Moto Guzzi California 1400 (2013-2020) Motorcycle Review

A very decent all-rounder. The addition of a good seat made all the difference in extending the length of comfortable riding time. The suspension is probably more harsh than the Harley riders are used to, but that's the price you pay for a cruiser that actually handles well.

I have no complaints whatsoever about the engine performance. One has to get used to the proximity of exhaust parts that can burn the hell out of a rider's calves if not careful. I don't get that. I mean, how could Guzzi not come up with a heat shield that would actually work?? But after one burn, the rider won't forget to be careful with it.

I've owned this bike for a year. I'll admit, I am not unbiased - this is my fifth Guzzi in 30 years of riding. That said, this is hardly the old school Guzzi. This is Piaggio's "halo" Guzzi. Designer Miguel Galuzzi - designer of the Ducati Monster series - has his fingerprints all over this bike. A better synthesis of traditional and modern one will be hard-pressed to find. I loved the look of it from the beginning, but the execution of the bike went way beyond my expectations. This bike will see me through to my sunset years of riding.

I replace the seat with a Corbin. Why is it that 90% of motorcycles come through with terrible seats?? The other issue, a common complaint, was front brake shuddering - not dangerous, but very annoying. Upon the advice of other owners, I ponied up for a certain Italian brand of aftermarket front brake rotors, which ran me $500. The problem disappeared - money well spent.

Handgrip warmers should be standard equipment on an $18,000 motorcycle. The cruise control is super-easy to use. The OEM tires are noisy as hell. I've been researching replacements. Dunlop is the only manufacturer whose tires are made in the USA, so that will determine my choice.

Airfilterchange is really a diffucult job just like removing the tank,.....aaaaaarrgghh

This is a sports tourer. The handling is fantastic. The floor boards are easily dragged and you can keep leaning until the hero blobs mounted on the chassis start to drag. There are no chicken strips on the tyres. Brakes are sportsbike level.

The engine is exceptional, it revs freely and power delivery is linear. The engine is flexible enough to dawdle around town, to cruising down the freeway, but it excels in the twisties.

I have had two problems, firstly a rubber plug came off the oil pump in the engine which resulted in low oil pressure at idle, $600 to fix. Second problem was headlight not working a result of poorly installed wiring that caused a wire to rub through and short. Also a $600 fix. The bike was out of warranty, but there was zero support from the factory.

The original Dunlop tyres are noisy (thought a wheel bearing was failing) and don't last well. Change to Metzler ME888 ultra marathon tyres. Make a huge difference.

I have added the following accessories: Agostini exhaust - fantastic sound particularly without dB killers Heated grips - a must for winter 50 litre Top Box - holds two full face helmets, only downside is another key Wind deflectors - great addition, smooths air flow and results in no turbulence behind screen

Brembo 4 pot radials. Need I say more? Big bike, big rider and still inspired confidence on alpine twisties. switchable traction control and Abs are nice additions but I don't think necessary on this class of motorcycle. The bike and it's handling inspire confidence and I must admit I have touched the running boards down on twisty downhill mountain sections, however the boards are mounted in such a way that they move and some spirited Italian design guru had the foresight to mount replaceable sliders under the boards!

Awesome! This is the 11th Guzzi I've owned and the 58th overall and it's fair to say it's superb. A whole different ball game to my earlier guzzis, it just oozes finesse and flexibility. It moves like it has absolutely no right to from the lightest twist of the "fly by wire" throttle. It's a stonking motor. I've tried all three of the engine modes but the 'only' one to use is Veloce. I think it's Italian for Grin!

I've only knocked one star off because of the failure of the clutch micro switch. A component designed to be exposed to the elements should not fail after 5,500 miles. There are lots of tasteful and we'll designed aspects to the Cali from art deco cooling fins at the rear of the headlight to the way the tank is sculpted around that superb motor. Apart from the niggle over the clutch switch I've not experienced any other problems in 5,500 miles.

Tyre changes (rear) can be expensive, if you take it to a dealer it's a good hour or more labour as the silencers and rear shock all need unfastening. However, basic servicing is competitivly priced. Fuel consumption for such a big bike has ranged from 45mpg (making progress officer) on motorways/fast A roads to mid 50's on and around mountainous areas. The bike is physically heavy, as am I and I think the overall Mpg is easily on a par or better than dedicated 'touring' bikes

It has to be that engine. The way all Vees should be. I love the build quality and after market gel seat. I fitted a Guzzi 52 litre top case and although expensive £380 it's enormous and easily large enough for a weeks touring. Currently running Avon cobras and using them to their maximum extent.

The ride quality on the Custom is fantastic for such a big heavy bike,even two up with luggage I haven't encountered any real issues aside from ground clearance....I scrape the boards pretty much everyday but they have replaceable sliders....the brakes are awesome and must be class leading...as for distance I've ridden for 135 miles without stopping with no aches and pains

The engine is top notch and in my Guzzi experience ( Stelvio and Griso) this is by far the best motor they have produced.....torque is always available through the Rev range and in any gear and 6th gear is like an overdrive for motorways......I like the cruise control although a little bit awkward to set but nothing to difficult.....the 3 engine maps are all useful in my opinion.....I actually use them all the time and for their intended purpose....the rain mode is useful when it's tipping it down.....touring mode is my preferred map to use but if I'm getting a shift on round the lanes I always stick it in veloce but you have to keep an eye on the revs as it revs up much quicker and you can easily hit the limiter.

I've covered 6000 miles in my first year of ownership and I haven't encountered any real issues at all aside from exhaust heat shields can shake lose but a bit of loctite and they are fixed.

The mpg wasn't great when I purchased mine (ex demo 1000miles on ) it was struggling to hit 40mpg but after 7000miles covered in averaging 43-45 which for a twin this size and weight I think is more than respectable.....the servicing is cheap as the old fashioned design of Guzzis means even a valve clearance service is quick and easy in comparison to any other bike....I've found an amazing independent in south London,who's knowledge is second to none and is super cheap and has 30 years experience and has the pads software (Baldricks Workshop) rear wheel removal is prob the only nightmare on these bikes hence my 4/5 rating

The handling is prob my favourite thing about this bike but if I bought another the first thing I would do is ditch the oe Dunlop tyres....they are very noisy and vibey and do not last very long at all...I managed 3000 miles out of them before the rest was square and the front was stepped......I swapped to Avon Cobras and the transformation was instant.....the lower gel seat is definitely a good purchase for me as I ride with a pillion a fair bit and the standard custom seat isn't the best for a passenger!! The bike comes factory pre wired for the Latest tom tom sat nav which was very handy....it's coiled up and tied underneath the fuel tank near the headstock left hand side....you need the mount bracket which is a genuine Guzzi part and a tad pricey (£69.99) for a piece of metal but the fit and the quality are top notch