V7 Classic, V7I, or V7II?

[fossil]

Well, as I have written in another thread, I have ridden both. On the same day, on the same roads, with a time difference of about 20 minutes. My V7 Stone is the 51 - hp - version, without the limit stop for the throttle in the TB. And believe me - the V7 III feels much stronger and faster. The whole engine seems to react more "modern", crisp, willing to work compared to the old mill. And we all know the older version is not exactly "lazy" or boring.

[roadscum]

Thanks for sharing you experience Mr. fossil. It's always good to hear an opinion from someone with first hand experience.   

Paul

[organfixsing]

Fossil, I am intrigued by the mention of a throttle stop in the trottle body.
Can you please expand on information about that.
Cheers
Brian

[Kev m]

Fossil, I am intrigued by the mention of a throttle stop in the trottle body.
Can you please expand on information about that.
Cheers
Brian [emoji144]

I'm curious too, but was assuming he was referring to a limiter of some sort for tiered licensing.

[fossil]

As so often Kev is right. The throttle body for all versions is the same (CM228301 = ECU). In 2013 the power of the V7 series was derated from 37 to 35 hp. The sole difference mechanically between the two versions is the "throttle body protection". That of the 37 kW - version has the spare parts No. 880260, the 35 kW - version 8063840. In the spare parts drawing the latter version has a small bolt riveted into the protection, which is a sort of cap, and an additional rubber part. Both also are available as spere parts.

By the way, the name is Thorsten.

[JJ]

Screw it, I'd get either the V7 I or the III (yeah, I know, not a choice).

The I knowing I'll likely replace the regulator, but also knowing I've got the higher output charging system and a front cover that conveniently comes off when setting valves.

I'd skip the II because I don't think the 6-spd and abs alone are worth it. Not to mention with my luck I'd find one with the missing crankshaft thrust washer.

III because I like the looks and hemi heads and think THAT plus the abs would be worth the hassle of the wet alternator.

But that's my unique perspective.

And that said my V7I isn't going anywhere.

[twowings]

The more I see that little bike in blue, the harder my wrenches get...IMHO, MG nailed it! Can't wait to see the touring accessories...

[roadscum]

The more I see that little bike in blue, the harder my wrenches get...IMHO, MG nailed it! Can't wait to see the touring accessories...

it is indeed a  thing of beauty.   

The  2017 model accessory guide is now  online. Go to the  MG site, click on accessories, then download the catalog pdf file.

I'm not a fan of  flat black bikes but the black Stone in the accessory catalog, with  brushed aluminum fenders and side plates, looks damn nice. Hmmmmm, :decisions decisions.... 

Paul

[TobyJug]

I've been following this thread with great interest - and tomorrow I'll be picking up a new 2016 V7II Special in blue.  I would have preferred a Stone because of the cast wheels but my dealer said he couldn't get hold of one so I ended up with what they had in stock.  And I'm sure I won't be disappointed. 

The Norge is away getting a sidecar attached and I'm missing a Guzzi so I'm trading in my Yamaha XT250 for the V7.

[bpreynolds]

Somewhat interesting or not (?) only Bob has chimed in as a "kind of" plug for the Classic.  Anyone want to throw up an argument for it?  Are they the "economical" choice among this line?  I see used ones in great condition for as little as $3500 but experience has taught me never to buy a bike purely on good deal only basis so I dunno how much weight the whole cheaper aspect should be given in this question.  I do know I still think those bikes are lovely.  Trouble is, so are all the others 

[malik]

I'm another one - if you're not buying new, go with the Classic, the Cafe Classic or the 2TB V7 Racer (see reply #8), they are going to be cheaper & (mostly) better value for money. My local Guzzi wrench (a big throughput of machines in his shop) maintains they are the better bike & less trouble than the 1TBs. As I have said before, I have both the V7C & a later Special - I prefer riding the Classic.

[jas67]

I owned a 2011 Classic for two years, and put 8,000 miles on it over that time.
I've put a combined 9,000 miles on my 2013 V7 Racer and 2014 V7 Special over 3 1/2 years of ownership.

The riding experience is quite similar (discounting the different egos of the racer).    The 1TB engine has a little more low end grunt than the 2TB engine.

The biggest advantages of the 1TB bikes over the 2TB bikes for me center around the fuel tank and range:

* 5.5 Gallon Steel Fuel tank vs. 4.0 Gallon Plastic -- no worries about ethanol swelling of the tank.
   My classic's tank swelled to the point that it was quite difficult to line up the rear mounting holes to remount
   it after having it off the bike.
* Better fuel economy.   I averaged about 5 MPG better with my 1TB bikes.   This combined with the larger fuel capacity results in much better range.   With my classic, I needed to fill up by 160 miles (180 to empty).   With my 2TB bikes, I can wait until 220 miles (250-270 to empty).

* The 1TB bikes have a slightly longer service interval, 10,000km (6,200mi) vs. 7,500km (4,800mi).
* You never need to sync throttle bodies (in truth, doesn't likely need to be done often anyway).

The original 1TB bikes (pre V7-II) are getting down into the $4,500 range in price.    For me, it's worth the $500-$1,000 more that they command over the 2TB bikes.

The 2012 2TB bikes (I'm talking US market here, Europe, and possibly other parts of the world got the new 1TB engine for 2012) have the 5.5 Gallon Steel tank, making the 2012 Classic the one to get if you're getting a classic.

That said, they're all great bikes, buy the one that calls to you.

