Moto Guzzi CALIFORNIA 1100- GREEN reviews

I had wanted a Cali Touring for about ten years but my Triumph Thunderbird 1600 was just such a great bike I could not dream of parting ways with the incredible pull of that big reliable parallel twin... FInally in the tenth year I noticed the value of the T bird dropping fast and said well it is time SO I sold the moist trouble-free bike I had ever owned and stepped into Italian ground! It just so happenned that I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic It is not a Jackal it is a California Touring with windshield and hard bags, cruise, three engine maps, but there was no choice for the Touring: Leukemia at Stage 4 so the Guzzi was on hold - maybe permanently! Well I ended uo feeling better and on the day of the first negativ biopsy I ordered a Nero Gentleman (Black and Gold) from a dealer in TX who had a leftover 2018 with 1 mike on the clock and had it shipped to NJ... I don't recommend the shipping bit. Some do it flawlessly and some are shady...My bike arrived without mirrors and with a cracked right plastic wind deflector...the dealer showed me photos of a perfect bike leaving the dealership... Anyway the damn thing rode and handled like a sport bike! A 730 lb sport bike... 70 in twisties was a joy to behold! BUT it IS TOP HEAVY be forewanred!! I tried a slow 12 mph turn at an intersection and the bike could not negotiate it at that speed and went wide... I struck an SUV just enough to push me down and the bike landed with full weight on my right leg breaking the Tibia and Fibulla.. I am just learning to walk again... this happened SEP 4, 2021 today is March 18 2022... Take a slow rider coourse and master this animal or beware its bite! Show less

I've had many bikes over the last 32 years, from the Honda CB200 to the BMW R1150GS. Until owning my Special Sport I've never owned one for more than a couple of years and most of them, not even one. I do thousands of miles, so I soon get to know my bikes. I usually pick them for distance work, so there are a few features I must have but not without compromise. I soon get to know them and because I like to 'crack on' I soon get to know their limits too. So, with some authority on the subject, I'd like to say a few words about my special sport. I've had it for three and a half years now and I've no intention of ever selling it, so that tells you something. Here are some bullets: It's not the fastest but it can easily break the law in any gear, regardless of load. It's sublimely comfortable and stays comfortable for hours. It has the most natural seating position of any bike I've ever seen, let alone owned. It's reliable as long it's properly maintained; it has never let me down. It's economical at 45 miles per English gallon, no matter how I ride and because it sounds so amazing, I tend to get on with my rides. It can take as much luggage as any other bike I've owned, including the GS and with much less impact on handling. It handles unbelievably well for a bike of it's style and I've surprised many sports bike riders on it. It looks stunning (most of the time) and it's timeless, so ther's no worry about looking out of date (if that matters to you). It's very easy maintenance and cheap to do. I do all my own, so it's really cheap and I know exactly what's been done (You can't trust many humans when it comes to money). It'll bob across fields loaded with camping gear with no problem, as long as it's dry and because my feet can rest flat on the ground, I feel very confident fully loaded, off and on road. I can move it around easily straddled across it and because of the excellent side stand, I don't worry about how and what I'm parking on. I get all the protection I need from its simple screen, though I usually don't have one at all; only during the bug season(Yuck!). It's an absolutely perfect bike for me and ticks most of the boxes, most of the time. Downers: It's a pig to clean and because the materials used to build it aren't so good, cleaning better be something you don't neglect. I've had my wheels replaced with stailess ones and I've reworked the electrics for English weather. I've also got rid of the grey paint on the diff and coated it with black, smooth Amarite. Looks great! Things have fallen off it in the past. The naff chrome look plastic bits on the mud guards have long gone but I've replaced them with real McCoy. At tickover, the engine sounds like a bag of bolts but I know there's nothing wrong. Apparently it's just the way they are but I'm determined to sort that out later this year. In one word though, this bike has something in bucket loads that makes it stand out from the rest; heart. I love it. Show less

The Moto Guzzi Griso is AWESOME! I love every minute I'm on it...I couldn't be happier with it! While it doesn't have the highest top end speed out there, it delivers huge amounts of usable torque throughout its RPM range. I ride quite a bit in the Great Smoky Mountains, including the portion of US HWY-129 called the Tail of the Dragon, and I can cruise easily in the straights and carve twisties without excessive shifting. The ergonomics are easy on my 46 year worn body, and it's simply a kick-in-the-pant to ride this bike. Plus, it's entertaining to pull up and see the cruiser riders trying to determine what it is. I've even had one rider ask me if it had an airplane engine! Show less

