1-11-2015 Update: The bike was pulled from the original listing but it’s now up for sale again 5 months later from a different seller (Automania – where they’re asking for $10,995). Find it for sale with bidding up to $3,553 and the reserve not yet met
Dr. John Wittner made a name for himself in the late 80’s thanks to his ability to modify the hell out of MG’s – his bikes won consecutive US Endurance Championships, among other racers. Due to his success, the Guzzi factory asked him to come to Italy and help develop a superbike unlike anything the Italian firm had produced before. The Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 was born, and it was the most powerful Guzzi ever built at the time.
The 992cc V-Twin produced 95 horsepower, good for a top speed of 145 miles per hour. Unusually for a sportbike, the Daytona retained the traditional MG shaft drive, though they utilized a system similar to BMW’s Duolever to counteract shaft-jacking. Realistically, it was a bike that didn’t feel as nimble as the Japanese competition, but die hard Guzzi fans and riders looking for something a little bit different found it be charming, and relatively easy to ride thanks to the torque. From a Cycle World review in 1993:
The Guzzi is a polished and thoroughly updated version of a machine many had left for dead. It probably won’t ever win a world roadracing championship, but there is no more charismatic motorcycle on the market today.
For more information on the Daytona and an explanation why it’s going to be a future classic (hell, it probably already is), check out this article from Motorcycle Classics.
This specific Moto Guzzi Daytona (VIN: ZGUKAAKAOPM10018) is even better than the usual, as it’s been converted back to European specs. Long story short, MG changed a few things for legal requirement when importing these bikes to the US. These included a different (uglier) headlight, oddly non-matching gauges, and a giant exhaust. To address that, this seller imported Stage B Termi headers, filters, ECU chip and exhaust, along with the euro fairing and ‘correct’ crescent headlight, as well as matching white Veglia gauges, in kilometers. This is how Guzzi really wanted to sell this bike – and seeing as this is #18 of just 250 brought to the US, there’s a chance that it’s the only similarly-equipped bike in the states.
Find this Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 for sale in Roseburg, Oregon with an opening bid of $11,999 or a BIN of $15,999