'16 V7II Stone in my garage

[sib]

I picked up my new Stone this afternoon.  I'll write up a report as soon as I can, but here are my impressions based on the 30-mile trip from the dealer to my house:

Compared to my '13 Stone, it's mostly very similar in feel, no surprise.

The new gearbox is very easy to shift and has a much smaller throw between gears.  Especially going from 1st to 2nd, there isn't a wide movement like there was on the older 5-sp box, it just snaps into 2nd.  Interestingly, when you reach 6th gear going upward, and try to "shift" upward again, the foot lever doesn't move.  On the older 5-sp box, you could move the lever upward, but of course, nothing happened.  Same thing going down, when you reach 1st gear, and try to "downshift" again, the lever doesn't move.  The gearing seems about right for the bike.  In terms of overall ratios, engine-to-wheel, 5th gear comes approximately between where 4th and 5th are on the 5-sp box.  So, I wouldn't consider the extra gear to be essential.  One other thing:  the 6-sp box isn't particularly quiet, it's certainly no quieter than the 5-sp.

The new clutch cable doesn't have the sharp bend near the hand lever, it is routed smoothly through a groove just under the speedometer.  The lower end of the cable and the lever that actuates the clutch pushrod are more accessible.  Clutch engagement feels very smooth.

The extra room between my lower legs and the cylinder heads is nice to have, especially on a warm day like today was (82F).

No experience with ABS/TC yet, but tomorrow I'll experiment on some gravel-strewn local roads.

The OEM crash bar that I have on the '13 will definitely not fit on the '16, there are no upper mounting bar and holes.

No problem fitting the Dart windscreen and Hepco & Becker luggage racks removed from the '13, aside from the need for some slightly longer bolts for the latter.

Probably not a bike difference, but a tire difference.  My '13 came with Metzler Lazertecs and the new one has Pirelli Sport Demons.  Compared to the Metzlers, the Pirellis lean into turns more abruptly.  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it's a very noticeable difference.

More later.

Sam

[ponti33602]

Pics please.

[kirkemon]

Sam, Thanks for the report.
Looking forward to hearing more when you get a chance to put more miles on it.
 :PICS!:

[Kev m]

Awesome, enjoy and keep reporting.

Odd though, my 13 (very early delivery) came with Pirellis (Sport Demons). They were great but the rear wore out completely too fast for me.

[mandoguzzi]

Sib....what Dart flyscreen and H-B bags are you using? My Stone  ll comes in this sunday and I can't wait!

[kevdog3019]

So the gearbox still has straight teeth (whine)??

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Are they calling this a 2016?  The Moto Guzzi sales brochure I got yesterday includes the V7II Stone, brochure indicates 2015 models.

[Doppelgaenger]

The new gearbox is very easy to shift and has a much smaller throw between gears.  Especially going from 1st to 2nd, there isn't a wide movement like there was on the older 5-sp box, it just snaps into 2nd.  Interestingly, when you reach 6th gear going upward, and try to "shift" upward again, the foot lever doesn't move.  On the older 5-sp box, you could move the lever upward, but of course, nothing happened.  Same thing going down, when you reach 1st gear, and try to "downshift" again, the lever doesn't move.  The gearing seems about right for the bike.  In terms of overall ratios, engine-to-wheel, 5th gear comes approximately between where 4th and 5th are on the 5-sp box.  So, I wouldn't consider the extra gear to be essential.  One other thing:  the 6-sp box isn't particularly quiet, it's certainly no quieter than the 5-sp.

I remember that being the big difference between the V7 Stone and the Breva 1100, the gearbox throw was so different. The big breva gearbox is probably one of the best I've ever come across on a bike. The clutch is too but that's another matter.

I love me a loud gearbox :)

[sib]

I'll try to briefly answer a few of the questions.

In the USA, it is indeed a 2016 model, despite what the MG advertising brochure states.  My dealer was specifically told that, and the CA Air Resources Board approved the VII bikes as 2016 model year.  In other parts of the world, the same bikes are officially 2015 models (maybe not exactly the same, since they may not have the USA evaporative emission controls).

The 6-sp gearbox indeed has straight-cut gears, like the 5-sp one did.  There are good reasons to use straight-cut gears, which I don't want to get into here.

The Dart Flyscreen is the same model that is used on V7's going back to at least 2012.  Nothing has changed that would require different mounts.

Same applies to the H&B racks, since that part of the frame hasn't changed in several years.  The cross brace for the side racks did change a couple of years ago.  Mine is the earlier version with the cross brace below the rear fender, whereas the newer ones have the brace above the license plate holder, but either will work.

The '13 bikes could arrive with either Pirelli or Metzler tires.  I don't know whether MG is still fitting Metzlers on the '16 models, but the owner's manual does specify Pirelli.

MSRP for the '16 Stone is $8990, despite AF1 Racing's site still showing $8499.  One could justify the increase as due to the added expense of ABS/TC, but then one could counter-argue that the changing euro/dollar exchange rates should justify a price decrease.  Either way, like all businesses, they charge what they think they can get.  Good luck trying to get AF1 to stick by their advertised price.

That's all for now, I want to go riding!