[malik]

The larger metal tank makes a significant difference - my Classic now has one of those -  worth every penny.

[bpreynolds]

Oh well.  I bought a Roamer.  Probably start a thread on it. 

[rocker59]

My 2014 V7 Special is still available,  if anyone is interested.  Just over 3000 miles and a few "right" accessories.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[johnr]

. It even works with the appallingly bad Sport Demons.

Curious about this. I went to SDs from the standard Metzler and found them (the sport demons) to be outstanding. What has your experience been?

[fossil]

That´s simple. They work when it is dry and warm. But I tend to ride even when it is moist, sometimes wet, and when it is not that warm. For example between October and April. Then it is not that cozy here in Northern Germany. And then the Sport Demon simply are not secure. The same applies to wet grass. I now have the Dunlop Arrowmax Streetsmart, and it is simply no comparison.

By the way a short time before our magazine "Motorrad" performed a very extensive test of tyres including e.g. the Sport Demon, the Pilot Active, BT-45, the new Continental Diagonals, and the Streetsmart. They did the test on the Contidrom, a very famous test course in Hannover. The best was a radial combination from Continental (I do not know whether the combination is available in our sizes), the most Diagonals were good, with the Michelin outstanding in the dry - and the Dunlop in the wet. The (by far!) worst were the Avon - and the Sport Demon. Especially in the wet...

[johnr]

That's very interesting fossil. Is the Motorrad test on line somewhere ?

[fossil]

No, regrettably not. The issue is not old enough, they want to earn money with the sale. I will see whether I can write down some essentials, the test was issued in "Motorrad" and "Motorrad Classic". They used an older Yamaha, which they brought up to a good standard (NOS Konis, good overall condition). They were astonished how good the BT-45 still is in comparison. The Radials are better, the Diagonals do not differ much. Only the Avon and the Pirelli are bordering dangerous conditions in the wet. I can substantiate this.

But please observe: when it is warm (above 17�C) the Pirelli is not that bad. And on the V7 III I was astonished how good this tyre worked. Different from the V9 Roamer.

[johnr]

No, regrettably not. The issue is not old enough, they want to earn money with the sale. I will see whether I can write down some essentials, the test was issued in "Motorrad" and "Motorrad Classic". They used an older Yamaha, which they brought up to a good standard (NOS Konis, good overall condition). They were astonished how good the BT-45 still is in comparison. The Radials are better, the Diagonals do not differ much. Only the Avon and the Pirelli are bordering dangerous conditions in the wet. I can substantiate this.

But please observe: when it is warm (above 17�C) the Pirelli is not that bad. And on the V7 III I was astonished how good this tyre worked. Different from the V9 Roamer.

How about scanning it and emailing it to me fossil? (as a reasonable sized pic) I can PM my email address to you if you like. Um, wait, is it in English?

[fossil]

"Um, wait, is it in English?"

No, it´s not. I try to scan the tables that give the outcome of the single disciplines, they should easily be translated. I of course can help here.

[johnr]

That would be great fossil. I have sent you a PM with my email address.

[Muzz]

John, when we rode the Breva at the Rattley Rappet it had the Demons front and rear. I personally had found them to be pretty good, and as you know, I have ridden them through a weather bomb in the Haast. When I last took it to Golden Bay (early April) just before it was due to come off the road for winter it had finished off the rear well and truly by the time I got there. The only tire of the right size in Nelson was the Metzeler MZ2, a steel belted radial that is OEM for one of the Bonnevilles.

Took it easy through to the Takaka Hill and then worked it a bit on the Hill. By Takaka there were no chicken strips on the rear . It felt very planted, and when I rode in damp conditions it felt good as well.
 
Pfaff fitted a Pilot Active to his Breva on the rear, as he said it gave much better mileage with very little discernible difference as to the grip. Longevity on the rear as always been a bit of a peeve, I get about 6000 miles on the rear, so I will be interested to see how this Metzeler performs in this regard. The online price between the two tires is only about $30, which is very modest seeing the difference in construction, and the garage that does my warrants will fit them at a very reasonable cost.

Bike goes back on the road on the 27th Sept, so will let you know how it pans out.

Incidentally, did you get the notification from Tony that the Tattley Rappet is in Kaiapoi this year?

[johnr]

Incidentally, did you get the notification from Tony that the Tattley Rappet is in Kaiapoi this year?

No I didn't Muzz. He probably doesn't have my new email address. Can you do something about this?

I too have been happy with my SDs to date feeling confident with them in the wet and of course it is nearly always less than 17c down here. They are a whole order of magnitude better than the OEM Metzlers.

 But I too wouldn't mind a bit more millage out of the rear but not at a cost in grip. I'm also a bit less than impressed with the SDs in gravel though that is secondary. 

I've always had quite a lot of faith in Dunlop and their Street Smarts seem like a possible answer to this but they don't list them (or anything) for my bike for some reason though they appear to make them in the right sizes.  This is on my "to investigate" list.

I remain though very interested in getting my hands on the test that fossil has access to.

[fossil]

"I've always had quite a lot of faith in Dunlop and their Street Smarts seem like a possible answer to this but they don't list them (or anything) for my bike for some reason though they appear to make them in the right sizes.  This is on my "to investigate" list."

This is interesting. In Europe for a lot of bikes there is a really small list of tyres that may be used. But definitively not so for the smallblock V7 - range. Here only the size and the structure (ply rating, minimum of top speed) is defined. So you can use any tyre that has the same ratings as the stock Sport Demon.