Moto Guzzi
A big, comfortable tourer that asks you to slow down and enjoy the miles
- 3 colours
- Engine
- 1380 cc
- Power
- 95 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 10 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 318 kg
In short
Sold in India from 2013 to 2020, the California 1400 was Moto Guzzi's touring cruiser, pairing a 1380cc air-cooled V-twin with a claimed 10kmpl and ex-showroom prices from ₹21.88 lakh for the Custom to ₹23.82 lakh for the Touring. It carried more weight and screen than the Audace, aimed at highway miles rather than boulevard posing, and the trade-off was a heavier, less flickable machine.
What works
- 95bhp and 121Nm with genuinely usable low-rev torque
- Touring variant adds a screen and more relaxed ergonomics
- Dual-channel ABS and twin front/rear discs on both variants
- Shaft drive needs no chain maintenance on long trips
What doesn't
- 10kmpl mileage is poor next to most rivals in this bracket
- 318kg kerb weight is heavy for U-turns and parking
- Moto Guzzi service and parts availability is limited in India
Best for: Highway touring, Two-up long-distance rides
Last prices and variants
The last ex-showroom Delhi list prices before Moto Guzzi withdrew the model in 2020.
The California 1400 was sold in 2 variants, from ₹21,88,126 for the Custom to ₹23,81,941 for the Touring, ex-showroom Delhi, at the time it was withdrawn in 2020.
Against the 64 cruisers on sale today its last price would sit 53th from the cheapest. The closest current bikes on price are the R 12 (₹21,99,966) and the Chief Dark Horse (₹21,58,779); those are the new-bike alternatives to weigh a used California 1400 against.
| Variant | Custom | Touring |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹21,88,126 | ₹23,81,941+₹1,93,815 |
| Rough EMI | ₹69,390/mo | ₹75,540/mo |
| Kerb Weight | 318 kg | 337 kg |
Mileage
The California 1400 is rated at 10 kmpl (claimed mileage). Treat that as a ceiling: real-world figures are usually 15–25% lower.
Engine and ride
The 1380cc air-cooled engine makes 95 bhp and 121 Nm through a 6 Speed. With a kerb weight of 318 kg that is 299 bhp per tonne, 23th best power-to-weight of the 60 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
Torque is high relative to peak power, which is what you want for pulling away with a pillion and riding a gear higher in traffic rather than chasing the redline.
Chassis hardware includes dual-channel ABS, with a disc, 320 mm up front and disc, 282 mm at the rear.
Seat height is a low 740 mm, so riders around 5'2" and above can plant both feet at a stop.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The California 1400 was Moto Guzzi's dedicated tourer, sold in India between 2013 and 2020 in Custom and Touring trims priced from ₹21.88 lakh and ₹23.82 lakh respectively. It shared its 1380cc V-twin with the Audace but wore more weight, more chrome and a more relaxed riding position built for distance rather than attitude. It never had a large presence on Indian roads, so most examples left today are used and bought by owners who specifically wanted the badge.
Riding it every day
The engine's 95bhp and 121Nm arrive low and stay flat, which suits Indian highway speeds and the constant gear changes of city traffic better than a peaky sportsbike engine would. At 318kg it settles into a straight line well but needs deliberate effort at parking speeds and around speed breakers. Fuel economy of around 10kmpl means a 20-litre tank is good for roughly 200km before the next stop, worth planning around on long routes.
What to know before buying
A used California 1400 needs the same checks as any ageing air-cooled Guzzi: oil seepage around the heads, shaft drive backlash, and swingarm bearing wear given the weight it carries. Parts supply runs through a small authorised network plus independent specialists, so budget extra time for anything beyond routine servicing, and confirm what a seller has actually had done rather than what the paperwork claims.
Who should buy it
A rider who wants a genuine touring cruiser with character, has already lined up someone who can service it, and is not counting on daily-use fuel economy. It suits long weekend rides more than a daily commute.
Features
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Engine kill switch
On safety kit the California 1400 has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake and tubeless tyres. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
What it lacks: side-stand engine cut-off, hazard lamps, led headlamp and led daytime running lamp, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 3 colours: Basalt Black, Mercury Grey and Marrone Executive. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years, unlimited km.
Moto Guzzi runs a limited sales and service network in India, at roughly 15 touchpoints. Check the nearest workshop before buying if you live outside a metro; a 40 km ride for every service adds up.
Moto Guzzi sold the California 1400 new from 2013 until 2020, long enough for spares and workshop familiarity to be no problem for years yet. Warranty on a used example depends on what is left of the original term; service intervals and parts pricing are unchanged by the model being withdrawn.
California 1400: questions people ask
- Is the Moto Guzzi California 1400 still available?
- No. Moto Guzzi withdrew the California 1400 in 2020 after selling it since 2013. Dealers sometimes hold unregistered stock for a few months after a model goes; after that it is a used buy.
- What was the price of the Moto Guzzi California 1400?
- The California 1400 last listed between ₹21,88,126 and ₹23,81,941 ex-showroom Delhi across 2 variants. Used prices depend on year, mileage and condition; a two- to three-year-old example typically changes hands at 60–75% of that.
- What is the mileage of the California 1400?
- Claimed mileage is 10 kmpl. Real-world figures are usually 15–25% lower.
- How much does the California 1400 cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹9.48 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹7,394 a month before servicing.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the California 1400?
- It uses a 1380cc engine producing 95 bhp and 121 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the California 1400 suitable for short riders?
- Yes. Seat height is 740 mm, low for the class, so riders around 5'2" and above can reach the ground comfortably.
- California 1400 or Chief Dark Horse: which is better?
- The Chief Dark Horse is ₹29,347 less expensive to start and more efficient at 14 kmpl against 10 kmpl. Pick the California 1400 for highway touring, the Chief Dark Horse for highway cruising. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the California 1400?
- Among the 65 cruisers we have reviewed, the Classic 350 (₹1.98 Lakh), the X440 (₹2.35 Lakh), the Perak (₹2.22 Lakh) start lower.
- Can the California 1400 comfortably carry a pillion on the highway?
- Yes, it was built for it, with a wide seat and shaft drive that keeps power delivery smooth, though standard suspension preload should be adjusted for two-up loads before a long trip.
- Is 10kmpl typical, or can it be improved?
- Around 10kmpl is broadly in line with what owners have reported for a big air-cooled twin at this weight, and steady highway cruising will usually do a little better than stop-start city riding.
California 1400 vs its rivals
Around ₹21.88 Lakh
Other bikes and scooters within 20% of the California 1400's starting price.
