All Tests – The anti-Japanese – Used MOTO GUZZI

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The anti-Japanese

All Tests - The anti-Japanese - Used MOTO GUZZI

Rather than face the terrible competition from Japan in the field of pure efficiency, Moto Guzzi used his well-known recipes to concoct this magnificent 1200 Sport. But is it as pretty to look at as it is fun to drive? Test.

In Moto Guzzi’s sports range, the 1200 Sport has taken up the space left vacant since the V11 release was discontinued.. While it gleefully digs into the elements of the 1100 Breva on the one hand and the 1200 Norge on the other, it is not a cheap motorcycle hastily created to fill a void either. The new Guzzi offers a personality in its own right, both aesthetic and dynamic.

50% Breva

The 1200 Sport cannot deny its false airs of 1100 Breva! This is quite normal because it recovers a large part of the chassis. If the architecture is similar, the orientation is still sportier with, in particular, a wider handlebar and placed lower in order to put more pressure on the front axle.

The wheelbase loses one centimeter, or 1,485mm, while the traditional Marzocchi 45mm diameter fork gains hydraulic compression and rebound settings. It is however surprising, given its sporting name, that this Guzzi is not equipped with an inverted fork, as on the 1100 Griso, for example..

50% Norge

In addition to the rear shock absorber adjustable for spring preload and hydraulic rebound, the Sport inherits above all the generous engine and the magnificent dashboard of the 1200 Norge. Compared to that of the Breva, the tumbled twin cylinder gains 87 cc and above all 9 hp as well as 14.7 Nm of torque. It therefore now claims 95 hp at 7,600 rpm and 100 Nm at 6,000 rpm.

On the other hand, it retains what makes the specificity of the Italian manufacturer’s mechanics: the transverse mounting of the engine (whose cylinder stroke is therefore perpendicular to the running axis of the motorcycle) and air and oil cooling.

Star of the terraces

Success guaranteed in town riding the Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport! The Italian has a real "face" made of the tasty mixture of its virile and prominent mechanics and its sensual and perfectly proportioned lines. Whatever angle you look at it from, the Sport is pleasing to the eye and harmonious.

Its rump is magnificent with this light which incorporates two barrels of diodes and its black and white seat cowl which is just waiting for a number. The front end is not to be outdone with this also two-tone screen and chrome tank sides of the most beautiful effect.

The single-sided arm, which incorporates the gimbal, frees up the view of a magnificent Brembo rim, which is therefore somewhat hidden by the exhaust. The front brake 320 mm petal discs are almost surprising on a machine that is still more "bcbg" than "streetfighteuse" !

If the finish is generally good, the carbon coating of the simple exhaust – with the demonic sound, by the way – gives very early signs of aging! To monitor !

Sounds and lights

Already very pretty and rewarding by day, the dashboard of the 1200 Sport, inherited from the Norge, is extraordinary at night. He happily mixes analog and digital. The fuel gauge, tachometer and speedometer are needle-operated: while the first two are very legible, it is difficult to measure speed precisely and quickly. Indeed, the graduation too far apart, every 30 km / h, is not very practical. Beware of excess optimism !

Beneath these three large round dials is a digital window which is teeming with information, in addition to an on-board computer. We find there: an odometer, two partial trips and a reserve trip, engine and exterior temperatures, a stopwatch, a clock, average and maximum speeds, average and instantaneous consumption… Phew !

The on-board computer also provides access to a battery voltage indicator and a diagnostic mode. In short, this is good read for the long winter evenings !

La Guzzi does not indulge, it is earned !

Unlike its Japanese competitors, the 1200 Sport does not scramble to please the greatest number! It will be up to a small number of enthusiasts to comply with its demands. Starting with a fairly demanding driving position, particularly in town.

The very wide handlebars, placed low and above all far from the saddle, require the pilot to literally lie down on the tank to grab the controls. It is really restrictive and impractical in town where you almost have the impression of having your arms too short when the handlebars are fully turned. !

