2014 EICMA: 2015 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Variants Preview
Moto Guzzi revealed three new California 1400 variants joining the returning Custom and Touring models. Taking the stage at EICMA were the Eldorado (pictured above), the muscle bike styled Audace and the California 1400 Touring Special Edition.
Moto Guzzi Eldorado
The Moto Guzzi Eldorado is a tribute to the classic model of the same name introduced to the U.S. in the late ’60s. The new model sports classic touches such as wire-spoke wheels, white walled tires, chromium sides to the fuel tank, an oversized saddle, gem-shaped taillight and bullhorn handlebar.
The Eldorado has a lower setup than the other California models, thanks to its 16-inch wheels. The white wall tires (130/90 up front, 180/65 at the rear) spin under large wraparound fenders paired with covered suspension shocks.
The seat is positioned just 28.5 inches from the ground which, combined with the large footboards and pullback handlebars makes for a relaxed riding position.
The classic styling is paired with the California’s modern technology such as ride-by-wire throttle, three ride modes, traction control, the polygonal headlight with LED daylight running lights and a multi-function dot matrix display.
Moto Guzzi Audace
The Audace sports a more muscular posture and stands out from the other California models with its blacked-out styling, round headlight and carbon front fender. The footboards and rocker shifter were removed in favor of forward mounted pegs. The seat is lower than on the California Custom, combining with the new foot position and the drag handlebar for more stretched-out riding position. An oversized 200/65 rear tire helps complete the look.
The engine is unchanged but the Euro 4-approved megaphone exhausts and a few pounds in weight saving should make the Audace quicker off the line than the rest of the California 1400 family.
Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring SE
The special edition version of the Moto Guzzi California Touring adds a passenger backrest, chromium grab handle, chromium-plated sealed fork tubes and a two-tone paint scheme. Otherwise, the SE is identical to the regular California Touring.
U.S. pricing and availability remain to be announced.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Judging by the number of very high quality variations of fairly limited volume Italian bikes, Italy must have a supplier industry capable of doing extremely high quality, small batch, work, relatively cost effectively. And OEMs very much geared towards working with them.
From Japan, you buy your one true model, made by the thousands upon thousands, and then do "improvements" and customization yourself. While the Italians lets you do the equivalent of ordering the Yoshi Pipe, Sargent Saddle and Jesse James style paintwork right from the factory.
While you pay more, miss out on the extreme quality testing possible when all you have is one model variation to worry about, and certainly can't expect every little dealer to stock every little part all the time, the Italians have managed to get closer to a streamlined ownership experience that I would have thought possible even 20 years ago.
Liking the Eldorado, would look nice next to my 74.