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.

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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.

2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress First Ride Review

An Italian interpretation of the American bagger Credit: Photos by Kevin Wing and Evans Brasfield Way back in 2013, Moto Guzzi said that the revamped California 1400 was the platform for a line of models, and we watched it grow from the initial pair of the California 1400 Custom and the hard-bagged California 1400 Touring to include in the 2016 model year the Audace and the El Dorado – though both fail to mention their California roots in their names. Into this family, Moto Guzzi lands the formidable MGX-21 Flying Fortress. 2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress Editor Score: 84.25% Engine 17.25/20 Suspension/Handling 11.5/15 Transmission/Clutch 8.25/10 Brakes 9.0/10 Instruments/Controls 4.25/5 Ergonomics/Comfort 8.0/10 Appearance/Quality 9.0/10 Desirability 9.0/10 Value 8.0/10 Overall Score 84.25/100 2013 Moto Guzzi California Review: Emissary Of The New Guzzi – Video 2015 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring – First Ride Review + Video 2016 Moto Guzzi Audace – First Ride Review 2016 Moto Guzzi Eldorado – First Ride Review 2014 EICMA: Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Concept Since the American cruiser market is the largest in the world and Sturgis is one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world, setting an attendance record of 739,000 last year on its 75th anniversary, Moto Guzzi has waded into the belly of the beast by releasing the MGX at a booth on Main St.

Moto Guzzi

Trying to distort the concept of cafe racer as little as possible, Radical Guzzi specialists in their latest work pursued two goals: speed and style. The concept was developed by former BMW designer Sylvain Berneron. The 1200cc twin Moto Guzzi Griso has been pumped up to almost a liter and a half, equipped with a 1400 California cylinder-piston group.

Moto Guzzi Le Mans Mk III #17

Few believe that the true spirit of the Moto Guzzi brand is hidden in the sports cars of the 1970s and 1980s. But they are still in demand. Here is a great example of this from the Hamburg workshop Kaffeemaschine.

2015 Moto Guzzi V7 II Lineup to Debut at Intermot

Piaggio will present an update Moto Guzzi V7 lineup at next week’s Intermot show in Cologne. Dubbed the V7 II, the new model family will again be available in three versions, the V7 II Stone, V7 II Racer and V7 II Special. Guzzi’s signature longitudinally-mounted engine returns, but mounted 10mm lower and tilted 4° forward, addressing rider complaints about a lack of knee space.

Third Annual ‘The MEET’ at ACM

More than 2,000 attendees visited America’s Car Museum for its 3rd annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival ‘The MEET’ last weekend in Tacoma, Washington, where over 300 motorcycles and scooters were showcased on the Haub Family Field at LeMay. The event drew pre-1981 motorcycles and scooters from the U.S. and Canada, including an antique motorcycle display, swap meet, cruise-in and a 78-mile roundtrip tour from ACM’s Anderson Plaza to Mt. Rainier.

“The Meet” Vintage Motorcycle Show This Saturday

The stage is set for ”The Meet at ACM” motorcycle show this weekend in Tacoma, WA. While festivities will begin on Friday evening, America’s Car Museum (ACM) will host the third annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Organizers expect 450 vintage motorcycles and scooters from all over the nation to attend.

Nitron Introduces Adventure Series Shocks

The latest suspension manufacturer to hit the block, Nitron is hitting the ground running. Its latest offering, the Adventure series of shocks, leaves no question as to its intended pursuit. Crafted from aluminum alloy with stainless steel fittings, Nitron Adventure Series of shocks are lighter weight than standard ones, and are built to withstand the harsh environments adventure riders are known to travel.