Sport Touring Flair: Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello

Italians have a unique talent for creating stunning high-performance motorcycles, machines that make grown men momentarily forget themselves as their eyes trace every curve. The art of Italian design lies in its ability to stir emotion on all levels, from sculpted beauty at rest to breathtaking performance in motion. So, it’s no surprise that the V100 Mandello from Moto Guzzi has captured our imagination. It’s a rare example of the Italian design ethos brought to life in a pure sport touring motorcycle.

Moto Guzzi Heritage

The old axiom “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” may hold true for Ducati and Aprilia, each moving roughly 60,000 motorcycles annually, while Moto Guzzi, long retired from racing, sells roughly a tenth that number or just over 6,000 units per year. But that’s by choice.

Every Moto Guzzi is still hand-assembled in Mandello del Lario, a small town on the eastern shore of Lake Como.  Founded in 1921, the company is one of Europe’s oldest motorcycle manufacturers and remains deeply rooted in tradition. The factory itself is more than a work site, it symbolizes Moto Guzzi’s enduring identity attracting passionate owners from around the world. Over the decades, the company has pioneered innovations including the first motorcycle wind tunnel, shaft-drive touring bikes, and the now-iconic transverse V-twin engine.

Moto Guzzi leans into its legacy, building motorcycles with soul, style, and long-distance comfort. For this brand, it’s less about lap times and more about emotional connection and mechanical excellence. The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello embodies that philosophy.

A Sport Tourer Through and Through

The V100 Mandello marks a stylish step forward for the storied Italian manufacturer, blending more than a century of craftsmanship with advanced technology. The name itself pays tribute to two milestones: “V100” reflecting both liter-class displacement and Moto Guzzi’s 100th anniversary celebrated in 2021, while “Mandello” honors the company’s home town of Mandello del Lario.

Moto Guzzi offers the V100 Mandello in two models – the base edition and the better equipped S model.  For completeness, we should mention that Moto Guzzi created a commemorative model, the Wind Tunnel, celebrating Moto Guzzi’s pioneering work in aerodynamic research. This model replaces the numbered limited edition Aviazione Navale, introduced in 2024, to recognize the Italian Military Marine air force division of which the founders of Moto Guzzi were members.  Both commemorative models are better optioned than the base V100 Mandello, but not as well equipped as the 2025 S.

V100 Mandello Model Line-up

Every V100 Mandello model is built on a true sport touring platform combining modern performance with acclaimed Moto Guzzi character.  The base model includes the following features.    

Performance and Handling

Both the base model and the S are powered by Moto Guzzi’s first-ever liquid cooled engine – a transverse mounted 1043cc 90° v-twin with 4 valves per cylinder.  The engine outputs 115 hp at 8700 rpm and 77.4 lb-ft of torque at 6750 rpm. 

Power reaches the rear wheel through a 6-speed transmission with shaft drive.  The S model includes an up/down quickshifter (also offered as an option on the base model).   

The base model suspension is built on a 41mm diameter inverted fork with manual preload and rebound adjustment.  The rear set-up has a monoshock with adjustable preload and dampening.  The S bumps the suspension up a couple notches.  First, Moto Guzzi outfitted the S with a fully adjustable 43 mm diameter inverted Öhlins Smart EC2.0 fork with semi-active compression and rebound damping and then paired that with a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX Smart EC2.0 monoshock rear suspension with semi-active compression and rebound damping and remote preload adjustment.  These components alone justify the extra $2900 for the S model.   

Performance & Handling Specs

• V-twin 8 valve liquid cooled engine rated at 115 hp and 77.4 lb-ft of torque
• 6-speed transmission with shaft drive
• Optional up/down Quickshifter (standard on the S model)
• Twin Brembo 4-piston monobloc radial mount calipers on 320mm discs up front
• Single Brembo 2-piston caliper on 280mm disc at the rear
• Michelin Road 6 GT tires (120/70 ZR-17 and 190/55 ZR17 front and rear)

The V100 Mandello makes no compromises when it comes to stopping power.  Both models are equipped up front with twin 320 mm diameter floating discs and 4-piston Brembo monobloc radial calipers and radial front master cylinder and a single 280 mm diameter rear disc with 2-piston Brembo caliper.  Corner-sensitive ABS and traction control help keep riders out of trouble.

