V7ii vs. V7 850 is it worth the extra 60+ lbs?

[faffi]

If you had a Stonello in 1963, you would be riding one of the faster bikes on the road. Today, it is not considered powerful in any way, but there is no reason you cannot enjoy it just as much as an owner of a BSA A10 did his bike 60 years ago, IMO.

I mean, you can always argue for more. Compared to a V7 850, a Triumph T120 bring noticeably more performance, and the Speed Twin 1200 more so. And so on. But there is more to happiness than power, me thinks. Buy whatever you want. And if you tire of it, sell it and buy something else. Problem solved 

[Brand X]

I recently sold my 2008 F800ST with nearly 80,000 miles on the clock. Engine ran better than new, handling was superb with Ohlins shock and cartridge inserts in the fork. Reason for selling? I rode too fast for my own good on it. A very competent bike, but my V9 Roamer is far more relaxing.

The power is as flat as a pancake, and lends itself to putting around all day. I traded mine already for a 2019 W-800. 2000 miles on it,standard Handlebars, two seats, and a few different fairing options.. Now for my Touring bike, there was only one that works best for me.. The Kawasaki is about as different as can be to this one,and the F800R had a lot of overlap with it..Totally out of Guzzi's for the moment. Almost traded for a 2007 Norge with euro fairings, and 2000 miles on it (for the Stornello)  I much prefer Big Block's over the small blocks in general.

I am thinking the V-85 still makes the most sense of all the Guzzi;s for what I would want out of one..

 

[faffi]

Power is flat on the F800, but quite peaky compared to the V9. But it is not the power, but the handling that had me ride too fast for my own good. A great machine, at least for me. On a winding road, it felt like cheating when riding with my normal posse.

[Brand X]

Coming from my Daytona 765 Moto 11 the BMW is OK, but not quite the same League. Touno is really a level above that too.. Great bike  the BMW for a real solid all rounder.   The Kawasaki is basically replacing the Stornello, and there is zero issues on engine screw ups like with the 2016 guzzi. Same  goes for the BMW/Rotax engine. I can fix them, but just don't want too.. 

[SportsterDoc]

My 2016 V7II was a great bike, except for fueling issues.
Constant:  Behaved cold with warm engine after a few minute shut-down
Intermittent:  Would not idle without throttle

I could not be happier with the V7-850 Special Edition (tires not the best for gravel, but I've been on a lot of gravel), other than when cold or after a warm start, it does like about 30 seconds of running for normal fueling and behaves lean during those ~30 seconds.

I do miss the dual clocks on the V7II.

No, not the fastest bike, but with a rolling start (loosing off-the-line acceleration advantage), a dead heat with a well tuned V8 late model Mustang

Pulling a grade, slight head-wind 112 MPH indicated, repeatable
Ideal conditions, 124 MPH indicated
Normal cruise is comfortable at 80+ on the interstate with a Dart Marlin flyscreen.

Mileage this tank, per trip computer 62 MPG
Normal now 54 MPG
Worst ever 48 MPG

[davethewelder]

If it were me I'd flip a coin.   I've only been in the Moto Guzzi game for a year and I haven't seen one that I dont like.  But I'd hope that coins favors the Stornello.

[Brand X]

If it's the Stornello  Back off the clutch enough to Measure the crankshaft thrust play. Pull the starter to get access. Hopefully more that 2000 miles on the bike also. Never buy 2016 V11 used  without checking that issue .Mapping will fix the hot start issue.....

This is a known issue, and since it's a one year engine, finding one is going to be tough..I did by luck

[Dirk_S]

If it's the Stornello  Back off the clutch enough to Measure the crankshaft thrust play. Pull the starter to get access. Hopefully more that 2000 miles on the bike also. Never buy 2016 V11 used  without checking that issue .Mapping will fix the hot start issue.....

This is a known issue, and since it's a one year engine, finding one is going to be tough..I did by luck

I don’t recall the Stornello sub-models being victims of the crank failures. From the GTM forum, i believe it appeared to mostly show Stones as the unlucky machines.

