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Piaggio Shows Dealers Two New Moto Guzzi Models

Pictured are two new Moto Guzzis revealed at a Piaggio dealer event in Monte Carlo. They include the California cruiser and the V7 Scrambler. While the V7 Scrambler could be considered a simple styling variation on an existing model, the new California appears completely redesigned with a new engine. It is expected the California has a larger displacement 90 degree v-twin with three-valve heads. The displacement could be approximately 1400cc. We have nothing official from Piaggo or Moto Guzzi, but stay tuned.

62 Comments

  1. Cyclemotorist says:

    Harry above says, “V-twins have too much vibration, not for me.”

    Harry, 90º V-twins like the Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Honda’s RC51, Suzuki V-Stroms and SVs have perfect primary balance -the same as a four cylinder or BMW boxer.

    V-twins that do not have perfect primary balance are less than 90º like Harley Davidson’s 45º V-twins. But even then the vibration can be controlled with balance shafts or rubber mounting.

  2. zonarosso says:

    Guzzi- keep doing what you’re doing! Please don’t go mainstream like Ducati did. The throb of a Guzzi is completely different than a Ducati or an Aprilia, Morini,etc. Perhaps Guzzi should bring back the supercharged four cylinder they did in the fifties! Guzzi’s are like the blues- if someone has to explain it to you_ _ _ _

  3. Donnie says:

    The Cali cruiser just makes me think about…

    http://futuramarama.tumblr.com/post/102112254/your-neutralness-its-a-beige-alert-if-i

    Love the Scrambler though.

  4. William says:

    I like the look of the Scrambler model. It looks a little top heavy, but I bet it rides fine.

    I had a chance to ride a Guzzi 750 a few years ago and it was smooth. Not a quick bike, but it was a comfortable couple of hours. There was plenty of real world power and torque for the street.

    They are a little pricey and I really don’t have a dealer close by, but they do produce a quality built motorcycle.

  5. MarkF says:

    Hate the Cali, love the Scrambler. The old California lines were great, it just needed a little bigger motor, say 1300cc. The Kawi look-a-like does nothing for me. Guzzi definitely has followed the Triumph model, Bonnie, Thruxton then Scambler. Just wish it had a steel or aluminum tank. Oh, yeah, what ever happened to the Bellagio?

  6. mikey says:

    Stuck in the past…. yeah, from a company that made a racing 500cc V8 with 4 valves per cyl in the 50’s.
    Nothing wrong with a real world torquey shaft drive motorcycle that will still be running 100-200 thousand miles from now, instead of a disposable inline4 sport bike with a piece of stick on foam for a seat. Its the difference between motorcycle as a transportation device instead of a weekend warrior toy.

  7. MG Norge says:

    If you’re looking for class leading horsepower numbers you won’t find it. But take one for a spin and you’ll find a very satisfying, comfortable ride. Compared to most vehicles around you they are plenty fast.

    All I can say is go ride one. That’s all it took for me and I’ve ridden all kinds of bikes for over 45 years!

  8. Butch says:

    Not much can be done with that engine configuration. 2 valves, 3 valves, 4 valves, lotsa grunt, not much horsepower. Stuck in the past, much like HD.

    While I understand the nostalgic aspect of the design, I can’t help but wonder what will happen to them once the boomers are too old to ride/buy them. Nice to look at though.

  9. DRECCLES says:

    Isn’t the V7, the 744cc?

  10. Bob in VA says:

    On the Cali, is that a RADIATOR I see in front of the engine??? Are we going water cooled now??

  11. chris says:

    The California, with floorboards and about the fattest-ass seat I’ve ever seen on a motorcycle, is so Harley wannabe, and they’re probably priced about as fat too – why don’t I just throw it in and buy a Can-Am Spyder as one of these?

    As for the scrambler, when I think Scrambler I think nimble, off-road capable. It looks about as off-road capable as a R1200 “adventure” bike.

    • MikeD says:

      Yes, it does have a slight stinch of H-D coming off of it but when we are talking about cruisers, lately… what doesn’t ? I would take this Italian Tractor over an H-D made one tho. Just for bragging rights and posing points…lmao.

