A new dawn for Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi’s fortunes have risen and fallen numerous times over the last 100 years, but as the firm enters its second century, there are bold plans to underpin the future. First is the release of an all-new bike – the V100 Mandello, hosting their first watercooled engine ever. And it’s likely to spawn a whole new family of models which will emerge from a completely new factory at the legendary Mandello Del Lario site on Lake Como.

With the air-cooled 1400cc California deleted for failing to meet Euro5, Guzzi’s line-up consists of the air-cooled, V7, V85TT and V9, leaving the firm lacking a big bore bike – hence the V100 Mandello. Although still a shaft-drive, transverse V-twin, the 1000cc bike is all-new – and radically different. Full details won’t be released until EICMA but already it’s known to have liquid-cooling and 90° rotated barrels to give space for the rider’s knees and new radiator. In addition, the shaft-drive housing is now on the left, not right to allow the exhaust to be on the right presumably to make pushing the bike about easier. The engine now appears to be the mounting point for front and rear sub frames with no conventional frame. Brakes are by Brembo, two different trim levels, one with up-specced Öhlins suspension, appear to be offered and we also expect the TFT dash from the V85TT and a full suite of electronic aids. We’d expect the V100 to be followed by an adventure and perhaps touring version. And one day, who knows, we may even get a revived Le Mans, too!