Moto Guzzi California Special
The steam and the crowd just demand something different. The coast, like the cities inland, becomes too crowded for a man to calm his nerves. But every “doctor” first says that it’s not good to get upset. In fine weather, the medically recommended prescription for a motorcycle: California Special pearl white is a very beautiful example.
It is quite artistically processed, so it does not need additional decoration, although you can buy this or that. ... possibly bags for excess luggage. Although, maybe the man will buy something for himself. Guzzi makes motorcycle leathers in the Versace boutique to be a stylish rider.
Pearl White! Beautiful. Deep shimmering varnish dissolves the rays in the sea of the setting sun. Shine attracts the eye of the owner and passers-by. And thoughts are soon lost in pleasant dreams, as this motorcycle gives free rein to the imagination. The designer of this Guzzi left his creativity very free. What the skilful hands of Italian craftsmen have created from metal is elegant, thoughtful and elegant. Finished nicely.
The borders are handcrafted if you care. Worth seeing. Soft rounded lines and a very expressive combination of lacquer and chrome evoke thoughts of pleasure, unhurried movement, seduction.
At first glance, California may not excite you. But watch it live. Dive into the details that say the Guzzi is the original, not a cheap copy. You may also find some flaws and some traces of use in it, but no one is perfect. But California is so original and expressive that in general it can be convincing, even if you look through the money.
Alone with today's very large family of cruisers or custom motorcycles that have taken the world so massively, I have no established relationship. These motorcycles work properly, but, as a rule, they are far from knowledge of ergonomics, and therefore well-being. Driving performance (almost) never convinces me, as it is measurable in absolute terms and therefore does not reach reasonable values. However, this raises a safety issue if the braking system is comparable to a ship's anchor and yoga suspension.
Hanging on a seat, suspended on the transverse vertebrae and with outstretched legs, which deprives the body of stability in this position, is uncomfortable and unnatural. But the man gets used to it. Guzzi isn't much of an extremist in this regard, although the California Special has gone a lot further. The Special model has opened a new direction, which experts call "Eurocast", as it combines American style with European standards of technology and driving performance.
The Californian model itself has been the unchanged and best-selling Guzzi star for many years. Around 1998, 40.000 motorcycles were sold and most of the motorcycles are still in service, according to the service network. Interesting, right? Guzzi is cutting competition too much. Admittedly, I can say in a parable that he is sitting on a low seat, like on a toilet, and that his arms are hanging down, as if he had an open newspaper there.
But let's not forget: the feet are very close to the ground; both classic sensors are located sufficiently in the direction of view so as not to distract the driver from the road; Have you noticed that the Guzzi has an integrated braking system that connects the front braking system to the rear: you press the rear brake pedal and it brakes the other front disc. Have you seen the drums themselves? Size 320mm and name Oro Brembo sports car sale!
But in Guzzi they know that a man needs good brakes if the two of them descend from a mountain pass. It was found (finally) at Harley last year. Yes, a Guzzi driver can have a wooden leg and a lot of fear, but stopping a 270kg car is not dangerous. The Bosch Braking Corrector also helps to dose the braking effect. The braking effect is good, it gives a feeling of reliability, and from this side the driver can be very calm.
Guzzi offers safety in all caps. If you look at the wheels, you will find a technical feature that only a few have: the beautiful aluminum ring has a kind of double edge (patented) on which the spokes are attached. Consequently, they do not penetrate the rim wall, which is why Guzzi has tubeless tires. It is safer because a flat tire loses air more slowly and the driver can stop slowly and safely. Also note the steering oscillator, which is mounted on the left side between the frame and the front telescopic fork.
The Marzocchi front fork has 45mm levers and is adjustable in both compression and tension. However, a pair of Sachs-Boge rear shocks have adjustable spring preload and adjustable hydraulic extension. If we add a frame made of steel pipes of a closed structure (but it is removable), then the packaging is currently the richest. The driving characteristics are completely predictable as long as the rider on the motorcycle is soft and smooth.
However, he does not like abrupt starts and falls into turns and reacts with vibrations at a fairly low frequency. It's manageable. Please note that the driver is on the verge of what is permitted.
Little can be said about the large two-cylinder engine. This is not yesterday, as we know it in a slightly different form and with a volume of 703 cm3 there since 1965. Therefore, we can blame him for some kind of decision that goes beyond fashionable principles. Let's say there is a camshaft in the block and a few extra vibrations. However, some people love shaking, so this is more a matter of taste than technique.
Guzzi is versatile and therefore does not carry any risk. It has two valves in each head, the fuel is supplied to the cylinders by the Weber-Marelli injection system, which sucks in air through a pair of 40 mm injectors. This two-cylinder engine can breathe well, accelerating to 200 km per hour, so fuel consumption can be higher than we are used to. However, all this is not worth mentioning.
The five-speed transmission and dry clutch work together in a pretty exemplary way, and only the driveline on the bike could react more restrainedly. BMW is more efficient here. You need to get used to this and forget that the person will press very sharply. Well, the philosophy of the cruiser movement advises not to dissemble. The engine power and torque are enough to be able to sparkle quickly and quickly with such a machine, if the muscles of the neck can withstand it. A plexiglass windshield is available at an additional cost, but I recommend it because it provides some protection from drafts and dirt in the air.
