V7 world beater?

[Kev m]

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.

That reminds me of a guy who used to train at our Dojo, rode a clapped out K-bike on multiple continents, was a bike courier in London at one point, and who told me of crossing Canada in the 70s on a Moto-Guzzi. When it holed a piston in the middle of farm country he pushed it to the nearest one, got a job working there for a month or two, and rebuilt it with parts sent in the mail.

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.

I must admit I was thinking that as well. Especially with some of the violent anti-American shyte that is going on south of our border (on two continents) and in the middle east... no thanks for a lot of those destinations. But, I wasn't going to comment.

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

THAT is what I was commenting on. I mean, let's give him the honest picture and let him make up his own mind.

Not just ignore his question and start talking about all the other bikes we might do it on.

[rocker59]

The V7 is a solid, reliable bike.  We all know that.  There are scores of threads on the V7 Classics over the past six years that can be searched up with our Search Feature.  And you have the 750 Brevas and Nevadas before that.  They're nicely sorted bikes.  Good all-rounders.

The down side to globe trotting on any newish bike with lots of electronic gizmos would be getting replacements for parts that get broken and cannot be fixed with bailing wire, duct tape, and a rock.

If the OP is really only planning North American or European 98% paved riding, then the point about downsides is moot.

[blackcat]

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.

"Anyone using a V7 for some real adventures?"

There are the adventures of the South Bronx in July with a flat tire and no gas and there is South America,etc.  Just a little bit of what he has in mind might help the answer though I'm positive the V7 will answer most scenario's but is it the tool for all situations across the world?

[Kev m]

"Anyone using a V7 for some real adventures?"

There are the adventures of the South Bronx in July with a flat tire and no gas and there is South America,etc.  Just a little bit of what he has in mind might help the answer though I'm positive the V7 will answer most scenario's but is it the tool for all situations across the world?

Ha ha, I hear ya, though the Bronx sometimes feels like South America... with better mail/WIFI and more pavement...  ;)

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

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.

And here I thought I was the only one that feels that way.  ;-T

[rocker59]

OK , would you buy a Toyota Corolla to haul 2 x 4s in , or a PU truck ? Nothing wrong with the Corolla , just the wrong tool for the job . Yeah , maybe one can find a route around the globe that is all paved with modern gas stations and internet access , but what would be the point , heck , like a couple have said , just tour the states and Canada , just stay out of some of the more remote places in the Western states where often times a state highway turns into a muddy pig trail  :D

  Dusty

And we both know that happens!

[huub]

OK , would you buy a Toyota Corolla to haul 2 x 4s in , or a PU truck ? Nothing wrong with the Corolla , just the wrong tool for the job .

only if you expect to spend the rest of your life with a couple of 2x4s in the back of the car.
i usually try to explain people you can actually tour without a BMW R1200 GS.
over here everybody buys a R1200 gs ?
i can't see why, On long travels heavy bikes are a pain.

As long as you enjoy your bike, never mind if it is the perfect bike for the job.
anything can be taken off road, i did 3000 km off road with a V7sport. that was a bit challenging.
but doing 2000 km of highway on a KTM was just as bad.
In the end, just pick a bike you enjoy most of the time, and live with your choice
in the early days of the paris dakar rally piaggio entered a team of vespa scooters, they actually finished.
i don't think there is something as a perfect tool.

who needs the perfect tool?
if i wanted a perfect bike i wouldn't be messing around with 30 year old guzzi's

[Matteo]

The one I want

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcd/4994706951.html

[rocker59]

That was exactly the road that I was picturing  :D Lemme tell ya , not fun when it has been raining for 3 days .

  Dusty

Yeah.  You see those signs in New Mexico and it's been raining, the sign ain't lying.

In fact, the signs should read, "road ahead WILL NOT be passable during inclement weather" !!!

The pic above is from NM-456 that we've both been on.  I don't know if I told you about last July, coming out of Valle Vidal (near Cimarron) with the horse trailer after a couple days of rain.  I'm still finding mud from that day...

[lonerockz]

Wow, did not expect this thread to stir so many folks in different ways. So a few replies...

1. Yes I'm ignoring advice on other bikes as this is a Guzzi forum and I want to know what people think about the V7. BTW the V7 has very little "romance" for me. While I've always wanted a Guzzi my lust would be for a Griso or the like. I find retro bikes rather fake looking. Just that the V7 ticks the all the boxes. Moderate HP, 400lbs, lower seat, shaft drive, easy maintenance, very common tire sizes (not necessarily in the USA, but its a common size out side of the USA), with dirt worthy tires available. Box it misses is "parts within easy reach", and the unknown is quality. Seems like Guzzi still makes some "Hangover Monday" and "Gotta make quota Friday" bikes. Which is fine as I'm not going to ride out of the dealer and off into the sunset. I'm a planner. My first 100% adventure ride (Argentina back to the USA) is scheduled to start in December 2020. I'll have 5 years to make sure I know how to fix it and to have ironed out all the kinks.

