V7 Stone II...or III?

[Thirtyaughtsix]

Forgive me as I'm sure this one has been beaten to death by now, but I'm thinking I'm going to buy a Stone hopefully come the warm weather time, and if so it'll be the first motorcycle I've actually full on purchased.

I'm thinking I'd like for this bike to be a do-all ol' reliable bike I can depend on if any more post-restoration kinks arise on my 850T, my one and only bike so far. As someone who's only worked on an 850T and doesn't have access to an adequate garage anymore with the closest Guzzi dealer 90 minutes away, would it be more worthwhile for me to find a lightly used II or should I just spring for the III? I'd ultimately be happy with either, I prefer the dash on the II over the III 10 times out of 10 but not enough to be a total deal breaker or anything. What are the pros and cons of each, would it be worth spending the extra couple thousand dollars to go ahead and get the III? Is the III really all that upgraded from the II? I'm not at all read up on either so any quick facts about both would be appreciated

[alanp]

I have a Stone II and really love it.  It has been very reliable so far (5k miles).  Supposedly, the III has more torque and power, and slightly different ergos.  The biggest difference should be the price, however.  I suspect you can get a screaming deal on a leftover II or buy a used one with some nice upgrades.  Personally, I am very happy with my II and would recommend that route if $ is a consideration. 

[rider33]

as a iii owner (biased) I think there are a number of worthwhile updates to the new model, the largest being the essentially new engine which is one nice lump.  That being said, ii's are solid and likely a very good deal so if you can, ride both, look at the numbers & make your call.  I doubt either would be a bad call really.  In my case tho, the extra room of the reworked ergo's on the iii was a very big deal, YMMV.

[Kev m]

I doubt there's any real difference in reliability or maintenance.

I think it comes down to what you value more as there are differences in cosmetics, ergos, instruments, and yes, the motor.

So which differences do you want more?

[DaSwami]

Does the III have more "room" than the II?   I thought the III had a lower seat....did they lower the pegs even more?

[Kev m]

Does the III have more "room" than the II?   I thought the III had a lower seat....did they lower the pegs even more?

I don't know from experience yet, but there's at least one other thread here recently that stated there are ergo differences.

And I believe more than one person taller than 6' stated a preference for the III based on the different ergos.

[MMRanch]

I'm 5'10" and get along with my II just fine .   Its only been 4000 miles since August when I picked it up .   Some times , I think the rear tire won't last long enough , its looking like less than 8k will have it like an Onion ! 

[fossil]

V7 III Milano of course. Resembles the first V7 Stone very much, and is a better bike. I ride the first V7 Stone and love it...

[Thirtyaughtsix]

I doubt there's any real difference in reliability or maintenance.

I think it comes down to what you value more as there are differences in cosmetics, ergos, instruments, and yes, the motor.

So which differences do you want more?

Reliability and longevity, but at the same time the difference between $6k and $9k in price is a pretty big deal for me with where I'm at in life at the moment

[Kev m]

Reliability and longevity, but at the same time the difference between $6k and $9k in price is a pretty big deal for me with where I'm at in life at the moment

Well then as long as you don't like the cosmetics, ergos, engine differences, etc. If the III $3k more, buy the II.

Then again I've never bought a bike and not put at least $2-3k into accessories (which might include some ergo adjustments) so I'd really want to ride both and be sure before I bought one over the other based on that price difference alone.

[bpreynolds]

I actually prefer the looks of the II and earlier.  I’m not a big fan of the blacked out exhaust which, to my eyes, makes it seem visually too long and almost a bit odd.  Still a stunning bike either way, however.  Something too I’ve noticed with my V9 and the V7III is the header pipes seem considerably  larger and I’m not sure if they are double walled or just that much bigger but on my V9 in 5k miles I have not seen any of discoloration of these header pipes the way that my former V7I and others I’ve seen demonstrate.  Not sure the source of that exactly.  At first I thought maybe the headers being so much larger were now maybe double walled or something but I don’t think it’s that.  I never thought there was anything wrong with the fueling on my former V7 the blue and brown headers always made me wonder.  Anyhow, that’s one tiny thing you wouldn’t have to think about cosmetically with the V7III; but again, I personally prefer the looks of the chrome pipes. 