Having sold my Ducati Monster 8 years ago I just picked up the Breva 1100. This is a great bike with just the right amount of personality. The bike handles well, is very comfortable, has good performance (just under the Duc), sounds good with the stock pipe and gets attention everwhere I've parked it. A key upgrade will be adding the Mistral pipe to give it a bit more attitude. With the large gas tank, you can easily hit 200 miles with the 40 mpg I'm getting now. Show less

I have been riding for over 35 years. My favorite bikes were the BMW GS 1100, Harley FLHT, Yamaha TDM, and Suzuki V-Strom. Well, I now have a new favorite. I purchased a 2002 Guzzi Special Sport a year ago from a little man that complained the stiff suspension caused him pain. It was perfect for my 250 pound butt! This is a do anything bike. It handles like a sport bike, and will run away from my son on his Ninja on mountain roads. It is a better touring bike than the FLHT, plus it is faster. It gets the same gas mileage as my wifes 450 Nighthawk. It is a better off road bike that my V-Strom or GS 1100. I am selling all my other bikes as I spend 90% of my riding time on the Goose. My Special Sport tips the scales at 545 pounds, but feels it weighs only 350. Folks, this is the perfect all around motorcycle. Never any problems at all. Show less

Purchased this bike in 2005, only had 141 miles on it. Have owned all types of bikes throughout my long 52 yr life. Great all around bike. A tremendous bang for the buck value. Handles very well in curves. Am loving every minute riding it. Distinctive looks and great engine sound. Can not say enough about it. Show less

I know I only have a little over 200 miles but I've been riding bikes for some time. I am currently a motorcycle officer for Wilkes-Barre City ('05 BMW F650GS Dualsport). In just the past 5 years I've had a BMW like I ride for work and a Breva 750. I like bikes that fit between cruisers and sport bikes. This one does it perfectly. It's got enough power and handling to stay with the sport bikes through twisting mountain roads and does quite well on the straights too. (My main riding partners have R1's). It also performs great as a cruiser when you just want to take it easy. The riding position is very comfortable and I've had no lower back issues. I love this bike! Show less

I GREW UP ON HARLEYS. OVER THE YEARS, HARLEYS CHANGED AND HARLEY RIDERS CHANGED. BACK IN THE DAY HARLEYS WERE SPECIAL. NO MORE NOW - THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. I WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT SO I GOT MYSELF A GUZZI STONE. WHAT A BIKE! THE PRICE WAS RIGHT, THE BIKE WENT AS FAST AS I COULD STAND, AND I WOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO RIDE FROM WASHINGTON TO NEW YORK. I TELL YOU THE BIKE LOOKS GREAT, IT RUNS GREAT, AND IT GET LOOKS EVERY WHERE I GO. I HAVE A HARLEY AND IT IS ALSO A GOOD BIKE BUT THE BIKES ARE NOT THE SAME. IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO THINK YOU ARE A BAD ASS, GET A HARLEY. IF YOU WANT A BIKE FOR THE PURE MOTORCYCLIST, GET A GUZZI. YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH THE GUZZI! Show less

It's an amazing bike. Dependable, comfortable, fast, and sexy. I've only put 8400 miles on it in the last 8 months, but it's a great ride. I would definitely recommend this bike to anyone looking. Show less

I bought my Guzzi three and a half years ago after 20+ years of no riding. I was attracted to the uniqueness and Italian style, as well as a heritage that matches any other brand. I have been thoroughly pleased with nearly all aspects of the ride. I get very favorable comments nearly every time anyone sees it. Whether it's young kids, middle aged women in SUVs, hot rodders, or tourists, they all say 'what a cool ride'. I ride every day from April through October and weekends during the remainder of the year. It has only let me down once when my battery died. Otherwise it is extremely reliable and solid. The performance is very good and rarely have I wished for more. This bike is very flexible. I have gone on many errands picking up all kinds of large items. I have a backrest/rack that handles everything. In fact, I occasionally look like I'm in Thailand with a week's worth of groceries on the back. The only complaints are clutch adjustment, speedo cable, and slow parts delivey. Other than that, it is an excellent and unique motorcycle. I could take it to 100k miles and I couldn't be more pleased. Show less