100-Year Celebration: Moto Guzzi Museum Reopens

In 1928, Giuseppe Guzzi rode a new Moto Guzzi model 4,000 miles from the company headquarters to Capo Nord, Norway, in the Arctic Circle, showcasing his bike’s then-new (and radical) swingarm rear suspension. Consequently, a Guzzi “Norge” gets its own prominent display. (Moto Guzzi/)

At the respectable age of 100, Moto Guzzi looks healthier than ever. For proof look no further than the reopening of the legendary Moto Guzzi museum. Located on the grounds of the old factory, the renewed buildings house a full collection of Moto Guzzi models, all perfectly restored in testament to Guzzi’s achievements on the road and at the track.

It’s not only the buildings that have been overhauled. The collection itself has been augmented with models that were previously missing. The exposition, which is organized both thematically and chronologically, extends over two floors. The exhibit area is much larger than before, making the whole display easier to view and presenting a much more gratifying overall experience.

The ground floor displays showcase all the models produced from the year 2000 to the present. Here you’ll find all the regular roadbikes, ranging from the Stelvio 1200 to the current V85 TT.

Related: 2022 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello First Look

If you thought Moto Guzzi only made transverse V-twins, think again. Many of its single-cylinder models were never imported to the US, or at least not in any significant numbers. Discovering these “new” old bikes is part of the fun. (Moto Guzzi/)

On the upper floor the show opens with the G.P. (in this case meaning Guzzi-Parodi) of 1919, the very first Moto Guzzi ever built, which evolved into the 1921 Normale, the first Moto Guzzi to enter regular production. You’ll also see a perfectly restored Norge from the late 1920s, a Sport 15 from the 1930s, a Falcone 500, a tiny Guzzino (one of the mopeds that put Italians on the road again after World War II), and a Galletto, a very special Guzzi scooter. From there the collection continues to the V7 in all its variations.

A special section is devoted to the military models, of which the Falcone in particular saw long great service with both the Italian army and police.

Finally, on the upper floor, a special section is devoted to Guzzi’s contributions to racing. The most precious piece is obviously the 500cc V8 GP, but every bike on display is worth a very careful inspection, from the 120-degree V-twin to the incredible 350 single, a bike that kept winning world championships and Isle of Man TT races in the face of multicylinder competitors. Moto Guzzi has also devoted an area to honor its great champions, starting with the legendary Omobono Tenni.

Related: Moto Guzzi Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary With Iconic Livery

Everything in the new Guzzi museum is done beautifully, with impeccable Italian style. In this second-floor section, you’ll find bikes from 2000 to the present. (Moto Guzzi/)

To go through the various sections is to walk through a special part of motorcycling history. In the future, the present buildings will integrate with new, ultramodern construction, all aimed at transforming the Moto Guzzi factory into a destination and a permanent meeting point where Guzzisti from all over the world can gather and socialize.

Admission is free to the public. The museum is open from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Plan to stay a while!

And there’s more to come. Future plans for the Moto Guzzi museum include some spectacular new buildings. Guzzi has come a long way in the last 20 years, and the future is looking bright indeed. (Moto Guzzi/)