1999 Laverda Formula 750S

Many of the machines featured on this site are pristine, beautiful examples, the best available anywhere. This is not one of those bikes. But it is rare, and it is a sportbike. And it’s worth looking at because it’s pretty hard to find Laverdas like this in any condition here in the USA.

If you thought Laverda disappeared after the slab-sided RGS of the 1980’s, you’d be wrong. In the early 1990’s, a legitimate attempt to revitalize the brand was attempted and, following Laverda tradition, these “Zane era” Laverdas [produced in Zanè, Italy] utilized the best available components: the bikes featured a traditional beam frame, although beautifully detailed, with fully-adjustable Paioli suspension and hollow-spoked Marchesini wheels.

Powered by a parallel-twin engine that displaced first 668, then added water-cooling and a boost 750cc’s [747cc’s], the bike never really made the power to compete with the bike it was pitched against, Ducati’s 748. Interestingly, the Italian manufacturers were some of the first to adopt fuel injection for their motorcycles, and this Laverda features a surprisingly well-sorted system.

Period tests often criticized the lack of power, but they all had plenty of superlatives handy to describe the way it went around corners. Those Paolis were more than just window-dressing, and the Brembos up front provided some of the best stopping power available.

Unfortunately, by 2000 the new Laverda was sunk and sold to Aprilia, who seem happy to let the brand languish in obscurity for now.

This particular example is obviously a bit… damaged, which is a real shame as these are very striking in black and orange. D&D pipes are evocatively loud, but Formulas generally came from the factory with a pair of carbon Termignonis, and I’m wondering where those got to…

From the original eBay listing: 1999 Laverda Formula 750S

Laverda 750s 1999 This is a very unique bike, it can be considered the alternative to the Ducati 748. Bike is a head turner not mention the sound. It has a very deep lope as it is a parallel twin and fires 180 from each other. The power comes best on the top end rather then a low end. If I have to say my favorite part of the bike besides its performance is the sound, the D&D pipes literally make the ground shake, and when the throttle is cracked your heart jumps.The bike feels very planted in the corners, front brakes feel awesome and the best ive feel ive felt compared to all the newer Japanese bikes. The power is comes in midrange and pulls hard to redline. This if defiantly a bike to take to the twisys. It has a lot of character, very raw and a sense of pride when riding the bike. Has a new pilot power 2CT and a new rear sprocket, tire has maybe 500 miles and is broken in. its been laid down on the left and the only physical damage you can se

these black plastic was installed by my friend, as this was my friends bike and then I purchased it for my collection,

Has new battery, just started yesterday sounds so cool and run very strong.

Looking for all the world like a Latin-ized ZX7, the styling of the bike was a bit dated even when new, but I think has aged really well. Oh, and notice the smooth surface of the tank? It’s actually the airbox: the fuel-filler door is under that little, hinged pillion pad. While these certainly are hard to find, they really don’t command all that much in terms of dollars yet. They’re sort of lost in between eras: a forgotten marque, unless you’re a classic enthusiast, with late 80’s style, mediocre power, and questionable parts availability.

With a clear title and a Buy-It-Now price of $4,500, this could be a great chance for someone to pick up an Italian exotic at a bargain price. Probably not a great choice if it’s your only bike, but cheap enough to make a fun weekend blaster or occasional track day bike.

-tad