V7 Touring

[RayB]

In a previou thread KevM and others mentioned that if running 80 mph on the slab all day, then the v7 is not the tool.
If the v7 is the closest thing to what an airhead would be today, why wouldn't it be useful to run the interstate? Now my airhead can run all day at 80mph or 4500 rpm. Would a v7 grenade if pushed that hard or would it just be buzzy?

The reason I ask is I'd like to get a v7 to replace my EV but not if it can't do interstate work.

[mwrenn]

In a previou thread KevM and others mentioned that if running 80 mph on the slab all day, then the v7 is not the tool.
If the v7 is the closest thing to what an airhead would be today, why wouldn't it be useful to run the interstate? Now my airhead can run all day at 80mph or 4500 rpm. Would a v7 grenade if pushed that hard or would it just be buzzy?

The reason I ask is I'd like to get a v7 to replace my EV but not if it can't do interstate work.

It gets along just fine at 80mph.  Settles in nice and will run all day there.  Just a little shy on horsepower.  Like if you are merging on an on ramp, with the wind blowing right in your face at 30 mph, (Oklahoma), it kind of runs out of juice.  So it wont grenade, or buzz.  But it could use a little more oomph...

[RayB]

Ok thanks. I don't own one and am just curious.

[oldbike54]

 Having owned a couple of R 100 Beemers , no , a V7 won't lope down the highway like a 1000 CC BMW . For that you are gonna need the other bike you own .


 

 

It gets along just fine at 80mph.  Settles in nice and will run all day there.  Just a little shy on horsepower.  Like if you are merging on an on ramp, with the wind blowing right in your face at 30 mph, (Oklahoma), it kind of runs out of juice.  So it wont grenade, or buzz.  But it could use a little more oomph...

 A few days this summer we would have loved to have some of that Western Oklahoma wind over here in my part of Okiehomie .



 Dusty

[MGPilot]

Still breaking in my '16 V7, but with the 6 speed, it had no problems at 75 mph going up steep climbs into the Washington Cascades. Plenty of power and a dead smooth engine. I don't see a problem. Last bike was a R1200RT. A  naked bike is certainly a different experience. But I don't feel like the V7 can't handle it. And the V7 is a lot more entertaining on slower, tighter roads.

[rocker59]

I'm on my second V7, and they're fine at interstate speeds.

Ran mine 75-80 mph on the way home from work this afternoon.  4500-5000 rpm, and the bike loves it.

No "long" trips on the new bike, but planning to run it over to Tulsa soon.  120 miles on 75 mph roads. 

I'll be sure and report back.

[Eadnams]

I did about 3 hours this weekend on my '14 V7 Racer, Not bad, hands got a little stiff, and butt was a little sore. I was with a bunch of 100hp+ sport bikes tho, so I certainly felt the lack of acceleration power when they'd take off or pass. Felt the wind too, even with a Dart Marlin Flyscreen.

Doing the Cannonball 500 (km) next weekend. Picked up a wrist rest for the throttle, see if that helps my hands/wrists. Looking for something to put on the stock racer seat to make longer rides a little more comfortable.

[Aldo]

In 2013, I rode my V7 Stone from Naples to Vicenza (~720km) and back the next day at 80+ MPH the whole way.  Ran perfect.  Wouldn't hesitate to ride that distance again, or even further, on the V7.  Excellent machine, period.

[malik]

I use a throttle lock, incidentally make by a guzzista here in Sydney in his garage & available here

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorcycle-Throttle-Lock-Cruise-Control-Wrist-Rest-V3-Factory-Second-Item-/111771469173

