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Laverda 750 S motorcycle review - Riding

Laverda 750 S (1997-2002)

Detail	Value
Engine size	748 cc
Power	85 bhp
Top speed	140 mph
Insurance group	13 of 17

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

For a brief, mostly shining few years in the mid-to-late 1990s, legendary Italian marque Laverda (they of the 1970s Jota etc) was back. Trouble was, although the machines’ cycle parts were like an Aladdin’s cave of goodies, they handled superbly, looked decent and weren’t too exotically priced, the twin cylinder engines, though updated, were based on the 500 Montjuic of 1977 and were rough, uncompetitive and unreliable.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Now water-cooled and grown to747cc, but the basic layout and engine cover shape mirror the Laverda 750S's famous predecessor. Fuel injection helps produce 92bhp at the crank, but the real power is located above 7000rpm so the Laverda needs to be spun to reach its 140mph-plus top speed and which is accompanied by quite a mechanical thrashing from the parallel pistons. Relibility iffy, too…

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Laverdas have always been renowned for their precise Italian handling and this latest generation more than lives up to the reputation. A stiff aluminium beam frame and softish, but well-damped, Paioli suspension ensure corners are dispatched with all the precision of a Carol Vorderman

MCN rating
Owners' rating

A-list Italian hardware extends past the Paoli suspenders of the Laverda 750S to the Brembo brakes and Termignoni carbon exhausts. Instrumentation is quality, too. But remember, this is a loightweight (185kg dry), bare bones sports bike , so don’t expect too much in the way of comfort or frills.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

There’s no doubting the intention, merely the execution of the Laverda 750S. Top notch components everywhere, decent paint and finis, lots of lovely milled aluminium etc. But too limited development time, a plethora of subtly different models (see below) and traditional Italian build inconsistency means the Lav reminds very much of Bimota, for bgetter and worse…

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Laverda 750S is excellent value, if you’re feeling brave. Depreciation, for all sorts of reasons, was huge meaning that decent used examples can now be had for well under £2000 – and you’re getting a helluva lot of bike for that money. Just be aware you’re not getting Honda reliability or dealer back-up. Find a Laverda 750 for sale.

Insurance group: 13 of 17

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1997: Laverda 750S launched, follows earlier 650 Sport and Formula, initially half-faired.
1998: Fully faired version launched.
now half-faired with 748cc engine and number of other minor mods
1998: Full faired Laverda 750 S launched
2002: Laverda 750S discontinued

Laverda 650 Sport: First model of new Laverda range, launched in 1994 (and actually 668cc).
Laverda 650 Formula: As Sport but with slight updates. Launched 1996.
Laverda 650 Ghost: unfaired roadster version launched 1996.

Specifications

Top speed	140 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	11.9 secs
Max power	85 bhp
Max torque	55 ft-lb
Weight	185 kg
Seat height	770 mm
Fuel capacity	16 litres
Average fuel consumption	38 mpg
Tank range	135 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	13 of 17

Engine size	748 cc
Engine specification	8v parallel twin, 6 gears
Frame	Aluminium twin beam
Front suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Front brakes	2 x 320mm discs
Rear brake	245mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17 in
Rear tyre size	170/60 x 17 in

Owners' Overall Rating (1 review)

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Brilliant handling

richtea

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

Brilliant handling. The frame could easily have handled more power with no problems, but the water-cooled twin only gives 85bhp. Some minor reliability problems, but not as bad as the 650s that preceded it, and if you buy it should have been modded/fixed. An excellent alternative to air-cooled Ducatis.

21 February 2009