Moto Guzzi California 90 arrives

Wind back the clock to the Great Depression and a great era of motorcycles such as the legendary Brough Superior.

Back then the engine was the focal point, the bars were wide, the running boards were big and the riding position was low. Now Moto Guzzi is celebrating 90 years this year with an anniversary California 110cc cruiser similar to its early 1930s models.

In the '30s Guzzis had single cylinder engines, chain drive and drum brakes. However, there is nothing old about the new California 90 with its modern fuel-injected transverse V-twin, shaft drive and disc brakes.

John Sample Automotive spokesman Andy Pecora says the "first and only shipment" of eight bikes arrives this month and dealers have received "a number of enquiries" from customers. The California 90 costs $24,995 plus on-road costs which is the same as the California Vintage model.

It features livery drawn from the original logo design and concepts used for Moto Guzzi in the early 1930s and has colour-coded side panniers with a tan leather seat. Each bike will have an identification plate above the steering yoke to certify the numbered production of this final edition of the California 1100 which will be replaced by a 1400 in mid-2013. 

The new and bigger cruiser is expected to have about 75kW of power from the 90-degree V-twin which is now liquid cooled instead of air cooled. That's up about 20kW from the modest 54kW. It should also have plenty of low-rev torque on tap. 

The sleek solo seat bike is low and mean and designers have neatly integrated the taillights into the profile of the rear fender. Other changes are pneumatic twin shocks, Brembo radial-mount calipers and an old-fashioned Tenneco-Marzocchi fork.