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Moto Guzzi MGX-21 in the driving report

Bagman begins

Batman also has to go on vacation. But is that why you forego the style-defining bat design? No, which is why he would choose the new Moto Guzzi MGX-21. The first European excavator is also suitable for non-superheroes for leisurely trips?

The situation in Gotham City is relaxed. All gangsters stew in jail. For the city’s superhero, that means: free time. The only thing missing is the right vehicle, a Batmobile with relaxation guarantee. They have that at the moment M.oto Guzzi assembled. For the 95th birthday of the Italian brand, the foundation of the hallowed halls on Lake Como has sprung up a new sprout, which overshadows all models that were previously created under the code name Chopper or Cruiser by Guzzi. The opaque fog of the bandit city of Gotham lies over them, and the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 steals the show when they are bathed in daylight.

Moto Guzzi MGX-21 in the driving postponement

Bagman begins

Front moves upwards as if by itself

Around Gotham, in the USA, this is currently the hottest style in the cruiser sector. To remodel established California in this direction would have been too easy. At Guzzi they wanted to create something more, something unique. That is why the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is not only adorned with numerous carbon surfaces that make the 350 kilogram heavy chunk a little lighter with a full tank, but also a 21-inch front wheel.

So the front moves upwards as if by itself. So that it can move freely at all, the steering head of the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is very flat. 58 degrees are unparalleled. The same applies to the caster, which is 187 millimeters long. And the wheelbase of 1.7 meters also speaks for itself. Anyone who does not have the powers of Batman will be speechless. Can the thing be moved by normal motorcyclists at all??

Moto Guzzi MGX-21 steers reluctantly

The attempt makes you smart. The Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is still leaning on the side stand. In the vertical with it. It’s time to grab it. Each of the many pounds braces itself against the changes in position. That started well. Audible, but reserved, the big 1400 V-engine bubbles between the frame cables, exudes serenity, encourage courage. It will be fine. Thanks to the short gearshift travel, first gear engages almost automatically. Via ride-by-wire, the engine takes on the gas smoothly, even in the most spontaneous of the three available driving modes.

At walking pace, the first bend is waiting. And the next damper. The Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is reluctant to steer. This is really due to a damper, the steering damper. It is mounted in the direction of travel and connects the frame and the lower triple clamp. Because of the short distance to work, the damping force is immense when driving slowly and with large steering angles. Otherwise, reliable driving behavior with the large 21-inch front wheel would not be possible, reports Guzzi. If it stays that way, Batman will probably be the only one in the list of buyers for the MGX-21.

The excavator becomes a reliable partner

But things change as soon as the speedometer shows the limit allowed in the city. The excavator will not become a feather-light hopper, but it will become a reliable partner. To which the engine again contributes a large part. At 50 km / h, the crankshaft rotates a good 1600 times in gear position six without disturbing the fat V-twin cylinder. He even goes along with spontaneous opening of the throttle valve at these low engine speeds. At 3000 revolutions it has reached its maximum torque with 121 Nm, the highest power is available at 6500 rpm. Almost 97 horses then gallop in the combustion chamber. Highway speed is reached quickly. If it goes straight ahead, the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 runs stably and without twitching.

The steering damper is probably not that bad after all. The excavator maintains this impeccable handling when cornering. The lean angle is slightly above the class standard, the steering behavior is no mystery. Tea Motorbike Guzzi MGX-21 just doesn’t like changing direction in an inclined position. Then superpowers are almost in demand again. And Batman shouldn’t just exercise a little caution when braking in an inclined position because the front wheel tends to fold. But that is more due to the geometry than the brakes. The radially mounted Brembo stoppers at the front have the heavyweight firmly under control at all times and are easy to dose. And before the front wheel locks permanently, the ABS reliably reduces the brake pressure. The system could regulate more finely, but it does it well. The same applies to traction control. It can be set in four levels from "off" to "very sensitive", but is on the safe side even in the sportiest control level.

The price is tough

When swinging from corner to corner, the chassis also plays a role. The 45 millimeter fork does not guide the front wheel in a hypersensitive manner, but it is stable and does not block when anchoring hard. The stereo struts at the rear swing a little on long waves, and they also have some difficulty in sensitively damping the unsprung masses, which are high due to the thick cardan shaft, but that’s nothing that superheroes and normal motorcyclists can’t get used to . The bottom line is that the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 offers a lot of motorcycle despite the excavator chassis layout, and by no means subordinates the dynamics to the unusual design.

And since the sitting position with the high, two-part handlebars screwed to the upper triple clamp, the comfortable, 740 millimeter high seat and the well-placed footrests is also very comfortable, trips with the Guzzi excavator can be long. There is enough range thanks to the large, 21.5 liter tank. If entertainment is desired, the integrated multimedia platform provides the ideal background. Listen to the radio, play your own music from your mobile phone via Bluetooth, set up hands-free systems – everything is possible. Even the comic hero, who has mutated from Batman to Bagman, is pleased with the relaxed gliding behind the bat-inspired disguise that protects the upper body relatively well. His alter ego Bruce Wayne doesn’t have to worry about money, which is why he shouldn’t care much about the 23,000 euros for the Moto Guzzi MGX-21. For everyone else, that’s the price to pay to feel like a superhero on a motorcycle.

Technical data Moto Guzzi MGX-21

Moto Guzzi MGX-21

engine

Air / oil-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 90-degree V-engine, one overhead, chain-driven camshaft, four valves, bucket tappets, bumpers, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, injection, 2 x Ø 52 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 550 W alternator, battery 12 V / 18 Ah, hydraulically operated single-plate dry clutch, six-speed gearbox, cardan, secondary transmission 3.600.

  • Bore x stroke 104.0 x 81.2 mm
  • Cubic capacity 1380 cm³
  • Compression ratio 10.5: 1
  • Rated output 71.0 kW (97 hp) at 6500 rpm
  • Max. Torque 121 Nm at 3000 rpm

landing gear

Double loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, Ø 45 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, two spring struts, adjustable spring base and rebound stage, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston fixed calipers , disc brake at the rear, Ø 282 mm, double-piston floating caliper, traction control, ABS.

  • Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 21; 5.50 x 16
  • Tires 120/70 21; 180/60 R 16

Dimensions + weights

Wheelbase 1700 mm, steering head angle 58.0 degrees, caster 187 mm, spring travel f / r 107/80 mm, seat height 740 mm, dry weight 341 kg, tank capacity / reserve 20.5 / 5.0 liters.

  • Two year guarantee
  • Colors black / carbon
  • Price including additional costs 23,000 euros

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