Paging Orson!

[SummerLove]

Tell me about the V11 Le Man!
I saw a Corsa Nero with a bitching set of luggage on it (side cases and top case) and I was all like  
Pretty much narrowed my spring purchase to the the Futura (need to sit on one and push it around a parking lot. I'm worried about the seat height), ST3 (fun bike, comfortable enough, hard bags pushes all the right buttons for sound, feel and practicality but bit more high maintenance than I'd like.) Multistrada (loved the 620, fun fun, easy to ride, just enough go for me and I'm finally over it's looks), R1100S (got to ride one and liked it well enough, feels a bit heavy slow, definitely need to spread the bars out a bit so my wrists don't complain about the angle they are at) and V11 Le Man.  I've ridden Tixens' Norge quite a bit and I like it. It's just a bit heavy for my tastes and if I could own it and a something lighter I'd be happy doing that but it's not in the cards.

So far the things I like about the Le Man without riding one; Guzzi Engine is just plain fun but then again so are most Italian V-twins. Local guzzi shop is awesome and I like them. It looks fucking amazing. Only thing more sexy I've seen in person was the MGS Corsa on display at said Moto Guzzi shop. It's got the right bits I'm looking for (adjustable suspension, wind protection and looks like ability to mount hard luggage.)

Downsides; Heavy.. I think it and the R1100S are the heavies bikes on my list. Hard to find. Seems to be almost or as rare as the Futura with the same sort of following.
I suppose.. I'm asking what do you like about it, what don't you like about it and do you think it would make a decent year round rider (no car)?

[atadaskew]

Tell me about the V11 Le Mans!
.....
So far the things I like about the Le Man without riding one...

Until Orson responds, I'll give my unsolicited opinion..

Like you I fell in love with the looks, and was about to buy one sight unseen.
Then I got lucky enough to be able to test ride one at the local shop.  I hated it.
Really long feeling, felt like it had a far too wide rear wheel for the chassis which made it feel that the front first turned, then the rear.  With a twist in the middle.
Vibed like crazy w/o there being a sweet spot where the vibes settled down.

Orson loves his so whatever you do insist on a test ride before dropping coin.

p.s. other Guzzis that I've ridden (Griso, Cali Vintage) were the opposite experience.   Love those bikes - especially the Griso as that feels just right.  Like a moto should.

[Meemuh]

Risky biz giving a bad Guzzi review, ain't it?

Mods are watching...

[atadaskew]

Risky biz giving a bad Guzzi review, ain't it?

Mods are watching...

The Breva 750 I rode had a smoother motor and turned better than the LeMans V11 I rode...

My old 850 LeMans III held a line better.  And was smoother.

[SummerLove]

Until Orson responds, I'll give my unsolicited opinion..

Like you I fell in love with the looks, and was about to buy one sight unseen.
Then I got lucky enough to be able to test ride one at the local shop.  I hated it.
Really long feeling, felt like it had a far too wide rear wheel for the chassis which made it feel that the front first turned, then the rear.  With a twist in the middle.
Vibed like crazy w/o there being a sweet spot where the vibes settled down.

Orson loves his so whatever you do insist on a test ride before dropping coin.

p.s. other Guzzis that I've ridden (Griso, Cali Vintage) were the opposite experience.   Love those bikes - especially the Griso as that feels just right.  Like a moto should.

Actually really useful stuff, which was why posted this here instead of firing off a pm.
The title was partly in jest!  

[Pete Roper]

No issue with objective criticism. What I won't bear is unjustified, subjective slander .

The V11 LeMans is not a sports bike. It IS a very capable sports tourer. Things to bear in mind though are that the numbers produced, even by Guzzi standards, are limited. While all the 'Rude Mechanicals' of the V11 series changed little over the years things like the fairing of the LeMans are going to become rocking-horse shit quite quickly and the market for them is so small there are unlikely to be 'Aftermarket' replacements available.

The V11 series are seen by many as the 'Last' true Guzzis as they were the last models designed purely 'In House'. That may be so but like all machines they have their weak points and strong points.

To my mind the biggest weak point is the V11 bevelbox. It uses a strange, very expensive, Guzzi only, bearing for pinion support on the output side and the pinion nose support bearing is the real Achilles heel. Quite simply the crownwheel works too well as a centrifugal pump and the nose bearing is often, perhaps even usually, starved of oil. When it fails the strange, guzzi only bearing stresses the cage of its balls and breaks up. Yes it can take a long time and there seems to be little rhyme or reason viz-a-viz mileage or maintenance that will explain the failures but they do eventually occur. For that reason I recommend slightly over filling it, (It is vented and shouldn't pressurise.).

