Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa

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(All photos courtesy Moto Guzzi USA)

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Moto Guzzi North America will be offering 50 MGS-01 “Corsa” track ready motorcycles to the US market later this year.  A street or “Series” version is expected to follow in the 3rd quarter of 2004.  
 
The MGS-01 Corsa comes to life from the imagination of the famous Moto Guzzi Style Laboratory. In early 2002, with the renovation of Moto Guzzi world-wide already underway, Moto Guzzi began to develop a new range of modern, agile, sport motorcycles that would embody all the rich racing history and spirit of the famous brand from Mandello del Lario. 

The creative team of esteemed motorcycle designers Ghezzi and Brian, with the full backing of Moto Guzzi brought the initial concepts from the Moto Guzzi “Style Laboratory” to life. 
 
Unleashed creativity breeds the MGS-01 Corsa, a Moto Guzzi with the ultimate sporting temperament. With a two-year goal from concept to the street, the designers decided to work with the existing 4 valve V-twin power plant developed for the Centauro. 

The new 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.  

The hands-down choice for the transmission was the current V11’s road-tested six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.  The use of a new sintering double disc hydraulic drive clutch was necessary to handle the massive power output of the new engine.  To keep the overall weight down, lightweight components like the new 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 a rigid rectangular single spar steel frame gives the MGS-01 its 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) maximum.  With the short wheelbase, perfect weight distribution between both wheels and weighting 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.