Looking at a 2021 v7 centenario!

[bobrebos1]

I need (due to medical limitations) a smaller bike.  (Currently have a 2010 Honda gold wing and a 2013 Moto guzzi Stelvio), and may have found a 2007 Guzzi Breva 750 to look at.

I’m also looking into a 2021 v7 stone centenarian however that bike is heavier so don’t know about that one.

What pluses and minuses do any of you owners know about with those specific models.  Thank you in advance!

Update:  I’m leaning toward the 2021 v7 centenario! 

[Bobic69]

I know as I'm getting older I'm losing strength and a back injury prevents me from working out so will one day also have to get a lighter bike. I used have a V7 Cafe Classic which has the same engine as the Breva. Beautiful bike but too slow. I haven't ridden a later model V7 but am told that they're a fair bit quicker. That's what I'd go for.

[bobrebos1]

Beautiful bike but too slow. I haven't ridden a later model V7 but am told that they're a fair bit quicker. That's what I'd go for.

Are the Breva 750’s really that slow of a bike? 

[twodogs]

Say Bob if you are used to bigger and faster bikes than the 750 then it will feel slower which it is but if you rode it for what it is you will be OK with it, I've had a v7 classic and a v50 and both of them would run 80 all day but I don't think that is what they were built for, 60 to 65 and see the sights and smell the roses, try one out for short money and decide

[Kev m]

I need (due to medical limitations) a smaller bike.  (Currently have a 2010 Honda gold wing and a 2013 Moto guzzi Stelvio), and may have found a 2007 Guzzi Breva 750 to look at.

I’m also looking into a 2021 v7 stone centenarian however that bike is heavier so don’t know about that one.

What pluses and minuses do any of you owners know about with those specific models.  Thank you in advance!

The Breva is a heron head dual-throttle body smallblock - basically the same bike as a Nevada or V7C in the same time frame. The major difference being looks and ergonomics. You sit on a V7 but you kinda sit IN a Breva a bit more if that makes sense. I guess it's the shape of the tank/seat. It shares almost nothing but looks and perhaps those ergons with it's big brother of the same name, the larger Carc Breva 1100. Cast wheels, plastic tank, old school fast idle lever on the left grip for cold starts. There's a lot to like about it as it's a light, nimble bike. But yes, it makes that modest smallblock power. Of course that doesn't keep many of us from loving them.

The V7 850 is the complete other end of the smallblock spectrum from it. A hemi-head, larger capacity metal fuel tank, most HP/Torque you can get from a smallblock other than the V85 which is a different beast. A single throttle body with less maintenance and easier access to those things, plus an upgraded chassis and swingarm. Yes that comes with a small gain in weight, but I'm not sure you'll really notice it. That's for you to decide.

NOW, there are plenty of smallblocks between those two extremes.

* The V7C - is basically a 2-TB Breva, all but the last year with a plastic tank. Same with the 2-TB Racer and Cafe Classic.

* The MKI - V7 Stone/Special/Racer is a heron head, single TB upgrade with larger metal tank and a number of minor chassis improvements (I love mine). All but the last model year have the same air-cooled stator assembly, the final year switches to an oil bath stator with slightly lower output.

* The MKII - V7II Stone/Special/Racer/Stornello is a heron head, 1-TB adds a 6-speed and ABS/TC to the chassis.

* The MKIII - V7III Stone/Special/Racer/Scrambler/Milano/Carbon Dark/Carbon Shine etc. are the first Hemi-Head variants of the V7 lineup. They include the first significant jump in power over the previous models (though all previous had slight differences from the ones before them). The also include slightly better rear suspension, and lots of cosmetic chassis changes/improvements. Not all models have a tachometer and it's not cheap or easy (or realistic) to add an OEM one. Honestly they are surprisingly different from the earlier Heron head models in a lot of little ways. I love ours as well.

* The EU4 V9 models - Bobber/Roamer/Bobber Sport - are 1-TB Hemi heads with a slightly different chassis, ergos, and maybe most importantly to me - a motor that punches above its spec sheet. It honestly feels similar to the tonti Cali's in terms of power:weight ratio. I was completely shocked the first time I rode one and have not gotten it out of my mind since. Though I haven't sold one of the other ones to add it yet, I have considered it, even thought about selling my RK and replacing it with one.

* The EU5 V7850 and V9 variants - see above for earlier V7 850 comments. A fine bike in a lot of ways, but despite the power jump it didn't feel ALL that much more powerful than my MKIII. And, honestly, there are times I actually prefer my MKI, something about the feel of it. I'm not sure I can pinpoint what/why. I like them, but maybe not quite as much.


Now the elephant in the room is size and weight. Our three smallest bikes are the 2011 Duc 696 (408# wet), 2013 MKI V7 Stone (~440# wet), and the 2018 V7III Carbon Dark (~461# wet).

I'm not actually sure I can physically tell a difference between the three of them in weight. Now granted, maybe that's because the other beast in the room is an ~850# Road King, so they all seem uh, like HALF. I equally don't remember thinking that the V7 850 (~481# wet) was any bigger/heavier than the earlier variants.

Hope this helps in some way.

Unfortunately the BEST way to determine if one works for you (ergos, size/weight, and power) is simply to find and ride one.

