2015 Moto Guzzi V7 II merged threadfest

[Kev m]

Ick, no silver wheels... noooooooooooooo.  :o

[sib]

My dealer just told me that he checked with the US importer, who informed him that these will not be imported into the USA until the last quarter of 2015 and will be sold here as 2016 models.  Tell me it isn't so!

[Travman]

My dealer just told me that he checked with the US importer, who informed him that these will not be imported into the USA until the last quarter of 2015 and will be sold here as 2016 models.  Tell me it isn't so!

That is how it always works for us in the US.

Maybe it is time for Guzzi to bring the US in line with the rest of the world.  It is probably more of a hassle to have different models for different markets.

[Kev m]

My dealer just told me that he checked with the US importer, who informed him that these will not be imported into the USA until the last quarter of 2015 and will be sold here as 2016 models.  Tell me it isn't so!

This is pretty much always the case in modern Guzzi history.

The rest of the world got the 1TB Stones/Special/Racers for 2012, while we waited for 2013.

[Loftness]

My biggest gripe as it stands is the lack of true differentiation between the Stone and the Special.  I *thought* they would go that route with fenders/panels but it doesn't seem so.  I also dislike the idea of having a satin red V7 next to a gloss red V7, but maybe that's just a dealer beef.

I also wish they'd have gone a newer direction with the Racer.  Like Kev, a black tank, or even red(!!), would have helped give it nice refresh.

[Loftness]

My dealer just told me that he checked with the US importer, who informed him that these will not be imported into the USA until the last quarter of 2015 and will be sold here as 2016 models.  Tell me it isn't so!

Yeah as others have mentioned, this is just the way it works with them.  As a dealer, it drives me nuts during a refresh year.  It certainly doesn't help them stay competitive in the US market.

[roadscum]

I've had enough of the matte finish, not only on the fenders but also on the tank. I wonder how the matte would look if sprayed over with a clear coat? What do you think.......

Paul

[jas67]

I also wish they'd have gone a newer direction with the Racer.  Like Kev, a black tank, or even red(!!), would have helped give it nice refresh.

They should offer custom options for customer-ordered bikes, were you can for, for example, any color fuel tank that is made for any of the V7 models which ever bike you order -- for example, the Red tank you get can get on a Special on a Racer.    This could be an extra cost option that wouldn't really cost much to implement.
 

[Loftness]

They should offer custom options for customer-ordered bikes, were you can for, for example, any color fuel tank that is made for any of the V7 models which ever bike you order -- for example, the Red tank you get can get on a Special on a Racer.    This could be an extra cost option that wouldn't really cost much to implement.
 

Yep.  Notice that other companies like BMW and Ducati are going the "factory customization" route with this size bike. 

[kevdog3019]

OK, I take back everything I said about the need for an updated engine.  Guzzi has been brilliant!  :BEER:
-Kevin

[bad Chad]

"The gearbox has been revamped to accommodate the six speed that has the first and last-two ratios reduced, promoting less rpm drop between ratios. The primary drive ratio has also been changed, going from 16:21 to 18:23."

What does that mean to the average Joe on the street?

[Demar]

I wonder if this will eat into the new V7 sales......



It hits the hp, torque, gearbox, abs, price point and weight marks. It's all there. The only thing it doesn't have is shaft drive. I'd like to get one.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/30/2015-ducati-scrambler-motorcycle-review-first-look-photos-specs-pricing-at-intermot-2014/

[zedXmick]

I wonder if this will eat into the new V7 sales......



It hits the hp, torque and weight marks. The only thing it doesn't have is shaft drive.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/09/30/2015-ducati-scrambler-motorcycle-review-first-look-photos-specs-pricing-at-intermot-2014/

I would think YES it will.

scrambler web site: http://scramblerducati.com/en

[jas67]

"The gearbox has been revamped to accommodate the six speed that has the first and last-two ratios reduced, promoting less rpm drop between ratios. The primary drive ratio has also been changed, going from 16:21 to 18:23."

What does that mean to the average Joe on the street?

The engine is re-tuned (vs. the Monster 796 it comes from) for lower end torque, and the ratios changed to make it friendly at low speeds -- both these things are to make it a friendly bike to ride at slower speeds on dirt and gravel roads.   The Monster 796 has some tall stock gearing that would be completely unfriendly for dirt riding.   Heck, it is annoying tall just for getting out of a parking lot.    6th gear (stock) isn't really useable until you're going 80 MPH.    A common mod (which, I've done to mine) is to change the front sprocket from a 15T to a 14T (about  7% reduction in final drive ratio).    This made it just about perfect.

