2016 Stornello vs 2019 Stone

[jkirkpat]

I'm in the process of purchasing my first MG. I've found a 2016 Stornello in excellent condition, low mileage, and a reasonable price ($5K). The other option is a 2019 Stone ($6800). The specs on the Stornello are a better fit for what I want--light dirt/fire road use--more shock travel, tires, ground clearance, exhaust. The main difference I see between the two, outside of style and specs I mentioned, is the VII vs. the VIII, and that the Stone is more money than I want to spend.

THoughts?

[chrisfer]

If you like the Stornello go for it.
The Stornello, in stock, have the same poor shock absorber, and no more ground clearance than a V7II stone, you have to change the shock absorber to have longer one with more travel.

[Kev m]

TO ME there's a bigger than not difference in the Heron head motor in the Stornello and the Hemi head in the III.

BUT I don't think that would be a deal breaker for most people and the Stornello has a lot of the things for which you're looking, so I'd probably say to go with the Stornello.

Me, I'd still take the III but that's for my personal reasons (stylistic preferences and such).

[jkirkpat]

TO ME there's a bigger than not difference in the Heron head motor in the Stornello and the Hemi head in the III.

BUT I don't think that would be a deal breaker for most people and the Stornello has a lot of the things for which you're looking, so I'd probably say to go with the Stornello.

Me, I'd still take the III but that's for my personal reasons (stylistic preferences and such).

That's what would nudge me to get the 2019 Stone--the VIII. Are there maintenance/repair drawbacks with the VII that I should be concerned about and that have been rectified in the new VIII?

[jkirkpat]

If you like the Stornello go for it.
The Stornello, in stock, have the same poor shock absorber, and no more ground clearance than a V7II stone, you have to change the shock absorber to have longer one with more travel.

Thanks for the input.
True. The Arrow exhaust stock on the Stornello does make a difference when off pavement, though. And it would be a pricey mod for the Stone.

[Dave Swanson]

Cadre has their 2019 Stone advertised for $6500.   I would go with the V7III, but that Arrow exhaust is pretty cool on the Stornello. 

https://cadrecycle.com/v7-iii-stone/

[egschade]

I rode both back to back when the III first came out. I liked the look and feel of the Stornello but went with the III due to better pricing and to me, better engine performance.

Looking back on it I probably would have been just as if not happier with the Stornello as I ride much as you do - bopping around back roads and the occasional dirt/gravel road.

[Bulldog9]

The primary difference between the Stornello and other V7ii models was mostly styling, tires, high pipe, but it does have a unique tune that IMO, has a bit more character and torque. The base suspension is garbage (like all V7ii) but easily addressed with a set of shocks and fork springs. Can be done for reasonable $$. I went with KTech fork springs and Hagon Trail/Enduro shocks built for my weight for about $300 total. Biggest limitation is lack of 'off the shelf' options for dual saddle bags.

The V7iii Stone has a better motor, hemi head, slightly more power, refinement, some electronic goodies, and a more open rider triangle, but I wouldn't trade my Stornello for any V7iii model.

You need to ride both and see which speaks to you most.

[egschade]

Thanks for the input.
True. The Arrow exhaust stock on the Stornello does make a difference when off pavement, though. And it would be a pricey mod for the Stone.

I want the high pipe on my III but it retails for over $2K.

[Kev m]

That's what would nudge me to get the 2019 Stone--the VIII. Are there maintenance/repair drawbacks with the VII that I should be concerned about and that have been rectified in the new VIII?

No it's virtually identical including the pump fed 6-spd and abs in both.

Differences are in the head and motor output plus differences in some chassis components from pedals to exhaust to instruments.

But no nothing to be concerned about in either design.

[Dirk_S]

I’ve ridden my 2016 stone off-road quite a bit. As far as capability, it depends on how much off-road you want. A tougher ATV trail could be more of a challenge than the V7’s weight can handle. I’ve dropped the bike several times, which I’m not ashamed of.. Get yourself some engine guards of some sort regardless of which model you purchase.

If you’re a true off-road fan, may just shoot straight for the Stornello since it’s got the spoked wheels.

The Arrow exhaust is a bit too technical looking and sticks too far back for my tastes, but I don’t think I’m in the majority camp. I also do panniers on both sides as I do a few multi-day trips a year - bonus to more frame protection! If you also want panniers on both sides, you’ll want to consider  modification of one thing or another. I just purchased 70tre’s high exhaust and hope I can modify the right side pannier rack to work out.

And obviously, you’ll need a Fleabay headlight grill to be the most legit cat around.

May also want to protect that sump, too.

[Off @ 90]

The V7 suspension is archaic. My Stornello forks springs seem too soft and under damped. Having some time on my hands over lock down I made  ally 10 mm spacers to increase preload and replaced fork oil with 10W  Penrite fork oil. From my short test ride it definitely felt better with less sag and more dampening .Of course it's like making a silk purse out of a pigs ear.
Will have to wait to do a longer ride  to assess more when we go to Alert level 3 on Tuesday hooray .

[Beowulf]

I have rode a v7 iii and owned a v7 ii. I had the v7 till i joined the dark side recently and got very good service out of it. Honestly the v7 iii does have better fueling stock.

That being said a 100 dollar beetle map for a v7 ii honestly makes the v7 ii a rival to v7 iii like you would not believe. They got their torque very differently in my opinion. Beetle does amazing work.

The v7iii is the stouter engine. The valves comparatively speaking look like they are beefier and the hemi head is a very strong design.
The advantage of the Heron Head as i understand it hits its torque sooner which is fun and i would like to think thats what i felt.

The heron head is said to be more limited than the hemi but honestly you are talking maybe 3 horsepower( i may be wrong). The aftermarket is easier for the v7 iii as it spans multiple years. There are a few parts specific to a v7 ii but most parts do crossover from the 1 and 3.

I really like the v7 ii i think heron head motors are unique personalities. You wont regret either one. Sorry for the long post.

[blu guzz]

I don't know where you live, but Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati has a fresh batch of Roamers for sale at $5,500.  Now, you would feel a not-subtle  difference with that engine I assure you.  Just a thought.

[jkirkpat]

I don't know where you live, but Cadre Cycle in Cincinnati has a fresh batch of Roamers for sale at $5,500.  Now, you would feel a not-subtle  difference with that engine I assure you.  Just a thought.

What are folks' thoughts on the Roamer?  NOt quite the bike/style I had in mind, but certainly an option.

[Kev m]

What are folks' thoughts on the Roamer?  NOt quite the bike/style I had in mind, but certainly an option.

The V9 surprised me. I didn't expect to like it, but the motor felt more like a big block (like my old 1100 Cali Jackal) than like a smallblock and the chassis is otherwise basically that nice Svelte smallblock chassis.

I personally would take a Bobber Sport cause that's what I fell in love with, but a Roamer world be fine. I'd be real tempted to swap the seat and tank from a V7.