On my recent trip to the Flinders Ranges on the V7 Special, we had a lot of long, straight country "highways" in between places of interest. 2 days to Broken Hill (1200k/745m), a day to Adelaide (550k/340m), a day to the Flinders (580k/360m), 2 days to get to an easy ride of Sydney (1200k/640m). We went a bit faster on the way out, and day 2 was done at 5,000 - 5,500rpm, but settled into riding at 4,000 - 4,500 rpm - all day. Admittedly these are not GS distances, even in the short days of winter, but there was no buzziness, nor seat or wrist pains, and easily handled, with around 100 miles between stops - not because we had to, just rider preference; we were on a holiday. The V7 does it comfortably, but the big blocks do have more acceleration in reserve, and could sit at higher speeds more comfortably, if not as economically. I'd happily ride it around Australia (some 19,000k/12,000 miles). On the longer trips, I tend to want to take in the scenery along the way, so these speeds are fine. And as MGPilot notes, the V& is a little more flexible than the Cali Classic I was riding with. The Cali Classic has no problems riding with the V7 (that's what he says, at least). Still, I can't see him giving up his Cali. I'd say he loves the capabilty of being able to punt it along briskly when he gets the urge.

Hope this helps,

Mal

[Kev m]

Since I said it, perhaps I can better explain my own comment.

The V7 has no problem running 80 mph, it's just not where it shines.

It's light enough that it gets blown around a little on the highway compared to many other larger modern bikes.

And it feels busier to me than I enjoy. In contrast a larger bike like say a big block Guzzi or my 1200 Sporty is turning maybe 1k less rpm at speeds like that so it feels more relaxed and is less disturbed by crosswinds or turbulence.

It's a preference thing, but I'd rather take more backroads and enjoyed slightly lower speeds on my V7, but I felt that way about my R65 and my R80 too. Now my R1100 was a different beast and was more at home on the highway at those higher speeds.

That make any sense?

[biking sailor]

My wife has taken her Breva 750 on plenty of long trips where she runs it at 80 on the interstate for long periods, loaded down for a week long trip.  It seems to do it fine.  I took it to the Canton Lake campout on Saturday for a day ride (ended up doing over 480 miles by the time I got home) and it was regularly in the 70 to 75 range just purring along (about 4500 to 5000 RPM) with no issues, only it won't have much punch at that pace.

[bpreynolds]

In a previou thread KevM and others mentioned that if running 80 mph on the slab all day, then the v7 is not the tool.
If the v7 is the closest thing to what an airhead would be today, why wouldn't it be useful to run the interstate? Now my airhead can run all day at 80mph or 4500 rpm. Would a v7 grenade if pushed that hard or would it just be buzzy?

The reason I ask is I'd like to get a v7 to replace my EV but not if it can't do interstate work.

I only have about 1300 miles on my new V7 Stone but I would argue that, thus far at least, it has been the best motorcycle for ME at those speeds and on those roads than any others I've owned.  Now let me clarify what I mean by best.  It has, by a very long margin, the best tank range of any bike I've owned and is also by a wide margin the most efficient as well.  At 80-83 it is turning an incredibly smooth 5 grand even and through the bars is the smallest amount of vibration I personally have had at those speeds among any bike I've owned.  My 4 previous Californias, my former GT1000, previous Multistrada 1000DS, even the fantastic Stelvio I had for a bit, after about 75-80 miles on the highway I would have to slip on the Cramp Buster or the Go Cruise.  With a few of those bikes, they were actually more smooth in the 85-90mph range, but nearing 90 on the highway is risking tickets and around those speeds the wind noise and general resistance begins to wear on me.  With the new Stone, however, even after 150-160 mile sittings without a break on the slab running 80-85, I have yet to feel the need at all for any wrist relief, just ass relief.    The biggest challenges for me so far - and there are challenges for touring with any bike, really - is the Stone's seat and my lack of legroom, both of which I hope to amend somewhat with an aftermarket seat.  The suspension can wear on your back a bit but I have slipped discs so that might be a special issue just for me.  Also, a better seat might too help this latter as well. 

[Edit.  I would add here that your results will certainly vary.  Things like comfort, perceived vibration, etc., etc. can be very subjective.  I forgot to mention earlier as well that while I have a longer inseam (32") I'm not a big guy, 5'9" and only 145lbs tops so some of those factors, I think, also influence why I maybe enjoy the bike more than others at variable speeds and so forth]

[charlie b]

I would compare this to my first bike, a Honda CB500-4.  About same weight and hp. 