[Brand X]

I don’t recall the Stornello sub-models being victims of the crank failures. From the GTM forum, i believe it appeared to mostly show Stones as the unlucky machines.

Well you can believe what you want, but they are all the same..You would think you would be suspect of the whole lot.. :evil:Takes about 5 minutes to check it, and if you don't, you could be rebuilding one just like yours..Buy one with more than 2000, and maybe 3000 to be safe. Measure the thrust and you will not be holding the bag.. I owned a Stornello and know it's a issue with them, and all 2016 Vii models

I would just buy a 850 and not look back full warranty for one thing..

[Kev m]

Well you can believe what you want, but they are all the same..You would think you would be suspect of the whole lot.. :evil:Takes about 5 minutes to check it, and if you don't, you could be rebuilding one just like yours..Buy one with more than 2000, and maybe 3000 to be safe. Measure the thrust and you will not be holding the bag.. I owned a Stornello and know it's a issue with them, and all 2016 Vii models

I would just buy a 850 and not look back full warranty for one thing..

I don't think he's claiming they aren't the same motors.

It's just that Guzzi seems to batch produce models and the badly machined cranks all seen to have been used during a run of Stones, with maybe some cross to a run of another model.

I THINK the Stornellos were all made in a batch run at another time as I've never heard of one with a bad Crank. Not that your advice isn't still a good idea to be sure.

[faffi]

Coming from my Daytona 765 Moto 11 the BMW is OK, but not quite the same League. Touno is really a level above that too.. Great bike  the BMW for a real solid all rounder.   The Kawasaki is basically replacing the Stornello, and there is zero issues on engine screw ups like with the 2016 guzzi. Same  goes for the BMW/Rotax engine. I can fix them, but just don't want too.. 

Of course, despite the Ohlins and cartridge fork internals, the F800 cannot compare to a Tuono etc. But the Beemer was a better tool for gnarly, winding roads than bikes like the Fireblade, Gixxers etc. since they really do not start to work properly until you get to 70 mph and above, whereas the roads I like you rarely hit that, and most corners/hairpins must be taken at 40 or less.

[Brand X]

I had issues with mine, but not a full blow problem yet. That is why i bought the 4000 mile engine for it.. Any 2016 V7ii with less than 2000 miles is suspect. Lot of Stornello are sitting with very low miles.. Yes, most will not have problems,and will be fine.. All of them, hope..850 makes sense because you are getting a warranty, and a nice bike on top of it.

[Kev m]

I had issues with mine, but not a full blow problem yet. That is why i bought the 4000 mile engine for it.. Any 2016 V7ii with less than 2000 miles is suspect. Lot of Stornello are sitting with very low miles.. Yes, most will not have problems,and will be fine.. All of them, hope..850 makes sense because you are getting a warranty, and a nice bike on top of it.

Wait, then is your crank undersized or not?

[Brand X]

I had issues with mine, but not a full blow problem yet. That is why i bought the 4000 mile engine for it.. Any 2016 V7ii with less than 2000 miles is suspect. Lot of Stornello are sitting with very low miles.. Yes, most will not have problems,and will be fine.. All of them, hope..850 makes sense because you are getting a warranty, and a nice bike on top of it.

I just notice the long wheelbase ,but the 2015 has a decent fork from the factory..The wheelbase is big block Guzzi length. My KTM 390 was much better on tight roads, and more fun there..Whatever works for you, and I did not find I wanted to push the BMW that hard anywhere. Wonderful bikes, and I respect what they did with it.. I kind of like working on my bikes, and you can with the aftermarket cheap software. Much better than the 2007 Touno or Triumph machines..I am servicing it now, and getting my W-800 Cafe this week. It really keeps the speed down and is the polar opposite of the Touno.Plus will have a bit more common with the Stornello in power output..I  am just not messing with the V7ii anymore..I like them too. I would entertain just about most other Guzzi models down the road..

 

[Brand X]

Wait, then is your crank undersized or not?

It's going to have to see if it move again first It's right at the max in thrust clearance. If the clutch moves again the starter will be pulled, and another measurement made. Time will tell. and the extra engine is good insurance (Perfect Clearances on that 4000 mile unit)