V7 III vs V7II

[Wes Stephens]

Hi to all,  I would like to get input from V7 III owners/riders on the differences,  especially in overlll gearing.  I have a 2014 V7 II Special that I like very well but thinking I might go for the upgrade.  My special engine is just a little too busy at a steady 70 mph.  Wondering what the RPM reading are on the 6 speed version is at 70.    Also the new cylinder head seems long overdue and I like that.  I've reached the age where relaxed is more important in whatever I'm doing.  I was reminiscing the other day about some of the bikes I've owned, 250 Yamaha 2 stroke twin, 500 Single BSA, Triumph 750 Tiger,   750 GT Round Case bevel drive Ducati.  From ring ding. to vibration to smoooooth cursing.  Had the Ducati geared tall (easy with sprockets and chain),  remembering a trip from Florida to Sturgis in 1984, and the open spaces out west.  One Harley rider roared around me and I just kept my 70 mph,  he pulled off for a break and then around again.  Three times that happened and I never needed to stop,  my idea of bliss.   Appreciation for any input for fellow Guzziastas.

[kingoffleece]

If memory serves the final ratio is only about 2% different.  Someone will be along shortly with the exxact numbers.
Kevm has both-he will know for sure.

[egschade]

I rode the II and III back to back and decided to buy the III for a number of reasons including a stronger motor, better shifting, better suspension. Cruising at 75 mph in 6th gear is just getting into the smoothest part of the rev range (sorry, no tach to give you an RPM). When in the 60's I drop it into 5th to avoid the low RPM vibes. The engine character is different so you can't go by RPM alone. Best bet is to ride a III and form your own opinion.

[Dave Swanson]

I have no experience with the V7III other than a short test ride.  I did just look up the gear ratios for 6th gear.

V7II   1-0.888
V7III  1-0.857

[Kev m]

I don't have the numbers off the top of my head, I'd have to research that one.

I SUSPECT there's little or no difference in gearing (EDIT - hmmm maybe there's a small difference there too now that I see Dave's post). They both have the 6-speed. There may be a difference in feel since the Hemi head is a stronger motor. I dunno if it would be enough for what the OP wants.

Oh, wait - scratch all that.

This thread is mis-labelled.

A 2014 Special is NOT a V7II with the 6-speed. It's a V7I with the 5-speed. So unless it's not a 2014, there IS a difference.

It's not huge, but a definite difference.

I don't have a tach on our V7III so I can't give you exact rpm at say 70, though I am pretty sure it would be slightly lower than my V7I.

But I also don't have a problem with how my V7I motor feels at 70. Hell I remember last fall just completely hooning it one afternoon on the way home, like triple digit hooning it chasing down and passing some hot-rodded Harley that was going balls out in the straights and standing it upright in the curves. That was fun.

Anyway, I think the answer is very personal. My V7I isn't a highway bike, but I can take it on the highway for an hour or two if I want. Our V7III is similar, but maybe just a bit better at everything, including feeling a little more relaxed on the highway.

[Dave Swanson]

I just dug out my V7 Owners Manual,  grabbed a magnifier to read the small print.  Here are all three final gear ratios.

V7      1-0.9
V7II   1-0.888
V7III  1-0.857

So about a 5% lower final gear ration between the V7 5th gear and the V7III 6th gear

[chrisfer]

@ 3000rpm :
V7 (5) : 76,33 km/h
V7 II (6) : 77,41 km/h
V7 III (6) : 80,17 km/h

[Wes Stephens]

Thanks for the all excellent feedback,  Guzzi bikes are great but Guzzi riders are what keeps me connected.  Spring weather has me enthused for some longer rides and I'm going to start looking for a 3 version.  Keeping the ole reliable 03 Cali for when Pat is able to get on the back but life is too short to put this off for long.
Wes
   

[egschade]

Where do you live? Maybe there's a dealer or V7 III owner who will let you take a test ride. Probably the only way you'll know for sure.

[chrisfer]

For more changes you can also consider the V9, Roamer or Bobber, and for the look put it a tank and seat of V7.

[sign216]

Where do you live? Maybe there's a dealer or V7 III owner who will let you take a test ride. Probably the only way you'll know for sure.

I find that you don't really know a bike until you've done a full, solid day of riding.  Just to learn the details that'll end up annoying you on that multiday tour.

Of course that doesn't help when you're looking to purchase.  It's tough. 

Joe

[Kev m]

For more changes you can also consider the V9, Roamer or Bobber, and for the look put it a tank and seat of V7.

That's what I would do if I were looking now.

[greer]

Doug has mentioned time and again giving the tank swap a try.

Sarah

[kingoffleece]

I also prefer the V7 tank transplant.

[Cam3512]

I also prefer the V7 tank transplant.

Absolutely.  Transforms the bike.

[Bulldog9]

For more changes you can also consider the V9, Roamer or Bobber, and for the look put it a tank and seat of V7.

I really like that white model. Very unique striping on the tank.

