My New V7 Stone - Favorite Bike Ever

[jas67]

For me, it tends to come on with only about 3.3 gallons used give or take (meaning leaving a theoretical 2.5 gallons left, but maybe a realistic TWO full gallons usable).

The fuel light on my '13 V7R comes on about the same point (actually, 3.4 gallons used / 160 miles).
Usable fuel, at least on mine is 5.1 Gallons.    I "tested" this one time, and ran out of fuel.
5.1 gallons filled it to within a few mm of the filler collar.

So, that works out for a run-till-dry range of 240 miles.      I always make sure that I fillup before I get to 220 miles. 

..... Because even then I rode Jay's V7C back-to-back (swapping off with him that day as he rode the Stone) and even he felt differences. Like the V7C was just a little "looser" and more willing to rev.

My V7R had some of that feeling when I got it at 4k miles.    Now it is at 8k, and that feeling is gone.    It is just as willing to rev (and do so smoothly) as my V7C was.

[bpreynolds]

My light came on yesterday at 169 and bike took 3.8 at the pump but I slightly overfiilled due to small hole for nozzle in tank - can barely see around it down into tank to know where gas is coming up.  No biggie, just have to remind myself to pull the nozzle and check level as it gets towards top.  But wowee zowee, 169 and 45mpg with another what, 1.3ish left in the tank?  Are you kidding me?   

Hey I might do a seperate post on this but I called Corbin this morning.  Their RD department in Cali is seeking a V7 from which to build a Corbin model - they don't base these off stock pans; rather, they build their own off the stock bike per se.  Dunno if anyone lives near them but they might offer a nice little discount to someone who would be willing to let them keep your V7 for maybe a week or so while they develop on it.  And the benefits would be for us all!

[rboe]

George, Griso owner from the Seattle area, has ridden, stock seat, no windscreen and a very small dry bag for luggage, his Griso to Datil New Mexico last year and to our Not a Rally in Cottonwood Arizona this year.

He showed up in Datil this summer on a V7-II! He installed after market rear shocks and some rear sets but still uses the stock seat, no windscreen and small dry bag for luggage. Over 2300 miles ONE WAY!

He won the longest solo trip to the rally, and the Oldest Rider award - 80 years old (we actually thought he was 85, bad on us). His last seven bikes have been either Griso's or V7's.

[Jim C]

Travman,

I heard from an anonymous source that the green
is available for the V7 II Stone. FYI—

Jim

[Travman]

Travman,

I heard from an anonymous source that the green
is available for the V7 II Stone. FYI�

Jim

  We shall see. That is certainly what I would choose.

[ruote]

The fuel filler restrictor sits loose under the fuel cap locking ring.  You can just remove the fuel cap and locking ring, lift out the restrictor and replace the locking ring and fuel cap. 

[dl.allen]

love your bike congrats!
Is it 6 speed?

[bpreynolds]

love your bike congrats!
Is it 6 speed?

Much thanks.  I'm loving it too.  It's a 2015 so no abs or 6th gear, but I dunno if a sixth gear would make that much of a difference for me personally - bike is not remotely buzzy or bothersome at 80, a very smooth 5 grand on the tach at that speed.  I don't guess a sixth gear could hurt but much to my surprise, as stated, haven't felt like I needed one so far. 

[Zoom Zoom]

Congratulations on the new bike! 

Guzzi has come a long way with the fueling on the new bikes for sure. All the new single TB models are astounding in how well they run.

John Henry

[bpreynolds]

Congratulations on the new bike! 

Guzzi has come a long way with the fueling on the new bikes for sure. All the new single TB models are astounding in how well they run.

John Henry

 

Hoping someone will sell me an OEM touring screen but the headlight and dash take off a good bit of blast - much moreso than my previous Street Triple which made me a total parasail on the highway without a screen.  If I don't get any response on WTB thread in Swap Meet by the end of the day today, I'll probably order the Dart Marlin screen. 

[malik]

I removed the OEM screen from the Classic as it deflected the wind  exactly onto my visor. The rear sets provided that little bit of forward lean to combat the wind to the body. A chap who has an '09 trimmed his OEM screen closer to the instruments, which  moved the point of impact down from his visor, solving the problem for him.

Mal

[gerryp]

Hoping someone will sell me an OEM touring screen but the headlight and dash take off a good bit of blast - much moreso than my previous Street Triple which made me a total parasail on the highway without a screen.  If I don't get any response on WTB thread in Swap Meet by the end of the day today, I'll probably order the Dart Marlin screen.

Congratulations on your new ride.

I tried to get the OEM screen for my bike but now were available so instead I went with an MRA screen from Twisted Throttle.  For some reason I can't seem to insert a picture of the MRA screen.

If the Marlin had been available back in March I probably would have gone with that one.

Regards,

Gerry

[bpreynolds]

Warning.  Long and hyperbolic post.

