Wayyyyyy back in 1921, some Italians got together and formed Moto Guzzi. That was 100 years ago, as of this winter, and the company is celebrating in a couple of ways.
First off, Moto Guzzi is releasing 100th Anniversary editions of its V9 Bobber, V7 Stone and V85 TT Adventure motorcycles. These bikes are mechanically the same as the standard machines, but they’ve got a satin metal-and-green-paint colour scheme that recalls Guzzi’s blistering-fast GP bikes of the 1950s. That’s right, kids – Moto Guzzi makes retro bikes now, but a half-century ago, the company was top of the heap in 350cc GP racing, and even introduced an eight-cylinder 500cc GP bike!
Unfortunately, Canada only gets the 100th Anniversary version of the B85 TT Adventure and the V7 Stone. The Stone will cost $11,390 (plus taxes and fees) when it arrives at end of April. The V85 TT Adventure will have a $15,390 MSRP when it shows up at dealers at the end of May.
Along with those bikes, the company is also bringing back Moto Guzzi World Days. This is a party at Guzzi’s Italian home base in Mandello de Lario, next to Lake Como. This year’s celebration will run September 9-12 (hopefully, COVID-19 is not an issue at that point). It’s been a decade since the last Moto Guzzi World Days event; organizers are hoping for “tens of thousands” of enthusiasts to attend this year’s party. Certainly, it’s a big deal for the company, as Moto Guzzi has the longest uninterrupted production of any European motorcycle manufacturer.
See more information on the event, and Moto Guzzi’s history, in the company’s press release below:
Press release
IN 2021, MOTO GUZZI CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF HISTORIC MOTORCYCLES
HONORING THE ICONIC MARQUE FROM MANDELLO DURING ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR, THE FACTORY WILL HOST MOTO GUZZI WORLD DAYS SEPTEMBER 9-12
A SPECIAL EDITION COMMEMORATIVE LIVERY ARRIVES ACROSS THE MODEL RANGE, PRODUCED EXCLUSIVELY IN 2021 AND INSPIRED BY THE ONE OF MOTORCYCLING’S MOST HISTORIC MODELS, THE LEGENDARY “OTTO CILINDRI”
After 100 Years of Continuous Production, Moto Guzzi Looks Forward to the Next Century
More specifically, it was March 15, 1921 when the “Società Anonima Moto Guzzi” was established with the goal of “Manufacturing and sales of motorcycles and any other activity pertinent or connected to the metal mechanical industry”. And it was precisely in that moment, in memory of one of the founders’ brothers in arms, that the eagle with spread wings was chosen as the new company’s symbol. Since then, the eagle, which quickly gained notoriety all over the world, has been Moto Guzzi’s symbol.
The operational headquarters opened in Mandello del Lario – the same plant where all Moto Guzzi are still produced to this day – an enterprise that marked the history of global motorcycling through bikes that have become a part of the collective imagination such as the GT 500 Norge (1928) ridden to the Arctic Circle by Giuseppe Guzzi, brother of founder Carlo, the Airone 250 (1939), the Galletto (1950) which contributed to mass motorization in the postwar period.
In those years, the wind tunnel was opened – the first in the world in the motorcycling segment, which can still be visited in the Mandello plant – greatly desired by a close-knit team that included extraordinary engineers the likes of Umberto Todero, Enrico Cantoni and a designer who would soon become a legend: Milan native Giulio Cesare Carcano, father of the incredible 285 km/hour Otto Cilindri (in 1955) and the prototypes which, between 1935 and 1957, won no fewer than 15 world speed titles and 11 Tourist Trophies.
In the ’60s, after the Stornello and Dingo light motorcycles, Moto Guzzi breathed life into the 700cc 90° V-twin with cardan shaft final drive, destined to become the very symbol of the manufacturer from Mandello through legendary models like the V7 Special, V7 Sport, California and Le Mans. This engine has been consistently evolved on this architecture, all the way to riding, supported by the most advanced electronic control features, the most popular modern Moto Guzzis such as the V7, V9, and the V85 TT traveler, the first ever classic enduro in the world.
