Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport – Day 7 – Time with the Suspension.

This is the seventh in a series of posts about life with the Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport.  The previous post is here. Rattle, Rattle, Rattle… When I received the Breva, it was obvious that a previous rider had really clamped down the suspension and then proceeded to wring it out.  The bike takes a big … Continue reading “Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport – Day 7 – Time with the Suspension.”

This is the seventh in a series of posts about life with the Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport.  The previous post is here.

Rattle, Rattle, Rattle…

When I received the Breva, it was obvious that a previous rider had really clamped down the suspension and then proceeded to wring it out.  The bike takes a big lean and really digs into turns much deeper than you think possible.  Just keep on pushing on the bars, and the bike comes down — add throttle, lean, and you can really go deep and fast, much further than my limits.

Rear Shock adjustment
Rear Shock adjustment

I do a lot of riding on Los Angeles’ freeways, and as such, the concrete slabs and joints had my teeth rattling to a point that I finally started to dig in and see what I could do about softening up the ride, and making the big, irregular surfaced sweepers much more manageable.

 The first thing I went after was the rear suspension; it has a big dial that says SOFTER/HARDER and shows a direction to turn for such.  I turned it one click softer and rode, but it didn’t help much.  Finally dialed in two clicks and it became much more manageable.   Continue reading “Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport – Day 7 – Time with the Suspension.”

Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport. A Bike for “The Most Interesting Man in the World”

Duende — “The meaning of duende as in tener duende (having duende) is a rarely-explained concept in Spanish art, particularly flamenco, having to do with emotion, expression and authenticity. In fact, tener duende can be loosely translated as having soul.” — Wikipedia I get a kick out of the Dos Equis Beer Commercial with “The … Continue reading “Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport. A Bike for “The Most Interesting Man in the World””

Duende“The meaning of duende as in tener duende (having duende) is a rarely-explained concept in Spanish art, particularly flamenco, having to do with emotion, expression and authenticity. In fact, tener duende can be loosely translated as having soul.” — Wikipedia

I get a kick out of the Dos Equis Beer Commercial with “The Most Interesting Man in the World”.  OK, so maybe it’s tongue and cheek, but I thought I would elaborate on it a little.  What would this guy be all about on two wheels?

He’d be someone with nothing to prove to anyone — every ride is his own. The enjoyment of speed, implementation of technique, the sensations and mental stimulation.  This, in my mind, is howhis (or HER) two-wheeled passion is assembled. This Most Interesting Person would choose a bike with duende; the emotion, expression and authenticity to match their taste and soul.

Moto Guzzi USA was sincerely kind enough to loan me a Breva 1200 Sport for 10 days.  I will be logging my regular routine on the bike, 160 miles per day of riding from Northridge to Santa Barbara and Back, along with a few meet-ups with friends on weekends and some week nights.

The Breva 1200 Sport for 2008
The Breva 1200 Sport for 2008

Continue reading “Moto Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport. A Bike for “The Most Interesting Man in the World””