Pro and cons on the 2014 Moto Guzzi V7 racer

[sdcr]

A very low mileage one of these just popped up on a website that likes trailers. I hesitate to link it, because I’ll be sent to Wild Guzzi purgatory.

So, just checking with those that know, what are the pro and cons of this particular year, and model?

[JJ]

A very low mileage one of these just popped up on a website that likes trailers. I hesitate to link it, because I’ll be sent to Wild Guzzi purgatory.

So, just checking with those that know, what are the pro and cons of this particular year, and model?

Yes...I saw that also this morning!!

(What really happens in Wild Guzzi Purgatory?!?)

[twowheeladdict]

A very low mileage one of these just popped up on a website that likes trailers. I hesitate to link it, because I’ll be sent to Wild Guzzi purgatory.

So, just checking with those that know, what are the pro and cons of this particular year, and model?

The pros are that it is a racer.  The cons are that it isn't a V7III. 

Someone will correct me if I am wrong and I don't have time to do your google search for you, but I believe the 2014 is still a V7 instead of a V7II or V7III.

That means it is a Heron Head, 5 speed, two throttle bodies, needed to have the head re-torqued, could possibly need new ignition wire ends where they connect to the spark plug.  Things I'm not sure apply to that year would be something with a thrust bearing?  steel wheels instead of alloy?  etc.

The real question is how was it cared for, and is it pretty?

[tonUPRacer]

Negative, it is single throttle body. I have a 2013 since new. I think in 2014 they may have started with ABS and traction control? That could be a pro or con depending on viewpoint. Mine has neither and I like it that way. If it has very low miles, I'd be more suspicious than if it had at least 10K. Low miles could be troublesome if it has sat awhile. Any other good upgrades such as suspension? Well maintained? There are other little things to sort out such as the plug wires/caps, regulator, fuel filter. I have about 20K on mine and I still love it.

[sdcr]

Cannot speak to how it was maintained. Current owner has it for a year. Only mods I see are La Franconi mufflers. Bike has 810 miles.










https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2014-moto-guzzi-v7-racer/

[sdcr]

Yes...I saw that also this morning!!

(What really happens in Wild Guzzi Purgatory?!?)

We sit around a campfire and discuss motorcycles, but just the ones that we can’t buy😀

[Kev m]

Just to clarify, in NA:

2012 last year V7C 2TB Series

2013-14 V7 MkI 1TB, heron head, 5-speed, dryb alternator

~2015 MkI.5 wet alternator

2016 V7 II Heron head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2017-20 V7 III Hemi head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2021+ V7 850

[cliffrod]

While the V7 Racer viability is being discussed, I have a question. I know little to nothing about modern Guzzis.

A local friend has a Racer that he bought new or almost new, no idea what year model but at least 5 yrs old by now.  From what I understand, He’s not that mechanically inclined.  When I was at his shop early this year looking at his bikes, he said he loves riding the Racer but parked it because of the potential cost of replacing the notoriously failure-prone fuel pump if it went bad was $3k or more.  So he was just saving the bike as part of his collection.  Sounded ridiculous to me.  having no specific knowledge and trying to be a polite guest, I just nodded and smiled.

Are the fuel pumps on that and similar engine bikes that bad & that expensive?

[antmanbee]

Are the fuel pumps on that and similar engine bikes that bad & that expensive?

He is wrong about how much it costs. I just went through this with the 2011 V7 Classic that you arranged the deal for me on.
I think if purchased as a whole assembly from Guzzi they are close to a thousand dollars. But most all the parts are available separately.
The pump was abut $50, the regulator was about $35, filter and special submersible hose about $25, and the plastic elbow that breaks when some struggle to remove the fuel coupling from it is about $25 too. So for about $150 or so the whole assembly can be rebuilt completely. The fuel level sensor is also repairable.
This holds true for most all internal pump Guzzi models.

[Kev m]

And they are not notorious or prone to failure.

I wonder if the whisper down the lane internet nonsense about some failed fuel filters led to that ridiculous notion?


EDIT - I wonder if the guy was actually talking about the throttle body/ECU? Though not prone to failure either I bet THAT WOULD cost closer to $3k.

