V7II - nice looking machines

[ohiorider]

I stopped off at Phil's bike shop (ClevelandMoto) for a liter of AGIP 10w604T Racing Oil for my 'Racing' 1200 Sport ( ).

In the lot was a beautiful V7II, 'Special' I think.  And it is a lovely machine.  I'm starting to see why MG or Piaggio is spending so much time on the small block bikes.  Essentially, they've improved the visual of the bikes by making the engine look less like a 2 cylinder air compressor and more like a real motorcycle engine.  Much appreciated.

I can see how the younger group of riders would be attracted to these machines.  The V7II sort of grabbed at my heartstrings, too.

Phil fired up a V7 with Agostini (sp?) scrambler pipes, and it sounded wonderful.

I've told myself 'no more (EDIT: new) Moto Guzzis,' but I'm afraid the small blocks could swing me to the dark side (MG) once again.  Forget the hp and torque .... these are beautiful little bikes that (probably) punch above their weight.

Bob

[Bisbonian]

I've ridden a friends V7 Special and really liked it. I need to stop begging rides as I have no more room, or money, for one of these.

[Kev m]

Jenn and I snuck out for a ride on the Goose and Duc yesterday.

We were stopped for gas when the attendant came over, pointed and said "Wow, that's a nice bike". I almost ignored him cause I'm used to her Duc getting compliments, but he stopped and kept talking about the Guzzi.

 

[ohiorider]

I've ridden a friends V7 Special and really liked it. I need to stop begging rides as I have no more room, or money, for one of these.

Sure you do, Bis!  You've about worn that 1200 Sport out!  You're ready for a new one!

Actually, I don't think we can wear them out.  They are truly rugged machines awaiting a flogging.  I don't mean dumping the clutch and doing a wheelie, but simply riding them as a machine we respect should be ridden ..... ie, rolling on once in second gear, running to redline or almost, and doing the same in third.  And more, depending on where you live.  Upshifting, downshifting, but with some grace. 

I think riding them in this manner will result in lots more trouble free miles.  This isn't a lecture to anyone ..... just my thoughts on riding shaft drive bikes with dry clutches.

As someone once said about a BMW ..... ' the engineers hang a clutch plate on a string, then design a bike around it.'  To me, same holds true for Guzzis.  Which has encouraged me to be kind to that single or double plate thingie buried in the middle of the bike.  Cause, it's a bitch to replace!

Sorry ... this had nothing to do with my original post complimenting the good looks of the V7II Special ..... and it is a sweet looking bike!

[oldbike54]

 Wait... WHAT ? Who are you and where is Bob 
 
  Dusty

[ohiorider]

Wait... WHAT ? Who are you and where is Bob 
 
  Dusty

Can't help it, Dusty ...... they are lovely little machines!

[oldbike54]

Can't help it, Dusty ...... they are lovely little machines!

 Well yes of course , just surprised is all  Hold on , was Tom with you ?

  Dusty

[jas67]

Jenn and I snuck out for a ride on the Goose and Duc yesterday.

We were stopped for gas when the attendant came over, pointed and said "Wow, that's a nice bike". I almost ignored him cause I'm used to her Duc getting compliments, but he stopped and kept talking about the Guzzi.

 

While I have gotten complements on my Duc (which, for those who don't know the two bikes, is basically the same but white, instead of red), I've gotten far more frequent complements on the V7's -- and not just the Racer.   I've only had the '14 Special for a couple weeks, so, I haven't had the chance with it yet, but, my white '09 Classic got lots of complements.   I rarely put gas in it without a complement, unless there was no one else there.

[Kev m]

While I have gotten complements on my Duc (which, for those who don't know the two bikes, is basically the same but white, instead of red), I've gotten far more frequent complements on the V7's -- and not just the Racer.   I've only had the '14 Special for a couple weeks, so, I haven't had the chance with it yet, but, my white '09 Classic got lots of complements.   I rarely put gas in it without a complement, unless there was no one else there.

I didn't say I don't get comments on the Goose when I'm alone. 

But, gee, when I'm out with Jenn, she and HER bike usually get the compliments.

Where's the surprise?

 

[jas67]

I didn't say I don't get comments on the Goose when I'm alone. 

But, gee, when I'm out with Jenn, she and HER bike usually get the compliments.

Where's the surprise?

 

No surprise.   

[JeffOlson]

I went to the Long Beach Progressive IMS yesterday.  Free parking for motorcycles, of course.  I couldn't even get off the bike and people were walking up and talking to me about the bike.  When I came out after the show, bikers had left a 10' perimeter around my bike.  It was pretty cool to see an island of Moto Guzzi in a sea of motorcycles.

That is a beautiful bike! Too bad they are not currently available in the US (having been "scrambled," since everyone now seems to want a "scrambler," whatever that is).

[jas67]

That is a beautiful bike! Too bad they are not currently available in the US (having been "scrambled," since everyone now seems to want a "scrambler," whatever that is).

I find it quite disappointing that the Special isn't available in the US.   Unless you can find a left over 2015 Special, the only option is the $1,600 more expensive Scrambler + new exhaust.

