Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JohninVT on July 27, 2018, 04:10:32 PM
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It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years. The CARC bikes all have issues that appear frequently; gauges leaking and killing ECU's, cracked headers, warped rotors, etc. Not to mention the 8 valve roller debacle. Going back to the previous Cali series there was the Hydro recall.
The V7 clutch thing on a few bikes is about the only major issue I've seen. Is the V7 the most reliable Guzzi sold in the last decade or two?
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I think so. From what I've read on the several forums I follow you could be right. With the changes to the III motor both durability and reliability should improve. Now, if only they'd dump those EOM fuel filter like the one that failed on my v7 10 days after taking delivery with about 1300 miles on the odo,. Whata POS, I/2 plastic - 1/2 metal...……. jeeeez, a BIG WTF!!! :violent1:
Paul
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Now, if only they'd dump those EOM fuel filter like the one that failed on my v7 10 days after taking delivery with about 1300 miles on the odo,. Whata POS, I/2 plastic - 1/2 metal...……. jeeeez, a BIG WTF!!! :violent1:
Paul
No kidding, I have heard so much about them failing that I ordered a replacement before I even got my bike. Though Piaggio stated very clearly that if I use any filter other than the OEM one they sell that I may be denied any warranty claim that has to do with the fuel system in any way. Buggers.
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Something failing after 1300 miles does not support the idea of most reliable in decades. Just sayin'
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Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. :grin:
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Gimme an old Tonti
First time I've missed having the "like" button. :thumb:
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Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. :grin:
Chrome cylinders.....
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Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. :grin:
+1, no internet to complain back then so they must have been more reliable :popcorn:
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That's a good one!
Tell me more PLEASE :)
I would venture to say that most chrome cylinder bikes have been updated by now, so its not an applicable example. The last Tonti with Chrome bores goes back to... 1980? Plus, just given how old the vintage Tontis left are, they have already proved that they are reliable and can last a long time. Let's see what happens in the next 20 years or so that will actually prove the V7'S are actually the most dependable. As per the internet, the garbage in / garbage out phenomenon has not only remained true, but has ten folded to say the least and that may include incomplete and or numerically inaccurate info on reliability studies.
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It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years. The CARC bikes all have issues that appear frequently; gauges leaking and killing ECU's, cracked headers, warped rotors, etc. Not to mention the 8 valve roller debacle. Going back to the previous Cali series there was the Hydro recall.
The V7 clutch thing on a few bikes is about the only major issue I've seen. Is the V7 the most reliable Guzzi sold in the last decade or two?
Well in my incredibly small sample my V7 has clearly been much less trouble than my 00 Tonti Jackal and 06 CARC Breva 1100.
I think Jay has had an equally trouble-free time with his 4 smallblocks.
And there's another 3-4 smallblocks in the NJMGNOC who seem to be doing well.
That's not too say there have been no hiccups.
I believe there were a few porous engine blocks that were replaced in the V7C era.
The MKI 1TB V7's seem to have crap overcharging regulators.
And, the worst (which I think you were referencing as a "clutch thing" but isn't really) were a number of MkII's where some friggin moron at the factory allowed motors to be built WITHOUT THE CRANKSHAFT THRUST WASHER. They originally started to surface as the clutch required constant readjustment until there was no adjustment left (since the crankshaft was slowly working its way reward towards the transmission by eating the block).
But yes, again, it seems (perhaps sadly) that the V7 might be wearing the modern relatability crown.
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Chrome cylinders.....
V7 Sport, 750S, S3, 850-T, T3, T4 had chrome bores, but the Convert, G5, SP, CX100 and Le Mans all had iron liners until they switched to Nigusil. IMO, the iron liner, 949 cc, round fins were the among the best Guzzi ever built. If the original timing chain tensioner was "adjusted" around 10k miles, that wasn't even an issue.
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I think Jay has had an equally trouble-free time with his 4 smallblocks.
I have not owned one past 10k miles, so, while I've put over 20k miles V7's, I've not owned any into high or even highish miles.
That said, they've been pretty trouble free, and all of them big smile makers.
My ownership experience:
2009 V7 Classic, purchased 9/2011 with 1,800 miles, sold 9/2013 with 10k miles.
Only problems were:
- both exhaust nuts vibrated off one side, and lost the collets. That was preventable, had I been doing a job in fastener checks.
- bolt that goes through the swing arm that holds the rear brake stay from turning backed out and the stay rotated, breaking the brake line and speedometer sensor cable -- again, preventable.
