V7 most reliable Guzzi in decades?

[JohninVT]

It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years.  The CARC bikes all have issues that appear frequently; gauges leaking and killing ECU's, cracked headers, warped rotors, etc.  Not to mention the 8 valve roller debacle.  Going back to the previous Cali series there was the Hydro recall.

The V7 clutch thing on a few bikes is about the only major issue I've seen.  Is the V7 the most reliable Guzzi sold in the last decade or two? 

   

[roadscum]

I think so. From what I've read on the several forums I follow you could be right. With the changes to the  III motor both durability and reliability should improve.  Now, if  only they'd dump those EOM fuel filter like the one that failed on my v7 10 days after taking delivery with about 1300 miles on the odo,. Whata POS, I/2 plastic - 1/2 metal...……. jeeeez, a  BIG WTF!!! 

Paul

[Mayakovski]

Now, if  only they'd dump those EOM fuel filter like the one that failed on my v7 10 days after taking delivery with about 1300 miles on the odo,. Whata POS, I/2 plastic - 1/2 metal...……. jeeeez, a  BIG WTF!!! 

Paul

No kidding, I have heard so much about them failing that I ordered a replacement before I even got my bike.  Though Piaggio stated very clearly that if I use any filter other than the OEM one they sell that I may be denied any warranty claim that has to do with the fuel system in any way.  Buggers.

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Something failing after 1300 miles does not support the idea of most reliable in decades.  Just sayin'

[Chuck in Indiana]

Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. 

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

Gimme an old Tonti

First time I've missed having the "like" button. 

[JohninVT]

Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. 

Chrome cylinders.....

[earemike]

Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. 

+1, no internet to complain back then so they must have been more reliable 

[guzzista]

That's a good one!

Tell me more PLEASE :)

I would venture to say that most chrome cylinder bikes have been updated by now, so its not an applicable example. The last Tonti with Chrome bores goes back to... 1980? Plus, just given how old the vintage Tontis left are, they have already proved that they are reliable and  can last a long time. Let's see what happens in the next 20 years or so that will actually prove the V7'S are actually the most dependable. As per the internet,  the garbage in / garbage out  phenomenon  has not only remained true, but has  ten folded to say the least and that may include incomplete and  or numerically inaccurate info on reliability studies.

[Kev m]

It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years.  The CARC bikes all have issues that appear frequently; gauges leaking and killing ECU's, cracked headers, warped rotors, etc.  Not to mention the 8 valve roller debacle.  Going back to the previous Cali series there was the Hydro recall.

The V7 clutch thing on a few bikes is about the only major issue I've seen.  Is the V7 the most reliable Guzzi sold in the last decade or two? 

 

Well in my incredibly small sample my V7 has clearly been much less trouble than my 00 Tonti Jackal and 06 CARC Breva 1100.

I think Jay has had an equally trouble-free time with his 4 smallblocks.

And there's another 3-4 smallblocks in the NJMGNOC who seem to be doing well.

That's not too say there have been no hiccups.

I believe there were a few porous engine blocks that were replaced in the V7C era.

The MKI 1TB V7's seem to have crap overcharging regulators.

And, the worst (which I think you were referencing as a "clutch thing" but isn't really) were a number of MkII's where some friggin moron at the factory allowed motors to be built WITHOUT THE CRANKSHAFT THRUST WASHER. They originally started to surface as the clutch required constant readjustment until there was no adjustment left (since the crankshaft was slowly working its way reward towards the transmission by eating the block).

But yes, again, it seems (perhaps sadly) that the V7 might be wearing the modern relatability crown.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Chrome cylinders.....

V7 Sport, 750S, S3, 850-T, T3, T4 had chrome bores, but the Convert, G5, SP, CX100 and Le Mans all had iron liners until they switched to Nigusil. IMO, the iron liner, 949 cc, round fins were the among the best Guzzi ever built. If the original timing chain tensioner was "adjusted" around 10k miles, that wasn't even an issue. 

[jas67]

I think Jay has had an equally trouble-free time with his 4 smallblocks.

I have not owned one past 10k miles, so, while I've put over 20k miles V7's, I've not owned any into high or even highish miles.
That said, they've been pretty trouble free, and all of them big smile makers.

