V7 850 Sport

[faffi]

I just checked the data on the sportiest Guzzi currently for sale - you can do the same here https://wlassets.motoguzzi.com/wlassets/moto-guzzi/master/tech_spec/V7/V7_Sport_tech_spec_EN/original/V7_Sport_tech_spec_EN.pdf?1741777541076

While I have not found any source that has put the Sport on a scale, the more basic V7 850 is listed at 218 kg wet, while independant results from certified scales show it at 221 kg. So one would expect the Sport to clock in at 223 kg with a full tank of gas as its actual weight.

Personally, I find that rather disappointing. It is about the same as the original 1978 Honda CX500 with the double front disc brakes it had outside USA, which was 221 kg wet. With liquid cooling and also shaft final drive. My most recently acquired bike, the BT1100, is a road-crunching 251 kg wet, but the difference between it and the Guzzi Sport is almost entirely within the drivetrain; the engine itself is around 95 kilo, or roughly 30 kg more than the engine of the Guzzi 850 if the information I have is correct. The Yamaha is littered with metal covers that have no or little function, driving up the weight. Not quite sure where there Sport carry its heft.

The Sport has narrower wheels and tires than the BT, and for whatever reason an 18in front instead of a 17in that could take a 110/70 radial. Brakes are similar between the two, fuel capacity is close with the Sport holding a sole liter more. Both are air cooled, both have shaft final drive, both are based on old designs.

However, I would find it interesting to compare the two on the road. I expect the Sport to be more agile, because of its lower weight and also narrower wheels, plus a much shorter wheelbase. 80 mm, or 3.15 inches, to be precise. Claimed engine power is similar at 67.3PS for the Sport and 65 for the BT, and torque is not terribly far off, either, at 79 Nm @ 4400rpm vs 88.2 Nm @ 4500 rpm respectively. Roll-on, full acceleration and stopping distances would for me personally be nice to compare. As well as seating positions, comfort and suspension.

[TN Mark]

I find little reason to fret over spec sheets. An owner, or a potential owner, either likes the aesthetics and how the bike actually rides or they don’t. What’s a real or a perceived ’issue’ for one reviewer or owner is often times unnoticed by another.
Many actual owners aren’t, or shouldn’t be stopped by a spec sheet.

[PeteS]

Back in the day Motorcycle magazines did dyno tests, quarter mile times, braking distances, and sometimes lap times on a given race track. Late ‘60s into the early ‘70s they did a few Superbike Comparison tests. Those results gave you a better idea how different bikes compared. Factory horsepower and weights don’t really tell you too much. You have get on a bike and try it for yourself.

Pete

[kingoffleece]

Spec sheets are way down on the list of things to consider.  Way down.

[blu guzz]

It's funny how priorities change if you live to be an old, bold biker.  The fact that Pee Wee Gleason could get down the strip on a 1981 KZ750 a tenth of a second faster than he could on a GS750E was very important in those days.  Although is seems absurd today, those specs drove a lot of sales back then. My first "big" bike was a 1981 GS650E. The salesman told me I was riding a "12 second bike" and I was sold. In reality, except for its speed, it was not a very good motorcycle.  The worst part was probably the skinny forks that allowed quite a bit of wobble in any kind of aggressive cornering. It was so cool because it had triple discs, but I almost wrecked it on the test ride because the rear locked so easily.  Not to mention the skinny Bridgestone rim warmers that in those days were not very well thought of.  Hey, at least I had a "12 second bike".  You couldn't give me that bike today.
Perhaps with age comes wisdom.

[faffi]

I owned a GS650GL for a year. Fitted Koni shock absorbers and tried to make the fork stiffer, but it was still a flexi-flyer around corners, and the front would lock prematurely because the fork bottomed and the tyre began skipping. One of the worst handling bikes I have owned. It was a pretty bike, though, especially after I replaced the ridiculous apehangers with a set of superbike bars, but that was about it. Oh, the engine was very flexible and would accelerate smoothly from idle in top gear, but it was also buzzy, numbing fingers in short order.

[Bulldog9]

Spec sheets are way down on the list of things to consider.  Way down.

NO ONE (or very few) buys a Guzzi based on the Spec sheets....

[Kev m]

Being a bit of a tech geek - comparing and contrasting specs is a fun way to get SOME small picture of where the bike stands relative to a bunch of other saddles I may never put a butt on.

