The Italian motorbike scene turned into a national showcase in September 2026. On the shore of Lake Como, the modest town of Mandello del Lario hosted the Moto Guzzi World Days – a four-day extravaganza honoring the brand’s 105th anniversary. A few weeks later, Rome’s historic streets became a proving ground for a free, public test ride event featuring the latest offerings from both Aprilia and Moto Guzzi. Both gatherings attracted thousands of enthusiasts, underscoring the enduring appeal of Italy’s two-wheel heritage.
Mandello del Lario: a 105-year celebration
From 3 to 6 September, more than 60,000 visitors swarmed Mandello del Lario to experience GMG 2026. Official figures cite 40,000 factory tours and close to 30,000 tickets sold for the brand-new museum, while independent estimates push the total attendance toward 65,000. The event felt less like a conventional launch and more like a homecoming, reflecting Moto Guzzi’s long-standing bond with the town that houses its historic production halls.
The centerpiece of the celebration was the unveiling of a radically refurbished complex. After five years of work and a $58 million investment from Piaggio, American architect Greg Lynn delivered a blend of industrial heritage and contemporary design. The new site now spans roughly 409,000 sq ft of production space and adds 45,200 sq ft of public areas, including a Motoplex store, café, auditorium, and the restored Galleria del Vento wind tunnel.
The crown jewel is the 32,000 sq ft museum, a metallic, angular structure that mirrors the technical aesthetic of Moto Guzzi motorcycles. Inside, a collection of over 160 machines traces the brand’s evolution from its first models to modern sport-tourers. Highlights include prototypes, race bikes, military units, and cinema-linked machines. A dedicated room showcases the legendary 500 cc V8 Grand Prix – the “Otto Cilindri” – a 1955 marvel that produced roughly 80 hp at 12,500 rpm and could sprint to 170 mph, even if reliability issues curtailed its racing career.
Perhaps the most striking museum feature is the glass wall that frames the active production line. Visitors can watch freshly assembled Moto Guzzis roll out opposite historic bikes, a visual metaphor for the brand’s seamless dialogue between past ingenuity and present craftsmanship.
Rome’s Eternal City Moto Show: free test rides for all
Between 25 and 27 September, the Eternal City Moto Show staged its tenth edition inside the repurposed Gazometro in the Ostiense district. The fair’s entry ticket included unlimited access to a free test-ride program, where riders could sample the latest models from Aprilia and Moto Guzzi under the supervision of experienced guides.
Aprilia brought a diverse slate: the Tuono 457 naked, tailored for A2-license holders; the popular middle-displacement sport bike RS 660 the adventure-oriented Tuareg and its more off-road-focused sibling Tuareg Rally and the high-performance hyper-naked Tuono V4 Factory. Each bike offered a distinct riding experience, from city-slick agility to long-haul comfort.
On the Moto Guzzi side, the line-up emphasized travel capability. The Stelvio arrived as the flagship touring machine, built for long distances on varied terrain. The revamped V7 Sport presented a sportier, technology-rich version of the iconic V7. Finally, the V85 family appeared in both Strada (road-focused) and TT (off-road-ready) configurations, offering a blend of adventure-tourer versatility and enduro ruggedness.
All test rides were organized on-site; participants booked slots at dedicated brand booths and then rode the bikes on public streets, accompanied by professional riders who explained handling characteristics and safety tips. Because the service was bundled with the admission fee, the event attracted thousands of curious motorcyclists eager to feel the newest Italian engineering firsthand.
Both the World Days celebration and the Roman demo tour illustrate how Moto Guzzi and Aprilia continue to nurture a passionate community. From the lakeside factory’s historic museum to the bustling streets of Rome, Italy’s motorcycle culture proved once again that heritage and innovation can ride side by side.
