Worst video review Ever! 21 v7 Stone

[bad Chad]

If your a bit of a masochist and really bored you might want to watch this bit of utter drivel from the fine organization that is MCN.

I would like to think they would be ashamed to put out such trash, but I'd like to be 22 years old too, neither of which is going to be the case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbLsWOrderA&t=417s

[Dirk_S]

I finally watched this today as well, been in my queue for sometime now. I agree the review is largely junk. There’s no intelligence in the review. Feels very first-timer, which sucks because neither person in the video appears to be a first-timer. One thing I do take away is that there’s yet another example shown that these matte finishes on the exhaust systems are quite thin and poor quality.

[nc43bsa]

I'd like to be 22 years old too, neither of which is going to be the case.

I'd like to have a 27 y.o. girlfriend who owns a V7 Stone, but that's not likely to happen either.

[moto-uno]

 Boy that was extremely bland  . Peter

[nc43bsa]

I'm hurt 




  . . . I think. 

[TN Mark]

Is it “trash” and “drivel” because after a long term test the rider doesn’t love it and wouldn’t buy one? She was complimentary of the bike but it didn’t seem to hit the right buttons for her. So what.

If you want one, buy one and hopefully enjoy it for many years.

Brand loyalists do tend to get a bit hurt when others don’t feel the same as they do. That doesn’t make the others wrong.

[Dirk_S]

If I may speak for hopefully other

Is it “trash” and “drivel” because after a long term test the rider doesn’t love it and wouldn’t buy one? She was complimentary of the bike but it didn’t seem to hit the right buttons for her. So what.

If you want one, buy one and hopefully enjoy it for many years.

Brand loyalists do tend to get a bit hurt when others don’t feel the same as they do. That doesn’t make the others wrong.

Sure, some may be brand loyalists, but I at least speak for myself when I write that I expect a reputable magazine to offer more in this “long term” review. The temporary owner has ridden a few bikes now and didn’t come across all that knowledgeable. I’m willing to bet she knows quite a bit, but the video overall doesn’t offer it. If she didn’t want to go in-depth naturally, I think it’s the job of the interviewer to either push her further or to provide more himself. There’s just not much substance here.

[bad Chad]

As Dirk said.   Yet, I do agree with you Mark, that not everyone is going to fall in love with such a bike.  However, that's no excuse for flat lazy work.

As I recall, when they finally got around to talking about the feel of the bike on the road, they mutually concluded that it just didn't have enough "character", saying something like, Guzzi had just made it too refined and smooth.   That argument has been raised before else where, and can't be denied that the new small blocks are indeed more modern in their feel, but she wouldn't know that, having never ridden any other Guzzi.   It seemed pretty clear that the guy had not ridden any late model Guzzi, and was just bringing up something he heard,  she not knowing, just agreed with him! 

It's just a foolish position to take, as even in its more refined iteration, the v7 still has more "character" than 85% of bikes on the market.

[Iron Cross Junction]

My only real complaint about that review, Chad, was that I could not find the CC button for English captions! 

Seriously, I don't think she was far off in that assessment of a V7 III.

OTOH, your and others' point about needing more miles than she rode to "get it" is fair comment, too. 

As I have 200+K miles on Guzzis, a few thousands on Other Brands, and own a III, I think I am qualified to give my opinion on the III.

I recently posted this on a V7-specific forum:

"Until now, I have been lukewarm about the III. Bought it from my brother, who did not like it at all, and I wanted to "save it." Thereafter it has been the least loved of my moto-harem. I have put c.10K on it, but was never really enchanted. It was not as visceral an experience as my other Guzzis. In fact, the term I used to describe it to others was 'nice but too bland.'  Damning words.

Well, yesterday was some sort of epiphany. I really only took it out to check on the newly installed heated grips. Then, I realized how it must feel to have been one of the parties to an arranged marriage who, after some lifeless years, realize that they are in love. Whew. I swear I did not put grappa in my coffee this morning.      But yesterday's ride was one of those magic combos of perfect weather, no traffic, 120 miles of twisting delights, and, most importantly, riding competence above my fighting weight. I was 'one with the machine.'

So, whatever the reason, I now like the III lots.. The stock map is just fine: rapid warming; linear delivery, no twitchiness, no popping ever. Grand."


Would Saffron feel the same way if she'd piled on the miles?  Probably not, because, I, too, am intoxicated as she is not with nearly all things Italian and certainly machines from Mandello.  But she is an experienced rider and has thrown her leg over lots more motorcycles than I ever have or will. 

Moreover, that experience led to her conclusions, and, for most of the buying public, is probably close to a "reality" we may not like, but "oh, well."

That review changed nothing about my own view of Guzzis in general or my newly found affection for my III, but we can't expect reviewers to ride 10K miles to see things as we see them.

