The Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Rosso Mandello is the motorcycle presented by Moto Guzzi in 2001 to celebrate the eightieth anniversary of the Mandello del Lario company. It was the most distinctive of the V11 versions, all of which used the classic V-twin engine.
Moto Guzzi V11 at a glance
| Maker | Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Presented | 2001, for the 80th anniversary |
| Series | 300 numbered examples, plus an unnumbered second series |
| Engine | air-cooled transverse V-twin |
| Power | 91 hp at 7,800 rpm |
| Torque | 94 Nm at 6,000 rpm |
| Clutch | sintered single-plate instead of the two-plate clutch of other versions |
| Brakes | Brembo, twin discs at the front and one at the rear |
| Front suspension | upside-down fork with 40 mm stanchions |
| Rear suspension | single shock |
| Gearbox | six speeds, shaft final drive |
The English Wikipedia has no article on the V11 and the Italian one covers the Rosso Mandello anniversary version in particular; this page is based on that one source and describes the V11 through it.
History of the Moto Guzzi V11
The V11 Sport Rosso Mandello was presented by Moto Guzzi in 2001 for the company’s eightieth anniversary. It differed visually from the other V11 versions, which all used the classic V-twin engine, in its carbon screen and front mudguard and in its red anodised valve covers and the subframe on which the footrests are mounted. Another difference was the clutch, a sintered single-plate unit instead of the usual two-plate clutch of the other versions.
It was a limited series of 300 numbered examples, easily recognised by a number engraved on the sides of the motorcycle. Given the success, a second, unnumbered series was also made, with a small Italian tricolour in place of the engraved number; the size of that second series is unknown, with figures of 300 or perhaps fewer being mentioned.
Mechanics
Mechanically the Rosso Mandello presented no particular differences from the other V11 versions. The engine was air cooled and gave 91 hp at 7,800 rpm with 94 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. The Brembo braking system had twin discs at the front and a single disc at the rear, the suspension a classic fork with 40 mm upside-down stanchions and a single shock at the back, and the six-speed gearbox was combined with shaft final drive, a classic solution for the company from Lake Como.
Design and features
- Anniversary model: presented in 2001 to mark the company’s eightieth year.
- Carbon details: screen and front mudguard in carbon fibre, with red anodised valve covers and footrest hangers.
- Numbered series: 300 examples with the number engraved on the sides, then an unnumbered series with a tricolour.
- Single-plate clutch: a sintered unit instead of the two-plate clutch of the other V11 versions.
- Classic Guzzi engineering: air-cooled V-twin, six speeds and shaft drive.
Moto Guzzi V11 versions
- V11 Sport Rosso Mandello (2001): the 300-bike numbered anniversary series.
- Rosso Mandello second series: unnumbered series marked with a small tricolour instead of the number.
- Other V11 versions: the rest of the V11 family, with the classic V-twin engine and the usual two-plate clutch.
The V11 continued the big-block roadster line of the California and the sporting tradition of the Le Mans. More machines are in the Moto Guzzi collection.
Video: Summer 2012 on Our Moto Guzzi V11
Video by Peter Koller on YouTube.
Sources
- Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Rosso Mandello, Italian Wikipedia: anniversary series, differences, engine data, chassis
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