PICTURES have emerged via Italian Moto Guzzi forum Anima Guzzista (www.animaguzzista.com) of two new 2012 bikes, caught on a camera phone as they were shown to dealers.
The most significant is the entirely new California cruiser, which is believed to be the first bike to get an all-new V-twin engine from the firm. Guzzi's parent firm Piaggio has long planned to launch a big, 1400cc twin for Guzzi's range-toppers, and this could well be our first glimpse of that engine.
As well as valve covers that appear to be unlike any others in Guzzi's range, the motor seems physically bigger. More intriguing still is the large black area behind the front wheel – just shadow, or is that a radiator? Could this be a water-cooled Moto Guzzi?
The V7 Scrambler is clearly a more straightforward modification of the existing V7. The Triumph Scrambler will clearly be its main rival, as both are retro-styled, relatively low-priced machines favouring image over outright performance or real off-road ability. Looks cool, though.
