With all the 2.3 liter inline triples, 1200cc V4s, and 2000cc v-twin cruisers running around in recent years, 1064cc of pushrod v-twin doesn’t sound like all that much muscle. But back in 1996, when you could buy a Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 new, that was a pretty huge motor, especially for a sportbike. Although many might argue that we’re stretching the definition a bit here for the Guzzi…
Really though, it’s just a different kind of sportbike, one oriented more towards fast road riding and long sweepers than track day scratching or tight canyon thrashes. A more mature sportbike, carrying just a bit extra around the midsection, along with plenty of high-quality components and racing history. I don’t just mean ancient history: the Sport 1100 grew out of the bike developed by Dr John Wittner for his privateer racing efforts in the 1980s. A variation of the resulting Daytona 1000 was released powered by Guzzi’s two-valve pushrod twin, the Sport 1100 seen here.
Earlier versions used a pair of Dell’Orto carburetors but the bike switched to fuel injection around 1996. WP suspension means the bike has stable handling, once you get used to the mild shaft-drive effect and the longitudinal crankshaft. Triple goldline Brembos lack Guzzi’s earlier linked system and haul the 487lb machine down from speed effectively, although you’re still fighting 500+ pounds of beefy Italian sportbike with fuel and oil.
From the original eBay listing: 1996 Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 for Sale
This is a beautiful and rare collectible Moto Guzzi 1100 Sport in true Italian racing red. Carefully maintained through out its life. This rare collectible is part of a private collection and is being sold as is to thin out the heard in the hopes another collector will snatch this elegant red head and love it just as much as I have.
Australian made Andrews exhaust pipes fitted makies this Guzzi sing. Rev the throttle and this 1100 sport will give you that heartwarming feeling of a by gone era of motorcycling. These bikes rarely come up for sale especially like one in this condition.
Great condition with low miles makes this the one to have. Small ding in front of tank with a loss of paint can be seen in pictures but in all honesty it barely shows unless your looking hard for faults.
18,713 miles isn’t even broken in for a Guzzi: these things seem to rack up some pretty high mileage, considering the aggressive riding position. This one looks pretty clean and complete, if a little scruffy around the edges and is missing the airbox, opting for exposed filter elements instead. The $7,400 asking price seems a little bit high, considering other 1100 Sports we’ve seen recently here on RSBFS, but not outrageously so. If you’re looking for an appreciating, practical classic, look no further. The Moto Guzzi Sport 1100 isn’t really any kind of track bike, but it’s a great road bike, with stable handling, torque, and good parts availability to keep it running.
-tad
Say what you will about Terblanche, Tamburini, et al, I think this is one of the best looking bikes on the road today.
The only thing that would make it better is the European head-lights, and my butt on it.
But yeah, the price is on the high side.
This bike is cool, but no one should judge the Master by it. No one will ever do what Tamburini has done for the motorcycle development, especially being able to bring the first true super bikes to the streets.
I owned a 97 1100i and sold it about 7 years ago. Regretted it ever since. There comes a time when you realize, traction control, active suspension, fly by wire, 200hp, yada, yada, is pretty much worthless when you’re riding at 50% on the street. The goose was such a simple, tactile, and yet elegant dance partner, that I enjoyed riding it more than anything since, especially in the mountains. The fact that it was slow, was actually a benefit. I just bought a replacement in a Daytona RS. I won’t make the same mistake again.
Sounds like you need to get your RS dialed in properly . mine was an unruly pig when I bought it.
Great looking bike. Period. At age 54, I’m looking to enjoy a 6:00 a.m. Saturday blast to the Rock Store via Old Topanga/Mulholland with the father in law (on something interesting), and return home (safe) in Los Angeles. I got 3 kids, 1 dog, a fish, and 2 frogs – and of ‘em eat. Meaning, I gotta get back to work on Monday. This Guzzi fits the bill perfectly.
Always loved these and adding this to my stable would be a treat. I also think the price is fair.
Tirefriar,
How are you defining a “superbike?
In terms of horsepower, or top-end speed? Maybe the benchmark changes over time.
The Vincent Black Shadow certainly ruled in the ’50s, then the Nortons in the ’60s.