Once I added a windshield to it, it was happy at 80mph and would cruise nicely at that speed.  It was fine as a naked bike except when the winds kicked up sand out here in the desert.  No, not a lot of hp for passing zones.  Add some headwind and it will have a hard time maintaining 80mph.  And high winds or truck turbulence would toss it around a bit more.  It would also 'feel' a load on the back more than a heavier bike.

The T5 is decent at cross country.  A little heavier but just a little more power.  It also struggles to pass folks at the higher speeds, especially up hill.  I have taken it around most of the southwestern states and it does well.  Yep, 5000rpm is 80mph so it is 'busy'.  My brother on his new GS bugs me about getting a bike with more power so I can keep up with him when he passes cars.

So, if you are not in a hurry the V7 would do fine on the highway and would be great on back roads.

[jas67]

I did about 3 hours this weekend on my '14 V7 Racer, Not bad, hands got a little stiff, and butt was a little sore..... Picked up a wrist rest for the throttle, see if that helps my hands/wrists. Looking for something to put on the stock racer seat to make longer rides a little more comfortable.

Did you get one of these:


Or a Throttle Miester type device (which replaces the right side bar end weight):


Having used both, I really recommend the later.   I have the Kaoko version on my F800GT, which I like a lot.    With these devices, you can dial in just enough friction to hold the throttle to let go completely (so you can hang your hand down and shake it out), or even to just hold the right grip very loosely, allowing your wrist to relax.    The first device (Cramp Buster, Wrist Rest, Thottle Rocker, etc), does help, but, not as much as the later.

Bob's BMW sells a Throttle Miester type device that they also call a Wrist Rest, hence my question.     I don't know if they sell them for other makes, but, I got one for my R100R, as I couldn't find a Throttle Miester or Kaoko for it.  As an added bonus, it was about half the price of the other too (Guzzi Content  ).

These, and similar devices have a collar on threads that rotates a friction surface against the end of the throttle tube, which will hold it in place for you, but, not so tight that you can't roll off the throttle w/o disengaging the device.    With the Kaoko on my F800GT, for highway riding, I'll engage it, and then make mild corrections to throttle position w/o disengaging it.

The Kaoko and Throttle Miesters are made specific to MANY make and model bikes.    The model-specific Kaoko throttle locks are made to look like the original bar end weight.   Throttle Miester offers replacement matching left bar end weights for a unified look (at an extra cost).

I got my Kaoko from Twisted Throttle.

I use a throttle lock, incidentally make by a guzzista here in Sydney in his garage & available here

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorcycle-Throttle-Lock-Cruise-Control-Wrist-Rest-V3-Factory-Second-Item-/111771469173

I've tried these.    They work, sort of, and really depend on what type of grips you have as to how well.    Get the Throttle Miester, Kaoko, or similar device.

[jas67]

... The suspension can wear on your back a bit but I have slipped discs so that might be a special issue just for me.

 :1:

I've got a couple slipped discs as well.

I just put an Ohlins rear shock on my Monster, and did a 4 hour ride Friday with it.   What a HUGE difference.     It smooths the ride out nicely.

Now, with that benchmark, I'm contemplating similar upgrades for some of my other bikes.

[jas67]

Having owned a couple of R 100 Beemers , no , a V7 won't lope down the highway like a 1000 CC BMW . For that you are gonna need the other bike you own .

I have a 2013 V7 Racer, and previously a 2009 V7 Classic.   I also currently have a 1992 R100R.    While the V7's will do 80-85 MPH on the highway just fine, the R100R does have more passing power at highway speeds.      The 1,000cc twin on the R100R is rated at only 60HP, but, likely has another 25% more torque than the V7, which is noticeable.   

That said, while the current V7 does just fine, I'm anxious to see if MG comes out with a 65 HP V7 as is rumored (in another thread) to be running around Italy in the form of a prototype.   

