History of Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer, known for its retro, iconic styling and high-quality craftsmanship, highlighting the essence of Italian style.
Since its conception in 1921, it has represented affordable freedom of movement and individualism in a world increasingly dominated by the automobile.
This article outlines how this iconic legend came to be and what has characterized the brand over time.
Origin Story
Moto Guzzi's story started in Genoa, Italy, on March 15, 1921. The company was then called Società Anonima Moto Guzzi and was headquartered in the office of the notary Paolo Cassanello. According to its mission statement, it was constituted for "the fabrication and sale of motorcycles, and all other activities pertinent or correlated to the metalworking and mechanical engineering industries."
The partners in the start-up were Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, Carlo Guzzi, and Giorgio Parodi. Together, they engineered a new type of motorcycle, which would become the first Moto Guzzi motorcycle and would later be named Normale.
In the 1920s, '30 and '50s, Moto Guzzi won multiple races, winning several championships since its early days as an upstart motorcycle manufacturer in Italy. It has also developed new models of motorcycles for both street use and off-road riding, as well as models that can be ridden comfortably on long trips across state lines or even countries.
A Journey Through History
When the partners set out on their mission to build high-quality motorcycles, they were unaware of the challenges they would encounter: the crushing weight of the Great Depression, World War II, and the death of their comrade and friend, Giovanni Ravelli, in a test flight. Despite these challenges, however, they persevered.
Today, the
Moto Guzzi company uses the same spread-winged eagle motif that was chosen in memory of Giovanni Ravelli as a tribute to his spirit and the company's resilience.
History
Innovation and courage powered Moto Guzzi to triumph over the most important challenges of its time. Here's a look at the company's most important milestones from 1921 to date.
Key Milestones
A Legend Born of Friendship
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1921List Item 1
The company Società Anonima Moto Guzzi was formed by ship owner Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, Giorgio Parodi and friend Carlo Guzzi. Guzzi and Giovanni Ravelli, both aviators, had served with Parodi in the Italia Air Corps.
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A Friend's Memory
A third friend and comrade of Emanuele and Carlo's—Giovanni Ravelli—had died in an aviation accident on 11 August 1919. In memory of their friend, the founders chose to include an eagle spreading its wings on the Moto Guzzi badge.
From the Airfield to the Road
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1921List Item 1
The company's success all started with the first motorcycle they ever made, the 8 HP Normale. From there, they created their first best-selling model, the 1928 Guzzi G.T., which was named "Norge" to honor an earlier polar circumnavigation expedition.
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1939List Item 2
Moto Guzzi produced another successful model, the Airone 250. In Italy, the bike was the most popular medium-capacity motorcycle for over 15 years.
While continuing to produce these iconic models, Moto Guzzi also found success in motorsports. Their first victory came in 1921 at the Targa Florio race. This marked the beginning of a succession of victories that resulted in 14 world GP championships and 11 Tourist Trophies for Moto Guzzi up until its withdrawal from motorsports in 1957.
Passion and Innovation
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After the Second World WarList Item 1
Moto Guzzi saw a boom of new models, such as the Guzzino 65 (nicknamed "Cardellino"). This model was Europe's best selling motorcycle for over a decade. The Galletto (1950) was later produced, followed by the Lodola 175 (1956).
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1950List Item 2
The company's expertise in aerodynamics led it to install a wind tunnel. This was done at Mandello del Lario, branding it as the first company in the world to make such an achievement.
The racing division attracted some of the best engineers in the industry, including Umberto Todero and Enrico Cantoni. Striving for fame, they designed an engine that would revolutionize the motorcycling world — the Guzzi Otto Cilindri, a 286-km/h speed demon.
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1960'sList Item 3
Moto Guzzi was making its mark on the world's stage with 90° V-twin engines that powered some of their most iconic models: the V7, V7 Special and V7 Sport. The largest iteration of this engine was installed in the Moto Guzzi California, regarded as the ultimate version of the motorcycle.
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1970's and 1980'sList Item 4
Moto Guzzi models such as the Sport 1100, Daytona, Centauro, and Le Mans, had a strong sports heritage that continued into the 1990s with the California, Nevada, and V11 Sport series.
A New Chapter
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2004List Item 1
The company joined the Piaggio Group, led by chairman and managing director Roberto Colaninno.
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2005List Item 2
Moto Guzzi launched the Breva 1100, a naked bike with a new and original engine design. In September of the same year, Breva was followed up with the Griso 1100, which had a unique style compared to other bikes on the market.
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World Guzzi Days-Fourth Edition
Guzzisti from more than 20 different countries attended the fourth edition of Giornate Mondiali Guzzi (GMG) or 'World Guzzi Days' in Mandello del Lario. The clubs boast an unparalleled loyal following. There are more than 70 websites dedicated to Moto Guzzi around the world, and more than 25,000 Moto Guzzi members worldwide.
