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NEW MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA:
RIDING THE LEGEND

At the end of the 1960s Sergeant Scotty Henderson of the Los Angeles Traffic Enforcement Division crossed the ocean to travel to Lake Como and Mandello del Lario, the home of Moto Guzzi. Waiting for him was the great eagle flying high above the factory gates, the symbol of one of the world’s oldest and most highly respected motorcycle brands.

Sergeant Henderson had been invited to that delightful corner of Italy to supervise the production of a small fleet of ten Moto Guzzi California V7 Police bikes, for the Los Angeles Police Department. He introduced a series of changes, including a side stand that could be set up by the rider when seated, a left-side gear change, an anti-bullet shield in Lexan, all of which were immediately adopted and skilfully implemented by Mandello’s skilled workers and craftsmen. Commenting on the experience Sergeant Henderson said: "In Mandello I had a free hand, I could decide any change and I watched the bike literally take shape before my eyes". In the summer of 1969 the ten Moto Guzzi V7 Police bikes joined the Los Angeles police fleet of more than four hundred bikes, quickly becoming the favourite vehicle of the younger officers. The strategy of brothers Joe and Mike Berliner (devoted importers of Moto Guzzi bikes in the USA, whose idea it was to supply the LAPD) began to produce results as new requests flooded in from other US police corps like the California Highway Patrol, and as interest in the new bikes spread among Yankee bikers. The police were quick to realise the superior drivability and acceleration of the Italian bike (which had successfully seen off its US and British competitors), while the service mechanics enthused about the benefits of the engine’s transverse V 90 architecture, whose accessibility and rationality dramatically cut ordinary and extraordinary maintenance work.
News about the starred and striped Moto Guzzi bikes also generated keen interest in Europe, strengthening the excellent reputation the V7 had already won with the 700 and Special versions. Photos of the LAPD and Highway Patrol officers clearly show that their Moto Guzzi V7 bikes were quite different to those normally on sale: larger saddle, a cow-horn handlebar, floorboards and a wealth of chrome. These stylistic elements gave the V7 an American image that proved popular, and boosted demand to the point where Moto Guzzi decided to begin mass production, starting in 1971, with the name California.
Since then seven generations and four displacement capacities have followed (750, 850, 1000, 1100) and more than one hundred thousand bikes have been produced: a success. On the roads for more than forty years, the Moto Guzzi California is the most famous Italian motorbike in the world. It has patrolled US freeways, escorted kings, queens and presidents, and entered the garages of the stars of stage and screen, winning a place in the motorcycling hall of fame. More than any other model built at Mandello del Lario, the California represents the values and strength of the Moto Guzzi brand: style, comfort, reliability and performance. A success rooted in a rare quality: the ability to combine the comfort and loading capacity of a custom bike with the dynamic performance of a powerful roadster.
CALIFORNIA CUSTOM

Now, as in the time of Sergeant Scotty, the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring and 1400 Custom bikes are “built with pride in Italy" and assembled by hand at the Mandello del Lario factory. With the difference that they are the most innovative, technological and powerful Moto Guzzi bikes ever made, the symbol of what since 1921 has been a unique culture and motorcycle construction capability. In terms of innovation and style, they are a turning point in the history of Moto Guzzi, one of the oldest and most distinguished names in motorcycling history. Just looking at them justifies the expression the “art of the motorcycle". Just sitting in the saddle justifies the expression “riding a legend".
CALIFORNIA CUSTOM

Ready for the roads of the third millennium, the California 1400 is an imposing, exclusive bike, with the power to exalt the nobility of a brand that stands for “made in Italy". Starting from the stylistic intuition of an innovative design, which, nonetheless, is recognisably consistent with the genealogy of the seven generations of California bikes produced to date, the main distinguishing Moto Guzzi features have been re-engineered, with the most advanced technologies of Europe’s leading motorcycle group. These are the results: a V twin engine with the largest displacement capacity ever built in Europe, providing a stunning torque of 120 Nm at just 2,750 rpm; the world’s first custom bike equipped with MGCT traction control and multimap Ride by Wire technology, with a choice of three different fuel delivery systems: Tourism, Fast and Rain; the world’s first custom bike equipped with a front light assembly with LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) of the kind mounted on today’s new automobiles; an unprecedented double-cradle frame equipped with an elastic engine fastening system to eliminate completely the transmission of vibrations; a new cardan shaft drive, at the top of its category in terms of fluidity and silent operation. There’s no question about it: motorcycling art and mastery merge in the new California 1400 bikes, two very special motorcycles, quite different from any that have gone before. Yet a doubt remains, of Hamletic proportions. Touring or Custom? Will you choose the Touring, a classic California sumptuously equipped for long-distance travel? Or the Custom, the feisty “bad girl", an all-out cruiser? Bikers will find it a difficult choice.
MY CALIFORNIA
There’s only one way to make this unique bike even more luxurious: customise it with Moto Guzzi original accessories, many of them designed by the MG Style Centre. The new California 1400 boasts the most extensive catalogue of top-quality, exclusive-design accessories ever produced by Moto Guzzi. Leather for side bags and saddles, chrome trim, steel and aluminium, for a broad range of accessories, and technology in abundance.