[rocker59]

"The gearbox has been revamped to accommodate the six speed that has the first and last-two ratios reduced, promoting less rpm drop between ratios. The primary drive ratio has also been changed, going from 16:21 to 18:23."

What does that mean to the average Joe on the street?

1st; 5th, and 6th have been lowered.  Along with the primary.

This will mean overall lower gearing for the rider, and should make lower speeds more comfortable.  Not to mention acceleration nicer!

[Loftness]

1st; 5th, and 6th have been lowered.  Along with the primary.

This will mean overall lower gearing for the rider, and should make lower speeds more comfortable.  Not to mention acceleration nicer!

Bah.  Why not just make it fully automatic?   ~;    ;D

[pyoungbl]

1st; 5th, and 6th have been lowered.  Along with the primary.

This will mean overall lower gearing for the rider, and should make lower speeds more comfortable.  Not to mention acceleration nicer!

I suspect the 5th will be close to 1:1 and 6th will be something like 1: 0.85 due to the primary going from 1.277 to 1.3125.  That would be very close to what we now have in 5th with the 1.277 and a 5th gear ratio of 1: 0.9.  This will be better off the line, maybe better at very low speed (like off road), and still enough torque in top gear to offset wind resistance all the way to redline.  I like the idea of not having to slip the clutch so much when pulling away from a stop.

[Penderic]

Moto Guzzi!  :bow

[Demar]

Moto Guzzi!  :bow

I hear ya. I wish the new V7 had these specs with it's shaft drive. Maybe in a year. I can wait a year, or two. If MG doesn't have something comparable by then at least the Ducati Scrambler will be well vetted and hopefully lots of aftermarket parts will be available.  ;-T

[bad Chad]

So, with the new gearing, the v7 should be faster off the line!  That's great, a little extra zip, and still with those old lovely Heron heads!

[Vasco DG]

OK, I take back everything I said about the need for an updated engine.  Guzzi has been brilliant!  :BEER:
-Kevin

Kevin, look at the history. It has long been Guzzi practice, both before and after the Aprilia/Piaggio years, to modify and *Update* other componentry before the engine. If you look at the big blocks if you overlook the early Hi-Cam which was in itself an engineering cul de sac, the history of the big block line is one of constant updating of every component bar the motor! Gearbox, frame, suspension, final drive, all of those were changed while the wonderful old two valve pushrod motor soldiered on all but unchanged apart from increases in capacity and a gradually higher state of tune.

Even when the *New* CARC bikes were introduced in 2005 they slogged on with the venerable pushrod donk for another couple of years before it was finally pensioned off and a virtually clean sheet design was launched in the current 8V.

By adapting the current six speed box for use with the smallblock engine they get a cheap upgrade for their most popular model AND eradicate almost a complete major component from their manufacturing inventory. It shows, at least to me, a clever, forward thinking strategy that in the past has often been missing in management thinking. As for TC and ABS? TC is very easy given the sensors are already there for the ABS and the 'Semi RBW' system makes operating it and controlling it a cheap and easy thing, so why not?!

One thing I find funny is that when I go up to Sydney for training or talk to mechanics from other dealerships a lot of them, especially the younger ones, are dismissive of the smallblocks and I really can't see why? The after all are what are paying the 'Guzzi' part of their wages on the whole.

I'm not a 'smallblock' guy and will freely admit that I used to dislike them greatly because they never seemed to be anywhere near as reliable as their larger bretheren. That has now changed and the current crop strike me as well made and engineered and with the advent of the single TB models they are simplicity itself to service and maintain.

My guess is the motor will, as usual for Guzzi, be the last major component to be 'Upgraded' and to me that's just fine! If people want a 'More Powerful' machine? Buy one! The market is awash with them! The smallblocks have a charm of their own which obviously endears them to their fiercely loyal owners and attracts new buyers wanting to ride outside the mainstream. I can't see how Guzzi are puting a foot wrong with their development of thi machine???

Pete

[Tazturtle]

:+1

Something like this would be cool to me...

That's awesome. Really dig the silver finished mags as per Guzzis of old.

Visited this sweetheart (and a pile of her sisters) in a private collection here, 3 weeks ago.



Kurt

[rocker59]

:+1

Something like this would be cool to me...