Best,

Bill

[bad Chad]

That’s just fine, Bill,  but this isn’t a review of the v7III.

She is riding a v7 850, a bike with significantly more power, altered frame and different suspension just to point out a few of the more significant updates to the line.

Your experience with the v7III may not be as relevant as you thought.    However, I do agree,  CC would be helpful, I would hate to try and decipher her when her dander is up!

[Iron Cross Junction]

That’s just fine, Bill,  but this isn’t a review of the v7III.

She is riding a v7 850, a bike with significantly more power, altered frame and different suspension just to point out a few of the more significant updates to the line.

Your experience with the v7III may not be as relevant as you thought.    However, I do agree,  CC would be helpful, I would hate to try and decipher her when her dander is up!

Details, details.   

Doh.  Thanks.

As you, others, and I said, all Guzzis take more time to "acquire the taste" than most moto-journalists and the buying public are willing to spend.  That isn't their fault nor Guzzi's; it just is.

I'll not comment here but nonetheless muse upon your last sentence.   

Bill

[Dirk_S]

I don’t care whether she ended up loving it or hating it. I think 10,000 miles is enough to get the bike, and that she was ‘meh’ about it is fine. but the video itself was just ‘meh’: 10,000 miles of riding, you’d think there’d be more to say than what was. I mean, that’s more than almost any other professional journalist out there would ever do.

And all we got was ‘meh’.

[Iron Cross Junction]

I don’t care whether she ended up loving it or hating it. I think 10,000 miles is enough to get the bike, and that she was ‘meh’ about it is fine. but the video itself was just ‘meh’: 10,000 miles of riding, you’d think there’d be more to say than what was. I mean, that’s more than almost any other professional journalist out there would ever do.

And all we got was ‘meh’.

Yes.  You are right. 

I have now missed two major points in this thread and will confess error, retire from the field, and lick my wounds. 

We need a "like" option here.  Concur with yours all around. 

Bill

[bad Chad]

I going to disagree as to your contention that it’s not their fault.   A Moto journalist’s job is  to understand the nature of motorcycles, at least those made by real manufacturers. 

The notion that Guzzi is an acquired taste that often takes thousands of miles to develop, is a common thread among Guzzi riders.   Perhaps I’m an outlier,   but the first Guzzi I road I immediately took to, hook, line and sinker.   But, I’ll be the first to admit my taste in a great many things are off center.

[TN Mark]

For decades I’ve read and heard Guzzi owners say things to the effect of “a short test ride isn’t enough, a person needs more miles to appreciate a Moto Guzzi”. That’s a fair comment for just about any motorcycle, not just a Moto Guzzi. But on most bikes, people either like it or not in short order.

But this was a ‘long term’ test ride by the woman and after 10,000 miles she still wasn’t in love with it and wouldn’t buy one. Good grief, that’s a lot of miles to win over this rider. Yet the bike simply didn’t win her over. The only real surprise I had was why in that 10,000 mile long term test didn’t she get a windshield, a rack and perhaps the saddlebags she thought the bike needed.

[Guzzi Gal]

The notion that Guzzi is an acquired taste that often takes thousands of miles to develop, is a common thread among Guzzi riders. Perhaps I’m an outlier, but the first Guzzi I road I immediately took to, hook, line and sinker. But, I’ll be the first to admit my taste in a great many things are off center.

I'm right there with you.

[blackcat]

"It seemed pretty clear that the guy had not ridden any late model Guzzi, and was just bringing up something he heard,  she not knowing, just agreed with him! "

I'm pretty sure he is the same guy who did some track time on an MGS/01 a few years back and he loved the bike. 

[bad Chad]

 A model that has been out of production long enough to see 4 presidential cycles, doesn't qualify as "late model" in my book!    I'm 54 now, I was in my 30s the last time a MGS rolled out of the factory.

[TN Mark]

...at least those made by real manufacturers. 

The notion that Guzzi is an acquired taste that often takes thousands of miles to develop, is a common thread among Guzzi riders.   Perhaps I’m an outlier,   but the first Guzzi I road I immediately took to, hook, line and sinker.   But, I’ll be the first to admit my taste in a great many things are off center.

What’s a fake manufacturer?

Me too. At 18 I fell in love with my first ever Moto Guzzi. A 1977 Convert. I went on to buy more converts over the decades as well as G5, V10 Centauro, V11Sport, Griso 8V and a Cal Vin.

I loved the Converts and the G5. Hated the V11Sport Naked. No amount of miles would have brought me around on the V11 Sport Naked. The Griso was a lot of fun as was the V10 Centauro. The Cal Vin, nope. It didn’t move me one bit.