PHOTO GALLERY

CALIFORNIA TOURING
ACCESSORIES
  • California Touring
  • California Touring part. cover serbatoio
  • California Touring
  • California Touring
  • California Touring
  • California Touring
  • California Touring
  • California Touring

CALIFORNIA CUSTOM
ACCESSORIES
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom

Technology like the iGuzzi, a device enabling riders to connect their smartphones to the California (BlueDash technology), and turn it into a multimedia platform to manage bike and travel information. The Bluetooth connection provided by the iGuzzi, together with GPS and Internet functions, make the smartphone an integral part of the bike’s instruments.
The catalogue also includes a satellite-based anti-theft system: the transponder-activated anti-theft system tracks the location of the bike so it can be found if stolen. An operations room is in constant contact with the motorcycle to monitor anomalies and, if the bike is stolen, alert the police. Around the world 36 operations rooms are active to intervene should the bike be taken out of the country. Apps for Apple and Android provide the bike owner with the route taken by the bike, to be shared with the biker community.
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MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA 1400 CUSTOM

The essence of motorcycling

The Custom version of the already widely admired and sought after California 1400 has made its debut. In the attractive surroundings of Barcelona the new Italian custom bike was presented to the international press, essential, sporty, powerful, fast and elegant: the unmistakeable Moto Guzzi style, cutting-edge technology, the dynamic features of a genuine cruiser

Tradition and innovation: Barcelona achieves an exciting balance between two apparently antithetical factors. Catalonia’s most intimate soul is still rooted in ancient Spanish culture and tradition, yet the city is a cosmopolitan metropolis, with a wealth of truly modern buildings and cultures. A perfect amalgamation of what was, what is and what will be, which is also the distinguishing characteristic of the new Moto Guzzi flagship.

The California 1400 is the archetypal representative of this concept. A name that has gone down in world motorcycling history makes its return in an unprecedented guise: rather than abandoning its past, it offers a modern reading of the stylistic elements that secured its success, adding a quantity (and quality) of technological details that make it unsurpassable.
If the “true” Moto Guzzi California is the Touring, the luxury, comfortable and protective version that stole last year’s EICMA motor show in Milan and made its debut in November in Cannes, the Custom version is the mysterious, solitary, sporty soul. This bike was presented to the international press in Barcelona at the end of February. Imposing, dark, essential: the California 1400 Custom is the ideal companion for metropolitan heroes, the inseparable protagonist of daily life, almost an extension of the rider’s personality.
Along the metropolitan roads in the route organised for the test ride, it was surprising how the sinuous lines and massive scale of the Custom captured the attention of passers-by of all ages, demonstrating that appreciation of this bike is universal. With its seductive all-black look creating an intriguing contrast with the countless chrome details, the California 1400 is one of the few bikes in the world that can be recognised simply by the emblem on the tank, the eagle that today more than ever seems to be spreading its wings to continue a flight under the best auspices. Proudly built by hand in the Mandello del Lario factory, the California 1400 is also notable for its engine, the largest transverse V-twin ever built in Europe, successfully brought into prominence by Miguel Galluzzi, former director of the Piaggio Group engine style centre and now head of the Piaggio Group Advanced Design Center in Pasadena, USA.
The journalists inspecting the bike at close quarters praised its construction quality. Every single detail seems to have received the same loving attention, a reflection of the care devoted to selecting individual components of the highest quality. Unlike the Touring version, the California 1400 Custom has no windshield, cases and tubular protection frame; it presents a pair of longer adjustable shock absorbers with external tank, a redesigned passenger saddle and a less accentuated handlebar curve. A few touches that clearly characterise the sporty Custom and distinguish it from the comfortable Touring.
On city roads, the California Custom is far more at its ease than might be supposed for a bike weighing 300 kg with a 1,685 mm wheelbase. The remarkable chassis balance means the rider can travel at the slowest speeds with both feet firmly on the pegs and without having to “row” on the handlebar. This is a truly rare feature, and not just in the category of large custom bikes. A feature inherited from the Touring, here enhanced by 22 kg less weight, which, inevitably, contributes to the bike’s reactivity. Another surprising aspect of the Custom (also present on the Touring) is the sensation it provides of perfect general tuning, as if it were a restyled version of an existing bike, rather than a completely new model: the clutch can be modulated, the brakes are ready but manageable, the throttle control is smooth. The astonishing impression given by the bike continues when you ride it: unexpectedly agile, rock solid at high speeds, absolutely free of vibrations, thanks to the excellent job performed by the elastic engine fastening system, and a formidable engine in terms of torque and fuel delivery. Never a jolt as the throttle opens and closes, never an uncertainty, excellent linearity in delivery, for a ride that is comfortable and deeply satisfying. The 96 HP and 12.3 kgm at just 2,750 rpm are all controlled by the rider’s right hand. So all he or she has to do is concentrate on the road and riding. The bike’s advanced electronics take care of everything else: ride by wire, three engine maps, 3-level adjustable and excludable traction control, two-channel ABS: proven technologies (the boast of the Piaggio Group), that enhance rather than mitigate the bike’s personality, and increase safety and riding pleasure. In all conditions.

PHOTO GALLERY

  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
  • California Custom
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INTERVIEW WITH DESIGNER

MIGUEL GALLUZZI: "MY FINEST CHALLENGE:
THE MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA"

Miguel Galluzzi, former head of the Centro Stile Moto of the Piaggio Group is now Head of the Advanced Design Center of the Piaggio Group in Pasadena, USA.
The California 1400, in its Touring and Custom incarnations, is his latest creation for Moto Guzzi. A brand so rich in history that it presents a real challenge to any designer called upon to deal face to face with this globally unique tradition

MIGUEL GALLUZZI

"Working directly with a legend like Moto Guzzi is always exciting", explains Galluzzi, "But it is also an undertaking laden with responsibility.” Every motorcycle enthusiast has his own experience of Moto Guzzi and the designer is called on to innovate within a very strong and well-known tradition. So the challenge is to reconcile the technological innovation that a new motorcycle now requires, and where the Piaggio Group is a leader, with deference to a clearly defined aesthetic heritage. It is a daunting challenge but a hugely appealing one. The California then magnifies these themes, as it is not only the most famous motorcycle produced by Moto Guzzi, but also a legendary machine for enthusiasts all over the world.