2013 V7 Racer, purchased 9/2013 with 4k miles, currently just shy of 10k miles
One of the rear shocks started leaking right after I purchased it -- fixed under warranty
Voltage Regulator was putting out 15V as Kev M. mentioned -- I replaced with an aftermarket one.
2014 V7 Special, purchased 11/2015 with 970 miles on it, sold in June 2018 with 6,800 miles.
Sometime before I owned it, one muffler got very discolored, likely from a bad spark plug cap that had likely been replaced before I owned it. Muffler was replaced under warranty.
Voltage regulator -- same as the Racer.
Currently it is draining the battery while parked, need to figure out why.
2017 V7III Special, purchased May 2018 with 330 miles. Currently, 1,700 miles, trouble free so far.
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I have not owned one past 10k miles, so, while I've put over 20k miles V7's, I've not owned any into high or even highish miles.
That said, they've been pretty trouble free, and all of them big smile makers.
My ownership experience:
2009 V7 Classic, purchased 9/2011 with 1,800 miles, sold 9/2013 with 10k miles.
Only problems were:
- both exhaust nuts vibrated off one side, and lost the collets. That was preventable, had I been doing a job in fastener checks.
- bolt that goes through the swing arm that holds the rear brake stay from turning backed out and the stay rotated, breaking the brake line and speedometer sensor cable -- again, preventable.
2013 V7 Racer, purchased 9/2013 with 4k miles, currently just shy of 10k miles
One of the rear shocks started leaking right after I purchased it -- fixed under warranty
Voltage Regulator was putting out 15V as Kev M. mentioned -- I replaced with an aftermarket one.
2014 V7 Special, purchased 11/2015 with 970 miles on it, sold in June 2018 with 6,800 miles.
Sometime before I owned it, one muffler got very discolored, likely from a bad spark plug cap that had likely been replaced before I owned it. Muffler was replaced under warranty.
Voltage regulator -- same as the Racer.
Currently it is draining the battery while parked, need to figure out why.
2017 V7III Special, purchased May 2018 with 330 miles. Currently, 1,700 miles, trouble free so far.
At least there were no:
* $800 failed dashes
* Self-destructing valve trains
or any other myraid of stupid problems, but alas that wasn't trouble free I guess.
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Didn't Lino Tonti design the small block frame and engine?
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Guzzi has a long history of innovation and racing success. Unfortunately they also have been on financial life support more than a few times which does not bode well for capital investment. Say what you will about Piaggio buying them but it brought some significant clout to the business and one of the first things they did was to invest in getting the V7 right. Look how rapid the updates have come and we are not just talking bold new colors. The current V7 has deep heritage but it has benefited from significant investment in design and manufacturing, that I believe is why each succeeding generation seems to have improved reliability and performance. It’s not like they wouldn’t have liked to have done that all along, but to do so takes some deep pockets.
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At least there were no:
* $800 failed dashes
* Self-destructing valve trains
or any other myraid of stupid problems, but alas that wasn't trouble free I guess.
Absolutely. Every "problem" I've with my V7's was minor and/or preventable.
Don't forgot as if the TWO failed dashes weren't enough pain, the B11's clutch self-destructed before 25k miles too. The clutch was not worn out, the friction material just broke up and fell off the the metal backing.
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It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years.
Well, considering the fact that the V7 has been "under development" for over 30 years, I'd hope to shout that MG has figured out how to make them "reliable".
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My V7iii has been flawless for 5,000 miles.
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Something failing after 1300 miles does not support the idea of most reliable in decades. Just sayin'
It does if the models it is comparing to are less reliable.
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Any modern motorbike is overall fairly reliable as long as it is well engineered. The V7's are no more or less so than many others. Generally, apart from the flat tappet fiasco, the CARC bikes too are pretty bulletproof. Most of the 'Problems' with them are induced by poor prep at the factory and poor tuning.
The smallblocks have had their share of issues too of late. Everybody seems to have conveniently forgotten the whole run of motors without crank thrust bearings! The other huge advantage they have is that using the MUIG3 there is pretty much nothing that Harry Hometune or a Shaved Ape can mess about with to render them unrideable! This is a huge benefit as most of the running issues with all twin TB models are down to people messing about with stuff they don't understand or working on the principle that "Fuel injection works just like carburettors"!
Dunno about the III's because I've never seen one but I see no reason to believe they would be any better,or worse, than previous models.
