Moto Guzzi California Touring Review

Used Buyer Review

The California Touring is genuinely one of the most characterful bikes you can buy used, and that V-twin transverse engine is unlike anything else on the road. That distinctive 90-degree thump at idle, the shaft drive, the wide-open torque delivery — it feels properly Italian and properly different. It's not fast by modern standards, but it doesn't need to be. Long-distance comfort is genuinely impressive, and the fairing actually works. Buying used, you need to do your homework. Check the bevel gears in the shaft drive — they can whine if the oil's been neglected. Early fuel injection models had cold-start stumbles that dealers often couldn't fix properly. The electrics are Italian, meaning connectors corrode and gremlins appear. Budget for a specialist, not a generic shop. Guzzi owners clubs are your best resource here — incredibly knowledgeable, parts availability better than you'd expect. If you want a soul with your miles, this is your bike. If you need reliability you can set your watch by, buy Japanese.