Moto Guzzi is the oldest European motorcycle manufacturer that is still in active production. Moto Guzzi was founded by three men in 1921. In 1967, Societa Esercizio Industrie Moto Meccaniche (SEIMM took over the company). During the time that SEIMM controlled the company, it veered away from its focus on motorcycles, and struggled with being profitable.

In 1973, DTI (De Tomaso Industries Inc.) purchased SEIMM. Because SEIMM owned Moto Guzzi, DTI took over this company as well. Thanks to the change in control, Moto Guzzi worked its way back to being a profitable company.

In 2000, Moto Guzzi was acquired from DTI by Aprilia S.p.A for sixty-five million dollars. Four years later, Piaggio & Co. S.p.A acquired Aprilia S.p.A. As part of this acquisition, Piaggio & Co. S.p.A assumed ownership of Moto Guzzi.

Since its creation, Moto Guzzi has been a very innovative company. Some of the firsts that can be accredited to the company are its large wheel scooter, truck-motorcycle hybrid, production automatic motorcycle, motorcycle wind tunnel, DOHC V8 motorcycle engine and rear swingarm suspension. They are also responsible for the first motorcycle center stand, motorcycle manufacturer to use AGM batteries, cartridge forks, linked brakes on a motorcycle and prototype motorcycle shaft drive.

Because of their popularity, Moto Guzzi motorcycles are by no means cheap. However, this doesn’t mean that they are unreasonably priced. For example, you can purchase a Moto Guzzi California Vintage in the range of $15,000. When you take into account the quality that is put into Moto Guzzi’s motorcycles, you can easily see why this is a reasonable price.