Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom Motorcycle Experience Road Test

[@lewsoltis5142]

I purchased a 2014 Moto Guzzi California (same color) based on this video. The comments and content provided in the video are very accurate. Love this bike!

[@RickyLepre]

This review is pretty spot on. I am now the owner of one of these bikes.A California 1400 ABS Touring. A great bike so far. I came from a BMW K 1300R which I loved but was a license burner. I wanted all the safety gear of the BMW but in a cruiser. This bike ticked every box. No other cruiser had all the safety features of this bike. Traction control and ABS brakes were a must. The engine mapping,fly by wire throttle were just a bonus. Great looks and kerb side appeal along with comfort and exclusativity ( it's not or ever tries to be a Harley) with great pricing was the icing on the bonus. I looked at every bike in this category and at the time of purchase there was only one other bike that would challenge it if you had the extra coin and that bike too is Italian. I picked up a 2nd hand Guzzi with only 6,500 klms including two new tyres and a service at a very good price. :-) I also had a very close look at Harley, Victory,Triumph as I respect the marques but none had all the features of the Guzzi. And yes it does ride as good as it looks. A dream come true as I wanted one since the early 90's after my marriage broke down. I was just going to tour Australia in one. Common sense prevailed and I ended up putting a deposit on a house instead. Now I'm living the dream the "California dream"

[@leoverran311]

You had me until the California part

[@erwinroman4217]

Long time Guzzi rider here. Still have my '86 LeMans from new and had a Monza and Cal III. The more I look at the 1400 series the more I like them. Gorgeous bikes. The one styling thing that draws my eye and looks odd is the vertical break from the seat down through the sidepanels, gearbox, swingarm and exhaust shield. Reminds me of the Disco Volante, Emilio Largo's yacht in James Bond's "Thunderball." The yacht that divided into two. If I end up with a 1400 it will be called the Disco Volante.

[@braddenning1617]

CALIFORNIA 1400 BEST BIKE EVER MADE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! 40 Years on Harleys and this puts them to shame !!!!!! I NEVER WANT TO GET OFF THIS THING !!!

[@hotchihuahua1546]

Having owned a Moto Guzzi EV11 California the Moto Guzzi is the Bentley of motorcycles .

[@jasonkelsey3441]

Wish they still made these :(

[@blackbirdpie217]

That axial V twin should be a lot smoother than a radial V like we have with the Harley (ridiculous shaking) and even the much smoother metric cruisers. I like this!

[@homeontherange733]

I have an Eldorado. The cyliners sticking out like that run much cooler than a radial configuration. I can put my hand on the valve covers while riding down the road. Not so much after you stop and let it set for a few minutes.

[@Diap842IV]

What a difference a few years makes. The 1400 line is discontinued and current seller ads stay up for months unless they give them away. Seems like a good bike but an older Goldwing checks most boxes and is perhaps better value.

[@عابرسبيل-و5ي1س]

one of the best if not the best. thanks for sharing

[@zinger52]

looks great and sounds pleasant for long touring with the accompanying leathers a complete package

[@mr7wi]

Hendrik Huizing Took possession of my Cali 1400 a month ago. Well appointed bike, complete with fly by wire throttle, cruise, abs, traction control, engine mapping and hard sided bags. I feel some heat from the engine, but not that much. Shaft drive makes for a smooth ride. Not sure why it is placed in the 'cruiser' category: it's metric ride.

[@TheHuester44]

Seems like a really cool Bike

[@JohnInSale]

Nice review and idea to let a normal rider have a go, only thing was as a viewer i'd like to know what his normal bike was so as to see where he was coming from etc

[@georgec2126]

Lovely bike. But how does an experienced rider survive that long if he doesn't look over his shoulder before pulling out? Just a thought...

[@erryrollins]

Great bike and nice review-test-report. :)

[@rebeltz2010]

you guys in USA are lucky!!! this costs a lot more here in oz!!! try about 25k and our dollars nearly the same as yours!!! we get really screwed here on everything and no you cant bring one in either , I checked it out , Im old time and current guzzi owner and rider !! and I love it especially the the cruiser model ....29k!!! here enjoy it and visit the Peterborough moto museum in south Australia s ,mid north.... friendly people here and when your here one day Guzzi Ryan !!! and watch out for speed/ spy / data harvesters,,, cameras here ,,, 1984...g Orwell is here now to!!