Which is more pronounced on the California 1400, tradition or innovation?
“The 1400 California is perfectly balanced between the two aspects: the design is full of references, such as the sinuous shape of the tank and the long mudguards, but at the same time it is more modern, comfortable, accommodating and luxurious than the previous model. It is also a bike that includes the most advanced electronic riding support technology, designed to maximise safety and riding pleasure. The California 1400 represents the birth of a style that evenly balances traditional Moto Guzzi motifs with a modernity that expresses the technological content and the executive accuracy of the project. A strong reminder of the past is right in the centre of the bike, where the lines of the tank and saddle converge, forming the imaginary "cross" typical of previous models. The innovative style is expressed, for example, by the wide section rear tyre and modern lights; the front headlights are full LED.”

Computer or sheet of paper - how did the first sketches of the California 1400 originate?
"The Piaggio Group, including Moto Guzzi, can rely on the best technology currently available: there is no lack of programmes for drawing by computer. However, the lines of the California, as with many of our other creations, are first brought to light with pen on paper. For me, this is a stage that will never be replaced by any computer: the hand and the eye of the designer still make the difference – especially when putting down a first sketch – when you have to give a clear line, a general approach, to the entire project."

What was the first aim in thinking through the California 1400?
"From the outset it was clear that we had to enhance the original architecture of the mighty twin-cylinder 1400, which became the linchpin of the design: a unique engine worldwide that deserved to be kept on display. Its volume effectively represents the character and strength that this 90° V-twin engine is capable of expressing. And this gave us the idea of cutting the tank to bring out the cylinders. From wherever you look at it you immediately recognise it as a Moto Guzzi - there's no doubt. Personally I like the rear view where you get the feeling that the two cylinders literally explode from the tank".

CALIFORNIA TOURING

What sets the California apart in the crowded cruiser landscape?
"The first thing that comes to my mind, as an enthusiast, is the eagle logo on the tank: this is a Moto Guzzi one hundred percent and is built by hand in the Mandello del Lario factory, where all Guzzi's have been created since 1921. Moto Guzzi didn't start yesterday but, as everyone knows, has a unique history of more than ninety years of uninterrupted activity marked by numerous commercial and racing successes; a tradition of men, motion and passion that you feel when you look at - or better still, ride - a motorcycle produced in Mandello. But that's not all: The California 1400 is one of the few bikes that can convey the impression of build quality and attention to extraordinary detail. In dynamic terms, it is very distinctive for its unique traits of manoeuvrability and ride pleasure, making it the only custom bike that handles like a cruiser and giving great possibilities for fun on bends - despite comfort and wind protection features of the highest level. This is a quality that has always distinguished the California from all its competitors. And it was definitely one of the characteristics we wanted to keep on the California 1400".

200 tyres, 1,685 mm wheelbase, 1400cc, 46 mm fork, weight about 300 kg: are the important dimensions a technical or stylistic choice?
"We managed to find a point of balance between the needs of the engineers and the designers. We were able to satisfy both, without too many sacrifices and that's no mean feat. It's our interpretation of the modern cruiser: powerful, luxurious, exclusive and elegant but also comfortable and fun. A bike that expresses strength and toughness, together along with elegance and a style that is strongly Moto Guzzi. Now that the bike is on the market it seems quite obvious; I mean, it seems inevitable that it should have been designed and built this way. But it is an absolute level of excellence without compare anywhere in the world, and hasn't been a remotely easy goal to reach".


CALIFORNIA CUSTOM


After the Touring, clearly oriented towards travel, came the Custom. How was it conceived and what does it represent in the California family?
"Everyone recognises in the Touring version the California par excellence: comfortable, protective, refined in its detail and impeccable in its finish. However, its excellent ride quality prompted us to look beyond, to imagine a sportier, more aggressive and muscular version; a muscle bike for younger riders, who above all love riding alone. The idea came to us on account of the extraordinary handling qualities this design can produce. Using the same technical basis, we just had to take away some stuff, modify the balance with new shocks, and put on new handlebars, to significantly change the soul of the motorcycle. The Custom is a real drag bike, a nocturnal city animal, and a bike with outstanding riding dynamics that generates strong pleasure of possession. Another interesting aspect of this project is to conceive a number of interpretations, of which the Touring and Custom are just the first examples".

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It is possible to re-create a legend. So says Romano Albesiano
Head of the Piaggio Group Motorcycle Technical Centre

THE NEW CALIFORNIA 1400: “THE MOST HI-TECH GUZZI BIKE EVER BUILT”

In this interview he recounts the technological innovations on the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 and reveals how the bike was designed.

ROMANO ALBESIANO

What were the guidelines for the California 1400 project?
“The Moto Guzzi California has always been appreciated for its comfort and outstanding drivability. This combination secured its success right from the first model in the 1970s. We have inherited this important legacy, transmitting the unique California spirit to the new bike, in a modern interpretation: technically speaking the new California 1400 has nothing in common with the previous versions. We have used the expertise and technological know-how of the Piaggio Group brands to develop a completely new, refined, hi-tech bike, the top of its class in terms of riding pleasure and comfort. This is the California for the new millennium, an Italian cruiser, modern, fun to ride, and it has immediately established itself as a benchmark in the maxi cruiser category”.

