Guzzi reliability

[nudemetalz]

Why you buy a Moto Guzzi V11...

(taken from www.V11LeMans.com website)


"Mines on 24k-miles now, its been fine apart from,#

rear wheel bearings failed at about 10k
original battery failed after 2years,replaced with odeysey battery which has just failed after a further 6years.
Gearbox recall by Moto Guzzi...
engine oil leak from timing cover at about7k
brake light switch failed at 8k
Cam nut fell off causing four bent valves at about 14k
Relay connections failed needing a repair to the terminals and a new relay.
sidepanels cracked at fixing holes..
driveshaft uj failed at 12 k and again recently at 23k,new shaft fitted,
Intermitant starter fault traced to sidestand swith, replaced switch.
bevel box bearing failed at about 9k,rebuilt the box with new bearings,ok since.
torque arm bush failed,fitted new bushes at 24k
Latest issue is a swollen fuel tank that now interferes with the steering and is chafing badly on the sidepanels and seat.

I soo luck it wasnt a Honda I had purchased,, I been soo bored.... " :gob:

Nudie heads out to the garage to check over his V11... :blink: :facepalm:

[idb]

It's called "character", celebrate it!

[Crasherfromwayback]

And do not contact the guy that sold it to you.

[Corse1]

Glad I bought the Tuono then as I was looking at Guzzi's!!

[nudemetalz]

And do not contact the guy that sold it to you.

dodgy fullah he is..

[Crasherfromwayback]

dodgy fullah he is..

Then some.

[NighthawkNZ]

Guzzi reliability...

Isn't that an oxymoron

[nudemetalz]

Isn't that an oxymoron

errr..a tad.. ;)
Still, they are easier to fix than most...

[eelracing]

It's called "character", celebrate it!

But one man's character is another's man's insanity.
So with the OP's list of character faults above I guess you are saying Guzzi's are character building?

But then the truly insane think they are sane.

[baptist]

The further down the list I went the more I liked riding Japanese :facepalm:

How do you get a swollen fuel tank? is it a heavy drinker :drinkup: or by giving it a :kick: :innocent: they are such a nice looking series of bikes as well :yes:.

[dangerous]

Sounds like shit to me nudes... 40km later and my list consits of

ONE paw spring



so Id say your mate dont deserve a Guzzi... and for what its worth my 1100sport (same engine) 100k and just a few relays cooked.

[Voltaire]

The rest of the problems you can fix....


I soo luck it wasnt a Honda I had purchased,, I been soo bored.... "


what so modern bike riders ( can't call them motorcyclists) do in their evenings.......?
Facebook :facepalm:

[nudemetalz]

Taken off the website DD, dunno the guy.

Swollen fuel tank? Apparently is a common problem with them being plastic.

I haven't had the broken pawl spring or the cooked relay common problems they've have.

My list of probs has been:-

Electrical cut off (clutch and sidestand) switches cooked (intermittant starting)
Gearbox main seal fail
Odometer stop working
torque arm bushes crap out
Front wheel bearings fail.

But I bought it at around 30K and done approx 40-50K on it in 5 years.

Still going strong now and I still love it to bits.

[dangerous]

Taken off the website DD, dunno the guy.

Swollen fuel tank? Apparently is a common problem with them being plastic.

I haven't had the broken pawl spring or the cooked relay common problems they've have.

My list of probs has been:-

Electrical cut off (clutch and sidestand) switches cooked (intermittant starting)
Gearbox main seal fail
Odometer stop working
torque arm bushes crap out
Front wheel bearings fail.


But I bought it at around 30K and done approx 40-50K on it in 5 years.

Still going strong now and I still love it to bits.
Oh I wasnt doubting ya for a second aye, just cant be true LOL as for you...
never heard of a:
Gearbox main seal fail
torque arm bushes crap out...
Front wheel bearings fail.
Odometer stop working, same but it was a simple fix one MG paid for and that as you know is a straighter route
I also have had fork seals go twice... BUT thats Ohlins nout to do with MG :woohoo:

PS: think the tank issue has something to do with overseas fuels, an advantage of haveing the worlds crapest petrol aye.