      Floor Boards and a Wide Seat isn’t necesarely a bad thing if design properly and u keep an open mind.
      I rode an 06 Suzuki C50 for a little while and found myself enjoying it quite a lot coming from both an SV1000N and a GS1100G, but sit up and beg kinda bikes(standards?).
      Even the heel-toe shifter ! This is not an MGS-01, it’s a cruiser…so is all forgiven.

      Price wise ? Why even go there… always bloated and out of reach of young regular(read:BROKE) folks like me, like all it’s U.S.A made rivals.

      • Harry says:

        If Suzuki made a 1982 GS1100G with stiffer frame and forks and modern electronic technology I would buy two. Promblem is nobody else would.

  12. Motonut says:

    The California is nice; not for me but nice. If I was a cruiser guy, I’d be liking it.

    The Scrambler definitely blows my kilt up… way up.

    I’ve been waiting on the Tiger 800 but have been bitchin’ about the final drive(do I sound like a BMW owner?).

    MOTOGUZZI: make the Scrambler a production run and send one to me. I don’t care how few or far the dealers are. I buy all my parts online and if there is a warranty issue I’ll just deal with it. I want to buy a Scrambler. MG, are you listening?

  13. Jerrylee says:

    I love Guzzis but none of late have done much for me. The California Classic is a pretty good retro of the Amby/Eldo series if I were in to that sort of bike. I think Guzzi is reading the same marketing book as Triumph on retros but I think Triumph is doing it better.

    I love the Guzzi Cafe V7 classic/special if it were only bigger and burlier with a 1200-1300cc motor. In the USA we like big and torquey motors. Make mine in orange MK1 LeMans retro trim.

    Like some others on this thread I wish investment $$$ were there for Guzzi to produce the MS01 with a DOC liquid cooled modern motor. I think they could compete well with the Ducatis of the world, maybe with the brand even better than doing it with Aprilias.

    • MikeD says:

      I too believe they have the Tech and know-how to build a bad to the bone Superbike but like Harley they may be a little TOO scared of loosing it’s core customers…LMAO.

      • Old town hick says:

        Does Guzzi actually have enough customers these days to also have what could be defined as a “core group”? Seems to me this would number about 7.

        Don’t get me wrong, I have liked them ever since I first saw one about thirty years ago. I just don’t know when I can even look at them now let alone buy one.

  14. Norm G. says:

    whoa, that california is badass. diggin’ the thunderbird styling with the flat-tracker-esque bars.

  15. Jeremy in TX says:

    That seem like a pretty tall cylinder head on the new Cali. OHC? The new Scrambler is just as attractive as the rest of the V7 line. The motor is just too gutless, though.

  16. Travman says:

    I love both models. My only complaint that the Cali’s headlight lense looks to be plastic. It seems that all manufacturers are using plastic instead of glass now. It is just another example of manufacturers making disposable bikes. Nobody will want a bike with a faded yellow plastic headlight 15 years from now especially when a replacement lense can not be found or if available costs several hundred dollars. Some thing goes for cars now days.

    • MikeD says:

      All those yellow lenses can be easely cleaned/recycled with a bunch of products available to any regular Joe at any AutoParts Store. I use it on my car’s headlights. Won’t be like a new but it ends looking pretty darn close to it.
      My 03 SV1000N is starting to get corrosion on the Chromed Headlight Rim before the Lens turning Yellow. Not bad for an 8 y.o Piece of plastic, right ?

  17. S Calwel says:

    I love the conservative retro styling that in my eye is what a motorcycle ought to look like. I’m not ready for floor boards but the seat looks like it might avoid replacement with a Corbin or Sargent. The big displacment V-twins have great torque and a pleasant “pulse” power delivery. Guzzi keeps easing toward a bike I would buy, one that is fun to ride with suspension, transmission and reliability that is almost competitive with BMW engineering. The “fun to ride” factor might pull me in.

    F800GS, Caponord, waiting to test ride a Tiger 800

  18. Kjazz says:

    I’m very excited about new MG models. But…..if they really want to get serious, just build the MGS 01 and be done with it. That’s the sexiest sport bike ever conceived in my humble opinion.

