Andrei Diomidov attends the launch of a new motorcycle to celebrate the Italian brand’s centennial

Moto Guzzi celebrated their 100th Birthday in 2021, and to mark such an occasion a new motorcycle has been born, the V100 Mandello. 

The distributor of the Italian bike recently held a media launch at The Hunting Lodge, Kumeu where we could try out the latest features of this machine on great riding roads.

At first glance, the new V100 looks like a bulky heavy motorcycle, even with its sleek design, with a wet weight of 233kg, plus a length of 2126mm from front to back. But it doesn’t feel that way. 

As soon as you jump on it, the bike has a deep, comfortable seat. The handlebars are perfectly distanced, the pegs are in a superb position to make yourself cozy, and the new 5in TFT screen is easy to read and navigate. 

You don’t feel out of place on it, not like you would on a new bike, every little detail feels thought of, and everything is in its place. The bike fits like a glove. 

It could be because the goal of the brand was to create a motorcycle that would combine the best features of a roadster and a tourer, and just by how comfy it is on it. I would say they did a great job on the latter.  On the former I would have to wait until after the presentation, to take it out on an open road.

The Moto Guzzi V100 comes with a completely new engine, where no part of it is from the previous motorcycle. It is still a 90 V-twin with a counter-rotating shaft, and liquid cooling. The engine puts out 85kW and 105Nm of torque, and 82 percent of it is already available at 3500RPM, which would rocket you into the distance as soon as you open up the throttle.

However, the engine isn’t the only new thing that V100 has to offer. It is the first and only motorcycle that comes with Adaptive Aerodynamics. Two lateral flaps open or close depending on the chosen riding mode or speed.

Moto Guzzi claims it reduces the body pressure created by the air by 22% through not just flaps, but a windscreen. It is adjustable and can take one of two positions, pushing the air away from the rider's body.

The new Moto Guzzi comes in three specs; the V100 Mandello, V100 Mandello S and V100 Mandello Aviazione Navale, which is a limited spec of 1913 units, eight of which are coming to New Zealand. 

The prices start at $27,990 for the standard variant,$31,490 for the V100S, and the limited version sits comfortably in between at the price of $29,990. 

The base spec is pretty full of high-tech features, like the previously mentioned adaptive aerodynamics, 5in TFT screen, advanced riding modes, cruise control and others. 

The S version however includes the latest Öhlins Smart EC2.0 semi-active suspension, quickshifter, Moto Guzzi MIA, and some other extra features. 

The Mandello Aviazione Navale Limited Edition includes a special livery inspired by F-35B fighter jets, a celebrative aluminium plaque and a dedicated indoor bike cover.

When the presentation was over, it was time to saddle up and enjoy the 10km road loop around the winery. 

As I navigated the windy roads of Kumeu, the V100 Mandello felt incredibly stable and responsive, thanks in part to the shaft drive system. It tackled the corners effortlessly, and I was particularly surprised by how easy it was to handle, despite the size and weight of the motorcycle.

The engine felt very smooth, the transmission gears clicked in places fluently, and you could even feel the difference when the aerodynamic flaps opened up in Tour mode after you reached 60km/h.

Overall, the new V100 left a lasting impression. There was nothing wrong with it. Not that it was supposed to, but usually there are always strong sides and weak ones. 

The latest Italian two-wheeler felt absolutely perfect, in every aspect you can think of.

 It is a very new kind of motorcycle for Moto Guzzi, blending together the latest technology, Italian engineering and style, and a vast heritage that the brand carries, at the same time making a strong statement that it will lead the way into the 21st century, and I couldn’t agree more.

By chance, I found myself at a local motorcycle dealership two days later and asked if they had the V100 in stock, as I wanted to take another look at the bike. I was told that all the current stock has been sold out, as well as the next shipment that is about to reach Auckland docks. And you know, that did not surprise me at all.