Headquartered on the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Como in Italy, Moto Guzzi remains one of the world’s oldest and most famed motorcycle manufacturers. In 2021 the company celebrated its 100th birthday and to usher in the incredible milestone, supremo Roberto Colaninno instructed his factory to craft a stunning machine to take the marque into its second century. Their creation is the gorgeous Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, sporting an all-new liquid-cooled engine, semi-active suspension and the world’s first adaptive aerodynamics on a production motorcycle. So, to find out if the all-new offering from the Italian giant lives up to the hype, we sent our own Mark Hawwa to the test ride to put the touring focussed roadster through its paces and give us his straight-shooting Hawwa-styled impressions…
Moto Guzzi has once again pushed the boundaries of performance and style with the introduction of their latest masterpiece, the V100 Mandello. This awe-inspiring motorcycle is a testament to Moto Guzzi’s rich heritage, combining classic design elements with cutting-edge technology. The Mandello exudes timeless elegance, capturing the essence of Moto Guzzi’s design philosophy. Its sleek and muscular lines create a commanding presence on the road, turning heads wherever it goes.
At the heart of the machine lies a mighty 1040cc transverse V-twin engine, that still delivers that characteristic Guzzi sound and feel. The powerplant delivers exhilarating performance, generating an impressive output of 115 horsepower. The engine’s torque curve provides exceptional low-end grunt, allowing for effortless acceleration and swift overtakes. Whether you’re cruising on the highway or tackling twisty mountain roads, the Mandello’s engine will never leave you wanting for more power.
The new engine platform is what the company describes as a “compact block” design, considerably smaller than previous engines of the same capacity and sporting cylinder heads that have been rotated by 90º to place the intake and injection at the centre of the motorcycle. Even standing 6 foot 1, my knees didn’t go anywhere near the motor when riding. As we hit the twisties in the mountains, that engine just pours on the power so smoothly, it has heaps of torque and the V-Twin configuration means you really feel it and it just makes for an incredible ride.
I spent most of my time on the Mandello S, when only the best will do, and it comes equipped with premium Ohlins semi-active suspension. On the road it is such a confident bike, the tighter the turns the more it felt like a sport bike, and yet it still manages to deliver a plush ride the entire time. Even as we hit patches of snow, the Guzzi stays planted and the traction control worked really well. It is somewhat of a heavy bike, but you don’t feel it, and the full Brembo braking system does an amazing job of bringing you to a halt.
It feels like a classic bike, with that real rubble from the engine, but the technology is seriously first-class. Some of the cool features include adaptive aerodynamics, which sees a pair of wings emerge from the side of the tank and help to keep wind and water off your pants and nether regions. Another party trick is the windscreen, which with just the hit of a button can be made to rise up and down, even as you’re out on the road on the fly.
Having built the bike for the 21st century, it’s packed full of goodies and the IMU-equipped machine delivers traction and engine brake control, cruise control, cornering ABS and all the fruit you could possibly want. The V100 Mandello also offers a comfortable riding position, allowing riders to maintain a relaxed posture for extended periods. The seat is thoughtfully designed to provide ample support, reducing fatigue on those marathon rides. It’s another example of how Moto Guzzi has come up with a bike that is truly a sporty roadster and tourer all in one.
The key takeaway, I absolutely love it! The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello is more than just a motorcycle; it’s a work of art that combines jaw-dropping aesthetics with unmatched performance. Thanks to its powerful engine, advanced electronics, and rider-centric features, the Mandello sets a new benchmark for the Italian manufacturer.
Whether you’re a seasoned rider seeking adrenaline-pumping thrills or an aficionado of classic design, the V100 Mandello will exceed your expectations and ignite your passion for the open road. Prepare to embark on a journey where power, elegance, and pure riding pleasure converge.
2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S Specifications
| 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello [S] Specifications | |
| Type | Liquid-cooled 90° transverse V-twin. Double overhead camshaft timing with finger followers and four valves per cylinder |
| Capacity | 1042 cc |
| Bore x stroke | 96 x 72 mm |
| Compression ratio | 12.6 : 1 |
| Max Power | 115 hp (84.6 kW) at 8700 rpm |
| Max Torque | 105 Nm (10.7 kgm) at 6750 rpm |
| Fuel system | Electronic injection; 52 mm double throttle body, Ride-by-Wire |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres (including 3.5 litre reserve) |
| Emissions compliance | Euro 5 |
| Consumption (WMTC cycle) | 4.7 l/100 km |
| CO2 Emissions (WMTC cycle) | 118 g/km |
| A/C generator | 550 W |
| System voltage | 12 V |
| Battery | 12V – 12 Ah |
| Clutch | Hydraulic multi-plate wet clutch with anti-juddering system |
| Transmission | Six speed, Six speed with electronic quick shift system |
| Primary drive | Straight cut gears and integrated flexible coupling, gear ratio: 31/48 (1.548) |
| Secondary drive | Cardan shaft: Drive ratio: 12/38 (3.166) |
| Electronics | Three engine mappings (MGCM), Two level engine brake control (MGFM), four level traction control (MGTC), cruise control. Four Riding Modes (Tour, Rain, Road, Sport), Quick shift |
| Chassis | High strength steel tubular frame |
| Front suspension | Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active fork, 43 mm USD with superficial TIN treatment, fully adjustable |
| Front travel | 130 mm |
| Rear suspension | Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active single shock that is fully adjustable and complete with spring preload adjustment via a knob |
| Rear travel | 130 mm |
| Brakes Front | 320 mm double floating disc in stainless steel, Brembo radial callipers with four opposed pistons and a metal trellis tube, Continental ABS with cornering function |
| Brakes Rear | 280 mm stainless steel disc, Brembo two-piston floating calliper, Continental ABS with cornering function |
| Wheels | Aluminium alloy |
| Wheels | 3.50 x 17in, 6.00 x 17in |
| Tyre | Radial tubeless, 120/70 – R17, 190/55 – R17 |
| Length | 2125 mm |
| Width | 835 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1475 mm |
| Seat height | 815 mm (accessories: low seat 800 mm; high seat 835 mm) |
| Headstock angle | 24.7° |
| Trail | 104 mm |
| Dry weight | 212 kg |
| Kerb weight* | 233 Kg |
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