2013–2021 · Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Italian Torque With Modern Manners
The California 1400 Touring is built around one of the most distinctive engines in touring: a 1380 cc air-cooled 90° V-twin mounted across the frame, cylinders jutting out on either side. It makes 96 hp at 6,500 rpm, but the figure that defines it is 89 lb-ft at just 2,750 rpm. It pulls cleanly from barely above idle. Around that engine sits a steel double-cradle frame and shaft drive, with factory luggage and cruise control. ABS, traction control and ride modes come standard. This is a touring cruiser that picks character over spec-sheet bragging, and it knows exactly what it is.
Once rolling, it feels far more agile than its 743 lb (337 kg) wet weight suggests. The geometry lets it flow through a winding road with real willingness, and at highway speed it stays planted and calm. It suits the rider who covers big distances, often two-up, and wants a bike with its own rhythm instead of another anonymous appliance. Here's the honest caveat. The front fork has no adjustment at all and only the rear shock takes preload, so fine-tuning for load is limited. Ownership also means keeping an eye on a couple of known weak spots.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 96 hp (71 kW) @ 6,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 89 lb-ft (120 Nm) @ 2,750 rpm |
| 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
Connectivity
Safety
Over the years I've gathered what California 1400 Touring owners say about their bikes in paddock conversations, at club nights, during chats at fuel stops, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. The pattern is consistent. Owners praise how relaxed and comfortable the bike makes a long day. The complaints are fewer and center on heat and ground clearance.
The praise riders lead with is the torque. Owners describe strong pull from around 2,000 rpm that lets them cruise with far less shifting than they expected. Close behind is two-up comfort: the plush seat, roomy floorboards, a windshield that keeps the wind off and suspension that soaks up the road. Many owners single out the sculpted tank and metal surfaces, saying they give the bike a hand-built feel. Riders also rate the brakes as strong and progressive.
The complaint that comes up most is heat. Some owners say the cylinders warm their shins and knees, which gets uncomfortable in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic. A few riders who push the pace mention the footboards touching down early, limiting lean angle compared with the Custom version.
Exhaust crossover pipe cracking
The exhaust crossover pipe between the headers is prone to cracking, often between 6,200 and 9,900 mi (10,000 and 16,000 km). Failure can cause exhaust leaks and require replacement of the entire crossover assembly.
Headlight wiring short circuit
Poorly routed headlight wiring can rub through insulation and short out, causing the headlight to fail. Repair may be costly if not covered under warranty.
Where this Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring 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
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the California 1400 Touring is actually built for.
If the ride to Sturgis or Daytona is about sound and identity, this bike fits. The big Italian twin has a voice and presence all its own, and you won't park it next to ten identical ones.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
Cruise control, factory luggage and real pillion room make it a genuine national park tourer. Plan on more frequent fuel stops, and set the rear preload whenever you load up two-up.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
It handles a winding road better than its weight suggests and stays calm on the highway in between. It's a relaxed touring cruiser, not a sharp sport-tourer, so enjoy it at an easy, flowing pace.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
The Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring also comes in these variants, models and special editions. Each has its own page covering only what differs from the standard California 1400 Touring — equipment, electronics, specs and used price.
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 Touring. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Competitor · 2014–2016
Old Soul, Modern Road Manners
Roughly $8,300 pricier used than this bike at 10 yr
Competitor · 2014–2021
Thunder Stroke, Chrome Soul
Roughly $3,100 pricier used than this bike at 9 yr
Same Platform · 2015–2020
Italian Iron With Real Soul
Roughly $4,000 cheaper used than this bike at 6 yr
