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LAVERDA 750 STRIKE

More low end, even lower prices

THERE ARE WORSE THINGS than spending a brilliant spring morning dodging butterflies in the Texas Hill Country. Given the eye-popping metallic-tangerine paint scheme of Laverda’s 750 Strike, one might forgive the monarchs for being drawn toward the lusty Italian Twin. After all, the Strike is certainly the company’s most festive offering, not to mention its best buy.

Rolling over the exposed sedimentary strata west of San Antonio, the Strike makes fast work of the fine roads curling through the live oaks. Based on the 750S Formula (see “Six-bysix,” CW, April), the Strike is motivated by Laverda’s stalwart vertical-Twin, which currently displaces 747cc. The liquidcooled, dohc, eight-valve unit continues to benefit from refinements, in this case remapped fuel injection and new camshaft profiles. The result is improved throttle response and more low-end grunt. All this, with no discernible loss of top-end urge.

Chassis-wise, the Strike is equipped with all of the Formula’s go-fast goodies, from the fully adjustable Paioli inverted fork and rear shock, and hearty Brembo 320mm front brake discs gripped by four-piston

calipers, to the lightweight Marchesini wheels shod with sticky Bridgestone radiais.

With its unique mantis-head bikini fairing and aforementioned orange paint (a more sedate gun-metal blue is also available), the Strike is, well, striking. The minimal bodywork highlights the attractive aluminum-beam frame, which continues to dominate both physical and visual impressions of the machine.

Laverda demonstrated the former by plying me with yet another fine day of riding at high-banked Texas World Speedway. Thanks to its solid platform, the Strike always felt stable, even when exiting TWS’s banking at triple-digit speeds. Moreover, it possesses an almost unnatural willingness to turn. The exceptionally light, responsive steering is aided by the brick-wall brakes that are more than up to race pace.

Though highly entertaining on the racetrack, the Laverda is even more appealing on the street. With its sensible, upright ergonomics and revised engine, the Strike is a painless and adept tool for slicing through traffic.

Recent corporate changes back at Laverda HQ have provided two added benefits: much improved fit and finish, and significantly lower prices. As for the latter, the Strike now lists for $8995, an $800 tumble from earlier projections. That’s not bad for a beautiful, superbly outfitted Italian exotic, particularly one that’s comfortable enough to function as a daily commuter.

-Paul Seredynski