Another thing that the designers missed was the fact that the gearbox vent is directly in line with the rear wheel centreline and unprotected. Ride in the rain and you end up with water being sprayed directly on the breather and the gearbox WILL get water in it unless you install a hugger or a shield of some sort.

The Broad Sump used on the V11 series is also poorly designed in that the oil pick-up can be exposed under hard acceleration leading to oil starvation problems, especially if the oil level is allowed to fall below its maximum level. I've designed an made a cheap fix for this. Well cheaper than an engine rebuild.

All this may sound a bit negative. It's not meant to be the V11 is a superb machine and the LeMans variant is one of the best. Like any machine it has its strong and weak points but the overll package is pure Guzzi, meaning it is a true million Km. motorbike. Yes, it will require a bit more sorting out than a Honda to get the best out of it but as Orson will attest, once you've got the Guzzi bug? The idea of riding something like a 'Rubber Cow' because of its percieved 'Reliability' just won't cut it.

Come over to the DARK SIDE!!!!!!

[Orson]

The V11 LeMans is not a sports bike. It IS a very capable sports tourer. Things to bear in mind though are that the numbers produced, even by Guzzi standards, are limited. While all the 'Rude Mechanicals' of the V11 series changed little over the years things like the fairing of the LeMans are going to become rocking-horse shit quite quickly and the market for them is so small there are unlikely to be 'Aftermarket' replacements available.

I agree with whut Pete sez

bear in mind that, my V11 is used for 100% sport touring duties. No around town stuff

to add to whut Pete sez about parts, the youngest V11 you can buy is a 2004 model, which puts it at near about 8 years old, so unless you find a pristine, low-mileage version, you might find yourself replacing bits as they wear out.

I have 69,000 km on mine and the engine has been flawless. The only difficulties I've had are with rear wheel bearings. I've been thru four sets of those.

As Pete sez, they make great sport tourers. They're not the most agile bikes in the tight twisties, but if you plan ahead in the corner, you learn to get it thru the bends at a decent and extremely satisfying rate of speed  

Here's a previous post by Al Roethlisberger that sums up some of the issues with the V11:

2002 was Aprilia's first year of MG ownership, they stirred things up a bit such as consolidated/relocated much of the parts inventory that year, and was the first year for the LeMans and "long frame" bikes.  With that in mind, although the V11 Sport had been in production for a couple years at that point, the new LeMans(and other V11 models of that year) had a few "bugs".

1)  "fuzzy engine paint" - As you've no doubt noticed, the black engine paint introduced in ~02 tends to bubble and flake off of the drivetrain, especially in areas of higher heat.  There was a "recall" some years back where MG would either provide new engine cases with ostensibly improved paint(which required a rebuild) or exchange for swag such as riding suits, etc.  I suspect that this program is no longer available, or that a previous owner may have opted for the swag(and I'm relatively certain there aren't any other new cases).  But most owners just chose to live with it as it isn't service affecting.  Some folks also have chosen to strip off the black paint, and repaint with a different engine black or silver.  Bottom line, this is a cosmetic issue.

2)  Relays - As mentioned the stock relays have had issues for many, but there are several aftermarket varieties available that are much more reliable.  It is often just a good idea to change out the whole batch of stock relays to avoid problems down the road.

3)  Longer frame - This isn't a problem per se, although some folks were disappointed with the "slower handling" of the 02+ bikes.  For some this isn't an issue, and some have said that tire choice can ameliorate the change.  The same is true of the wider rear tire on the 02+ bikes.  The 02 bikes carried over all the 00-01 body panels and in the case of the fuel tank was a little different "fit".  It really is a cosmetic issue with the tank looking a bit "short", which was fixed with a new tank in 03.

4)  Tank suck & Vapor Lock - These two related, although not necessarily dependent issues were a product of all pre 03 models and the external(of tank) fuel system, after which the fuel pump system was moved into the interior of the fuel tank.  Not everyone has experienced the VL problem for a variety of reasons(which includes where the factory placed your fuel pump), but it does seem more susceptible to those in hot and higher altitude climates.  For more detailed info on this issue, check out the FAQ at www.v11lemans.com.  Although the vapor lock issue isn't consistent for all owners, the tank suck issue seems more prevalent and can cause tank deformation.

