In September, the roar of engines could be heard around Mandello del Lario, Italy. Over 60,000 people from across the globe came to celebrate Moto Guzzi World Days. Many arrived on two wheels.
The event marked a new chapter for the 105-year-old Italian motorcycle company. It was the grand opening of Moto Guzzi’s revamped factory and new museum. The five-year project cost $58 million.
The factory sits between the mountains and shores of northern Italy’s Lake Como. It’s the same spot where Carlo Guzzi and Emanuele and Giorgio Parodi planted Moto Guzzi in 1921. The original cherry-red entrance still stands.
Beyond the gates lies a parcel of 409,000 square feet of industrial space. The complex is about six times as the size of the White House. Inside the updated factory, new machines help move parts, engines, and finished motorcycles. Even with new technology, workers still hand-assemble the motorcycles on-site. Moto Guzzi values the human touch, and so do the fans.
Timothy Bennett got his first Moto Guzzi when he was in his 20s. After saving up his money, he bought a used one. He says he fell in love. Now he’s 58. He went to Italy in September to visit the headquarters. It was his second time in five years.
For many Guzzi riders, the motorcycles are more than machines. They are a reason to travel, start a conversation, or ride alongside a stranger. To them, the motorcycles are art.
That passion and appreciation filled the streets of Mandello during the four-day event. Riders from many countries came to share their love for the brand and explore Italy. Some wanted to see the unique architecture. Some arrived just for the bikes. Many came for fun and friendship.
Roland Rampnoux is a longtime fan. He belongs to a Moto Guzzi club in Paris. He enjoyed the factory, but he says he was really there for the camaraderie.
“I like the mentality of the people who ride them,” Rampnoux says.
Over the four days, about 40,000 people visited the factory. Nearly 30,000 visited the museum. About 1,500 Moto Guzzi machines from different decades rode together. As many as 600 riders sampled Moto Guzzi’s current lineup on local roads. Six couples even renewed their wedding vows on the factory grounds.
Architect Greg Lynn says the company wanted the new space to welcome both longtime fans and people who were simply curious about Italian motorcycles. Moto Guzzi wanted a space where innovation and culture could exist together. According to the turnout, the new space is accomplishing that goal.
Why? Faith in Christ ties believers together as siblings around the world. Sometimes, other special interests help bring people together, where they might find deeper connection.
