*California 1400 Merged Threadfest*

[youcanrunnaked]

Still think it looks great.

[Mad Mac]

Note the mag wheels.  Tubeless tires will be a plus.

[pauldaytona]

more pictures, a white too:

http://www.moto-station.com/cgi-bin/photos/images_MS.cgi?direct=Fonds_ecran/Motos/Motos_serie_plus_de_125/Moto_Guzzi/Moto_Guzzi_California_1400

[Kev m]

Not bad in white either.



Jenn took one look and asked "hey why did they make the headlight shaped like a Harley bar and shield?" lol

[BravoBravo]

Not bad in white either.



Jenn took one look and asked "hey why did they make the headlight shaped like a Harley bar and shield?" lol

I like it in white. I'll bet traffic will pull out of the way when they see one of these police lookalikes approaching from behind!  P:) :+=copcar

Bruce

[pbeesley]

That looks great in white - the colour helps to define the shape of the bike a little better, I think.

[moltoguzzi]

Ok from the top she looks like Sophia Loren with those big jugs and those big hips, damn there goes my money. Hope there is a matching top box to finish off a great motorcycle.

[rboe]

I think she looks better in white for some reason. Really want to know how she handles.

[youcanrunnaked]

I think I know why some here seem to be liking the white version better than the black.

Remember the comments about how the bike looks like it is cut in half, with the vertical lines of the side covers and the lower (swing arm?) covers lining up with the seat to make it look like two bikes grafted together?  Well, that never really bothered me, but it seemed to bother quite a few people.

Now, compare the black and the white versions.  The white one has white side covers and black lower covers; this breaks up the cut-in-half look that some objected to.  In fact, with the white side covers, the black lower covers now look like they flow from the black transmission case, so the eye is now drawn to the horizontal line, rather than the vertical.

At least, that's the visual impression that I get.  Any other opinions?

[Kev m]

It also helps define other shapes on the bike, like the tank shape.

[rtbickel]

I was getting all lathered up over the black paint, now they go and show us a white one.  VIntage Hondas are up for sale.  How much will the year end bonus be?  Where's my banker's phone number?  More importantly, WHEN WILL IT GET HERE?

[youcanrunnaked]

It also helps define other shapes on the bike, like the tank shape.

I think you're right about the tank, but the difference is less extreme than with the side covers.  IMO, the polished cooling fins and faux valve covers of the 1400 mill do a good job of making the jugs stand out from the black tank.  However, as the engine is all-black, the white bike does manage to show the entire engine off a little bit more than the black bike.

What I don't like about the white bike is how it also shows off the front fender extender.  As to the look of the front fender, IMO the black bike looks better, as the extender blends in with the black fender and makes the line of the fender flow better.  I also think the black side bags look better against the chrome guards than the white bags.

To be clear:  I am nit-picking.  Tough choice.  They're both gorgeous.

[sbaker]

I LIKE the white bike!!!

[Mad Mac]

The tank hugs the jugs like a lover on a runaway weekend.  Pure sex.

[pauldaytona]

ok infomotori posted the naked one too:

http://www.infomotori.com/moto/2012/11/09/moto-guzzi-california-1400/2/3/

[youcanrunnaked]

Ooooh!  I like that one, too.  A few subtle changes, and it goes from tourer to power cruiser.  Beating Harley at its own game.

But... are you sure that's a picture of a production model?  I thought the adjustable rear shocks with remote reservoirs did not make the final cut.

Nevermind.  The article says that the "Custom" model will have the remote reservoir shocks.

[Unkept]

 :o


Oh.....my....

I said I would only ever need my V11 Lemans.  :-\

[Kev m]

more pictures, a white too:

http://www.moto-station.com/cgi-bin/photos/images_MS.cgi?direct=Fonds_ecran/Motos/Motos_serie_plus_de_125/Moto_Guzzi/Moto_Guzzi_California_1400

Penderic - the Moto station pics show the license plate mounting.

Looks like they copied my Jackal mounting it to the bag racks.  :D

[bpreynolds]

 :drool

[guzzisteve]

Windshield is ugly w/mounting, no more nice sidestand and there is no centerstand. 

[Semper-guzzi]

I am in love with the white one. The naked one looks mean as hell tho. I don't think I'd own one anytime soon unless I won the lotto but I would love for of you old rich retired folk to let me take a spin! ;D :BEER:

[youcanrunnaked]

Lots of information about the new California 1400 at that infomotori.com site (as translated):

Moto Guzzi California 1400 at EICMA 2012

He made his debut at EICMA 2012 (November 13 to 18), the new generation of Moto Guzzi California.
A new project that aims to redefine the style of the Italian brand of Mandello del Lario, the concept of luxury motorcycles.
Two versions from the opposite one another: Moto Guzzi California and 1400 Moto Guzzi California Touring 1400 Custom.
Produced and assembled by hand in Italy, revived the Moto Guzzi brand, one of the most ancient and noble history of motorcycling in the market moticiclistico world.

