The Moto Guzzi 750 Strada was a 743 cc standard motorcycle first made in 1992. It was based on the Moto Guzzi 350 roadster, lighter than the V7 Sport but much less powerful, and it was designed to be an easy step up to a big machine.
Moto Guzzi 750 Strada at a glance
| Maker | Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario |
|---|---|
| Production | from 1992, discontinued after about two years |
| Engine | 743 cc transverse V-twin, enlarged from the 350 and 500 unit |
| Power | 48 bhp |
| Top speed | about 95 mph |
| Final drive | shaft |
| Brakes | linked system, the foot pedal working the rear brake and one front disc |
| Front suspension | telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | twin shocks |
| Seat height | lower than the V7 |
| Stablemate | Moto Guzzi 1000 Strada, with a larger engine |
The English Wikipedia article on the 750 Strada is the only source used here, so this page is based on one source.
History of the Moto Guzzi 750 Strada
The 750 Strada followed the established Moto Guzzi pattern of a transverse V-twin engine and shaft drive, but it used an enlarged version of the lightweight 350 and 500 engine of the 1990s rather than the older big-block unit. The result was a motorcycle that weighed less than the V7 Sport but produced far less power: its 48 bhp was never intimidating and gave a top speed of around 95 mph, where the earlier, heavier V7 produced some 70 bhp.
The chassis was conventional, with a telescopic fork at the front and twin shocks at the rear, and the final shaft drive needed little maintenance and kept the back of the bike free of chain oil. The linked braking system, in which the foot pedal operated the rear brake and just one of the front discs, was safe and effective. The side-to-side torque reaction of the longitudinal crankshaft was barely noticeable, and the seat height was even lower than on the V7, which made the bike accessible to shorter riders.
Why it did not sell
The 750 Strada never caught the imagination of buyers. Its power was too low for some riders, while the smaller and cheaper 350 and 500 models served those who wanted a runabout. It was a naked bike with no wind protection, and it was less reliable than some Moto Guzzis, the electrics being prone to suffer in damp conditions. Production was discontinued after only about two years, and the 1000 Strada, a stablemate that differed primarily in engine capacity, did not change the picture.
Design and features
- Lightweight V-twin: a 743 cc engine enlarged from the small 350 and 500 units, not the old big block.
- Low and friendly: 48 bhp, a low seat and a modest weight made it an easy first big bike.
- Linked brakes: the foot pedal worked the rear brake and one front disc together.
- Shaft drive: reliable and almost maintenance free, with little torque reaction felt by the rider.
- Naked design: no fairing or screen, in the tradition of the Guzzi roadsters.
Moto Guzzi 750 Strada versions
- 750 Strada (1992 onwards): the standard naked roadster with the 743 cc engine.
- 1000 Strada: stablemate with a larger engine and otherwise the same idea.
The Strada was a lighter alternative to the V7, and it shared the small V-twin layout with the V65. More machines are in the Moto Guzzi collection.
Sources
- Moto Guzzi 750 Strada, English Wikipedia: engine, power, brakes, reception
