Photo: insella.it
Apparently Moto Guzzi's declarations of being very interested in the North American market have strong backing and are more than PR blabbering to please certain ears. The first spy photo of a bagger version of the company's flagship California 1400 cruiser surfaced online, and we might be in for a very good-looking bike.
This new California 1400 was reportedly spotted around Mandello del Lario, Moto Guzzi's hometown. The saddlebags, front cowl and tank are covered in camo wraps and it's rather hard to tell whether the design cues are following in the steps of the carbon fiber MGX21 concept Guzzi showed last year at Milan.
Judging on what we can see in this photo, the saddlebags don't look like being integrated with the rear fender like on the carbon prototype. The spied bike clearly shows a two-up seat, whereas the prototype was a solo machine, and this makes us believe that the saddlebags are also easily detachable for urban hauls.
The front end, however, seems to be somewhat similar to that of the MGX21. The cowl looks like generous enough to house at least a pair of speakers which, in case Guzzi plans to sell this bagger in the US, are a must in the segment.
An interesting detail is represented by the bug front wheel, which may very well be a 21" unit. The beefy forks are matched by the huge rotors, for an even more commanding look.
On the tech side, we doubt that Moto Guzzi will add or subtract anything from the standard package of the California 1400. In case this is true, we may be looking at the house of Mandello dl Lario trying to replicate a recipe which was very successful across the pond. That is, offering custom-looking ex works, using various accessory packages that graciously tap into the third-party aftermarket zone.
Anyway, we don't expect the new bagger to arrive with carbon fiber accents.
Judging on what we can see in this photo, the saddlebags don't look like being integrated with the rear fender like on the carbon prototype. The spied bike clearly shows a two-up seat, whereas the prototype was a solo machine, and this makes us believe that the saddlebags are also easily detachable for urban hauls.
The front end, however, seems to be somewhat similar to that of the MGX21. The cowl looks like generous enough to house at least a pair of speakers which, in case Guzzi plans to sell this bagger in the US, are a must in the segment.
Using the MoCo recipe for US success
Even the windscreen seems to follow the batwing approach, a design which is very successful in the US, despite the reserved enthusiasm European riders show for it.An interesting detail is represented by the bug front wheel, which may very well be a 21" unit. The beefy forks are matched by the huge rotors, for an even more commanding look.
On the tech side, we doubt that Moto Guzzi will add or subtract anything from the standard package of the California 1400. In case this is true, we may be looking at the house of Mandello dl Lario trying to replicate a recipe which was very successful across the pond. That is, offering custom-looking ex works, using various accessory packages that graciously tap into the third-party aftermarket zone.
Anyway, we don't expect the new bagger to arrive with carbon fiber accents.
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