The Milan show is the venue where Euopean motorcycle makers take the wraps off their forthcoming models. Scooters and sportbikes fill most of the spotlight, but Italy's Moto Guzzi unveiled the newest version of its 1100 California cruiser line. The new California Vintage takes styling cues from Moto Guzzi's past to create an elegant, retro bagger.
With shapes taken from its bikes of the 1970s and 1980s, the California Vintage transports you back a quarter-century. The white-paneled seat, pin-striped tank and classically styled hard saddlebags, spotlights, "crash bars" with lowers, and wire wheels of the California Vintage recreate much of the character of the classic Guzzi V-twins of many current riders' youths. Touches like a very retro taillight keep the details authentic too. There is even a mechanical odometer and tripmeter.
The California Vintage looks to be a willing traveling companion. The big windshield and wind deflectors on the engine guards should hold down wind noise and pressure, and the luggage rack and locking hard saddlebags will let you take along plenty of gear. The bags are protected by crash bars. The rider gets floorboards
The engine is the familiar 1064cc across-the-frame air-cooled 90-degree V-twin that powers all recent Guzzi Californias, through the Magneti Marelli fuel injection is a relatively recent innovation and is probably essential to meet upcoming emissions tightening in Europe and the U.S. The twin mufflers, which have a sort of 1970s reverse-cone megaphone style, contain catalytic converters. The five-speed, shaft-drive power train and chassis appear to the same used on other California models.
No U.S. pricing or availability dates have been announced, but Moto Guzzi has released the specification information that follows.
Moto Guzzi also unveiled a new sport-touring model as mentioned in this week's news roundup.
SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Air-cooled 90-degree V-twin
Valve arrangement: OHV, operated by pushrods, hydraulic adjusters
Displacement, bore and stroke: 1064cc, 92 x 80mm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Maximum power: 74 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Maximum torque: 40.6 ft-lb @ 5,000 rpm
Carburetion: Magneti Marelli phased sequential fuel injection; 40mm injector bodies
Transmission: 5 speeds, dry clutch
Final drive: shaft
CHASSIS
Dry weight: 580 lb.
Seat height: 30.7in.
Overall length: 93.7 in.
Wheelbase: 61.4 in.
Rake/trail: 29o/4.56 in.
Front suspension: 45mm stanchions, 5.5 in. travel, adjustable damping
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 3.8 in. travel
Wheels: Wire spoke, 18 x 2.50 front, 3.50 x 17 rear
Front tire: 110/90VB-18
Rear tire: 140/70VB-17
Front brake: 2, integrated, 4-piston calipers, 12.6-in. discs
Front brake: Integrated, 2-piston caliper, 11.1-in. disc
Handlebar width: 32.1 in.
Fuel capacity: 5.0 gal.
ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATIONBattery: 12V, 30 AH
Instruments: Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, tripmeter; lights for neutral, high beam, low fuel, oil pressure, left turn signal, right turn signal
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