It's harmless fun and was a nice distraction from other technical problems I was dealing with daily in the work place.

I find myself in front of an actual computer (not counting my phone) much less these days and when I do it's usually for a pressing need (generally soccer team management) so I don't loiter as much to play with specs and comparative spread sheets. Not that I wouldn't if I had the time.

That said, of course they never tell the whole story, they barely told the introduction.

[MikeP996]

I agree that the V7 850 is a bit heavy. Per specs it weighs the same as a Triumph 1200 Speed Twin which, of course, has more power.  I'm sure a good bit of that weight is due to the MG driveshaft system which, OTOH, makes for literally no maintenance unlike chain drive... ;)  BUT the V7 also weighs more than my BMW R9T which also has shaft drive and more power. 

A bike I threw a leg over today and was really impressed with weight-wise was a Triumph Street triple - 30kg lighter than the V7...and WAY more power.

NOT saying I prefer any of the above to my V7 Special, but I wonder why the current V7 needs to weigh as much as it does...

[Scott Carpenter]

I love my V7 850 Sport, but its true the weight is a downside compared with the Breva750.

[TN Mark]

The new V7 Sport is a very small motorcycle. It’s hard to imagine it’s weight being much of an issue at all. It’s not like the owner is picking it up over his head or bench pressing with it. Getting it off the side stand: 20 or so pounds more or less rarely makes a difference.

Caveat: The Guzzi MGX-21 and the BMW R18. BOTH are absolute pigs to get off their side stands. Terrible engineering at both companies for that issue. More so at BMW for also having such a small gas tank on so many of the R18 models.

I frankly like bikes a little heavier because they have much better road stabilization. If the V7 was much lighter, it would likely get thrown around considerably from semi trucks and what not on the interstate.

Ride more, worry much, much less.

[MikeP996]

I think it's more about design than weight as far as road stability.  Much of my motorcycling life up to maybe 15 years ago was spent on successive Ducati sport bikes (851, 916, 999, 1098) that weighed considerably less than my V7 and they were rock-stable at high speed and not affected to any extent by semis, crosswinds, etc.  I dropped my 916 in the driveway (#%$^!!!) when my foot slipped and I just reached down and picked it up.  I coudn't do that with my V7!  :)

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

The weight difference isn't that much between the new V7 Sport and those earlier Ducatis (851, 916).
V7 850 Stone = 218 kg
V7 Sport = 220 kg wet
Ducati 851 ~ 210 kg wet
Ducati Paso 906 ~ 222 kg wet

I mention this because I have a Ducati 907ie (~215 kg wet) and it *feels* much heavier to me than the V7 850 and Sport, despite being a little lighter. It especially feels that way when putting it on the side stand and lifting it off the side stand. I sat on a friend's BMW R18, couldn't get it off the side stand.

My 907ie is absolutely more "sporty" in power delivery than the V7 Sport... but desmo service is either every 1860 miles (according to workshop manual) or 3000 miles (according to owner's manual). Incredibly fun, but not as practical to actually ride and maintain as a modern V7.

If you're going to compare bikes "on paper" (spec sheets), be sure not to forget the maintenance schedule.

[MikeP996]

"If you're going to compare bikes "on paper" (spec sheets), be sure not to forget the maintenance schedule."

Good point!! 

My current thinking to "replace" the spirit of my last Ducati with fairly comfortable riding position/ light weight bike is the Triumph Street Triple at 188 kg wet. My Ducati 1098 was within a Kg or two of the same weight.  Totally different feel in every way than my V7, of course.

[bad Chad]

I would suggest the 80hp v85 is more sporting than the v7 Sport.

[YellowDuck]

I would suggest the 80hp v85 is more sporting than the v7 Sport.

In terms of the motor, yes.  But in terms of agility, it's not even close.  I have both (well, a V7 stone, not sport), and it is astonishing how much smaller it feels than the V85 (Strada) and how much more agile.  It's probably more about the center of gravity than the curb weight per se, but it is just a much more agile bike. 

But yes, the VVT motor plus whatever else is better on the V85 (higher rpm, much larger intake area...not sure what else) makes more difference than you might think.  The V85 rips.

[bad Chad]

Perhaps it has to do with set up, tires, etc.  I have ridden a 24  850 Special, and I was pushing it pretty hard, and I found it to be noticeably more sluggish and less nimble than the VVT V85.   

