In the late sixties Moto Guzzi wanted to replace the old Falcone with the new V7 twin. But the Carabinieri wanted a simple, strong single again. So designer Lino Tonti developed the Nuovo Falcone in about four months.

Apart from the bore and stroke the Nuovo Falcone has little in common with its predecessor. It got a wet-sump crankcase (the oil is in the sump), 12-volt coil ignition, an enclosed flywheel and a heavier frame. A starter motor became possible.

In 1969 the bike was presented to the government. In 1970 the army version (Militare) went on sale and in 1971 the civilian version (Civile), with electric starter. Sales to private buyers were disappointing: the bike was heavy and slow, just as the Japanese fours arrived. So around 1974–1975 Guzzi tried again with metallic colours and the Sahara, which according to Motorrad was born from leftover desert-coloured paint. Production stopped in 1976. Police and army used the bike into the nineties.

The sources differ slightly on numbers. Motorrad gives 2,874 civilian bikes and 13,400 service bikes; inSella speaks of 16,000 in total, of which about 3,000 Civile.

Militare and Polizia: service versions for the army, Carabinieri and police; often with extra equipment.

Civile (from 1971): civilian version with starter motor and slightly taller final gearing (two teeth fewer).

Sahara (c. 1974–1975): civilian model in desert colour, derived from the Militare.

The differences between Militare and Civile are small and mainly cosmetic.

The Nuovo Falcone is solid and simple, but you need to know what you are buying.

Starter motor. The electric starter was not known for reliability. That is why there is also a kick-starter as back-up.

Weight and performance. With over 210 kg and about 25 hp the bike is slow. It is made for relaxed touring, not for riding fast. To inexperienced riders the old-fashioned engineering sometimes feels awkward.

Ex-service bikes. Most were built as service bikes. So many civilian examples are actually converted Militare or Polizia bikes. That is fine, but it should be reflected in the price.

The Nuovo Falcone is mechanically simple. In 2013 Motorrad named suppliers including Fassoli and Stucchi (Italy) and Gawa (Germany), plus the German Falcone Club forum and Mario Colombo’s book as a reference.

Price indication. The Italian inSella wrote in November 2025 that even well-maintained examples cost around € 3,500 to € 5,000, depending on condition. In 2013 Motorrad gave running examples from about € 3,000. So the bike is still one of the cheapest ways to ride a classic Guzzi.