Though I still want a 1400 all black Eldorado. The ergonomics fit me. I’ve never ridden a 1400 Eldorado but I ‘know’ I’d love one and keep it many years.

I wasn’t at all impressed with the test rides on the Cal Touring 1400 or the MGX-21. Though I went into those test rides wanting to like them.

Some things you just know right off, good and bad.

The girl in the video didn’t say what some wanted her to say. But she certainly said plenty.

[kingoffleece]

Simply reinforces what we all know about reviewers.

[bad Chad]

Mark, what I meant by real manufacturers are those that produce several hundred to  many thousands of particular models.  As apposed to very small niche companies like Big Dog, Hesketh and others.

I disagree with you about the girl, she clearly was trying very hard to follow his lead.  He was disinterested and you could see her reading him and trying her best to replicate his “cooler than cool” detachment.

[Muzz]

I sat on my Breva and it was love at first sight.  It has just increased over time.

[Kiwi_Roy]

If I had watched the video without first reading the thread title I would have said an ok review, maybe its the accent putting you off?

[blackcat]

A model that has been out of production long enough to see 4 presidential cycles, doesn't qualify as "late model" in my book!    I'm 54 now, I was in my 30s the last time a MGS rolled out of the factory.

I understand, but he did like the bike and I don’t believe he has any bias against MG; quite frankly, what is the significant change in terms of technology on a MGS/01 and the current small blocks? ABS, better fuel injection? Then there is the suspension……

Honestly, as others have said this isn’t a terrible review, she just didn’t bond with the bike. If I were to review a new Goldwing, I’d probably say it did everything it was suppose to do for this type of bike, but I didn’t bond with the bike. That doesn’t make it a bad bike.

[bad Chad]

I give up.   I have my opinion others have theirs.  Mine just happens to be spot on.

[kingoffleece]

Now THAT is funny!  bravo

[Bee]

As Dirk said.   Yet, I do agree with you Mark, that not everyone is going to fall in love with such a bike.  However, that's no excuse for flat lazy work.

As I recall, when they finally got around to talking about the feel of the bike on the road, they mutually concluded that it just didn't have enough "character", saying something like, Guzzi had just made it too refined and smooth.   That argument has been raised before else where, and can't be denied that the new small blocks are indeed more modern in their feel, but she wouldn't know that, having never ridden any other Guzzi.   It seemed pretty clear that the guy had not ridden any late model Guzzi, and was just bringing up something he heard,  she not knowing, just agreed with him! 

It's just a foolish position to take, as even in its more refined iteration, the v7 still has more "character" than 85% of bikes on the market.

Agreed. Guzzi are damned if they do damned if they don’t. IMHO there is nothing wrong with refining an already excellent machine, that’s just progress isn’t it? My take. That young woman was probably office junior so got the scraps of the pick on sexy long term test bikes. So she’s given a bike she probably wouldn’t ever want in the first place. There were some positives in there. If I was given a bike I just wouldn’t buy (with my own money) then I still wouldn’t want it no matter how it rode. I just don’t like it.    Having just bought a new V7 I have some skin in the game. I’ve done as much due diligence as possible.  I would say the overwhelming majority of reviewers who already liked Guzzi’s and then rode the bike in a sensible manner loved it. Its not perfect but what is. It’s not fast, it’s not a sports bike, its carving out its own niche. That’s exactly why I bought it.  I’ve just driven (in the car) about 640 miles back and forth to my parents (visiting them last weekend) and virtually the whole way was under average speed cameras, through major road works with again 30, 40 and 50 mph speed camera restrictions for miles and miles. Traffic was horrendous. Saw some downright dangerous driving.  It was a horrible journey and I was knackered when I got back. Point is, I could have bought a new Hayabusa or big GS or whatever but for me there is no point. I’ve had plenty of big fast bikes before but the novelty wears off quickly. I would never take a bike on a journey like that (no fun, too dangerous, not doing it anymore). My V7 is for pure pleasure, quiet country roads with little to no traffic, mostly 40-65mph rolling countryside and a simple delightful machine like the Guzzi just hits the spot. Personally l like the V9 just as much but there was one box fresh Centenario left in the showroom whispering ‘take me home’ so I bought it.

[DesertPilot]

...I'd like to be 22 years old too, neither of which is going to be the case.

You have to pick the right planet.  In Mars years, we get to divide our age in Earth years by 2.  In Jupiter years, we get to divide by 12.  In Neptune years, none of us will hit 22 until sometime after the 23rd Century 

As far as the video goes, it seemed like a typical Get Someone Who Had No Real Interest In The Bike To Say Something About It review -- about like my review of an R1 would sound, but without all the sirens and smoking wreckage in the background.

[kingoffleece]

The guy in that vid sounds a bit daft, whoever he is