This empathy between the local environment and human inventiveness can be clearly seen in the new Moto Guzzi Bellagio that identifies a place known the world over for its beauty combined with the free spirit of those that revel in motorcycling. Individuality and sheer style are embodied in a reserved, but sophisticated design that displays highly advanced innovative technological solutions balanced with a trendy image.

The CARC (Reactive Shaft Drive System) is a good example of this advanced technology. This system transforms the might of the new 940 cc engine into silky smooth acceleration making this machine Moto Guzzi’s most powerful naked bike. Other indicators are seen in the presence of the progressive rear suspension system, in the Brembo floating caliper brake system that acts on twin 320 mm discs, in the rear shock absorber and the fully adjustable forks. These technical high quality solutions favour active safety, set a dynamic equilibrium and provide such riding pleasure that the Bellagio is the new point of reference in the category. The Bellagio has the temperament of a Naked sports bike beneath the skin of a custom machine. The spoked wheels, drag bar, rear-set saddle and forward positioned footpegs are just a few examples of the details of a style that concentrates weight on the rear wheel giving the impression of a bike that is fixed to the ground, ready to take off at the twist of the wrist.

The new 940 cc engine is more than capable of making this machine fly. While the engine is docile and vibration-free, it puts out huge power with immense torque from even very low revs. This power can be heard in the legendary engine note emitted from new twin silencers that sing a song called Bellagio.
  
 

You cannot but be seduced by the blend of all the components, technical details and style in which Moto Guzzi is the class leader. Some components such as the large spoked wheels, the retro-style rounded instrumentation and the tank decorations are classic elements from Moto Guzzi’s past heritage incorporated into a modern design. Other allusions to traditional custom design include the pulled back handlebars, the forward positioned footpegs, the two-up saddle astride the rear mudguard, and the plentiful chrome detailing  offset by the coal black colour scheme.

Moto Guzzi style abounds on the Bellagio, beginning with the transverse 90° V-twin engine representing the key to the design. Other components include the powerful  brakes which, by tradition, are generously sized, and the twin overlapping silencers that make such a fashion statement. It is items like these that were typical of the skill and attention to detail consistently paid by Moto Guzzi  to  the design and manufacture of its products since 1921, when the company first created motorbikes that are as unique as they are technically without equal. And indeed, it is also inevitable that they should have been influenced by the splendours of the area surrounding Bellagio – just as this new model certainly is.
   
COMFORT
Dominate the road with agility and comfort.
The appearance of the Bellagio is that of a pure custom machine with a low two-up rear-set seat sitting astride the rear wheel, forward positioned footpegs and spectacular pulled-back handlebars for complete control. Surrounded by the music from the exhaust, enjoying the comfort provided by the saddle that was specially designed for long journeys and revelling in the superb suspension, the lone rider soon encounters the essence of motorcycling aboard this bike.

The evenly distributed weight provides surprising manoeuvrability and even challenging conditions such as city traffic hold no fears, thanks to the ease of changing direction aboard the bike, and its weighted front end. The Bellagio however stays true to its custom roots although it shows the best side of its character when ridden enthusiastically. Then, the sheer pleasure of riding will see you lose yourself amidst all the little details of its seductive style, when you can truly appreciate the finishing touches and enjoy the softness of the controls. It is at moments like this when the rider is in complete harmony with the machine, when he feels in touch with the spirit of an engine that can take him up to enormous speed or carry him along at a snails pace past the mirrored walls of the city. The elegant instrument panel is another key element to the Bellagio. It gracefully combines an analogue speedometer with a white face and numerals with a high-tech LCD on-board trip computer that allows the rider to be in complete control of the bike and his destiny through comfortably positioned commands.  
 
THE FRAME
A custom bike with the soul of a naked.
Behind the agility and manoeuvrability of the Bellagio lies a secret. An unprecedented tubular steel twin cradle frame connected to an aluminium swingarm housing a reactive shaft drive system. Together, these components provide great structural rigidity that give instant response to the rider. Perhaps “unaffected” is the best word to describe the bike’s behaviour. It’s completely trustworthy even when ridden in the most casual manner but when acting as an accomplice with the enormous power output and powerful brakes lends itself perfectly to being ridden with enthusiasm. It may seem paradoxical but the Bellagio amazes in its ability to eat up miles of even the twistiest roads at the same rate as a Naked sports machine.  

This ability is due to its excellent suspension system that incorporates adjustable 45 mm forks and a progressive rear swingarm featuring an adjustable shock absorber.

This combination ensures a neutral behaviour entering and exiting corners, under acceleration from the 75 CV engine and under braking delivered by Brembo calipers acting on perforated 320 mm discs.

It seems inevitable that such behaviour should come from a sports bike and it soon counters the myth that custom machines are more for appearances than for performance. 
 
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
The most powerful custom machine in its category.
The engine layout is the traditional transverse V 90 twin but its cubic capacity and character are new elements which give the Bellagio its character.
The engine bore and stroke are 95 and 66 mm respectively. This provides a cubic capacity of 935.6 cc and the engine delivers 75 CV at 7,200 rpm. The power curve is even and maximum torque of 8 Kgm is provided at 6,700 rpm. Eighty percent of the torque is available between 2,800 and 4,800 rpm.

These figures put the Bellagio at the top of the custom category with an engine that has been constantly developed from both a mechanical and electronic point of view. The engine never fails to start even under the worst weather conditions thanks to the introduction of electronic injection. The 935.6 cc unit has more useable, smoother power delivery and emissions and fuel consumption levels fully comply with Euro 3 standards.
Performance is further enhanced by other technical additions like twin spark plugs and having the injectors positioned directly over the inlet manifolds. The alternator is positioned between the cylinders. This makes the engine more compact and also offers significant advantages in terms of control and overall rideability. Lightened piston rods, pistons and rings help reduce weight and sintered valve guides improve smoothness and increased resistance to wear.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via the CA.R.C. system (the Moto Guzzi patented “reactive” shaft drive). This transmission system, which is an integral part of the light aluminium swingarm, always offers a smooth precise response with none of the jerkiness often encountered on shaft drive systems. The anti-shaft effect has also been eliminated, and the individual CA.R.C. format permits a single-sided swingarm design to be employed which also adds to overall rigidity.

Finally, the six-speed gearbox is a gem of engineering. The gears are quiet, finding neutral is easy and the  tall gearbox ratios have been designed for highway cruising, and always offer the perfect response from the engine.  
 
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