[jGuz]

I have a Bonneville, and while it can cruise at 75mph+, it doesn't feel like it wants to.  The RPM's get high and the bike feels like it's trying too hard.  IMO, the Bonnie's sweet spot is around 60mph.   The V7II might do a little better with that 6th gear.

It all depends on what you can tolerate.  I'm sure I can get by with the Bonnie, but my Norge just does it better.

[rocker59]

I have a Bonneville, and while it can cruise at 75mph+, it doesn't feel like it wants to.  The RPM's get high and the bike feels like it's trying too hard.  IMO, the Bonnie's sweet spot is around 60mph.   The V7II might do a little better with that 6th gear.

It all depends on what you can tolerate.  I'm sure I can get by with the Bonnie, but my Norge just does it better.

My new 2014 V7 Special is glass smooth at 4500 rpm, which is around 70mph.  It starts getting a little buzzy at 80 mph and 5000 rpm, but I can still see out of the mirrors.  And, the bike feels more than willing.

Granted, it doesn't have a lot of power in reserve at 80mph, but since I rarely travel faster than that, I won't miss it.

My Sport 1100 is loafing at 80mph and about 4400 rpm.  Roll the throttle at that speed and it will pull pretty hard past 125 mph, then a little bit slower up to around 140 mph.  Man, it's nice!  But you know, I've only pulled that trigger a few times in the 18 years I've owned the bike.

The V7 is perfectly adequate.. And sometimes adequate is just perfect..


Adequate:
adjective 
1.  as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose; fully sufficient, suitable, or fit.

[GuzziKevin]

I have a 2013 Stone that I've put 22,000 miles on so far. Some of the miles have been commuting, some motorcycle camping in the NC mountains but most of the miles are from 350 mile day trips to the mountains which include backroads and a couple hours on the highway both ways. It's even been (slowly) down a few unpaved roads without issue. Even though lately I've found myself considering a Stelvio in the spring, the V7 pretty much does everything I want a bike to do. With the Mistral exhaust it sounds great doing it.

[rboe]

We had an 80 gentleman ride his Griso down to Cottonwood Arizona for our Not-a-Rally this spring. Saw him again in August in Datil at the rally on a new V7-II. He rides from the Seattle area.

Last seven bikes he's own have been Griso's or V7's

And he's a hard rider.

All this riding/touring - stock see, no windscreen and a medium dry bag for luggage (he could get by with a small bag, but this was a gift from his kids).

Personally I think he's too tall for the V7, but he does not seem to mind it at all. 

[RayB]

Based on what I've heard. I must just stick with the EV for a while. On the interstate I think I'd like to have some extra ft-lbs available if needed for safety reasons. Thanks for all the insights.

[rboe]

I've toured on a Suzuki TS-125, Honda CB-360T and a Kawasaki KZ550 Ltd back in the day. Can't recommend the 125, but especially the 550 (with about 50hp) did just fine.

[Kev m]

My new 2014 V7 Special is glass smooth at 4500 rpm, which is around 70mph.  It starts getting a little buzzy at 80 mph and 5000 rpm

<snip>

My Sport 1100 is loafing at 80mph and about 4400 rpm. 

That's the type of difference I'm talking about.

Based on what I've heard. I must just stick with the EV for a while. On the interstate I think I'd like to have some extra ft-lbs available if needed for safety reasons. Thanks for all the insights.

I'm NOT telling you to rethink staying with the EV.

MY JACKAL certainly felt a little less busy on the highway.

That said, I don't buy for one millisecond it's a safety issue.

I CAN be buzzing along on the highway at 70 or so and drop a gear on the V7 and be at 90 pretty quick.

I just don't recall every being in a situation where that was NECESSARY for safety.

[rocker59]

My Bassa didn't have a whole lot more power at 80mph than the V7 does.

A byproduct of the extra 150-lbs of weight, I'm sure.

Tonti Californias don't have a lot of power.  Passing power in 5th at 80mph is similar or less (IMHO) than the V7.

They just don't accelerate real fast at those speeds...

[Kev m]

My Bassa didn't have a whole lot more power at 80mph than the V7 does.

