Comments on: Top 5 reasons to own a Moto Guzzi California motorcycle

By: Gordo

Gordo — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:35:08 +0000

Back in 1974, I first saw a California in the duty-free section of Schipol Airport. I wanted one but could not afford or justify it. After several Japanese bikes over the years (all Yamahas and all very good at what I wanted at the time) I could finally afford a new Cali and bought one off the showroom floor in 2006.
It has not been as trouble-fee as any of the Yamahas – none of which ever broke anything. At 23,000km the fuel hose blew off inside the tank, stranding me on the side of the road miles from home. At 25,000km the sidestand decided enough was enough (I tour a lot with a pillion and all her gear). The only reason I did not drop the bike was because I was still on it when the stand cam-bolt sheared and I was able to catch it just before it hit the ground. Headlight bulbs last about 5000 km and now at 28,000km the speedo has given up. I HOPE it’s just a broken cable. The transmission leaks just like an old British bike. The plastic bits are rubbish and the rear luggage rack has been re-welded twice, but otherwise the bits that count seem solid enough.
BUT, despite all these annoyances, it is a great bike. It handles well and takes quite a beating on our Aussie gravel roads. In fact I take it everywhere I used to take the TDM 900 (which is supposedly a far more ‘dual purpose’ bike).
I am not very tall and it is getting a bit heavy for me now as the old bones get older. But my next bike will be another Guzzi – the new V7 looks great now that the silly plastic fuel tank is gone…

By: Bastiaan

Bastiaan — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:59:29 +0000

I ve been reading quite interested all these evaluations of MG where I ve hesitated for almost 30 years on buying a Guzzi, because in the Netherlands, were I live, they have a quite questionable reputation.
I’ve always liked them,their looks en character but never dared tot buy one,because of electrical problems and overall reliabitilty. Finally I did so one and a half year ago-a yellow Cali EV 2000 with only 18000 miles and since then I can tell- without exaggeration-I’ ve lived at my dealers place with problems like oil spilling from a cylinder head(at the and replacement of the cylinder head was neccesary) sludge spilling from all over the engine and recently oil spilling from the rear spring.Stil love the bike and its particular ride but I,m getting a little exhausted.Other people sharing the same experience or do I have just bad luck?

By: Marc

Marc — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:00:01 +0000

Hi everyone. What a breath of fresh air to read all this mostly positive stuff on the Moto Guzzi California. I reside in Sydney, Australia. Guzzis have always held a very small slice of the motorcycle market in Australia but a loyal following by those who know better! My first Guzzi was a 1984 SP1000 which had been modified to some LeMans specs. Previously I had been a BMW devote owning an R100/7 and an R100RT, both bikes gave good service but they did have some problems that in those days seemed to be a common thing with BMWs which destroyed the “Tutonic” mystique to some extent. The SP changed all that: never in all my years on bikes had I ridden such a well-sorted bike, braking, handling and build quality of my 84 SP was far above that of either of the BMWs, in fact the Guzzi gave me the impression of being a hand-built special not a production run bike available the the masses. I had only 2 years fun on that bike but covered over 100,000 effortless ks with no serious problems at all but had to let it go due to work and other commitments. About a year later I picked up a 78 R80/7 BMW that became a 21 year companion. That bike took me over most of Australia and yet I always thought of that SP and getting angry with my self for selling it. By 2008 the R80 was going well but I was so damned bored with it I couldn’t bear to even look at the thing as it lurked in my shed!!
Then came the opportunity to buy a new bike. The R80 lasted to weeks on the market before it was grabbed by a restorer for $4,250, $1250 more than what I paid for it!! The R80’s replacement was an 08 build Guzzi California Classic, a model I believe is not available in the States? I ordered the bike with factory, Guzzi badged Hepco & Becker panniers and top case and factory windshield. When I arrived at the dealers to pick my baby up it took my breath away. Black mile deep paint, chrome and polished alloy everywhere gave finish to what was and still is the most beautiful motorcycle god put on this earth. I concur with the 5 points made on what sets California’s apparat from other bikes. There IS no comparison for to do so can be a negative. You have to look at Moto Guzzi as a stand alone motorcycling philosophy that really, is a reflection of the Italian passion for tradition, quality and sheer joy. I’ve never ridden a bike with such passion. I took a Harely Roadking Classic for a test ride during my marque evaluation process as it was with the Cali the most attractive looking bike on the market, but the Harely felt grossly overweight and terribly under braked! When I took the Cali for a test ride I fell in love after only a few ks! Relatively light, superb braking, an efficient well designed and enormously strong engine which gets plenty of air to keep it cool finished by timeless looks. What gets me about 90deg V twins is their ability to destroy hills with their enormous torque. I’ve found that with the Magnetti Marelli injection system you can give the throttle little stabs under load and the thing just keeps grunting into the grade- its inspiring. It’s now Feb 2012, I’ve only just put 20,000 ks into the Cali and it’s really starting to settle down into the best bike I’ve ever owned. I did have oil leaks and fuel hose dramas early on but all that has been left down the road!
I’m not sure whether I’m keen on the new 1400 California, it reminds me too much of the M109 Suzuki Boulivarde. I suppose change is inevitable.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:03:16 +0000

I can name another virtue of the California series: value. In a world of $20,000+ motorcycles, a Moto Guzzi California (new, or especially, used) is a bargain. A few weeks ago, I bought a pristine 2003 EV with 28,000 miles, equipped with all the touring goodies, for a modest $4,000. My friends who are into Harleys can’t believe how much motorcycle I got for the money; neither can I.

While this may not speak much for the current resale value of EV’s, as a buyer, I don’t mind a bit. On the other hand, it’s a limited-production, exotic, Italian, virtually hand-built motorcycle; it will last forever, it will look timeless forever, and they’re not making any more of them. So, which way do you think used prices are going to go in the future? I’m betting my money (literally) on Moto Guzzi.

By: Alan Davis

Alan Davis — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:43:57 +0000

So, I came home from work annoyed with the world, no real reason just one of those days when everything is wrong. (In my mind anyway!)
The missus says go out on your Cali, I can hardly be bothered to get it out of the garage, that’s the mood I was in. Anyway I did as I was told, (do not ignore the commandment of the missus) and with in 1 minute life’s stresses were slipping away. I pottered along following a Bonnie at 50-60 mph for 10 mins, he peeled off and I had a gentle cruise around the local area, covered about 65 miles, went no where in particular then went home. Guess what? I felt great, no more stress, nice and relaxed Guzzi’s are good at this, don’t fight it, you know you want one!

By: John

John — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:19:34 +0000

In reply to Thomas.

Hello Thomas and thank you for your really great description of life with a Guzzi in Germany! I enjoy your comment and I also share your feeling about the Guzzis.
John
North Carolina, USA