20 August 2026

Bella Mandello!

Under Piaggio’s careful management, Moto Guzzi continues to ride high, launching great new motorcycles that remain distinctly Italian.

Within a sensibly rationalised range, the V100 Mandello sits proudly among them.

 

 

“Mhoto Guthsie!”

Somehow the name Moto Guzzi seems to be under-pronounced in the English accent.

I cannot imagine that the original founder, Carlo Guzzi, was the kind of man that would say his name so softly!

Piaggio acquired the brand in 2004 and thanks to the forward-looking majority shareholders in the group – the Colaninno family – the brand has gone from strength to strength.

Rather like Ducati’s recent success being credited to its new links with the VW group, the Colaninno clan have brought the Moto Guzzi range up to date.

Crucially though, in doing so, they’ve and yet they’ve spent the time and money keeping the bikes very much Italian.

Keeping it simple

The range has been greatly simplified with four base models: the Stelvio, the V100, the V85 and the V7.

Each has three different derivatives with different specs and are made for different parts of the motorcycle market.

One such is the V100 Mandello, with the ‘S’ version orientated to those of us who like to get the miles in on tarmac.

The bike is powered by a 90 degree 1,042cc transverse V-twin which has all the usual choices of fuelling, road, sport, rain and touring.

It puts out 115bhp and 105 Nm of torque, plenty of power for the real world.

Adding a bi-directional quick shifter adds to the bike’s more sporty character thanks to it allowing the rider a more ‘involved’ ride in the twisty bits.

Active duty

While the cornering ABS isn’t exactly new, the bike is fitted, as standard, with state of the art Öhlins Smart EC semi-active suspension with a TTX mono shock on the rear.

These both complement the chosen riding modes and even react to the rider’s style and, to a certain extent,  the roads that the bike is being ridden on.

Other bits include the TFT screen which can be married to the rider’s phone for, among other things, navigation.

There’s even a USB socket so that you can recharge your ‘portal to hell’ while on the move.

Cruise control is standard as are heated grips and all round LED lights. There’s even a tyre pressure monitor.

Flight control

Then there’s the ‘Adaptive Aerodynamics’.

The deflectors on the front of the bike’s tank actually adjust as the bike speeds up, allowing it to handle and perform better, as well as keeping the rain away.

‘Guzzi claim this piece of wizardry as a world first.

The ‘S’ really shows its prowess with a rider assistance package.

Super smart, it uses radar to slow the bike down in situations where the cruise control is in use and the rider closing in on a slower moving vehicle.

This package also offers forward collision warnings, lane change assistance and blind spot info.

However, even with all of this technology the ‘Guzzi character is still there.

The big twin still ‘rocks’ the bike from side to side at idle and can be felt once underway. 

Carlo would be pleased to see that his machines haven’t evolved into being just another bike.

The V100 Mandello S is available from Megabikes where one will run you €17,500 while an offer lasts.

Talk to Ross on 01 4784200. Just don’t ask him anything in Italian, he hasn’t a word of it…

Our best Moto Guzzi motorcycle insurance quotes? Call us on 0818 945 950!

 

 

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