I have a 2014 Cali bagger. I love riding it. 13,000 miles in the past 14 months. However I have some issues with the bike. I'll paste the contents of a log of issues I have constructed over the my 14 months of owning this machine. It is a bit of reading but this is a pretty comprehensive review of this model. Keep in mind though, except for the warped disc rotors and the misbehaving clutch I've been able to right all the wrongs and I love, love, love riding this bike.
As for the electric modification others have mentioned above, it involves simply disconnecting one wire from the alternator and insulating that loose wire from grounding against anything nearby. Somehow MG put an "extra" wire that causes trouble when the key is left "on" but engine not running. This is considered a warranty item and any Moto Guzzi shop can perform the work, it should be free as Moto Guzzi issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for it.
Den.
Links to clutch issue:
https://youtu.be/y752py5YY1ghttps://youtu.be/KQtgw0qw9lUComplaints Log for new 2014 California Touring
2014 California Touring: VIN: ZGULVC007EMxxxxxx
I purchased this motorcycle on December 21, 2015, at the following Moto Guzzi Dealer:
Eurosports, 303 S. 3rd St. (Route 309) Coopersburg, PA 18036, 610-282-9300 (
www.eurosports.net)
When I performed the 600 mile first service and inspection, January 2016. I found the following
Deficiencies:
� Front calipers are incorrectly shimmed to align the disc pads with the rotor. Four 2mm stainless
washers (two per caliper) corrected the misalignment. Update, 6400 miles � Front brakes badly pulse
now.
� At first purchase I heard a metallic sound when encountering bumps in the road. I thought it sounded
like a lose fuel tank mount but this was not the case. Then I thought it was the windshield when I
found one of the mounts lose, but tightening that did not remove the sound. I hear and feel a clicking
when applying front brakes hard just before full stop (3 mph). Now, at 6400 miles, I also hear and
feel something flex, snap, pop or click when braking hard (briefly) at speeds of 30-50 mph. Also, just
upon coming to a complete stop if I apply the front brakes hard, making the forks dive, right through
to a full stop I also hear the click during fork compression rebound. This also has progressed with
increasing mileage.
� Both panniers leak, the left more than the right, at a rate of just a few drops but it's steady while
raining. It comes in at the two pannier halves junction, back near the latch. I sealed the entire seam
with a product called �Seam Grip�. Fixed now, I checked this under pressure with a garden hose.
� Both mirrors will move during riding. The left mirror will move at speeds below 50 mph. The right
mirror will keep its position up to maybe 80 mph. The left mirror rotates about the vertical axis, it
reflects more of my arm and body as it moves, the right mirror tends to rotate about the horizontal
axis such that it rotates reflecting an increasing upward view. This necessitates readjustment of at a
minimum the left mirror rather constantly while touring.
� Exhaust support brackets are anchored to the frame with four attachments. One of the four Allen Key
bolts at the bottom of the bracket, next to the Port exhaust pipe flex joint, was not fully tightened. The
bolt's shoulder was not tight against the bracket. It was cross threaded at the factory and left to
continue down the assembly line. See image below. Fixed at first service (600 miles).
� Starboard exhaust side ring clamp was completely loose and rattling on the pipe. The Port exhaust
side clamp was tightened well below specification of 50 Nm (37 ft.lbs.).
� All four spark plugs were torqued to about 1 to 2 ft. lbs. of torque. I re-torqued them to 10 ft. lbs.
upon re-installation. I did not find spark plug torque values in the manual!
� I looked for loose fasteners but the exhaust side ring clamp, mentioned above, was the only one I
found. I did note that the exhaust heat shields use Red thread lock on my bike. All exhaust fasteners
at the cylinder head and the header to muffler clamps required tightening to meet specifications.
� Oil cooler horizontal braided hose, located just above the horns, was crushed between twist grip
position sensor aluminum block and the frame. See the image below. Fixed at first service.
� Chrome plating on both Pannier latches have flawed finish.
� Pannier paint is wearing through where latch closes, on both panniers. A design flaw.
� Both Tires over inflated to 42 psi. But this may have been done at the dealer.
� I looked for loose fasteners and found the Starboard Header to Muffler side pinch clamp was fully
loose and rattling on the pipe. I noted all exhaust heat shields use Red Locktitie.
Just another observation.
� All four spark plugs were torqued to about 1 to 2 ft. lbs. of torque. I re-torqued them to 10 ft. lbs.
upon re-installation. I did not find spark plug torque values in the manual!
Again, rectified, but noted.
� Both Tires over inflated to 42 psi.
Again, rectified, but noted. Naturally, this has nothing to do with warranty. Just an observation.
Design Flaws:
� Cruise control activation, setting. Difficult, especially with throttle hand, no increase/decrease speed
function. The only way to set it accurately/precisely is to reach across with left hand.
To fix it, move the activation control to the clutch side and use the rocker control to alter/resume
speed. Short move right increase, SM left decrease speed. Long move right resume, LM left cancel.
� Piaggio documentation for the California model states that the self canceling blinkers should cancel
after 40 seconds or 0.3 miles. This is too long and it is dangerous! We should be able to alter this
through EPROM programming. Or make it end user configured.
� Dip stick is very poor design, it should be a flat blade where oil level check is located.
� Venting at rider position behind windshield is insufficient. Engine heat builds up at rider position. I
fell asleep while riding this bike once. I modified the windshield mounts to ameliorate this dangerous
condition.
� It's a Touring model, it really should come with the Luggage Rack, which is presently an accessory
Assembly Flaws:
Below are a couple of images showing the serious problems with my California Touring:
Rear most Allen Key bolt on Port side exhaust support bracket to frame location is tight but not home, it was
cross threaded at the factory. To fix it I removed the bolt, chased the threads. I had to use a new bolt because
this one was too badly damaged. I bought a new bolt, installed it and tightened it to full torque.
My oil cooler line was pinched between the frame and throttle control block (aluminium block below tank, fly by wire).
I was able to pull this hose out of it's pinched location by rocking it repeatedly. I had to uncrush the braided
steel sheathing with a set of gas pliers. Hopefully, the tube inside was not compromised, I'd hate to have it
open a pressurized leak out on the road. I'm keeping a close eye on it.
The Dealer did replace this hose after I gave him a photo of the assembly flaw.
