V7 world beater?

[lonerockz]

Considering a V7.

But first a little back story. Currently my main 2 wheeled pastime is long distance rallying. Iron Butt stuff. I started doing IBA rides on a Kawasaki Versys 650. Loved that bike, but hated the chain. After 4 or 5 1000 mile days in a row the chain would go kablamo. I got good at changing chains. So I switched to a Tiger Explorer 1200. Love that bike too, but... its tall (like the Versys) I have 29" inseam legs. its really heavy, I tip it over and I need help getting it back up. But its shaft drive so I no longer have to change out my chains.

I have a BMW K1200R for riding around town. I plan to sell the K1200R and Versys which should just about cover the V7. I'll keep the 1200 TEx.

This year is my last year doing competitions. My future plans are to spend my vacations touring the remote corners of the earth. This is where the V7 comes in. I don't need a lot of HP, the Versys was fine. But want something that I can easily work on, is light enough to pick up when I tip it over, has a shaft drive, and has at least a 5 gallon tank, and dirt tires are available for the stock rims.

I'm not a dirt bike guy. 98+% of my travels will be on roads. Only going on dirt when I have to.

My fears are that MGs have a lot of "personality"... meaning that just cause 99 bikes are problem free... I might manage to get the other one.

I do plan to stock parts at home ready to ship for things that can't be fixed with some chewing gum and duct tape.

Anyone using a V7 for some real adventures?

MG wants you to believe that you can get 300 miles on the stock tank; is that true?

Thoughts?

[Kev m]

Mines been basically perfect for 2 years and about 7500 miles so far.

Range really varies with conditions/use/fuel. I've gotten as low as ~40 mpg and as high as 56.

The low fuel light comes on ridiculously early, but I've learned it and generally get about 250 miles/tank at about mid-to-high 40's/gal.

300 is probably doable if you're getting mid 50's and aren't worrying about pushing, but in not sure I'll ever see it.

I've gotten close though.

[rocker59]

Considering a V7.
 
My future plans are to spend my vacations touring the remote corners of the earth. 

want something that I can easily work on, is light enough to pick up when I tip it over, has a shaft drive, and has at least a 5 gallon tank, and dirt tires are available for the stock rims.

I'm not a dirt bike guy. 98+% of my travels will be on roads. Only going on dirt when I have to.
 
Thoughts?

Thoughts?  Yes:  Three letters come to mind:

K L R

[kevdog3019]

Great choice by the sounds.  Put some miles on the Guzzi and make sure it's sorted, then cover ground as you wish.  Your first several thousand will tell you is you have a problem.  Buying used usually means someone else has done the work (either in miles or sorting).  Pretty bulletproof after that.

[Jim Rich]

I'm in with Rocker - KLR

Dr. Gregory Frazier has a lot of great info on how he outfits his KLRs and travels far, link;

https://www.google.com/search?q=dr.+frazier%27s+globe+killer+klr&biw=1280&bih=542&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=1Oo-VcOHIcu5sAXSi4GgCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#imgrc=_

But if you are sold on a shaftee - I know I am  - get yourself one and learn to work on it.

Find out which spare part you might need while doing repairs in the backwoods and carry spares.

Good luck with your project.

[wrbix]

Airhead GS: easy to work on, shaft drive, BIGass tanks available, great parts support , lighter than oil heads.

[fotoguzzi]

Thoughts?  Yes:  Three letters come to mind:

K L R

two come to mine, DR

[Guzzidad]

   I'ld love to do what you plan on a V7. I would carry with me a spare clutch and throttle cable and an assortment of fuses. If you were going more than 15K before returning home, maybe an oil filter. For piece of mind, and if finances allow, a spare u-joint, alternator, and voltage regulator/rectifier at home ready to ship to wherever you are. Reading into your post, you already know what you need. And if you have it, you probably won't need it.

