First Impression - 2017 V7 III Special

[kballowe]

Firstly, let's just admit that this is a vintage-style motorcycle with some high tech additions.  It's not a big, fat cruiser, nor a crotch rocket nor couch rocket (Gold Wing)  Comfort, horsepower, and wind management are totally different.  It's a 470 pound, 50 horsepower, bench-seat, back-road beater.   

1.  It's a744 cc twin that lists for $8,500 U.S.  And it pulls it off well.  A fuzz more vibration than I was expecting, but that's OK.  Great torque for a little guy.  Nice powerband.  Cute little "rumble"

2.  Clutch and transmission are surprisingly excellent.  Nice clutch engagement over the travel, and the transmission has light, positive engagement with no CLUNK. 

3.  Seat is firm, but comfortable - especially considering this style of motorcycle.  An hour at a time in the seat is no issue.

4.  The fuel tank accepted 3.5 gallons when the low fuel indicator lit, +10 miles.   hahahahaaaa   long "reserve" range, eh?

5.  Light.  Nimble.  It's making me want to cut donuts in the parking lot.......  Fun to ride on short curve roads and hills and twisties - but cruises down the interstate at 75 mph just fine.

6.  The instrument cluster provides odometer, 2 trip meters, average MPG, current MPG, trip timer, average MPH over the duration of the trip, gear indicator, ambient temperature and more.  The gear indicator is present in all of the displays except "odometer".  Oh and there are probably 10 idiot lights.

7.  The brakes gave no thoughts, whatsoever.  They functioned well.  No issues.


So, a whopping 120 miles and these are my thoughts.

Tune in later for the 1,000 mile post.

 

[twowings]

Give it some miles and I'll bet those vibes settle down somewhat...you're a lucky man and I'm very jealous! 

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Thanks for the report kballowe, I appreciate it.

Looking forward to more and to also compare notes.

[Toecutter]

3.  Seat is firm, but comfortable - especially considering this style of motorcycle.  An hour at a time in the seat is no issue.

Report back after 6000 km. It breaks in perfectly. I'm good up to about 500 km, with my sheepskin added, I can do 900+.

[TimmyTheHog]

Glad you enjoy it

The reserve are known to be set high...just got to learn with the Odometer with the correct distance.

The buzz will die down as twowings said...but that rumble will stay with you....and that is one of the things make V7 fun :)

There are time I am tempted to trade my non-ABS model for the new Special :P...but I just love her too much to do so!

Ride on :)

Report back after 6000 km. It breaks in perfectly. I'm good up to about 500 km, with my sheepskin added, I can do 900+.

I either take a pee break of just stand up for a little bit :P...

But ya, stock seat breaks in awesome

[Kev m]

Sounds like my beloved V7 and maybe a little bit better!

Instrument pod sounds nice, a few more data points.

I'm sorry to hear about the low fuel light, that's a step backwards.

IIRC the light on my 13 originally came on around 3.5ish maybe 3.8ish. but the later Mk I sensors were redesigned and came on later, maybe around 4.0.

And when I changed my filter I took the opportunity to lower my early-design sensor and it turned out perfectly so my light comes on now at exactly 4.0, giving me a little more than a gallon in reserve and generally a cool 200+ miles before it comes on in the first place.

I wonder if the sensor can be repositioned on yours if you ever have the need/desire to be in the tank?!?

Anyway, enjoy!!!

[bpreynolds]

 

[rider33]

'congrats. My impression is the more miles you put on it, the more you will like it.
I agree too (V7/50), the clutch and gear box are very nice, I also think the suspension
and handling are pretty good given the price of the bike.  'No doubt a grand worth of suspension
work could make it better but given the intended usage (back road bomber) I'm not sure
it will be needed.  More time to ride it tho,  that would be nice....

[kingoffleece]

Mine (2015 V7) smoothed out noticeably at 5K.  I'l wager yours will, also.
This was verified by my notes that I kept. 

[egschade]

Mine (2015 V7) smoothed out noticeably at 5K.  I'l wager yours will, also.
This was verified by my notes that I kept.

With this weather and my work schedule it'll take me rest of the year to even get close to 5K miles (unless you meant Km).  Bought the bike a month ago and only put 150 miles on it.

I agree that the clutch and gearbox are far nicer than on my Griso. I do miss the big block grunt a little but as others have mentioned, the Mk3 really isn't lacking for real-world, street riding power. Based on my side by side comparison with a demo Stornello, the Mk3 is noticeably more powerful, smoother and better suspended. Better seat too. Other than some cosmetic and utility updates, I intend to keep things stock for a while before I even consider investing in suspension or engine upgrades. 

[kballowe]

I'd like to put in a plug for the selling dealer, if I may.

Flying Tiger Motorcycles
Maplewood, Missouri
(St. Louis)

Upfront, honest, and no hidden fees or BS.  Excellent ++  transaction.  And two free test rides......

They had probably 10 V7 III specials and another 10 V7 III Stones, plus two Anniversary models and four V9's.
Some new Royal Enfield 500's and more.  Oh, and a restored BSA Lightning and a few other vintage bikes - plus maybe 15 previously loved motorcycles of various manufacture.

They also had one Stelvio and a Griso and several of the big bikes.  Sorry, can't remember which ones.