2. Versys for touring and not the K1200R? LOL... well the Versys (650 btw) was my first bike after a riding hiatus. I knew I would probably do some touring and LD rides, but it was a good all around bike I could do anything with. It was great to learn on, not just how to ride, but what I could stand and what I cant. It has a 33.5" seat height. I've dropped it in parking lots... a lot. But its ergos are perfect at speed. I've ridden it from Pacifica, CA to Atlantic City, NJ (3030 miles) in 47 hours... and then spent the night partying in AC. I can tick off 1000 mile days on that bike like nothing.

K1200R was bought with the left over insurance money after I hit a deer on the Triumph (During the 2013 Iron Butt Rally... ugh). Triumph was "totaled" but only needed $4000 in parts to put back together. I used the left overs to buy the BMW. All my LD BMW buddies would give me shit about my bike choices. So I piked the least suitable LD BMW to buy (have you seen its wind screen? Ergos are terrible); and I ride it around the city. Although I have done a few 1000 mile days just to say I did. Turns out I really do like BMWs. Its a fantastic bike. But more a 170hp wheelie machine than a world beater ;-)

3. Why not tour the USA? I have. Much of it LD style to be fair (Wow that's fantastic! Ok 2 minutes are up, back on the bike); but still I've been to much of the USA. And someone made the statement that people south of the USA don't like us. That is not true at all. Mexicans and most Latinos love Americans; We seem to have a lot more animosity towards them. Now to be sure the security situation in parts of Mexico and a few other places make some of it unsafe, but that's a small criminal element not the general populace. I'll do Asia, India, Australia, Europe (again), only North Africa gives me pause. Maybe in 15 years some of the BS in Africa will die down. Plan is to work 2-3 years take 6 months off and repeat.

While touring the developing world may not be for many folks, I love it. Also budget wise... spending 90-180 days on the road in south america is a hell of a lot cheaper than in the USA.

I will heed the advice of stocking parts. Even my Triumph has horrible parts availability. I'm 90% sold on the V7. I've got time to buy the wrong bike and correct my mistake. But I don't see a better bike out there today.

[Kev m]

And someone made the statement that people south of the USA don't like us. That is not true at all. Mexicans and most Latinos love Americans; We seem to have a lot more animosity towards them. Now to be sure the security situation in parts of Mexico and a few other places make some of it unsafe, but that's a small criminal element not the general populace.

For the record, I wasn't talking about the general populace.

But, like some friends of ours who ran into a medical emergency in a tourist area, they also ran into the need to grease palms to get out to care safely (to the tune of something like $40k).

How about those missing Mexican students?

Hey, I'm not trying to dissuade you, just pointing out why I'm pointing my front wheel other directions for now.

[rocker59]

Wow, did not expect this thread to stir so many folks in different ways. So a few replies...

This is a pretty active forum, full of dyed in the wool Guzzi enthusiasts.

Box it misses is "parts within easy reach", and the unknown is quality. 

Quality is known.  The platform is 35 years old.  The V7 Classics are now seven model years old.  The bikes are solid and reliable, and getting better each year.

The addition of metal fuel tanks in 2012, and single throttle body with updated heads in 2013 were welcomed upgrades.  The V7-II variant with revised lower frame rails & engine mounting, new 6-speed transmission, and ABS/TC will be even better.

You're planning for a ride you'll take in 2020.  I'm sure you'll have any bugs you happen to find worked out by then.  If not, you'll have plenty of warning to get something else for your trip...

[Aaron D.]

I imagine parts won't be so bad over in Europe or Africa, compared to a lot of bikes.

Yeah, I read the original post. I still feel the same way. V7 should handle it well enough that it doesn't become a chapter in a survival story.