Just got bike home from first service by Craig and the fantastic fellas at C and D in Robinson IL.  Great guys.  Bike now a bit over 1100 miles.  Trip to Robinson and back was slightly over 300 miles total through wonderful Indiana countryside - pictures below.  At the close of my trip I decided to modify the title of my thread.

That's it.  Favorite bike ever.   

Though they all elicited some smiles and admiration and many others bordered on it, or they were "best this" or "favorite that" I don't think I've ever really out and out said that about any motorcycle, mainly because I know how ridiculous, personal, and biased it sounds - and too how influenced by the moment it can be.  My former GT1000 was a favorite all around bike, my Stelvio had a fabulous engine, my Calis were the most dependable and 2-up rides, Vespa best urban bike, etc.  Your greatest bike is the one you're gonzo about that week.  But I'm not kidding nor too influenced by blind love here.  This one's it.  Favorite bike ever.  No qualifications.  In the last 11 years or so since returning to motorcycling, I've managed to cover a bit over 100k miles, have owned probably a total of 11 bikes or more, and have test driven probably 20 or more at least.  I've gone 139mph on a motorcycle (didn't enjoy it).  I've had bikes that barely weighed over 400lbs but with 106 horsepower (Street Triple); I've driven bikes that were heavier and had over 150 ponies.  I've owned Vespas, vintage bikes, and a 250 I started upon.  But this Stone has managed to steal me heart among them all.  Don't get me wrong, there are nits to be picked, but there are nits to pick with any bike.  It's just that with this one, I mainly don't care.  It makes me forget them. 

As stated before, my fondness for it certainly didn't start off that way.  I test drove some Specials and even one Stone.  Whatever.  Cool bikes.  Cute, I thought.  Baby bikes.  They didn't make me want to run out and buy one though I certainly thought the new engine felt considerably more modern than the old unit.  When I traded in the 1100 Stone for this one I thought the V7 would be only a 2-up bike for city driving, maybe a leisurely country road or two.  Not much else.  I was wrong.  I used to think my former and fantastic Street Triple was maybe the most flexible engine I'd ever had in a motorcycle but after spending 400 miles on the Stone, I jumped on the Street and promptly green horned the clutch and stalled the engine pulling out of my driveway forgetting that it doesn't have that same kind of torque right off idle. 

Since purchase and spending time in the admittedly hard saddle it has become the bike for which I didn't even know I was looking.  It does everything altogether better than any one thing any of those bikes before it could do. 

On the 1st 150 miles to C and D I went through paved woods, highway, twisties, long straights, you name it.  I battered the throttle up and down.  Through some stretches of Jefferson National Forest, I drove the bike as fast I have any motorcycle through twisted pavement.  On the highway I stayed mostly in the 80-90mph range.  On previous bikes on this same highway, I would have to pull out the Cramp Buster or the Go Cruise after about 60 miles or so, but the bike is so calm and not buzzy/busy even at those speeds, it seemed pointless as my wrist didn't need it nor even ask for it.  Seems ridiculous.  Top speed is what, maybe 105 and a change?  You'd think at 85 even it would be begging me to slow down just a few or back off.  It doesn't remotely.  Smooth as silk. 

Pulling into Robinson just for kicks I thought I'd put some gas in it, thinking that my hard riding on the way there would have greatly diminished its efficiency like it has with every other motorcycle and/or 2 wheeled vehicle I've owned - I used to regularly get 55mpg out of a 150 Vespa if that's any measure of what my right wrist can do to economy.  At the pump in Robinson with 151 on the trip meter I was daydreaming and splattered gas on the tank as it unexpectedly overfilled at 3 gallons even, meaning around 50mpg and I still had another 2.3 or so gallons left in the tank if I'd wanted it.  Likely due to the highway work and some constant speeds here and there, it had actually averaged BETTER economy even than around town, even in the face of my aggressive riding in the twisties.   

The Dart Marlin was mostly a perfect companion as temps that day were 95 plus and it flows mostly non-buffeting good air.  Worth mentioning that even in these kinds of temps the engine heat never became an issue.  Plus, as per the Marlin, you must understand how incredibly difficult it is for a white man of my age and inclination to resist such packaging as this.    I'm used to receiving windshields in the most generic of refurbished cardboard that looks as if they were packaged under an Asian sweatshop master of the cruelest regard.  I may put this box on the wall in my garage.  Friggin' snazzy. 

[Kev m]

I was just telling another WG board member the same thing the other day, that my V7 Stone is probably my favorite bike of all time.

It's not the fastest, most comfortable, best suspension, or bar brakes, or just about any other one thing. But it's just right in so many ways.

[lucydad]

Pondering next spring trading the 2012 V7R on a new one with ABS and 6 speed.  Love the look of the new Racer.  Might consider a Stone also.
Might consider an Audace, but not sure if I can handle the weight.   

Still LOVE my STR 675! 

Great reviews and comments...

