MOTO GUZZI MGS01 CORSA ARRIVES IN ADELAIDE

Press Release – August 13, 2010

Italian Motorcycles, the Moto Guzzi, Aprilia and Ducati Dealer in Adelaide SA has recently taken delivery of a brand new Moto Guzzi MGS01 production race bike from Italy built specifically for them by the Moto Guzzi factory.

Moto Guzzi's MGS-01 (short for "Moto Guzzi Sport 01") broke cover at the 2002 Intermot Expo in Munich, Germany, and immediately commanded the attention of motorcycle fans worldwide. Guzzis typically only appeal to a "select" brand of enthusiast, but the MGS-01, with lithe bodywork hovering above a massive, mechanically commanding motor, elicited affection from across the board.

The design study was conceived and completed in just nine months by Giuseppe Ghezzi, co-founder of Missaglia, Italy's Ghezzi and Brian, a tuning firm renowned for building high-performance Guzzis. The powerplant was similar to that which powered Ghezzi's Pro Thunder racers, bored out to 1225cc and producing a claimed 120 rear-wheel horsepower. The MGS-01 was tricked-out with a MotoGP-inspired aluminum swingarm, O.Z. wheels, Öhlins suspension, Brembo radial brakes, on-board data acquisition and more.

Guzzi produced around 150 race-only MGS-01 Corse models that were raced with some success. In '06 and '07, Italian Gianfranco Guareschi dominated the AHRMA Battle of the Twins F1 competition at Daytona and In between won the Italian Supertwins Championship.

Unfortunately, Aprilia, which owned Guzzi at the time the bike was produced, sold the historic brand to Piaggio in '05 and the new owners almost immediately shelved the project. The assembly line however survived, and when Italian Motorcycles learnt that Guzzi could still produce bikes on a "made-to-order" basis, they placed an immediate order.

Mike Hampton, Dealer Principal at Italian Motorcycles says: "The MGS01 is a fabulous looking bike, which at the time it was released was very competitive in racing in the US and Europe. Many riders think of Guzzi only as a touring bike and forget it's rich racing history"

In the 1950s, Moto Guzzi, led the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Their durable and lightweight Giulio Carcano designed 250 cc and 350 cc bikes dominated the middleweight classes winning five consecutive 350 cc world championships between 1953 and 1957. Carcano then designed the V8 500 cc GP race bike one, of the most complex engines of all time, which led many races and frequently posted the fastest lap time but often failed to complete races because of mechanical problems. Moto Guzzi withdrew from racing after the 1957 season after winning 3,329 official races, 8 World Championships, 6 Constructor's Championships and 11 Isle of Man TT victories.

The Corsa racing engine has chrome cylinder walls, Cosworth triple ring racing pistons, and (31 mm exhaust, 36 mm intake) nymonic valves. A special lubrication system that sprays oil under the pistons for greater reduction of friction was incorporated. A new sintering double disc hydraulic drive clutch was used to handle the massive power output of the new engine.

To keep overall weight down, lightweight components like the 19.5" (495 mm) aluminum box section swing arm and rising rate linkages were created. The entire one-piece carbon fiber body design can be removed quickly and easily for ease of maintenance. Ohlins suspension and rigid rectangular single spar steel frame give the MGS-01 impressive agility.

In keeping with the goal of being lightweight and agile, the standard gearbox was redesigned and turned into a structural component to keep the wheelbase to 56" (1423 mm).

With the short wheelbase, perfect weight distribution between both wheels and weighing in at less than 423 lbs (192 kg), the MGS-01's overall stunning aerodynamic design ensures perfect agility and performance on and off the race track.