[Kev m]

I actually prefer the looks of the II and earlier.  I�m not a big fan of the blacked out exhaust which, to my eyes, makes it seem visually too long and almost a bit odd.  Still a stunning bike either way, however.  Something too I�ve noticed with my V9 and the V7III is the header pipes seem considerably  larger and I�m not sure if they are double walled or just that much bigger but on my V9 in 5k miles I have not seen any of discoloration of these header pipes the way that my former V7I and others I�ve seen demonstrate.  Not sure the source of that exactly.  At first I thought maybe the headers being so much larger were now maybe double walled or something but I don�t think it�s that.  I never thought there was anything wrong with the fueling on my former V7 the blue and brown headers always made me wonder.  Anyhow, that�s one tiny thing you wouldn�t have to think about cosmetically with the V7III; but again, I personally prefer the looks of the chrome pipes.

Unless I'm crazy I thought I remembered reading they were double-walled.

And I MUCH prefer the cosmetics of the III, especially the blacked-out exhaust on the Stone!

Actually it doesn't make any sense, but I'd almost be tempted to get rid of my 13 and replace it with a III. But I'd probably shoot myself if I had to start over with racks, sliders, centerstand, mirrors, etc.

[Thirtyaughtsix]

I do like that more things are black on the III, I am definitely an all black everything ever kind of guy, but that asymmetrical dash really nearly kills me. I have no doubt once I pull up to wherever and look at the bike in it's whole for my first time ever it would all go out the window and I would be leaving there with a new bike.

Hopefully I get the opportunity to ride both but I can't help but feel the stars won't align, there's only a few II's on cycletrader and none of them are even sorta close. May even be more scarce in 5-6 months, have just have to "settle" for having a dealer order me a III

[kingoffleece]

I think Hamlin in CT has a few 11's left.  call him.

[Lcarlson]

I actually prefer the looks of the II and earlier.  I�m not a big fan of the blacked out exhaust which, to my eyes, makes it seem visually too long and almost a bit odd.  Still a stunning bike either way, however.  Something too I�ve noticed with my V9 and the V7III is the header pipes seem considerably  larger and I�m not sure if they are double walled or just that much bigger but on my V9 in 5k miles I have not seen any of discoloration of these header pipes the way that my former V7I and others I�ve seen demonstrate.  Not sure the source of that exactly.  At first I thought maybe the headers being so much larger were now maybe double walled or something but I don�t think it�s that.  I never thought there was anything wrong with the fueling on my former V7 the blue and brown headers always made me wonder.  Anyhow, that�s one tiny thing you wouldn�t have to think about cosmetically with the V7III; but again, I personally prefer the looks of the chrome pipes.

If the headers are not blued, they’re double-walled. Personally, after years of BMWs, I don’t mind the bluing at all — seems like just the way they’re supposed to be.  BMW uses single-walled stainless steel headers, which naturally discolor but do not rust. I’ll take that trade-off any day.

[Guzzi Gal]

Yes, they are double walled, and my Anniversario's haven't blued in the slightest.  I too didn't like the asymmetrical look, so I turned my attention to the Special, but I like chrome.  You could always sell the chrome bits on the Special, and replace with the black you like so much.   

[Thirtyaughtsix]

Let's wonder for the sake of fun I do end up with a new III, 0 miles on the clock...do you think it'd be possible to order a new dash from let's say a Special, and throw it on the Stone and everything work as intended, plug and play?

[Kev m]

Let's wonder for the sake of fun I do end up with a new III, 0 miles on the clock...do you think it'd be possible to order a new dash from let's say a Special, and throw it on the Stone and everything work as intended, plug and play?