[lonerockz]

I knew I'd get a lot of "KLR" is the tool to use here replies. And I choose to ignore that advice for several reasons. First its a really tall bike (35" seat height ?!?!). I have short legs, its going to fall over a lot. I hate that. The V7 is much shorter. Second... KLRs really suck at highway speeds, I mean really really suck. Seems like I'd be buying a bike that I'd hate most of the time and only on roads that terrify me would it be better. So thanks, but advice ignored. I driven cars in developing countries, and there are a lot of bad roads, but I'm not going to be riding single track in jungles... that's above my riding skills. No need to die in the amazon. Pretty sure that the V7 has even more dirt skills than I can use.

Guzzidad, yes carrying the part virtually guarantees that you wont need it  ;D I'll add clutch to the list to carry. Never had one fail on me on any bike, but that probably means its about time.

The GS is 70lbs heavier. Not too bad, but less for the V7. But again its a taller bike and I'm gonna drop it more.

Kev m, thanks for the range info. I figure with me on it and full luggage 250 will be optimistic. Knowing me I'll probably expand the stock tank a gallon or two, just because. My LD rider side has a hard time with bikes less then 400 miles in range ;D

[Cam3512]

Please, enough with the "Globe Killing Adventure Bikes".   Get the V7 and go for it.

[Aaron D.]

I think the V7 would be an awesome bike for what you plan. Getting a bad one? Possible, but I think it would be reasonably easy to fix it, they are fairly simple..

[Perazzimx14]

Look up John Ryan. Yamaha FJR!

Gotta wonder why the K1200R would be a "town" bike and a Versys is a long distance bike. Seems bass ackwards to me????

[Kev m]

Gotta wonder why the K1200R would be a "town" bike and a Versys is a long distance bike. Seems bass ackwards to me????

Maybe ergos? It's been a few years, but I feel like the Versys was more upright.

[fotoguzzi]

you can lower a KLR and gearing is easy to change for improved hwy abilities. or the DR 400 isn't as tall.  but have fun on your V7

[ponti_33609]

[John A]

 Something with points and carbs,those can usually be fixed anywhere . A remanufactured Ambassador or Eldorado would be my choice if I was to stick to a Guzzi. Maybe even up to a Cal 2. Otherwise something that wouldn't bother me to "abandon in place"
I saw a lot of big Zundapps in Egypt in the 70's that were supposed to have been destroyed after the war but weren't. They looked like they would run and plenty of spares. If I spoke Arabic and was 40 years younger.......

[Bob Wegman]

Buy two V7s.  Then you will have every part available to you.  If nothing breaks sell the spare bike when you return from your trip. 

[John A]

Assembled spare parts, I like that, Bob!

[Aaron D.]

OK , I'll be the jackass . Are you sure that a V7 is the right bike for this job ? Yeah , it might be the romantic choice , but that won't mean much when waiting for a part in Borneo . Not bashing the bike , but most experienced around the world types prefer bikes that were made by the boatloads for a reason . Sure , there are tales of Planetas , or 4 cylinder Nimbus MCx circling the globe , we had a fella on a loop frame that was doing some serious traveling , probably still is . But most of these folks are masters of their bikes , capable of fixing almost any issue on the side of the road . Horses for course .

  Dusty

I am amazed. Certainly ANY modern motorcycle can handle ANY trip with 98+% paved roads with ease. Any easier and you may as well recommend a freakin' car.

[rocker59]

I am amazed. Certainly ANY modern motorcycle can handle ANY trip with 98+% paved roads with ease. Any easier and you may as well recommend a freakin' car.

Read the original post: "future plans are to spend my vacations touring the remote corners of the earth."

If that statement is true, then he will most definitely be seeing lots of unpaved roads, and gasoline dispensed from rusty 55-gallon drums by roadside vendors.  It will mean that the only mail will be bush plane air mail that could take days or weeks to arrive, or not arrive at all.  The best tool for the job will be something made by the hundred thousands or millions, with parts available worldwide.  That will be some form of Japanese dual sport machine.

