From about 1977 to 2013, I rode mostly Moto Guzzi motorcycles. The 1999 and 2000 Bassa being my absolute favorites. In those years I also had 3 Converts, a G5, a V11 Sport, a V10 Centauro, a Griso 8v, a Cal Vin, a 50c Trotter and even a 125cc 1960 Stornello Sport.
When the CA Touring was coming out I discussed it thoroughly with my then local Guzzi dealer, Rosefarm Classics in IL. I ended up buying a beautiful new Victory Cross Country Tour. The Victory was and has been everything I could ask for in a motorcycle. In the 60K miles I've ridden it since I bought it, it's done everything I could ask of it exceptionally well.
For a while after buying the Victory I kept up with what Moto Guzzi was doing by looking at this forum and the Guzzi website. Once in a great while if I found one where I was, I'd stop at a Guzzi dealer to see the bikes up close. Several months ago I even test rode a used CA Touring a local dealer had on consignment. That test rode cemented to me I made the right choice with the Victory.
Recently I was in Dallas and stopped in at RPM Cycle. They had a bunch of various V7's, a CA Touring, two Eldorado's, an Audace and the MGX-21 on the floor. The CA Touring felt better to me than the one I test rode. But the aesthetics of the of the Eldorado looked wonderful to me. Especially in the red and black two tone. I also found the slightly more relaxed position of the Eldo seat fit me much better. My gosh that motorcycle is, to me, simply beautiful. Even the 1400 'vertical line' in the center of the bike seemed to melt away. But alas, there's no lowers, saddlebags, a trunk or a fairing. Of course the saddlebags and the windshield from the CA Touring either fit right on or can be made to fit. Though there's no comparison with the passenger accommodations between my Vic and the Eldo. Or the passenger accommodations in any Moto Guzzi for that matter. Fortunately for us both, my wife loves to ride as well. Therefore passenger accommodations are certainly an important consideration for us.
So, for now, I'll continue to peruse this site from time to time. Likely a bit more frequently than before. And I look forward to what Piaggio may have in store for the Moto Guzzi brand in their Centennial model year in 2021. I truly hope Moto Guzzi offers more than H-D did with their Centennial year bikes. A 'special' paint and an emblem for Moto Guzzi would be a huge disappointment. As it was for much of the H-D faithful.
Ride well, return home safely and Happy Independence Day to the USA.
