I thought I’d finally do a video on the new for 2023 Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello, now that we’re seeing full specs released. It’s not released for everywhere, but Euro pricing is €18,249 for the up-spec S, or €15,749 for the base model, which may not be far off the US prices.
So starting with the 90 degree traverse V-twin, liquid cooled, with double overhead camshaft and four valves per cylinder, boasting a 1042 cc capacity thanks to its 96 by 72 mm bore and stroke.
Power is 115 horsepower, so not earth shattering but credible, peaking at 8700 rpm, while torque maxes out at 105 nm at 6750 rpm. Probably the more interesting figure is that 82 per cent of that torque is available from 3500 rpm, meaning very very accessible performance, that should be exceptionally usable in all conditions.
Those heads being rotated 90 degrees is another big departure from tradition as well, so it’ll be interesting to see how this bike is received by Guzzi fans and long term aficionados.
A multi-plate wet clutch is used, hydraulically controlled, complete with anti-hopping system, replacing the dry-single plate designs they’ve used until now.
RbW is certainly not new for Guzzi, with traction control a feature we’ve long seen on the V7 and V9, but there’s a strong electronics package here that should cover all the major bases for a modern rider, if perhaps not the number of settings we see on some bikes.
That includes three engine maps, two levels of engine brake control, four levels of traction control, four riding modes and cruise control. You could almost say that’s basic in 2022, however how many people really need 10 levels of traction control? The four riding modes naturally each run a preset of the available settings, to suit Tourism, Rain, Road or Sport. The dash is a full colour 5-inch TFT.
The six-speed gearbox also runs two low clearance ratios in the first two gears, technology that comes from the V85 TT, but specifically redesigned for the V100, which is meant to offer cleaner feeling shifts, which in turn has allowed a quickshifter to be fitted, which is a first for Guzzi and goes both up and down, although that seems to be an S only feature.
A cardan shaft final drive is used too, with an aluminium swingarm that shows off that rear wheel to great effect and certainly adds to the styling.
Going back to the chassis, the engine is held by a steel tube frame, with a 24.7 degree steering head angle and 1475 mm wheelbase.
The seat is a well placed 815 mm, which to me at least is not too high, not too low for a tourer, and they offer a slightly lower and slightly taller accessory seat option as well, which will help the shorter riders and those after a bit more stretch between seat and pegs.
Brembo provides the brakes, with four-piston calipers and 320 mm floating rotors, plus a 280 mm rear rotor with two-piston Brembo floating caliper. Continental provide the ABS, and thanks to the use of an IMU it does have cornering functionality. We also see a radial master-cylinder, which I particularly like as a more premium feature.
The suspension is where we see the big difference between the two model versions available.
The standard V100 Mandello runs 41 mm USD forks, with adjustable preload and rebound, thats matched to a single-shock, with external preload adjustment, plus rebound.
You have to upgrade to the V100 Mandello S for the Ohlins semi-active suspension, running the Smart EC 2.0 system. That’s a NIX 43 mm fork with full adjustability, and a matching single TTX shock, with external preload adjuster.
Wheels are aluminium alloy 17 inch units, a 3.50 inch front and 6.00 inch rear, with 120/70 and 190/55 tyre sizes, ensuring a good range of tyre options will be available.
Now a bigger feature we haven’t seen on motorcycles is the inclusion of adaptive aerodynamics.
Now the standard V100 Mandello will be available in Polar White or Magma Red, with a special Naval Aviation version also available. The V100 Mandello S is the up-spec version and will be available in Green 2121 or Avant-guarde Grey, both with matt black wheels.
Notably the S runs a standard TPMS system, heated grips, the electronic suspension from Ohlins, and quickshift, plus the Moto Guzzi MIA or multimedia system. Standard on all models in a DRL, cornering lights and a USB socket under the seat.