My ownership experience:
2009 V7 Classic, purchased 9/2011 with 1,800 miles, sold 9/2013 with 10k miles.
Only problems were:
- both exhaust nuts vibrated off one side, and lost the collets.   That was preventable, had I been doing a job in fastener checks.   
- bolt that goes through the swing arm that holds the rear brake stay from turning backed out and the stay rotated, breaking the brake line and speedometer sensor cable -- again, preventable.

2013 V7 Racer, purchased 9/2013 with 4k miles, currently just shy of 10k miles
One of the rear shocks started leaking right after I purchased it -- fixed under warranty
Voltage Regulator was putting out 15V as Kev M. mentioned -- I replaced with an aftermarket one.

2014 V7 Special, purchased 11/2015 with 970 miles on it, sold in June 2018 with 6,800 miles.
Sometime before I owned it, one muffler got very discolored, likely from a bad spark plug cap that had likely been replaced before I owned it.    Muffler was replaced under warranty.
Voltage regulator -- same as the Racer.
Currently it is draining the battery while parked, need to figure out why.

2017 V7III Special, purchased May 2018 with 330 miles.   Currently, 1,700 miles, trouble free so far.

[Kev m]

I have not owned one past 10k miles, so, while I've put over 20k miles V7's, I've not owned any into high or even highish miles.
That said, they've been pretty trouble free, and all of them big smile makers.

My ownership experience:
2009 V7 Classic, purchased 9/2011 with 1,800 miles, sold 9/2013 with 10k miles.
Only problems were:
- both exhaust nuts vibrated off one side, and lost the collets.   That was preventable, had I been doing a job in fastener checks.   
- bolt that goes through the swing arm that holds the rear brake stay from turning backed out and the stay rotated, breaking the brake line and speedometer sensor cable -- again, preventable.

2013 V7 Racer, purchased 9/2013 with 4k miles, currently just shy of 10k miles
One of the rear shocks started leaking right after I purchased it -- fixed under warranty
Voltage Regulator was putting out 15V as Kev M. mentioned -- I replaced with an aftermarket one.

2014 V7 Special, purchased 11/2015 with 970 miles on it, sold in June 2018 with 6,800 miles.
Sometime before I owned it, one muffler got very discolored, likely from a bad spark plug cap that had likely been replaced before I owned it.    Muffler was replaced under warranty.
Voltage regulator -- same as the Racer.
Currently it is draining the battery while parked, need to figure out why.

2017 V7III Special, purchased May 2018 with 330 miles.   Currently, 1,700 miles, trouble free so far.

At least there were no:

* $800 failed dashes
* Self-destructing valve trains

or any other myraid of stupid problems, but alas that wasn't trouble free I guess.

[Turin]

Didn't Lino Tonti design the small block frame and engine?

[rider33]

Guzzi has a long history of innovation and racing success.  Unfortunately they also have been on financial life support more than a few times which does not bode well for capital investment.  Say what you will about Piaggio buying them but it brought some significant clout to the business and one of the first things they did was to invest in getting the V7 right.  Look how rapid the updates have come and we are not just talking bold new colors.  The current V7 has deep heritage but it has benefited from significant investment in design and manufacturing, that I believe is why each succeeding generation seems to have improved reliability and performance.  It’s not like they wouldn’t have liked to have done that all along, but to do so takes some deep pockets.

[jas67]

At least there were no:

* $800 failed dashes
* Self-destructing valve trains

or any other myraid of stupid problems, but alas that wasn't trouble free I guess.

Absolutely.    Every "problem" I've with my V7's was minor and/or preventable.

Don't forgot as if the TWO failed dashes weren't enough pain, the B11's clutch self-destructed before 25k miles too.   The clutch was not worn out, the friction material just broke up and fell off the the metal backing.

[mjptexas]

It sure seems from this forum and others I frequent that the V7 series is much more reliable than every other model Guzzi has sold in the last 20 years.

Well, considering the fact that the V7 has been "under development" for over 30 years, I'd hope to shout that MG has figured out how to make them "reliable".

[Socalrob]

My V7iii has been flawless for 5,000 miles.

[twowheeladdict]

Something failing after 1300 miles does not support the idea of most reliable in decades.  Just sayin'

It does if the models it is comparing to are less reliable.

[pete roper]

Any modern motorbike is overall fairly reliable as long as it is well engineered. The V7's are no more or less so than many others. Generally, apart from the flat tappet fiasco, the CARC bikes too are pretty bulletproof. Most of the 'Problems' with them are induced by poor prep at the factory and poor tuning.

