When I arrived at Motociclo to
collect the Moto Guzzi California 1400 custom, I realised I had not done my
research as what I was introduced to was not what I had always known Moto Guzzi
Californias to look like. 1400 custom looked nothing like its
namesakes.
The 1400 customs was long, low and
ultra-modern from its headlight which looks like nothing else to its led
taillights and integrated indicators. What I notice at this time were the guards
were no longer Moto Guzzi steel but moulded plastic. Things had changed in many
areas and I would discover most of them.
Normally it’s just swing the leg over
the seat, turn on the ignition, hit the starter and away you go. John insisted
on taking me for a personal tour on how to operate this
stallion.
There are 3 engine settings or
mapping, Sports, Touring and Rain, with 1380 cc and 71 KW, you should have some
say in how much is going to be delivered.
I was finally ready. So it was, hit
the starter and with its lungs throbbing to each side of the tank, clunk into
first and the Stallion and I were underway. This not traditional Moto Guzzi
California, aside from the 3 engine maps, there is a digital readout to tell you
more things than you need to know but maybe I am old fashion when it comes to
Cruisers. The ‘how much to I start pushing 300 KGS’ aka ‘how far to empty’ was
something to be welcomed.
The brakes are fantastic being Brembo
at both ends with ABS, I didn’t have to test them in a state of panic but they
just worked so well all the time and added to the confidence of the
ride.
So Saturday came and it was time to
take the Black Stallion for a romp in the back paddocks, a nice little trip from
Dural to the Sackville Ferry pass the roadside works then the cardiac stop at
Ebenezer Church and Devonshire Tea.
Eight big tough looking, leather clad riders sitting around a table
drinking coffee and the crockery is doily covered to keep the insects at bay,
but I digress. We ride to Spencer for a great lunch and discover the new store
owner is very motorcyclist friendly. We then ventured to Central Mangrove and on
to the Pie in the Sky.
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| The Sackville Ferry crossing. |
 |
| Ebenezer Church. |
The roads we covered vary greatly
with interesting moss covered along the Hawkesbury River, the climb up to
Central Mangrove, the open sweepers (with cyclists) to the interchange, the old
road to the Pie in the Sky. My riding companions rode a mixture of motorcycles
being; a Kawasaki Ninja 636, BMW K100RS, Triumph Thruxton, Triumph Bonneville
Harley Sportster, Harley Electra Glide and a Honda Goldwing. The stallion seemed to fit in so well for the
cruising with the Harleys to a quick run up to the Pie in the Sky, OK the Ninja
and BMW kept their distance ahead but I think it was the rider not the
California. None of us were there for a race so the corners just lead onto each
other and the Stallion took them all in its stride except I did scrap the left
riding board but only so slightly.
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| Wisemans Ferry Crossing. |
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| Spencer. A Fat Boy on a Moto Guzzi. |
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| Hey, you are suppose to be talking about the Guzzi not the Sportster! |
So how was it? I enjoyed the riding,
the sound, the acceleration and brakes but I do not think I would have one in my
garage. I am not a cruiser person and it’s not what I would have as a Moto
Guzzi. This is for the new rider where tradition doesn’t keep you stuck in the
past. It does everything you ask and does it so well. I have discussed the bike
with some of the other riders, we came to the conclusion it’s for the person
looking at Harley V Rods, Suzuki Boulevards, Ducati Diavels or Triumph
Thunderbird Storms. These all satisfy the market and the 1400 Custom would have
to be on their shopping list if not, it’s their loss.
Thanks to John at Motociclo
www.motociclo.com.au , it was definitely different to the Enfield I rode last
time but its horses for courses.
Specs:
ENGINE 90° V-TWIN, 4-STROKE, SINGLE
OVERHEAD CAM, 4 VALVES PER
CYLINDER CAPACITY 1380
CM³
POWER 71 KW (96 HP) AT 6500 RPM
TORQUE 120 NM 2750
RPM
GEAR BOX 6 SPEED
TRANSMISSION
FRONT BRAKES DUAL 320 MM STAINLESS
STEEL FLOATING DISCS, BREMBO 4 SPOT
RADIAL MOUNT CALLIPERS
REAR BRAKES 282 MM STAINLESS STEEL
FIXED DISC, BREMBO 2 SPOT FLOATING
CALLIPER
FRONT SUSPENSION Ø 46 MM FORKS,
HYDRAULIC DAMPING
REAR SUSPENSION TWIN SHOCKS WITH
ADJUSTABLE SPRING PRELOAD
WHEELS FRONT: 3.5 X 18” REAR: 6 X
16”
FRONT TYRE 130/70 R
18”
REAR TYRE 200/60 R 16”
DRY WEIGHT
300KG
SEAT HEIGHT 720MM
OPT.
TANK CAPACITY (include reserve) 20.5
L (5L RESERVE
If you think the Moto Guzzi
California 1400 Custom could be your soul partner, do yourself a favour and
contact John and find out for yourself.
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