When Honda released the CB 750 in 1969, the motorcycle world got knocked on it’s a*s, once again redefining the term.
By today’s standard, anything with less than 150 HP is a slug!
I guess it ain’t how fast you go, it’s how you go fast.
Question for current or previous riders who have the 1100 Sport. What’s the reliability and maintenance like on these? Also, I’m 5’7″ – 30 inch inseam- maybe 5’8″ with boots on. Normal, non Italian gorilla length arms… would the Sport be a good fit or a stretch that would make Stretch Armstrong gasp in pain?
Would a V11 LeMans a better pick?
Reliability and maintenance are like a John Deere tractor. 100,000 mile engines, gas, oil, check the valve clearance on occasion, keep lube in the rear drive. Pretty simple. These are definitely “sport bike” ergonomics. I’m 6’2” and they are a bit of a stretch. My wrists go numb, my back aches and my hips spasm, but in my 50 years of riding, I don’t know if any of my bikes were just wonderful in all situations. There is always a concession or three with any of them. Commuter or weekend twisty bike, both choices will probably suit you. V11 prob more comfy overall. Sport is tons cooler!
Still have my black (brown) ’97 bought new from GP motorcycles in San Diego. Lots of bikes have come and gone but I just can’t sell this one. I love it.
The V11 lemans series is a lot more comfortable. Guzzi recognized that their audience was older, fatter, and not appreciative of a full race tuck. Therefore you get the V11 Sport and Lemans.
Kidding aside, there is nothing comfortable about the 1100 sport /daytona. The stretch to the tank is long and the seat is an upholstered plank.
That said, I’ll never sell my Daytona.
I own a 1997 1100 Sport and I am 5’9″ tall with a 30″ inseam. When I am on my bike toes just touch the ground. The seat is quite wide so your legs are splayed out when you are on the saddle. With my butt against the back of the seat you are really stretched out and leaned over and looking pretty bad ass. You can shimmy forward so your balls are on the tank and it becomes a much more CBRish sort of position. The bike handles like a freight train set up from the factory but if you install a one inch taller rear shock and drop the forks in the triple trees an inch it shifts the weight distribution more forward and the bike becomes a lot more flickable. And I mean a lot more flickable. It’s amazing what that simple correction does to the handling of the bike. So you can make the bike whatever you want it to be. I enjoyed the bike as a freight train, in long flowing sweepers the bike handled like it was literally on a rail. With the suspension mods that I mention the bike becomes easier to transition side to side and the straight-line stability remains pretty the same. The bike has a very tall first gear so up to 50MPH you really don’t have to shift. For around town riding I just tootle around in first gear like the bike is a big scooter. All kinds of wondrous sound happens between 5-7K RPM. The best motorcycle sound I ever heard in my life was an 1100 Sport with a custom stainless reverse megaphone exhaust. It was a home built exhaust welded together with little sections of stainless steel. The bike sounded like a NASCAR V8 when the owner blipped the throttle. It was incredible sound and the reason why I bought my own 1100 Sport. I have owned my Sport for 6 years and haven’t done any mechanical work to the engine other than checking valve tolerances which is quite simple. The 1100cc MG engine is pretty much a brick and quite simple in construction. A lot of the hoses spec’d on the bike are BMW and or Volkswagen so don’t bother getting that stuff from a MG dealer. I use Mobil 1 automotive oil filters on the bike and they work just as well or better than the UFI filters you get from MG. These bikes don’t put out a lot of horsepower so don’t think you’re going to impress anyone. I haven’t dynoed my bike but I would imagine it puts down about 70HP, which is enough to get you up to about 150MPH if you have enough empty space in front of you. I got my own bike up to 140MPH and she was still pulling but I closed off the throttle at that speed. These aren’t comfortable bikes. The seat is a lightly padded flat board of plastic. I find I can ride my bike for about 100 miles and then I need to take a break. It just so happens that the bike’s low fuel warning light comes on after about 100 miles after I have filled the tank. The tank holds 19 litres and doesn’t get the best fuel economy so the low fuel warning comes on after 100 miles for me. From what I understand MG only imported 200 Sports and Sport RS in total to North America between 1995 and 1998 so relatively speaking they are rare birds. In my opinion one of the 10 best looking bikes from the 90’s.