New Moto Guzzi California 1400
The new Moto Guzzi California 1400 is impressive, unique, capable of enhancing the elements of nobility of a historic brand owned Italian heritage.
More than any other model Moto Guzzi California represents the values ​​and strength of the brand of Mandello del Lario: style, comfort, reliability and performance, thanks to the ability to combine the comfort and the ability to load a custom motorcycle with the dynamics and performance of a powerful road.

The engine V2 largest in Europe for the Moto Guzzi California
The new Moto Guzzi California 1400 has an unprecedented two-cylinder V-engine of 1380 cm3 [84.21 cu. in.], a record for a twin. Before him, just another engine Aquila had failed to do so (the V2 90 ° 1225 cc of MGS01). The race is the same as 1151 cc but thanks to a well bore of 104 mm, reaches the displacement of 1,380 cc.
The power is 96 hp (71 kW) at 6500 rpm while torque is 120 Nm [90 ft./lbs.] at 2750 rpm.
On the new big bore, and custom sector in particular, debuted the electronic engine management ride by wire multimap, a technological system that allows you to choose between three mapping engine management: Tourism, fast and wet, depending on the style of drive, path, or to environmental situations.
The three different mapping error on the act of torque and engine-braking.
In addition, the imposing California 1400 (337 kg in running order fully equipped [743 lbs], 322 kg dry [710 lbs.]), has traction control (MGCT), another first for this segment custom. The MGCT can be set on three levels of intervention to increase active safety without compromising performance and driving pleasure.
V2 is coupled to a six-speed gearbox (it was in the previous five-speed) with a single plate clutch (first bi-disc) dry with integrated flexible couplings and driving load reduced.
The final drive is shaft drive as usual but has been redesigned to transfer, with maximum smoothness and comfort, the powerful torque of the engine, as well as boast a much more modern appearance and technology.

Cycling: Moto Guzzi California introduces the concept of "Elastic Engine"
Today, with the new 1400 Moto Guzzi California develops a new idea applied to the fixing of the engine to the frame, introducing the concept of "Elastic Engine".
The innovation, introduced to obtain a new standard in terms of ride comfort, consists in fixing the engine to the frame through a unique system of supports elasto-kinematic compounds by a connecting rod front, two lateral connecting rods and a series of rubber buffers that leave swing the engine by filtering all vibration preventing them from being transmitted to the bike and its points of contact with the driver and the passenger.
In addition to ensuring a comfortable ride from the reference frame of the new California has its strength in dynamic rendering, looking for the maximum stiffness obtained from an oversized steering head and swingarm large cross-section.
The frame is a double cradle the shares typically custom: steering angle of 32 °, trail of 155 mm [6.1 in.] and wheelbase of 1685 mm [66.34 in.] well. Units which provide stability and precision when changing direction and due to the low center of gravity and the centrality of the masses is also a surprising maneuverability of a motorcycle of this size.
The saddle height is only 740 mm [29.1 in.] from the ground, is not sufficient to undermine the pilot manipulating the California 1400 to speed pendonale. The ease of ride and handling contribute also reduced vibrations, thanks also to a more prompt response of the motor to the gas.
Magazines also completely Suspension: front is set up a fork, 46 mm [1.8 in.] fork with the generous range of 120 mm [4.72 in.]. Tradition solution for the rear, with a pair of shock absorbers chrome and preload adjustable.
The rims are aluminum alloy. The front is 3.5 "and is equipped with a tire 13/70 18" while the rear, on a circle of 6 "section, is mounted a big tire 200/60 16".
The department operates the braking system is Brembo with a pair of 320 mm front discs with four piston calipers and a single 282 mm disc with a floating caliper with two parallel pistons. For the first time on a Moto Guzzi California, the latest generation ABS.