[huub]

wow , you sound as if you have given it some serious thought.
if you can make it happen , go for it!
usually my travels start as a wild idea when i need some time off, and i leave wo weeks after with whatever bike i have and a general plan in mind.
travelling in developing countries is fun, it takes some time to develop the right state of mind but once you are as laid back as the locals you can actually enjoy the chaos.
In the middle east you spend up to 12 hours on a border crossing , i hated the first one( crossing into syria a couple of years ago before everything exploded), but after a few borders you just relax and enjoy...

not sure if you ever rode a guzzi? you might first try a test ride on a guzzi , they are a acquired taste...
most of my japanese riding friends wouldnt last a week on a guzzi

[Zinfan]

My thinking aligns with yours.  I've decided to travel south into South America all the way to the tip and I plan on using my V7 Stone.  Same line of thinking in that it is relatively light weight, shaft drive, large enough range with 5 gal tank, air cooled, modest but sufficient power for the expected roads and a proven simple engine design.  Downsides are of course parts availability (but hey I don't think there are that many Triumph dealers in SA either) and suspension but I've replaced the shocks with some Gazi's that I hope will be better for the trip.  Now my plans don't include around the world stuff and there will be some dirt roads along the way (not planning to run the PanAm highway at all if possible) so who knows how a V7 would do vs other bikes but it is better to try it out rather than worry about what might go wrong.  Since I plan on leaving later this year I should be able to give a report back on how the bike did.


My V7 in Baja on Mex5 heading to Coco's corner, 30 miles or so of dirt/sand no issues.


Bike ran well enough off of barrel gas albeit only a gallon was needed, I know I said the tank gave good enough range but there was a section of Mex 1 between Bahia de Los Angles and El Rosio that was 187 miles with no gas stations other than this place and I didn't want to push the range that far as I was fighting a head wind.

[fotoguzzi]

  but most experienced around the world types prefer bikes that were made by the boatloads for a reason . Sure , there are tales of   4 cylinder Nimbus MCx circling the globe , 

and here they are,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDChHCMQxEQ

stopped at my house.. their story is incredible! they passed thru Egypt at the hieght of the Arab Spring..

[Cam3512]

And here I thought I was the only one that feels that way.  ;-T

You know me. I tend to say what other people are thinking.  Gets me in trouble sometimes.  I've been in MANY of those third world places, albiet not on a bike.  Between the cartels in Mexico, and the other American haters in the mid east, you can keep it.  Now Europe, I'd do that in a heartbeat.

Just my opinion.  Have at it!

[Penderic]

Whats the theme - purpose - goal of the journey?

Day by Day? Follow in the footsteps of a traveler, poet, artist, historic person or event?

Record the good bits for a latter video story to tell?

I like traveling to remote but civilized safe places, with friendly natives, good food and good rest stops!

Chill out time bro.

[rboe]

A young couple from Belgium Started their tour of the Americas on CB1100 (cut short due to her back problems). Five young gals from Paris are on a tour now - somewhere - but last year took five Royal Enfields through god awful country and roads in India. THAT would be my bike of choice! But the V7 has a few nigles, like a clutch cable that if not tied up will have it's engine end melt to the cases. Sort those niggles and you'll be golden. They don't have much oil capacity, must be watched like a hawk (I need to tell myself the same thing, ran very low on oil on my Griso  :P ).

For what you are doing, meh, just go for it. You already have more experience than us. I just ask that you post pictures of your ride! While it happens if possible!


Good Luck!

[pyoungbl]

I think OP knows more about LD riding and what he expects from a bike than the rest of us.  Seriously, he has some serious creds for long distance travel.  Is the V7 the best bike for the job...I'm not sure.  Once you get the suspension sorted out and put a decent seat on the bike it's a really nice bike and maybe a world beater.  As I think about the things that I have read about on other epic trips it seems that the V7 avoids many of them.  No water pump to fail, or radiator to prang up.  No chain or sprockets to wear out.  Light enough to actually get out of a ditch.  Decent fuel capacity and good mileage.  Very simple basic maintenance (particularly the single throttle body models).  Tubeless tires in a common size.  Normal maintenance is so damn easy.

On the other hand, parts will have to come from outside sources.  There is almost no storage for tools.  Electrical output is not great.  Lighting needs to be augmented.  Clearance for the rear tire might limit the range of serious off road tires.  Changing the rear tire is a PITA due to the conventional swingarm (single side swingarm would be so very nice).  The seat to pegs is a bit tight, maybe corrected with the V7 II.

Perfect bike?  No.  Pretty damn good, you betcha!

Peter Y.

[lonerockz]

huub, ah... the zen of border crossings. I will be a better man than I am now after a few of these I'm sure. Patience is not a virtue of mine ;-)

Zinfan, your living the life already. That kind of dirt road is exactly the kind of light duty off pavement that I can handle. Maybe a river crossing or 2... but nothing more. Nice to see your doing it.