[Edbear]

I've only done 27,000km on mine and nothing at all has gone wrong. It's even on the original brake pads/shoes and tyres. Oh, sorry, did I mention it's a Suzuki... ? :innocent:

Still, I do have a soft spot for Guzzi's and would probably own one if it were possible. I like the V11 especially, also the Cali and the latest 750 Classic... :yes:

[Crasherfromwayback]

I've only done 27,000km on mine and nothing at all has gone wrong. It's even on the original brake pads/shoes and tyres. Oh, sorry, did I mention it's a Suzuki... ? :innocent:

:

You've done 27000km's on the original set of tyres?

[Edbear]

You've done 27000km's on the original set of tyres?

Yup! Still plenty of wear left too. Rear is getting low in the middle, though. I don't ride too easy either, I ride to get where I'm going. Did a lot of K's commuting to work though as well which doesn't wear them out very fast.

Done lots of longer trips, two-up touring, in fact lots of two-up riding in general as I bought it to ride with my wife, higher speed stuff :shutup: having fun on the Coro, etc.

Still got the original battery, only replacements have been a couple of the driving light bulbs.

[Flip]

Bugger me thats a lot of things going wrong.

I have done 68Mm on the HD. I have had to replace 2 bulbs and a stone did go through the drive belt which was a bugger to swap out took me a day to do.

[Edbear]

Bugger me thats a lot of things going wrong.

I have done 68Mm on the HD. I have had to replace 2 bulbs and a stone did go through the drive belt which was a bugger to swap out took me a day to do.

68 million miles...? :gob:

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yup! Still plenty of wear left too. .

Christ oh mighty...that's unreal! Anyone here beat that record on 1 set of tyres?

[HenryDorsetCase]

I've only done 27,000km on mine and nothing at all has gone wrong. It's even on the original brake pads/shoes and tyres. Oh, sorry, did I mention it's a Suzuki... ? :innocent:

Still, I do have a soft spot for Guzzi's and would probably own one if it were possible. I like the V11 especially, also the Cali and the latest 750 Classic... :yes:

on my list of "Bikes to own one day"

But I like the custom cafe ones best.

check out these bad boys, done by Ritmo Sereno out of Japan

http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=ritmo+sereno&hl=en&biw=1680&bih=829&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1maRTauqBI-8sQOJ3NWiDg&ved=0CEIQsAQ

[grbaker]

Just done over 6000ks on my oh-so-lovely Guzzi Bellagio (2nd hand). Got to love a bike that rocks just sitting at the lights (get one, you'll see, well feel :love:).

Only two faults.

Speedo stopped working in the rain, a little putty where the wire meets the speed senors fixed that.
Left rear indicator blew thrice. Housing inside the indicator was a little loose... again putty has resolved that one.


F'n near shat meself when the big RED LIGHT comes on :shit:.. just to tell me the inidicator bulb had blown.. f'n computers.

Best Improvement: Replaced the rear Metzler Z6 (puncture) with a Continential Road-Attack2... wow what a difference.. steers so much quicker and hold lines so much better. (can't wait till my front Z6 wears out... but yes will wait).

Only niggle: Electronics - why, why... analogue speedo, basic clocks etc are so much better than something that plonks a spanner icon on yer dash and says "Go to the Doctor"... just becomes yer 5000km service is due. (Nor flashs a RED LIGHT of death at you cos it has detected a dude bulb... fark).

[ducatilover]

I wish I had that kind of excitement. My Kawasaki developed an inake leak at 68k just after it needed the OE clutch replaced. And my Honda, well, it's shit cos I pinched the tank vent tube and it died once :shit: How horrible. Both have now done 69k and still work (apart from the intake leak)
I'd love to see the receipts bin next to a Guzzi at 69k, although I'd much rather ride a V11 Sport than my boring shitters.

