Should I buy a V7 100th Model?

[Stephen]

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Should I buy a V7 100th Model?

I know it's my choice, but advice here is helpful and entertaining.

Back ground, I had s 87 Electra Glide, and wanted a 100th Anniversary in 2003.
Well, things didn't work out, and I didn't want a twin cam with all it's problems.

I'm riding a 2003 Aluminum, no complaints.
I've test road several V7s and they are just fun.

And .... Go!

[bad Chad]

No question, absolutely yes!   You only get one shot at this life, get’em while there hot.

[Guzzi Gal]

  Agreed!

No question, absolutely yes!   You only get one shot at this life, get’em while there hot.

[Kev m]

Well look, I'm not the guy to tell you not to buy a V7. I've got two and I'm thinking about a third.

That said, I thought I'd never own a TC but accidentally bought a last year version that's awesome.

I'm not sure I care about anniversaries.

[egschade]

I'm a sucker for Tenni Green - still kinda regret selling my Griso SE. The V7 centennial is a little subdued but I do like the look and the bigger engine should be entertaining in that chassis. Upgraded instruments and suspension also look promising. If you have the means then go for it!



 

[kingoffleece]

Long time dead-get it if you want it.  One never knows what tomorrow brings............. ...................

[gentlemanjim]

yes its stunning to look at and the 850 bueno

[Dave Swanson]

You are asking the wrong crowd if you are looking for a reason not to buy.  YES of course! 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well look, I'm not the guy to tell you not to buy a V7. I've got two and I'm thinking about a third.

That said, I thought I'd never own a TC but accidentally bought a last year version that's awesome.

I'm not sure I care about anniversaries.

Ok, Kev.. just how *does* a guy accidentally buy a scooter? 

[Kev m]

Ok, Kev.. just how *does* a guy accidentally buy a scooter? 

You never heard that story?

Well you know I like to tell my stories.

It was mid 2017, before the new Softails were introduced but after the M8 motor had debuted in the touring chassis.

I was seriously thinking about buying a new Sportster CX Roadster and rebuilding/upgrading the suspension on my then current Sportster for more comfort. Basically I was thinking of buying a new bike for local use while setting up my old Sporty to be an even better tourer than it already was.

Our buddy NJNick had asked me to stop by and give him a hand with a tune/sync on his Norge (he didn't really need me but hey it was an excuse for a ride).

On the way home I thought what the hell, I'll breeze by a Harley dealer and ask if they have the new CX Roadster colors for the upcoming model year and maybe I would think about ordering one.

While I was there I was kicking some tires and they did the usual "want to ride it?" It had been 20 years since I'd bought my first RK and I'd been chasing its ghost nearly as long. So I thought to myself "self, you should test ride a couple of new bikes and get that out of your system."

I rode a Dyna Fat Bob (TC motor, dual discs and closer in actual size to the original RK), and then I rode a new M8 RK and remembered all the things I'd loved about it.

But I wasn't about to spend the $20k plus on a new RK. I talked to the salesman about a price and practically spit the "complimentary" bottle of spring water all over his desk. He wanted to make more in margin than the Jeep dealer had on the Wrangler I'd bought only 6 months before. I think he actually had the nerve to quote me $25k it's for a maybe $21k msrp (with options) bike.

I told him we had nothing to talk about and got up to leave. But when I turned I saw this leftover 2016 Police RK sitting in the corner with a big yellow "clearance" sign. It had a price on it that was scratched out and marked down. It was still in full police dress with reds and blues and looked really utilitarian.

On a whim I threw out an even lower number (by a couple grand) and he was like "oh I can't, I'll have to ask, bla bla." Ya know, it was the usual BS. He walked away brought the manager back to see if I was serious. I actually wound up pushing for more when I saw their interest.

Then I texted Jenn and said "I have to come home and grab the checkbook, I accidentally just bought a new RK."

It was only $16k.

Thus endith the story.

[Jorg66]

Stephen, if you ask the Question if you should, ...you kinda want to !. Therefore do it .
Worst thing in life is Regret. Or at least one of the worst things.
Opinions differ ,if one should always buy the first Modell Year or not  ,but in this case ,they are proven "Parts " on this Bike.

[Perazzimx14]

Buy it if you like just go in knowing that the 100th anniversary really isn't anything more special than the 2nd thru 99th anniversary editions. It will also be no more or less valuable or sought after. 

[Moparnut72]

I've bought a few 1st year vehicles. I have no regrets on any of them. A couple have had teething issues but nothing major. Most were trouble free. My heavy duty Ram was kind of a major upgrade other than a couple of recalls has been trouble free.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

I've bought a few 1st year vehicles. I have no regrets on any of them. A couple have had teething issues but nothing major. Most were trouble free. My heavy duty Ram was kind of a major upgrade other than a couple of recalls has been trouble free.
kk

But the V7 its about the farthest things from a 1st year motorcycle.