Penderic, Purpose?!? Um... because its there! Seriously no real purpose. Just figure that we all die and I'd like to die knowing that I did somethings that made me happy. Only real driver is that my father has visited well over 100 countries, and it seems like a waste if I can't at least beat that!

rboe, With the LD riding my pictures always suck. Hoping that I can take some that make people say.. "yeah that looks like someplace worth going to!"

pyoungbl, My answer for electrical not being great is to ride in the day ;D Seriously that is the big adjustment from LD riding to touring. With LD its all about the miles. I've crossed some really pretty country... at night and not seen it (First time I did the Tail o' the Dragon was at 2am). Going to give that up. Sure sometimes things will require night riding, but hoping to minimize that.

Ok, one other question... Stone or Classic? I think the tube tires is the way to go. Do I get the classic (with all the chrome), or just go for the stone and replace the wheels? Thoughts? Sounds like suspension work is usually recommended.

Will for sure be a V7 II as ABS is mandatory. I know some don't like it... but its proven its worth to me.

[Gino]

For the record, I wasn't talking about the general populace.

But, like some friends of ours who ran into a medical emergency in a tourist area, they also ran into the need to grease palms to get out to care safely (to the tune of something like $40k).

How about those missing Mexican students?

Hey, I'm not trying to dissuade you, just pointing out why I'm pointing my front wheel other directions for now.

My wife and I rode Argentina to Alaska then to Boston & Miami in 2012/13 both on g650gs's 30,000 miles of which 4000 was off road. I'd love to do it on a Guzzi, it's do able but take spares, don't worry about the "bad" stuff, just listen to the locals, take advice and enjoy!

[Zinfan]

Ok, one other question... Stone or Classic? I think the tube tires is the way to go. Do I get the classic (with all the chrome), or just go for the stone and replace the wheels? Thoughts? Sounds like suspension work is usually recommended.

While I have the Stone the wheels are one area I still question my choice about, I like tubeless tires for ease of repair but having a spoked wheel with tubes might make for better combination over the rough roads.  I'm going to run with the cast wheels and see what happens.  I'm fortunate that I can wait out any needed parts on this trip but there have been plenty of people who have done this type of trip with cast wheels.  Good or Bad?  I'll find out.

[Kev m]

But the V7 has a few nigles, like a clutch cable that if not tied up will have it's engine end melt to the cases. Sort those niggles and you'll be golden. They don't have much oil capacity, must be watched like a hawk

Both are non issues.

1. The clutch cable thing can be solved with a single wire tie.

2. The 1TB motors seem to not use any oil (mine included). That said, a GuzziPower sump spacer is cheap and easy insurance.

[Kev m]

My wife and I rode Argentina to Alaska then to Boston & Miami in 2012/13 both on g650gs's 30,000 miles of which 4000 was off road. I'd love to do it on a Guzzi, it's do able but take spares, don't worry about the "bad" stuff, just listen to the locals, take advice and enjoy!

Not for nothing, but one stranger telling me they were fine doesn't disprove the possibility of distortion or worse, especially when I know someone to which it happened.

I'm staying north of the border thanks... Or flying east or west over an ocean.

[Zinfan]

Both are non issues.

1. The clutch cable thing can be solved with a single wire tie.

2. The 1TB motors seem to not use any oil (mine included). That said, a GuzziPower sump spacer is cheap and easy insurance.

I have the GuzziTech sump space on my bike but I feel it would be best to remove it and place some sort of sump guard on the bike.  This would give me a bit more tope clearance (although I had no issues with them in my time in Baja) and some rock damage prevention.  If I was only in the US/Canada/Europe I'd keep the spacer for sure.  And I did use the wire tie clutch cable fix thanks to this board and the info that gets out there.

[oldbike54]

Not for nothing, but one stranger telling me they were fine doesn't disprove the possibility of distortion or worse, especially when I know someone to which it happened.

I'm staying north of the border thanks... Or flying east or west over an oven m ocean.

  ??? :D ??? :D ??? :D

 Seamus , you are gonna have to start proofreading the old man's posts  ;D

  Dusty

[tiger_one]

I made a trip to Alaska in 2012 on my 2012 Super Tenere, I met and talked to lots of bikers on various bikes from KLRs, to your GSAs, even a couple of R1200Rs from Australia.  I never met anyone on a KLR that was having a good time.

One dude was sponsored by lots of companies with stickers all over his KLR.  He had replaced the engine twice and was still burning oil at a rapid rate.  He was pissed but determined to finish.

I had a great time, but I was jumping stuff at speed that others were crawling over, my bike was loaded, probably 750 lbs at least.

I would love to go back on a V7II Stone after sorting the niggles.  

Keep us posted on your progress and what you find in your prep on the V7!

[Kev m]

  ??? :D ??? :D ??? :D

 Seamus , you are gonna have to start proofreading the old man's posts  ;D

  Dusty

He says "DA DA DA DA DA".

[JeffOlson]

The one I want

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcd/4994706951.html

That should work!