Pete
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IMO, the iron liner, 949 cc, round fins were the among the best Guzzi ever built.
That would be a plus one. :smiley:
Didn't Lino Tonti design the small block frame and engine?
The frame, for sure.
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Any modern motorbike is overall fairly reliable as long as it is well engineered. The V7's are no more or less so than many others. Generally, apart from the flat tappet fiasco, the CARC bikes too are pretty bulletproof. Most of the 'Problems' with them are induced by poor prep at the factory and poor tuning.
The smallblocks have had their share of issues too of late. Everybody seems to have conveniently forgotten the whole run of motors without crank thrust bearings!
No one's forgetting. I listed it in my first reply.
That said there's a huge difference between one moron FORGETTING to install a critical engine part and the entire valve train eating itself because of poor design or manufacturing.
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No one's forgetting. I listed it in my first reply.
That said there's a huge difference between one moron FORGETTING to install a critical engine part and the entire valve train eating itself because of poor design or manufacturing.
Have to agree with that, Kev.
My 2016 V7II is tied for most reliable bike I have ever owned with a 2012 Suzuki VStrom. The Strom had no issues, and so far neither has the V7. I pretty much had come to the conclusion the V7 series was the most reliable modern Guzzi before I bought mine, based on my friends experience with them and my impressions from reading on here. No scientific, but seems to be the case to me.
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I’m not disputing their reliability, just suggesting that the lack of issues is probably because people don’t screw about with them like they do with earlier models.
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Well I got stranded 50 miles from home on my 2015 V7 Stone at 32K. Starter button wont engage starter. Went back to my PC800 to do my 2 day trip. Figure it might be neutral switch or clutch switch?? Checked side stand switch all ready.
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I’m not disputing their reliability, just suggesting that the lack of issues is probably because people don’t screw about with them like they do with earlier models.
Not screwing with it pretty much doesn't account for any of the CARC problems I can remember from valve trains to dashes, from cracking fork legs to unlubricated suspension bits.... To startus interruptus.
I mean I feel like the CARCs (like the Tonti before) were bricks with regards to the motor and frame, but with these unfortunate Achilles heels.
But maybe that's true with most Guzzis in the past few decades.
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Well I got stranded 50 miles from home on my 2015 V7 Stone at 32K. Starter button wont engage starter. Went back to my PC800 to do my 2 day trip. Figure it might be neutral switch or clutch switch?? Checked side stand switch all ready.
Ha ha, startus interruptus too maybe...
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Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. :grin:
Don't forget about Keith Richards... He's been defying the odds for decades! :grin:
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Nope, can't beat an old Tonti :thumb:
(https://thumb.ibb.co/n7xW9T/lemans111july_001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n7xW9T)
190 miles of air cooled nirvana on this one today :cool:
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I had heard and read enough about the 'faults' on contemporary V7's to swap the 1/2 & 1/2 filter (swollen and distorted @ 479 miles), and the spark plug caps (for NGK), on a V7 III Racer. Guzzi now considers the filter failure to include the entire pump assy. Rather than the cost of a filter (available in all metal from many sources and used on all big blocks, btw), It's more than 400 bux, iirc, for the entire replacement part. I also don't run wire wheels/tubed tires if leaving town. I swapped them for Stone cast type b4 delivery.
My only remaining serious complaint is gear howl. 'They all do that'; and I've proven it to myself, having ridden a bunch of others; but that little sum-bitch sounds like a banshee battle, especially in 3, 4, 5 & 6th if you're searching for red line. It scares people on the street. Who the devil designed that trans.? I always wear ear plugs. Somehow the howl frequency comes through regardless. Also, it can't assimilate quick multi-gear downshifts. R3~
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Join any motorcycle forum and you will find out the shortcomings of that particular model. That doesn't mean those riders don't love their bikes. When the problems stack up, then someone gets frustrated and moves on.
When you study those forums you go into ownership with knowledge and can decide if you will part with the bike before experiencing that common problem, or work through it and enjoy the bike.
I could list all the bikes i have owned and their common problems, but this is a MG forum.
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alanp wrote:
My 2016 V7II is tied for most reliable bike I have ever owned with a 2012 Suzuki VStrom. The Strom had no issues, and so far neither has the V7. I pretty much had come to the conclusion the V7 series was the most reliable modern Guzzi before I bought mine, based on my friends experience with them and my impressions from reading on here. No scientific, but seems to be the case to me.
