With apologies to the Who, this cheesecake of a sportbike is one of Guzzi’s greatest hits. The design was based on the Daytona and shown in fall 1993 as a 1994 model. One of the last carburetted Guzzis, the 1996 model had fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and the company’s torquey 2-valve L-twin. This…
In the world of big-bore bikes – man sized machines – Moto Guzzi has always stood out with a unique style of individualistic and rugged beauty. The oldest continually operational motorcycle manufacturer in Europe, Guzzi was formed in Italy in 1921 with the intent to build motorcycles after World War I. Comprised of the triumvirate…
Guzzi is one of the oldest and most storied motorcycle manufacturers in existence, but they’ve drifted pretty far from their sporting roots in recent years, owing to their purchase by Piaggio, a move that has kept them afloat, but forever relegated to building vintage-styled and cruisers to prevent them competing with more sports-oriented bikes from…
Shaft drive has well-known advantages in terms of maintenance and reliability but is rarely seen in the sportbike world as it limits gearing choices and generally adds too much weight to a bike like this Moto Guzzi Daytona Racing. In a world where every ounce counts and bikes are pared to the bone, sacrificing durability…
A sportbike powered by a 1064cc two-valve pushrod twin seems positively antediluvian in context and was absolutely outclassed by the competition even when new. But Moto Guzzi managed to take their rugged and very entertaining powertrain and fit it into their 1100 Sport that, while not cutting-edge, offered up charisma, handling, durability, and exclusivity. I’ve…
Relisted from last November, with a 20% price reduction – Martin In the early 1990s, Moto Guzzi was trying to revitalize their staid image and appeal to a younger, more sporting audience. Famous Guzzi tuners Ghezzi and Brian were brought in to style the new top-shelf sportbike, and the result was a machine uncharacteristically elegant…
After bringing Moto Guzzi under the Aprilia umbrella in 2000, the company’s depth was a great help to Guzzi, and build quality improved within the year. The V11 Le Mans was introduced in 2001, the recipient of many special parts and paint schemes. Offered by a Mass. dealer, this example was stored since the buyer…
If pure speed, cutting-edge technology, or drive chains are your thing, then today’s Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 probably isn’t the bike for you. But if race heritage, character, and v-twin torque are things you enjoy, you can’t go wrong with this big Guzzi. The Daytona is certainly not light weight, but it does handle: with…