Author Topic: Two up on a V7 Stone?  (Read 9248 times)

Offline Testarossa

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Two up on a V7 Stone?
« on: July 29, 2015, 11:18:29 AM »
Stopped in at Moto Italia in Fort Collins to look at a V7 Stone.  Very cute. I have concerns about the saddle, which is of course much smaller (esp shorter) than that on the 850T. I'm concerned that Gail will find it both firm (she doesn't have much sitzfleisch) and constricting (not enough room to move around). Would like to hear about the experience of two-up couples on this saddle. Can you do three hours in reasonable comfort? FWIW, I'm 5'8", 148 lb, Gail is 5'1", 103 lb.

70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Online Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2015, 11:48:42 AM »
Maybe apples and oranges, but Dorcia doesn't have much uh..sitzfleich..  :smiley: either. The longest day she's spent on the Lario was 250 miles, but spread out with several "Ooh, look at that" stops.  :smiley: I think that is more than she wanted, but didn't complain. If anything, the Lario's seat is smaller. I'm 5'8" 180, she's 5'8" 135 for comparison. I'd bet Gail wouldn't have an issue.
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Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2015, 11:58:40 AM »
I think Gail would look swell on her own V7 Sport. Some nice leathers, Shoei helmet.
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Offline Loftness

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2015, 03:21:00 PM »
For starters, size-wise you guys will fit well.  You're right that there's not a ton of wiggle room, but you'll both fit easily.  Comfort-wise, it's obviously a subjective thing.  I like the stock saddle and have never been uncomfortable on it.  My wife however didn't enjoy it after 40 miles or so.  She's great on my other bikes, but something about that seat doesn't work well for her.  I had it re-done and had the passenger portion raised a bit and so far she's said it's much better for her, but I haven't taken her out on longer rides yet on the new seat.  I'm 5'9 170 and she's 5'6 lower 100s (ish).  :grin:
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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2015, 03:21:00 PM »

Offline malik

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2015, 04:24:35 PM »
I've had young Tom on the back of the V7C for long trips & camping trips on the stock seat - I'm 5'11" & 175lb, he's now about 6'1" & 130 odd lbs (but has been shorter). He finds it comfortable, BUT needs the airhawk for the longer trips. He's OK with up to 2 hours between stops. But every backside is different - one reason the PO of my '14 V7 Special sold it was his wife wasn't comfortable on the back. The pillion is going to have to be comfortable, some are fine straight off, others may need to develop fitness for the longer distances, and still others may never manage. I advise starting with shorter runs first. There are 2 versions of gel seat available, which may make a difference. Good luck.

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Offline motoguzziman

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2015, 04:54:14 PM »
I think the Stone may have a better saddle  for 2 up, than  the Breva 750.
We rode ours, from Hamilton Canada to California &  back, on a stock seat.
600 odd mile  days
Then we did it again, from Hamilton  Canada to Seattle Washington, with a sheepskin
That was marginally better than the stock seat, but after a thunderstorm, it took  ages to dry.
When we went from Hamilton to Alaska & back, we used the small  ButtBuffer pads, they were good & dried in no time.
When I did my SS 1000, I was solo and didn't bother  with any padding, as I could move up & down the seat.
Same, the following year, when I tried to do an Insanity  1600, but roadworks on I 80 scuppered  that.
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Offline Dharma Bum

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2015, 05:22:20 PM »
Just make sure you put the top case from your T on it along with that fancy backrest you have and you two will be all set.

Offline Testarossa

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2015, 11:07:53 PM »
Thanks for the encouragement. Next step is to ride up there with Gail and see what she thinks about the pillion seat -- and see if they'll let us do a test ride.

I am NOT going to inflict a top box on the next mount. I hate the way it looks and hate the way the weight rides high and aft. Gail will be happy with a modest backrest bolted to a tail rack, and a strap around the saddle she can grab onto.
70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Offline lorazepam

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2015, 11:13:18 PM »
the strap on the V7 is purely cosmetic, not functional. I wish I could remove mine. It is sewn onto the seat, which seems pretty stupid to me.

Offline Testarossa

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2015, 12:15:33 AM »
I put a strap on the T.  It's just a length of nylon webbing around the saddle. Works fine. You can sort of see it here:
70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Offline Loftness

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2015, 09:55:22 AM »
the strap on the V7 is purely cosmetic, not functional. I wish I could remove mine. It is sewn onto the seat, which seems pretty stupid to me.

