The modern classic take…
The Le Mans name soldiered on into the 1990s and that decade also has some gems – and some weird Guzzi takes on the V-twin roadster/sports theme. We won’t be talking about the legendary California cruiser in here, nor the ‘adventure bike-styled’ Quota. We’re talking things more akin to the Le Mans MK.I and MK.II. First, the strange half-man, half-beast V10 Centauro. Even in the mid-1990s this was one strange-looking beast. In 1996 for your £9250, it took the 992cc 90º V-twin from the Daytona (more of which later) and gave it some weird styling. There was a basic Centauro, then a GT (touring version, big screen, lazier steering geometry) and the Sport (belly-pan, bikiniwindshield, pseudo racenumber-boards and pillion seat cowling.) All models pumped out around 94bhp but the bike was discontinued before the 1990s drew to a close. If you want one (and they’re hard to find) prices start around £3500. Much more to our liking styling-wise was the Moto Guzzi Daytona. Launched in 1992, this used the new, fuel-injected air-cooled four-valve motor, developed in part by ‘Dr John’ Wittner. Yes, it was the same 992cc motor that would later find its home in the Centauro among other things, but the styling was clean of line. Later versions would get uprated suspension and brakes (WP and Brembo) in the RS versions as well as a single-seat 100bhp Racing i.e. version which came along in 1996 and was strictly limited edition. Later this was complemented with an 1100cc version. By 1999 the Daytona was gone, which was a shame. Today they’re looked upon as a bit of a rarity and are priced accordingly: you will not find many below five grand. Following Aprilia’s takeover of Guzzi in April 2000, quality control rocketed upwards. This followed with a ‘new’ Le Mans – the V11 Le Mans, which was basically a V11 Sport (taking its looks from the old V7) but with a half fairing. Worth a look if you love Guzzis.