[SmithSwede]

2013 V7 Stone is my all time favorite bike as well.  And I've owned a lot of bikes!

Heck, the more I ride it, the more I like it.  Just passed 30,000 miles on my Stone.

Would take it anywhere.

[malik]

That's it.  Favorite bike ever.   

And it gets better and better with use. You'll see.

Thanks for sharing the joy.

Mal

[bad Chad]

I'm glad you punks are digging your v7s, I wish I had one!   The one thing that bugs me just a little, only because it looks wrong on this bike, is the side stand.

The forward angle from the piviot, is just weird.   I know why it where it is now, I have a v65, where they mounted the pivot to far forward for short legged punks!

Any way, I think I might be able to hold my nose about the side stand and find a way to own  one if I'm lucky.

[malik]

The sidestand is not a problem - at least until the pivot bolt wears. A vast improvement in function over that on the 1100 Sport. The V7's is easy to access AND supports the bike when loaded with luggage.

Mal

[bpreynolds]

Still LOVE my STR 675! 

By all accounts - including my own - a great bike. 

[Cam3512]

I'm glad you punks are digging your v7s, I wish I had one!   The one thing that bugs me just a little, only because it looks wrong on this bike, is the side stand.

The forward angle from the piviot, is just weird.   I know why it where it is now, I have a v65, where they mounted the pivot to far forward for short legged punks!

Any way, I think I might be able to hold my nose about the side stand and find a way to own  one if I'm lucky.

The pivot point is right behind the left rider peg!  EASILY reached by Bridget, the one (left) legged midget.

[mikecosentino]

Great write up bpreynolds. I'm picking up my V7 II Special (blue) this Saturday and I cannot wait.

[bpreynolds]

Great write up bpreynolds. I'm picking up my V7 II Special (blue) this Saturday and I cannot wait.

Congrats!  Post a thread with some pics when ya git it!

[bpreynolds]

Got my seat build back from Baldwin today.  Sent him a spare V7 seat from the 2-up Racer pillion kit.  I asked him to keep the retro look (no wide pan insert), raise me up about an inch and a half or 2 even, install really firm foam, and keep the whole seat deck level all the way back.  Guy did a fantastic job.  Gives the bike a kind of Scramblerish look.  First 30 miles or so are a good report but I had not factored in that raising me up that much would also change my reach to the bars - leaning over slightly more so I will likely get some risers maybe but gonna spend some time on the seat before I make up my mind completely.  Threw in a pic of my stock saddle together with the Baldwin just to give ya idea of build.  Garage is a total mess around the bikes.  Keep saying I'll clean it up when I finish work on T-Bird but that just seems to continue. 

[oldbike54]

 

Yup.  To heck with all the "Guns and Girls" internet photos.  We need a wives, bikes, and dogs site.    Or maybe not.   

 Oh yeah , do it Bipper 

  Dusty

[bpreynolds]

Oh yeah , do it Bipper 

  Dusty

Did I just see the word "Moderator" beside your name?  When did this happen?  Maybe it's always been this way and I was just too blind to notice?  Well you deserve it.  Good look at keeping the peace around here    You are one of the more level headed fellows in a majority of slant noggin bunch.   

Yup.  Looks just like the stock ironing board seats on Bonnevilles and Scramblers.

Thanks for the compliment in the other thread.  The guy does a ton of Triumph seats so it does make sense.

[oldbike54]

 Bipper , the mod thing is fairly new , and thanks , although some would certainly disagree with your assessment of me 
Luap made me an offer I couldn't refuse  Just trying to carry on the good work done by others .


 Dusty

[bpreynolds]

Bipper , the mod thing is fairly new , and thanks , although some would certainly disagree with your assessment of me 

Don't worry about those folks.  As you know, agreeing on everything is how we roll around here, right?     I'd say you being elected moderator is the closest thing to unilateral agreement we've seen around here since...well I don't remember that really ever happening but oh well.   

[wahoo650]

New member here.  Love this thread as I could just as well written it.  Picked up my new white '14 Stone back on Aug. 8th from Cleveland Moto.  To say I'm happy with my choice is an understatement.  Had wanted one since they first came out.  Glad I waited for the right one and the big $$$ off was the icing on the cake.  Have 1400ish miles on it now and like it more everyday.  Added HB Jr. Bags and Ago engine guard, everything in black which makes the white really pop.  Get more comments on the looks than any bike I've ever had.  Rode with some friends last week in the local twisties. My Stone, an FZ07, new CB1100 and a BMW r1150. What a blast!  This bike is a great daily commuter, fantastic weekend fun bike, and will handle road trips too.  Loves the two laners, but handles the super slab fine.  So ya, Favorite bike ever sounds about right.

[O]

Thanks for posting pics of the finished product.  That looks like just about exactly what I want.  If I can't find a local to upgrade the 1.5 seat I just bought, I may have to reach out to this guy, he does nice work.