It's cosmetic on some and usable on others.  The 2015 crop has straps that aren't sewn down.  The V7II group has sewn straps.
Fletch

2013 V7 Stone
1984 V65sp
1986 Vespa T5
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Offline motoguzziman

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2015, 05:02:34 PM »
I put a strap on the T.  It's just a length of nylon webbing around the saddle. Works fine. You can sort of see it here:


That looks  great, apart from the top box.
I am not  a fan of them, but I do have a soft bag that goes across the rear.
I am not good with  this  internet stuff, but some pics can be seen here...... motoguzziriders.com
« Last Edit: July 30, 2015, 05:04:53 PM by motoguzziman »

Offline Guzzistajohn

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2015, 05:10:34 PM »
I put a strap on the T.  It's just a length of nylon webbing around the saddle. Works fine. You can sort of see it here:


That Tiger in the background. Is that color Caspian Blue???? :grin:
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Offline motoguzziman

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2015, 05:20:23 PM »
That Tiger in the background. Is that color Caspian Blue???? :grin:

No, according to the sticker on it, it was  Bahama Blue. :cool:

Offline Testarossa

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2015, 01:21:49 PM »
Eugene here in Longmont is selling his wife's Nevada: http://denver.craigslist.org/mcy/5134281199.html

Nice bike, good price. Gail and I rode the T over and took it for a spin. 30,000 miles but looks brand new. Strong smooth engine, gearbox good but a bit clunky on downshift. The shift lever is set up for a small foot and I had to upshift with the side of the boot. Good deal for someone but I don't like the cruiser-style forward controls. It's comfortable but after a lifetime of sport bikes it's not me. And I don't want to be known as Mr. Nevada.

He very kindly offered me his Griso for a couple of laps around the block. Fabulous ride, and alanp is selling his at a good price. Tempted, but it's too heavy for what we want. We'll try to ride a Breva 750, and a V7.

70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Offline sib

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #15 on: August 01, 2015, 02:31:13 PM »
Regarding straps and phony straps, both my '13 V7 Stone and my '16 V7II Stone came with phony straps on the saddles.  I didn't like sitting on it, so I got a standard-height gel saddle, which is more comfortable, and I transferred it to the '16 when I sold the '13.  I've since found out that the V7 and V7II Special models come with saddles nearly identical to the Stones' but no phony strap.  If you don't like the strap on your Stone, there's probably someone out there who bought a Special and swapped out the saddle for some reason, and might sell it to you.
Current: 2021 V7 Stone E5
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Previous: 2013 V7 Stone
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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2015, 02:59:09 PM »
Certainly!

 :laugh:

Online Cam3512

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2015, 03:10:36 PM »
I was at my dealer today ( Eurosports in Coopersburg, PA). They have a NEW '14 Special on the floor for $7,200.00.  That's $2K under MSRP in the 15 months since I bought mine. 
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Offline sib

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2015, 05:07:48 PM »
I was at my dealer today ( Eurosports in Coopersburg, PA). They have a NEW '14 Special on the floor for $7,200.00.  That's $2K under MSRP in the 15 months since I bought mine.
Yes, but in terms of model year, it's now two years old.
Current: 2021 V7 Stone E5
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Previous: 2013 V7 Stone
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Offline Testarossa

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #19 on: August 03, 2015, 04:30:29 PM »
Now I'm considering earlier small blocks. Am I correct in thinking that the frames of the Lario 650 and Breva 750 are similar? What about the mechanics -- aside from EFI and bore/stroke, are the cases/gearboxes/final drives similar?
70 Triumph TR6R, 74 850T, 74 Yamaha TA125, 89 Mille GT, 99 F650, 2013 Yamaha XT250
Gone: 59 Piper Comanche 250, 69 Harley/Aermacchi 350SS, 71 Honda CB500/4, 74 Laverda 750 SF2, 91 Suzuki VX800, 50cc two-stroke scoot, 83 XR350R

Offline malik

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #20 on: August 03, 2015, 05:01:40 PM »
I believe the V65, V7 & Breva clutch plate & drive shaft at least are the same parts - seem to come up when I'm looking at spare parts, others are bound to know more - and I saw a Lario for sale recently in IL for $2500.

Mal
2010 V7 Classic, 2014 V7 Special
1996 1100 Sport Carb (in NZ), 2004 V11 LeMans (in UK)
Carberry Enfield V-Twin, 2008 Royal Enfield Electra, 2006 RE Electra 535

Offline rocker59

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Re: Two up on a V7 Stone?
« Reply #21 on: August 03, 2015, 05:47:02 PM »
Seth,

You and Gail should be able to do some light-touring on a V7 Classic/Stone/Special.

Mine had Hepco + Becker side cases and stock seat.

Marcia and I rode 2-up on it quite a bit.  Lunch/Dinner rides here in The Ozarks, mainly.  No reason we couldn't have done some overnighters.

She's 5'9" and a couple stone heavier than Gail.  And, I'm 5'10" 240-lbs.

As with many bikes, the stock seat isn't that great.  A little firm.

The stock rear shocks weren't enough, so it could be a rough ride on rough pavement while carrying our combined weights.
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