Wanted: Some information from The Guzzi College of Knowledge

[st ryder]

For those of us who are not readily conversant on Guzzi models, what can the Guzzi cognoscenti tell me about  the differences between a Daytona 1000 and a 1100 Sport. Which is the better bike for what and why?

Thanks.

[Daniel Kalal]

For those of us who are not readily conversant on Guzzi models, what can the Guzzi cognoscenti tell me about  the differences between a Daytona 1000 and a 1100 Sport. Which is the better bike for what and why?

Thanks.

The basic thing is the engine:  the Daytona has a 4-valve, high-cam head (992cc) while the Sport has the same 2-valve head and pushrod layout that the longitudinal twin Guzzi has always had.

The engines feel quite a bit different, particularly if you run up towards redline.  And, they sound different, too.

The Daytona engine has some pretty exotic bits that are going to be hard to find if you ever need to.  The Sport should be no problem on that score.

The Sport came out after the Daytona, so many of the other parts are better sorted.  The Daytona looks like it was built out of a race shop (which isn't far from the truth).

Which is the better bike?  That depends on which one you like better.  In years to come the Daytona will be more collectable, but then that's always been a really dumb reason to buy a Guzzi.

The sound of a Guzzi Daytona 1000 (.wmv)

[st ryder]

The basic thing is the engine:  the Daytona has a 4-valve, high-cam head (992cc) while the Sport has the same 2-valve head and pushrod layout that the longitudinal twin Guzzi has always had.

The engines feel quite a bit different, particularly if you run up towards redline.  And, they sound different, too.

The Daytona engine has some pretty exotic bits that are going to be hard to find if you ever need to.  The Sport should be no problem on that score.

The Sport came out after the Daytona, so many of the other parts are better sorted.  The Daytona looks like it was built out of a race shop (which isn't far from the truth).

Which is the better bike?  That depends on which one you like better.  In years to come the Daytona will be more collectable, but then that's always been a really dumb reason to buy a Guzzi.

The sound of a Guzzi Daytona 1000 (.wmv)

Thanks for that info, and that video is great.   Very creative. The sound is awesome. Have you been happy with your Daytona's performance, ie reliability, parts availability, serviceability etc?

[Daniel Kalal]

Have you been happy with your Daytona's performance, ie reliability, parts availability, serviceability etc?

Should I assume you're asking these questions because you have a Daytona lined up?  They're not all that common and they don't come up for sale too often.

Mine has been flawless.  No problems.  Nothing at all.

Performance is good, and the bike is fun to ride.  But.  There are a log of motorcycles out there that can run circles around it.  The riding position is quite aggresive.  While I've done it, it's not a bike you'd choose to be riding all day.

Remember, too, the Daytona has the classic Guzzi 5-speed box, but with straight-cut gears.  It's a transmission that really rewards getting to know it, but it's not something that you can click through the gears.

But, a big, big plus is that after all these years (I bought mine new) it still makes me smile to ride it, or even just to see it out there in the garage.

[st ryder]

Should I assume you're asking these questions because you have a Daytona lined up?  They're not all that common and they don't come up for sale too often.

Mine has been flawless.  No problems.  Nothing at all....the Daytona has the classic Guzzi 5-speed box, but with straight-cut gears....

Well, I've liked the Daytonas and the 1100 Sports for many years. One of the nicest looking and sounding bikes ever IMO. They are very rare to be sure, especially in Canada. (that above pic, (gorgeous bike) looks like the Trans-Canada highway)  I've also always heard about those gear boxes. I've had some not so good ones in the past, mid-eigthies Yamaha 5 speed, K-bike Getrag, and am wondering how much worse than those it can be. Also, some model years in both lines seem to have a different shaped headlamp, and the later Sport models have EFI, so I'm trying to sort all that out as well so I can spot the differences.

I'm not buying, just curious. Thanks again.

[fritzcoinc]

Well, I have a 96 carb. Sport. I really like the bike. My first big bike was a 73 V7 Sport. The 96 has everything I always wanted on the old V7. I think Guzzi sells these as sort of a kit bike. Some rider adjustments required. The carb Sports are super simple and have a minimum of electrical stuff. The carbs are not a big issue. Carefull tuning and you will have a good running great sounding machine. I have Centaro foot peg mounts and that gives me about 1.5" lower and about 2" ahead of the stock peg location. I don't know of any distasters with the transmissions on these bikes but there is a trick to shifting quickly. Apply foot pressure to the sifter then pull the clutch. The bike is just like its name, a true sport bike. I have logged over 22k on mine in the three years I have owned it. Replaced the fork seals twice, ditched the fuel solenoids for petcocks, ditched the stock throttle for an old Magura 1/4 turn, lock screws for the headlight adjusters, and replaced the dash indicator lights with LED's. After several tire types the Continetal Attacks have been the best. The black faring was due to my buddies fault. And I bent both rims hitting a pothole. Now I have a white front rim from a Daytona. By the way, white is a really bad color for a motorcycle rim! The Sport sits under an Italian flag cover waiting to be let loose. I almost and sometimes do laugh out loud when I take the bike out. It is a hoot! I have had some very, very long 500 mile days on the Sport. But the sound and the attention it gets makes it always fun to ride. I think, and given the way classic bikes have gone, the Sports will be every bit as collectable as the Daytonas some day. But I am keeping mine.