A custom from here -> http://kaneban.txt-nifty.com/blog/2013/11/moto-guzzi-v7-8.html

My early photoshop of a V7 LeMans type of bike...

on this thread -> http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=55102.0

I am digging the V7 improvements though. More colors are always welcome.

 :+1

 :bike

[kevdog3019]

Kevin, look at the history. It has long been Guzzi practice, both before and after the Aprilia/Piaggio years, to modify and *Update* other componentry before the engine. If you look at the big blocks if you overlook the early Hi-Cam which was in itself an engineering cul de sac, the history of the big block line is one of constant updating of every component bar the motor! Gearbox, frame, suspension, final drive, all of those were changed while the wonderful old two valve pushrod motor soldiered on all but unchanged apart from increases in capacity and a gradually higher state of tune.

Even when the *New* CARC bikes were introduced in 2005 they slogged on with the venerable pushrod donk for another couple of years before it was finally pensioned off and a virtually clean sheet design was launched in the current 8V.

By adapting the current six speed box for use with the smallblock engine they get a cheap upgrade for their most popular model AND eradicate almost a complete major component from their manufacturing inventory. It shows, at least to me, a clever, forward thinking strategy that in the past has often been missing in management thinking. As for TC and ABS? TC is very easy given the sensors are already there for the ABS and the 'Semi RBW' system makes operating it and controlling it a cheap and easy thing, so why not?!

One thing I find funny is that when I go up to Sydney for training or talk to mechanics from other dealerships a lot of them, especially the younger ones, are dismissive of the smallblocks and I really can't see why? The after all are what are paying the 'Guzzi' part of their wages on the whole.

I'm not a 'smallblock' guy and will freely admit that I used to dislike them greatly because they never seemed to be anywhere near as reliable as their larger bretheren. That has now changed and the current crop strike me as well made and engineered and with the advent of the single TB models they are simplicity itself to service and maintain.

My guess is the motor will, as usual for Guzzi, be the last major component to be 'Upgraded' and to me that's just fine! If people want a 'More Powerful' machine? Buy one! The market is awash with them! The smallblocks have a charm of their own which obviously endears them to their fiercely loyal owners and attracts new buyers wanting to ride outside the mainstream. I can't see how Guzzi are puting a foot wrong with their development of thi machine???

Pete

Well stated and good to know that these upgrades are for further forward development.  If this is the case we have something looming in the distance that could be absolutely wonderful.  For now they are still pleasing the crowd.  
Thanks for the insight.
-Kevin

[Kev m]

I wonder if this will eat into the new V7 sales......



It hits the hp, torque, gearbox, abs, price point and weight marks. It's all there. The only thing it doesn't have is shaft drive. Oh yeah, then there are those pesky valve adjustments, and ohh, then there are the timing belts to replace biennially.

FIXORED...

[Demar]

FIXORED...

OK, I'll wait for the new new V7II increased hp engine!

[pyoungbl]

FIXORED...

Don't forget that chain/sprocket stuff.  My Multi and ST2 would eat a set at about 15K ($300), and the dry clutches were another $500 at about the same time.  People don't factor this in when making the buying decision so Ducati has great sales numbers.  Resale, that's another issue.  Of course our Guzzi resale value is not so hot either but I suspect that's because the marque is so obscure.  It does not take too long for the normal service bill on a Ducati to equal 25% of the value of the entire bike.  Been there and done that.

Peter Y.

[Loftness]

Don't forget that chain/sprocket stuff.  My Multi and ST2 would eat a set at about 15K ($300), and the dry clutches were another $500 at about the same time.  People don't factor this in when making the buying decision so Ducati has great sales numbers.  Resale, that's another issue.  Of course our Guzzi resale value is not so hot either but I suspect that's because the marque is so obscure.  It does not take too long for the normal service bill on a Ducati to equal 25% of the value of the entire bike.  Been there and done that.

Peter Y.

So so true.  Ease of maintenance and service bills are the two biggest checks on the plus side for Guzzi.  To be honest, I rarely run into potential customers who are on the fence between Guzzi and Ducati, but that Scrambler could change that.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I'm getting pretty worn out on the black fenders.  I'm sure it saves a few pennies to only have fenders in one color, but come on ?!?!?!  The Specials should have color matched fenders...

Either of those Specials would look pretty sick with the MAS aluminum fenders!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bad Chad]

Nicely said Pete.