A motorcycle factory sits on the edge of Lake Como in a little town that proudly proclaims itself “La Citta della Moto Guzzi” — the city of Moto Guzzi. Artisans have been hand-fabricating motorcycle parts here since 1921.

Lately the venerable Mandello plant is working overtime. Moto Guzzi, in a bid to compete with leading European manufacturers, has nearly doubled its workforce to produce the V85 TT, an adventure motorcycle that will vie for customers with BMW’s GS, KTM’s Adventure, Ducati’s Multistrada and Triumph’s Tiger machines.