A byproduct of the extra 150-lbs of weight, I'm sure.

Tonti Californias don't have a lot of power.  Passing power in 5th at 80mph is similar or less (IMHO) than the V7.

They just don't accelerate real fast at those speeds...

Agreed, and I think the difference is just that the Tonti Calis were geared taller and turning lower rpm at those speeds so they FELT a little LESS BUSY, but you still had to drop them a gear for a quick pass and they'd still be running out of steam around the same place.

[RayB]

I just don't recall every being in a situation where that was NECESSARY for safety.

Trust me Kev. In order for me to get out of town, interstates are almost necessary. Here at the armpit of the nation, our interstates are dominated by semi-trailers carrying goods around the southern tip of Lake Michigan, into and out of Chicago. Some of 4 lanes sections have 3 lanes that make it look like a rail line except they are back to back trucks. (Now Stormtruck don't get offended)

The speed limits are 55 and further out they are 60 mph. Nobody follows those rules unless LEO is around.
Typical to see trucks running 70-75mph on I65 on two lane sections with trucks in both lanes. When you decide to pass you want a handful and better get on with it. That's the safety part I was talking about. My R100 will accelerate from say 75 but as you know, its going to take its time to get to 90...but it WILL get there, and is just OK for Insterstate work. My EV however will shit and get it if I drop a gear and grab a handful. It also doesn't sound like its going to come apart. I was just trying to get people's impressions about the V7 in such situations cuz I was worried the V7 might be a little short on torque for the job.

[oldbike54]

Granted, it doesn't have a lot of power in reserve at 80mph, but since I rarely travel faster than that, I won't miss it.




Adequate:
adjective 
1.  as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose; fully sufficient, suitable, or fit.

 Yeah , we won't talk about the time when you and Mike D passed that car going up that long grade on 259 and left me struggling along behind it on the old beater /5 

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Trust me Kev. In order for me to get out of town, interstates are almost necessary. Here at the armpit of the nation, our interstates are dominated by semi-trailers carrying goods around the southern tip of Lake Michigan, into and out of Chicago. Some of 4 lanes sections have 3 lanes that make it look like a rail line except they are back to back trucks. (Now Stormtruck don't get offended)

The speed limits are 55 and further out they are 60 mph. Nobody follows those rules unless LEO is around.
Typical to see trucks running 70-75mph on I65 on two lane sections with trucks in both lanes. When you decide to pass you want a handful and better get on with it. That's the safety part I was talking about. My R100 will accelerate from say 75 but as you know, its going to take its time to get to 90...but it WILL get there, and is just OK for Insterstate work. My EV however will shit and get it if I drop a gear and grab a handful. It also doesn't sound like its going to come apart. I was just trying to get people's impressions about the V7 in such situations cuz I was worried the V7 might be a little short on torque for the job.

SHORT ANSWER - the V7 can handle that.

But Sorry Ray, I still disagree with your argument.

LONG ANSWER  -

I've ridden plenty of interstates in my life from rush hour traffic in and around LA, NYC, Philly, DC, Baltimore etc. to the I-10 from LA to Phoenix, to the length of I-95 from Maine to Florida. I've done this on Airheads, Oilheads, Guzzis (smallblock and big block) and HARLEYS - mostly Sportsters and FLHs, and some JAPanInc. products both big and small, oh, and pressbikes, heck, a good number more of BMWs, Buells, other Harleys, etc.

I found a long time ago that I NEVER HAVE TO (I may want to, I may enjoy, but never MUST) out-accelerate one or more of the vehicles around me.

You never HAVE to pass a tractor trailer or anyone else on the road, not to merge onto a highway (you can ALWAYS slow and slip in behind (there's plenty of room to squeeze in a bike), not to deal with traffic on a busy interstate (you don't HAVE to be the fastest one on the road*), not to get around on a backroad (but if you ever do, well, hell, there's plenty of acceleration there in a V7 for that). You can ALWAYS be the one that slows down (and/or gets out of the way).

