THE DUC GARAGE BLOG
Some motorcycles are unforgettable from the moment you lay eyes on them, and for me, that was the 2004 Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa. I remember exactly where I was when I first saw it—in a small café in downtown Calgary. My partner at the time was flipping through Robb Report, and suddenly, she stopped, laying the magazine down with a simple, “You better take a look at this.” What I saw left me speechless. This wasn’t just a bike; it was a masterpiece of Italian design and engineering.
Back then, in 2004, I never imagined I’d be able to own one. The MGS-01 Corsa was everything a Moto Guzzi enthusiast could dream of: aggressive, stylish, and powerful. But owning it felt like an impossible goal—or at least a long term goal. I resigned myself to admiring it from afar, convinced that this extraordinary bike would never be mine.
Four years later, in the fall of 2008, the world was in financial turmoil, and my health was taking a severe hit. My Crohn’s disease had flared up with a vengeance, leaving me weaker than I’d ever been. Just then, a longtime friend, and fellow Moto Guzzi fan, reached out with an offer I never expected. He had imported an MGS-01into Canada and wanted to know if I was interested in buying it.
Despite my health struggles, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When I said yes, my partner thought I was crazy, but I couldn’t let it slip away. Not long after, my health worsened, and the following months were a blur. My Crohn’s had me in and out of hospitals, and the bike stayed in the shop, waiting.
In late spring of 2009, after months of recovery, I finally walked back into my shop and saw the MGS-01 Corsa waiting for me. There it was—the bike that had captured my imagination back in 2004, now mine. I smiled, still in disbelief that this beautiful machine was really part of my life.
The MGS-01 Corsa has remained in its original, untouched state, with 0 kilometers on the odometer. For years, it’s been more than just a motorcycle; it’s a piece of art, a symbol of persistence, and a reminder of how dreams can materialize in the most unexpected ways. It’s a prized possession that stands as a testament to Moto Guzzi’s craftsmanship and my unwavering passion for these legendary machines.
