Comparison: V7II, Scrambler, Street Twin, and Yamaha XSR700

[bpreynolds]

Nice things to say about the Guzzi.
https://youtu.be/aTOmOJOBqXM

[Clancy]

That was an enjoyable video.

I seem to be the only one of the planet who doesn't see the V7 (Stone/Special) as a 'retro' bike.
To me it's always been just a naked 'standard'.  ::shrug::

[pete roper]

Don't worry about what people want to pigeonhole it as. It's a motorbike. You enjoy it. End of story!

Pete

[Clancy]

 

[fossil]

What is a retro bike? A newly constructed bike, which resembles an old model, e.g. Triumph Street Twin. What is a bike like the Guzzi V7? An old construction, which is adaptated to modern rules. Definitely no retro bike. The Sportster in this definition is somewhere in between, it is very modern in the details, resembles the old models very much. And the Yamaha SR 400/500 was a retro bike when it was new, but today...

[zedXmick]

Four hipster's with half Helmets....who the hell rides with Half helmets and goggles bigger than the helmets? Hipsters do....

[rocker59]

What is a retro bike? A newly constructed bike, which resembles an old model, e.g. Triumph Street Twin. What is a bike like the Guzzi V7? An old construction, which is adaptated to modern rules. Definitely no retro bike. The Sportster in this definition is somewhere in between, it is very modern in the details, resembles the old models very much. And the Yamaha SR 400/500 was a retro bike when it was new, but today...

The V7 Sport styled fuel tank makes the V7 line "retros", since they're an homage to a predecessor.

[jas67]

The V7 Sport styled fuel tank makes the V7 line "retros", since they're an homage to a predecessor.

THIS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Though, the platform is just an evolution of the small blocks of the past.    I see no problem in calling the V7 retro, as, in it still shares a lot of the same traits, it just so happens to use the same basic platform that was built nearly 40 years ago (just updated), vs. an all new design that looks like an old design.   It really is just semantics.

[canuguzzi]

Four hipster's with half Helmets....who the hell rides with Half helmets and goggles bigger than the helmets? Hipsters do....

In some cities, plenty of people do. Why disbarage anyone because of the helmet they wear?  Does that make them less of a motorcyclist?

[oldlegs]

I just wish we could here the exhaust from the bikes instead of the music. Steve.

[Devildog]

Notice how they smiled and laughed when discussing the V7. Says it all, fun bikes.

[Kev m]

What is a retro bike? A newly constructed bike, which resembles an old model, e.g. Triumph Street Twin. What is a bike like the Guzzi V7? An old construction, which is adaptated to modern rules. Definitely no retro bike.

I disagree. The V7 may be built on a chassis that has been around for decades, but it's been updated piece by piece so that it is certainly modern (it's hard to argue anything with EFI isn't).

But the fact that the V7 is styled AND named after a completely different bike (the big block V7 Sport) makes it the very definition of a retro bike

And what's wrong with that???

EDIT:

Ooops late to the party. That's what happens when I actually go to the office for something, I'm offline most of the day lol.

[jas67]

Ooops late to the party. That's what happens when I actually go to the office for something, I'm offline most of the day lol.

OMG!   You went to........... WORK?

OK, OK, maybe I used the wrong word.   

OMG!   You went TO THE OFFICE 

[Kev m]

OMG!   You went to........... WORK?

OK, OK, maybe I used the wrong word.   

OMG!   You went TO THE OFFICE 

I chose my words very carefully there. 

[PanMan]

Thanks for posting, enjoyed that video.

[jlburgess]

Wow, the blue color looks great on that bike! That's the best since the white and black combo in my humble opinion.

[bpreynolds]

Wow, the blue color looks great on that bike! That's the best since the white and black combo in my humble opinion.

Yeah, I love the blue and white stripes.  Very sharp.

As per the review itself, I really enjoyed it.  As someone who reads and even watches reviews/comparisons on youtube all the time (always with a giant grain of salt), it's actually refreshing to see a review/video where they don't spend half the time telling you specs and why the Guzzi underpowered, bleh, bleh, bleh.  Here are some guys who obviously love motorcycles and they are giving you their gut, seat of the pants opinions and those opinions (regardless of "retro" semantics) are saying favorable things about the Guzzi.  Keep in mind the bike is here being ridden against a much more powerful Scrambler, a modern retro Yammer, and even the brand new and years and many engineers in the making refined Street Twin.  And it's doing quite well, relatively speaking.  And too, this is not even the "new" engine. 

[Buckturgidson]

Four hipster's with half Helmets....who the hell rides with Half helmets and goggles bigger than the helmets? Hipsters do....