In this urban exercise, the engine also overheats the pilot’s legs excessively, it’s winter but a bit harsh in summer! As always with Guzzi, the side stand is pushed far in front and requires a very long jib to deploy it and especially to retract it..

The only concession made on a daily basis, the Sport offers a correct location under the saddle to house a lock.

The waltz of the cylinders

Contact ! The whole bike snorts under the blows of the twin-cylinder pistons mounted transversely to the road. Like BMWs equipped with the famous flat-twin, the Guzzi flutters left and right when accelerating out of idle. Then, the phenomenon fades to give way only to "good vibrations" made in Italy.

The carbon exhaust exudes a pleasing sound that is an integral part of driving pleasure. Future owners will not need to invest in any adaptable pot as the friendly "blast" is already pleasant! The machine rumbles when revving up and backfires happily when the engine brake is applied.

Maneuvers with the engine off or at step are to be approached with caution because the beautiful still shows a respectable weight around 260 kg, all full! As the center of gravity is not that low and the handlebars are placed really low, you will need to use your grip in the corners.

A bit of town …

Once sprawled on the tank, arms outstretched to take hold of the handlebars, we can happily savor the comfort of the soft and well-designed saddle … that’s it already !

When you engage, the dry clutch makes a very distinctive metallic noise. Aficionados of the brand won’t worry, on the other hand, pedestrians crossing at the traffic light will give you a half-amused, half-worried look, like "You my coconut, you’re not going to go very far with your trap door which makes the noise of a pan …"And yet, if !

Clonk! The first pass in a slight snap of the universal joint and the hydraulic clutch smoothly releases the 100 Nm available from the lowest revs (6000 rpm). In town, the very wide handlebars quickly turn into a "retro mower" and make you want to get out quickly !

Lots of roads

Because the 1200 Sport is appreciated above all on the road. The availability of its engine works wonders. As long as it does not drop below 2,000 rpm, the twin cylinder is smooth, torquey and perfectly usable. It is generous in sensations more than in performance, which is perfectly in tune with the times !

Long-stroke engine requires, the twin does not have an extravagant extension and it will have to be relieved before 8000 rpm. The chassis serves this endearing engine well. Stable and healthy, it also manages to make people forget the certain overweight of the machine. Its very wide handlebars offer a very important lever arm which gives the Guzzi a surprising liveliness in the series of turns..

Braking is not to be outdone and stops the bike without problem. Admittedly, on this side, the 1200 Sport is well equipped with its two 320mm discs clamped by Brembo 4-piston calipers and its original braided hoses. The Pirelli Diablo finish reassuring the pilot when he adopts a lively pace.

Sportive-agricultural …

Be careful, despite its name, the 1200 Sport is not a sports car in the Japanese sense of the term either! It allows you to drive quickly if its pilot remains fluid, but it will refuse to argue excessively. The fault is very high engine inertia, the cardan shaft that will not like this treatment and the too slow gearbox.

Rustic, the Guzzi really dislikes being manhandled and becomes recalcitrant about it. Considering her weight, she accepts very little improvisation. In addition, when it is abrupt, the wide handlebars, which bring liveliness at a normal pace, become a handicap because the front axle is then almost too sharp and imprecise.

In short, the rider as the motorcycle will not take pleasure in an overly aggressive register which is frankly against nature for this machine with very traditional technical solutions..

Forget his name !

Proud of its origins, this Moto Guzzi displays and claims its difference and its rustic side. But it pays the price on the altar of athletic efficiency. The 1200 Sport is therefore a magnificent machine that is as fun to ride as it is to look at, but it shouldn’t be fooled by its name..

For € 12,195, there is a lot more sport! On the other hand, for those who want to ride different, on a machine with character – and especially not in town! – the Moto Guzzi is a great opportunity, a bit expensive certainly, to have fun !

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