Moto Guzzi Motorcycles

About Moto-Guzzi

Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer and the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production.

Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and industry innovations—including the first motorcycle center stand, wind tunnel and eight-cylinder engine.

Moto Guzzi was conceived by two aircraft pilots and their mechanic serving in the Corpo Aeronautico Militare during World War I: Carlo Guzzi, Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi. The trio envisioned creating a motorcycle company after the war. Guzzi would engineer the motor bikes, Parodi (the son of wealthy Genovese ship-owners) would finance the venture, and Ravelli (already a famous pilot and motorcycle racer) would promote the bikes with his racing prowess. Guzzi and Parodi (along with Parodi's brother) formed Moto Guzzi in 1921. Ravelli, ironically, had died just days after the war's end in an aircraft crash and is commemorated by the eagle's wings that form the Moto Guzzi logo.

Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, along with Giorgio's brother Angelo, created a privately held silent partnership "Societa Anonima Moto Guzzi" on 15 March 1921, for the purpose of (according to the original articles of incorporation) "the manufacture and the sale of motor cycles and any other activity in relation to or connected to metallurgical and mechanical industry".

The very earliest motorcycles bore the name G.P. (Guzzi-Parodi), though the marque quickly changed to Moto Guzzi. As the only actual shareholders, the Parodi's wanted to shield their shipping fortunes by avoiding confusion of name G.P. with Giorgio Parodi's initials.

Carlo Guzzi's first engine design was a horizontal single that dominated the first 45 years of the company's history in various configurations. Through 1934, each engine bore the signature of the mechanic who built it.

Until the mid-1940s, the traditional horizontal four-stroke single-cylinder 500 cc engines outfitted with one overhead and one side valve (also known as: IOE, inlet over exhaust or F-head) were the highest performance engines Moto Guzzi sold to the general public.

In the 1950s, Moto Guzzi, along with the Italian factories of Gilera and Mondial, led the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. With durable and lightweight 250 cc and 350 cc bikes designed by Giulio Carcano, the firm dominated the middleweight classes. The factory won five consecutive 350 cc world championships between 1953 and 1957.

Moto Guzzi withdrew from racing after the 1957 season citing escalating costs and diminishing motorcycle sales. By the time of its pull out from Grand Prix racing, Moto Guzzi had won 3,329 official races, 8 World Championships, 6 Constructor's Championships and 11 Isle of Man TT victories.

After World War II company had a hard time, like others in Europe. So light and inexpensive cycles were produced. The 1946 "Motoleggera", a 65 cc lightweight motorcycle became very popular in post-war Italy. A four-stroke 175 cc scooter known as the "Galletto" also sold well. Though modest cycles for the company, the lighter cycles continue to feature Guzzi's innovation and commitment to quality. The step-through Galletto initially featured a manual, foot-shifted three-speed (160 cc) configuration then later a four-speed (175 cc) set-up by the end of 1952. The displacement was increased to 192 cc in 1954 and electric start was added in 1961.

In February 1967, SEIMM (Societa Esercizio Industrie Moto Meccaniche), a state controlled receiver, took ownership of Moto Guzzi. The SEIMM oversight saw Moto Guzzi adapting to a cultural shift away from motorcycles to automobiles. The company focused on popular lightweight mopeds including the Dingo and Trotter – and the 125 cc Stornello motorcycle. Also during the SEIMM years Guzzi developed the 90° V twin engine, designed by Giulio Cesare Carcano, which would become iconic of Moto Guzzi.

Moto blog

First Look: 2018 Moto Guzzi V7 III Carbon, Rough and Milano

When the Rough gets going . Moto Guzzi expanded its entry-level lineup with three new variants of the V7 III: the Milano, Carbon and Rough. The new models offer more choices to account for personal style, with the same practical, fun and friendly character of the other V7’s, the basic Stone, swanky Special and café-styled Racer.

EICMA 2017: Moto Guzzi Concept V85

The first example of a new family of motorcycles To the rest of us, 2021 my seem like its a long way away. For Moto Guzzi, the year – and the company’s centenary – are close enough to start planning for. Case-in-point is the Moto Guzzi Concept V85, the first example of a new line of motorcycles that the folks in Mandello del Lario are developing for the celebration.

2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone Review

Guzzi's entry-level roadster gets new cylinder heads and other updates Credit: Photos by Max Tanbara After 50 years of production, an Italian classic much like Joe Pesci and Spaghetti O’s, the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone is now onto its third iteration of Guzzi’s most popular bike. Doses of change have come alongside the new roman numeral for this entry-level classic that remains a quality and affordable standard. 2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone Editor Score: 82.0% Engine 17.0/20 Suspension/Handling 13.0/15 Transmission/Clutch 7.0/10 Brakes 8.0/10 Instruments/Controls 3.0/5 Ergonomics/Comfort 8.0/10 Appearance/Quality 9.0/10 Desirability 8.0/10 Value 9.0/10 Overall Score 82/100 With Moto Guzzi’s signature longitudinally mounted 744cc air-cooled powerplant protruding from its gills, wrapped in a classic-bike bun, alongside modern features such as ABS and traction control, the V7 III Stone is a solid package for the pleasantly affordable $7,990 price tag.

Baggers Brawl

The Harley-Davidson Street Glide, Indian Chieftain, Moto Guzzi MGX21, and Victory Magnum face off in an Old West shootout Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield | Videos by James Martinec The great American West never suffers fools. When you look at the harsh conditions faced by the hardy souls who set out to claim their fortune in California’s Mojave Desert, the stakes get even higher. Do a little research, and you’ll discover an impressive number of hamlets were born, sometimes prospered, sometimes didn’t, then died – often in dog years.

2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Video Preview

A classic reborn again Videos by Evans Brasfield, Brett Colpitts Everyone from hipsters to crusty old fogies loves Guzzi’s V7, or at least the idea and the stature of it. However, it seemed a bit dated, even the V7 II introduced a couple of years ago. For 2017, Guzzi is introducing the V7 III, with an updated double-cradle steel frame with revised geometry and new suspension.

2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III Preview

Merry 50th Bday V7! 1967-2017 Moto Guzzi celebrates 50 years of V7 models with a third act for the beloved original. Since 1967 the V7 model has stood as the brand ambassador for the Italian company and its transverse Twins.

Heritage Lifestyle Characters Compete On Cool Factor

Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle v. H-D Roadster v. Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer v.

2017 Moto Guzzi Audace Carbon Preview

Moto Guzzi clearly believes that naked carbon fiber is the new black. Just look at the 2017 MGX–21. Well, the Audace Carbon is following the same eye-catching design cues – which makes sense since both motorcycles are based on the same California 1400 platform.

2016 Moto Guzzi V7 II Stornello First Ride Review

A fun, authentically-styled limited edition Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield Still need convincing that scrambler-styled motorcycles are hot? Moto Guzzi, a brand long known to march to the beat of a different drummer from the rest of the motorcycling world, has taken its updated-for-2016 V7 II platform and created a limited – and numbered – production scrambler model, the Stornello. In doing so, Moto Guzzi’s design team restyled the V7 II Stone to quite accurately resemble scramblers of the past.

2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress First Ride Video Review

A stylish entry into the bagger market <p>The Moto Guzzi MGX 21, aka the Flying Fortress. Moto Guzzi’s take on the American bagger, the MGX is a stylish design exercise powered by a 1380cc transverse V-Twin pumping out 95 horsepower and nearly 90 lb-ft of torque. It’s a high-revving cruiser, which in itself isn’t something you normally say about cruisers.</p> The MGX–21 Flying Fortress is Moto Guzzi’s fourth variation on the California 1400 platform.