Why did I choose the Breva? How can you replicate the trip? What have others written about the bike? What about other motorcycles? I hope I can answer all of your questions, here.

Why the Breva 750?

I chose to ride the Moto Guzzi 750 Breva for several reasons. Although I am 5"8' tall and am experienced in handling large touring motorcycles - my last trip in Italy I thoroughly enjoyed riding the big Moto Guzzi California EV 1100 - I wanted a smaller, more nimble bike to take on Greek, Albanian, and Croatian roads - island roads, campground roads, roads that twist and turn to dirt and gravel. The 750 Breva has a low slung seat that makes it easy to handle (low center of gravity). It's an all purpoe motorcycle big enough for the autostrada but light and nimble enough to be comfortable on those squirrely dirt and gravel roads I'm sure to find on the islands of the Dalmatian Coast.

“Breva” is the name of the wind that blows over Lake Como and the Moto Guzzi factory on its banks, bringing sunshine and good weather with it. Their claim is that "the concept for the Breva was to enable as wide a range of riders as possible to discover (or re-discover) the joys of motorcycling. Novices love the Breva V 750 I.E. because it is so easy to ride. Experts love it because it offers the pure emotion of a no-frills naked. And lady riders love it too because it is so compact and its generous power so easy to manage. The highly versatile Breva V 750 I.E. has all the agility and compactness needed for chaotic city traffic, great handling for twisty mountain roads and plenty of power for thrilling solo riding."

How to Rent a Guzzi

You can rent Moto Guzzi's in Mandello del Lario, Italy from Alis Agostini's dealership, and take one of the fabulous routes pictured on their site. The Breva 750 and 1100cc Touring Stone models are available, equipped with saddlebags, as well as the famous racing bike, the V11 Sport Ballabio. Don't hurt yourself!

Rates vary from 35Euro for 4 hours for the Breva 750 to 1700 Euro for three weeks with the Touring Stone. Maybe you just want to take a spin around Lake Como - maybe you want to take a spin around Europe - that's up to you and your pocketbook!

Tel: 39 0341 735448
Fax: 39 0341 735727

Reviews of the Breva 750

Motorbikes Today, UK, by Dick Henneman (2004)

It's a handsome streetbike modestly positioned as a basic Euro-flavored standard with a side order of entry-level aspiration.

The Heart of the Bike
At its heart is the "trade mark" 90-degree air-cooled V-twin engine that first appeared way back in 1967 in the Guzzi V7, although it's been much refined and updated since then, but the 2-valve head is still pushrod operated although the fueling is now done by a Magnetti-Marelli injection system. Also retained is the shaft drive to the rear wheel and the double cradle tubular frame. All of these visual clues leave you in no doubt that this is a Moto Guzzi, but the whole package has very contemporary look to it.

Relaxed and Easy-Going Travel
This is a bike that's designed for relaxed and easy-going travel between A and B, although with it's light handling, low centre of gravity, good steering lock and smooth, seemless torque, it would also make an excellent commuter.

57 MPG !
I'll admit that I didn't pootle along on the Breva during the test and yet in spite of this I still managed to get 57 mpg. With a 17-litre tank this means a very respectable 160 miles before the reserve light comes on, and then you've still got a further 50 miles to find a petrol station.