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I was at my dealer on the 18th and they said they had just gotten an email the day before giving them the option to start pre-ordering and the sales person hinted that there was even a delivery date in the email, but he wasn't comfortable sharing that date. No idea if he was feeding me a line, but it does sound like the dealerships are starting to get some concrete information from Guzzi.
So, after spending a week with the new V7 MkII Here are my findings: 6 speed gear box - terminal gearing hasn't changed at all. 65mph = 4000 rpm, same as on the earlier V7. Some people will argue that b/c you have to shift through another gear you will get worse fuel economy. I don't care about that, some people are ridiculous. What I did notice is there are definitely 6 closer spaced gears (duh). I actually like it. I think it's geared better for running around town in 3rd gear, where before 2nd felt a little too buzzy and 3 was a little lurch-y. Riding position - My feet ARE lower, only a little, but they're definitely lower, it looks like they've stretched this frame downward. The rest of the ergo's are identical, they claim the seat is lower, but I don't feel it, and my tape measure doesn't confirm it. Emmy sat on the new MkII and said it was taller! So, it's definitely up to the rider. Overall Aesthetic - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Grigio Intenso (Flat silver) paint on the new MkII - I HATE HATE HATE the gap that is now happening down at the bottom frame rail / exhaust / shift linkage area. The frame ends that are now easily visible look haphazardly cut off and were instantly noticed by everyone comparing the new bikes to the older ones. $ - Ok, I understand charging more money for ABS and TC - but I really don't want either of those on a bike this size. I'm taking the 0.9% financing and $1000 off MSRP and going for a brand new 2014 model.
Getting back to the orientation of the valve stems on the tires. You really need to have one pointing to the left, and the other pointing to the right. That way the offset weights will cancel out, which will cause the bike to balance better dynamically. Otherwise you'll get gyroscopic precession causing a torque abscess. I'd post the math, but it's pretty complicated.
What is a "wet" alternator and the move to these? My standard '15 has the wet right, though earlier versions of the V7 are not, right?
They moved the alternator into the oil bath under a sealed front cover, as opposed to the 2013 and 2014 models where it was still on the outside of the crankcase (just in front of an oil seal) behind a easily removable small plastic cover.I believe there was a change in total power output the occurred at the same time, but the power went down which raises the question of why they made the change (what advantage did it offer)?Maybe it's better protected against corrosion or the more stable temperature offers some advantage? I really don't know.