Six reasons why the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello is important

When you look back at the list of iconic motorcycles released over the years, you’ll find that most people remember the bikes that made an impact on both consumers and the industry as a whole. Whether it was a new bit of tech, or an emotion-stirring engine, there are some bikes you never forget. The new Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello might just be one of those.

We recently had the opportunity to test the new model from Moto Guzzi both here in Australia and also in Malaysia as part of the Asia Pacific launch, and it’s fair to say we were impressed. This is a hugely important model for the Italian brand, but it is also an important model for the motorcycle industry, as it is proof that modern motorcycles can still be built with emotion and character.

Here are six reasons why the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello is important...

The V100 Mandello is a big departure from history for Moto Guzzi. For starters, it is the first Guzzi model to feature a liquid-cooled engine. The company has traditionally utilised air-cooled engines, but the introduction of liquid cooling allows for better temperature control and rider comfort. The V100 Mandello also introduces a wide array of electronics for the first time, including a six-axis IMU, semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, and quickshift. But wait, there’s more. The V100 also includes a world first…

Moto Guzzi is claiming that it is the first manufacturer to include electronic adaptive aerodynamics on a production motorcycle. As far as we can tell, no other manufacturer has claimed otherwise, so it appears Guzzi is indeed the first. The adaptive aerodynamics consists of two winglets that can be electronically adjusted while riding to regulate air flow and offer better wind protection. While the actual real-world benefits will be hard to recognise for the everyday rider, it is still a clever and innovative feature.

Style is subjective, of course, but this bike oozes Hollywood cool and sex appeal. It is very easy to imagine Tom Cruise riding one of these in Top Gun, or Daniel Craig in a 007 movie. Or, indeed, Moto Guzzi ambassador, Ewan McGregor, on any day of the week. Keanu Reeves? Michelle Rodriguez? Pink? Brad Pitt? Yep, there is a long list of celebrity motorcyclists who would not look out of place riding a V100. The Italian firm even teamed up with Marvel to produce a Wolverine comic starring the V100. No, I'm not kidding.

Speaking of style, the Moto Guzzi V100 is a masterclass in blending progress with history, culture, and character. Moto Guzzi calls it the V100 because it was announced in the same year as the company’s 100th anniversary, but the brand also says it relates to the next 100 years. This bike is almost like a transition for the company as it sails from its past into its future, but without losing any of the classic elements that makes a Guzzi, a Guzzi. It retains the classic V-twin engine layout, the Mandello Eagle badges, and the classic lines and shapes of years gone by. The iconic Moto Guzzi Le Mans was a particular inspiration for the V100’s designers and that is quite clear when you compare photos. But the V100 also feels fresh, new, and exciting. It obviously has modern tech and performance, but even just sitting on the bike feels like you’re entering uncharted territory. I can’t think of one other bike in recent history that so easily blends old and new while keeping the brand’s heritage intact.  

Sorry to state the bleeding obvious, but the V100 platform will be used for future Guzzi models. The head honchos at Piaggo Group have all but confirmed as much. The hot gossip is that Guzzi will revive the Stelvio nameplate for a V100 adventure bike, something that I’m all for. But don’t be surprised to see other models too. A cruiser? A roadster? A sportsbike? Okay, the last one might be wishful thinking, but we live in hope.

To be honest, the V100 Mandello left me speechless at first. It was only in the days after that I started to make sense of what I’d just experienced. It’s not perfect – the engine gets hot at slow speeds and there are plenty of components straight from the Piaggio parts bin – but it stirs emotion and makes you feel good in a way not many other motorcycles can. It ticks a lot of boxes – from the engine performance, to the rider comfort, to the high levels of technology – and it exudes effortless style. It is kind of hard to put the V100 into a specific genre, but I guess it broadly falls into the sportstouring category. Either way, the perfect mix of touring comfort and sports performance makes on-road touring a very attractive prospect for an off-road fiend like myself. If I never saw another dirt road again, I would be okay as long as I was on a V100 Mandello.