[sdcr]

Just to clarify, in NA:

2012 last year V7C 2TB Series

2013-14 V7 MkI 1TB, heron head, 5-speed, dryb alternator

~2015 MkI.5 wet alternator

2016 V7 II Heron head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2017-20 V7 III Hemi head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2021+ V7 850

Well Kev, that really clarifies it. Thanks.

 I won’t ask why MG elected to create so many different iterations., but would 2014 be a Solid machine. I realize that as with any Guzzi, some things will need to be upgraded, corrected etc.  but is the dry alternator an issue? Should I look for a newer version?

[Kev m]

Well Kev, that really clarifies it. Thanks.

 I won’t ask why MG elected to create so many different iterations., but would 2014 be a Solid machine. I realize that as with any Guzzi, some things will need to be upgraded, corrected etc.  but is the dry alternator an issue? Should I look for a newer version?

Absolutely should be a solid machine. And though it's definitely down on power compared to the Hemi head models there's something very fun went satisfying about the MkI Heron head. I'm still quite enamored with mine after 10 years.

Issues: very few.

* Spark plug caps were cheap and sometimes arc.
* Clutch cable was sometimes routed too close to the right cylinder.
* Half plastic fuel filter should probably be replaced eventually

The dry alternator is a good thing actually and higher output than the wet ones. There is a pattern problem with the regulators. For some stupid reason they are designed to operate at 15V which many feel is already overcharging. And many of the 13-14's had ones that failed and would charge even higher 15.5-17 V.

Jay, Cam, and I and a bunch of others on this board changed them out, usually to MOSFET units.

Honestly that's about it. Don't over fill especially as the breather pushes oil to the air cleaner and you could foul some sensors/passages in the throttle body.

[mhershon]

I have a 2014 V7 Special. Mechanically, it is the same as a Racer. Mine has 46,000mi at this point. I bought it from a contributor to this forum who was the perfect previous owner. He replaced the spark plug caps, the voltage regulator/rectifier and the fuel filter, all known problem items, none difficult or expensive to replace. I had a final drive leak, not unusual on any series V7, that was somewhat expensive to repair. That's it for the money spent on the bike except for tires, oil, filters, etc. I do the oil and filter changes and valve adjustments myself; you can too. A 2014 is what's called a first-series V7 so it does not have ABS brakes. It has five transmission gears, not six like the later bikes. I don't miss the ABS or the sixth gear.
A first-series V7 would be a fine bike that you will enjoy for as long as you own it. None of the "upgrades" on the later bikes are essential. In my view.

[kingoffleece]

Mr. H.
Good to hear from you again.  We're in Mesa now.  We gotta meet up.  I'll need one of my mags autographed!

[cliffrod]

He is wrong about how much it costs. I just went through this with the 2011 V7 Classic that you arranged the deal for me on.
I think if purchased as a whole assembly from Guzzi they are close to a thousand dollars. But most all the parts are available separately.
The pump was abut $50, the regulator was about $35, filter and special submersible hose about $25, and the plastic elbow that breaks when some struggle to remove the fuel coupling from it is about $25 too. So for about $150 or so the whole assembly can be rebuilt completely. The fuel level sensor is also repairable.
This holds true for most all internal pump Guzzi models.

And they are not notorious or prone to failure.

I wonder if the whisper down the lane internet nonsense about some failed fuel filters led to that ridiculous notion?


EDIT - I wonder if the guy was actually talking about the throttle body/ECU? Though not prone to failure either I bet THAT WOULD cost closer to $3k.

Thanks, guys.  I figured something like ^^ was more realistic for something that’s likely to need replacement at some point.   Didn’t make any sense.  I can see something more proprietary like an OEM ecu & throttle body would be more costly, but his numbers sounded nuts.

We talked about telling him about the Classic you bought (Antmanbee), in case he wanted another Guzzi.   but after that visit to his place and the things he said, I figured it would be more than he could deal with if it wasn’t turn key & ready to ride.  Glad that bike went to the right home instead.

[sdcr]

Well I’m bidding, so we’ll see.

Appreciate all the insight from the Guzzi brain trust, Kev, mHershon, antmanbee, twowheeladdict and all.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Just to clarify, in NA:

2012 last year V7C 2TB Series

2013-14 V7 MkI 1TB, heron head, 5-speed, dryb alternator

~2015 MkI.5 wet alternator

2016 V7 II Heron head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2017-20 V7 III Hemi head, 6-speed, ABS, wet alternator

2021+ V7 850

All you need to know.
It could be a great little bike
True  a V7III would be better, you would be looking at a V7III for that.