  19. Kenneth L Springhetti says:

    Guzzi’s are one of those niche art marques that really almost shouldnt exist in the modern world, yet still do.. I like both the bikes, and am glad that they keep coming out with new and funky models…

  20. JB says:

    DAMN! Terblanche has put the ugly bulging Ducati sport classic fuel taks on the Guzzis. Will he just go away.

    Where the heck is the MGS-02??

  21. Old town hick says:

    I think an earlier poster is right about the California: it looks to have a radiator at the front of the engine.

    A water-cooled Guzzi?! Has the world turned upside down?

  22. GaryF says:

    Am I seeing the California correctly? It looks like two huge indents in the gas tank allow room for the cylinder heads. Seems like perfect engineering to create hot spots where you’d least want them … on the fuel cell. Only in Italy could such a design take place.

    • Jeremy in TX says:

      My Buell Ulysses has its fuel cell wrapped around two massively hot, air-cooled cylinders. So boiling fuel cannot be contributed solely as an Italian innovation.

    • Geep says:

      Must cost a fortune to make a tank like that

  23. Tim says:

    That view of the California reminds me of the long departed Kawasaki Eliminator. The Scrambler looks neat but I have to agree with others here that the lack of a Dealer nearby would chase me to my Triumph Dealer for their Scrambler if that’s the kind of bike I was looking for.

  24. Bullet Bob says:

    I have owned about a dozen different motorcycles in my life and I have to say that my 1200 Sport is the most enjoyable bike to ride I have ever owned. I looked at the California Vintage but it’s build quality seemed a little sketchy. With a windshield and some hard bags I’d buy that California.

  25. Jim says:

    The Scrambler is great.

    I’ve never been a fan of the California, but this is an improvement. But the modifications would begin before it left the showroom. Flat seat to replace the stepped one. Will the seat from the V7 fit? Ditch the floor boards for pegs and make any other needed foot control changes. Lastly low rise bars.

  26. Scott says:

    I was impressed with the concepts they were showing a little while back, but neither of these do much for me. Hopefully some of those concepts will still make it to production.

  27. PN says:

    The California reprises the Centauro tank and, overall, the design flows well. The seat and tail look especially good. The heads of the bigger engine look a little high, though I’m eager to see how MG is going to liquid-cool it. The mufflers looks like Triumph’s big twin’s. The Scrambler looks like it’s shot from below and so the its lines are a little distorted. Or else it’s just clunky. MG seems to be following Triumph’s lead in making a scrambler (I love the Bonnie one).

  28. ALFY says:

    Dealer network? spare parts availability? It does not matter how cool Guzzis are (and they are), if there are not available. Here in South Florida, we can’t even buy an American made Victory. The nearest dealer is 70 miles away, while the next one is like a 150 miles.

    • Norm G. says:

      and there you have it… the niche business that is motorcycling. failure to support (be it consumer or producer) =’s death.

  29. Gary says:

    I think the California looks pretty good, but will look much better with paint and chrome which I don’t think this “proto” has so much. I think it will be a great bike in the Guzzi line-up. Now the Scrambler is something else. I don’t think this will have much of a market. Maybe if it’s mostly a parts bin bike will make it half way profitable for Guzzi, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.

  30. MaconMike says:

    I like the Scrambler. This may be my next bike.

  31. Leo says:

    Is that a center stand on that scrambler? I think I like it. A Guzzi needs to be seen in person to be appreciated.

  32. Huh? says:

    I don’t know.. both of those bikes look pretty good to me. The big problem here is the total lack of a dealer network. Unless you’re lucky enough to live near a M-G dealer, and there aren’t many, you’ll have to travel forever to get it worked on.

  33. Fuzzyson says:

    I want to like Guzzi’s, I really, really do, but man they make some seriously ugly bikes!

  34. GP says:

    I like them both. The California reminds me of my old Triumph Thunderbird Adventurer. Pretty much a standard, with some cruiser-like details. Nice. I like the Scrambler as well, especially the flat seat. No heat shields on those Arrow mufflers, though, so passenger beware!

  35. Mickey says:

    Well, I keep looking and looking at them and trying to decide if I like them or not. Always been a Guzzi fan ever since my brother bought his 850 Eldorado brand new. However, I rode a used 750 Breva a couple years ago and was not impressed, and the Scrambler apparently uses the same motor. The California looks better than the previous model by the same name, and I love the look of the big jugs and heads. I think the tank looks oddly shaped though. I’ll reserve final judgement until I can see it in person..which is a bit of a problem since there is no Moto Guzzi dealer anywhere around here anymore. Glad to see Guzzi not only surviving but introducing new models and motors.