Is it really the most hi-tech Guzzi motorbike every built?
“Absolutely, and it’s also one of the most hi-tech bikes of all time. But the technology of the California 1400 is not an end in itself, it has a specific function: to enhance riding pleasure, safety and comfort. For the first time a Moto Guzzi bike features an electronic Ride by Wire throttle, a technology originally introduced on Aprilia bikes, which, as a result of the expertise sharing among the Piaggio Group brands, has now come to Moto Guzzi, as a mature system. RbW is essential to optimise the management and performance of modern engines. So various engine maps are now available for the Moto Guzzi California 1400 rider, for touring, sport, on slippery surfaces. Standard features on the California 1400 include an advanced two-channel ABS, performance traction control with three settings, and cruise control makes its debut too. The California is the only cruiser in the world to feature all these innovative technologies. Technology is not limited to control systems, however: at every level the California is the result of an absolutely modern project and, here too, the know-how of the Group R&D division has contributed to the development of a functional, reliable motorcycle. Exhaustively bench tested in engine and chassis running cycles, over hundreds of thousands of kilometres on road and track, in the pursuit of a perfect alliance between drivability, comfort and reliability”.

Besides the technology, what distinguishes the California from other bikes?
“Absolute riding pleasure. No cruiser in this category is such fun to ride, on the straight and on bends. For the first time, devotees of this type of bike can be sure of maximum enjoyment on any type of road, and great ease of handling. Drivability depends on many factors, which all have to be taken into account in the initial project. The frame, weight distribution, the shock absorbers and so on: all these factors affect how the bike rides. Another unique element is the completeness of this motorcycle. The California 1400 Touring has an outstanding set of standard features, nothing is missing, even if, given the type of bike and customer, the catalogue of special accessories is huge, so every biker can uniquely customise his or her California”.

NEW ENGINE:
A BEATING HEART BUT NO VIBRATIONS
The California 1400 is the essence of evolution: the largest V2 motorcycle engine ever built in Europe. Twin cylinders, four valves, six-speed gear shift. A new double-cradle frame. A new cardan shaft drive. The engine is the throbbing heart, but the exclusive elastic fastening system patented by Moto Guzzi shields the rider and passenger from any vibrations. The California 1400 also cuts consumption and emissions despite its enhanced capacity (with torque and power at the maximum), by raising thermal and fluid dynamic efficiency.

PHOTO GALLERY

  • Gruppo California
  • Romano Albesiano
  • Gruppo California
  • Gruppo California
  • Gruppo California
  • Gruppo California
  • Gruppo California
vintage
THE MOST AMERICAN OF THE ITALIANS

MOTO GUZZI CALIFORNIA HISTORY

1968 - 1969: development of the V7 Police for the LAPD

The California began life in 1968 with the Moto Guzzi V7 (700cc) chosen by the Los Angeles Police Department, when Moto Guzzi become one of a very small group of motorcycle constructors invited, in November 1968, to take part in the selection process for a delivery of ten bikes. The Mandello engineers outfitted a V7 with an oversized 750cc engine, plus windshield, bags, additional lights, a radio and a siren. The result was the V7 Police, which trounced its rivals during the rigorous selection tests. In the summer of 1969 the Moto Guzzi V7 Police bikes joined the more than four hundred motorcycles in the Los Angeles police fleet, and later the fleets of other U.S. police forces like the California Highway Patrol.

Sean Connery - Moto Guzzi V7 California
Moto Guzzi V7 Police
1970 - 1972: from the V7 Police to the V7 750 California

The bike’s success in America reached Europe through the trade press, consolidating the image of the V7, recently revamped with the 750 Special version. Enthusiasts and dealers began to ask for the “American” V7, convincing the management to launch the V7 750 California in the spring of 1970. Compared with the V7 Special, the new model featured a number of aesthetic changes: from the fuel tank to the instrument panel, from the foot pegs to the “cow horn” handle bar, from the saddle to the stand.
From the technical viewpoint the California differed from the Special with its steering damper, conical torque (8/37 instead of 8/35) and barrel silencers. The new V7 California inherited the aesthetics of the V7 Police, whose increasingly frequent appearances on the Californian highways boosted sales of the V7 Ambassador, the version of the California built for the U.S. market..

Moto Guzzi V7 Ambassador
1972 – 1974: V 850 California, the diva

At the 1971 Milan cycle and motorcycle show, Moto Guzzi presented the V850 California. The new California had all the technological advances designed by Lino Tonti on the V7 Sport engine, such as the reinforced crankcase, but with displacement increased to 844.05cc.
In this configuration, the Mandello twin cylinder achieved an impressive 64 HP at just 6500 RPM, establishing itself as the benchmark in its category for power, performance and reliability. From the V7 Sport the V850 California also inherited the five-speed transmission, front dual drum brake and adjustable shock absorbers. With its distinctive aesthetic and technical personality, the bike was a universal market winner, from the USA, where it was sold as the Eldorado 850, to Germany and France, and in 1974 reached a record of more than 12 thousand shipments, including 4 thousand in America.

Moto Guzzi 850 California
1975 - 1980: T3 California, the renewal

In 1975, after production of more than 100,000 V7 and V850 bikes, Moto Guzzi launched the new 850 T3 – 850 T3 California series. This was the first California introduced under the new De Tommaso management and it became famous for its innovative “integral braking”, a Moto Guzzi patent that shortened braking distances and improved stability when braking.
The engine was more powerful and ecological: power rose to 68 HP and, almost twenty years ahead of European regulations, a recirculation system was installed for non-combusted gases in the engine. The style, developed on the V7 Sport frame, was more modern and compact than the previous V850 California, with an integrated fuel tank and saddle in keeping with contemporary style trends.