Hey! I resemble that commont!
Yes, open faced retro helmets and cool leather jackets are a posture, but at least it's a cool posture, unlike the Harley leather vest "tough guy" posture.
I am a pacu RN and the younger guys with tatoos doing the tough guy posture are the biggest wusses after surgery.

[Rox]

I lost interest in it when the one guy said that he has never ridden an old bike. How in the hell are you going to do a comparison on retro bikes and which bike most resembles an old bike if one of the guys never rode an old bike? I actually made a comment on the YouTube clip. They didn't like that very much.

Retro my balls.... 

[Buckturgidson]

My first street bike was a Suzuki 2 stoke made pre 1982, is that retro?
I think it was 280 cc but cannot remember.

[Muzz]

I found it funny that in the roundup at the end the Yamaha, which they agreed at the start was the best engineered bike, they put at the bottom in the enjoyment stakes.

[rob-mg]

That YouTube video is a supplement to a written review that is considerably less kind to the V7 II, placing the Ducati Scrambler first and the V7 II dead last: http://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bike-reviews/group-tests/modern-retros-group-test/#.VtouHhQ8KnP

Their written "Verdict":

"Picking a winner is as much a personal thing as anything else. On paper, and on the road, the Guzzi comes last, although that doesn't mean that it's not without merit. It's a charming old plodder that I'd happily own, love and cherish for years and years to come. It's not so much a retro as a classic straight from the factory. I love it, but in this company it'd be a purchase made from the heart rather than the head.

"The Yamaha is a fine bike that just doesn't quite have the authenticity to match the Ducati or the Triumph. If you're thinking about buying an MT-07 but like the look of the XSR700 more, buy it! I found it hard to create an emotional bond with the Yamaha, but it's the bargain of the group and a probably the best bike dynamically. On paper, it wins this test, but all of us (with the possible exception of Michael) felt that it just lacks something that we couldn't quite put our finger on.

"For city riding, I'd choose the Triumph, although I'm not convinced my colleagues would agree. It's a fair bit heavier than the others, even the carved-from-granite Guzzi, but the seat height is so low that it carries its weight well. The engine is the biggest of the four and really creamy at the bottom end. It's beautifully built and full of great modern technology that belies the classic looks, but get out on the open road and the Street Twin's weaknesses are exposed. That motor runs out of revs real quick and the chassis, adequate as it is, feels more budget than either the Scrambler or XSR700. It's a great entry level bike though, and I'm really looking forward to riding the full fat 1200 Bonnevilles when they hit the showrooms in the coming months.

"The Ducati is the star of the show though. Dynamically, it feels the quickest and the lightest, and unanimously we agreed it was the coolest. We may not like to admit it, but for many of us, that's the total attraction of this kind of bike. Park it up and the Scrambler never fails to draw a crowd. Climb on board and suddenly you're Steve McQueen. It may have been conceived by marketing men, but the Scrambler has most definitely been brought to life by engineers who live and breath motorcycles. Oh yeah, this is one kick ass motorcycle."

[bpreynolds]

I wouldn't say they are unkind, however.  After all and as I stated previously, the bike is going up against a more powerful Ducati, a what - ten years in the making Triumph, and a totally refinied Yamaha.  Their results - while I certainly don't agree - is what I would expect the vast majority of moto journos to come back and say.  Overall and throughout the greater part of the review they are very complimentary to the V7. 

[Vagrant]

being a crusty old Bastard with suspenders thank you, I quit watching after 1 minute. it was just like the morning radio shows where they have 3 idiots talking who are about as interesting as a turd! just play the music!
my 4 week old 2015 V7 has 2900 miles on it now and except for the suspension I wouldn't trade it for any of those bikes even if they threw in an extra $2000 cash. this is a fun bike that actually is a motor cycle not an appliance.

[rss29]

I love the Scrambler. I think it looks great. Every time I'm at the Duc dealership I can't help but sit on it.  Even though I test rode one and didn't like it, I still think it's a great looking bike. Ducati hit a home run with that bike.

[JeffOlson]

Regarding the Moto Guzzi, "It's a charming old plodder that I'd happily own, love and cherish for years and years to come. It's not so much a retro as a classic straight from the factory. I love it, but in this company it'd be a purchase made from the heart rather than the head."

That's exactly how I buy motorcycles and scooters, from the heart rather than the head, so the Moto Guzzi does very well indeed!

[bpreynolds]

Regarding the Moto Guzzi, "It's a charming old plodder that I'd happily own, love and cherish for years and years to come. It's not so much a retro as a classic straight from the factory. I love it, but in this company it'd be a purchase made from the heart rather than the head."

That's exactly how I buy motorcycles and scooters, from the heart rather than the head, so the Moto Guzzi does very well indeed!

 :1: