Not since the ‘50s, when Moto Guzzi’s booming V-twins dominated the 250 and 350cc Grand Prix world championships, have the people of Mandello del Lario, home of Moto Guzzi motorcycles for the last 92 years, had so much to celebrate. The marque’s recent successes haven’t been achieved on the racetrack, though, but where it really counts – in the marketplace. What really got the Italian villagers throwing their hats in the air was that the most significant victories have been scored by their Moto Guzzi California 1400 in the USA, long-established domain of the large twin-cylinder cruiser that dominates production in that country.
The world’s most respected financial publication, the Wall Street Journal, kicked off the transatlantic wave of approval by running a very favourable report on the California Custom in April this year. Writer Dan Neil concluded by saying “If Moto Guzzi were ever a victim of its own charisma, the California goes a long way to fixing that. This is a thoroughly modern, effortless-to-ride big cruiser that still manages to retain Guzzi's idiosyncrasy, its Latin stubbornness. And it's beautiful. Did I mention that?”
The prestigious luxury-lifestyle magazine, The Robb Report, followed up in June by awarding the Moto Guzzi California 1400 the accolade of Motorcycle Cruiser of the Year in its 27th Best of the Best - Luxury Portfolio Awards that focused the publication’s spotlight on the finest yachts, private jets, cars, holiday homes, watches, jewelry, and all the other trappings of wealth enjoyed by the rich and famous. There the surprisingly affordable Guzzi joined other category winners on their wall of fame that’s filled mainly with names like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, and Chanel.
While fans of America’s much-loved V-twin motorcycles could question the credentials of those who wrote for these trendy publications, they found their case considerably weakened when the world’s biggest motorcycle publication, Cycle World, announced early in August that its team of highly professional testers had, after rigorous back-to-back testing of the finalists, placed the Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom at the pinnacle of cruiser motorcycles in its 2013 Bike of the Year competition. In announcing the award, the editor pronounced thus: “This Italian gets under your skin in a good way, its air-cooled 1380cc V-Twin winning us over with torque and the starring role it plays in the Art Deco looks of the bike. Though classically styled, the California is modern, with three levels of power delivery and traction control, plus ABS and cruise control - none of which detracts from the bike’s mechanically satisfying nature.”
Just weeks after Cycle World announced its findings, the testers at the very influential Motorcycle.Com website involved themselves by also putting their hands up for the Moto Guzzi California as their choice for Best Cruiser of 2013. “"The California stands out as something truly special,” said the statement announcing their choice. “It retains Guzzi’s traditional charm but is enhanced by a vastly superior powerplant, useful (and class-leading) electronics, and a visual presence that looks outstanding riding down the boulevard. For bringing a different kind of cool to the staid cruiser category, the Moto Guzzi California is our 2013 Cruiser of the Year".
Finally, in the recent inaugural 2013 Pirelli South African Bike of the Year competition that selected but one outright winner, the big Guzzi, pitted against the very best sports, nakeds, cruisers and dual-purpose machinery from across the spectrum, finished high up in the scoring with a top-six position after a very close-fought battle.
Moto Guzzi is an elite brand that comes nowhere near the mainstream manufacturers in terms of volume, but sales worldwide are climbing steadily. In 2012 Guzzi bucked the trend and sales improved by 15,3%, with the first six months of 2013 following suit. The motorcycles are sought after by purists who want a lusty V-twin engine with lots of soul, as well as thoroughly modern technology and superior build-quality.
Moto Guzzi motorcycles are imported and distributed by KMSA, and sold through selected dealerships in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. For further information on products and outlets visit http://motoguzzisa.co.za/ or e-mail 