5)  Transmission - There was a transmission recall for some 00-01 V11s, but I don't think any of the 02 LeMans fell within that recall.  However some 02 and 03 bikes did receive a defective transmission side plate where the shift spring boss was 1mm too large, 16 instead of 15mm if I recall.  In these examples the shift return spring would bind and eventually break, leaving the transmission stuck in the gear it was in.  This is an easy fix.  Early repairs were to install a heavier spring, but we soon found the mis-sized boss to be the real problem.  The fix is to either get a new side cover or just grind down the boss.

[Orson]

Really long feeling, felt like it had a far too wide rear wheel for the chassis which made it feel that the front first turned, then the rear.

a common topic over on V11lemans.com

many have switched wheels so that they can mount a smaller tire and say it does wonders for the handling.

for sport touring duties, I'm willing to accept it as is  

[SummerLove]

Thanks, more good stuff I was having trouble digging up. Given the offer by our local Guzzi dealership to do a thorough inspection for free of any V11 I'm looking at purchasing used and this sort of stuff I think if I do find one local I'll take them up on the offer to  be sure. Definitely going to have to ride one before I make any decisions though.

[Orson]

R1100S (got to ride one and liked it well enough, feels a bit heavy slow, definitely need to spread the bars out a bit so my wrists don't complain about the angle they are at) and V11 Le Man.

Here's a previous thread where Mr. Smooth compares a Guzzi Griso to an R1100S
  

I suppose.. I'm asking what do you like about it, what don't you like about it and do you think it would make a decent year round rider (no car)?

Honestly...I can't think of anything I don't like about it as a sport tourer. I can ride it for 8 to 10 hours without feeling sore

But then I'm the type who can hop on any bike and enjoy it for what it is   Little quirks like the tachometer fogging up on occassion drive some people up the wall, whereas, it just makes me smile  

[falconati]

Get a Futura or ST3.

That was easier than all those other posts, eh?  

[Daniel Kalal]

Tell me about the V11 Le Man!

I'll add a small--but important--note:

If you do get a chance to take a test ride on one on a sport-touring type of road, be sure to let the engine run up over 5,000 rpm (at least).  If you're shifting around 3,000 you'll be wondering what the attraction is.  Above 5,000?  You'lll know...

[Orson]

I'll add a small--but important--note:

If you do get a chance to take a test ride on one on a sport-touring type of road, be sure to let the engine run up over 5,000 rpm (at least).  If you're shifting around 3,000 you'll be wondering what the attraction is.  Above 5,000?  You'lll know...

Good point  

That's like the most important point

above 5000 rpm, it's as if the hounds from hell have been released  

[atadaskew]

Good point  

That's like the most important point

above 5000 rpm, it's as if the hounds from hell have been released  

Beneath 5000 rpm you're dealing with the Puppies from Purgatory.

[alphabet man]

a common topic over on V11lemans.com

many have switched wheels so that they can mount a smaller tire and say it does wonders for the handling.

for sport touring duties, I'm willing to accept it as is  

+1  

I have to agree for sport touring I like the set up just fine, I only acquired my LeMans last May but I put on just over 5000miles One day in particular was just over 700miles the comfort range is very acceptable to me, I say acceptable because I know there are bikes that are built to be more comfortable if that's all you want look at an FJR or ST1300 or dare I say it GW. I don't understand the talk about buzzy vibrating handle bars I have never really noticed that. On the road I find the LeMans is preferred, more exciting and more comfortable than my 990, for some reason I get a sore back on the 990  

But like some one else posted get out and ride one if you can, I would look for something newer than 02 and Ohlins equipped, but be forewarned mine was equipped with the Guzzi race pac that included the Ti exhaust, after 5000 RPM you will be writing the check, despite what others tell you
Just my $.02

[WitchCityBallabio]

I have an 04 V11 Sport Ballabio which is basically the same machine without the fairing and upright tapered bars.

I have 60,000+ miles. Never been stranded by the bike. Only thing I've had to replace was the clutch at about 55000 and this is probably most of my own fault as I thrash the thing unmercifully and used to commute into the city with every day in crap traffic.

Even though I ride it much less these days, every time I do, it still makes me smile. There's just something inherently fun about the package.

Ride one, whip it up over 5000 rpm and take in that lovely sound and feel.


I also did a lot of touring on mine, and found that even the stock seat was pretty comfy for 750+ miles.

It was my first Guzzi and I'll never part with it.