The Good, The Bad and The Ugly update: why I've ordered the V7

[Beerman]

As a new member of this forum, an introduction: old bloke (OK, oldish in a dim light), Vespa rider and prospective buyer of a V7, I would really appreciate reading what other members think of the V7: the good, the bad and the ugly!

My interest in this bike? Not complicated - a bit of fun.

Many thanks,

Beerman

[fotoguzzi]

search is your friend..

[vstevens]

Beerman, my last bike was a Vespa et4.  Loved it.  Bought a V7.  Had it for about 9 months and 3000 miles.  If I had room I'd have a Vespa and a v7.  It's all the motorcycle you'll ever need.  Feels like an older bike from the 70's but is reliable.  Not as handy or utilitarian as the Vespa, but it's sure nice to feel all that torque, the sudden rush of wind, controllable acceleration.  The v7 really hits that sweet spot of usable speed and performance

[guzzisteve]

Which model V7 a newer or older version? What model Vespa?

[Gliderjohn]

There a dealer reasonably close?
GliderJohn

[vstevens]

And.... I should say I am oldish as well.  Mid 50's.  On this board, I'm a whippersnapper, lol.  The V7, you will find, has much longer legs than a 150 Vespa.  If you have a 300 gts Vespa, you run out of oomph past 70mph.  The V7 easily shoots up to 90+ without hesitation.  It's not a sport bike, but it's plenty for me.

Although the Norge has been calling my name lately, lol

[sign216]

Funny how similar we are.  I'm mid-50's, have a V7, and formerly had two mopeds.  All vintage top tank Italian or Dutch; Batavus and Italiajet.

I recently "upgraded" from a moped to a 106cc Sears/Gilera.  It's photo is on my screen avatar.

[twowings]

A Gliera single was my first full-size  'grown-up' bike...was a real sweet motorcycle...wish I still had it! 

[Alchymyst]

Beerman,

As a newb V7 owner (2013 stone) - also oldish (cough fiftysomething) - I can give you my impression.  My last bike was an Aprilia Sportcity 250 - a brilliant all-round scooter, but I kept finding myself wanting something more substantial that I could go out of town with... I cut my teeth on early 70's road bikes - Triumph 650 Bonneville, BMW 75/5.  The V7 has a bit more sportbike type riding position - higher pegs and leaning forward.  I am in the process of changing that with new bars and lowered pegs.  Has that good twin vibration through the bars - but civilized, you can actually use the mirrors at 60mph.  Lots of torque, but not a speed demon. I like the light weight, and the handling to me feels pretty neutral, it is also easy to maneuver at low speeds, unlike some bigger bikes I have had. Plus its just simply beautiful. 

[Beerman]

Thanks for all the info. I'm looking at a 2016 V711 Special. Like many others I've been comparing this to the Triumph Street Twin or Bonneville, but I'm really impressed by the V7. I had a Stone for a day and didn't want to hand it back!

I had read about spongy brakes; they seemed fine to me. I had a few gear misses around 1st/neutral; not a major issue and may reflect the fact that the demo only had 3 miles on it when I started.

I thought the handling, manoeuvrability and weight were excellent. Weight is important to me - I was looking at a CB1100 which is, in my opinion, a handsome looking bike - but it's 250kg. I don't really see the point in a bike that requires so much effort to move around when not being ridden - the V7 seems to fit the bill.

The only other concern I have is reliability, but I don't know if that is founded or not!

Beerman

[SmithSwede]

Beerman:

Definitely search around on this forum for more V7 Stone wisdom and opinions.   

Here are some short answers based on my experiences.   My 2013 V7 Stone is now my all time favorite bike, and I've had plenty of bikes over my 35 year riding career.   I like the reasonably light weight, the excellent handling, excellent cornering clearance, shaft drive, air-cooling, the looks, and the fact that it's very reliable and dead simple to work on.   

I've racked up more than 40,000 miles in 2 years.  I'm on my Guzzi virtually every work day for at least 100 miles, and then go anywhere I want on weekends.   It's been very reliable, and I would and do trust it to take me anywhere.

One odd characteristic of this bike is that I enjoy riding it under all circumstances.  It's great for urban commuting.   It's fun just putting along on country roads at 45 to 5o mph.  But it's also happy bombing down the interstate at high velocity.   I've never really had a bike before that was such a "Jack of All Trades."

It's probably a bit too small if you want to tour on it two up with a lot of gear.  But it's perfect for a solo rider.   And yes--it will handle sustained 85 mph+ touring speeds all day long.

In my opinion, these things are like modern day BMW airheads.   Light weight, shaft drive, air-cooled bikes that just run, and run and run.   If you like and "get" the philosophy behind the old airheads, you'll love a V7.

[sign216]

A Gliera single was my first full-size  'grown-up' bike...was a real sweet motorcycle...wish I still had it!

I remember when I was a pup, on a Honda 175.  Looking at older boys on 350cc machines and thinking, gosh, those are big bikes.  "What powerhouses they must be."

Times have changed.  Some now think a 350 is too small for even a starter bike.

[Kev m]

My 13 Stone is my 3rd Guzzi.

It's been fantastic.

Granted I only have 10.5k miles on it. But they've been pretty perfect.

It's by far my favorite Guzzi, and possibly my favorite motorcycle of all time, despite it being smaller, slower, less powerful etc. than a slew of other bikes I've owned.

It's the not too cold, not too hot, just right of all those characteristics.

I like the idea of the Street Twin. I might even add a T120 to the fleet. But I WILL NOT get rid of the Stone.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  The Sears Gorilla was a bit more sporting than the equal size Hondas of its' day.

