Moto Guzzi know a thing or two about manufacturing big vee twins and the V11 Sport Scura is the latest in a line that started with the legendary V7. The 1970s saw the Guzzi LeMans dominate everyones street bike wish list, a domination born of power, handling, and sheer Italian desirability. The 90s saw a downturn in the company's fortunes as high tech Japanese sports bikes took chunks out of Guzzi's modest market share, but new owners Aprilia have invested massively in the company. One of the results of that investment is the V11 series, and with the Sport Scura Moto Guzzi are definitely back in the game.

 

For the time being Guzzi have opted to stay with their well proven air cooled pushrod engine, though a four valve watercooled replacement is rumoured. While the engine design may lose out to more high tech options in terms of sheer BHP, Guzzi have understood the attraction of the sheer torque of their existing powerplant. State of the art fuel injection and engine management by Marelli give the 1064cc motor a stomping 70 Foot/Pounds of torque at only 6000 RPM. On the road this makes for a willing engine, always ready to answer the spur with oodles of controllable power.

Guzzi have also kept the faith with their maintenance-free shaft drive transmission, now complemented by a six speed box and new, lighter clutch to cut down on torque reaction. The chassis design for the V11 is completely new, consisting of a main spine section bolted to the engine and using it as a stressed member. And exclusively the Scura comes with Ohlins suspension front and rear, the 43mm USD forks and cantilever rear end fully adjustable for spring rate, compression and rebound damping. Brembo Goldline brakes and fat 17" wheels complete the package.

 

But where the Scura really demands your attention is in its sheer style. It may be as much a cliche as pasta and Pavarotti, but the Italians really do have a flair for styling which leaves the opposition gasping. Run your eye along the sweeping lines of that fuel tank and smooth curves of the seat tailpiece. Against that set the big, brutal lines of the chunky vee twin and upswept, aggressive silencers. Note the carbon fibre side covers, mudguards and dash and the subtle swoop of the nose fairing. And those cheeky, satin red footrest hangers peeking out like a flash of suspender on a posh bird.

On the road the Scura feels safe and solid, eating up the miles with a relaxed, pulsating beat. Rider comfort is good with a wide, comfortable seat, low bars and high footrests that give plenty of ground clearance. The Bridgestone Battleaxe tyres on our test bike gave reassuring levels of grip and the Goldline brakes are the best in the business. This is great bike on fast A and B roads, and whilst it may not have the out and out top speed of some of the high tech opposition it's a bike that will reward the rider with mile after mile of rapid, satisfying progress.

Marks out of ten:

Performance:
Eight. While it's not the fastest bike on the street the Guzzi's torquey engine makes it thrilling to ride. That pulsating vee twin beat gets addictive, and you'll be finding excuses to keep taking it out just once more. Chassis and suspension are top notch and give lots of feedback to the rider.

Comfort:
Seven. The low bars and high set footrests mean this bike is more at home on fast roads than popping down to the shops. The riding position is good, and that tiny nose fairing does more to deflect wind blast than you'd expect. The seat hump is removeable for pillion use so you can take a friend too.

Build Quality:
Eight. On the strength of our test bike Aprilia now take finish quality very seriously. Paint finish is good and the alternate metallic colours are lustrous and deep. The carbon fibre and stainless exhaust system should last forever and detailing extends to braided steel hoses. My only reservation is the black wrinkle coating on the crankcase and rear drive, which was already starting to peel on this bike and may take some keeping up to.

Value For Money:
Sixt. Priced at just over £8300 on the road, the Scura faces some tough opposition. BMWs R1100S takes a higher tech approach, and undercuts the Guzzi by £700. The Buell X-1 Lightning also comes in cheaper, and takes a similar, though transatlantic, approach to traditional vee twin design. Guzzi do offer a two year unlimited mileage warranty, and spares and servicing back-up is good. The Guzzi is likely to hold it's trade-in value quite well, too.

Street Cred:
Eight. Classic name, classic sound and drop dead gorgeous looks. A real motorcycle from one of the worlds longest established manufacturers.

Dr.Rod.