2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress First Ride Video Review
A stylish entry into the bagger market
The MGX–21 Flying Fortress is Moto Guzzi’s fourth variation on the California 1400 platform. Given the additional stresses that a bagger with a fork-mounted fairing puts on a chassis, the fact that Guzzi felt it was necessary only to beef up the rear subframe says something about how stout the frame was in the first place.
2017 Moto Guzzi MGX–21 Flying Fortress First Ride Review
Moto Guzzi’s first step into the bagger fray comes in the form of a high-zoot, carbon-fiber bodywork with attention-getting bright red highlights. The MGX makes a strong first impression with its 21-inch cast wheel that has a shapely carbon cover installed along with a carbon front fender. While the fairing itself isn’t carbon fiber, the semi-matt surface treatment of the black plastic combines with the similarly colored paint on the fork covers to give a multi-tonal play on black surfaces. The fairing’s angular lines pull the eye back over the sleek tank to the swooping arcs of the hard bags. The red cam covers call attention to the fact that the MGX is not a cookie-cutter V-Twin.
While the 1400cc engine (1380cc, to be exact) is smaller than many other entries in the bagger class, the Guzzi never feels underpowered. The 90° transverse V-Twin’s torque pulls well off the line with smooth, glitch-free power delivery. Though the cruise control can be a little fiddly, the MGX is a great platform for counting off the miles. During the summer months, the plentiful air flow around the fairing will help keep both the rider and passenger cool. The small bags limit carrying capacity for long tours, though.
Moto Guzzi’s first entry into the world of baggers made a strong statement about style, performance, and price. With a MSRP of $21,990, the MGX–21 weighs in quite competitively. Take a look at the video below to see how good the MGX looks in action, and then go read our full review here.
Like most of the best happenings in his life, Evans stumbled into his motojournalism career. While on his way to a planned life in academia, he applied for a job at a motorcycle magazine, thinking he’d get the opportunity to write some freelance articles. Instead, he was offered a full-time job in which he discovered he could actually get paid to ride other people’s motorcycles – and he’s never looked back. Over the 25 years he’s been in the motorcycle industry, Evans has written two books, 101 Sportbike Performance Projects and How to Modify Your Metric Cruiser, and has ridden just about every production motorcycle manufactured. Evans has a deep love of motorcycles and believes they are a force for good in the world.
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Aye, nice video production. And if this is your style of bike, the Flying Fortress seems like a good one.
Evans, I bought a California Touring after watching your review on it back in July of 2014.
In fact I purchased the bike in Seattle and drove it across country to New England in early May of this year. It was an epic adventure which I thought I was well prepared for until I hit the road and almost immediately hit temps in the 30's & 40's to a balmy 100 degrees in Death Valley.
There was every kind of weather imaginable along the route from rain and snow to hail and scorching heat...
More than once I said "what the heck am I doing" but right now it's all I can think about; I have this urge to get back on the Guzzi and do it all over again and I can't imagine doing it on any other bike.
I have to say the Guzzi ran flawlessly, it never skipped a beat. A couple of days I did over 600 miles and I'm still amazed at how smooth and dependable this motorcycle is.
Thanks for the reviews and rest assured people do buy bikes based on motorcycle.com's reviews!