Moto Guzzi was formed in 1921 by three ex-World War One Italian airmen, pilots Giorgio Parodi and Giovanni Ravelli and mechanic Carlo Guzzi. With a vision of creating a motorcycle brand after the war, Parodi put up the money, Ravelli would promote the bikes with his racing prowess and Guzzi would engineer the bikes.
Initially called Guzzi-Parodi, the name soon changed to Moto Guzzi and the first engine design was a horizontal single cylinder and the company used racing to promote the brand, with great success. In 1967, the first of the transverse V-Twin engines appeared, creating an identity that exists to this day. Now part of the Piaggio motorcycle empire that includes Vespa and Aprilia, Moto Guzzi has recently celebrated its 100th year of continuous production, unique among European motorcycle manufacturers.
10 Moto Guzzi Normale (1921 - 1924)
As distinctive as the transverse V-Twin is today, from the beginning Moto Guzzi was known for its horizontal single-cylinder engines and the first model to appear from the new factory was the Normale. The 500cc engine produced around eight horsepower, which was good for its day, and the design would continue to form the basis of Moto Guzzi production for the next five decades.
The quality of the engineering was proven when Stanley Woods won the Lightweight and Senior TTs at the Isle of Man in 1935, while Moto Guzzi would win five consecutive 350cc World Championships in Grand Prix racing between 1953 and 1957, all with essentially the same engine design that appeared in 1921.
9 Moto Guzzi Falcone (1950 - 1967)
The last of the classic, horizontally-mounted 500cc single-cylinder engined models, introduced in 1950 for the 1951 season. Guzzi detuned the racing engine from the ‘Dondolino’ (rocking horse), reducing power output from 33 horsepower to 23 horsepower which still enabled the model to reach speeds of 85mph, at a time when the vast majority of Italian motorcycle production was centered around scooters.
When fitted with the piston, camshaft and carburetor of the Dondolino, top speed would go up to 105mph. Despite being well-received by the Italian motorcycling press, it was expensive (for Italians at the time) and the looks too unorthodox for other European and American markets. Just 20,000 were built in 18 years of production
8 Moto Guzzi ‘Otto’ Grand Prix Bike (1955 - 1957)
One of the most incredible pieces of engineering from this - or any - era of Grand Prix racing. In the 50s, the Italians reigned supreme in 500cc GP racing and there was intense competition between Moto Guzzi, Gilera and MV Agusta. While Gilera and MV Agusta had inline four-cylinder engines, Guzzi went even further and produced an outrageous 500cc, transversely-mounted V8.
A power output of 78 horsepower gave a top speed of 170+mph, but unfortunately, it was unreliable, wildly expensive and simply too fast for the available tire, suspension and brake technology of the day. In 1957, the Italian marques agreed to pull out of GP racing when the home motorcycle market collapsed, and although MV Agusta would later reverse its decision, Moto Guzzi stuck to theirs and the two ‘Otto’ racers built were mothballed. Thankfully, they both still exist, owned by the company.
7 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport (1971 - 1974)
The transverse V-Twin engine appeared in 1967, displacing 703cc and housed in the V7 roadster. It was a success, which led to first the V7 Special in 1968 and the V7 Sport in 1971, complete with a lighter, sportier chassis, bigger brakes, a five-speed transmission (Guzzi’s first) and a striking lime green color, with red frame. Designer Lino Tonti wanted it to be the first 200kg (440 pound), 200km/h (120mph) five-speed production bike, and in this, he succeeded. Even more importantly, the V7 Sport led directly to the iconic 850 Le Mans model.
6 Moto Guzzi California (1971 - 2020)
As with every other motorcycle manufacturer, Moto Guzzi realized that the secret to sustained success was healthy U.S. sales. Guzzi therefore sold two V7s to the Los Angeles Police Department and from that grew orders for motorcycles from more police forces around the country. This led to a specific police model based on the V7 Eldorado touring model which, in turn and due to public demand, led to the Moto Guzzi California touring model, which established and maintained Guzzi’s fortunes in the U.S. and which also stayed in production up to 2020.
5 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 850 Mk.1 (1976)
In a line-up of iconic Moto Guzzi models, there is one that stands head and shoulders above the rest and that is, of course, the Le Mans. Originally the Le Mans concept was little more than a warmed-over V7 Sport but an engine displacement increase to 844cc and the fitment of twin ventilated front disc brakes and a tiny bikini fairing, along with distinctive ‘squared-off’ styling (very 70s!) put it in the same league as other Italian superbikes, such as the Laverda Jota and Ducati 750/900 SuperSport. Even though the Le Mans survived into the 1990s with the Mk.V, the original was always the best and is highly prized today.
4 Moto Guzzi V35 Imola/Monza 500/Nevada (1980 - 1983)
Somehow, despite the success of the Le Mans and the California, Moto Guzzi was losing money. Owner at that time was Alejandro De Tomaso, and he decided that a range of mid-capacity and more affordable V-Twin models was needed. The 500cc V50 Monza was a ‘junior’ Le Mans model, while the 350cc V35 Imola was designed to circumvent Italian vehicle taxation laws.
The Nevada was a smaller version of the California. The press loved the handling of the V50 Monza, declaring it to be far superior to equivalent Japanese competitors, such as the Kawasaki GPz550 or the Honda CX500. Sadly, despite glowing reports from the press, the V50 Monza was not a success in the U.S., largely due to being simply too expensive. That’s a shame as it was a lovely little bike.
3 Moto Guzzi MGS-01 (2004 - 2006)
While the physically large transverse V-Twin engine with shaft drive is not the first engine you would think of as being suitable for racing, that didn’t stop Guzzi unveiling this ultra-exclusive, limited edition track-only model. Based on Battle Of The Twins racing bikes, engine experts Cosworth were brought in to breathe on the engine, pushing output to 121 horsepower from 1256cc, while Brembo and Öhlins looked after braking and handling respectively. The carbon fiber bodywork was molded in one piece and could be removed easily, and 150 were built before new owners Piaggio canceled the project. Mad, but brilliant.
2 Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 (2005)
When Moto Guzzi designs a motorcycle, you can be pretty sure that it will fly in the face of convention and the Griso 1100 is just such a motorcycle. As a naked sport bike, it strikes a new note in styling which isn’t unattractive and that transverse V-Twin is always going to be distinctive, no matter how familiar we are with it. Early engines were 1064cc, producing 87 horsepower and 65 foot pounds of torque and an enlarged engine of 1151cc came later, with a significant hike in both power (up to 108 horsepower) and torque (80 foot pounds).
It’s both a comfortable touring machine but also an impressive sport bike as well and - a main claim to greatness - it’s just so different to anything else in its class. While we would love to see Guzzi sell thousands more bikes, maybe it’s a good thing they don’t: that way, when you buy a Guzzi, you are buying into an exclusive brand with a ton of Italian style and engineering flair.
1 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello (2022)
Looking to the future but still with one eye on the past, the new V100 Mandello retains the signature V-Twin engine in a sport touring chassis and bodywork but adds a modern dose of electronics into the mix. The style takes cues from Guzzi’s past models and looks fantastic, while the electronics include lean-sensitive ABS and traction control as well as Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and a bidirectional quickshifter.
The brand new 1042cc engine pushes out a modest 113 horsepower and 77 foot pounds of torque, but it’s all usable power and the Mandello is beautifully made with fantastic attention to detail, and it’s like nothing else on the road. Moto Guzzi hasn’t compromised on any detail and have really taken a bold new design direction which is so refreshing.