V7 II review - Motorcycle-USA.com

[scura283]

Great review and a hint of something in the works.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/08/article/2015-moto-guzzi-v7-ii-first-ride/

[Kev m]

Great article from someone who gets it!

Let’s begin by looking at what makes a classic bike better than a modern machine – when on paper it should lose out on every front. The key, overwhelmingly important, factor is that the motorcycle must have an emotional link to the rider. This is where many retro bikes miss out. Adding complexity to a motorcycle does not automatically make it better – it just makes it more complex.

There is no argument that if you have a 200 horsepower superbike cranked right over, and on the very limits of tire adhesion, you need traction control. There is a less valid, but still credible, argument for having different mapping options on your heavily laden AT machine as you ride from warm, dry roads into monsoon conditions.

However, what the electronics do for most riders is to separate them from the very reason they ride in the first place – the pursuit of that unique link which comes only from a truly anthropomorphic bond between rider and motorcycle: the two wheeled horse in living metal. The best, and only the very best, young designers understand this very subtle and nuanced idea and when they produce a modern classic it retains all the intense involvement of an original classic – but adds an electric starter and a lack of oil puddles on the garage floor.

And as you said - hints at:

Where it lost out was on top speed. I have no idea what is the V7’s actual, head-buried-in-the-tank maximum is but I would be surprised if it is much north of 105 mph. Returning to the Guzzi factory, I saw 95 mph on the speedometer half a dozen times. At these speeds, the V7’s aerodynamics – those of a porcine brick – start to demand power the bike clearly doesn’t have.

But here is the core of the matter. With ever reducing, and more rigidly enforced, speed limits 90 mph is ample to get your license suspended so at what point does top speed become merely a matter of geeky conjecture? For absolutely certain, I could ride the V7 hard all day two-up, and stretch the tolerance of the law to the outer limits, with the existing 48 hp.

However, a bit more urge would be nice – isn’t it always – and, after the test was completed we were gossiping to Guzzi staff and one mentioned that the factory does have a rather special V7 currently wandering around northern Italy. This engine knocks out 65 hp, with even more torque, and really would tick all the boxes. At the moment, Piaggio is spending a lot of money on the Guzzi brand, including re-working the ancient Mandello del Lario factory, so it clearly sees a future in the retro/quirky sector. A “Super V7” would extend the V7 range very nicely indeed. Watch this space…

Well there you go. That should make a lot of people happy.

Though 65 probably only equals what maybe 50-55 rwhp... and there will still be people pining for 65-70.

[leafman60]

Great article from someone who gets it!


And as you said - hints at:

Well there you go. That should make a lot of people happy.

Though 65 probably only equals what maybe 50-55 rwhp... and there will still be people pining for 65-70.

As I reported last October after my trip to the Guzzi factory and a unique opportunity to talk with ranking production people there, "they are working on it."

All of the many criticisms of the V7 line are very well know, and shared(!), by the management. They have things in the works but reminded me with genuine smiles that such improvements "take time."

[Kev m]

As I reported last October after my trip to the Guzzi factory and a unique opportunity to talk with ranking production people there, "they are working on it."

All of the many criticisms of the V7 line are very well know, and shared(!), by the management. They have things in the works but reminded me with genuine smiles that such improvements "take time."

I do remember your report. It's encouraging that there are more reports along those lines... hopefully that means progress and not just wishes.

[leafman60]

I do remember your report. It's encouraging that there are more reports along those lines... hopefully that means progress and not just wishes.

I agree with you!  Never know what to expect until it shows up.

Considering the size of the company and the operations that I saw, we are fortunate to have what we do! They've produced some very nice new models in recent years.

[kingoffleece]

More is always more, never stops.  I'm completely fine with my 48bhp.

[Kev m]

Considering the size of the company and the operations that I saw, we are fortunate to have what we do! They've produced some very nice new models in recent years.

 

[rocker59]

More is always more, never stops.  I'm completely fine with my 48bhp.

That's why I took advantage of the deals on the 2014s.

I didn't really care about the 6-speed and ABS/TC of the 2016 vs. the $3000 discount.  And, the $3000 discount overpowered my will to wait and see what this rumored high output small block will be.

The 2014 V7 Special's power is acceptable for its mission, and the character of the 1TB engine is just fun.  Plenty of torque at 3,000 but very willing to rev quickly.

I'll be spending some money on suspension, when I can make some decisions.  Lots of options out there.

[steven c]

 Someone who gets it!
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/08/article/2015-moto-guzzi-v7-ii-first-ride/

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  My 15 V7 is the most fun I've had on a bike in YEARS.  A total hoot.  Heck, I had a Street 3 and almost never rode it.
48bhp is just fine.

