New Life For A Legend

NEW LIFE FOR A LEGEND

Despite fat-walleted Aprilia's buyout of Moto Guzzi last year, funds aren't exactly flowing freely in Mandello del Lario. But that may soon change, what with the 80-year-old Italian bike-maker's recent unveiling of three new 2002 models. Most striking of the lot is the V11 Le Mans. Mostly, we’re talking modified V11 Sport here, with no real re-work other than larger-diameter handlebars and cushier handgrips. Guzzi claims 91 horsepower, 70 foot-pounds of torque and a 479-pound dry weight. The California Stone and California Special Sport, meanwhile, are spin-offs of the now-discontinued California Special and Jackal cruisers. Whereas the flatter-handlebared Stone is more spartan-both in its appearance and price-the Special Sport has additional gauges, extra chrome, a two-tone gas tank and dual front disc brakes. Both are fuel-injected, and produce a claimed 74 bhp and 70 ft.-lbs. of torque. As for prices, figure $12,690 for the Le Mans, $10,990 for the Special Sport and $8790 for the Stone. Look for all three at dealerships this fall.

Matthew Miles