The Breva is a naked touring motorcycle that Moto Guzzi produced from 2003 to 2011. It arrived at a time of great relaunch for the brand, just after the company was taken over by Aprilia, and it grew from a small 750 into a whole family of big-block machines.
Moto Guzzi Breva at a glance
| Maker | Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Production | 2003–2011 |
| First version | Breva 750 i.e., 744 cc small block |
| Origin | based on the Moto Guzzi Nevada |
| New for 2003 | Weber Marelli electronic injection previously used only on big-block models |
| Big-block family | 850 (877 cc), 1100 (1,064 cc) and 1200 (1,151 cc) |
| Cooling | air on the 750 and 850, with a small oil radiator on the 1100 and 1200 |
| Final drive | shaft in all versions; CA.R.C. on the big-block models |
| Special editions | Breva 750 Touring from 2006 and a police version |
The English Wikipedia has no article on the Breva; this page is based on the Italian article and is therefore based on one source.
History of the Moto Guzzi Breva
Moto Guzzi introduced the Breva in 2003, in a period of strong relaunch after the takeover by Aprilia. The first version was the so-called small series, the Breva 750 i.e., with the classic transverse 90° air-cooled V-twin of 744 cc. It was built on the basis of the existing Moto Guzzi Nevada, but added Weber Marelli electronic injection, which until then had been fitted only to the big-block models such as the California and the V11.
In 2005, with the brand acquired by the Piaggio group, the Breva was redesigned as the big series, which shared only the name and the styling approach with the small model. The new Breva was first sold with the same type of engine in a 1,064 cc version, then with the 850 (877 cc) and finally with the 1,200 (1,151 cc). On the 750 and 850 models cooling was by air, while on the 1,100 and 1,200 versions a small radiator was provided for the engine oil.
Shaft drive and CA.R.C.
Final drive was by shaft on every model, and on the big series Moto Guzzi adopted the CA.R.C., Cardano Reattivo Compatto, a company patent that optimises performance by reducing the lifting effect typical of this mechanical layout. The Breva 750 i.e. was also produced in two special editions from 2006: a Touring version with semi-rigid panniers and a high screen, and a version for the municipal or local police, fitted in some cases with a fairing.
The versions
The range ran from the Breva V750 i.e. of 744 cc, built from 2003 to 2011, and the Breva V750 Touring of 2006 to 2011, through the Breva 850 of 877 cc from 2006, the Breva V1100 of 1,064 cc from 2005 and the Breva V1200 of 1,151 cc from 2008, all of them until 2011. The big models used three-spoke hollow cast aluminium wheels, a rake of 25.30° and 120 mm of trail, with 120 mm of front and 140 mm of rear wheel travel.
Design and features
- Electronic injection on a small block: the 750 was the first small Guzzi with Marelli injection.
- Family of engines: 744, 877, 1,064 and 1,151 cc, air cooled with an oil radiator on the larger ones.
- CA.R.C. shaft drive: Moto Guzzi’s patent to cut the lifting effect of shaft drive on the big series.
- Touring variant: panniers and a high screen on the Breva 750 Touring from 2006.
- Police version: a Breva 750 for municipal and local police, with a fairing in some versions.
Moto Guzzi Breva versions
- Breva V750 i.e. (744 cc, 2003–2011): the original small-block naked, based on the Nevada.
- Breva V750 Touring (744 cc, 2006–2011): with semi-rigid panniers and a high screen.
- Breva 850 (877 cc, 2006–2011): first of the big-block models with the smaller engine.
- Breva V1100 (1,064 cc, 2005–2011): big block with an oil radiator.
- Breva V1200 (1,151 cc, 2008–2011): largest version of the family.
The Breva 750 came from the Nevada, and the big-block Breva led to the 1200 Sport and the Bellagio. More machines are in the Moto Guzzi collection.
Video: Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 Stock No: 55647
Video by dkmotorcycles on YouTube.
Sources
- Moto Guzzi Breva, Italian Wikipedia: history, engines, versions, CA.R.C., special editions
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