What the V9 tells me about Moto Guzzi's future

[Muzz]

Do Breva motors run backwards ... oh never mind 

  Dusty

No, it's only the water down the plug 'ole Dusty.

[oldbike54]

No, it's only the water down the plug 'ole Dusty.

 Dawns on me that it is pretty arrogant of us Northerners to decide which way is backwards , maybe we should start a campaign to declare the Southern direction proper , and the Northern manner backwards . Only seems fair after all of these years to give the Southern half due recognition . And what about this Down Under thing , who decided that , some Pom probably 

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Interesting Kev, I do not notice any vibes through the handlebars on the Breva. Wonder if the shape of them or the weights in them are different.

Well, they are different motors (2TB vs 1TB).

When I compared then side by side (C vs Stone) few years ago I thought the C felt smoother, but weaker (though neither by much).

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

So I finally did take my V7 stone 2014 black out for a ride today. I think my herniated disk back issue may be getting a bit better.
It felt wonderful (the bike ride I mean).

This is my first motorcycle. However, I grew up riding scooters in India and do ride an old Honda scooter here for fun sometimes.

I didn't even mean to buy a bike. I walked into the showroom looking to test drive  a Piaggio Beverley 350 scooter, and test drove the guzzi v7 because the dealer owner asked me to.
I felt I could ride it easily. I loved its light weight compared to other bikes, its reliable engine, fuel injection, and its shaft drive.
I still enjoy riding it, in spite of a bad back. I LOVE the way it looks. It is a cool bike with soul and history. My girlfriend says it is sexy.

Most sports bikes today, you need a track to realize their potential. I think its more fun to drive a V7 fast, than to drive an Aprilia Rs4 SLOW. The V7 stone seems plenty fast to me.

I may be an "old fart" but why in heck do you need a bike over 50 hp for driving on regular roads?
High and flat torque is so much more important for real world driving assuming you want to keep your license.

Looks, soul and that ineffable feeling you get when you ride are more important than riding at frenetic RPMs and speeds, at least for me.

I am CONFIDENT in saying I would never have bought a bike if it was not for the V7.
 
-akilesh
 
 

[jas67]

So I finally did take my V7 stone 2014 black out for a ride today. I think my herniated disk back issue may be getting a bit better.
It felt wonderful (the bike ride I mean).

-akilesh

That is good news that your back issue may be getting a bit better.   Does that mean that you're going to keep the V7?   

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

Thanks for your good wishes,and  good question. I am pondering that myself. We'll see if the ride flared my back up over the next day or so.

The reason I rode it was to get the rear lights cable replaced that Piaggio finally sent. I also asked John, the tech at Brookside motorcycle to dial the suspension softer. The stock setting is too harsh, especially for our fine streets in Tulsa. 

That made a HUGE difference. the softer suspension, along with the gel seat, may make it good.

I guess right now my thought is: if it is in my destiny I will keep it, if not it will go. I'll let my over-self guide me.
 
-akilesh

[Muzz]

You now realise akilesh that Guzzi's are addictive; not perfect mind you but addictive.  You used the term "soul" and I think that sums it up.

Enjoy that V7.

[O]

So I finally did take my V7 stone 2014 black out for a ride today. I think my herniated disk back issue may be getting a bit better.
It felt wonderful (the bike ride I mean).

This is my first motorcycle. However, I grew up riding scooters in India and do ride an old Honda scooter here for fun sometimes.

I didn't even mean to buy a bike. I walked into the showroom looking to test drive  a Piaggio Beverley 350 scooter, and test drove the guzzi v7 because the dealer owner asked me to.
I felt I could ride it easily. I loved its light weight compared to other bikes, its reliable engine, fuel injection, and its shaft drive.
I still enjoy riding it, in spite of a bad back. I LOVE the way it looks. It is a cool bike with soul and history. My girlfriend says it is sexy.

Most sports bikes today, you need a track to realize their potential. I think its more fun to drive a V7 fast, than to drive an Aprilia Rs4 SLOW. The V7 stone seems plenty fast to me.

I may be an "old fart" but why in heck do you need a bike over 50 hp for driving on regular roads?
High and flat torque is so much more important for real world driving assuming you want to keep your license.

Looks, soul and that ineffable feeling you get when you ride are more important than riding at frenetic RPMs and speeds, at least for me.

I am CONFIDENT in saying I would never have bought a bike if it was not for the V7.
 
-akilesh

What a great post amidst all of the gnashing of teeth about the new V9s.  I hope your back heals up, and you're able to keep the bike.  Happy riding!

[Aaron D.]

Another data point- my friends sent me a picture of the Bobber, and I sent back some pix of the roamer.

Both buy lots of bikes. One I even wondered if he owned a tire gauge he trades in so often. One likes and owns two Guzzis, the other never has.

Both loved them. I figure Guzzi knows quite well what they are doing. I'm guessing these are Galuzzi-designed? He knows more than most of us about this sort of thing.

I like them too.

[kingoffleece]

This has been some entertaining reading for sure.

What it tells me is that Guzzi has identified where they think they can sell bikes.  The market will decide if they are correct or not.
One thing I do think about all the "new" stuff is that the days of building what the manuf liked or could may be done.  That may not work anymore in today's world of speciality marketing.  Rather, the manufactures need to build what they think will sell.

The next few years (as always with so much new) will be very interesting.

[Cam3512]

Thanks for your good wishes,and  good question. I am pondering that myself. We'll see if the ride flared my back up over the next day or so.

The reason I rode it was to get the rear lights cable replaced that Piaggio finally sent. I also asked John, the tech at Brookside motorcycle to dial the suspension softer. The stock setting is too harsh, especially for our fine streets in Tulsa. 

That made a HUGE difference. the softer suspension, along with the gel seat, may make it good.

I guess right now my thought is: if it is in my destiny I will keep it, if not it will go. I'll let my over-self guide me.
 
-akilesh

Given your back problems, consider changing out the rear shocks for a much better ride.  You don't have to spend $1K, I bought a set of Ikons from MG Cycle and they are a big improvement.  I didn't realize how much of a difference until I rode someone else's that still had the stockers on.

For about $350 investment, it might mean you keep the bike.

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197_200&products_id=2632

[kingoffleece]

What he said.

[bad Chad]

Agreed. If setting the stock shocks softer helped, a pair of ikons might be just what you need.

[jas67]

Given your back problems, consider changing out the rear shocks for a much better ride.  You don't have to spend $1K, I bought a set of Ikons from MG Cycle and they are a big improvement.  I didn't realize how much of a difference until I rode someone else's that still had the stockers on.

For about $350 investment, it might mean you keep the bike.

http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=197_200&products_id=2632

 :1:

Mine is the bike Cam rode.     Even after setting the stock shocks softer, they still suck.    I rode it today after riding one of my other bikes, and OMG, the stock shocks suck.   

I will be buying a pair of Ikons as soon as the budget will allow.

[akhileshb@hotmail.com]

This is great advice guys. Thanks a lot for everyone's encouragement as well.
Yes, I think softer shocks can do nothing but help.
I am going to do some Physical Therapy, ride the bike a little as winter will allow, and then if I decide to keep it I am DEFINITELY getting the Icons.
 
-akilesh