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Alano , thats the same bike I've got but in silver . I'm just now coming up on 6000 miles and done changed both tires . How many ya got on it so far ?
(http://<a href="https://ibb.co/bLvJOo"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/caMEw8/guzzi_V_7.jpg" alt="guzzi_V_7" border="0"></a>)
(http://<img src="https://image.ibb.co/gNr6b8/image.png" alt="image" border="0">)
(https://image.ibb.co/gNr6b8/image.png)
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posting a picture on this site seem way to messy ! I've tried three different methods and still don't know which one works or if I could repeat the process if I had too ! ???
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Sounds like they are pretty reliable all right. If I had to replace the Breva 750 at any stage it would be with a V7 Stone, unless the V85 engine is put into a V7 type bike, or even better a bike like the MT07 Tracer. :cool:
B750 done 51,000 pretty much trouble free miles. The battery needs love and attention. Replaced a fuel injector ten years ago. On my third screen. Cosmetics are tired. Second seat. That's about it. Hope to give her a referb for another 50,000 miles...
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(https://thumb.ibb.co/bBb368/20180718_200622.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bBb368)
I cannot complain. In the family we've had a string of V7 (Classic, ii and iii). Not only have they all behaved flawlessly but also put up with ham fisted treatment, such as running with low oil levels and tight clutch cables. While not strictly related to reliability, fit and finish also seems to have improved with each model change. And with the iii even fuelling seems sorted.
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If I think about it, there was the dodgy electric screen motor replaced with an upgraded one under warranty, startus interruptus and sludgy original map.
Anything else that needed doing was due to some buggerising around by me directly or peripherally.
Apart from a myriad of modifications done just for fun, my CARC gas been a rock of Gibraltar.
Beetle has utterly transformed the fuelling, and the debacle regarding the Sacred Screw was a massive learning experience for me and I'm the better for it.
I still know virtually nothing about maps and TB's, but I know people who do.
My Norge has more personality in it's flat tappets than any other so called "reliable" bike I've ever owned and I consider the last ten years a shared journey of discovery.
If you want "reliability", go buy a stinking GS 500 Suzuki or similar, ride around in the beige tinted world of mediocrity and be happy never having to learn anything.
Grab yourself a wooden spoon and plastic bucket while you're at it and your "safe and reliable, risk free existence" will be complete.
Reliable motorcycling is like a toasted ham, cheese and tomato sandwich without salt and pepper, or like taking your sister on a date and kissing her on the lips, really easy but no spice.
If my '07 Norge was stolen tomorrow, I would get another identical one, give Beetle another pissy $100, take a ride to Roper's and see y'all in another 150,000 k.
Forrgettabaaarrt it...!
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Perception is everything. I have had some cars, trucks and bikes that were "enthusiast" items and had to work on them regularly, and if it wasn't fixing it was improving or just changing. Then I have had some that were tools and I expected them to just work and do their job every time I put them to work. I haven't felt the need to carry a bunch of tools when traveling on my FJR, but do on my GS, even though it has never stranded me, but has had "gadget" issues. The new Griso? Putting a tool kit list together for it now.
I have heard about how reliable and perfect some bikes were, but noticed folks that had them carried tools and had to fiddle with them regularly. I had a couple of KLR's that are referred to as super reliable and simple. After doing all the little changes that are required before going anywhere, those changes didn't prevent me from having to truck one home when on a trip and the other having to fix a severe oil burning situation on a low mileage engine.
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There is absolutely no reason a bike can't have character and connection with the owner yet be perfectly reliable.
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There is absolutely no reason a bike can't have character and connection with the owner yet be perfectly reliable.
Absolutely! And it doesn't have to shake or rattle the neighbors windows to "have character and connection with the owner" either.
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There is absolutely no reason a bike can't have character and connection with the owner yet be perfectly reliable.
As long as you are willing to pay for it. Manufacturers make all kinds of trade offs when wrestling with what price point they need to meet against performance, fit and finish, handling, etc.
They have to determine what components are "good enough" based on the perceived use. Any bike I have bought that was under $15k had many compromises in components, fit and finish, etc.
I have not bought a bike yet that I didn't put $2k - $4k in accessories and upgrades on it, or decided to part with it before spending the money.
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Big difference in "performance" and "reliability", in regard to costs. Case in point, the Honda CB500 R/F/X models. Almost all of the components making up those bikes are very reliable and cost effective, yet performance is not exactly cutting edge. That is unless by performance you are talking durability and longevity. Then I would say those bikes are top shelf with a very low price tag. Same with the Wee-Strom.
