MaxMoto News. 07/06/03.
(Update 17/09/04: News on Corsa production)
(Update 04/12/04: Corsa arrives in 2 weeks)

The gorgeous Moto Guzzi MGS01 first appeared as a concept bike at Intermot 2002 and President Ivano Beggio has said that it's definitely going into production.

They're going to make around 200 hand built exclusive models that should be available in March 2004, with a full production model for the road coming out late next year.

The first model will be the MGS/01 Corsa and it'll have a 1,256cc 122bhp 4 valve engine with Cosworth pistons developed from the old Daytona 1000. This homologation model is intended for a domestic Italian, and a US race series (American AMA Championship?). A welcome return for this famous racing marque. Expect Guzzi to take their racing increasingly seriously over the next few years.

Ghezzi and Brian, the Italian company that builds spectacular Guzzi specials such as the tasty naked Furia, are now heavily involved in the project (beyond their initial concept brief), so expect something very special. Moto Guzzi are asking for your opinion on the bike and its final form.

Guzzi has built lightness and compactness into the MGS/01, using a close fitting box-section steel backbone frame (may be tubular steel on the production version) and a huge monoshock swing arm, Ohlins suspension (at least on the hand built models) and Brembo brakes (radial on the Corsa). Weight is expected to be around 192kg for the Corsa and a little more for the Serie.

The specification for the "Serie" full production version due in October '04 is not yet finalised but power from the four valve per cylinder, lower capacity engine is likely to be under 100bhp to comply with noise, emission and max power laws in parts of Europe. Though a "race kit" will probably be available to bring the bike nearer Corsa spec (which you'd never use on the road of course.....)

It seems rumours of a new water cooled engine have been rather premature. Ever tightening emission laws and consumer lust for power make it inevitable, but Aprilia have had so much to sort out at the Guzzi factory, it could be four years away (to be seen in the MGS-02).

Update 17/09/04: A more limited 50 Corsas are slated for production by the end of the year, with dealer technician training starting in November. It's not known how many will reach the UK.

Update 04/12/04: The latest specification MGS-01 CORSAS, as seen on the Moto Guzzi stand at the 2004 Intermot Show, are now being built at Moto Guzzi and should arrive in the UK, week commencing December 13. PRICE: £15,900 inc vat, plus £134 delivery, the MGS-01 is available in red only. The MGS-01 Corsa is made for track use and will not be homologated for use on public roads. The bikes will be shipped in a special wooden crate, which will enable the front wheel to remain fitted to the bike during transit. The MGS-01 logo will be printed on the crate, so that even the box is exclusive! The UK has been allocated five bikes from the production run of 50 machines, with most of these being pre-sold, so prospective owners will need to move quickly! Germany, France, Italy and the USA will take the others. The special owners manual is a spiral bound A4 size book in English, personalised with the owner's name and incorporating a complete parts manual as well as a maintenance manual A special procedure to handle parts ordering for the MGS-01 has been set up for MGS-01 dealers and will provide an express 48 hour parts service from the Moto Guzzi factory.

Final Specifications:

ENGINE
Type: 4 stroke, 90° V-Twin
Displacement: 1,225 cc
Cooling system: air
Bore and stroke: 100 x 78 mm
Compression ratio: 11 : 1
Maximum power: 122 HP @ 8.000 rpm
Maximum torque: 115 Nm @ 6.400 rpm
Valve gear: overhead camshaft - 4 valves per cylinder with positive drive belt
Nymonic valves: Æ 36 mm intake Æ 31 mm exhaust
Timing system: intake valve opening 36° B.T.D.C. intake valve closing 70° A.B.D.C. exhaust valve opening 64° B.B.D.C. exhaust valve closing 28° A.T.D.C.
Pistons: Cosworth Racing, 3-rings
Ignition system: Marelli IAW 15M electronic digital
Intake conduit: Marelli Æ 54 mm
Airbox: Carbon fibre, 18.5 litres
Ignition system: electronic digital
Spark plugs: NGK D10EA

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Battery: 12 V - 8 Ah

TRANSMISSION
Gear: 6 speed
Primary drive: straight-tooth gear ratio 1:1.55 Secondary drive: double universal joint ratio 1:2.9
Overall gear ratios: 1st gear = 1 to 10.82 2nd gear = 1 to 7.98 3rd gear = 1 to 6.14 4th gear = 1 to 5.01 5th gear = 1 to 4.35 6 th gear = 1 to 3.84
Clutch: sintered double disc, hydraulic operation

CHASSIS
Frame: rectangular section single-beam ALS 450
Wheelbase: 1,423 mm
Trail: 95 mm
Rake: 23.5°
Front suspension: Öhlins up-side down fork Æ 43 mm, 3-way adjustable
Front wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear suspension: fabricated aluminium swinging arm Öhlins monoshock, 3-way adjustable
Rear wheel travel: 110 mm
Front brake: double floating disc, Æ 320 mm, 4 piston, radial caliper
Rear brake: Single disc, Æ 220 mm, dual piston caliper Rims: Oz racing forged alloy 5 spoke Front wheel: 3.50 x 17"
Rear wheel: 5.50 x 17"
Front tyre: 120-70/17"
Rear tyre: 180-55/17"

DIMENSIONS Length: 2,010 mm Width: 780 mm Height: 1,180 mm Seat height: 820 mm Footrest height: 400 mm Handlebar height: 850 mm Dry weight: 192 kg Fuel tank capacity: 18 litres

Related links: Moto Guzzi clothing online shop

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Manufacturers page for the Corsa

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Moto Guzzi MGS/01 XL (233k)