I grabbed an extra tank for the V7 this spring in a garish yellow color, mainly for if I ever did this. If the Griso with it's more aggressive rider position gets too much for my personal chassis, picking up an older V9 and doing some upgrades would be a fun project. Maybe something along the lines of the Bobber Sport.

I've got some Red Striping Tape, may try to mimic those top stripes on the tank.



I think I am set for now, but who knows......

[Guzzitenn]

I’m about to jump off the fence and get a V7 lll . Any glaring problems other than the plastic fuel filter
Have they been problem free mostly?

[Muzz]

I don't have a tach on our V7III so I can't give you exact rpm at say 70, though I am pretty sure it would be slightly lower than my V7I.

But I also don't have a problem with how my V7I motor feels at 70.

The Breva, which is the antideluvian shitbox ancestor of the V7 range does have a tach, and I suspect that the gearbox is the same as the early V7.

At 100kmh or 63mph my tach sits dead on 4000rpm.

Once she is all warmed up and in the groove, if I take my eyes off the tach for a bit it purrs at 5000rpm. It really is it's happy place, so much so that on a trip I usually find a car doing about 105kmh and sit behind it.  My  ticket on the last Guzzi rally confirmed it's happy place speed.

[Kev m]

@ 3000rpm :
V7 (5) : 76,33 km/h
V7 II (6) : 77,41 km/h
V7 III (6) : 80,17 km/h

Ok, I haven't converted these km/h to mph yet, but here are done notes I have on our bikes:


MKI V7 Stone:

Rpm vs speed in 5th

55  3500
60  3800
65  4100
70  4400
75  4700
80  4900


V7III D (and Jay's V7III Special):

4500 rpm is about:

30 (27) in 1st
35 in 2nd
50 (48) in 3rd
60 in 4th
70 (68) in 5th
76 in 6th


I took the IIID out today, the first time this spring. It reminded me how much it definitely has more punch than my Stone.

It'll pop out and pass traffic much easier and comes off the line or out of a curve stronger.

[usedtobefast]

I did a little test today ... V7III Racer ... indicated 70 mph in 6th was 4,000 rpms ... 70 mph in 5th was 4,500 rpms.  This is going off indicated speed vs. GPS (or accurate) speed. 

[kevdog3019]

Wes,
     If I were you and you truly are looking for more relaxed I wouldn’t entertain your earlier V7 for a V7III. It’s not gonna be that much more “relaxed” than what you have at highway speeds as a KevM stated. Save up some extra coin for the V9 as that’s an upgrade. Otherwise look at a big block. I’m suspecting you want something lighter than a BB.
K

[wonderfulremark]

I’m about to jump off the fence and get a V7 lll . Any glaring problems other than the plastic fuel filter
Have they been problem free mostly?

I'm about to take the delivery on a leftover'18 V7iii carbon dark.
I wanted to have the fuel filter swapped before taking the delivery.
So I bagged the dealer about it, they had no idea what I was talking about.

Their service guy contacted MG and this was their response.



I wish I could afford a v9 bobber with a tank swap. That is the exact bike I would want and v9 should roll out of the factory like that

[Guzzitenn]

I'm about to take the delivery on a leftover'18 V7iii carbon dark.
I wanted to have the fuel filter swapped before taking the delivery.
So I bagged the dealer about it, they had no idea what I was talking about.

Their service guy contacted MG and this was their response.



I wish I could afford a v9 bobber with a tank swap. That is the exact bike I would want and v9 should roll out of the factory like that

Thanks for that I was looking at an 18 Milano

[Kev m]

That is great to see, though I'm not sure we know WHEN exactly they made the change.

Seems I remember someone with a V7III maybe a Special that had a failed half plastic filter.

So it could be by built date/model when that switch occurred.

Not that I'm worried about it since it hasn't failed yet on our 2018 and my test on my 2013 suggests it wasn't ever going to.

[sign216]

Remark,

It's good to see the factory (or American Corp rep) responded.  Sometimes getting anything out of them is difficult. 
I'm glad they're using all metal now, but ... didn't the factory go back and forth earlier on this issue?

Joe

[Vagrant]

the 2017 III is plastic for sure.

[Bulldog9]

the 2017 III is plastic for sure.

Looks like they finally used up the tractor trailer full of 'oops' filters. I imagine Luigi from parts supply saw a bulk sale, had a bit too much vino one Wednesday, and looking at the Mahle order form, meant to click KL145, but bleary eyed checked KL11..... 10,000 filters and 5 years later they are finally used up ;-) 

*edit: OK Kev, 15 years 

[Wes Stephens]

I was just catching up with the comments on my thread and the V9 with a tank swap from V7 got my attention.  The proportions of the V9's just didn't look right to me,  and hadn't considered that model.  Tank changes everything!!   Thanks.

[dxhall]

The tank swap interests me as well.  Is it a straight bolt on?  Does the seat need to be swapped for a V7 seat?

[twowheeladdict]

That's what I would do if I were looking now.

The bobber sport looks good just the way it is.