My New V7 Stone - Favorite Bike Ever

[bpreynolds]

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.

I've had a couple Ned's rebuilds to mixed results, one fantastic Russell (but looked hideous), and I would say he did quite well with this seat and the build quality is on a professional level for sure.  I'll report back more after I get some risers on the bars and get more miles on the seat.

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.

I think it's fantastic and rare when a bike can elicit these kinds of emotions from both a new member like yourself and an older member and rider like me.   

[Kev m]

I think it's fantastic and rare when a bike can elicit these kinds of emotions from both a new member like yourself and an older member and rider like me.   

I keep saying this on the subject (have I already said it in this thread, if so mea-culpa), but I REALLY think they've tapped into something here.

Modern bikes have gotten so powerful and disconnected from the experience of riding (fooling you into thinking your not actually going fast when you are, making corners and stops so effortless) that when you come across a bike that RECONNECTS THE RIDER TO THE EXPERIENCE it catches on.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of Harley in general, the Sportster specifically.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of the Bonnies.

I THINK that's why even Royal Enfield has been selling.

There's are nuances too it too - like approachability which includes pricepoint, size, performance. Not all will be success to the same level, but they all have a piece of that formula. They allow newbies to enter the motorcycling world, they engage old timers and remind them of what they loved about it in the first place.

I'm NOT taking anything away from the performance of the top dogs or the people who still crave that. If that's your thing, good on ya, have at it, etc.

But the ability to have just a much fun at a slower (arguable safer) pace and concentrate on the whole experience, not just HOW FAST can I get from point A to point B or how much faster and lower can I take this corner is a big part of the fun for me. That's not to say I don't sometimes also care about the former points, but even then the bikes are somewhat self-limiting in a good way.

In the brief only little more than 2 decades I've been riding, I don't think I've ever been more satisfied with the fleet in my garage right now.

I should admit though that my riding is very different from 20 years ago when I was single or newly married with no kids and could literally disappear for 500 miles a day every weekend day that I wanted (and usually did). So this attitude might change again, but I hope not. I hope that in the future I continue to find joy from slowing down a little, taking the backroads, enjoying the bike for the beautiful and more basic machine that it is (lack of creature comforts and all).

[GuzziKevin]

...and concentrate on the whole experience, not just HOW FAST can I get from point A to point B or how much faster and lower can I take this corner is a big part of the fun for me.

 

[wahoo650]

Agree with Kev and BP.  I've never owned a "modern" bike.  I'm a life long rider, and the newest bike I've ever owned was also the only other new motorcycle I ever purchased, a 1982 Suzuki 550 Katana.  Since then it's been vintage Yamaha's.  I sold my '76 XS650 cafe last year to help fund the Stone this year (get good $$ for cafe's!).  I had that bike for 15+ years.  I still have my '80 XS850 Special.  Been riding it for 9-10 years now.  I just wanted something "new" that was still just a plain do it all bike. My buddy traded his Thruxton in last month for a new left over CB1100.  We swapped bikes last week while riding and both came away thoroughly impressed.  The big Honda handled well and for two up riding as he does is an excellent choice.  After riding my stone, he was blown away.  Couldn't believe how well it got along- handled well, good power, just shear ease of riding.  His best comment was "This bike is just so elemental".  I couldn't sum it up any better.  It's as straight forward a bike as there is.  You feel everything (in a good way) and it does what's asked of it.  There is a definite movement back to these types of bikes - V7, Bonneville, SR400, TU250, Royal Enfield, FZ07 and others.  It's just nice to have a new, fuel injected bike that makes me smile even more than my old Cafe' did!

[bpreynolds]

I keep saying this on the subject (have I already said it in this thread, if so mea-culpa), but I REALLY think they've tapped into something here.

Modern bikes have gotten so powerful and disconnected from the experience of riding (fooling you into thinking your not actually going fast when you are, making corners and stops so effortless) that when you come across a bike that RECONNECTS THE RIDER TO THE EXPERIENCE it catches on.

 :1: It has often been said the Californias saved the company by selling in some number.  I believe there is good proof now the same may one day be said of the V7. 

I'm not saying it's easy for a manufacturer to create a fast bike, or maybe it is, I dunno, but there are a zillion of them out there.  What seems more difficult is to create a bike that touches on so many different things and is still not just a show pony.  I just arrived back in the hills to be with my mom on 77th birthday today.  Might do a ride report thread but I drove the bike probably 350 miles yesterday through rural KY and the Daniel Boone National Forest.  The bike was flawless and even fine for the highway stints I had to do at the end.  What else can I say, the bike is fantastic.

[Zoom Zoom]

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.

***Thread drift alert***

Noticed this post. Glad to hear both you and Brian are liking the bikes! Perhaps I'll run into you one of these times up at Cleveland Moto. Perhaps I already have.......

John Henry

[wahoo650]

Not to stay off track...
ZZ, Probably have- what do you ride?  Been to any of the Mods vs Rockers or DGR?