If his statement was hyperbole, and he really meant "remote corners of the lower 48", then any motorcycle will do.  And, the V7 would be perfectly adequate.

[rocker59]

I choose to ignore that advice...

thanks, but advice ignored. 

Then why ask for it?

If you have the answers you think you're seeking, then why ask them in the first place?

Just buy a bike, ride the world, and post pix.

I don't get it?

[Kev m]

Then why ask for it?

If you have the answers you think you're seeking, then why ask them in the first place?

Just buy a bike, ride the world, and post pix.

I don't get it?

He didn't actually ask for alternative bikes.

He asked what we think of the V7 (with very specific questions).

If we want to say why we think the V7 is inappropriate, go ahead.

[blackcat]

Read the original post: "future plans are to spend my vacations touring the remote corners of the earth."

I knew a couple of guys who purchased some Honda XR650's and made it across Europe to as far as (before the wars) Afghanistan without a hitch. Because they purchased them used, they abandoned the bikes and flew back home. This was about 1999?



Edit: Too tall. True, but its a bike you can dump and keep on riding plus who cares what it looks like in a long adventure.

[rocker59]

He didn't actually ask for alternative bikes.

He asked what we think of the V7 (with very specific questions).

If we want to say why we think the V7 is inappropriate, go ahead.

Any bike can be taken anywhere.  The Viking rode an R1 around the world.  That was epic.

All it takes it time and money, and anything is possible.

Would I pick a V7 for an around the world, "remote corners" ride?  No.  

More power to lonerockz, if he is for real.

I guess we'll see...

[Kev m]

Any bike can be taken anywhere.  The Viking rode an R1 around the world.  That was epic.

All it takes it time and money, and anything is possible.

Would I pick a V7 for an around the world, "remote corners" ride?  No.  

More power to lonerockz, if he is for real.

I guess we'll see...

My point was rather than just jumping to another bike recommendation, TELL HIM WHAT ABOUT THE V7 makes you reluctant, that's all.

[blackcat]

My point was rather than just jumping to another bike recommendation, TELL HIM WHAT ABOUT THE V7 makes you reluctant, that's all.

Wouldn't we need a point on the world map for where he is going to give him an accurate opinion?

[huub]

Doing serious travels shouldnt be a problem on any guzzi , of the current guzzi range , the V7 is the only one i would consider , the rest is just too heavy.
 i toured morocco, algeria turkey and most of the middle east on a 1972 V7sport.
if you have enough time to wait for spares , it isnt even a problem if you break down in the middle of nowhere.
a bit of spannering makes for a welcome change from the daily riding routine.
just enjoy the stay.

( and with a fuel injected bike, bring a spare fuelpump and -filter)

After using the V7sport for years i decided to upgrade and bought a modern KTM for a trip to egypt
despite being new, it broke down anyway ;D
I had fun explaining to my dealer i broke down 4000 miles from home, just a couple of months after buying the bike.

[Cam3512]

You know, you can spend the rest of your days exploring the USA, and still not see everything.  

I don't see the attraction of touring uncivilized third-world toilets and everything bad that goes along with that.

Now back to talking him out of a Guzzi on a Guzzi forum...

[Kev m]

Wouldn't we need a point on the world map for where he is going to give him an accurate opinion?

Depends on what opinion we were trying to give.

Again, I thought he asked some specific questions about the reliability and maintenance of the modern V7.

Not the suitability of the bike to road conditions.

[rocker59]

You know, you can spend the rest of your days exploring the USA, and still not see everything.  

I don't see the attraction of touring uncivilazed third-workd toilets and everything bad that goes along with that.

I agree.  I have one out of country trip on the bucket list, and that's Mandello del Lario for the 100th.

Other than that, I don't have enough time and money to see what can bee seen at home in The USA, but I'm working on seeing everything I can.