Top 5 reasons to own a Moto Guzzi California motorcycle

I own and ride a Moto Guzzi California motorcycle.  Actually, it is a Moto Guzzi California Vintage.  A Cal-Vin, skunk, cop bike, whatever you want to call it.  I love it and the many variations within the Guzzi California series, including the Bassa, the V11, and so on, all the way back to the 850 California.

So, what makes a Moto Guzzi California motorcycle so good in my opinion?  Here’s my top 5 list of reasons why this is the right motorbike for me:

1.  It’s a motorcycle for motorcycle enthusiasts.  Time proven.  No fluff (well,  not too much anyway).   A work-on-it-yourself kind of bike, built for the long haul and years of riding enjoyment.

2.  It’s not a me-too motorcycle.  It’s Italian, but not a Ducati want-to-be.  It’s classic, but not a Harley want-to-be. Overall it has a classic and timeless design that makes it hard to tell how old one actually is. I’ve seen 1998 and older models that look just as good as a 2010 model of any motorcycle on the market.

3.  Practical features.  For example: shaft drive, linked brakes, forks that you can adjust while riding, adjustable rear shocks, adjustable steering damper, choke/fast idle lever for quick cold start, easy access valve train and heads.  Sure, other motorcycles have such features, but usually they are mid-to-high end sport bikes, not standards.

4.  Guzzi owners.  Of course, there are going to be jerks everywhere, but I believe that people that own a Moto Guzzi seem to be real people.  What does that mean?  Well, partly, they’re not trying to put on a “bad” image.  The entire bad biker thing is lame and old if you ask me, but to each their own.

5.  Class-less.  Wait, that sounds bad,  what I mean is, a Moto Guzzi California is pretty much in a class by itself.  It’s not a cruiser.  It’s not a sport.  It’s not entirely a standard either.  What is it?  It is a unique and darn good handling motorcycle that you can enjoy riding for years and years, and not get bored with. Oh, and all that plus a touch of style, Italian style.

This is just my feeling about Moto Guzzi California motorcycles.  I’d like this to grow into an all-time list of best reasons to own one, directly from the the world-wide community of Cali owners.  So, what are your top reasons that the Guzzi Cali is the right motorcycle for you?