[rbond]

I have a 2012 V7C, do you have contact info for Baldwin. I would like to get my seat done like that too. Can you tell us how much that was? Thanks, Robert

[Zoom Zoom]

I have an'09 Stelvio, an'01 EV, and a '16 Eldorado.

ZZ

[Mgv7rider]

Awesome! Enjoy the bike! I have a 2013 stone and love it! Runs great and super fun! I really leaned towards the stone as it led me tons of options to customize.

Cheers and happy/safe riding!

Chris

[Mgv7rider]

I keep saying this on the subject (have I already said it in this thread, if so mea-culpa), but I REALLY think they've tapped into something here.

Modern bikes have gotten so powerful and disconnected from the experience of riding (fooling you into thinking your not actually going fast when you are, making corners and stops so effortless) that when you come across a bike that RECONNECTS THE RIDER TO THE EXPERIENCE it catches on.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of Harley in general, the Sportster specifically.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of the Bonnies.

I THINK that's why even Royal Enfield has been selling.

There's are nuances too it too - like approachability which includes pricepoint, size, performance. Not all will be success to the same level, but they all have a piece of that formula. They allow newbies to enter the motorcycling world, they engage old timers and remind them of what they loved about it in the first place.

I'm NOT taking anything away from the performance of the top dogs or the people who still crave that. If that's your thing, good on ya, have at it, etc.

But the ability to have just a much fun at a slower (arguable safer) pace and concentrate on the whole experience, not just HOW FAST can I get from point A to point B or how much faster and lower can I take this corner is a big part of the fun for me. That's not to say I don't sometimes also care about the former points, but even then the bikes are somewhat self-limiting in a good way.

In the brief only little more than 2 decades I've been riding, I don't think I've ever been more satisfied with the fleet in my garage right now.

I should admit though that my riding is very different from 20 years ago when I was single or newly married with no kids and could literally disappear for 500 miles a day every weekend day that I wanted (and usually did). So this attitude might change again, but I hope not. I hope that in the future I continue to find joy from slowing down a little, taking the backroads, enjoying the bike for the beautiful and more basic machine that it is (lack of creature comforts and all).

Kev,
You couldn't have said it any better!

Cheers,

Chris

[ajwood]

I snapped this picture before I took off to Pittsburgh PA from Tucson AZ last month with 1300 miles on the odometer. It returned with 6,000 on it.
It's got a Guzzi windshield that Laminar Lip says that they'll make an extension for but it was okay for taking off the pressure. The Rizoma mirrors were low to the wind with anti-glare.
After about 4,500 miles, the suspension softened just a little.

[bpreynolds]

I have a 2012 V7C, do you have contact info for Baldwin. I would like to get my seat done like that too. Can you tell us how much that was? Thanks, Robert

Website is motorbikesaddles.co m.  Owner's name is Loren.  His (and the business email) is loren@motorbikesaddles.com.  I sent him a cheapy spare I got off ebay; he redid the saddle for I believe $420 plus shipping.  I'm quite satisfied with it - very well built and very nice though it did lift me up so much AS PER MY OWN DIRECTION for the build, that I may now need risers 

[vstevens]

I keep saying this on the subject (have I already said it in this thread, if so mea-culpa), but I REALLY think they've tapped into something here.

Modern bikes have gotten so powerful and disconnected from the experience of riding (fooling you into thinking your not actually going fast when you are, making corners and stops so effortless) that when you come across a bike that RECONNECTS THE RIDER TO THE EXPERIENCE it catches on.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of Harley in general, the Sportster specifically.

I THINK that's a large part of the success of the Bonnies.

I THINK that's why even Royal Enfield has been selling.

There's are nuances too it too - like approachability which includes pricepoint, size, performance. Not all will be success to the same level, but they all have a piece of that formula. They allow newbies to enter the motorcycling world, they engage old timers and remind them of what they loved about it in the first place.

I'm NOT taking anything away from the performance of the top dogs or the people who still crave that. If that's your thing, good on ya, have at it, etc.

But the ability to have just a much fun at a slower (arguable safer) pace and concentrate on the whole experience, not just HOW FAST can I get from point A to point B or how much faster and lower can I take this corner is a big part of the fun for me. That's not to say I don't sometimes also care about the former points, but even then the bikes are somewhat self-limiting in a good way.

In the brief only little more than 2 decades I've been riding, I don't think I've ever been more satisfied with the fleet in my garage right now.

I should admit though that my riding is very different from 20 years ago when I was single or newly married with no kids and could literally disappear for 500 miles a day every weekend day that I wanted (and usually did). So this attitude might change again, but I hope not. I hope that in the future I continue to find joy from slowing down a little, taking the backroads, enjoying the bike for the beautiful and more basic machine that it is (lack of creature comforts and all).

thats where i'm at as a motorcyclist.  There is great moto blog called "scooter in the sticks" that has been around for many years.  The fellow is a photographer and a rider of a Vespa 250/300.  He likes to take it a bit slower, enjoy the experience, take some great photos, and reflect on life.  Check it out.