2013–2019 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Italian Chrome With Real Torque
The California 1400 Custom is Moto Guzzi's big cruiser pared back to what matters. It has a long, low steel double-cradle chassis, floorboards and a fat 200-section rear tire. Mounted across the frame is a 1380 cc air-cooled 90° V-twin, with its cylinders jutting out into the wind. That transverse layout is the point of the bike. It makes 96 hp and 88 lb-ft, sends drive to the rear wheel through a shaft, and gives the bike a silhouette you won't mistake for anything else in the parking lot. ABS, traction control, ride modes and cruise control all come standard, so the character never has to make excuses for the equipment.
On the road it feels more planted than its 743 lb (337 kg) suggests. At highway speed it settles into a calm, steady stride, and you can string long days together without effort. Torque arrives right off idle, so you rarely have to work the six-speed. The finish stands up to a close look, but watch two things as it ages: the exhaust crossover pipe can crack at the welds, and the headlight wiring can chafe through. This is for the rider who wants a cruiser with its own accent. The honest caveat is that the weight is there every time you push it around the garage, and the fork has no adjustment at all.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 96 hp (71 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 88 lb-ft (119 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1380 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Shaft |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 130/70-18 |
| Rear tire | 200/60-16 |
| Seat height | 29.1 in (740 mm) |
| Wet weight | 743 lb (337 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.4 gal (20.5 L) |
| Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 32 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Comfort
Safety
What follows comes from years of listening to riders: paddock talk, club-night chatter, owner chats over coffee and the messages riders send me after a season on their bikes. The pattern is clear. Owners rate the engine, the steering and the brakes, and most of their complaints are about the bike's mass.
The engine gets the most praise. Owners describe effortless acceleration and relaxed cruising. They keep coming back to how smooth it runs once the bike is moving. The handling comes a close second. Riders consistently say the California feels light and precise in corners despite its heft, with a solid chassis and good feedback. The brakes earn the same respect: strong, confident stopping with excellent modulation. Several owners also mention good wind protection on long days, even without a large screen.
The most common gripe is weight. Riders call it one of the heaviest cruisers around, and moving it at low speed is a chore. A less common complaint is sound. Some owners find the stock exhaust too quiet and miss the soundtrack they expected from a big Italian V-twin.
NHTSA Recall 19V561: Front brake master cylinder
On 2017-2018 models, a defective front brake master cylinder may cause loss of braking; Piaggio recalled the affected units for inspection and replacement.
Headlight wiring short
Poorly routed wiring behind the headlight can rub through, causing a short and headlight failure. Requires re-wrapping and securing.
Exhaust crossover pipe cracking
The crossover pipe connecting the headers is prone to cracking or breaking at the welds, typically occurring around 6,200 mi (10,000 km). Aftermarket reinforced replacements are common.
Where this Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the California 1400 Custom is actually built for.
If the run to Sturgis or Daytona is part of who you are, this Guzzi gets you there in real style, with a big-twin beat that's deep, not loud. You'll roll in on something nobody else parked.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For slow miles through small towns and old roads like the Kancamagus, the Custom's elegant lines and easy rhythm fit you well. It rewards an unhurried pace more than a tight schedule.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Cruise control and calm highway manners help on the long stretches, but there's no factory luggage and no adjustable screen. Sort out bags and wind protection before you point it at Beartooth.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Moto Guzzi California 1400 Custom. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2012–2017
Old Chrome, Deep Low
Roughly $7,500 pricier used than this bike at 12 yr
Competitor · 2012–2017
Factory Bobber, Straight From Milwaukee
Roughly $6,500 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Same Platform · 2016–2019
Italy's Bagger With Attitude
Roughly $5,600 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr