Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi are the oldest European motorcycle manufacturer in continuous production and are now owned by the Piaggio group, Europe’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.
Guzzi was established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy and has a number of firsts under its belt including the first motorcycle wind tunnel and the first eight-cylinder motorcycle engine.
The wings logo of the brand is actually a commemoration to the ‘third’ Moto Guzzi founder Giovanni Ravelli. Serving in the Italian Air Corp, two pilots and their mechanic decided to create a motorcycle company after the war.
Carlo Guzzi, Giovanni Ravelli and Giorgio Parodi had decided on the roles each of them would take on within the company; Guzzi would engineer the bikes, Parodi would provide finances and Ravelli (a famous pilot and motorcycle racer) would promote the bikes by racing them.
Tragically, Ravelli died just days after World War I ended in an aircraft crash and so Guzzi and Parodi created the wings in commemoration.
Carlo Guzzi’s first engine was a horizontal single that lasted over 45 years of the company’s history in various configurations. As they had originally planned, Moto Guzzi used racing to promote the bikes and in 1935 Stanley Woods grabbed a double win at the Isle of Man TT in the Lightweight and Senior classes.
Between 1935 and 1957 Guzzi’s won five consecutive 350cc world championships and Giulio Carcano decided to step up and created the V8 500CC GP race bike.
The engine was one of the most complex ever made at the time and it lead many races, unfortunately mechanical problems meant it often failed to complete races.
In 1967 a state controlled receiver took ownership of Moto Guzzi and it was during this time that the 90° V twin engine, designed by Giulio Cesare Carcano, which would become iconic of Moto Guzzi, was produced.
In 1973, De Tomaso Industries purchased the state controlled receiver, and therefore Moto Guzzi, along with Benelli and Maserati.
Under Tomaso’s leadership the company returned to profitability and in 2000 Aprilia bought the brand for $65 million. The less said about this period the better and in 2004, and to this day, Moto Guzzi is owned by the Piaggio group.
Moto GuzziStay On The Black were at the press day of the Motorcycle Show at the NEC to bring you the latest and greatest 2 wheeled machines (not forgetting the girls!) 
All of the relish of challenges between gentlemen riders comes back to life in the classic sportiness of the V7.
The new Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 4V NTX represents a fusion between the Italian passion for motorcycle as an unparalleled expression of style, engineering excellence and riding pleasure.
The new 8V version of the 1200 cc twin-cylinder Moto Guzzi Norge has been updated.
The Griso 8V SE is a Special Edition machine for collectors from Moto Guzzi who designed this version especially for the most demanding enthusiasts.
Most Popular Today
