2013 v7 stone on order!!! Can't wait!

[Mgv7rider]

Hey everybody! I am totally stoked about leaving a deposit on a 2013 MG V7 Stone (black)...they arrive at the dealership this coming April or May and I had to leave a deposit so that I didn't risk not getting one...the dealer is getting 12 in and has sold 7 already! Anyway, I think I am only going to add a Dart Flyscreen and some bar end mirrors to replace the original mirrors. I am curious about how comfortable the seat is...has anybody changed their stock seat with another one (gel seat or Corbin seat) ?  Also , can anybody suggest a decent tool kit for Moto Guzzi bikes...or maybe recommend a list of tools to keep on hand for this particular bike...I am new to Moto Guzzi and not really sure what I would need...I currently have a Yamaha YZF 600r (sport touring) and I am sure the tool kit I have for that bike won't do for the V7.  Thanks in advance for reading my post and any feedback or recommendations are greatly appreciated. By the way, I will definitely post some pics of when I get the bike! Cheers!

[Kev m]

I'd hold off on the DART until you've ridden it a bit. I kinda feel like the instrument pod functions a little like a flyscreen.

The seat is firm and I might eventually consider the OEM gel one (I had an OEM gel seat on my B11 and it was excellent).

Tools? I do carry some basics when touring out of state, but I don't know how much you'd need then. I've got one mini ratchet/multi bit set that has come in handy, but more on my old Cali than on my newer B11 in the last decade that I had them.

[Kev m]

Here's my favorite portable tool kit

http://www.aerostich.com/tools/tools/tool-kits/metric-industrial-grade-deluxe-mini-ratchet.html

[Vasco DG]

Some idea of your location might be helpful?

[Mgv7rider]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply and good advise Kevin. I will ride it for a bit and then decide if I need one...looking at them online, it seems they are really low and I see your point...maybe they are more of an aesthetic thing?

Let me know if you do end up changing out your seat...I guess it would also depend on how often and for how long you ride for?

The tool kit looks really handy to have...I am going to look into it!

By the way, your white v7 stone looks really cool!

[Mgv7rider]

I am located in Ontario Canada.

[fotoguzzi]

I currently have a Yamaha YZF 600r (sport touring) and I am sure the tool kit I have for that bike won't do for the V7.  

sure it will.. it's all metric accept for the good ol USA..

[Mgv7rider]

Ok perfect! Thanks!

[Vasco DG]

What maintenance are you hoping to perform? That rather governs the sort of tools you're likely to need.

Pete

[Mgv7rider]

Basic maintenance...I'm no mechanic, however I am eager to do some minor things on my own...for example oil changes, shock absorber adjustment, fluid level adjustments...just really minor stuff. I'd like to think that I can learn to do carb adjustments and thing of that sort, however I feel more comfortable at the moment to bring it in for service. By the way, I updated my location on my profile...thanks or the heads up!

[Kev m]

I'm sorry, you were asking about tools for maintenance, then done decent metric Allens and a set of feeler gauges. No carbs to adjust or even throttle bodieS to synchronize.

On the seat, in the short time I've owned it I've gone about two hours at a stretch without getting off it. The seat begins to feel hard at that point, maybe about 100 miles.

We'll see this spring/summer how it does touring, which for me tends to be about 300 miles a day. Stock I suspect it will be better than our Duc, but worse than our Harley.

[Vasco DG]

Basic maintenance...I'm no mechanic, however I am eager to do some minor things on my own...for example oil changes, shock absorber adjustment, fluid level adjustments...just really minor stuff. I'd like to think that I can learn to do carb adjustments and thing of that sort, however I feel more comfortable at the moment to bring it in for service. By the way, I updated my location on my profile...thanks or the heads up!

As Kev says one of the nice things about the new V7 is that they've made it virtually idiot proof. You can't mess with the EMU, (Engine Management Unit.) easily, the fueling self trims well. Virtually all it needs for the motive unit is oil changes and valve lash adjustments.

What I'd suggest is find someone near you with more experience and ask them to help you learn the basics. Tools needed for things you mention like oil changes and the like are very easy and simple but don't buy cheap or you'll regret it.

Pete

[Mgv7rider]

Thanks Kev,

I am glad to hear I don't need much and by the sounds of some of the comments and what I have been reading up on the v7 (and I guess most Moto Guzzi's), they are very basic and simple machines compared to some others out there...I can't wait.

By the way, keep me posted on your level of comfort on a longer ride later on in the spring...but I have to tell you that my normal ride (unless I am going away for the weekend or on a charity ride) would be maximum 1 1/2 hours...the stock seat might suffice for the time being...until I save up for a few goodies...you know how fast extras add up  :(

Oh yeah, I really do appreciate your advice not just on my post but in others as well!

