2017 Moto Guzzi California Touring
The California in its most classic expression of style, comfort, performance and reliability
The California Touring is the latest heir to the successful project with which Moto Guzzi redesigned the concept of luxury motorcycles at the end of 2012. The California Touring is a representation of Moto Guzzi’s culture and the ability to build unique motorcycles that has been around since 1921.
It is the California in its most classic expression, in terms of style, comfort, performance and reliability. Success driven by a rare quality: knowing how to reconcile the comfort and cargo capacity of a custom bike with the dynamic performance of a powerful cruiser.
Powerful, ultra-equipped, exclusive, with an innovative yet highly personal and traditional design, the California Touring manages to enhance the values of one of the noblest brands in the world and the symbol of “Made in Italy”.
In fact, the Touring is a true traveller driven by the largest V-twin ever made in Europe, the first custom bike equipped with advanced electronic control systems such as traction control, ABS and the new full Ride-by-wire accelerator, as well as having a brand new frame with an elastic engine mounting system capable of eliminating vibration transfer entirely.
The Moto Guzzi California Touring is characterised by a two-tone graphic, Nero Gentleman and Rosso Charme. This version, which has a built-in passenger backrest and grab handle, emphasises the continuity with its ancestors through the profile of the saddle, the chromium grab handle and the side panels inspired by the historic Guzzi T3.
Not to mention the ratio between the fuel tank and engine size, which favours the latter, just like the style of the glorious V7 and V850. This impression is emphasised by the metal fuel tank, with a 21 litre central body and two side covers where the Eagle logo is proudly displayed.
Moto Guzzi’s glorious heritage is further accentuated by the horizontal lines of the highly polished silencers that end at the rear mudguard, moulded over the impressive 200 tyre and equipped with a spectacular dual LED light cluster that also includes the turn indicators.
The front view is no less impressive, with a complex surface headlight unit and a polyelliptical light with LED daylight running light (DRL). The handlebar electric controls are also new, more functional and enhanced by an aluminium finish. The left side electric block hosts the controls for the new Moto Guzzi cruise control.
The elegant style of the California Touring is also enhanced by the lightweight alloy wheels with an original ribbed design, as well as the headlight frame and the supplementary lights.
The 45 mm fork is also a throwback to its ancestors, completely sealed by dominating “telescopes” with a black finish. The pair of rear shock absorbers, on the other hand, now has a convenient remote control for spring preload, making it very practical to adjust performance based on the amount of cargo loaded. Plus their standard setup has been improved, thanks to more hydraulic rebound braking and a higher spring preload.
Intended for those who devour kilometres, the California Touring designed for comfort and load capacity thanks to its generous saddle and the spacious and elegant 35 litre side panniers, the new cruise control feature and the dampening action of the elastic kinematic mounting system for the twin-cylinder engine.
The engine mounted is the 1380cc big bore, the top of its class in terms of performance and consumption, equipped with electronic engine management that exploits the new full Ride-by-wire multimap throttle.
The system guarantees an even more fine tuned and accurate throttle control, thereby allowing the engine to return a top shelf, smooth response, without being twitchy in opening and closing, that translates into top level riding pleasure in any conditions of use.
The dynamic performance of the vehicle is also kept under control by its traction control system (MGCT) which can be adjusted on three actuation levels in order to increase active safety without impacting performance and riding pleasure.
2017 Moto Guzzi California Touring Technical Specifications
- Engine – 1380cc, 90˚ V-twin, four-stroke
- Bore x Stroke – 104×81.2mm
- Compression: 10.5:1
- Power – 96hp at 6500rpm
- Torque – 121Nm at 3000rpm
- Induction – Magneti Marelli IAW7SM; RbW 52mm throttle body
- Gearbox – Six-speed
- Clutch – Single-disc with integrated anti-vibration buffer
- Chassis – steel tubing, closed double cradle frame
- Front Suspension – 45mm front forks, 120mm travel
- Rear Suspension – Double shock absorbers, preload adjustable, 120mm travel
- Brakes – Dual Brembo four-opposed-piston calipers, 320mm discs (F),
single 282mm disc and Brembo two-piston caliper (R), ABS - Rims – aluminium alloy wheels, 3.50 x 18in, 6.00 x 16in
- Tyres – 130/70 – 18, 200/60 – 16
- Seat height – 740mm
- Wheelbase – 1685mm
- Rake/Trail – 32°/ 155mm
- Fuel capacity – 20.5L
- Wet weight – 346kg