The smallblocks have had their share of issues too of late. Everybody seems to have conveniently forgotten the whole run of motors without crank thrust bearings! The other huge advantage they have is that using the MUIG3 there is pretty much nothing that Harry Hometune or a Shaved Ape can mess about with to render them unrideable! This is a huge benefit as most of the running issues with all twin TB models are down to people messing about with stuff they don't understand or working on the principle that "Fuel injection works just like carburettors"!

Dunno about the III's because I've never seen one but I see no reason to believe they would be any better,or worse, than previous models.

Pete

[Chuck in Indiana]

IMO, the iron liner, 949 cc, round fins were the among the best Guzzi ever built.

That would be a plus one. 

Didn't Lino Tonti design the small block frame and engine?

The frame, for sure.

[Kev m]

Any modern motorbike is overall fairly reliable as long as it is well engineered. The V7's are no more or less so than many others. Generally, apart from the flat tappet fiasco, the CARC bikes too are pretty bulletproof. Most of the 'Problems' with them are induced by poor prep at the factory and poor tuning.

The smallblocks have had their share of issues too of late. Everybody seems to have conveniently forgotten the whole run of motors without crank thrust bearings!

No one's forgetting. I listed it in my first reply.

That said there's a huge difference between one moron FORGETTING to install a critical engine part and the entire valve train eating itself because of poor design or manufacturing.

[alanp]

No one's forgetting. I listed it in my first reply.

That said there's a huge difference between one moron FORGETTING to install a critical engine part and the entire valve train eating itself because of poor design or manufacturing.

Have to agree with that, Kev.

My 2016 V7II is tied for most reliable bike I have ever owned with a 2012 Suzuki VStrom.  The Strom had no issues, and so far neither has the V7.  I pretty much had come to the conclusion the V7 series was the most reliable modern Guzzi before I bought mine, based on my friends experience with them and my impressions from reading on here.  No scientific, but seems to be the case to me.

[pete roper]

I’m not disputing their reliability, just suggesting that the lack of issues is probably because people don’t screw about with them like they do with earlier models.

[Dofin]

Well I  got stranded 50 miles from home on my 2015 V7 Stone at 32K.  Starter button wont engage starter.   Went back to my PC800 to do my 2 day trip.  Figure it might be neutral switch or clutch switch??  Checked side stand switch all ready.

[Kev m]

I’m not disputing their reliability, just suggesting that the lack of issues is probably because people don’t screw about with them like they do with earlier models.

Not screwing with it pretty much doesn't account for any of the CARC problems I can remember from valve trains to dashes, from cracking fork legs to unlubricated suspension bits.... To startus interruptus.

I mean I feel like the CARCs (like the Tonti before) were bricks with regards to the motor and frame, but with these unfortunate Achilles heels.

But maybe that's true with most Guzzis in the past few decades.

[Kev m]

Well I  got stranded 50 miles from home on my 2015 V7 Stone at 32K.  Starter button wont engage starter.   Went back to my PC800 to do my 2 day trip.  Figure it might be neutral switch or clutch switch??  Checked side stand switch all ready.

Ha ha, startus interruptus too maybe...

[jwinwi]

Pfffft. Gimme an old Tonti. They, and cockroaches will be the only things moving some day.. 

Don't forget about Keith Richards... He's been defying the odds for decades!

[Guzzistajohn]

Nope, can't beat an old Tonti


190 miles of air cooled nirvana on this one today

[Roebling3]

I had heard and read enough about the 'faults' on contemporary V7's to swap the 1/2 & 1/2 filter (swollen and distorted @ 479 miles), and the spark plug caps (for NGK), on a V7 III Racer. Guzzi now considers the filter failure to include the entire pump assy. Rather than the cost of a filter (available in all metal from many sources and used on all big blocks, btw), It's more than 400 bux, iirc, for the entire replacement part. I also don't run wire wheels/tubed tires if leaving town. I swapped them for Stone cast type b4 delivery. 

My only remaining serious complaint is gear howl. 'They all do that'; and I've proven it to myself, having ridden a bunch of others; but that little sum-bitch sounds like a banshee battle, especially in 3, 4, 5 & 6th if you're searching for red line. It scares people on the street. Who the devil designed that trans.? I always wear ear plugs. Somehow the howl frequency comes through regardless. Also, it can't assimilate quick multi-gear downshifts.  R3~