[sidmonsters]

51 year-old recently returned to riding after a 25 year hiatus.  I bought a 2014 V7 Special last August after plenty of web searching (and a very short test ride on a perfect day along the river--I was grinning like an idiot when I returned to the dealer.  Tried to play cool and semi-interested.  Didn't work.  I called the next day to tell the dealer to get it ready to go and he said he had already done the paperwork and prepped the bike for me.)  I am still new to it and it to me, but I love it.  Not a mechanic but no problems to date.  I second all above opinions, expecially on its versatility.   :boozing:Only downside is it is not much good for more than an hour or so 2-up (so say my wife and one of my teenage sons).  I bit too cramped and hard on their buckets.  What to do....what to do...bought a 2013 Stelvio for longer adventures...so I am pretty much a full-on drinker of the Kool-Aid now.  New to this forum and looking forward to meeting Guzzi folks in my area; had no idea when I first purchased the V7, but there seem to be a lot of really cool and intelligent Guzzi owners judging from the contributors to this forum. Bonus!

[Beerman]

Thanks for the info from members of the forum.

I have taken the plunge and have a V11 Special on order which should be with me in a couple of weeks. I have a few bits and pieces added as follows:

Colour - red with silver stripe

Windshield

Centre stand

Rear rack

Top box (not sure what this will look like, but we'll see).

Luggage to follow!


Beerman

[Chuck in Indiana]

51 year-old recently returned to riding after a 25 year hiatus.  I bought a 2014 V7 Special last August after plenty of web searching (and a very short test ride on a perfect day along the river--I was grinning like an idiot when I returned to the dealer.  Tried to play cool and semi-interested.  Didn't work.  I called the next day to tell the dealer to get it ready to go and he said he had already done the paperwork and prepped the bike for me.)  I am still new to it and it to me, but I love it.  Not a mechanic but no problems to date.  I second all above opinions, expecially on its versatility.   :boozing:Only downside is it is not much good for more than an hour or so 2-up (so say my wife and one of my teenage sons).  I bit too cramped and hard on their buckets.  What to do....what to do...bought a 2013 Stelvio for longer adventures...so I am pretty much a full-on drinker of the Kool-Aid now.  New to this forum and looking forward to meeting Guzzi folks in my area; had no idea when I first purchased the V7, but there seem to be a lot of really cool and intelligent Guzzi owners judging from the contributors to this forum. Bonus!

Well, there are a lot of em, all right. 

[Beerman]

Cool and intelligent sounds spot on. I will continue to withhold my pic icon however.

Beerman

[Beerman]

For those interested, this is my more detailed ride report on my test ride (and the reasons why I'm buying):

The dealer was good enough to allow me all day on the bike. I took in a circuit of about 60 miles of urban and rural with some good fast A roads, and twisty bits. Work and lunch got in the way in the middle. My thoughts were as follows:

1. I was glad of the time available - it takes a while to get used to the V7 (suspect you know what I mean).
2. The handling, cornering and manoeuvrability of the bike is excellent.
3. I had read of spongy brakes - I didn't find that at all.
4. The riding position is comfortable, the seat is not high (I am not tall), and I could plant both feet.
5. I found it tricky to engage 1st on occasion - the bike quite liked staying in neutral. Not a big deal.
6. 1st & 2nd gears are a bit raucous.
7. I think I loved the engine noise. It is something to think about, because it is different - others have described the noise as agricultural; I would say raw.
8. There is a definite sense of the shaft drive working. Again, I liked it but it is different.
9. As expected, all the above became easier with time on the bike.
10. I was sad to hand it back!

So there you go - the v711 2016 Special is on order.

Any views on the above are welcome!

Beerman

[JeffOlson]

Congrats!

I hope to add a V7 II one day (or a V9).

[twowings]

Excellent!  Have yourself some fun and post pics!

[Cool Runnings]

Got a GTS 300 Super Wasp for the parkways. 

No V7, Norge man instead.... 

[Cool Runnings]

I remember when I was a pup, on a Honda 175.  Looking at older boys on 350cc machines and thinking, gosh, those are big bikes.  "What powerhouses they must be."

Times have changed.  Some now think a 350 is too small for even a starter bike.

Oh, I wanted one of those 305's. 

[drw916]

All this makes me want to get another one.  Sold mine and I still miss it.

[sidmonsters]

Good purchase!  Can't imagine you won't love it.  Everyone loves a double negative...

[Zinfan]

I've found that if my V7 is unwilling to go into first easily the clutch cable needs a bit of adjustment and then it works just fine.  Congrats on the new bike.

[Zoom Zoom]

<snip>  New to this forum and looking forward to meeting Guzzi folks in my area; had no idea when I first purchased the V7, but there seem to be a lot of really cool and intelligent Guzzi owners judging from the contributors to this forum. Bonus!

Keep the Guzzi breakfast in mind. Kent Ohio. Due to Mothers Day, it will be the third Sunday this month. Otherwise, it is always the second Sunday. I try to post a reminder here for those who belong to WG. On a nice day, we get a great turn out.

Check your private messages.

John Henry

[Zoom Zoom]

For those interested, this is my more detailed ride report on my test ride (and the reasons why I'm buying):


So there you go - the v711 2016 Special is on order.

Any views on the above are welcome!

Beerman

First off, congratulations.

You will find the transmission will get better with some use, as will the motor.

John Henry

[sign216]

Oh, I wanted one of those 305's. 

Yea, it was a 305 that Pirsig took across the USA, two up!

And now they're "too small" to take across town.

[jas67]

Oh, I wanted one of those 305's.