[@sublimekid247]

+rebeltz2010 Yea but you got the Bellagio dont you?

[@smeghead61]

Actually, I don't believe you are correct. $18490 in USA $24990 is Australia. Our A$ is around 72 cents, it has peaked toward the 80cents but did not stay there long. On todays exchange rate the US price is above the A$ sell currently. If the A$ goes up they do not adjust pricing (same in US) as it would destroy resale even more. Also consider A$ price always quotes with sales tax included, US pricing taxes are added at the point of sale.

[@scrambler350]

Man, i'd really like to take that thing for a ride.

[@mr7wi]

scrambler350 If you have the opportunity, map the engine to "Veloce". And hang on.

[@n300zx931]

You can tell he doesn’t ride anything but cruisers. Just his comment on breaking alone was enough to see that lol

[@michaelmaxwell568]

Those big Brembos haul this thing down from 60-0 in 120 feet, so....

[@tms372]

Did he say it was a 20 minute ride??

[@davidgreve1081]

This is a 3 year old review. What improvements have they made on the 2017 Californian?

[@davidgreve1081]

It has to be a hard job to do any improvements when it looks like you just did it all already. The R&D department has their work cut out for them.

[@lightice1387]

Does anyone know if the 2020 eldorado model is any good ? I plan to buy it here in Dubai, UAE . However , a couple of issues : 1. I don’t think the service support is as good as the HD 2. Is the engine air cooled or liquid cooled .For those that don’t know , the weather here gets extremely hot and wasn’t sure whether or not to go with a air cooled bike.

[@dreadnought1984]

1. If you don't have a dealer close-by, service can be tricky. There's not much to do besides changing the oil and adjusting the valves (easy). 2. The engine is oil cooled, and I haven't had any problems in 100-105* traffic jams. It started to get warm once in Daytona, but I was being a jerk with the throttle too.

[@craigpennington1251]

This is the first verbal review that was done right. I really like the looks of the Guzzi but I don't like all the electronics. ABS doesn't work-don't like that at all. My car was totaled because in a panic stop-brake pedal goes to the floor and you keep on going. I've done panic stops in most makes and all are the same - pedal goes to the floor and you don't stop. Great video on a cool looking bike though.

[@homeontherange733]

You do have the option of turning ABS and Traction control off.

[@dreadnought1984]

The ABS on mine works great, It's saved my life a couple of times over the last 20,000 miles.

[@MickH60]

sounds like you're just a shitty driver/rider....

[@craigpennington1251]

P.S. How far can you lean it before scraping parts?

[@gregorytimmons4777]

Testers that address this say it is not an issue.

[@scbikerdude]

Anyone have one of these and know how hard it would be to make a two-up mini tourer? Only talking about windshield, better seat, and some bags.

[@louv3080]

+scbikerdude They make a Touring version of this exact same bike ... look it up.

[@scbikerdude]

+Lou V yes, I am aware but I ran across a good price on one of these. about 6K less

[@louv3080]

+scbikerdude Ah, I see. $6k is a lot. You can get a larger windshield. I have the mini cafe style. Seats I'm not so sure about and I heard that the supplier of the MG hard bags has stopped making them but not sure if that's true or not. Head over to guzzitech.com and poke around.

[@terryjohn]

If you buy one ,then be warned of the crap after sales .

[@dennism103]

Amazing

[@chaba49]

bike looks great but those Pipes gotta go

[@dennism103]

Definitely gotta get some rineharts

[@columbus8585]

ever tested an m109r?

[@MotorcycleExperience]

kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=gAOhpl7Z2YY

[@dennism103]

I ride a Harley road king m8 and that bike is superior...

[@georgegould667]

I see throttle cables

[@overbuiltlimited]

“6’2” 200lbs.” Com’on now. With a bear belly like that, more like 230/240

[@JP-ir2eq]

3:45 I'm 6'2", 200. lmao

[@savagekeyboardtrooper]

Probably he's an ex-wrestler...intercontinental..😂