Rubber meets the road on 17 inch cast aluminum wheels wrapped with Michelin Road 6 GT tires; 120/70 ZR17 in front and 190/55 ZR17 in back.

Long-Distance Riding Features

Moto Guzzi calls the V100 Mandello a sport touring motorcycle and delivers the features to back that up.  Both the base and S models include an electrically adjustable windscreen, full LED headlight package with distinctive Moto Guzzi daytime running lights (DRL) and cornering function.  Seat height is a comfortable 32.1 inches and the bike, ready to ride, weighs in at a manageable 514 pounds. 

Long-Distance Riding Features

• Electronically adjustable windscreen
• Full LED lighting with cornering function
• Seat height: 32.1 inches
• Weight: 514 pounds fueled and ready to ride
• Fuel capacity: 4.5 gallons
• Pannier mounts (panniers are sold separately)

Mounting points for panniers are built in, but panniers themselves are sold separately.

Fuel capacity, and therefore riding range, is a weak point at just 4.5 gallons.

Core Technology

Let’s start with ride modes.  Like virtually all modern motorcycles, the V100 Mandello offers multiple ride modes to match road, weather, and mood.  Tour mode offers balanced throttle and (on the S model with electronic suspension) softer suspension settings.  Sport mode opens up the bike’s full potential with the most responsive throttle, reduced traction control and engine braking, and the firmest suspension setting.  Road is designed for urban riding, setting throttle response somewhere between Tour and Sport.  And finally, Rain mode suits wet roads or loose surfaces.

Thanks to ride-by-wire throttle control, all V100 models include cruise control as standard equipment. 

Core Technology Specs

• 4 ride modes: Tour, Sport, Road, and Rain
• Cruise control
• Adaptive aerodynamics
• 5-inch TFT instrument display

Adaptive aerodynamics are a unique feature found only on the V100 Mandello.  Winglets mounted on the side fairings automatically deploy at pre-determined speeds to help deflect wind away from the rider and improve overall aerodynamics.  In addition, the system also adjusts the windscreen height in the same way.

A 5-inch TFT instrument panel and USB socket complete the base model technology package.

S Model Extras

The V100 Mandello S adds performance and technology features to the base model putting it on par with the very best sport touring motorcycles on the market today.  In addition to the electronically controlled Ohlins suspension mentioned earlier, the S includes advanced electronics that make sport touring rides safer and more enjoyable too.

The Moto Guzzi PFF Rider Assistance Solution stands out as the most innovative feature on the S.  PFF Rider Assistance is a forward and rear facing radar system that alerts riders to vehicles in their blind spot, assists with lane changes, and provides forward collision warnings.  Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), a robotics firm founded by Moto Guzzi parent company Piaggio in 2015, developed the system.

S Model Features

• Öhlins Smart EC2.0 fork and monobloc rear electronic suspension
• PFF Rider Assistance: Blind spot, lance change assistance, and forward collision warning
• Option to add Forward Cruise Control
• Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform
• TPMS
• Heated grips

The V100 Mandello S also includes Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform technology.  When connected to a smartphone, MIA lets riders conveniently manage phone calls, music, and turn-by-turn directions on the TFT instrument panel using the handlebar navigation pad.

Moto Guzzi offers a Following Cruise Control feature for the S model, but to our surprise did not include it in the Rider Assistance Solution package.  This feature enables the cruise control to automatically maintain a safe distance when the vehicle approaches traffic and resumes the preset speed when traffic clears. 

The S model also includes tire pressure monitoring (TPMS) and heated grips. 

Moto Guzzi offers a subset of S model features as optional equipment on the base model.  These are rear facing radar for blind spot alerts and lane change assistance (no forward radar option), an up/down quickshifter, TPMS, and heated grips.

Color Options and Pricing

The 2025 base model V100 Mandello is available in Blu Oceano and Grigio Titanio with matt-black wheels and dark engine heads for an MSRP of $15,590.  As mentioned earlier, some S model features can be added to the base model if one prefers to order a la carte. 

