At this week’s annual EICMA show in Milano Moto Guzzi made the biggest splash unveiling its Moto Guzzi V7 Clubman Racer. Usually the Italian motorcycle show is dominated by the 3 Kings — Ducati, Aprilia and MV Agusta, but this year the triumverate’s biggest release was Ducati’s technologically innovative but aesthetically questionable Multistrada 1200. So in sneaks Moto Guzzi with the gorgeous V7 Clubman Racer — a 1970′s inspired tip of the sombrero to café racers. Powered by a 4 stroke 90° 744cc V-Twin, the bike is a bit underwhelming clocking in at a modest 49 horsepower. But I don’t think power and performance are at a premium here — you’re really looking for a kind of bike to ride off into a solitary desert sunset, with nothing but emptry road before you…maybe a hand-rolled cigarette dangling from your lip.

Moto Guzzi also revealed three futuristic V12 concepts at EICMA: the V12 LM, V12 Strada, V12 X. The beauty of these bikes should be no surprise, as they were all designed by Miguel Galluzzi — the man responsible for what I consider the most beautiful bike on Earth, the Ducati Monster. According to Motorcycle:

“The Moto Guzzi V12 LM, V12 Strada and V12 X models were the products of former Ducati designers Miguel Galluzzi and Pierre Terblanche. Galluzzi is best known for popularizing the naked motorcycle by creating the Ducati Monster in 1993 while Terblanche is credited for designing the Ducati Hypermotard, Hypermotard and 999.”

Well played, Moto Guzzi, well played…

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