to feel the piston strokes and that famous rocking when the throttle is applied. Better for the gearbox, but it still requires attention to shift properly. Driven with gusto, the V11 shows off its old-fashioned roadster face... and its grimaces when you wobble. You have to flex your muscles to make it obey. However, you can count on its great stability once you've settled into its trajectory. Suffering from a lack of rigidity, the chassis, like the suspension, suffers on rough roads and at high speeds. Shit! So forget about this rhythm, which sounds better with a GSX-R. The Guzzi is all about winding up, getting out of corners with the big push of the twin, letting yourself be carried away by its character... in short, vibrating on the handlebars. Braking is another delight. The gold-series Brembo set works impeccably. To improve its manners, the V 11 increases its wheelbase in 2001 and equips the exhaust pipes with a bent tube to rebalance gas pressures.

It's clear that Guzzi is offering us a super machine with a strong temperament. Magnificent, characterful, well-finished, the V11 is a head-turner. Unfortunately, the Italian factory forgot to be generous with the price. But does it really matter for such a gorgeous lady?!

M.B - manufacturer's photos