The Legend Lives On
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2006List Item 1
In March 2006, at the Daytona circuit, Gianfranco Guareschi won both heats of the Battle of Twins. Moto Guzzi presented the 1200 Sport, a sophisticated naked with a 1200cc V-twin engine, carrying Moto Guzzi's sporting tradition on its wings.
Later that year, Guzzi introduced its Norge 1200, a bike offering total protection from the elements and a generous standard equipment list. 14 journalists rode a convoy of the bikes 4,429 km to Cape North, following in the footsteps of the 1928 GT 500 created by Giuseppe Guzzi.
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2007List Item 2
The Mandello-based brand introduced a new 4-valve engine for their Griso 8V, as well as the Bellagio, which is powered by an oversquare 940cc engine. They also presented the Stelvio - a large street enduro bike with a very exciting name. The Griso 1200 8V was also shown in the same year.
The 2007 Moto Guzzi calendar was lit up by the star presence of actor Ewan McGregor, who collected a unique white California Vintage he had purchased while filming scenes for his adventure TV show Long Way Down.
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2009List Item 3
Guzzi was awarded contracts from the Berlin Police and the Italian Presidential Guard Corps, supplying 35 Moto Guzzi Norge GTs and 20 Moto Guzzi California Vintage bikes in 2009. That same year, Guzzi introduced the V7 Cafè and Stelvio NTX, which featured the company's new Quattrovalvole engine with upgraded cams.
In late 2009 at the 67th International Motorcycle Show in Milan, Moto Guzzi revealed three futuristic prototypes designed by Pierre Terblanche and Miguel Galluzzi: V12 Strada, V12 X, and V12LM. The models received the Motorcycle Design Association Award and inspired a restructuring project at Moto Guzzi's Mandello del Lario plant.
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2010List Item 4
Moto Guzzi unveiled its new large-capacity line of four-valve per cylinder 1200cc bikes at the 2010 edition of EICMA Milan. Introducing the Nevada Anniversario, V7 Racer, and Stelvio NTX were all part of a long list of new models introduced by Moto Guzzi to celebrate twenty years since the release of the company's first-ever sports custom, Nevada.
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2011
Moto Guzzi celebrated its 90th anniversary by once again hosting the GMG. The highlight of this event was the unveiling of a new version of the Moto Guzzi California, powered by a 90-degree V-twin engine.
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2012
Even before its presentation at the EICMA motor show in Milan, the Moto Guzzi California 1400 cruiser has earned a reputation as one of the most glamorous, powerful, and exquisite bikes on the market. The new cruiser features a brand new engine, revamped design, and tons of the latest gear.
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2017
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the birth of its first model, Moto Guzzi introduces the V7 III, a revamped version of the internationally renowned and beloved motorcycle that leaves the original content and design unchanged. It comes in Stone, Special, and Racer versions, each with its personality.
Noteworthy Statistics
- Moto Guzzi began its reign as Italy's leading brand in the mid-20th century with bikes like the Guzzino 65, which was Europe's best-selling motorcycle for a decade. In recent years, though, other brands have dominated the market.
- With nearly 300 employees, Moto Guzzi produces over 10,000 bikes per year.
- Similar to most motorcycle manufacturers, they are always looking to expand their customer base and find new ways to attract fans to their brand. As a result, the Moto Guzzi V85TT was one of the most highly anticipated bikes of 2019. According to the Times, more than 70 percent of trade-ins on the purchase of the V85TT were other brands' bikes.
Check out our blog post 25 Interesting Facts About Moto Guzzi
Models by Type
If you're in the market for a Moto Guzzi motorcycle, you've got a lot of options. The Italian manufacturer offers various models and trims that can appeal to anyone from the casual rider to the seasoned expert. Below, we'll discuss some of the different types of models available in Moto Guzzi's current lineup.
List of Services
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CruiserList Item 1
If you want power and performance on the open road, Moto Guzzi cruisers are made for you. These motorcycles will take your breath away with their smooth handling, comfortable seating position, and high-quality engineering. The line features models such as the MGX 2, V7 III Stornello, V9 Bobber, and V9 Roamer.
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TouringList Item 2
Moto Guzzi touring models deliver unparalleled quality and comfort, so you can experience long-distance riding like never before. Models such as the Audace 1400 and California 1400 are featured in this line.
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AdventureList Item 3
The Moto Guzzi Adventure line includes the V85TT and Stelvio models, both of which are designed to meet the needs of long-distance riding. These bikes feature long-travel suspension and high ground clearance to tackle challenging terrain on your journey.
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NakedList Item 4
The Naked Motorcycle line is perfect for those who want something lightweight and easy to handle. It includes the Griso 1200, Bellagio 940, V7 Stone, V7 Classic, and V7 Special models. These bikes are known for their aggressive styling and powerful performance that will turn heads as you cruise down the open road.
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Classics
The V7 III and V9 are the two models offered in the "Vintage" line, which features classic styling and a variety of color options. Both of these models feature the signature Moto Guzzi transversal 90-degree V-twin engine, allowing for a low center of gravity that improves handling on the road.
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