*Riding Harleys and slower bikes in major interstate traffic taught me something. If I slow down to a speed that I want (slower than the average around me) and stick to the right lane, I create a bubble in traffic. It's not unlike the crazy old woman in the right (or left) lane of the highway going 10 under the speed limit. Traffic stacks up behind her, but IT ALL SLOWS - except the frustrated ones that shoot to the opposite side of the highway to get around (and the more lanes the bigger the cushion for you). Even the guy right on your ass will slow either because he/she is happy going that speed too, OR because they are going to start looking for a chance to move over and pass you. But either way, they back off (maybe one or two get on your ass for a few seconds, but if you slow further or give them a few flashes of the brake light, they'll slow too and drop back).

So if you run 55 while everyone else is going 65, you will actually slow a bunch of cars behind you to the point where they've effectively got your six by creating a cushion where the faster highway traffic can't get to you.

Now, that said, that's NOT the way I CHOSE to ride in many situations, but I have done it purposefully on highways in heavier traffic when I just didn't want to be part of the maddening flow (the 10 or 20 above the speed limit, each only 5' off the bumper of the guy in front of them). Generally speaking I will use this method even when I was going fast if I see that kinda shyte developing. I might be in the left lane moving along, but I'm seeing traffic up ahead and if I stay in the left I'm going to be stuck in the middle of them and people just as fast as me coming up from behind, so I move right, and chill waiting for the left to clear again, then if I want to wick it up I can.

Just a different perspective, but perhaps one you might give at try sometime.

[canuguzzi]

To find a nice cruising speed, stop looking at the speedometer. If you have a smartphone put one of those GPS apps on it that records average, high and low speeds. Then go for a ride on the freeway or highway with your speedo and tach covered up.

Instead of looking at the speed, just ride and settle in at the most comfortable speed where everything feels good. You'll know it when you get there.

Later, look at the speed you were riding at and you might be surprised. Sometimes, the speed you thought was comfortable wasn't and was more an effort to maintain a certain speed or some concern over RPM.

Try it, costs you nothing but does add to your knowledge of what really is a good cruising speed for a particular bike. Then you can go back and match engine speed to the comfortable cruising speed and really know.

[Lannis]

SHORT ANSWER - the V7 can handle that.

But Sorry Ray, I still disagree with your argument.

LONG ANSWER  -

I've ridden plenty of interstates in my life from rush hour traffic in and around LA, NYC, Philly, DC, Baltimore etc. to the I-10 from LA to Phoenix, to the length of I-95 from Maine to Florida. I've done this on Airheads, Oilheads, Guzzis (smallblock and big block) and HARLEYS - mostly Sportsters and FLHs, and some JAPanInc. products both big and small, oh, and pressbikes, heck, a good number more of BMWs, Buells, other Harleys, etc.

I found a long time ago that I NEVER HAVE TO (I may want to, I may enjoy, but never MUST) out-accelerate one or more of the vehicles around me.

You never HAVE to pass a tractor trailer or anyone else on the road, not to merge onto a highway (you can ALWAYS slow and slip in behind (there's plenty of room to squeeze in a bike), not to deal with traffic on a busy interstate (you don't HAVE to be the fastest one on the road*), not to get around on a backroad (but if you ever do, well, hell, there's plenty of acceleration there in a V7 for that). You can ALWAYS be the one that slows down (and/or gets out of the way).

Excellent perspective, and one that I've been a proponent of for years.

You DON'T have to drive like everyone else on the Interstate.    Problem is, it's hard for us to get rid of that reflex to "take" the open space in front of us, to ALWAYS have to merge "in front of" a faster car, and to go from lane to lane looking for the "fastest lane".

I've ridden a lot of miles on US Interstates and UK motorways on underpowered old Brits, and I've always found that you can find someone who's going about the same speed you want to, in the slow lane, and just ride along with them.   

It's not necessarily pleasant, but if the "old road" has been subsumed by the Interstate and it's the only way (like the M25 north out of Kent), then you can do it in order to get to the real riding .....

Lannis