Moto Guzzi 850 T3 California
1981 – 1986: California II, up to 1000

The relaunch of the T3 California came with the California II. Displacement rose to 1000cc (948.8cc) and the head guard layout became square. Compared with the T3, the California II featured alloy wheels, a front mudguard, side panels and an instrument panel. A model offering outstanding value for money, the California II was an excellent success on the market, with more than ten thousands bikes produced. In 1981, at 6,075,000 Lire (3,142 euro) the California II was the least expensive 1000cc bike on the Italian market.

Moto Guzzi California II 1000
Moto Guzzi California II 1000 Police
1987 – 1993: California III, the metamorphosis

The design concept changed radically with the California III. The new model severed stylistic ties with the previous T3 and California II, and introduced an intentionally custom line based on the new 25 litre tear-drop fuel tank with connected side panels and separated double saddle with passenger backrest.
This bike also saw the return of floorboards, absent since the V850, and chrome trim, enhanced by the black paint. The engine was more advanced than the California II, and the bike was also available in an integral fairing version, which transformed it into a tourer; in 1991 a special version appeared to mark the 70th anniversary of Moto Guzzi.

Moto Guzzi California III
1994 – 1996: California 1100: even higher

With seven thousand bikes sold, the California III passed the baton on to the new California 1100 (1064cc), the peak capacity in this well-loved family of motorbikes. The new version retained the style of the California III, with minor changes in the headlight assembly, dampers and graphics, while the engine beat the 73 HP threshold for a top speed of 200 km/h. The combination of performance, comfort and style made it the flagship model of Moto Guzzi production for more than ten years, with countless versions developed over the years, including the unforgettable special version for Moto Guzzi’s 75th anniversary.

Moto Guzzi California III F.I.
1997 – 2005: California EV: all-round evolution

1997 saw the debut of the EV version, whose name stressed the evolution of the engine, now equipped with new connecting rods and electronic injection. The California EV was distinguished by a more rounded valve case compared with the carburettor version, tubeless spoked wheels and a new fork with 45 mm stanchions. 1999 was the debut of the EV Special, a “cruiser” that introduced several new style elements, including the “eagle beak” rear mudguard, a saddle with two separate seats for the rider and passenger, new floorboards, new lamps and a new license plate holder. Later versions of this style model were the Stone and the Jackal, and the sumptuous EV 80, a special series to commemorate 80 years of Moto Guzzi, featuring Frau leather bags, saddle and hand grips. The last act in the California EV was the Touring version launched in 2003, featuring hydraulic tappets, a three-way catalytic converter with Lambda probe and oil-jet piston cooling. Overall, more than 20,000 California EV bikes were produced.

Moto Guzzi California EV
2006 – 2012: California Vintage: hollywood, presidential and royal style

The California Vintage was presented to the press in Mandello del Lario in March 2006, for the launch of the new Euro 2 range. With its rich chrome trim and livery, the bike was clearly inspired by the celebrated V850 California of 1972. It was joined in 2008 by a pearl white version, a customisation requested by Scottish actor Ewan McGregor, who took delivery of the bike during Moto Guzzi World Days in 2007. That same year, twenty-four Moto Guzzi California Vintage bikes in the Corazzieri version replaced the veteran California 1100 used by the guards of the President of the Republic of Italy since 1994.
The “Black Eagle” was the new entry of 2009: a special outfitting flanking the Vintage; two years later, for the 90th anniversary, came the California 90. Presented at Moto Guzzi World Days on 15 September 2011, the California 90 was a limited edition with a dual symbolic value: it was the 90th anniversary bike and the last California to be mass produced.
The California ended its career as it had begun, with a version for a special police corps: the personal escort of the King of Jordan. The consignment was 24 custom bikes, featuring an unusual tank, with a burgundy livery and the royal emblems, which were delivered in January 2012 at a special ceremony in amman, in the presence of King Abdullah II of Jordan and Piaggio Group chairman Roberto Colaninno. In February 2013, the Moto Guzzi bikes of the Royal Guard escorted the King to the official opening of the newly elected Parliament.

Moto Guzzi California Vintage
Ewan McGregor on Moto Guzzi California
The Piaggio Group Board, with President Roberto Colaninno, and King Abdullah II of Jordan
people
RIHANNA LOVES CALIFORNIA
Barbados-born pop star Rihanna (25, full name Robyn Rihanna Fenty), her country’s first artiste to win a Grammy Award, poses on a vintage Moto Guzzi California for a photo shoot. The bike is a V7 Ambassador, a version of the California 750 produced in the1970s for the US market.
rihanna
on the road
In July 2011 eighteen journalists from seven countries reached the North Cape, the northernmost tip of Europe, 600 kilometres above the Arctic Circle, riding Moto Guzzi bikes. The journey, almost 5,000 km in ten stages across five nations, celebrated an important anniversary for the Mandello-based motorcycle constructor (the Eagle’s 90th birthday) and reaffirmed a relationship between the rider and his bike that can come from travel.
Stefano Cordara, one of the top international motorcycling journalists, re-lives the emotions of the trip and offers a few tips to anyone interested in undertaking the ride for themselves