Moto Guzzi World Days 2021 Welcomes its Machines Back to Mandello for the Centennial
Moto Guzzi celebrates this extraordinary anniversary with a 2021 calendar full of initiatives that will culminate in the Moto Guzzi Worlds Days (Giornate Mondiali Moto Guzzi), scheduled to be held in Mandello del Lario from September 9 through 12.
The Moto Guzzi World Days are a must-attend event for any enthusiast and, eagerly anticipated, they are back ten years after the last edition to celebrate this milestone. Tens of thousands of enthusiasts will flock from all over the world to experience a unique and unforgettable event, made possible by the collaboration between Moto Guzzi, Motoraduno Internazionale Committee and the municipality of Mandello del Lario, where the Moto Guzzi factory is located has been continuously manufacturing motorcycles celebrate the world over, for a century.
After 100 years, the iconic machines from Moto Guzzi, having all throughout the duration been built alongside Lago di Como, can return to the Mandello factory in an appropriate and spirited homecoming. Guzzisti and enthusiasts alike will join in celebrating the milestone of one of the most fantastic and remarkable stories in all of motorcycling, at the source, as the Eagle Brand of Mandello continues into a new century of production and storytelling.
Moto Guzzi Will Produce a Limited Series in a Centennial Livery, Only Produced for 2021
An exclusive, elegant and attractive color scheme, evocative of a unique heritage, drawing its origins from the aesthetics of legendary bikes which made motorcycling history, first and foremost, the 8-cylinder (“otto cilindri”) of 1955. A crazy, yet visionary idea, an extraordinary bike created to compete in the World Championship 500 class, a project so bold that it was ten years ahead of all global motorcycle production.
This milestone in motorcycle history has an elegant color scheme in its purely racing essence, combining the satin-finished metal of the fuel tank with the green of the fairing and the leather on the seat. Colors that also characterized the 350 Bialbero, one of the most victorious bikes in history, unbeatable in the 350 class in World Championship GP Motorcycle Racing, with the amazing record of 9 consecutive world titles (5 Rider and 4 Manufacturer) from 1953 to 1957.
Green was also the first color “worn” by a Moto Guzzi with the Normale, the first model, and probably the most iconic of the Eagle’s colors. The Style Centre reinterpreted it in a modern approach with a matte finish and associated with metallic colors the express the solidity and authenticity of the Larian brand. The body colors are matched with a saddle covered with a natural-colored material, like that of leather, to highlight the typically Italian attention to detail. Other distinguishing details are the eagle in a gold finish and the dedicated logo that graphically celebrates Moto Guzzi’s 100 years.
Availability USA:
V7 Stone 100th Anniversary: MSRP $9,190 – arrival end of March 2021
V9 Bobber 100th Anniversary: MSRP $10,690 – arrival July 2021
V85TT Adventure 100th Anniversary: MSRP $13,190 – arrival end of April 2021
Availability Canada:
V7 Stone 100th Anniversary: MSRP $11,390 – arrival end of April 2021
V85TT Adventure 100th Anniversary: MSRP $15,390 – arrival end of May 2021
a friend of mine in Canada wishes for me to acquire a 1981 Moto Guzzi V50 that has pretty much not run in over 30 years , and is void of gas tank , seat , carbs , exhaust and God only knows what els, plus a spare engine for parts. He has the tile , never re-registered in his name or registered , obvioously. I don’t wish to ever make streetable , but woould love to build a cafe racer for a project. It might take years to build , but it’s just a project , so no rush. How do I get it across the border , and can I just re-title it in the US and be done with it ?I’d like to have it state side before the snow falls so I can begin to obtain parts I need. Thanks for any help , formerly “GUZZI MIKE”
Among all the motorcycle companies out there, Moto Guzzi is probably the last one I would have expected to last 100 years. I admire their fidelity to a unique style of air-cooled twin and shaft drive with all models coming out of a single factory. Unfortunately, the dealer network in Canada is weak and getting weaker and many reviews of their new bikes talk of leaking seals and parts that fall off, Good on the Piaggio Group for keeping them alive.
Moto Guzzi is what Harley-Davidson used to be.