[nudemetalz]

Oh I wasnt doubting ya for a second aye, just cant be true LOL as for you...
never heard of a:
Gearbox main seal fail
torque arm bushes crap out...
Front wheel bearings fail.
Odometer stop working, same but it was a simple fix one MG paid for and that as you know is a straighter route
I also have had fork seals go twice... BUT thats Ohlins nout to do with MG :woohoo:

PS: think the tank issue has something to do with overseas fuels, an advantage of haveing the worlds crapest petrol aye.

Nah my tank is absol fine also so you must be right with the crap fuel theory.

Yeah the wheel bearings shredded themselves down the motorway a wee while ago.
Had to ride slowly with the front brake lightly on to keep the wheel in alignment.

The gearbox seal happened earlier on it's ownership with me. Pulled up outside WMCC and then a huge pool of oil developed underneath. So yes engine and gearbox out job. Luckily I was at the right place when it happened.
Costly though.

Torque arm bushes? Got some machined out of nolethane. Problem solved. That happened recently.

Got to get the odometer fixed, guessing Parrot & Sons have survived?
My fork seals are still perfect.

[Paul in NZ]

I've had a billion things wrong with my Guzzi but mostly caused by me or the advanced decrepitude of the thing enhanced by its long slumber before we started using it like it was intended.

ALL of the faults were known ones and all were easily fixed at home.

But seriously - who would expect one of these marvellously mental devices to behave predictably? The reason you have one is that its NOT something else and as always there are the dues to pay. They can be expensive to own but again - you are talking about a low numbers, alternative maker not a cookie cutter bike so it goes with the territory.

Over all, still one of the most satisfing and rewarding bikes out there, so many glaring flaws and so soul stiringly 'RIGHT'.... To me they are still the last 'Boys Own' hero type bike....

[Swoop]

Still, they are easier to fix than most...
Most what? Most Italian bikes? Most nuclear reactors?:scratch:

68 million miles...? :gob:
I read it as being 68mm. Perhaps it isn't moved about very much...:shutup:

[SMOKEU]

With all this talk of reliability issues, I'm loving my Honda right about now.

[grbaker]

With all this talk of reliability issues, I'm loving my Honda right about now.

:facepalm:

and one day you will have a good screw and realise your Honda lacks something....

[nudemetalz]

Most what? Most Italian bikes? Most nuclear reactors?:scratch:



We talk about aircooled pushrods not water-cooled desmodromics ;)


Paul is completely right,...but...errr...the "Boys Own" analogy is rather boy-band ghey.... :facepalm:

[ducatilover]

:facepalm:

and one day you will have a good screw and realise your Honda lacks something....

Receipts and oil leaks? :facepalm:

Then again, it has got too many cylinders.

[dangerous]

:facepalm: and one day you will have a good screw and realise your Honda lacks something....
gota get his 1st... first :drinkup:



I'd love to see the receipts bin next to a Guzzi at 69k, although I'd much rather ride a V11 Sport than my boring shitters. that would be Sweet Fuck All fella... like I said did 90k on my 1100i sport (2v daytona) only ever did relays a easy fix and once a solid state unit was used $12 they last for yonks, also had a preserisation issue in the diff, this causes blowen seals BUT again drill a hole run a hose to a film canister and sorted cost $0.
At 110k it started wining in 5th, usual as they are a straight cut box.

Altho Guzzi are knowen for issues they are all but most sortable in the garage, when my V11 broke a paw spring in the gear box, easy fix... lean it over wip the starter and side plate off and replace... cant do that on ya average more relible bike.