[rider33]

...
I agree that the clutch and gearbox are far nicer than on my Griso. I do miss the big block grunt a little but as others have mentioned, the Mk3 really isn't lacking for real-world, street riding power. Based on my side by side comparison with a demo Stornello, the Mk3 is noticeably more powerful, smoother and better suspended. Better seat too....

I'm actually trying to thin the hurd on overly powerful bikes.  I've learned that really fast bikes can get you into trouble, really quick which tends to be expensive if not painful.  Conversely, you need to work a mid-sized bike more to wringe performance out of them but doing that is more fun, even if
you are not going 105 MPH  (a small bike going fast is more fun than a fast bike going slow).

'Good to know about the Missouri dealer too.  If I were super rich I'd by another V7/50 as a spare,
the most perfect bike (too me) out of the box I've seen in a long, long time.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I'd like to put in a plug for the selling dealer, if I may.

Flying Tiger Motorcycles
Maplewood, Missouri
(St. Louis)

Upfront, honest, and no hidden fees or BS.  Excellent ++  transaction.  And two free test rides......

Having an outstanding dealership is invaluable.  I feel that it is more important than getting a low price.  I for one, would and have paid more or traveled further away just for the piece of mind that a top-tier dealership provides.
Just my 2 lira worth.

[Attackpug]

I would like a Stelvio but my RT would never be rode.

[Toecutter]

I like the Stelvio, I like the V85... both quite a lot.

But, I think if I were about to bit the bullet on either, I'd probably end up spending my cash on an Africa Twin instead.

[kballowe]

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I only have a couple pictures - until the weather warms and the grass greens up !
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[Diploman]

Overall, a great looking bike!  I must say, however, that the V7III's cat/silencer units are rather gigantic in proportion to the size of the bike.  Undoubtedly the need to incorporate a cat plays a large role in swelling the muffler dimensions.  These pipes contrast strongly with the elegant, slender stainless silencers I just received from Keihan Systems for my V50: classically slim, graceful and lightweight.

[JJ]

Congratulations!! - - and good "First Impression" comments.   

It is a good looking bike, and like it in BLUE and one could ride this bike across the country and back without issue!  You will have fun with it.

[JACoH]

Yep, completely agree. I just turned 7000 miles on my blue one, and love it more every ride.

[jas67]

The more pics I see of the blue V7III special, the more I like it 

[TimmyTheHog]

Overall, a great looking bike!  I must say, however, that the V7III's cat/silencer units are rather gigantic in proportion to the size of the bike.  Undoubtedly the need to incorporate a cat plays a large role in swelling the muffler dimensions.  These pipes contrast strongly with the elegant, slender stainless silencers I just received from Keihan Systems for my V50: classically slim, graceful and lightweight.

well beside the silencer unit, it seems V7iii's pipe has its heat shield as part of the pipe unlike V7 & V7ii which has separated heatshield guard

[ohiorider]

Definitely a great looking machine!

Bob

[Bud]

    The Special in that color looks the best to me and is high on my wish list. I have a 1400 Touring and would love to have a Special for the other end of the spectrum. Some day...........

[egschade]

Overall, a great looking bike!  I must say, however, that the V7III's cat/silencer units are rather gigantic in proportion to the size of the bike.  Undoubtedly the need to incorporate a cat plays a large role in swelling the muffler dimensions.  These pipes contrast strongly with the elegant, slender stainless silencers I just received from Keihan Systems for my V50: classically slim, graceful and lightweight.

The black mufflers don't appear to be quite as big as the chrome but yes, they are disproportionately large. I plan to update mine once past the first service.




Go for something like these Mistrals:

[Kev m]

I can't see myself caring about the muffler size. I don't think it looks bad, and if it works and maybe stays a little cooler or flows better so much for the better.

[ramarren]

Overall, a great looking bike!  I must say, however, that the V7III's cat/silencer units are rather gigantic in proportion to the size of the bike.  Undoubtedly the need to incorporate a cat plays a large role in swelling the muffler dimensions.  These pipes contrast strongly with the elegant, slender stainless silencers I just received from Keihan Systems for my V50: classically slim, graceful and lightweight.

In these photo, part of that gigantic look is the result of wide angle distortion from the camera. The V7III mufflers are large and heavy, but they're not as big as these photos seem to make them. Here for comparison:


standard factory shot of V7III Racer

I fitted Agostini classic mufflers, they weigh half as much and are about four inches shorter.


my Racer with Agostini mufflers

G

[Diploman]

  Agostinis!

[Socalrob]

Overall, a great looking bike!  I must say, however, that the V7III's cat/silencer units are rather gigantic in proportion to the size of the bike.  Undoubtedly the need to incorporate a cat plays a large role in swelling the muffler dimensions.  These pipes contrast strongly with the elegant, slender stainless silencers I just received from Keihan Systems for my V50: classically slim, graceful and lightweight.

Agostinis in polished stainless look great on my bike.

Regarding any vibes, the engine likes a bit higher RPM where it smooths out.  4,500 and up.  Vibes come back at higher RPMs a bit, but it's not bad to have a bike let you know when you are well above 80mph.

[vintage53]

Would like to add a V7 to the garage.
I did visit our local dealer, a couple of weeks ago. ( fortunate to have one just under an hour away).  I must say thay the new V7 III looks better in person.  Sat on the Racer, a black/green Special and the Anversario.    I did not feel the exhaust was out of proportion. 

Was not able to ride any , still winter back east.  The biggest problem I have is which one to pull the trigger on.

Choices
👌👍👍👍

[Attackpug]