Which V7 to Buy?

[Slow4]

I'm really wanting to purchase a V7 (1,2 or 3), but am not completely sure which one is going to be the right fit. Unfortunately I live in Minnesota so there's no chance of test riding one for at least 4 months.

Though I'm not attracted to the bike for performance aspects, I am slightly concerned that the power may not be quite enough. I really like the torque at any rpm feeling of the sportster 1200, so the low on paper guzzi figures are the main concern.

Do any of the 3 models respond particularly well to tuning? What are people achieving with the basic slip ons, air cleaner and tune combination?

[jcctx]

Buy a RED one~ they are FASTER!!!!!!!!!

[Kev m]

I'm really wanting to purchase a V7 (1,2 or 3), but am not completely sure which one is going to be the right fit. Unfortunately I live in Minnesota so there's no chance of test riding one for at least 4 months.

Though I'm not attracted to the bike for performance aspects, I am slightly concerned that the power may not be quite enough. I really like the torque at any rpm feeling of the sportster 1200, so the low on paper guzzi figures are the main concern.

Do any of the 3 models respond particularly well to tuning? What are people achieving with the basic slip ons, air cleaner and tune combination?

Welcome to the madness and good luck. As a 4-time Sportster owner with 2 V7s in the garage (MK I and MK III), perhaps I can relate.

The V7 turns in performance numbers more like and 883 than a 1200 Sporty if you're looking strictly at 1/4 mile times.

However, it turns a little higher rpm than either, revs a little more freely, and feels both smaller/lighter. It's a good choice if you want to prioritize some more handling over straight line acceleration. Though still a torquey motor it doesn't have the same freight train feel of a Sporty (or BT).

The Heron head models (through the MK I and MK II) DO NOT respond basically AT ALL to tuning. You'd be wasting your time chasing any power unless you're willing to go for a complete top end (850cc kit, from someone like GuzziPower or GuzziTech).

http://www.guzzipower.com/store/V7bigbore.html

But even then I don't know that you'd be matching the feel of a 1200 Sporty, at least not one with say a Stage I, never mind an NHRS or Hammer kit.

Now the MK III uses a new Hemi Head motor and honestly I can't say, there may be a little more hp to be had with an exhaust/tune etc. But I don't know that I've seen anyone bother yet. Maybe someone will reply to this thread or you should dig at the Guzzitech forum you may find someone who has done it there.

Still, the Sporty is a great bike, but the V7 is a bit different, in a lot of good ways. You might not find you want to change it THAT much anyway.

[rocker59]

What Kev said...

 

[MMRanch]

Slow4

I have a V-7II and a V-9 Roamer , the Roamer is more like the V-7III .   The clutch on the V-9 is a lot smother.  The V-7II clutch seem to be "Just-not-right" , it works but nowhere as smooth a the V-7III and the V-9.
Knowing what I do now I would have got the V-7III.
The V-7II has the Heron Heads and the V-7III has Hemi heads .   The V-7III has more ZIP to it.

I had a Harley Sportster (2004 first year they rubber mounted the motor) 1200cc Roadster and I know how quick they can be !!! 
The Guzzi V-9 may not be as QUICK as the 1200 Sportster , but it ain't far behind either. 

You know after a point : Strait-Line Power is far from the most important thing !  Guzzi has the BETTER PACKAGE   

[Kiwi_Roy]

Pretty simple, what Kev said
And
Do you need a Tach?
Do you want spoke wheels or cast?
Do you want blacked out or chrome bling?

[Kev m]

MM brings up a good point. The V9 (Bobber, Roamer, Bobber Sport) is closer in feel (torque/power at the motor) to the Sporty than the V7, while giving up nothing from the V7 in terms of lightness, handling, brakes.

I fell in love with the BS (Bobber Sport) last year and wouldn't hesitate to add it to the fleet, though I might be tempted to transfer a V7 tank to it for even better looks and more capacity, but that's a personal thing.

You might want to consider a V9 as well.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Do you want ABS? If yes, then you don't want a V7 "Mk1". Do you want a six speed? Ditto.

[pyoungbl]

If we are picking nits, don't forget that the early V7s (MK 1) have a dry alternator with slightly higher electrical output than the later models.  It's really easy to pop out the cover over the alternator and use that to turn the engine over while checking valve lash.  You cannot do that with the wet alternator.

Peter Y.

[malik]

What Kev says. You don't get a V7 for the power (though some get it for its lack of power), but more for its handling. It's easy in city traffic, great in the twisties - the tighter, the better, and more than adequate for trans-continental journeys. Lots of torque, so delightful to ride. They'll run smoothly & easily straight up to 140 (85mph) with no hesitation, after that, there still some left, but not a whole lot. They'll cruise all day at 75mph, and fairly economically at that speed, and from there on, you tend to plan your overtaking manoeuvres, unlike say, the 8 valve GRiSO, which has instant acceleration on tap.

