Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport 4V Ridden
By Trevor Hedge
If you like the idea of riding something distinctly different and perhaps even a little eccentric, then perhaps a Guzzi is part of your destiny.
While most European brands have embraced the latest technology in their motorcycles in the quest for ever increasing performance Moto Guzzi has instead trod a steady course. One could almost say Moto Guzzi have taken a similar development route to Harley-Davidson. Like the Americans, Moto Guzzi has steadily added technology as time progresses, but never in a way that takes away from the archetypal character that the brand is renowned for. Big, solid and rocking to a very unique beat, Guzzis are an acquired taste.
While the 1200 Sport 4V has Sport in its name, this must be taken as relative to the traditional Guzzi rather than a comparison to a conventional sports-touring motorcycle. The pegs touch down relatively early and the Guzzi’s six-speed gearbox refuses to be hurried. After each change that big crankshaft takes a little time to synchronise with the shaft drive. Unless you are smooth and deliberate with your shifts the chassis gets unsettled.
So perhaps the 1200 Sport should be instead compared more to cruiser style motorcycles?
Not really. The Guzzi chassis performs much better and ground clearance is far superior to most cruiser style motorcycles and the big twin enjoys a good rev. Thus the Guzzi Sport is a fairly unique offering and perhaps most suited to riders that are leaning towards a cruiser style motorcycle but still want a reasonable amount of ground clearance and a little sporting potential for when the mood arises.
From the first press of the starter button you know you are astride something distinctly different. The starter motor struggles to push those big 95mm pistons against an 11 to 1 compression ratio before its burst into life is announced via a serious lurch to the side accompanied by a quite wonderful aural cacophony of violence erupting from the attractive 2-into-1 exhaust system as the big twin settles down to a fast and somewhat lumpy idle. There’s nothing quite like it.
While a little shorter than the previous 2-valve model the reach to the bars on the Guzzi is still quite extreme. The wide bars provide plenty of leverage for tight manoeuvring but those with short arms need not apply. At the risk of sounding sexist, the Guzzi strikes me as a man’s bike. The clutch requires quite a firm pull and the whole bike screams hairy chested machismo. With a friendly seat height of 800mm though you can be short and still feel gruff…
In the hills the Guzzi rolls from side to side well thanks to sporting sized rubber and the engine enjoys swinging the tachometer needle to the upper reaches of the 9000rpm dial. It’s clearly not as grunty down low as its two-valve predecessor but at the other end of the scale a lot more sports has been injected into the mix by the new four-valve heads. The engine drives hard from 5500rpm through to 8000rpm and the throttle response while getting on and off the gas is quite smooth for such a big twin.
On the highway the wide bars open up your chest and head to significant windblast which helps you stick to the speed limit but does prove tiresome on the long haul. Most riders will prefer a rest from the elements well before the generous 23 litre fuel tank needs topping up.
Touring on the Guzzi is an option though thanks to a reasonably comfortable seat and that large tank. Until the end of the year Moto Guzzi are throwing in a set of matching 36-litre panniers to sweeten the $20,990 plus on road costs deal. Victorians that would like a chance to try a Guzzi on for size are invited to a demo day on December 4, at A1 Brighton, 823 Nepean Highway. Bookings can be made on 03 9563 9166.
Specs – Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport 4V
Engine – 1151cc, air-cooled, 90-degree v-twin
Bore x Stroke – 95 x 81.2mm
Transmission – Six speed, shaft drive
Seat Height – 800mm
Dry Weight – 240kg
Fuel Capacity – 23 Litres
Average Consumption on test – 6 litres per 100km
Range – 380km
Warranty – Two years
Price – Expect to pay $20,990 plus applicable stamp duties and registration charges
Verdict – ***
Positives
+ Distinctly different
+ Huge tank range
Negatives
– Driveline a little agricultural
– Bars are very wide and cumbersome
– Taillight showed signs of condensation
