Moto Guzzi have been in the game long enough to know what makes a good cruiser. A big, solid bike, comfortable as an armchair, with bags and bags of torque. And more street cred than you can shake the California Highway Patrol at.

Guzzi have been making big cruisers for longer than you might realise. Their first 850 California model appeared in the mid-seventies and has undergone a slow process of refinement and evolution to result in this latest California EV. The latest 1064cc motor has been updated with fuel injection and, er, that's about it. The air cooled, pushrod vee-twin engine with two-valve heads has remained more or less unchanged for three generations of Calli's, but when it works so well, why change it?

Guzzi's design philosphy has always been to get the basics right, then refine the package until it works best. No season by season chasing after the latest fashions like some young Japanese pretenders. So you still get the big transverse vee-twin engine with five speed box and shaft drive, a strong steel chassis, traditional suspension and top notch Brembo brakes. Everything is well engineered and well proven and is unlikely to look dated against next years model. There's a kind of reassuring security about buying a big Guzzi, and a little bit of lifestyle committment too. For people who buy these bikes tend to keep them forever, many owners covering huge mileages without drama or fuss. But what you also get for your money is a touch of Italian class.

Unlike some cruisers the Cali doesn't try to closely emulate a Harley, and has a style distictly it's own. The swoopy curves of that elegant tank blends seamlessley with the curvy seat and mudguards and makes the bike look at once curvaceous and solidly planted on the road. No mean styling trick for a bike this big. And it handles much better than you might expect. At 268 Kg it's no lightweight, but it's beautifully well balanced and forgiving to ride. The 70 ft/lbs of torque comes in well down the rev range, and the motor is flexible enough to make you lazy with the gearchange. It will pull from tickover right up to the red line, and for touring you could stick it in top gear and leave it there for the day, traffic and small towns notwithstanding.

In fact the California offers one of the most solid, relaxing riding experiences I've encountered, and really does encourage you to take the long way home. Via Africa, for instance. And if you're looking for variety you can buy the Cali in a range of options from the stripped down Stone to the fully loaded EV Tour. There's even a limited 80th anniversary edition called the Frau, with real leather upholstery and designer saddlebags.

Marks out of ten:

Performance: Six out of ten.
If you're looking for smoking burn-outs and wheelies you won't find 'em here. What you will find is a big, relaxing package that flattens continents with ease and still feels authentically lusty.

Comfort: Nine.
Settle back into the big, comfy seat, reach out to the low, pullback bars, snick it into gear and roll off to see the world. The big Guzzi will get you wherever you want to go without taking along a consultant chiropractor. Lovely. Passenger comfort is also good with a roomy seat and padded backrest.

Build Quality: Seven.
The traditional Achilles heel of Italian motorcycles, build quality has improved under new owners Aprilia and warranty and spares back up is good. The finish on the paintwork, chrome and upholstery is great, but the engine will take regular and fastidious cleaning to keep the worst effects of the winter weather at bay. Ride it, love it and polish it, be prepared to have a relationship with your Guzzi.

Value for money:
This base model EV retails at £7984, plonking it more or less head on in the market with big Jap cruisers like the VL1500 and Yamaha Wild Star. With proven longevity the Cali should hold it's value well against the Japanese opposition, and is less likely to look old fashioned a year or two down the line. And it's cheaper than a big Harley. I'll give it eight for value.

Street Cred:
While most cruisers suffer the stigma of trying to copy Harleys, Moto Guzzi resolutely go their own way and the California has it's own distinct identity. Guzzi riders are perceived as an individual breed rather than fey followers of fashion, and the Cali EV has it's own distinctive sense of cool. Nine for street cred.

Dr.Rod.