Color Options and Pricing

Model	Color Options	MSRP
V100 Mandello	Blu Oceano, Grigio Titanio	$15,590
V100 Mandello S	Verde Ghiaccio, Rosso Lava	$18,490

The feature-rich 2025 V100 Mandello S comes in a choice of Verde Ghiaccio or Rosso Lava, both featuring gold-colored wheels, engine heads and forks, for an MSRP of $18,490.

Must-Have Touring Add-Ons

Moto Guzzi offers accessories to outfit the V100 to match every rider’s style and the roads they choose.  The accessory catalog is long, listing everything from performance parts to riding apparel.  Here are the sport touring accessories most riders will want.

• Side Panniers – Moto Guzzi offers panniers to match the style of the bike and work with the integrated mounts. Each case is capable of carrying a full-face helmet and feature ignition matching keys.  Combined capacity is 59 liter, (30 liters on the left, 29 on the right).  Moto Guzzi also sells a semi-rigid leather and textile tail bag embossed with the Moto Guzzi logo. A set of panniers sells for $850.
• Center Stand – Side stands are often enough, but a center stand provides more stable parking for activities like maintenance.  Moto Guzzi sells a bolt-on center stand for $250.
• Touring Windscreen – Taller riders will appreciate the extra protection afforded by the touring windscreen.  Designed at the Moto Guzzi Style Center and wind tunnel tested with a shape that matches the lines of the bike, this windscreen increases the overall front plane area by 35% compared to the standard model.  The touring windscreen sells for $252.
• Heated Comfort Seat – Lastly, some riders will appreciate the heated comfort seat designed with 3 temperature levels that are easily selected using handlebar controls. The heated comfort seat sells the $315.

Ride Report

The folks at Optimum Performance Motorsports were kind enough to let us road test a 2024 V100 Mandello S (the 2025 models had not arrived yet); special thanks to their sales manager, Adrielle Walker. The 2024 and 2025 models are identical with the exception of the 2025 PFF Rider Assistance feature which is evident by the radar unit mounted above the headlight.

We fired up the bike and were immediately struck by the sound. The V-twin grumbles and snarls as it warms up, eager to get on with the ride.  So let’s go – mirrors adjusted, ride mode set, and we’re off.

At low speeds, the engine delivers a steady vibration that quickly smooths out as speed picks up. A twist of the throttle launches the bike forward effortlessly, a reminder that this is a lightweight sport tourer powered by an engine that knows torque.

Turns are quick and confident, requiring almost no effort. This is where the bike’s low weight and 190/55 rear tire profile shine, making even an average rider look sharp.

When it comes to slowing down, it’s no surprise those big Brembo brakes are more than up to the task. Light lever pressure delivers smooth, predictable stopping power.

Riding around town is a pure joy with the quickshifter enabled. Keep the throttle open and both upshifts and downshifts are quick and buttery smooth. Launching up a freeway ramp, throttle open as we clicked through the gears, was an absolute blast. The quickshifter, in our opinion, is a must-have.

Wind protection is solid. We didn’t notice any buffeting at freeway speeds. While we rode on a sunny day, the windscreen and fairings performed well enough to suggest they will keep riders comfortable and mostly out of the weather on longer rides.

And a quick note about instrumentation; we found the 5-inch TFT panel is plenty bright enough and well-organized with important rider information in view. Indicator lights in the bezel offer glanceable alerts, while the display itself focuses on RPM and speed. The digital tach and fuel gauge are on the small side making them hard to read at a glance.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed riding the V100 Mandello S—and we could easily see ourselves taking it on a long sport touring adventure.

Final Thoughts

The V100 Mandello is an uncommon, yet respectable sport touring motorcycle designed with Italian flair by a storied manufacturer.  Packed with modern performance capability and state-of-the-art technology, the Mandello is not easily intimidated by competitors.  In the right hands it can more than hold its own on any road. 

Riders looking for something a little different will find themselves the center of attention wherever they journey on this stylish Italian sport tourer.