Fewer Moto Guzzi Cruiser Motorcycles for 2006

Italy's venerable Moto Guzzi motorcycle company has announced that its 2006 cruiser offerings will consist of just two models, at least in the United States. However, we suspect that riders who covet some of the discontinued Moto Guzzi cruiser models—the California Special Aluminum, the California Special Titanium, the California Stone, the California Stone Touring, or the non-touring California EV—will still be able to find them in U.S. Moto Guzzi dealers for a while. Meanwhile, speculation swirls around the company's future plans following its changes of ownership in recent years. Indeed, there have been new models, most recently the Griso, which has slightly cruiser-esque lines but a riding position that is clearly sporting.

The only 2006 model in Moto Guzzi's 1100 California cruiser series is the EV Touring, which features a tall fork-mount fairing, leg fairings on the big engine guards, hard saddlebags, and a chrome luggage rack/backrest. It also has heated grips, a 12-volt power socket, linked triple disc brakes, a touring saddle, rider floorboards, and wire-spoke wheels with blow-out-resistant tubeless tires. It retains the same basic 1064cc across-the-frame air-cooled 90-degree V-twin that has powered Moto Guzzi cruisers for years, with two valves per cylinder operated by pushrods and hydraulic adjusters. For 2006, the Moto Guzzi California EV Touring is $13,490 in the U.S.

The other remaining Moto Guzzi cruiser model is the Nevada Classic IE 750, which was a new model last year. It's fuel-injected 744cc mill is a downsized version of the 1100 with most of the same features except hydraulic valve-lash adjusters. Priced at $7990, the Nevada is a leaner version of the 1100, with a smaller 3.7-gallon (vs. 5.0 gallons) fuel tank, slimmer 40mm Marzocchi fork legs (instead of the California's 45mm), and a shorter 57.8-inch wheelbase (instead of the bigger bike's 61.4 inches).

Moto Guzzi was acquired by Aprilia, another Italian motorcycle company, in the last few years, and Aprilia was in turn taken over by Piaggio, which also makes Vespa scooters.

For more breaking motorcycle news, visit the home page of www.MotorcycleCruiser.com.