[usedtobefast]

But, it really isn't special.  Seems like a stock Racer with aftermarket slip on silencer/mufflers.    Not sure how much extra you will pay at that trailer site  , but you could probably save a ton of money buying one some other way.  But, I guess low miles and unmolested adds some value.

I see them pop up on craigslist occasionally.   But the craigslist add will not use the word "bespoke" or have phrases like it is being offered (really, it is just a used bike for sale) and lots of words used to list all the stock specs in a slightly fancy golf course voice sort of way (I image the trailer listing being spoken in that hushed golf announcer voice  ).  Not sure that is worth $1000-$2000 extra dollars. 

Good luck with the bidding ... hope it stays reasonable. 

[JJ]

We sit around a campfire and discuss motorcycles, but just the ones that we can’t buy😀

That would be a very, VERY long list!! 

[majstevetrevor]

I’ll just add that I have under 2015 for about a year, and I thought it was a blast to ride. I know it doesn’t produce the power of the later models but that didn’t seem to bother me and it seemed very zippy. Ultimately the riding position wasn’t quite right for my 57-year-old body, but if I was able to have more than one bike I will keep it as a second bike for sure.

[sdcr]

Guys,

Very much appreciate all of the input. I have a feeling that the auction machine will ultimately exceed a reasonable market.
And, I’ve had the opportunity to demo the 850 version of the V7, and that’s probably my future Guzzi.

[twowheeladdict]

Guys,

Very much appreciate all of the input. I have a feeling that the auction machine will ultimately exceed a reasonable market.
And, I’ve had the opportunity to demo the 850 version of the V7, and that’s probably my future Guzzi.

I demo'd an 850 V7 in Kentucky and didn't find it to be noticeably different than my V7III.  That said, if they come out with a V7 850 racer or lemans I might be tempted. 

I am not that interested in water cooled bikes.  Been there done that.  I one water cooled bike in the stable today and I feel more heat from the radiator than I do from the engines on my other bikes.  The cat on the V85TT is another huge source of heat that I haven't experienced on other bikes so there is that with these EU emissions regulations.

[sdcr]

....  The cat on the V85TT is another huge source of heat that I haven't experienced on other bikes so there is that with these EU emissions regulations.

Do all V7 variants have a catalytic converters?

[usedtobefast]

Do all V7 variants have a catalytic converters?

On my v7 iii , they were in the slip on exhaust (mufflers).  I believe that is the same for earlier years.  So with the exhaust change, should be no more cats.  But I'm not sure what year that started.

[antmanbee]

Guys,

Very much appreciate all of the input. I have a feeling that the auction machine will ultimately exceed a reasonable market.
And, I’ve had the opportunity to demo the 850 version of the V7, and that’s probably my future Guzzi.

A forum member in north Georgia has a V7 850 Special in dark blue for sale for $7500 with 2.5K.
That seems like not much more than a racer that gets bid up to an exceeded reasonable market value.

[sdcr]

On my v7 iii , they were in the slip on exhaust (mufflers).  I believe that is the same for earlier years.  So with the exhaust change, should be no more cats.  But I'm not sure what year that started.

So, change out the mufflers, and cats eliminated, correct?

[mechanicsavant]

Yup

[sdcr]

Yup
[/quote

Cool, many excellent sounding mufflers available too. The LaFranconi’s on the auction bike sound great.

[Dave Swanson]

And, I’ve had the opportunity to demo the 850 version of the V7, and that’s probably my future Guzzi.

At the 2021 MG National Rally, Hamlin's was there with V7-850s which were available for demos.  I had just come off a few hour ride on my 2015 V7 Special that I really liked, and figured it would be a perfect time to demo the V7-850.  I was hoping to return from the demo not being that impressed with the upgrades, and put and end to my wandering eye.    Jim Hamlin asked what I was riding, when he found out I had a 2015 he just said "prepare to be impressed!"  I'll be damned if he wasn't right.   

[twowheeladdict]

So, change out the mufflers, and cats eliminated, correct?

Only on the V7 750s

The euro 5 bikes have one piece welded exhausts so you have to change out the entire system.