MANDELLO – NORDKAPP
WITH A MOTO GUZZI

Why do motorcyclists decide to take a trip through northern Europe? It must be some masochistic streak, given that after a cold and, for some of us, foggy winter, rather than enjoy the warm summer sun, these foolhardy folk pull out their winter woollies, pack their bags with sweaters and waterproofs, and set off knowing that they are heading for cold and rain. Why on earth do they do it? The fact is that a motorbike ride to Northern Europe has an appeal few other journeys can match. Endless horizons, a bountiful nature still unspoiled by man, people whose civilisation leaves an indelible mark on the traveller. If it is true that there is a mal d’Afrique, then there is certainly mal du Nord. And we certainly caught the bug.
On this particular trip, in 2011, we had a good excuse: to celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 90th anniversary and the great 1928 adventure of Giuseppe Guzzi (and it really was an adventure at that time), who set out on a Moto Guzzi Norge GT 500 from the Mandello factory (where Moto Guzzi bikes have been built without interruption since 1921) to travel to the North Cape. The same route that we took on 18 Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V and Stelvio 8V bikes, the great Mandello tourers.
4,895 km in 10 days, a long journey that led us through spectacular landscapes and over extraordinary roads, and gave us the opportunity to enjoy two excellent motorbikes with distinctive personalities. Our Guzzi bikes did indeed win all hearts during the trip. Some of us admired the Norge, so comfortable and easy to ride, others preferred the gutsy Stelvio with its perfect mix of tourism and sportiness. And all of us appreciated the reliability of the two models – none of the bikes presented any problems during the ride – and the truly minimal fuel consumption of the legendary Guzzi twin-cylinder, in its transversal V configuration with cardan shaft drive, which in some cases beat the 20 km/litre mark without difficulty.
If you like “guided” roads, with more kilometres on bends than on the straight, then you might well fall in love with Norway’s roads. Along the fiords, the bends just keep coming, the asphalt is perfect and as you move north the already limited traffic almost disappears. Biking on these roads and with these views is a unique experience. And even better if you take time out to relax every so often and board one of the many ferries across the fiords, which, at very reasonable prices, help you shorten what otherwise would be a very long road. Without the ferries, the tortuous coastline, penetrated by the sea for dozens (sometimes hundreds of miles), would make the distances even more challenging. Today, a trip like this is no longer an adventure, but it always has a good reason, especially if you’re on a motorbike. The best time is July, the month we chose, to minimise the risk of rain. Nevertheless, be prepared for anything, because the weather changes very fast in this region, as it is does at high altitudes. Travel with warm clothing that you know is waterproof, in layers, so you can strip off or wrap up as the case may be. We were lucky: in 10 days and almost 5,000 km, we had no more than 4 hours of rain, and when we got to the North Cape, the temperature was 22°C. But not everyone is so fortunate.

And if you’d like to experience the trip yourself, perhaps at a more leisurely pace, as a tourist: the North Cape, instructions for use.
BUDGET: plan to spend at least 4,500 € for about one month and 10,000 km of riding; camping is certainly the cheapest solution.

ITINERARY: the ideal route is to travel up through Sweden/Finland and come down through Norway. That way, the beauty of the roads and landscapes increases as you travel and once you’ve reached the North Cape, you still have the best to come. July is the best month, to minimise the risk of rain.

CLOTHING: Today’s multi-layer jackets with waterproof membrane are perfect for Norway’s highly variable climate. If it’s warm, it’s very warm (up to 25°C) but the temperature can drop very quickly to below 10°C. A rainproof suit is always advisable.

REFUELLING: petrol is expensive in Norway and fuel stations are few and far between up in the north. Double check your sums to make sure you don’t run out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.

The ride in ten stages
From Mandello to the North Cape:



Mandello

1st stage - Mandello/Stuttgart: km 511
2nd stage - Stuttgart/Hanover: km 512
3rd stage - Hanover/Kristiansand: km 676
4th stage - Kristiansand/Oslo: km 322
5th stage - Oslo/Trondheim: km 497
6th stage - Trondheim/Mo I Rana: km 478
7th stage - Mo I Rana/Harstad: km 422
8th stage - Harstad/Tromsø: km 252
9th stage - Tromsø/Skaidi: km 584
10th stage - Skaidi/Nordkapp:km 152
on the road

The routes toward Nordkapp

FROM PARIS: 4,000 km of travel (road and ferry crossing). Countries to cross: France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

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STAGES: Paris-Paris-Lille/Charles de Gaulle Airport/Saint-Denis towards Cambrai/Valenciennes/Brussels/Liège then entry into Belgium. From Liège: La Louvière/Charleroi Airport and entry into Germany. On the A44, exit for Antwerp/Heerlen. At Kreuz Köln-West head towards Dortmund/Düsseldorf. Ferry to Rodby and entry into Denmark . From Rodby Faerge towards Sweden. Trafikplats Kropp intersection in the direction of Stockholm/Kristianstad. The following stages: Trafikplats, Stockholm, Landsvagallén, Centralesplanaden, Trafikplats Töre towards Kiruna/Töre/Töre Hamn, Finlandsvagen with entry into Finland. Tullitie, Kilpsjarventie, Hetantie, Ruijantie with entry into Norway. Altahoyden, Thomasbkkveien, Elvestrand, Aronnesveien, Alta bru/Altaveien towards Nordkappeveien. Arrival in North Cape (Nordkapp).