Design of the new Moto Guzzi California 1400
Imposing, massive, comfortable, bad. I am very adjectives that come to mind look at the first official pictures of the new Moto Guzzi California 1400, but you can not say that it maintains strict legal with its history and its tradition. The aesthetic is different for the two versions: Touring the most sophisticated, the most gangster Custom.
Both, however, share some aspects, such as the large headlight unit polygonal, with lighting LED DRL daytime, as occurs on the car of more recent design.
From earlier versions, you can see some stylistic quotations: the profile of the seat, the chrome handle and side panels inspired by the T3 as well as the relationship between the size of the tank and the engine in favor of it, just like in the style of ancestors V7 and V850.
The tank 21 liter [5.55 gal.] metal is carved showing two lateral sides, on which is built the Eagle logo, shaped the mighty thermal units of the new engine of 1400 cc round head.
The increased wheelbase (+125 mm) [+ 4.92 in.] helps to make smarter, more streamlined side view of the new Moto Guzzi California. Moreover, the two discharges do not go unnoticed transparencies that terminate at the rear fender. This, shaped the impressive tire 200 ", integrates the dual LED light unit and makes clean look of the view.
Updated the equipment enclosed in a circular dial up of 150 mm [5.9 in.] in diameter with the scale of the analog tachometer formed along the outer circumference and the multifunction display full matrix suspended in the center. News also covered the knobs, the handlebar to the bull horns and electrical blocks where, on the right you can, for the first time on a Moto Guzzi, turn on the cruise control.
Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring
The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring is the expression of the classical model, designed for long voyages, for which it has been elegantly appointed with every comfort for wind protection and load capacity (available in 50 liter trunk).
Two-tone seat, windshield "Patrol", additional lights chrome, panniers 35 liter kits, paramotor and para-bags are standard features of the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring, which can also count on three different maps and cruise control.
But do not miss the opportunity to customize their custom tourer, in accordance with your taste and your needs, thanks to a large catalog of accessories.
Special care is the color concept, developed on two evocative graphics: the Eldorado, white with dark decorative threads on the tank, inspired by the versions of the California Highway Patrol or Ambassador, which expresses the classic black with white thread-like versions of the origin, type V7 and 850 California.

Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom
The bad sister of the tourist version. It is the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom, style, temperament and vocation in contrast to the other model.
Design cruiser hard-liners, characterized by a total black look bandistesco and minimalist: two wheels, an engine, seat and handlebars. Nothing but all made in the rigor of form and function, combining it with a typically Italian aesthetic sense, an expression of attention to detail and ability to execute worthy of the best interpretations made in Italy has ever produced in the automotive field.
Less comfortable than touristy but more decisive: frag handlebar bar, seating for two with minimal Eagle logo hot-stamped with low seat and back, rear shock absorbers with external oil tank.
The total black look to increase the expressive power of California 1400 Custom, to the lacquered black wheels with the Moto Guzzi logo and red mirrors blacks.

[bad Chad]

H-D Road King...RIP. ;D    Red Line at 7000, not bad for 1400cc pushrod twin!

[Avvocato]

I want one.  Any guesses on when we will see it in the States?  I'm guessing second half of 13 as a 2014 model.

[Kev m]

Ohhhhh gawd, how trite, a frickin 200mm rear tire  ::) ugh

[guzzisteve]

I have heard the Cali 14 is to be in USA in the Spring of 13'.

[pauldaytona]

I read in another article that they hope to sell a lot in the USA, and produce only little numbers for the home market. Still sounds strange, if I had a factory, I would sell as much as I could anywhere they want them. And as I see Harley growing in the Italian home market, there could be potential too.

[Dean Rose]

A new pic maybe? http://www.motoguzzi.com/

Dean

[moltoguzzi]

I read in another article that they hope to sell a lot in the USA, and produce only little numbers for the home market. Still sounds strange, if I had a factory, I would sell as much as I could anywhere they want them. And as I see Harley growing in the Italian home market, there could be potential too.

This model is targeting the USA specifically, not many cruiser in italy and the few that buy them want the mystic that harley offers, you know the macho mojo bullshit. Italians love foreign machinery without prejudice, triumph, bmw, yamaha(46) are everywhere and they love them naked. I doubt many Italians will flock to a 1400cc motor with about the output of a 600cc modern engine when it takes ten dollars to buy a liter of fuel. They may be bad at logistics but they are the most frugal Europeans, wall street referred to them as "Natural Born Savers" as they own most of the Italian Gov't debt.

BTW "The bigger the better" belief is an American ideal not shared by the Europeans.

[Mark West]

Is there a functional reason for the shape of the headlight? Looks goofy if you ask me. A round headlight would probably look a whole lot better.

Warming up to the design overall, but just feel like they started getting lazy during refinement. The vertical line on the profile is problem. While it may not bother some, I seriously doubt that it enhances the design in anyone's eye and it could be fixed so easily by reshaping the side cover or the leading edge of the seat. The front end looks like it was cobbled together with some chrome pipe that someone bent up for a temporary test. Not a big fan of cop style windshields either. Hope it works better than most.

Then again, It's the people who are looking for a mega cruiser who matter. At least at the moment, that isn't me.