[Edbear]

gota get his 1st... first :drinkup:


that would be Sweet Fuck All fella... like I said did 90k on my 1100i sport (2v daytona) only ever did relays a easy fix and once a solid state unit was used $12 they last for yonks, also had a preserisation issue in the diff, this causes blowen seals BUT again drill a hole run a hose to a film canister and sorted cost $0.
At 110k it started wining in 5th, usual as they are a straight cut box.

Altho Guzzi are knowen for issues they are all but most sortable in the garage, when my V11 broke a paw spring in the gear box, easy fix... lean it over wip the starter and side plate off and replace... cant do that on ya average more relible bike.

Isn't the point that you don't need to do that on a more reliable bike..?:innocent:

[idb]

Isn't the point that you don't need to do that on a more reliable bike..?:innocent:
Don't you dare try to introduce logic into a thread about Italian bike ownership!

[dangerous]

Isn't the point that you don't need to do that on a more reliable bike..?:innocent:
ok.. remembering the v11 is an engine from the 80's, bikes I have had I have done water pumps, cam chains, rings, reg recterfiers the list goes on.. yip all relible Jap bikes, ya get lemons with every thing.

[Edbear]

Don't you dare try to introduce logic into a thread about Italian bike ownership!

Sorry, of course you're quite right! :yes: Generally, motorcycle ownership has little to do with logic anyway, it's just that Italian bike owners are more illogical than others... :innocent:

[Edbear]

ok.. remembering the v11 is an engine from the 80's, bikes I have had I have done water pumps, cam chains, rings, reg recterfiers the list goes on

Actually I read somewhere and looked it up to confirm that the Guzzi motor was reliable enough it was deemed suitable to power drone aircraft... :yes:

[Kickaha]

We talk about aircooled pushrods not water-cooled desmodromics ;)

Real Desmos aren't watercooled anyway

[ducatilover]

gota get his 1st... first :drinkup:


that would be Sweet Fuck All fella... like I said did 90k on my 1100i sport (2v daytona) only ever did relays a easy fix and once a solid state unit was used $12 they last for yonks, also had a preserisation issue in the diff, this causes blowen seals BUT again drill a hole run a hose to a film canister and sorted cost $0.
At 110k it started wining in 5th, usual as they are a straight cut box.

Altho Guzzi are knowen for issues they are all but most sortable in the garage, when my V11 broke a paw spring in the gear box, easy fix... lean it over wip the starter and side plate off and replace... cant do that on ya average more relible bike.

must be time for me to rob a bank and find an MGS-01? One f the best looking bikes ever made and 120rwhp to boot :love:

[idb]

Sorry, of course you're quite right! :yes: Generally, motorcycle ownership has little to do with logic anyway, it's just that Italian bike owners are more illogical than others... :innocent:

I'm not sure, is that agreement or have I just been insulted?

[Edbear]

I'm not sure, is that agreement or have I just been insulted?

:innocent:........

[dangerous]

must be time for me to rob a bank and find an MGS-01? One f the best looking bikes ever made and 120rwhp to boot :love:well it does so happen to be one for sale a stones through from me, actually hes a KBer, 40k I think the only one in NZ 70k new.

[AllanB]

I'll buy one when the ticket wins. :yes:

[Voltaire]

Real Desmos aren't watercooled anyway

Water cooling....I don't even like it in cars.

[nudemetalz]

Every Guzzi owner I have met have always had something..err,.. shall we say "different" about them....ay DD.. ;)
My friend inside my head thinks I'm okay though..... :shutup:

And yes if you were completely logical you probably wouldn't own a Guzzi or a Bevel Duke for that matter.
Who gives a stuff about logic,..we're here for a good time, not a long time and my V11 gives me a good time riding it.