FROM LONDON: 2,250 km (road, train, ferry). Countries to cross: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

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STAGES: London-Sidcup Road towards Dover/Channel Tunnel/Maidstone; Channel Tunnel train to Fréthun and entry into France. Through Avenue de France, across the border and entry into Belgium. At Zwijnaarde towards Gent/Antwerp to Breda/Luik/Brussels/Antwerp-Centrum/ Antwerp Ring Road/Haven. Towards Hasselt/Eindhoven to Turnhout with entry into the Netherlands. Venio/Duisburg and entry into Germany. From Kreuz Kaiserberg towards Hannover/Arnheim, exit at Essen/Gladbeck towards Gladbeck/Mari, exit at Münster South Bremem, Münster Nord, Flughafen, Osnabrück. Ferry to Rodby and entry into Denmark . From Rodby Faerge towards Sweden as in the first route described for Paris-Nordkapp.

FROM BERLIN: 2,811 km (road, ferry). Countries to cross: Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

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STAGES: Berlino-Dreieck Pankow in the direction of Hamburg. Exit towards Rostock-Überseehafen, Baltic See Ferries, Fahren. Ferry to Gedser with entry into Denmark. Following Stages: Gedser Landevej, Skovalleen, Copenhagen and entry into Sweden, proceeding as described in the first route Paris-Nordkapp.

FROM MADRID: 4,865 km (road, ferry). Countries to cross: Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

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STAGES: Madrid-Vicalvaro/Valencia towards Zaragoza/Alcala Airport and then to Vitoria/Logrono Airport/Santander. Exit at Vitoria/Gasteiz/France towards Bilbao/Donostia/S. Sebastian with entry into France. Towards Paris/Lille toward Chartres/Rungis, Orly Airport. From Lille/Charles de Gaulle Airport/Bobigny towards Cambrai/Valenciennes/Brussels/Liège and entry into Belgium. From Liège continue as described in the first route Paris-Nordkapp.

FROM ATHENS:5,154 km (road, ferry). Countries to cross: Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

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STAGES: Athens-Evzoni towards Macedonia and Kosovo, in the direction of M1/Ausztria/M7/Horvtorszag/Szlovenia, exit at Gyor, entry into Hungary. Following Stages: Szlovakia/Pozsony-Bratislava/Hegyeshalom crossing Slovakia. Towards Brno, Czech Republic, proceeding towards Prague. Towards Berlin/Cottbus/Flughafen Dresden, then Potsdam/Berlin/Lübbenau, following directions for Hamburg, Germany. Exit at Rostock Überseehafen/Krummendorf/Baltic See Ferries/Fahren. Ferry to Gedser and entry into Denmark. Following Stages: Gedser Landevej, Skovalleen, Copenhagen and entry into Sweden, proceeding as described in the first route Paris-Nordkapp.

RACING

APRILIA RACING LEADS WORLD SBK AFTER THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS

The Aragòn weekend, second round of the 2013 world SBK season, summed up all the unpredictability and excitement of the top world championship for factory derivative bikes.
The Aprilia Racing team arrived at the Spanish circuit with its two riders, Irishman Laverty and Frenchman Guintoli, tied for the world championship lead and with a solid hold on the lead in the Manufacturer rankings. This was the fruit of the results achieved in the Australian opening round, where the Aprilia RSV4 had dominated both races and the two official riders rode away with one first and one second place each. Eugene Laverty made it quite clear from the Friday and Saturday practice sessions that he was aiming for a win in Spain as well. His race pace was consistently excellent and he earned the second square of the starting grid.



But in the end it was Sylvain Guintoli, after optimum performance in the practice sessions and the fourth best time on the starting grid, who came away with two valuable second place finishes which strengthen his lead in the world championship with a 22 point advantage over the nearest rival, now the British rider Davies, double winner at Aragòn.
An exceptional performance by the French Aprilia RSV4 rider who has been in the top two for the first four races of the season. These are results that earn him 85 points to put him in the lead of the championship, ahead of Davies (63 points), Aprilia Racing team mate Eugene Laverty (45) and Melandri (43).



As a result of the performance by the French rider and his Aprilia RSV4 on Spanish soil, Aprilia Racing strengthens its hold on the Manufacturer Championship lead with 90 points. The Italian bike is followed by BMW (79 points), Kawasaki (49), Honda (37), Suzuki (35) and Ducati (28).
Eugene Laverty's Spanish weekend was incredible. The Irish rider was held at bay only by hard luck after having clearly demonstrated, even in the race, that he was the definite favourite for the win. In the first race he was stopped by a mechanical breakdown of the exhaust valve motor while, in first place from the start, he was trying to break away from the pack. In Race 2, in the lead once again, it was a crash – without injury to the rider – that put him out of the race. However, the potential Eugene displayed is assurance of his return as a key player in the upcoming rounds at Assen and Monza.
Aragòn also fully confirmed the value of the Aprilia RSV4. In Australia, in addition to the official team riders, Roman rider Michel Fabrizio from the Red Devils team played a key role, riding his way to a third and fourth place finish. In Spain Davide Gugliano from Althea Racing took his turn showing off with a fourth place finish in Race 2 after a long battle with Tom Sykes, runner up 2012 World Champion and one of the favourites to win this year. This is a demonstration of strength which confirms just how competitive the V4 from Noale really is.

