Moto Guzzi California Motorcycles
Moto Guzzi California Motorcycle Owners News, Reviews and More
Moto Guzzi V11 Bassa Celebrates 10 Years
One of the early versions of the modern era California Guzzi motorcycles was the 1999 model named the V11 Bassa. The Moto Guzzi Bassa was a step up from the V11 Jackal, and had a retail price of $11,290 in the US market. That was still a bit pricey for motorcycles in the US in 1999; however, the California Guzzi has pretty much always been a higher-end motorcycle. Actually, the 1999 Bassa was priced $100 less than Guzzi’s 75th anniversary edition of the 1996 California 1100i.
So, what’s it like to ride a Moto Guzzi Bassa? Check out this video for the thrill and sound of a Bassa handling the twists and turns of a mountain road.
Some of the main features of the Bassa were electronic fuel injection, adjustable front and rear suspension, linked braking system consisting of dual front discs and single rear disc. The ever-famous 1100 v-twin (V11), 1064cc actual, was a transverse 90 degree air-cooled beauty based on the smaller V7 engine design Moto Guzzi introduced around 1967. This same engine had been proven increasingly reliable over the years and is thankfully still in production today. The Bassa’s horsepower and torque were considerable for it’s 545 pounds (dry) weight with 77 hp and 70 lbs-ft respectively.
The Moto Guzzi Bassa color options for 1999 included Pearlescent White Metallic, Blue with Silver, Brown with Champagne, and Black. Personally, I’m a fan of the blue with silver version.
Moto Guzzi replaced the Bassa in 2001 with the California Special, but even with it’s short few years of existence, the Bassa name continues to hold a special place in the history and evolution of the Guzzi California.
Check out the sites and sounds in this video of a Moto Guzzi Bassa.
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About John Clay
John Clay is the author of MotoGuzziCalifornia.Com. He and his family reside in North Carolina in the United States. A graduate of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Experienced Rider Course, he enjoys riding and maintaining his Moto Guzzi California Vintage.
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Couple of questions. Is there an aftermarket passenger backrest available? What does it take to re-program the EFI? A local salvage company close to me has a 1999 that needs some TLC, priced under $2000.
Mine used to be a white one.
Now is pearl white and dark blue metal flake.
Yes it has always turned heads…
this is my 5th Moto Guzzi and I loved them all.
I have this model. First registered in May 2000, I bought it on October 2nd, 2015. It had covered 11,492 miles only, was always kept in a garage, and had never been out in the rain.
Well.., I’ve fixed a few of those issues…, getting completely drenched a few times in UK weather, and adding my own 11,492 miles to the original 11,492 in only 11 months of my ownership. (Now 25,000 miles plus on the clock!)
The handling is excellent, I love the look of the bike, and it’s good at surprising the sportsbike fraternity..!!
I’m looking forward to touring in Europe (for the first time) in 2017 and love that it has such long legs, good fuel consumption, shaft drive, and low maintenance.
Put me on the list of Satisfied Customers.!!
Cool, the pic you used is my old Bassa!
I have a white one and it still gets attention and turns heads………chicks love it.
[…] fact I love just about all of the many variations within the Guzzi California series, including the Bassa, the V11, and so on, all the way back to the 850 […]