The California Special is a wonderful object of desire. Beautifully clean and polished - a very effective seducer. Even more can happen to the owner than just subdue the lady. There is a danger that the lady will start his car. Driving the Guzzi is pretty easy.
Motorcycle price: 8.087 euro (Autoplus, dd, Istria ok. 71, Koper)
Informative
Warranty conditions: 3 years + mobile warranty
Prescribed maintenance intervals: for the first time at 5000 km and at a pace of 10.000 km
Color combinations: pearl white; black
Original accessories: windshield; luggage bags; clothes from Moto Guzzi boutique
Number of authorized dealers / repairers: 6/6
Technical information
engine: 4-stroke - 2-cylinder V at 90° transverse - air-cooled, 1 oil cooler - 1 camshaft in block, handrails - 2 valves per cylinder - bore and stroke 92×80 mm - displacement 1064 cm3 - compression 9 : 5 - maximum power 1 kW (54 hp) at 74 rpm - maximum torque 6400 Nm at 94 rpm - Weber-Marelli fuel injection - unleaded petrol (OŠ 5000) - electronic ignition - 95 V battery , 12 Ah - generator 30V 14A - electric starter
Energy transfer: primary gear, gear ratio 1, 2353 (17/21) - hydraulically operated double-plate dry clutch - 5-speed gearbox, gear ratios: I. 2, 00, II. 1, 388, III. 1, 047, IV. 0, 869, V. 0, 75 - universal joint and gear assembly, gear ratio 4, 125 (8/33)
Frame: double closed, steel tubing, yoke screwed onto the engine and therefore removable - frame head angle 28° - front 98 mm - wheelbase 1560 mm
Suspension: Marzocchi front telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, adjustable compression in the left arm and extension in the right arm, travel 124 mm - steering vibration damper - rear swingarm with cardan shaft, Sachs-Booge damper, adjustable spring preload and hydraulic part in the extension, extension 114 mm
Wheels and tires: BBS aluminum classic rings – front wheel 2, 50 × 18 with 110 / 90VB18 tires – rear wheel 3, 50 × 17 with 140 / 80VB17 tires; tubeless tires
brakes: inseparably connected with the pressure corrector in the system; 2 x 320mm front Brembo coil with Serie Oro 4-piston sponge – 282mm rear coil with Serie Oro 2-piston sponge
Wholesale apples: length 2380 mm - width 945 mm - height 1150 mm - seat height from the ground 760 mm - feet height from the ground 350 mm - minimum distance from the ground 160 mm - fuel tank 19 l / 4 l reserve - weight (dry, factory) 251 kg
Capacities (factory): maximum speed 200 km / h
Our measurements
Weight with liquids: 273 kg
Fuel consumption:
maximum: 10, 2 l
medium test: 7, 87 l
We praise
+ appearance
+ brakes
+ headlights
+ guarantee
We scold
- fluctuations during acceleration
- Difficulty shifting transmission when the engine is loaded
final grade
The Moto Guzzi California Special is definitely a designer motorcycle with rich equipment and thoughtful details. Handmade and high-quality varnishing are virtues that cannot be ignored. The two-cylinder Guzzi engine is a legend and a symbol of recognition. In short, Guzzi's "Eurocustom" turned out to be a serious bike worth considering.
Mitya Gustinchich
Photo: Urosh Potocnik.
Technical information
engine: 4-stroke - 2-cylinder V at 90° transverse - air-cooled, 1 oil cooler - 1 camshaft in block, handrails - 2 valves per cylinder - bore and stroke 92×80 mm - displacement 1064 cm3 - compression 9,5 : 1 - maximum power 54 kW (74 hp) at 6400 rpm - maximum torque 94 Nm at 5000 rpm - Weber-Marelli fuel injection - unleaded petrol (OŠ 95) - electronic ignition - 12 V battery , 30 Ah - generator 14V 25A - electric starter
Energy transfer: primary gear, gear ratio 1,2353 (17/21) - hydraulically actuated dual-plate dry clutch - 5-speed gearbox, gear ratios: I. 2,00, II. 1,388, III. 1,047, IV. 0,869, V. 0,75 - universal joint and gear assembly, gear ratio 4,125 (8/33)
Frame: double closed, steel tubing, yoke screwed onto the engine and therefore removable - frame head angle 28° - front 98 mm - wheelbase 1560 mm
brakes: inseparably connected with the pressure corrector in the system; 2 x 320mm front Brembo coil with Serie Oro 4-piston sponge – 282mm rear coil with Serie Oro 2-piston sponge
Suspension: Marzocchi front telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm, adjustable compression in the left arm and extension in the right arm, travel 124 mm - steering vibration damper - rear swingarm with cardan shaft, Sachs-Booge damper, adjustable spring preload and hydraulic part in the extension, extension 114 mm
Weight: length 2380 mm - width 945 mm - height 1150 mm - seat height from the ground 760 mm - feet height from the ground 350 mm - minimum distance from the ground 160 mm - fuel tank 19 l / 4 l reserve - weight (dry, factory) 251 kg