[jas67]

Back to the present and the V7 gearbox and clutch. At one time, in the good – actually bad – old days selecting a gear on a Guzzi was a real lucky dip affair. Yes, it was possible to get a Guzzi ‘box working properly but only with the efforts of a skilled tuner and a sensitive rider. By contrast, the six speed V7 had a thoroughly modern gearbox with sweet, effortless selection. I never once missed a gear, up or down, and that would have been an impossible to thing to write even a few years ago. The six speeder, one more than last year’s five, might be considered overkill on a bike like the V7 but in the real world it isn’t. The ratio spacing is now ideal in all conditions from trickling through traffic to fast riding.

Funny, I've never had issue with the shifter on either of my 5-speed V7's, (2009 V7C, 2013 V7R), though the first time I rode  a 2000 Jackel, I did hit a couple of false neutrals.

As for the gear spacing, when I owned my 2009 V7C, I found myself wanting a gear between 4th and 5th for cruising around 60 MPH.   4th was too busy, and 5th was rough, like I was lugging the engine.     The 1TB motor or the 2013 is smoother below 4,000 RPM under some load than the 2TB motor was, and is perfectly happy in 5th gear at any speed over 55 MPH.

That said, I haven't ridden the new V7-II, if I do, then maybe I might declare it to be much better, but, my 2013 needs no improvement (though, a little more power is always welcome, as the article says).

[jas67]

Someone who gets it!
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/08/article/2015-moto-guzzi-v7-ii-first-ride/

Someone who beat you to it 
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78584.0

[blackcat]

The new racer looks great with those colors and the fairing.



Removing the number was a good move too.

[Kev m]

The new racer looks great with those colors and the fairing.



Removing the number was a good move too.

Agreed.

IMAGINE how good it would look without the number plate AT ALL!

I should photo-chop that... if I can...

[blackcat]

The red and white one is very nice too.


Pretty bikes and if I didn't have the 1000S I'd buy one.

[steven c]

Someone who beat you to it 
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78584.0

Well sure , but I'm working so it took me awhile.

[rocker59]

The red and white one is very nice too.


Pretty bikes and if I didn't have the 1000S I'd buy one.

I keep saying this, but a set of the Stone's white fenders would look really sharp on the new Special with the white stripes!

Someone please make the swap to satisfy my curiosity!

[rocker59]

Unfortunately, the Stone's white fenders have a matte finish.  Can't go on a shiny bike.

You sure about that?  I'd swear the one I saw at RPM a couple weeks ago was gloss white.

Regardless of the Stone, the '09/'10 Classic was gloss white, and I'll bet replacements are available through the dealers.

[Kev m]

Unfortunately, the Stone's white fenders have a matte finish.  Can't go on a shiny bike.

No they're not.

At least they are not on my 2013 White Stone... they are gloss.

They are white and they are glossy.

But I can't find a picture to demonstrate that because in the sunlight they are always so bright they blow out that part of the photo and you can't see the gloss.



Ah, maybe you can see it in this one I took for DART:

[rocker59]

I'd like those rims as well.  I'm not real fond of the black rims.

But the black rims are aluminum, so much lighter!

[Kev m]

OK, but the picture is of a 2016 Special.  2016 Stones have a matte finish.  Yes, I'm sure the older fenders will fit.  I'm now done posting for a month.

And there are no 2016 White Stones.

As a matter of fact White has been discontinued since maybe the 2015 models IIRC.

I'm just saying that WHEN they put white fenders on the V7s - Classics and Stones, they were all gloss.

Just for a future reference.

[neilmentz]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/08/article/2015-moto-guzzi-v7-ii-first-ride/

..just keep reading

[Vasco DG]

The usual unconfirmed blithering idiocy pedalled by so called journalists who can't research their subject.

His pitiful ignorance of the marque, (The same car engine used for forty years? Give me strength!) shows that anything he says should be treated as terlet paper on a nail in the bog.

Moron.

Pete

[Kev m]

Don't pay any attention to Pete, his bollock must be swelling up again. 


This is the same article someone posted a few days ago that most of us read as "someone who gets it."

I suspect his "car engine" comment meant dry clutch and separate transmission on a longitudinal crank motor.

[fossil]

I think "car engine" refers to the information that the bigblock V2 allegedly was originally constructed for the Fiat 500 minicar.

[lawries]

the bigblock V2 allegedly was originally constructed for the Fiat 500 minicar.

Now that's really gonna swell Pete's privates

[boatdetective]

Once again, I make the case for a daily "irritate Pete" thread.  It's worth it for entertainment value. Only JohninVT was as eloquent with obscenity.

[Moto]

I think "car engine" refers to the information that the bigblock V2 allegedly was originally constructed for the Fiat 500 minicar.

Yes, but that's not true. See Greg Field, Moto Guzzi Big Twins, for the real story.

It's pretty clear that the myth is still going to prevail over the facts, though.

[kevdog3019]

I found a typo: The Super V7 rated 65hp is being tested over here in "the States".  We've already done it; talk to Mike. 

[rocker59]

merged