[jas67]

The new gearbox is very easy to shift and has a much smaller throw between gears.  Especially going from 1st to 2nd, there isn't a wide movement like there was on the older 5-sp box, it just snaps into 2nd.  Interestingly, when you reach 6th gear going upward, and try to "shift" upward again, the foot lever doesn't move.  On the older 5-sp box, you could move the lever upward, but of course, nothing happened.  Same thing going down, when you reach 1st gear, and try to "downshift" again, the lever doesn't move.  The gearing seems about right for the bike.  In terms of overall ratios, engine-to-wheel, 5th gear comes approximately between where 4th and 5th are on the 5-sp box.  So, I wouldn't consider the extra gear to be essential.  One other thing:  the 6-sp box isn't particularly quiet, it's certainly no quieter than the 5-sp.

Earlier, in the other V7-II thread, it was speculated that the V7-II gearbox is a scaled down CARC gearbox.    This seems to be true.
Your description of the shifting is the same as the CARC 6 speed.

[Vasco DG]

Similar sort of design but the new Smallblock box is a 'Stand Alone' assembly.

Pete

[sign216]

Sib, thanks for the review of the gearbox.  Good to have. 
Yea, I don't think it need a 6th speed, but it does make the cycle "more marketable" for Guzzi.

[sib]

I also was a skeptic about the need for 6 speeds, and I still don't think there's a real need, but I may be changing my mind about the desirability.  On my ride today, I spent more time shifting among 4th, 5th, and 6th than I thought I would.  For non-highway, winding rural roads, going between 50 and 60 mph, 5th speed is about right.  Moving onto the highway and above 60 mph, 6th is nice.

[greyghost]

Me, too!
Today I sold my Breva 750, traded in my Breva 1100, and picked up a 2016 V7ll stone (in black, of course) at Matthews Fun Machines.
Compared to the Baby Breva, the V7ll seems like its trying very hard to be a little bad-ass. It doesn't really get there, but its cute.
However, my impressions are based on the demo ride. My insurance co (Allstate) couldn't insure me today because the bike was "too new to be in the system". So i'm reduced to sitting in the garage petting it until Monday.
I'll be paying attention to reports of a compatible set of bars, and am contemplating luggage.
Thanks for the report on the gearbox.

[Triple Jim]

Compared to the Metzlers, the Pirellis lean into turns more abruptly.  I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it's a very noticeable difference.

I noticed that same thing on my Mille when I went from worn out Bridgestone S11s to Sport Demons, but rather than abrupt, I'd say effortlessly.  The first time I tried a spirited turn, I almost went off the inside of the road, but I quickly got used to the new tires and find they make the bike handle like it's smaller and lighter than it is.  I hope you find you like them as much as I like mine, after you get some miles on them.

[guzzisteve]

I set up a II today and rode it a bit. You should try it w/o the traction control, it felt like a turd!!!

I was very surprised to see a Chinese starter, not a Valeo.

To me older is better.  

[Vasco DG]

That's intersting. I wonder if they've coded in some sort of 'Softcoque' mapping option for when the TC is turned off? It wouldn't surprise me and would be very simple to do. Similar to 'Rain' mode on the Mana although that is governed by the TCU rather than the ECU.

Pete

[guzzisteve]

That is exactly what I thought Pete. OR when it is on it modifies mapping for more torque.

And there's no way to check the oil level in the trans, who the hell forgot that bit.

[Vasco DG]

The oil level thing doesn't really worry me. Drain, then add half a litre. As long as there isn't a lake of gear oil under the bike yer golden!

Pete

[Triple Jim]

What, is the fill plug above the normal level?  If so, fill to spec and bend a pipe cleaner to measure the distance below the hole for checking later.

[Vasco DG]

Th filler is on the top of the box, mot likely there. Swag of shafts and a selector drum between the filler orifice and the oil level.

Pete

[guzzisteve]

I used a long tiewrap to wiggle down in there, not wanting to undo the large drain bolt & filter screen and dump it out for refill.

[sib]

I set up a II today and rode it a bit. You should try it w/o the traction control, it felt like a turd!!!

I was very surprised to see a Chinese starter, not a Valeo.

To me older is better.  

I tried disabling traction control today and it made no discernible difference in performance.  Perhaps there's something wrong with the unit on your bike.

[salf]

Sib,
Thanks for the info. Whats the name of the dealer, I've called a few and could not find one.
Thanks
Sal

[Kentktk]

I set up a II today and rode it a bit. You should try it w/o the traction control, it felt like a turd!!!

 

Traction control ON can make a bike feel turdish, OFF for all other bikes is better for performance.

[sib]

Sib,
Thanks for the info. Whats the name of the dealer, I've called a few and could not find one.
Thanks
Sal

My dealer is Razee Motorcycle Center, in North Kingstown, RI.  I bought my last 2 bikes from them, both Guzzi V7 Stones.  They have a reputation of having a great service department, but I have no personal experience, all the servicing I've had to do I did myself.

[salf]

My dealer is Razee Motorcycle Center, in North Kingstown, RI.  I bought my last 2 bikes from them, both Guzzi V7 Stones.  They have a reputation of having a great service department, but I have no personal experience, all the servicing I've had to do I did myself.

Razee's is a great dealer! I called them and was told they wouldn't have any until July. My Breva is getting a little heavy for me, I'm considering a v7ii. Hope to meet you on the road!
Sal

[sign216]

Sib and Salf, I'm up on the Mass side, but visit Razee's all the time.  Don't be a stranger.

[Triple Jim]

Th filler is on the top of the box, mot likely there. Swag of shafts and a selector drum between the filler orifice and the oil level.

Pete

Oh.   :(

[salf]

Sib and Salf, I'm up on the Mass side, but visit Razee's all the time.  Don't be a stranger.

I will look for you when I visit Razee's. I also frequent the Vanilla Bean. Usually on a black Breva or a yellow Monster.  :bike