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

Church of MO: 2009 Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE Review

When I was 49, it was a very good year for long-legged bikes of independent means who lived under the stairs, with all those perfumed valves. We’d ride through the night, and the tank was green. Now I think of this Guzzi as vintage wine from fine old kegs, from the shaft drive to the dregs.

Church of MO: 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX ABS Review

Stelvio, Stelvio, wherefore art thou, Stelvio? Tis but thy name that is my enemy, and what’s in a name? That which we call a big adventure bike by any other name would smell as sweet; so Stelvio would, were he not Stelvio call’d, retain that dear perfection which he owes without that title.

2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel First Look

Announced at EICMA 2020, Moto Guzzi has unveiled the V85 TT, a touring-oriented version of the popular V85 adventure bike made up of items plucked from the Moto Guzzi parts catalog – not that that’s a bad thing. Up front, a higher touring windscreen offers greater protection from the wind, thanks to a surface area 60% larger than the standard V85 screen. Out back you’ve got two panniers, capable of holding a ton of stuff – 37 liters for the right case (big enough for a full-face helmet) and 27.5 liters for the left – both lockable with the same key.

2020 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone S And V7 III Racer First Look

V7 III Stone S Moto Guzzi debuted a special, limited edition version of the V7 III Stone – named the V7 III Stone S – at EICMA 2020, paying homage to sporty Moto Guzzis from the 1970s like the 1974 750 S and 1971 V7 Sport. Being a limited edition, only 750 units of the V7 III Stone S will be made, in honor of the 750cc engine displacement. Each unit will have its serial number engraved on the handlebar riser.

The Hollywood actor became the representative of the Moto Guzzi tour enduro

In fact, our old sport Ewan McGregor is not only a Hollywood star but also a big fan of motorcycles, including Moto Guzzi products. In 2013, he was honored to represent the California 1400 and is now an ambassador for the V85 TT touring enduro (Tutto Terreno). The V85 TT is an interesting and powerful model that has been ordered by more than ten thousand bikers around the world even before its introduction.

2020 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Review – First Ride

Moto Guzzi heritage with an injection of modernity in a retro-styled package Credit: Photos by Milagro The Paris-Dakar rally, a true test of endurance, the ultimate adventure. I’m referring to, of course, the Paris-Dakar of old, when it ran from France to the west African capital of Senegal, Dakar. It was a time when men were men and women were women and the rally itself was more of an adventure, where “winning” was simply finishing.

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT is Officially Official

Wow, I think we like this one. “The fundamental concepts at the heart of the V85 TT project are simplicity, ease and practicality, values typical of those ’80s enduro bikes that could be used for anything, from the daily commute to adventurous trips, yet also values that are gradually getting lost in an increasingly homologated market, where ranges favor significant size and weight,” reads one small part of Moto Guzzi’s 4,000-word press release announcing the V85 TT. The main items are that the new 853cc air-cooled 90-degree two-valver – the “eight and a half” – delivers maximum power of 80 horses and 80 Nm at 5,000 rpm, with 90% of said torque available at 3,750 rpm.

Moto Guzzi V85 TT Is On the Way

Slightly overlooked in this year’s Intermot insanity was Moto Guzzi’s announcement that its V85 TT is officially on the way. We first remember seeing this one at the EICMA show last November, but now it’s production-ready and quite the looker. As usual, there’s a 90-degree transverse air-cooled 850cc V-twin powering the thing, this one with a claimed 80 horsepower.

Church of MO: 2007 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport

Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto Guzzi the things that are Guzzi’s. If this one ever immigrated to the US, I never saw it? ———————————————————————————————————– 2007 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport Introduction Report Do you need proof that sometimes factories actually listen to what we journos have to say?When I sampled the new Moto Guzzi Breva more than a year ago, the only thing that prevented me from crowning it with a “Perfect Roadster” title was the nice but somewhat flat-ish 1100 motor.

2019 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport Revealed

Arrives in US dealerships in December, priced at $10,690 Moto Guzzi revealed a new, sportier variant of its V9 Bobber at its open house event in Mandello del Lario, Italy. The 2019 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sport adds Öhlins rear shocks, a single seat, lower drag bars and a sportier riding position than the regular V9 Bobber. This overlay of the two models illustrates the key differences between the two models: The footpegs are further back and slightly higher for a sportier riding position, but not aggressively so.