  36. MarkT says:

    Guzzi says this is only the tip of the iceberg!

    Cannot wait for a new LeMans!

    Oh, Yeah!!!

  37. Tom says:

    what man wouldn’t want to straddle and ride such a big-jugged beauty?

  38. Harry says:

    California
    That IS a standard.+++
    V-twins have too much vibration, not for me.–
    V-twins are anal. —
    Put an inline 4 there and now we are talking.
    The v7 reminds me of the ’62 Honda Scrambler I had way back when.

    • MG Norge says:

      I think you’d be surprised by the vibes the Guzzi engines deliver. With the V transverse across the frame they give the famous Guzzi twist to the right when the throttle is blipped and for the most part provide a very pleasant throb underneath. Not know for earth shattering HP but rather broad range torque and speed which for most folks I’d think more than adequate. I own a Norge.

      • Harry says:

        I rode my friends tweaked Guzzi. It was jumping at idle like a stallion biting at the bit making the motorcycle look like a double image. Way more buzz than I like. I will hold out for the Honda CB1100. Are you listening Honda? In the meantime MD get a hold of a 2011 Suzuki GSF1250S to test, if you dont like it I wont buy it.

  39. MikeD says:

    Seems the California GOT liquid-cooled, that thing on the front looks like a Triumph Thunderbird Radiator (wich by the way must be it’s natural rival). Still using that 13L Cummins style Starter(for crying out loud, is 2011, do something about it). Whats with the Yamaha Roadliner front fender stay rod ? Does this bike looks a little bloated to anyone else or a my just in need of some sleep ? lol.
    I like the atrocious look of the latest Stelvio, im sure i’ll like this one too, lol.

    I hope they have a high strung Liquid Cooled, DOHC, 12:1, 4V Heads Version on the wings too and slap it on some future Guzzi Daytona, Centauro or MGS-01 or similar looking beast. Someone mentioned here one time Guzzi would be the Cruiser Branch at Piaggio Group while Aprilia would take care of the Sport Bikes Side, i HOPE he’s was wrong.

    The Scrambler ? Nah, Not my thing.

    • Zuki says:

      A my having a hiccup reading your post or am I? Spelling quirks are easier to overlook but this is definitely one for the “must of” been lacking sleep notebook of poor grammar.

  40. Burt says:

    How can you not love those big jugs poking through that
    wet tank-top? It gives me funny feelings in my pants even
    without riding it. Seriously, the Guzzi engine will ALWAYS
    be a pleasure to view. Having it poke through the tank like
    this heightens the pleasure. And they are very reliable.
    If they only had a dealer network…

    • Todd says:

      It’s funny, but I have exactly the OPPOSITE reaction. Overwhelmingly I find Guzzis to be ugly as sin, and the rare exception is spoiled by the silly looking lump (to say nothing of the milquetoast performance). Different strokes and all….but I admit it, I just don’t “get it” when it comes to Moto Guzzis.

  41. Joey Wilson says:

    Nice, especially the California: Very clean, modernized, yet undeniably M-G. What a shame Terblanche could not have stayed longer before being wooed away by Norton. The Scrambler is in the style of the retro bikes he did at Ducati.

    I’ve always wondered about riding a ‘Goose, don’t your knees take a pounding against those cylinder heads? I realize it’s so Italian to not worry about comfort in the face of style . . . .

    Now if Piaggio would get as serious about placing M-G/Aprilia dealers across the USA as they have with Vespa scooters, maybe they’d sell some !

    • MG Norge says:

      “I’ve always wondered about riding a ‘Goose, don’t your knees take a pounding against those cylinder heads? I realize it’s so Italian to not worry about comfort in the face of style . . . .”

      I’m 6’8″ tall and my knees just only slightly brush one valve cover if I tuck them in tightly. For the most part I never realize I have those big pots sticking out in the breeze while riding.

  42. mobilus says:

    I could live with the Scrambler. The California looks like a Boss Hog…. yeek.

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