Many motorcycle manufacturers are larger than Moto Guzzi, but few have as rich a heritage. Founded in 1921, the legendary Italian marquee has been continuously producing motorcycles longer than any other European maker.
Moto Guzzi has a number of major motorcycle engineering innovations to its credit, including the first single-sided rear swing-arm suspension, the first cartridge fork, the first linked brake system and the first production automatic motorcycle. It also racked up an impressive Grand Prix racing record — even developing a V8 powered GP machine that reportedly reached a record 300 kph — before withdrawing from competition in 1957.
Although Moto Guzzi manufactured horizontal single-cylinder engines for its first 45 years, its name is now synonymous with the transverse-mounted, air-cooled 90 V-twin engines that it began producing in 1967. With their twin cylinders jutting out sideways like a BMW boxer on Viagra, Guzzis have a unique look and sound that sets them apart from every other motorcycle on the road.