Cheers,

Chris

[Mgv7rider]

Pete,

Great advice and this is great news regarding the bike being very "idiot" proof! Thanks for the feedback!

Cheers,

Chris

[Kev m]

I'll be interested to hear what you think too Chris.

Keep us posted.  ;-T

And congrats on the upcoming acquisition, life is good!

Ride safe,

Kev

[sign216]

The routine maintenance items can be a little tricky, but when it comes time for that sing out, and we'll point you to some on-line guides.

Before that have a little fun!

Joe

[Kev m]

The routine maintenance items can be a little tricky, but when it comes time for that sing out, and we'll point you to some on-line guides.

Before that have a little fun!

Joe

The oil or the valves?   ???

[sign216]

The oil or the valves?   ???

Do I have to bring up Mr. Nevada?

Recall he drained the engine oil, but filled the transmission.  Or vice versa.  Or.....

[Kev m]

Do I have to bring up Mr. Nevada?

Recall he drained the engine oil, but filled the transmission.  Or vice versa.  Or.....

No, never paid attention and glad I didn't.

No, that's not tricky, that's inane.

I've seem some hairless talking apes do the same thing on cars too. :BEER:

Doesn't make em tricky.

[lucydad]

Chris,

Ahh....anticipation!  The 2013 Stone's are pretty things.  Change out the mirrors...enjoy!

[Mgv7rider]

Thanks...it's crazy because a day doesn't go by without thinking about it! Almost like I am in love again...we'll let's not mention this to my wife! Can't wait...it will be a long 3 months or so, but I know it's worth the wait! And yes...I will change out the mirrors without a doubt!

Cheers

Chris

[prof_stack]

Hey everybody! I am totally stoked about leaving a deposit on a 2013 MG V7 Stone (black)...they arrive at the dealership this coming April or May and I had to leave a deposit so that I didn't risk not getting one...the dealer is getting 12 in and has sold 7 already! Anyway, I think I am only going to add a Dart Flyscreen and...

Congrats on the new Stone.  MotoInt has one in their window that talks to me when I drive by.  They've sold quite a few of the new SB's.

I put a Dartscreen on my Breva last summer and am impressed how it smoothes (i.e. distributes it evenly) the airflow and makes for a more enjoyable ride.  The intrument cluster didn't do that for me.  I assume it would be the same on the Stone.

[Kev m]

Imagine how I felt. I waited 6 months for mine.  :BEER:

[yrunvs]

how is the stock or gel seat for two up 3-4 hour day trips and is there an after market his and her seat available? also how will the suspension fair in two up riding? I'd love to have one but I have a lady friend that would want to ride along 1-2x a week. what mods would I have to make?

[Mgv7rider]

Lol!

[Mgv7rider]

Thanks for the feedback...I am hearing different views on the dart flyscreen...I am thinking that it really depends on ones height and riding position. I think I will take Kev's advice and ride it for a bit before I commit to one...by the way, it seems like you have been through a ton of bikes! Talk about an enthusiast! Ride safe and cheers!

[Mgv7rider]

I guess that's a question more so for Kev...I don't have mine yet and he or anyone else that may have recently purchased one would know better! Any advise Kev? Have you doubled up yet on the v7?

[Guido Valvole]

If the Stone seat is the same as the V7 Classic seat, you may want to change it. Most comments on that here are not favorable.

I put a V7 Café seat on my V50 and find it amazingly comfortable. Not the typical Guzzi foamed concrete at all, but not soft and squishy like the stock V50 seat, either. It's strictly monoposto, though, so won't work with a passenger.
cr

[Mgv7rider]

Thanks for the feedback Guido! Unfortunately I need a 2 seater...my wife used to ride with me until the kids came along...now she is worried that God forbid something happens while riding together, we are both on the bike! Nonetheless my 11 year old son likes to go for a ride every now and then and I am sure when my other two rug rats get older, they will too...but I am still trying to convince my wife to come along...it gives us some alone and down time we desperately need with 3 kids!!!

I will look into alternatives...I hear Corbin seats are nice and comfortable ( but pricey)...there is no v7 model on their website...I guess I can always contact them and see if they can make one.  For now, I will await my bike and then see what the stock seat is like (most reviews say it is a bit hard for longer rides).

Cheers,

Chris

[Adan]

If you only do shorter rides you may not need a screen.  I did some long days on my v7 classic both with and without the dart flyscreen, and really appreciated the Dart, it takes a small amount of pressure off the chest and it was all I needed to turn the V7 into a warm weather mini-tourer.