2025 V7 Specials not so "special"

[jackthebiker]

I have a 2022 V7 850 Special, it is special because of its dual classic gauges, its beautiful blue paint, and its silver spoked wheels. I saw the 2025 V7 850 Specials on the website, I wouldn't want one. I would have liked it if they had just added the cruise control and just got some new colors. Harley has done the same thing to the Heritage Classic, so I have three classic motorcycles but if I was going to buy new it would probably be a Kawasaki W800.

[Kev m]

Meh, I like the dual clocks but it's FAR from a deal breaker for me. At least the current single clocks ALSO have a tachometer. The single on my Carbon Dark is just Speedo, and that's dumb.

Personally I don't like the spoked wheels either or the chrome so the "Special" was never "Special" TO ME.

At least Harley gives you the choice of chrome or not chrome on the Heritage these days (and cast or spoked wheels too).

[Brand X]

I had the first prodution bike in 1976 that came with mag wheels. I personally like the look of wire wheels on a classic looking bike..

[bigbikerrick]

what was the first bike in 76 with mag wheels, a Kawasaki?
Rick.

[jackthebiker]

Meh, I like the dual clocks but it's FAR from a deal breaker for me. At least the current single clocks ALSO have a tachometer. The single on my Carbon Dark is just Speedo, and that's dumb.

Personally I don't like the spoked wheels either or the chrome so the "Special" was never "Special" TO ME.

At least Harley gives you the choice of chrome or not chrome on the Heritage these days (and cast or spoked wheels too).

Not anymore, the 2025 Heritage Classic only comes with the black package. Ironically the HD dealer by me never carried the blacked out models because he couldn't sell them. My 2023 Heritage Classic Anniversary Edition....

[jackthebiker]

what was the first bike in 76 with mag wheels, a Kawasaki?
Rick.

My first bike with cast wheels was a 1978 Suzuki GS750E.

[jackthebiker]

I almost bought a 2023 V7 850 Special Edition when I bought my 2022 V7 850 Special. I like the cast wheels on it.

[Brand X]

what was the first bike in 76 with mag wheels, a Kawasaki?
Rick.

1976 RD-400

[Moparnut72]

Mopar is cutting back on chrome supposedly due to cost and environmental concerns. I don't know for a fact but from what I have heard on a reliable site.
kk

[faffi]

My first bike with cast wheels was a 1978 Suzuki GS750E.

Not my first bike with cast wheels, but I had the little sister, 1978 GS550E that also had cast wheels and triple disc brakes.

[faffi]

I had the first prodution bike in 1976 that came with mag wheels. I personally like the look of wire wheels on a classic looking bike..

I see that the www give this title to the RD400C, a very nice motorcycle in its own right, and it may be correct, depending on the criteria. Also for 1976, the XS360, the XS500 and the XS750 had the same type of cast wheels, and the Kawasaki KZ900LTD also came with cast wheels. Whether one can call the MV Agusta mass produced can be debated, but it was a production motorcycle that came with cast wheel in 1975 already.

Not exactly cast, but tubeless and free from traditional spokes - my 1978 Honda CX500 that I bought in 1982 was the first motorcycle I owned without wire wheels. I have also owned a 1976 Yamaha XS500 with cast wheels.

[Kev m]

Not anymore, the 2025 Heritage Classic only comes with the black package. Ironically the HD dealer by me never carried the blacked out models because he couldn't sell them. My 2023 Heritage Classic Anniversary Edition....

Ooppps you're right. They moved that choice over to the Low Rider ST.

[DoubleGuzzi]

.. my 1978 Honda CX500 ..

Comstars! 
[Kinda weird that the name stuck in my brain all these years, like indelible ink. I only ever owned two small Hondas - SS50 and H100, many years apart.]

[faffi]

Yes. Spokes bolted to the hub at the inner end, and riveted to the rim at the outer end. Not all were made for tubeless tires. Some had steel spokes, some had aluminium ones. The latter were too weak for the GL1000, causing failure for some riders, especially those riding two-up with lots of luggage and heavy love handles.

[testa_di_formaggio]

what was the first bike in 76 with mag wheels, a Kawasaki?
Rick.

'76 850 LeMans had cast wheels FWIW

T d F

[DoubleGuzzi]

Thanks guys, for draggin' me down another rabbit hole! 

Radical: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6hmerland_(motorcycle)
Though I do remember the Munch Mammoth from Top Trumps. 
Oh, and the Van Veen always has a place in my heart.

[mechanicsavant]

I went tubeless in 78 with my XS 750 E Yamaha ! Haven’t looked back. Tubes are in the mirrors along with points&condenser & carburetors !

[jackthebiker]

I went tubeless in 78 with my XS 750 E Yamaha ! Haven’t looked back. Tubes are in the mirrors along with points&condenser & carburetors !

My buddy had a 1978 Yamaha XS750 Special, and I had the 1978 Suzuki GS750 E. The Yamaha dealer told him the XS 750 was the fastest 750 made, it was a great bike, but certainly not the fastest. So after some beer he just had to race me, he still owes me a steak dinner. However he then bought a XS 1100 Special and I no longer had the faster bike. I have had 51 motorcycles in my life, and mostly touring type bikes. I would much rather have cast wheels with tubeless tires when touring. But I just gotta have chrome spoked wheels on a modern classic. Like my T120.

[DoubleGuzzi]

1978 Suzuki GS750 E.

The classic UJM - beautiful machines (though I've never been a fan of Suzukis, in general). IMHumbleO.

[kballowe]

I'm a chrome, laced wheel, and good paint kind of guy.  Although, I have seen some mag wheels that are OK.

Some of the paint these days is terrible.  It looks like clear-coated Krylon. 

Not a fan of the blacked-out bikes.