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I've got a fleet of bikes with stock exhausts. I don't think there's anything about a loud bike that makes it cooler or gives it more character in any way. If anything it tends to amplify imperfections.
And I don't think price should have much of anything to do with reliability. It may mean some less fancy or lower performance details, but you can buy a car for mid-20's that has a crap load more material, technology, safety features and a hell of a lot more spent in R&D that will go the first 100k miles with nothing more than oil changes.
There's no excuse for some of the shit R&D and quality control we have seen from many modern bike builders including Guzzi (valve trains, thrust washers, dashes), BMW (final drives), and Harley (that friggin first year TC motor debacle). No excuse at all except that customers let them get away with it.
Too many customers don't use them enough (that is don't rack up the miles) and the warranties are too short for the manufacturers to be properly incentivized to eliminate these cock ups.
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LIKE!
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The V7 is an exception to current trends - a simple bike made reliable without massive investment, over time, that is building a following instead of peeing away Guzzis brand value like the poorly developed 'me too' bikes did, the ones that you can now pick up for almost nothing used. I think the retro V7 Sport re-hash styling reflects a relatively tasteless recent trend that it does follow - but regardless most of the market cares more about reliability than anything else.
When it comes to the more complex bikes that have become typical, none of the European manufacturers with the possible exception of Triumph are devoting the necessary resources to make them highly reliable at introduction, and they don't stick often with any given technology or model long enough to work out the bugs over time. This is the opposite of the 'value' and 'forever bike' philosophy that brought me and others to European bikes in the first place, in the 80s and before. By the end of the 90s European manufacturers completely changed to chasing trends and selling gagetry that they haven't yet made reliable. I find the resulting over-accessorized bikes in a word, tiresome. The current situation reminds me of cable TV - paying high prices to buy lots of 'channels' I don't want, targeted to buyers with which I'm happy to have little in common.
Triumph is an interesting case and there's a reason that like the V7, they are generally speaking an exception. When John Bloor bought the company he realized that the number one and possibly only thing that was going to make him successful was to reverse Triumph's well earned reputation for poor reliability. He was right, and successful, and it was just a coincidence that this occurred at the same time that other European manufacturers were going in the opposite direction. Maybe Piaggio will learn the same in time, with the V7 as their object lesson, about the same time that BMW runs out of old guys buying their last hurrah fitted with as much crappola as can be installed. One can hope :grin:
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about the same time that BMW runs out of old guys buying their last hurrah fitted with as much crappola as can be installed. One can hope :grin:
Won't there always be 'old' guys? I keep hearing this about Harley as well. As long as the Japanese make cheap cruisers there will always be guys buying cruisers and then one day they will have enough disposable income to buy a Harley. That's what happened to me.
Same goes for BMW and Ducati.
I rode for 30 years and 300,000 miles before I switched to Harley and the European bikes.
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Aside from my current self-healing question mark, here is a rough list to the best of my recall.
At month one the gear lever vibrated off while 70 km north of home. (Never found it).
At month three I noticed during inspection that the lower bolt for the left shock had sheared off (??I don't ride motorcross).
Also had the usual crappy spark-plug lead/cap issue so many of us experienced. (Thank you forum for great advice)
Key/ignition assembly fried and was replaced. (There's a good thread here with advice about re-wiring so that won't happen again).
The link arm between the transmission and the shifter broke in half as I left for work. (Laser welded and still holding).
Starter switch on the handle bars sticks 'on' if it has been raining hard. (May have contributed to failed ignition module).
That's about it so far.
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My V7ii remains the only brand new bike i ever bought with an oil leak (alternator cover where the wires come out- others have had same issue). I fixed it myself under "warranty" because i wanted it fixed right, and didn't want a dent in my tank from the kid at the dealer...
I also applied the usual plug caps and fuel filter updates, and sorted the suspension front and rear. I like riding the bike now, and all seems fine at just over 16,000 kms.
We'll see how it goes..
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And ... isn't the V7 the last road vehicle world-wide with Heron heads. Simplicity has it's virtue.
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alanp wrote:
My 2016 V7II is tied for most reliable bike I have ever owned with a 2012 Suzuki VStrom. The Strom had no issues, and so far neither has the V7. I pretty much had come to the conclusion the V7 series was the most reliable modern Guzzi before I bought mine, based on my friends experience with them and my impressions from reading on here. No scientific, but seems to be the case to me.