[Rons]

I own a ‘26 V7 Sport, and a ‘22 Triumph Speed Twin 1200. Specs say they weight almost the same, and pushing them around the garage feels about the same. Once on the move, the V7 feels smaller due to the seat height. I definitely get more of my feet on the ground. Also the V7 steers with less effort, probably because of the more upright seating position. At a faster pace, the Triumph steers faster, most likely because it has a more “sportbike” geometry.

Both great bikes. I would always like any bike to weigh 50 pounds less than it does. LOL…..

[Kev m]

Perhaps it has to do with set up, tires, etc.  I have ridden a 24  850 Special, and I was pushing it pretty hard, and I found it to be noticeably more sluggish and less nimble than the VVT V85.

Anything with the MUIG3 is a pretty different bike from the current V7 with the 52mm RBW throttle body from the V85. The Sport takes it further with the suspension and additional mapping.

[Vagrant]

I own a ‘26 V7 Sport, and a ‘22 Triumph Speed Twin 1200. Specs say they weight almost the same, and pushing them around the garage feels about the same. Once on the move, the V7 feels smaller due to the seat height. I definitely get more of my feet on the ground. Also the V7 steers with less effort, probably because of the more upright seating position. At a faster pace, the Triumph steers faster, most likely because it has a more “sportbike” geometry.

Both great bikes. I would always like any bike to weigh 50 pounds less than it does. LOL…..

Try raising the forks three lines up. Whole different bike in the twisties.

[Moparnut72]

The '26 V7 has the larger throttle body, different cam and exhaust than the earlier 850's. I haven't ridden an earlier 850 but from what I have heard and read there is an increase in power. I had a T120 a couple of years ago and I believe my V7 has very similar power compared to the 120 even though the specs don't show that. Just my observations.
kk

[Motormike]

Many actual owners aren’t, or shouldn’t be stopped by a spec sheet.

When you get into your 70's, the weight will be the single most important number on a spec sheet, trust me! 

[DoubleGuzzi]

When you get into your 70's, the weight will be the single most important number on a spec sheet, trust me! 

Age is not the defining factor, physique and stature are, trust me.   
[Otherwise, I'd have a Griso already!]

[faffi]

When you get into your 70's, the weight will be the single most important number on a spec sheet, trust me! 

I think it is Dave Croxford who still work out 90 minutes daily and ride a Triumph 1200 Adventure with his wife as pillion on long trips through Europe. I believe he is 86 yrs old. If you are healthy and work out regularly, there is no reason you cannot be strong even at 90.

[chuck peterson]

Comparing a MG to a CX500?

Try thinking about price per pound, like maybe, cuts of meat

Guzzi is a much better cut, so much more expensive per pound

The Honda is more like hamburger, and less expensive for the same weight

On a spec sheet between sirloin and hamburger they weigh the same. The difference is the experience the consumer has.

Or rather, the quality…

Please point to the spec sheet that lists Quality?…

[Rons]

Try raising the forks three lines up. Whole different bike in the twisties.
[/quote

On which bike? The V7?

[Motormike]

I think it is Dave Croxford who still work out 90 minutes daily and ride a Triumph 1200 Adventure with his wife as pillion on long trips through Europe. I believe he is 86 yrs old. If you are healthy and work out regularly, there is no reason you cannot be strong even at 90.

True, but only to a point.  If you are 5'9" and 150 lbs (like me) all the exercise and weightlifting in the world isn't going to make you 6'1 and 220 lbs. Genetics play a large role as well.  William Shatner seems to still get around reasonably well at 95. My in-laws at age 86 and 87, are both in wheelchairs. Many don't live to see ninety.  Genetics matters.

[Vagrant]

Try raising the forks three lines up. Whole different bike in the twisties.
[/quote

On which bike? The V7?

My 26 v7 sport is raised to the third line. My v85 is 1 1/8" raised and the rear lowered about 1".

[SIR REAL ED]

My True Blue Stornellu tips the scales at about 159 kg full of gas.  Seems manageable.

And even though it is less than 50 horsepower, it does not seem underpowered....

[DoubleGuzzi]

My True Blue Stornellu tips the scales at about 159 kg full of gas.

Are you sure - that's awesomely light!? (unless it's the 125/160cc version.  )

[Edit2]
I get it - you don't use petrol, you fill the tank with gas - helium!