PHOTO GALLERY

  • Aprilia Racing Team
  • Aprilia Racing Team
  • Aprilia Racing Team
  • Mercanti - Dall'Igna
  • Laverty - Guintoli
  • Sylvain Guintoli
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
  • Eugene Laverty
ART
In the shots signed by Scott Pommier

THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY MEETS
THE MOTO GUZZI V7

The mood is created by the distinctive atmosphere of Lake Como and the winding streets of Mandello del Lario, where Moto Guzzi has been living a legendary love story for more than 90 years. The lens belongs to one of today’s greatest metropolitan photographers, Scott Pommier, whose shots of bikers and skaters from around the world form a unique genre expressing the concept of freedom and contemporary urban life. The return of the Moto Guzzi V7, produced since 1966 with its distinctive V-twin engine and cardan shaft, has been celebrated by a photographer of the greatest prestige, whose advertising campaign for the Mandello brand has immediately become a milestone in the history of Moto Guzzi.
Canadian, 39, with a career crowned by the PDN Photo Award in the Advertising category, in 2009 Scott Pommier also won a place in the Communication Arts Photo Annual and a place in the Luerzer’s Archive. Pommier’s photos are not just the reflection of a passion for the two-wheeler world, they narrate a love of travel and the road. A powerful characteristic of Pommier’s unique shots is his masterful use of always natural light, to create with naturalness and simplicity ethereal images with a vintage flavour. The shots for the V7 campaign, and the backstage images, were shown last year at an exhibition in the Piaggio Group “Spazio Broletto 13” showroom in central Milan, attracting interest from crowds of Guzzi enthusiasts and fans of the photographer’s work.


COMMUNITY
Moto Guzzi World Club

THE EAGLE IS ABOUT TO LAND

More than 70 official Clubs worldwide: in Europe, the USA, Japan and as far away as Australia. Thousands of enthusiasts, with the Mandello del Lario eagle in their hearts and on their tanks, looking forward to meeting up at rallies, competing for the special trophies, discovering unusual tourist itineraries on the road on their beloved Guzzi bikes. This is the Moto Guzzi World Club (www.motoguzziworldclub.it): pride and passion, identity and the pleasure of companionship.
The “itinerant” community travels during week-ends and holidays, over short and long distances, to discover fascinating places and meet new friends. Emotions to experience, in the saddle of their MG travelling companion. This year’s official rallies for Eagle bikers include the “Mediterranean Guzzi Biker Rally” in Malta (26-28 April), the “Moto Guzzi V7 Day 2013” in Italy (25-26 May, Tuscany), the “Moto Guzzi Poland XIV International Rally” (21-23 June, Siemczyno in Poland). As well as a host of other events in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, and outside Europe, in America, Asia, Australia – which has Moto Guzzi Clubs in Victoria and Queensland – and even in Auckland, New Zealand, and Tasmania.
LIFESTYLE
The Mandello eagle soars with widespread wings over the brand new range of Moto Guzzi California accessories and apparel. Perched on the helmets, soaring across the leather jackets, hoodies and t-shirts for him and her to rest over the heart. An original range with the MG griffe, top-quality materials and up-to-the-minute style: a collection to fall in love with

AN EAGLE ON YOUR HEAD AND YOUR HEART

HELMETS: PROTECTION IS CHIC
MG MODULAR
Shell in injection-moulded thermoplastic reinforced Lexan® resin made in Italy. Polystyrene internal protection in two sizes (M and L). Double P/J type approval for use as jet and full-face. Injection-moulded Lexan® visor, fitted for integrated Pinlock® system and anti-scratch treatment. Easy-to-activate internal sun visor. Rapid-release blocking system: simple and robust. Approvals: ECE 22-05 EUROPE, DOT America and Canada. Also available in Bluetooth SCS version. Colour: Black Gloss. Sizes: from XS to XXL.
MG Jet California.
Moto Guzzi fibre jet helmet with slide-away sun visor, fully fabric covered, available in one version with original exclusive MOTO GUZZI graphics, produced in cooperation with SUOMY, made 100% in Italy. Shell: in composite material and glass fibre of various weights. Visor: available only with sun visor in anti-scratch heat-formed polycarbonate. Blocking system: rapid release, simple and robust. Lining: in quality material, fully removable and washable.
Approvals: ECE 22.05. Colour: Black. Sizes: from XS to XXL.
JACKETS: GIVE ME BLACK LEATHER
For him: Leather JKT. Jacket in natural nap leather, tanned and finished in Italy. Elasticised cuffs and waist. Wool and polyester lining, red piping. Internal Moto Guzzi and California logos, printed in silver on leather patch. Three outer pockets, one inner pocket. Heat-formed Moto Guzzi colour-matched logo on back. Colour: Black. Sizes: from S to XXXL.
For her: Lady Leather JKT. Jacket in natural nap leather, tanned and finished in Italy. Elasticised cuffs and waist. Wool and polyester lining, red piping. Internal Moto Guzzi and California logos, printed in silver on leather patch. Two outer pockets, one inner pocket. Heat-formed Moto Guzzi colour-matched logo on back. Colour: Black. Sizes: from XS to XL.
T-SHIRTS AND HOODIES: COLLECT THEM ALL
T-shirts: for him and her, with Moto Guzzi flags, bikes and shields. It’s more fun to collect them all instead of trying to choose: these are evergreen items for all seasons, worn next to the skin in summer, with matching hoodies in winter. The T-shirts (Flag, Bike, Shield) are in cotton jersey, with Moto Guzzi California customised labels and prints, three-colour internal piping on the neck and contrasting stitching. Colours: black, white. Sizes: from S to XL.
Hoddies: for him Bike model (California bike graphics and a patch printed with the California logo), for her Shield model (three-colour stitching and silver shield). Both models are in cotton, with a zip and gauze lining. Three-colour internal piping on the neck. Contrasting stitching. Colours: black for him, white for her. Sizes: from XS to XXXL.
The shopper is included: an exclusive shiny black bag marked MG California.