[ducatilover]

Water cooling....I don't even like it in cars.
Aaaahhhh the noise of a pre-996 Porsche 911.....:love:

well it does so happen to be one for sale a stones through from me, actually hes a KBer, 40k I think the only one in NZ 70k new. I'll take two


I'll buy one when the ticket wins. :yes:

Race me to it

[nudemetalz]

I'll take two



Race me to it

too late,..I'm buying the next MGS-01...:yes:
:love:

[ducatilover]

too late,..I'm buying the next MGS-01...:yes:
:love:

But I called dibbs on it! I'll throw a bloody tantrum! :angry:

[nudemetalz]

When I win lotto...I might let you have the V11 Sport ;)

[ducatilover]

When I win lotto...I might let you have the V11 Sport ;)

I'll rade that, the ZZR and CB in on a V11 LeMans :love:

[DougB]

Look at

http://www.guzzioverland.co.uk/

This Guzzi Spada has come to NZ via Europe Mongolia and Japan with few troubles.

Kev and Karen are at present in the South Island and were in Christchurch for the last quake. Their bike came off its centre stand but the side stand was down and it did not fall over.

I did many-many k's on a Guzzi T5 about fifteen years ago and it went fine.

[nudemetalz]

I reckon it's the luck of the draw.
oof the build quality is dodgy on some bikes and others are fine.
For instance, one story I heard was the factory painting the engine and not scraping off the paint that ran over onto gasket surfaces. Then slapping a gasket on only for it to fail not long into the new ownership.

But thats only some of them...I reckon that owner in my first post had the rotten apple from the factory. As DD says, his has been reliable,...and I believe it gets used,..errr,.. ahem moderately hard... :shutup:

[ducatilover]

I reckon it's the luck of the draw.
oof the build quality is dodgy on some bikes and others are fine.
For instance, one story I heard was the factory painting the engine and not scraping off the paint that ran over onto gasket surfaces. Then slapping a gasket on only for it to fail not long into the new ownership.

But thats only some of them...I reckon that owner in my first post had the rotten apple from the factory. As DD says, his has been reliable,...and I believe it gets used,..errr,.. ahem moderately hard... :shutup:

painted with a brush left over from the tractors?



Troll attempt. I really do need to ride a Guzzi, a V11 LeMan is a grouse looking piece of kit. I'd like to know how it compares to a VTR1000f (The only decent size twin I have ridden)

[willytheekid]

Great thread Nude :yes:

I bought a lemon 1100 sport, had a screwed clutch, wheel bearings, carbs and electrics....and more!
Being a guzzi I managed to do all the work myself in the shed (clutch alignment is a hassel tho).
I now use PhatGirl for everyday transport (over 20k so far) and apart from the earth quakes throwing her around and screwing my paint and fairings...she just keeps on chugging...and knocking...and shaking lol
I have found the guzzi to be a great allrounder and VERY reliable in all weather (altho she choughs & sneezes in the rain...pods).
good on petrol for a 1100 and a bloody stable ride on most surfaces.....LOVE HER! :love:

Highly recommend Guzzis.....and they have character in spades!

[imdying]

For instance, one story I heard was the factory painting the engine and not scraping off the paint that ran over onto gasket surfaces. Then slapping a gasket on only for it to fail not long into the new ownership.Hmmm, I find that hard to believe. It seems unlikely that any bike would be that badly made. Ok, except maybe a British one. But come on now...

[Elysium]

It's called "character", celebrate it!

That's sure an expensive and time consuming "Character" there.

Wish I didn't own a Honda. :innocent:

[idb]

That's sure an expensive and time consuming "Character" there.

Wish I didn't own a Honda. :innocent:

My bikes are toys, not tools.
I like to interact with them...even if it's just to swear at them.
The idea of never having to do anything to them apart from ride them carries no interest at all for me.
The more I have to fix them, the more I learn about them and the more interesting they are to me.

But I understand the other side too, I guess.

[nudemetalz]

Hmmm, I find that hard to believe. It seems unlikely that any bike would be that badly made. Ok, except maybe a British one. But come on now...

Just what I heard to be honest but you're right, it is pretty drastic and hard to believe.