[Moparnut72]

Isn't the 850 motor kind of a new configuration? I know it's not totally new but the whole thing is a bit upgraded.
kk

[Kev m]

Isn't the 850 motor kind of a new configuration? I know it's not totally new but the whole thing is a bit upgraded.
kk

I don't think anyone knows for sure right now. But it's likely to be either a derivation of the V85 or more likely just an improvement to the previous V7/V9 motor.

The question being where and how they found the ponies.

The V85 has a different (from the 7/9) lubrication system and valve train.

And it seems there may be crank and rod differences.

But what combination of things Piaggio decided to use to get this new hp rating and state of tune are still, for now, a mystery.

[Perazzimx14]

Isn't the 850 motor kind of a new configuration? I know it's not totally new but the whole thing is a bit upgraded.
kk

They put the V85TT motor in the V7 frame formerly the V50/V35 frame from 1978. Its a bored out small block in a 40 year old frame.

[bad Chad]

Maybe so, but the v9 feels like a much different m/c than my previous v65.

[not-fishing]

It has the new engine so I'd say yes. 

The only downside is 481 lbs curb weight which is about 80 lbs more than my V65 SP and 60 lbs less than my Griso.

[bad Chad]

It has the new engine so I'd say yes. 

The only downside is 481 lbs curb weight which is about 80 lbs more than my V65 SP and 60 lbs less than my Griso.

I would suggest you weigh your v65sp.  You are hallucinating you think a v65sp has a curb weight anywhere close to 400lb.

[SED]

Only if it's red.  Or white.  Or metallic silver blue...   

[frozengoose]

I would suggest you weigh your v65sp.  You are hallucinating you think a v65sp has a curb weight anywhere close to 400lb.

Well if you look at Motorcycle Specs it lists the dry weight at 363 lbs...
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/moto%20guzzi/moto_guzzi_v65_sp%2079.htm
I didn't believe that, so a while back I weighed mine and with half a tank of fuel it weighed about 400 lbs. But maybe I was hallucinating then?

[greer]

I'm looking forward to seeing the new Special for sure.  I just can't go that headlight on the other models.

Sarah

[not-fishing]

I would suggest you weigh your v65sp.  You are hallucinating you think a v65sp has a curb weight anywhere close to 400lb.

Thanks for the push, I'll weigh mine.

As a disclaimer the battery weighs less than half the old unit.  The rearsets dropped some weight, my uni sock air filters are very light, I removed the side stand, the handlebar is about half the original weight, I should probably take off the steering damper as I don't think it does much and I keep looking at a new set of Mistrals.

Just to be accurate I'll have to take out the 10 lbs or so of tools I have stuffed where the battery used to be.

I'll just have to get some help and do the "half-sys" on my doctors scale.     

[bad Chad]

Remember you compared dry weight v65 numbers to curb weight v7 numbers, so make sure your gas tank is at least 90% full!

[Bulldog9]

If it speaks to you, yes.  Kinda cool to have a 100th Anniversary model, and it looks to be another refinement and improvement of the V7.

I find the color scheme of the "Centenario's" disjointed, and not a fan of the matte paint, but if you like it, unless this 'pressed crank' and scooter style c-rods end up a nightmare, you can't go wrong.

I'm sticking with what I have, but if they do a high output street version of a bike with the actual V85 motor (not a de-tuned small TB derivative), a Griso inspired suspension and style  I could be convinced......

[Vagrant]

Back around 1967 I had an acquaintance whose parents owned a flower shop. he did the deliveries. a lot of them went to funeral homes. While we were both 3 sheets to the wind he made a most profound statement, " when they carve out my tombstone it will say he did everything he wanted to". I have done everything in my power to live up to that and have never been sorry! Now go put your money down and enjoy your life while you can. I also married his girlfriend 50 years ago so he lost out by waiting.

[jbell]

I'll let you know after I get mine.  Pretty sure I'm going to buy one as soon as they get here, just don't know where I'm going to park it, maybe trade in the Triumph but that thing is so fun to ride but uncomfortable.

[Off @ 90]

Reading the specs it would seem to have 120 mm rear suspension travel  at axle compared to 93mm V7 lll . I guess that is some progress  .This bike should have been out 10 years ago or at least when the V9s appeared .

[not-fishing]

I would suggest you weigh your v65sp.  You are hallucinating you think a v65sp has a curb weight anywhere close to 400lb.

Well I bought the scale from Amazon and put the V65 sp on it yesterday.  With only 1/3 tank of gas it was 187.9 lbs (front) + 213.3 lbs (back) = 401.2 lbs. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0153I0418/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now if the rider (me) could just lose the 50 lbs I want to lose I'd have performance room for touring luggage.               

My resto-mod is not one of those take off everything Cafe Racers, it still has the 'glass side panels and SP upper fairing.  The SP lowers were missing so they're not on the bike.  The frame mounting taps for SP lowers are still present.

If I pulled the new, heavy Guzzi steering stabilizer and replaced the old heavy stock mufflers with Mistrals I bet I could drop another 15 lbs off the bike.

I have to remind myself when I ride the V65 to lean forward from a stop because the front end gets light when I release the clutch normally.

Now on to weight the Griso 1100 with HB racks and V11 Lemans with a Stucci rack.