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BETHEL, CT – The monthly (and sometimes twice a month) Spark! motorcycle gathering at Molten Java coffee bar had some extra juice Wednesday evening when Roland DeLongoria, regional sales manager for Piaggio, rode in on a 2017 Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress.
DeLongoria has been taking it to dealers this week to educate them on the new model – Wednesday at Hamlin Cycles here, today at New Haven Powersports – and opted to show off the bagger to some riders as well.
As its name suggests, the MGX-21 Flying Fortress is a breathtaking behemoth, lathered with carbon fiber and red accents. The model was unveiled at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August and is now just arriving at dealers. Powered by a 1,380cc, 90-degree transverse mounted V-Twin engine and weighing in at 701 pounds, the MGX-21 Flying Fortress has an MSRP of $21,990.
Noting the carbon fiber, its acceleration and its handling (despite a 21-inch front wheel), DeLongoria said, “It’s definitely not a Harley.”
Ernest Ferrari of Westport, CT took it for a short ride and came back impressed. “It’s wonderful. It’s a beautiful machine,” he said. “They’re aiming at the (Harley-Davidson) Street Glide crowd.”
The shaft-driven MGX-21 Flying Fortress is meant for going the distance, with spacious hard bags and full fairing with sound system. Fuel injection is from Weber-Marelli and the brakes come from Brembo. It has a reported 95 horsepower and 89.2 foot pounds of torque. The gas tank holds 5.4 gallons.
Having the MGX-21 Flying Fortress to sit on and ride (I did the former but not the latter) certainly gave riders at the Spark! gathering something to talk about.
– By Bud Wilkinson