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Alano , thats the same bike I've got but in silver . I'm just now coming up on 6000 miles and done changed both tires . How many ya got on it so far ?
(http://<a href="https://ibb.co/bLvJOo"><img src="https://preview.ibb.co/caMEw8/guzzi_V_7.jpg" alt="guzzi_V_7" border="0"></a>)
(http://<img src="https://image.ibb.co/gNr6b8/image.png" alt="image" border="0">)
Great looking Stone you have there. I am right at 7000 miles in a little over a year with the bike. I do think it is my favorite bike of the 20 plus I have owned, but it is hard to explain why because it isn't the best in any category (except reliability which was the point of this thread). But the overall V7 package is very appealing to me.
(https://image.ibb.co/gNr6b8/image.png)
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posting a picture on this site seem way to messy ! I've tried three different methods and still don't know which one works or if I could repeat the process if I had too ! ???
Great looking Stone you have there. I am right at 7000 miles in a little over a year with the bike. I do think it is my favorite bike of the 20 plus I have owned, but it is hard to explain why because it isn't the best in any category (except reliability which was the point of this thread). But the overall V7 package is very appealing to me.
By the way, what luggage is that? At first I thought Hepworth Becker, but those look like top opening bags.
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The Carc I ride , 43,000 miles, no issues of any consequence.
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By the way, what luggage is that? At first I thought Hepworth Becker, but those look like top opening bags.
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They are top opening . Ebay has everything ! :grin:
I crossed the 7,000 mile mark today .
I'd like to have a road gear that would run 75 mph @ 1/2 way through the rpm range (3,500) . There seem to be plenty of power around that rpm range but I don't think the guzzi manufactures understand the American interstate system as good as Harley does. But they sure understand the inportance of "Light Weight" ! :wink:
I really like that 5.5 gal fuel tank and the "Standard" seating , so unless guzzi puts a "REAL" interstate gear in the future V-7 bikes I'll just keep this one for a long time. :grin:
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Having owned a V11 LeMans, a Rosso Mondello, And a 100 Breva and my V7 Stornello I would say that that has been my experience. Best Guzzi I've owned since my CX100
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Well I got stranded 50 miles from home on my 2015 V7 Stone at 32K. Starter button wont engage starter. Went back to my PC800 to do my 2 day trip. Figure it might be neutral switch or clutch switch?? Checked side stand switch all ready.
Ha ha, startus interruptus too maybe...
Kev m, have read about "startus interuptus" so delved more deeply. Checked my V7 out but I first unplugged the stater solenoid spade connector, cleaned and reconnected. Ta da the bike stated!! I've had similar problems with other older vehicles that use spade connectors on the solenoid, including some of my home built aircraft. I will keep a chunk of wire tucked away under the seat for any future possible problems with "startus interuptus".
Kev M thanks for the interest and helpful post!!
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It's possible that people tend to 'screw around' with bikes only when they're not working properly
if they are actually reliable and work to spec they just get ridden
I'm thinking, for example, of the old Lemans 1000, you'd go in to set the points gap as per the manual and lo and behold, the plates couldn't be moved far enough to set the gaps as per spec. so you'd get the plate off the dizzy (screw around with it) and file away at it and laboriously finish a job that the factory should have done for you.....
I've put around 10,000kms on my old 1970 V7 in the last couple of months and its asked for nothing but an oil change.....
So I'd say it's pretty reliable
having said that, I'm also in agreement with Dave Richardson who feels that guzzi never quite resolved the inherent problems of the 2 plate clutch until they replaced it with basically a car clutch for the griso-era of bikes. and it only took them 30 years to figure that one out!
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having said that, I'm also in agreement with Dave Richardson who feels that guzzi never quite resolved the inherent problems of the 2 plate clutch until they replaced it with basically a car clutch for the griso-era of bikes. and it only took them 30 years to figure that one out!
The small blocks have had a car clutch since inception. :smiley:
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I'm thinking, for example, of the old Lemans 1000, you'd go in to set the points gap as per the manual and lo and behold, the plates couldn't be moved far enough to set the gaps as per spec. so you'd get the plate off the dizzy (screw around with it) and file away at it and laboriously finish a job that the factory should have done for you.....
I've put around 10,000kms on my old 1970 V7 in the last couple of months and its asked for nothing but an oil change.....
