Moto Guzzi California Special Sport reviews

The V7's competitors are BMW R nine T, Royal Enfield INT 650, Triumph Speed Twin 900. The Moto Guzzi wins having a larger fuel tank (25L) giving it a much higher range. Comfort/ Ergonomics, MG wins as the seat and suspension are geared towards less fatigue than the others thus enabling longer rides with less discomfort than the others. Power, with the exception of the Nine R T which has a bigger displacement the Moto Guzzi again Beats the competition. Value, the V7 has the edge here as it has a very reasonable price point. Quantity, Made in Italy for over 100 years the Moto Guzzi is a respected marque and has produced fine motorcycles longer than the majority of motorcycle manufacturers. Show less

First of all my 2023 Moto Morini Seiemmizzo SCR is my first motorcycle and I LOVE IT! After 6 months and 2800 miles on the clock my Moto Morini runs great even after two low speed crashes. Nothing too serious. Broken brake leveler and bent gear shifter. Both of which were repaired. I did remove about 10 pounds of plastic parts to really make my bike fly. In truth the Moto Morini bikes are designed and tested in Italy but built in China. Parts are cheap and the engine on my model is a Kawasaki clone so it’s solid. I have ridden on the street and off road without issue. So much fun y’all! If your looking for a new bike under $10k I highly recommend you check the Moto Morini line up. Show less

The V7 line is such an easy motorcycle to ride comfortably until you arrive at the 70mph mark, then it's too light and without the power and/or braking needed to ride safely at that speed. I have the rare Stornello scambler trim (not the Special) with a facotry two-up Pipe and it gets consistent compliments. The engine/transmission/shaft drive are wonderful and the bike starts every time! It sips gas unless you are really cracking the throttle wide open. The bike is fairly simple making it easy to work on, and/or easy to find a mechanic who is willing to work on the bike for you. The frame rake/travel and the rim selections 17/18 make this a good all around ride. I replaced the stock tires with Bridgestone Battleax AX41S tires and that improved the ride significantly. The V7 has undergone performance improvements since 2016, with the most notable occurring in 2020 when the 750 engine was replaced by an 850 engine with more HP and Torque! Sadly Guzzi has not built the V7 in the Stornello trim since 2016. That said, they always have a nice trim selection and this year they have a Corsa trim that is just beautiful! You really can't go wrong with the V7 if you want a nice all around bike that is reliable and fun to ride. Show less

This is by far the nicest bike that I have ever owned, it’s capabilities far exceed my own….it is light and nimble but still sticks to the road very well in the gusty high wind…This bike is very easy to ride and you will find this an ideal bike for a beginner, newly licensed rider to gain experience…. That can grow with you as you gain experience and confidence,,, With it’s six speed transmission and power band it easily cruises at any speed, from urban city street speeds to open highway...it is perfect for touring with it’s powerful 853 CC V Twin Engine and long range fuel capacity, giving it a range of almost 200 miles between fuel stops ...That coupled with the comfortable Italian Leather Seat… And the maintenance requirements are so easy if you are inclined to do your own work, or even if you do hire a shop or mechanic...first of all...Shaft Drive so No Chain to have to deal with…. With the bike on the center stand …. You can easily remove both tires…And that is wonderful if you ever have a tire problem on the road... And for the rest of the routine service, you can easily change all of the fluids with your bike on the center stand, Engine Oil and Filter…. Transmission and Final Drive, are all easily accessible with the bike on the center stand and there is also room for the drain pan too….There is no coolant to worry about, and checking and setting the valves couldn't be easier.. Nothing to pull, like the gas tank to gain access, because the cylinder heads are right out in the open and you check and set them the old way no shims or disassembly of the valves or head with the lock nut adjustment… I have enjoyed riding this through the mountains and canyons and across the open range through the occasional herd of cattle and surprising deer or antelope, but even the trip to check the mail, or to the store always brings a smile to my face... Show less

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

I got this bike new as a leftover late last year. It looks even better in reality, it sounds great, and once I rode it (my first Guzzi) I was hooked. Actually, I had been looking for a R1150R, but I was glad to discover that there's something unique about this bike. You've got to ride one to see for yourself. It won't win speed contests, though it's plenty fast for any real-life situation. Instead, it's rock-solid, corners like on rails, and it feels and sounds like nothing else. It's also good to know that Guzzi is the second oldest motorcycle company in the world that has continued production with no interruption. The bike is very comfortable for a sporty ride. Probably more so than its clip-on siblings. The handlebar is wide and fairly raised and the seat is comfortable for a whole day. Other than minor niggles that can be sorted out fairly easily (e.g., my speedo/odo cable quit on me after about 700 miles and was replaced under warranty), these bikes are known to be pretty bulletproof. The engine has been basically used for the Guzzis for the last 40 years. It is a great design that is simple and stone-ax reliable. Maintenance is a breeze. Valves are probably the easiest to adjust anywhere. All is very simple and straightforward. Just make sure that you put good engine oil in it and change it every 3000 miles. They say the engine gets better as the miles pile up. I can't see myself ever giving up on this bike. Show less

I purchased this brand new 2000 V11 Sport and I absolutely love it. Right from the start it felt like something special. Just the way the bike feels on the road and the heavenly sound the pipes make. I did end up adding the Guzzi TI racing kit with the upgraded ECU and it has made a great difference. The bike pulls even better and the sound is fantastic. Plus the pipes are so light I think the bike is now about 15 pounds lighter. It has been really reliable and has never let me down at all. All these years later it still turns heads and even more so now that all bikes are starting to look the same and the V11 really stands out among the flock. It is also comfy enough to take on long trips with a reasonable amount of luggage. Bottom line is that I would for sure buy this bike again if I were to make another bike purchase. 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