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Moto Guzzi Eyes Building a Rival for the BMW R nineT

Roberto Colanino, the President of the Piaggio Group reportedly hinted on a new bike family that might be added to the Moto Guzzi line-up soon.
2015 MY Moto Guzzi Bellagio 1 photo
Photo: Moto Guzzi
The Piaggio official attended the launch of the Eldorado and Audace, the two new models based on the California 1400 bike Mandello introduced in 2013. He said that Moto Guzzi's factory in the city of Como is being renewed and once the renovation process is ready, we are in for a new middleweight machine.

Colanino was prudent to refrain from revealing too many details on the upcoming bike, but apparently he added that it would slot somewhere between the V7 and the California 1400. There's plenty of room in this interval, so the displacement of the new bike is at anyone's guess.

Cool-looking bikes have to pack street-ready grunt

Some say that the new machine could pack 800cc to 900cc, but a liter-class bike would not be a huge surprise, either. If Guzzi really wants to deliver a classic roadster to do battle with the R nineT, then looks will not be enough.

Let's not forget that the high customizability and retro-ish looks of the R nineT are backed by the proven boxer engine that has powered so many other BMW models from adventure bikes to sport-touring ones and roadsters.

Some say that the house of Mandello could capitalize on the 935cc v-twin currently powering the Bellagio, while other people dream about a reinterpretation of a classic-looks bike motivated by the 1,151cc of the Griso.

Frankly, we guess both choices are good, but simply can't rule out a completely new engine Moto Guzzi might be working on in secret. If the new bike will also be engineered with the same focus on customization, maybe it will stand a decent chance in the battle with the already hugely successful R nineT.

With Yamaha's new XV950 Racer added to the roster, we expect that the 2015 EICMA might have a very neo-retro-ish vibe. That is, if Guzzi delivers the BMW R nineT rival by then.
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