So I'd say it's pretty reliable
having said that, I'm also in agreement with Dave Richardson who feels that guzzi never quite resolved the inherent problems of the 2 plate clutch until they replaced it with basically a car clutch for the griso-era of bikes. and it only took them 30 years to figure that one out!
No modification needed to the plate of my Convert, both point gaps set to spec. without any fudging.
Yeah, the dual-plate clutch in my '69 Ambo has only gone 110,000 miles so far. Junk. When will they ever make one to last? :wink: :laugh:
While on the subject of that Ambo, it's total number of issues in the last 21 years and 74k miles can be counted on one hand: failed condenser burnt up the points, failed coil (an Echlin I installed) left me sit once, wire fell off of the back of the generator and I ran on battery power for several hours before I found and fixed it, bad voltage regulator, the dreaded flaky chrome syndrome.
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I have to say that none of my Guzzi's, big or small, have ever failed to get me home. It's been a close run thing on rare occasions but they've always done it.
Never had a problem with the points. If there was an issue with the plate not moving enough you just play with the dwell, it's not difficult. As for the twin plate clutch? Sure there have been times when they've sourced plates from 'Cheap' suppliers or obviously lowered the spec for cost reasons. Well, you get what you pay for. If Guzzi owners weren't so damn parsimonious it would probably be less of an issue! :evil:.
Pete
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It's possible that people tend to 'screw around' with bikes only when they're not working properly
if they are actually reliable and work to spec they just get ridden
I'm thinking, for example, of the old Lemans 1000, you'd go in to set the points gap as per the manual and lo and behold, the plates couldn't be moved far enough to set the gaps as per spec. so you'd get the plate off the dizzy (screw around with it) and file away at it and laboriously finish a job that the factory should have done for you.....
I've put around 10,000kms on my old 1970 V7 in the last couple of months and its asked for nothing but an oil change.....
So I'd say it's pretty reliable
having said that, I'm also in agreement with Dave Richardson who feels that guzzi never quite resolved the inherent problems of the 2 plate clutch until they replaced it with basically a car clutch for the griso-era of bikes. and it only took them 30 years to figure that one out!
I disagree, mildly. I "screw around" with my vintage bikes, all the damn time, even when they're running great. Just can't resist trying to make them better-er. Now, the V7... I just leave alone... for now.
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(https://i.ibb.co/KzmVJPY/FFE4-B2-CC-A538-4318-9256-92-F8-E03-DC370.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KzmVJPY)
Other than this stupid Turkish filter bad idea, I think my V7lll 2018 Rough will be reliable and hold value
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2014 V7R. A hair over 7K easy going miles. Rear seal replaced twice on my own dime during that time since dealership folded. Still makes a hell of a howl occasionally after warming up while sitting at stop lights with clutch pulled in and putting it in gear. Possibly throw out bearing. May also be one of the bikes that had that plastic fuel filter which would still need to be addressed. No longer trust the bike outside of our city limit. As I’ve stated in another post or two. Going on static display in theater room once basement is finished . My one and probably done Guzzi experience due to the lack of easily accessible and competent dealership support.
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It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years. The CARC bikes all have issues that appear frequently; gauges leaking and killing ECU's, cracked headers, warped rotors, etc. Not to mention the 8 valve roller debacle. Going back to the previous Cali series there was the Hydro recall.
The V7 clutch thing on a few bikes is about the only major issue I've seen. Is the V7 the most reliable Guzzi sold in the last decade or two?
If you get your reliability info from the internet groups that complain about their bikes, or have problems and come here to solve them, you will have a very lopsided view of reliability. I have owned a lot of different Guzzis over the last 20 or so years, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017 and now 2020 and they have all been great, reliable bikes.
Check your assumptions.
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see also july 28.
I had the spark plug caps changed b4 my Racer left the dealer - along with the oil filter and wire wheels to cast. The abs could not be trusted no matter how many times it was 'fixed'. I asked Jim Hamlin to add his 'in-house designed* 4 pad radial caliper and radial MC. The abs eventually fixed itself?
Had a no start serious miles from home, blazing hot day. Disconnected the battery for a few minutes= wired up and zoom.
*It predates the euro V7 racer class by several years. R3~
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I bought Cam3512's 2014 V7 Special in May of 2019. It had 15,000mi on it. It is now bumping up against 41,000mi. I have changed the various oils and the filter and lubed the drive splines. The fuel tank has not been off the bike since I've owned it. I replaced the spoked wheels with cast ones so I can run the tires without tubes. Cam had replaced the fuel filter, the voltage regulator and the sparkplug caps. He'd put gaiters on the forks and installed an extended sump. My bike has (knock on wood) never blown a bulb, never leaked oil or smoked and the neutral light never lies. I can't remember missing a shift. I've just replaced the rear brake pads; maybe the ones on there were original. The front ones look fine. I believe Cam replaced the battery not long before I bought the bike.