Tough question - I would start at the wiring harness. If the harnesses are the same part numbers between say a V7 III Stone and Special, I would say the chances are surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because in this day and age a lot of things are interconnected on most vehicles and it likely wouldn't be that easy on a lot of them.

But last I checked the smallblock dashes weren't integrated with the EFI system for things like security and electronic coded keys etc., so you might just be able to do it.

[Guzzi Gal]

Tough question - I would start at the wiring harness. If the harnesses are the same part numbers between say a V7 III Stone and Special, I would say the chances are surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because in this day and age a lot of things are interconnected on most vehicles and it likely wouldn't be that easy on a lot of them.

But last I checked the smallblock dashes weren't integrated with the EFI system for things like security and electronic coded keys etc., so you might just be able to do it.

Here is the harness diagram I received from Dave Richardson when I bought Anni.

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_small_blocks_wiring_diagrams_-very_large_and_easy_to_read-.html

Scroll to the bottom of the page for the PDF link.

[bmp72]

If the headers are not blued, they�re double-walled. Personally, after years of BMWs, I don�t mind the bluing at all � seems like just the way they�re supposed to be.  BMW uses single-walled stainless steel headers, which naturally discolor but do not rust. I�ll take that trade-off any day.

I don't mind the bluing either.... back in the day with my GS750, the bluing was a good method to see that all cilinders were running about equal..

[jas67]

Tough question - I would start at the wiring harness. If the harnesses are the same part numbers between say a V7 III Stone and Special, I would say the chances are surprisingly good. I say surprisingly because in this day and age a lot of things are interconnected on most vehicles and it likely wouldn't be that easy on a lot of them.

But last I checked the smallblock dashes weren't integrated with the EFI system for things like security and electronic coded keys etc., so you might just be able to do it.

If you don't mind the chrome, but want the cast alloy wheels, buy the Milano.   Then you get the tach, and shiny paint too!

[mechanicsavant]

I was shopping for a iii last spring , the deal I was offered on a ii allowed me to keep my other bike ( R1200r) and get a new guzzi!!  I got a stone primarily because of the tubeless wheels  & figured I'd put the $s saved into a paint job. At first I thought I'd made a poor choice, engine shook like a dog passing peach pits, suspenssion was wooden as were brakes . After a few K mi. things loosened up & started to get happy . @ 7k mi so far & am very satisfied w/"topo gigo" the only mods have been , factory gel seat ,mirror extenders , a small. giving screen , HB 30l bags & ctr. stand. Just got tank & side covers back from painter (metallic grey w/2black stripes on tank & trim color east files on side covers). Setting susp. sag & new fork oil really helped ride & handling. OEM tires lasted 6k mi. . I put pirelli SD's back on by will try radials next set . I'm really pleased with the way things are going so far , and a tip of the helmet for the 411 I've gotten from this forum & a few others is in order.. I'd post pics if I wasn't such a Luddite ,that's a winter project .

[Guzzi Gal]

I was shopping for a iii last spring , the deal I was offered on a ii allowed me to keep my other bike ( R1200r) and get a new guzzi!!  I got a stone primarily because of the tubeless wheels  & figured I'd put the $s saved into a paint job. At first I thought I'd made a poor choice, engine shook like a dog passing peach pits, suspenssion was wooden as were brakes . After a few K mi. things loosened up & started to get happy . @ 7k mi so far & am very satisfied w/"topo gigo" the only mods have been , factory gel seat ,mirror extenders , a small. giving screen , HB 30l bags & ctr. stand. Just got tank & side covers back from painter (metallic grey w/2black stripes on tank & trim color east files on side covers). Setting susp. sag & new fork oil really helped ride & handling. OEM tires lasted 6k mi. . I put pirelli SD's back on by will try radials next set . I'm really pleased with the way things are going so far , and a tip of the helmet for the 411 I've gotten from this forum & a few others is in order.. I'd post pics if I wasn't such a Luddite ,that's a winter project .

Welcome to WG, mechanicsavant!!!
  I, for one, am all about the lookie-looing and would love to see your baby.  Here is your opportunity to practice!