Looks tasty. Unfortunately, the EICMA translation is more or less useless: In the first nine months of 2012, thanks to the success of the new V7 range, the brand Moto Guzzi has registered a growth of 13.7% of the units sold overall, confirming the success of the development strategies of the range that will crown with this launch the new 1400 Moto Guzzi California, one of the most anticipated motorcycles at EICMA 2012. The technological and stylistic pose Moto Guzzi California 1400 Olympus means exclusive symbol of an elite and its lifestyle. The design, technical solutions, the heritage of the brand, identifying the arrival of the new 1400 Touring California and California Custom 1400 as a turning point in the history of Moto Guzzi. California 1400 California Custom Touring and 1400 are presented as ambassadors for the Moto Guzzi brand in the world embodies the highest values ​​of Italian designed as an ideal of beauty and luxury. Brand new, powerful 1400cc V architecture in the classical cross ride by wire, cruise control, ABS, traction control, touring all over California and California Custom helps to combine the best of the latest and most advanced technology with the classic style and elegance own the Moto Guzzi brand. Hand built in the factory in Mandello del Lario, where Moto Guzzi born continuously since 1921, California 1400 are distinguished by the craftsmanship with which each component is assembled. Attention that makes every Moto Guzzi California one piece, able to marry and to emphasize the strong personality of a passionate and exclusive clientele. Anyhoo, I'm dying to hear more!
Guzzi has a tough road- don't piss off the Cali history and loyal owners and somehow sell bikes to people who never considered Guzzi before. video: http://california.motoguzzi.com/versions/custom/video/en http://california.motoguzzi.com/versions/touring/video/en The history of the Cali is that they actually handle for large bikes. The bikes offer a lot to the user. Guzzi's lineup is amazing right now. The V7's, Stelvio, Griso, and now new Cali...I own two and would consider a Cali if I was looking for a touring cruiser.
I think the new 1400 is gorgeous. I had one as wall paper on my pc for a while. I doubt I will ever own one though. A friend of mine has a Breva 750. Sometimes he rides it, but most of the time it's down for repairs. Full disclosure though, he is bad about letting it sit along time before he takes it to the shop. I think he rode it maybe 6 times this year.
The older gent who visits our Sunday get together has a 750 Breva that has 65k miles on it. He rides it everywhere and has never had anything ever wrong with it. He would ride it (again) cross country without a second thought. I put 1k miles on my NTX, had it serviced, and then rode it 2500 miles in 7 days without a second thought. The modern Guzzis are very well built. Too bad more don't try them.
The only issue with the Touring is that rear shocks aren't fully adjustable. The Custom (the stripped-down version) has standard fully adjustable reservoir shocks, but I'm not sure whether you can fit them on the Touring (they might interfere with the panniers).
90° V-twin, 1,380 cc, 96 hp (71 kW) at 6,500 rpm, maximum torque 120 Nm (12.3 kgm) at 2,750 rpm. Well, it's got the torque of a Multistrada 1200 and the power of a Multistrada 1100, all at much lower revs. Not bad, for a tourer. And cruise control. They may have something here. Shame the tank isn't 24L. Would have worked with the cruiser style, too. But 20L is still good. My guess is it does handle, and very well.
Sign up here for exclusive digital copy of limited edition California 1400 Book. http://california.motoguzzi.com/limited-edition-book/en
Have they upgraded the charging system yet? I wanted a california in the worst way back towards the end of 2010. The alternator output was just a hair over what it took to run the bike. I was sure that by the time I'd added provisions for heated gear and extra lights, there wouldn't be enough. Very disappointing. I know the Norge and Multistrada have plenty of juice. Not sure what the hold up was for the California.
And a brief test ride http://translate.google.com/transla...&sa=X&ei=eommUOXwOsnt0gHv4oBI&ved=0CDEQ7gEwAA
Few dealers, a weak club, the old time members are eather passed or don't ride any more. A few old timers left. High prices etc. I'd think hard before I ever bought another Guzzi.
Looks very good. And the specs are interesting, too. My sense is that Moto Guzzi, like Triumph, is reading forums like this one and learning what folks want in their bikes. This bike appears to have everything I want in a cruiser (although I don't know its alternator capacity): cruise, abs, decent size tank, shaft drive, cast wheels, not too large, and nice looks. I can't wait to learn more about it. Now if only MG would take some to Daytona Bikeweek so we could test drive them.
weak and inaccurate argument... Guzzi has it's work cut out for it just getting past all the lame out of date stereotypes
I went to the Wisconsin Guzzi Rally. Free beer, lots of people of all ages (several of us under 30). Good times.