I am aware I do not have SmithSwede mileage on my V7 but lots of these bikes are sold to center-city-living youts who will never ride them 10,000mi. I think that in the hands of an informed, caring owner these V7s ARE dependable bikes, especially if they used to belong to Cam3512.
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I'm not sure where you came up with Turkish. Try Germany.It is not MAHL's fault Guzzi continues to run this. They make an all metal filter of the same
Having said that, I just replaced the one in my Milano the other day. It was swollen just like the one in your pic but it had not become soft and pliable like the one I replaced in the '07 Norge I had back when. Jim Hamlin told me he had one fail within 1000 miles from new on a bike he just sold. This filter has been an item of controversy for some time here. I won't get into that. I, like you, chose to deal with it at home in the garage. I'm glad I did because it is kind of a PITA!
It said made in Turkey
John Henry
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A thumbnail sketch of my V7 experience’s . A few years ago my R1200r was getting a bit top heavy as I aged . Also every time I looked down I was going 80 ! Looking to downsize one of the few bikes that appealed to me was a Guzzi, having owned an SP1000 before. Cast wheels , shaft drive ,ABS & EFI were required .
I wanted a Mk III but I couldn’t resist the price of a leftover MkII . It allowed me to keep the Beemer . That was in 17. So far 20k Mi. & no trouble . I have personalized the Guzzi to my taste. Well doesn’t Guzzi come out with the V7/850. So , sell the Beemer & buy an Aniversary model . 2000 mi. So far & no need to touch anything. Waiting for Hepco Becker to get bag mounts & rear rack so i can swap bags . Oh & a decent windscreen.
Meanwhile , took the MkII camping this weekend. A bit more HP would have helped w/passing but , yeoman service was the order of the day !
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My 2018 V7III Special hasn't been perfect from a reliability standpoint, but it could be worse, and it has never left me stranded. I bought it in November 2018, and am approaching 21,000 miles.
Things replaced under warranty are both the speedometer and tachometer, which broke loose. The tach needle swung erratically a few times before the entire tach broke loose, which was about two weeks after I brought it home. It took six months to replace, so I rode around with a rubber band holding it in place. When the speedometer broke loose at around 8,000 miles, it only took two weeks to arrive, but the mileage was zeroized... KTM was able to program my 2008 Super Duke R's odometer when it was replaced under warranty, and I wish Moto Guzzi did the same. Maybe Guzzi's valid argument was that I won't know how many miles it'll have in six months, since that's how long the tach took to arrive. KTM only took two weeks the first and only time the dash needed fixed, allowing more accurate mileage prediction (it was exact to the mile).
At around 19,000 miles, the final drive failed. The oil looked like silver paint, the pinion gear had chips missing from the teeth, and it appeared the debris had broken away parts of the housing internally. The dealer had replaced a final drive gasket to remedy a leak at 6,000 miles, which is when they did first final drive oil change. I changed the oil at the manual-specified 12,000 mile interval, and I could tell by the pieces falling out and the metallic silver oil that the drive was on the way out, but I tried changing the oil in 200 mile intervals hoping to flush the particles and extend the final drive service life. I replaced the final drive with a used one from a 16,000 mile theft recovery since I was beyond the two year warranty, and I'll be changing the oil at 6,000 miles, which has worked on my 98 EV for over 30,000 miles that I've ridden it.
A final minor issue was a leaky oil pan caused by loose bolts. That was an easy dealer warranty fix.
The V7 III is a wonderful motorcycle that is great for commuting and lane splitting in dense traffic, and also workable for 400+ mile interstate days with Givi cases, although I'm sure a California 1400 or Goldwing would be better for long distances. I love how the V7 III sounds, feels and performs. The issues I had are luck of the draw in my opinion and not typical of this model, and of the four motorcycles I own, this is the one I take most often, with the 98 EV a close second. I don't have enough personal experience to say how reliability compares to Guzzis other than my EV, which was already 19 years old and had 26,000 miles at the time I bought it, making it an unequal comparison. For me, it's reliable enough, with the most important aspect being the fact I that absolutely love riding it.