[dangerous]

I reckon it's the luck of the draw.
oof the build quality is dodgy on some bikes and others are fine.
For instance, one story I heard was the factory painting the engine and not scraping off the paint that ran over onto gasket surfaces. Then slapping a gasket on only for it to fail not long into the new ownership.: Guzzi are knowen for "bargin bin specials"
Ya see no 2 bikes are a like... they get a frame and reach into what ever parts bin they arse up in as they are often still pickled from the night before Vino and pasta, means for example the o2 black engins were sparyed with a texture over a shiny existing paint... come on guys sand it back at the least... a classic is the 1100 sports Inj's lets just bolt a earth to a heavily well painted frame, dont worry bout removing paint 1st... by the time they start sobering up they are hitting it again.


I really do need to ride a Guzzi, a V11 LeMan is a grouse looking piece of kit. I'd like to know how it compares to a VTR1000f (The only decent size twin I have ridden)

well... I brought my 1st MG had it for 2yrs... time for a change and my 1st brand new bike, VTR1000... farking awesome bike 51mm carbs what a riot, any ways spent heaps on it with extras (see KB album) and 2 yrs later I was over it and missing something... ahhhh brought a new V11 and as I left the shop I knew what I was missing, a Guzzi... pulling to the left vibrating, rattling list is endless... nother words ya cant compair em in the slightest.



I bought a lemon 1100 sport, had a screwed clutch, wheel bearings, carbs and electrics....and more!
Being a guzzi I managed to do all the work myself in the shed (clutch alignment is a hassel tho).
I now use PhatGirl for everyday transport (over 20k so far) and apart from the earth quakes throwing her around and screwing my paint and fairings...she just keeps on chugging...and knocking...and shaking lol sounds like it had been miss used and neglected. whats the milage?


The more I have to fix them, the more I learn about them and the more interesting they are to me.
so true, owning an iti is more than just a ride...

[Kickaha]

I'd like to know how it compares to a VTR1000f (The only decent size twin I have ridden)

They both steer like trucks

[dangerous]

They both steer like trucks I never had any problems... VTR suspension is crap tho.

[willytheekid]

sounds like it had been miss used and neglected. whats the milage?


so true, owning an iti is more than just a ride...

Hay Dan, yeah twas badly neglected and had been thrashed (raced) got her with less than 18k on the clock, she was a good looker! - previously owned by a collector in Dunners and previous to that one in japan...but neither had actually ridden her.
All good now tho :) and have put 20k on the clock (now 38k)...no problems since the big clean up.

[dangerous]

hey those moaning bout Guzzi... speaking to a guy I know at a rally last w/e and his 500 Monza has cranked 300,000km and only now is it showing age, little smokie and wont select 1st n 2nd to well... beat that :woohoo:

[nudemetalz]

V50 Monza's are super cool weee machines. Love one of those.
Like an 850 that shrunken in the wash...

[nudemetalz]

Had a laugh this morning..rode the Guzzi in the pouring rain to work.
Sitting at the lights watching the revcounter needle going up and down with the rythym of the indicator flashes...ah how Italian bikes love rain.... :facepalm:

[cheshirecat]

Had a laugh this morning..rode the Guzzi in the pouring rain to work.
Sitting at the lights watching the revcounter needle going up and down with the rythym of the indicator flashes...ah how Italian bikes love rain.... :facepalm:
I miss vehicles like that - or is it I'm getting old. My old landrover used to keep passengers occupied for yonks trying to get the wipers in sync and that was ony the start.

Miss the old BSA Bantam - safest bike ever made. Never running long enough to get past the garden gate.

[shrub]

I did 48000 ks on my old Mk2 over 4 years and in that time the seal at the end of the crankshaft shat itself and a coil died in the middle of Arthur's Pass meaning I rode home on a 425cc single. And the electrics died regularly in the rain, but that's it. Pretty good for a 20 year old bike.