Considering how much his films “Long Way Round” and “Long Way Down” for popularizing the GS, you’d think Scottish actor Ewan McGregor was a BMW guy. His friend and co-star in those two travelogues, Charley Boorman is a BMW brand ambassador, and it’d be easy to assume McGregor is as well.

The truth is McGregor, well known for his love of motorcycles, is a much bigger fan of Moto Guzzi. McGregor has owned several Moto Guzzis including a California Vintage and an Ambassador. McGregor also made Moto Guzzi‘s home in Mandello del Lario, Italy, a stop in “Long Way Down”.

With Moto Guzzi entering a rebirth with the launch of its  new flagship California 1400 models, it seemed a natural connection for McGregor to become the face of the new California. The “Star Wars” and “Trainspotting” star recently got a chance to test both the Tourer and Custom versions of the California 1400, and soon after decided to star in Moto Guzzi’s latest ad campaign called “My Bike, My Pride“. Continue Reading »

A pair of muscular-looking V-Twin cruisers sit on a dais in front of a dramatically lit backdrop as attractive female brand representatives greet guests, answer questions and pose for pictures. This scene is fairly commonplace at convention centers during the motorcycle show season, but Moto Guzzi is taking the scenario to a new location: airports.

Moto Guzzi is bringing the motorcycle show experience to select airports in Europe to promote its new California 1400 models. Earlier this month, Moto Guzzi displayed the California 1400, in both Touring and Custom garb, at Linate Airport in Milan, Italy, Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome and Frankfurt Airport in Germany, offering passengers a look at the company’s new flagship cruiser and tourer. Similar displays are currently set up in London’s Heathrow Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris until Feb. 28.

The display models were accompanied by hostess in Moto Guzzi-branded jackets to answer questions about the bikes, help visitors take a seat and pose for pictures. The hostesses also carry tablets with more information about the California models and to help collect information from visitors. Continue Reading »

Last week, we got a peak at the new touring version of the Moto Guzzi California 1400, the new flagship cruiser from the Italian brand. Piaggio has now presented the new California 1400 at the 2012 EICMA Show in both its touring trim and the custom version pictured above.

The new Moto Guzzi California 1400 is powered by a 1380cc V-Twin engine, which Piaggio claims is the largest V-Twin produced by an European manufacturer. The redesigned four-valve engine has the same stroke as the previous California’s 1151cc engine but with a larger 104mm bore. According to Piaggio, the engine produces 95 hp at 6500 rpm and 88.5 ft-lb. at 2750 rpm. Despite the larger engine displacement, Piaggio still claims a 15-20% improvement in fuel economy compared to the previous version. Continue Reading »

Photographs of the final production touring version of the Moto Guzzi California 1400 have emerged, just days before the bagger’s impending debut at the 2012 EICMA show.

The 2013 Moto Guzzi California 1400 will come equipped with ride-by-wire throttle, switchable maps, ABS, traction control and cruise control, making it perhaps the most technologically-advanced Moto Guzzi ever developed.

Powering the California 1400 is an air/oil-cooled 1380cc V-Twin engine mounted longitudinally in Moto Guzzi fashion. The engine is based on the previous California’s engine, but with a larger bore and the same stroke. The engine has a claimed output of 95 hp at 6500 rpm and 88.5 ft-lb. at 2750 rpm. Power is delivered through a six-speed transmission along a shaft drive to the rear wheel. Continue Reading »

Back in March, Piaggio Vice President of design Miguel Galluzzi revealed the Italian firm would release several versions of the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 including a full touring version. We’ve seen photographs of the new California in prototype form from Piaggio‘s North American dealer meeting, but we’ve now come across a picture of what looks like the final production version in full touring trim.

The picture,  appears to have been leaked from an official catalog photoshoot, shows the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 with hard bags, engine bars, extra lighting and windscreen. Unlike the prototype we saw in March, the one in this photograph has a slightly larger front fender, passenger grab handle, blacked-out engine, two-tone seat and longer pipes. Continue Reading »

Moto Guzzi released a video featuring Marco Lambri, director of Piaggio Group style, and Miguel Galluzzi, vice-president of design discussing the new Moto Guzzi California 1400 and Piaggios’s planned Advanced Design Center in Pasadena, Calif.

Galluzzi says the model displayed at Piaggio Group Americas’ dealer convention in Miami last week is just one variation for the California. Galluzzi says Moto Guzzi will release a full dressed touring version this autumn, with the single-seat version to follow, as well as at least one more.

“I think we were able to create something that is still appealing to many, many customers in the world but with the Italian flavor that Moto Guzzi has.” says Galluzzi. Continue Reading »

Piaggio confirmed it will introduce the new Aprilia Caponord 1200 and Moto Guzzi California 1400 to the U.S. market this fall.

The announcement was made at Piaggio Group Americas’ dealer convention in Miami, Fla. News of the Moto Guzzi California 1400 (pictured above) and the Aprilia Caponord first leaked from Piaggio’s European dealer meeting in February, but this announcement is the first official confirmation about either model from Piaggio.

The Moto Guzzi California 1400 replaces the current 1100 version, which is available this year in a limited edition version celebrating the 90th anniversary of Moto Guzzi. Unlike the air-cooled 1100, the new California 1400′s 90-degree V-Twin engine is liquid-cooled. Continue Reading »