If you prefer a lazy long stroke engine, the early, 2 throttle body V7 is closer to that, idles at 1100rpm, rather than the 1370 rpm of the single throttle body versions, although with the latter, usable torque comes in earlier.

Aftermarket mufflers are the usual rather than the exception, and for all but the III Racer, the suspension can be improved. Stick with the stock air filters - they are more effective than anything aftermarket. Otherwise, just keep the oils fresh.

If I had to do it over, I'd get the III Racer - just for the Ohlins suspension, if nothing else (it really is sublime). It would be cheaper to retro-fit the standard bars & footpegs, rather than upgrading the suspension on the other models.

Best bet - arrange to borrow or hire a V7 for a day or two & see if it suits. A cousin of mine did that & really saved himself a load of grief - he really fancied a Honda Shadow (it takes all types), but the first couple of hours was enough to know it was unsuitable. The subsequent 10 days cemented that opinion. He ended up with a TDM & loves it.

[Kev m]

If you prefer a lazy long stroke engine, the early, 2 throttle body V7 is closer to that, idles at 1100rpm, rather than the 1370 rpm of the single throttle body versions, although with the latter, usable torque comes in earlier.

Don't get fooled by the idle, though the early 2TB idles lower, it wants/needs to SPINS at a faster rpm going down the road.

I've never checked if there were gearing changes but when ridden back-to-back we noted the Mk I 1TB motor was happier a few hundred rpm lower - i.e. you could run it more "lazily" than the 2TB without lugging.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I bought a V7 with a Tach, I don't know how I would get on without that although you could get on with just the shift light I guess
Also consider tank size, i think some of the earlier models had a smaller tank, my iii has a 400 km range

They come with a catalytic converter, I don't think the after market pipes have that, someone will correct me.

[Kev m]

All but the last year of the 2TB model (~2012) have the smaller plastic tank. By ~2012 they came out with the 5.5g metal tank (originally called a 5.8g but later revised).

Single instrument pod MKIII models are lacking a tach but have a 2-stage programmable shift light.

[davedel44]

Buy a RED one~ they are FASTER!!!!!!!!!

 

Howya Joe and Merry Christmas!

Dave
Galveston

[MMRanch]

How could ya not Love this ?

I have to wonder :  Why  didn't Guzzi put a functional CHROME  front fender on it ???   Maybe the same in a rear fender too !

 

[Kiwi_Roy]

How could ya not Love this ?

I have to wonder :  Why  didn't Guzzi put a functional CHROME  front fender on it ???   Maybe the same in a rear fender too !

 

When you think about it the plastic fenders make a lot of sense, less likely to get damaged in a minor incident.
It would be very easy to make your own metal fenders, the design is very simple.

[jcctx]

Howya Joe and Merry Christmas!

Dave
Galveston

Merry Christmas to you~ trust you are feeling better??

[twowheeladdict]

If you are already going into this concerned about power then why would you even be looking at a V7? 

Just get a B-King, Super Duke, Rocket III, or an H2 and you will have no lack of power concerns.  The V7 is not about power and who has the larger cahonies.  It is about enjoying the classic ride. 

My 12 HP Van Van 200 has no problem staying with traffic off a light and around town.  The V7 has 52 HP.  What kind of riding are you planning on doing?

[guzzisteve]

Get a V9, more poop.

[frozengoose]

When you think about it the plastic fenders make a lot of sense, less likely to get damaged in a minor incident.
It would be very easy to make your own metal fenders, the design is very simple.

The v65 had plastic fenders and side panels when I got it. The rear was badly cracked and held together with a crappy fiberglass patch. The front was scratched and the paint peeling off the side panels. Replaced the front with a chrome fender off ebay (Honda 400?), The rear came from my stash of old Triumph parts. The tail light was an after market item that had been on the pre unit before the long term restoration began. Now I just have to deal with the side panels.

[SIR REAL ED]

Best bet - arrange to borrow or hire a V7 for a day or two & see if it suits. A cousin of mine did that & really saved himself a load of grief - he really fancied a Honda Shadow (it takes all types), but the first couple of hours was enough to know it was unsuitable. The subsequent 10 days cemented that opinion. He ended up with a TDM & loves it.

TDM as in Yamaha 850?  I test rode one of those back in 1992 and loved it.  Never bought one though, but always thought it was a great motor in a solid package.

[Muzz]

Buy a RED one~ they are FASTER!!!!!!!!!

Even with the 1st generation Breva, that statement remains true.  My "best speeding ticket" at the Guzzi rally Labour weekend proves it!