Does anyone know if the exhausts interchange on the V7II vs. V7?   If so, at least then you could sell the Scrambler exhaust to someone wanting to convert their earlier V7 to a Scrambler.

I'm glad I just got my '14 V7 Special.   If I was in the market for a V7II, I'd have to get the Stone, despite my preference for glossy paint.   I'd likely get it painted with gloss paint.    As for the wheels, while I prefer the look of the wire wheels, I prefer cast wheels for easier cleaning, and tubeless tires.

[JeffOlson]

Hmmm.  I bought one of the first available in SoCal.   And now, you say, they've been replaced by Scramblers?  I bet you could find one at a dealer.  They don't sell that fast.

You are probably right. Officially, though, they are no longer available on Moto Guzzi USA's website. Only the scrambler version is shown. Perhaps they took left-over Specials and "scrambled" them! (Didn't they do this with left-over V7 Racers by replacing the chrome tank with a green tank?)

[ohiorider]

Well yes of course , just surprised is all  Hold on , was Tom with you ?

  Dusty

Nope!  I did this on my own!

[desmoface]

I may have been there the same time Ohiorider was - The Scrambler sounded SWEET and here's the proof:
https://youtu.be/CnelJfrMsT0

What a beautiful machine:
Moto Guzzi V7II by desmoface, on Flickr

Screaming deal on a demo '15 Griso; I believe he said $9500 with something like 300 miles on it.
2015 Moto Guzzi Griso by desmoface, on Flickr
2015 Moto Guzzi Griso by desmoface, on Flickr

Steve

[jas67]

2015 Moto Guzzi Griso by desmoface, on Flickr

Steve

Great deal on a beautiful Griso!

That red & black is my favorite color combo on them (well, aside from the Tenni SE w/ brown seat).

[rob-mg]

I may have been there the same time Ohiorider was - The Scrambler sounded SWEET and here's the proof:
https://youtu.be/CnelJfrMsT0

This is confusing...

The bike in that video appears to be a V7 II Stone (single color tank, alloy wheels) modified with the Scrambler kit.

What the Moto Guzzi U.S. site is offering as a Scrambler is a modified V7 II Special (two tone tank, spoke wheels): http://www.motoguzzi-us.com/motorcycles/v7-ii-scrambler-abs.html

Here are the Scrambler parts from Moto Guzzi's main site: http://www.garagemotoguzzi.com/en/stile/scrambler/

It's unclear to me whether Moto Guzzi U.S. is offering the straight V7 II Special or only a modified version. The web site would suggest modified only, but that strikes me as a strange marketing decision.

Moto Guzzi Canada is offering the Special and is treating these kits strictly as an add-on, rather than essentially requiring one to buy the Scrambler kit if one wants a Special: http://www.motoguzzi-canada.ca/motorcycles/v7-ii-special-abs.html

[ohiorider]

Great deal on a beautiful Griso!

That red & black is my favorite color combo on them (well, aside from the Tenni SE w/ brown seat).

Re the Tenni Green and brown saddle .... gotta tell you ...... two incidents.

1.  Had to be a young guy from Jamaica, based on the accent.  He was on a bicycle that probably cost half a much as my Griso, and he said ... "Sir, I have to ask, who made that bike?"  My response "Moto Guzzi."  And there was no 'what ... is it, Chinese?'  His immediate response was .... "it's Italian  ... I should have known.  They design the most beautiful clothes and shoes, and now I know .... they design the most beautiful motorcycles!"

2.  A very expensive MB pulled past me at the gas pumps, and as one of the passengers was filling the tank, another gentleman my age + approached me.  "That is a lovely bike ... who makes it?"  I told him, and then asked, "do you ride?" 

"No, but a good friend does, and I'd like to take a picture of your bike to show him what a really beautiful bike looks like."

Neither of these gentlemen were riders, but both were drawn to the color scheme and the design of the Griso.

I think Guzzi might be making a mistake if they drop this bike from the lineup.  Sure, it's a 10 year old design, but it was at least 9 years ahead of the field.  So, keep it in the lineup, Guzzi!

[Kev m]

i''m guessing Jenn ALWAYS gets all of the compliments 

  Dusty

Well, maybe not ALL... 

[ohiorider]

I may have been there the same time Ohiorider was -

  I think we were, especially if you were there when Phil demo'd how to
buy second hand XL sweatshirts and make face warmers out of the sleeves.  That was a priceless demonstration.  Should've been taped!

Bob

[organfixsing]

Just a bit about the engine tilted forward 2.5 deg. This is from a review of the BREVA 1100 by Yossef Schvetz Jul 23, 2005., quoting only the relevant bit.

{Between the swingarm and the engine, you'll find an all new gearbox with improved shifting mechanism AND A LOWERED OUTPUT SHAFT. Even hardcore Guzzisti might not know this, but Mandello's twin always had a 2.5 deg rearward tilt in order to "straighten" the kink in the drive shaft's CV joint. With the new gearbox, the engine can be rotated to a fully erect position, shifting the CG further forward (it had already been shifted forward 1.75cm after placing the alternator between the cylinders) and freeing even more room for the driver's knees.}

Sounds to me like the new 6 speed gearbox has enabled the tilt forward. Just for interest.

Cheers 
Brian