introduction and question

[Moparnut72]

Excellent, you won't be sorry. You got the best model on top of it all. 
kk

[Alfetta]

Traction Control System
This to me, at least on paper, is a great idea.
Do you all find it useful in real riding?

This is one of my few complaints on my V7(3).  I really don't think the goose has sufficient power to necessitate this feature, unless you are a winter rider, ride on polished concrete roads, or are just ham fisted...
My complaint is less that it is present and more of how if works. If the front wheel speed is to low when compared to the rear wheel speed, the TC system compensates by turning the engine off.  Not good if you are trying to briskly get across a busy intersection.
The system can be turned off, but that must be done every time you start the bike. Again a "how it works issue" in my mind.

I have never ridden a W800, so i can speak to them other than they look superb.
Good luck with whatever bike you choose, I don't think you will go wrong either way....

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

I will be picking up my new 2023 from the dealer next week.

Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't have any engine guards (crash bars) on hand nor a center stand.
Is this something that I can install myself?
I'm more than a competent mechanic, I've been wrenching on cars for 50+ years, but I don't want to affect the warranty!!

[Kev m]

I will be picking up my new 2023 from the dealer next week.

Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't have any engine guards (crash bars) on hand nor a center stand.
Is this something that I can install myself?
I'm more than a competent mechanic, I've been wrenching on cars for 50+ years, but I don't want to affect the warranty!!

Yes and you'll be fine.

[Perazzimx14]

I will be picking up my new 2023 from the dealer next week.

Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't have any engine guards (crash bars) on hand nor a center stand.
Is this something that I can install myself?
I'm more than a competent mechanic, I've been wrenching on cars for 50+ years, but I don't want to affect the warranty!!

While its not a problem to install at home nor will that void warranty deepening on the dealership if you take delivery of the bike you've shown your hole cards. What i mean is if you say I wait to buy the bike until all the farkles come they will be more likely to stay on top of this parts order so they can move out of their inventory ASAP verses if you take possession of the bike then then start calling to follow up on your parts order you get the obligatory "supposed to be here next week call back on Friday for an update"

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Aaah!  Wise words, thanks!
They say they can have the bars and stand in a week to 10 days.  I shall wait that out before I take delivery!

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Not trying to bump up a dead thread........but I had to post a picture of my new V7 850 Special.
So far it's a blast to ride around town as I religiously adhere to the run-in instructions from the dealer.

[eljayski]

 Good on ya, bro! I've got one just like yours and the fun factor runs high! Ride safely!

[wirespokes]

Gorgeous!

This reminds me of the one time I bought a brand new bike. Good memories.

So what do you think of the bike now that you've spent some time on it?

[Kiwi_Roy]

Congratulations and a word of warning.

You can't have just one Guzzi, at a peak I had 4 but now i'm down to just two with a half share on a 3rd.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Uhh, yeah.. the lusty barsteds seem to multiply in the garage.   

[jackthebiker]

Not trying to bump up a dead thread........but I had to post a picture of my new V7 850 Special.
So far it's a blast to ride around town as I religiously adhere to the run-in instructions from the dealer.

Well I just saw this post, so I am late to the party. I bought a left over new 2022 blue V7 850 Special from that same dealer (Reina International) in Milwaukee on 4/20/24, it now has 9629 trouble free miles on it. At the time they had 4 in different colors, I was going to buy the one you bought, but went with the blue because it was the only one ready to go.

Earlier this year I sold my 2022 W800 that I bought new in August of 2022 in Milwaukee, I put over 14,000 miles on it, but it spent several weeks at A dealer because of bad throttle bodies. I liked the bike, but I think mine was not the only W800 to have that issue.

I also bought a new 2022 RE 650 INT in late 2023 at the Chippewa Falls dealer to ride while the Green Bay Kawasaki dealer played with my W800, I put over 5000 trouble free miles on it before selling it earlier this year. It was a great bike, just couldn't get past the built to a price look.

So now I spend my time on the Guzzi or my T120 Bonneville, I love them both.

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

Jackthebiker,  Hey that's cool that we both got our Guzzis at Reina International Auto in Milwaukee!  Ryan and Joe were really very helpful as I tried to make my decision between the V7 850 and the W800.  However, once Joe started up the V7 in the showroom and let me sit on it as it rumbled and shook......that really set the hook in me!   I knew right then that I had to buy the Guzzi.

So, now with about 100+ miles mostly on city streets and rural roads in (following the Moto Guzzi run-in instructions) I'm really loving the bike.  Every ride the V7 seems to smooth out more (probably just me getting used to its throttle and clutch.)

I don't have any problem finding neutral, so I'm not sure what that internet buzz is all about.  Every once in a while, if I'm not decisive in shifting down to first before a stop I may, MAY hit neutral rather than first, but that's a Mike fault NOT the bikes!

The brakes are very nice, especially the rear brake, and I've been practicing my MSF emergency stopping techniques in a parking lot.  Doing the slow speed drills with the V7 is confidence inspiring as the bike seems to really have a nice low center of gravity and balance and the clutch is very responsive.

On Saturday, riding north on a nice winding road through Point Beach State Forest was great and as the V7 settles into gear @ 3,500 RPM it just pulls great and hints at how much more performance is to come. I'm keeping the revs below 4K for the first 400 miles per the book......man that's hard though, the Guzzi feels like she wants to open up and GO!

So thank you all for your advice and encouragement!!  And as always, ride safe!

[Kev m]

<snip> we both got our Guzzis at Reina International Auto in Milwaukee! <snip>

I don't have any problem finding neutral, so I'm not sure what that internet buzz is all about.

That's a good sign. It simply means that Reina International has at least one Tech who gives a crap and actually set the bike up properly. Neutral becomes an issue if there is too much play at the clutch and by my observation they must be shipped that way (or sometimes shipped that way) because I've come across them multiple times and multiple dealerships over the years going back as far as a Breva 750 demo ride.

[Moparnut72]

Guzzis get smoother with miles. Finding neutral on the small blocks takes a little less pressure than the rest of the gears. I think the gearbox was designed to move into the next gear almost by itself, just a nudge on the lever and light jab on the clutch lever. Probably to diminish the likelihood of a missed gear. Putting my V7 takes more of getting the lever into the proper position rather than feeling it. Hard to describe but that is how it works for me. My V100 is totally different but it has a wet clutch unlike any other "modern" Guzzis. Good luck with your bike you will enjoy it more and more. BTW start making room for another. Guzzis are like Lays potato chips, can't have just one.
kk

[Kiwi_Roy]

I have a 2017 V7III Special so i'm definitely biased.

[guzzisteve]

Everything would have been fine IF they would have put an adjuster on the trans  where cable ends, Like a big block! I'm biased though, I ride big blocks.