[joe-dean]

bob I have a 750 breva that I like I don't  find it that slow I'm 73 years young and like a smaller bike I bought a V85TT in 2020
found it too much to handle sold it to wayne O. ga. guzzi rep. he still has it and loves it. BTW I live in suches, ga. so we will meet
someday at TWO WHEELS of SUCHES

[mechanicsavant]

I’m in a similar situation. After numerous joint replacements & almost 2 handfuls of herniated disc’s my BMW 2200 was getting to be “too much “ to deal with . In 17 I bought a V7 MkII . At first my reaction was yike’s what did get into !  After some sorting out of issues I’m pretty pleased , but I’m used to a bit (actually quite a bit ) more power .Knowing the limitations of the heron head I was ok dealing with it . Then a huge mistake  ! I test rode a V7/850 Aniversario , WOW way better handling & ride than the MkII . 50% more HP (approx.) . I didn’t return the key to the dealer .Sold the Beemer & now have 2 small blocks ! The Centi is my Goldilocks bike  does everything very well . Even long weekend camping trips . The MkII is a hoot , on a backroad it’s like doing a polka with a 100lb. Girl . The HB bags fit both bikes  too . It’s been said by me & other on this forum the biggest improvement to either bike is the installation of radial tires . On the 850 I didn’t even wait for them to wear out , Installed Conti Ra III’s & donated the bias tires to the needy . The 850 would be a great only bike , but I’ve grown fond of the MkII too & am very fortunate to be able to own both !

[bobrebos1]

I’m leaning toward the 2021 V7 Stone centenarian!  Might pull the trigger within a week!  I just am not sure yet!!  Still thinking! 

[Vagrant]

I get tired of fixing old stuff! I'd rather ride. Buy the 21 just make sure it has the latest map.

[bobrebos1]

I get tired of fixing old stuff! I'd rather ride. Buy the 21 just make sure it has the latest map.

Good point

[MMRanch]

The "LIGHTER MACHINE" as I get older is the RIGHT MOVE !      I know a lot of guys get a "Dream" monster bike and a year later either "Park it" or "Trike it" .  Then they really get OLD. 


Bob , if you change your own tires , then "Loose" the inter tubes . 

At 70 years young ... the V7II is my BIG BIKE and that's just fine !   

[twowheeladdict]

Bob,  The V7s have plenty of power.  Would I want to ride one on the interstate all day long?  Not really, but for the majority of the riding you are now doing it will be a fine machine.  Are you looking at a used one that has some accessories? 

The beauty of the V7 bike is that it can be set up as a cafe racer like mine to a full on touring machine like Mike's.  Set it up how you want it. 

[MMRanch]

That Corbin seat makes a world of difference.    I put wide bars on it too (34"), it helps with the low speed parking lot stuff and also with muscling through the high speed twisty' s ! 

[Solorider73]

That Corbin seat makes a world of difference.    I put wide bars on it too (34"), it helps with the low speed parking lot stuff and also with muscling through the high speed twisty' s ! 

Here I thought I was just slow trying to keep up with you through the twisties and all I needed was some wider bars.   

[inditx]

I need (due to medical limitations) a smaller bike.  (Currently have a 2010 Honda gold wing and a 2013 Moto guzzi Stelvio), and may have found a 2007 Guzzi Breva 750 to look at.

I’m also looking into a 2021 v7 stone centenarian however that bike is heavier so don’t know about that one.

What pluses and minuses do any of you owners know about with those specific models.  Thank you in advance!

Update:  I’m leaning toward the 2021 v7 centenario!

Buy mine!
Posted in saw meet here.
inditx

[bobrebos1]

Buy mine!
Posted in saw meet here.
inditx

Sorry but I already committed to looking at one fairly local that I like. I wish you all the best in selling your bike. 

[JohninVT]

I’ve had a T3, 73’ Eldorado, 2002 Le Mans, 2008 1200 Sport, a 1400 California Touring and now I have a 2021 850 Stone.  I’ve liked some much more than others but I can honestly say that the 850 is the most versatile Guzzi I’ve owned.  Every one of the others did certain things much better than the 850 but none of them did so many things as well.

Personally, I couldn’t live with the power of a 750 Breva or Heron head V7.  The 850 has just enough oomph to motor along nicely, two-up in the White Mountains.  It’s not so much the 15+ additional horsepower as it is the 10-12ft/lbs more torque mated to a six speed transmission that makes the difference. 

[MMRanch]

uhoh ! 

  keep up with you through the twisties and all I needed was some wider bars.
................... ..........

The OLD DIRT BIKE SECRET has crept into another innocent mind !   Sorry Solo !    ---   

[krglorioso]

Having been born early in President Roosevelt's second term (that's Franklin, not Theodore, thank you) and weighing a sparse 135#, even without health problems (yet) I had to sell both Stone Touring hydros 7 years ago as they were just too heavy for me to manage. After a few lightweight poseurs, I returned to the fold with an unblemished, very low mileage and heavily upgraded '04 Breva 750 20 months ago from a WGC forum member.  It's a dandy bike and unless detractors of the power production of this model weigh twice what I do I don't understand the disappointment expressed.  I note that the Breva 750s are described as "light" and perhaps in comparison with the later V7 models it is lighter, but for me the Breva 750 is right on the edge of manageability.  Realistically, I suspect I'm good for another two years, maximum, on the Breva 750.

What happens then is anybody's guess.  Maybe Charlie M. has a restored Lodola or some such for me.  I'll wait and see.

Ralph