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

Top 10 Affordable Modern Classics

1 of 11Next Last   Recently, we put together a list of the Top 10 Modern Classic motorcycles. It featured some rare and/or significant motorcycles stretching as far back as 1996. Bikes we think will be highly valuable decades, even centuries, from now.

Three-Time World Champion Wayne Rainey Honored At Quail Motorcycle Gathering

Saturday, May 4 marked the 5th annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California. With such a diverse collection of historical, rare and outrageous motorcycles, the Quail is an event we thoroughly enjoyed attending last year. To commemorate the occasion, this year’s guest of honor was none other than three-time 500cc Grand Prix world champion, and local area resident, Wayne Rainey.

Moto Guzzi Offering Free Test Rides On New California 1400 Custom ABS

If you’ve been anxious to try the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom ABS, featuring the largest engine Guzzi has ever built, traction control, rider modes, ABS, cruise control, ride-by-wire and impeccable fit and finish, but didn’t know how to actually get your hands on one, you’re in luck. Moto Guzzi dealers across the country are offering free test rides. All you need to do is have a motorcycle endorsement and fill out the Moto Guzzi California Test Ride Form to schedule an appointment with your nearest dealer.

Piaggio Reports Q1 2013 Results

The Piaggio Group reported an 11.6% drop in net sales for the first quarter of 2013, the result of a struggling economy and unseasonably cold weather in Europe and a flatlining two-wheeler market in Vietnam. There was however some good news in North America, Vespa sales in India and a 27.8% increase in Moto Guzzi sales. According to the company’s first quarter report, Piaggio reported net sales of 303.4 million euros (US$396.8 million), down from net sales of 343.1 million euros reported the same quarter of 2012.

2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom and Touring Arrive at US Dealerships April 15

Moto Guzzi announced the all new California 1400 Custom and Touring models will land at American dealerships on April 15. The 2014 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring will be priced at $17,990 while the Custom version will be available for $14,990. The two new models form the centerpiece for the Piaggio Group‘s efforts to reinvigorate the Moto Guzzi brand.

Ewan McGregor Stars in Ad Campaign for 2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400

Considering how much his films “Long Way Round” and “Long Way Down” for popularizing the GS, you’d think Scottish actor Ewan McGregor was a BMW guy. His friend and co-star in those two travelogues, Charley Boorman is a BMW brand ambassador, and it’d be easy to assume McGregor is as well. The truth is McGregor, well known for his love of motorcycles, is a much bigger fan of Moto Guzzi.

Piaggio Reports 2012 Sales Results

The Piaggio Group reported a 7.3% decrease in net sales and a 9.0% decrease in net profit for 2012, thanks in large part to a sharp decline in demand in Europe including an all-time low for motorcycle sales in Italy. Piaggio reported net sales of 1.406 billion euros (US$1.842 billion) in 2012, down from 1.516 billion euros in 2011. Motorcycles and scooters accounted for net sales of 993.3 million euros  (US$1.301 billion), a 3.1% decrease from 1.025 billion euros reported for 2011.

Moto Guzzi Taking the Motorcycle Show Experience to Airports to Promote the California 1400

A pair of muscular-looking V-Twin cruisers sit on a dais in front of a dramatically lit backdrop as attractive female brand representatives greet guests, answer questions and pose for pictures. This scene is fairly commonplace at convention centers during the motorcycle show season, but Moto Guzzi is taking the scenario to a new location: airports. Moto Guzzi is bringing the motorcycle show experience to select airports in Europe to promote its new California 1400 models.

2012 US Motorcycle Sales Results – Industry Reports 2.6% Increase

The Motorcycle Industry Council reported a 2.6% increase in motorcycle sales in the U.S. market for 2012. According to the industry group’s figures, American consumers purchased 452,386 motorcycles in 2012 compared to 440,899 motorcycles in 2011.

EICMA 2012: Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom and Touring Versions Revealed

Last week, we got a peak at the new touring version of the Moto Guzzi California 1400, the new flagship cruiser from the Italian brand. Piaggio has now presented the new California 1400 at the 2012 EICMA Show in both its touring trim and the custom version pictured above. The new Moto Guzzi California 1400 is powered by a 1380cc V-Twin engine, which Piaggio claims is the largest V-Twin produced by an European manufacturer.