Moto Guzzi California 1400

Words: Aaron Frank

Photos: Piaggio

Revealed at the recent Piaggio Group America dealer conference in Miami, Florida, the California 1400 is the first model to utilize the all-new 1400cc version of Moto Guzzi’s venerable longitudinal 90-degree V-twin. Featuring smooth cylinder heads with hidden sparkplugs like last year’s revised 750, the new “big block” is still air-cooled, but incorporates a huge, frame-mounted oil-cooler. Performance touches include Brembo triple disc brakes, wide tires and gas-charged, remote-reservoir shocks. There’s nothing retro about the styling, drawn by Piaggio Design VP Miguel Galluzzi. Details such as the compound headlamp, billet-look controls and gauges, plus trick cast “spoke” wheels are very 21st century. With solo seating and a long-and-low silhouette, this sleek power-cruiser is as evocative of the early ’70s V7 Sport as any more recent, and rounder, California cruisers. Piaggio told assembled dealers to anticipate a launch this December as a 2013 model.