Moto Guzzi Cruiser reviews

I bought this bike after having a small sports bike for the sake of exploring the other facets of the hobby. I liked the idea of a Harley Sportster, but could not wrap my head around why such a simple bike could weigh so much, or accept the lack of a 6th gear. I did a bit more research and came across this bike. It's relatively light, with the official weight being 430lbs wet, and it had the ever elusive 6th gear I was looking for. It's also, in my opinion, a beautiful motorcycle. The motor makes the whole experience of this bike. It is not powerful, and you will not achieve great speeds on the highway. But what it does deliver is loads of personality. The noise it makes is fantastic and is akin to the sound of a muscle car. It is torquey, really good performance right out of the hole. Additionally, it has traction control and a slipper clutch, so downshifting is a breeze and a pleasure. I have heard horror stories about Moto Guzzi and their reliability. I am at about the 8,000 mile mark and so far all is well. You do feel the effect of some lesser build quality; I wanted to change the gear oil in the final drive and the fill plug stripped instantaneously (I was using a torque wrench that was set to the factory spec). Additionally, Moto Guzzi, as of a year or two ago has stopped factory support for this bike in favor of their new line up, so no dealership will touch this thing. You have to do the work yourself or find a trustworthy independent. Luckily, it is a very simple machine. I would recommend this bike to those who want a laid back cruiser, especially if you are not particularly interested in technical riding and just want a fun and convenient way to enjoy a sunny day. Show less