Potential Moto Guzzi owner questions

[twowheeladdict]

If you could possibly wait, how about the new V85...??
I would be reticent to enter the caper on a V7, should be fine most of the time but as a returned tourer you may have lost some skills regarding packing for a trip and take too much stuff..
Only to find your 750 won't pull the skin off a rice pudding into a strong wind up a long hill.
I have a 2 VPC Norge and they are an absolute known quantity. In the interim, I'd ride every damn one I could for a long way each, you won't know where it "bights" under 500 miles.
Did you mention your height and physical capability with a taller seat ?
In any case, ride lots of them as I say, and know what you're buying, there are so damn many fully farkled Guzzies on this forum with bugger all miles 'cos the owner has discovered something he did not find out prior to purchase.
'Were it me...?
I'd get a Beetled 2VPC Norge and take it away for a week.
Do the startus mod
Grease the swingarm and suspension pivots
Install a metal fuel filter
And bugger off..
Oh and BTW most importantly
Welcome to the Fun House and work out who knows what they're talking about... (Won't take long)
Less time if you're an Aussie.
Love, Huzo...

I have owned and toured on 1400cc sport touring and 1700cc touring bikes and I disagree with Mr. Huzo.

The 750 will take you anywhere you care to go and will run over any legal speed limit in the US.  And when you get to twisty mountain roads you will have a lot more fun on the 750.

When I started riding 750cc bikes were the touring bikes. 

[mechanicsavant]

Yup after a few miles I'm a v7 believer (10k). My $.02 cast wheels! No fear of flats,as long as I've got my mini compressor & plug kit! Tuning & suspension are personal preferences ,oh radial tires too.I got ma a 16 Stone leftover for $7200 out the door!

[Cam3512]

It'll be the majority but not the fast majority..

PLENTY fast enough.   We're not racing on the street.

[kingoffleece]

+1

[Huzo]

I have owned and toured on 1400cc sport touring and 1700cc touring bikes and I disagree with Mr. Huzo.

The 750 will take you anywhere you care to go and will run over any legal speed limit in the US.  And when you get to twisty mountain roads you will have a lot more fun on the 750.

When I started riding 750cc bikes were the touring bikes. 

Yeh me too. (
1976)
My only point is and always was, is that when two or more adverse conditions arrive at the same time, you won't have a comfortable margin of safety and performance for today's world.
But anyway..
I'm not absolutely sure that I'm right, I just haven't been wrong on this one yet..
But given enough time, I'm sure I will be eventually.

[Huzo]

PLENTY fast enough.   We're not racing on the street.

Point is Cam..
I think he meant VAST majority..
I was only quoting what I read.
Anyway..
Nice little conversation starter.

[pyoungbl]

Guzzi has made some small changes to the ergos on the various V7 iterations.  A tall person will probably be happier with the iii.  OP really needs to take each out for a longish ride to see what fits him.  Personally, I'd go with the ii and invest in suspension upgrades with the money 'saved'.

[twowheeladdict]

Yeh me too. (
1976)
My only point is and always was, is that when two or more adverse conditions arrive at the same time, you won't have a comfortable margin of safety and performance for today's world.
But anyway..
I'm not absolutely sure that I'm right, I just haven't been wrong on this one yet..
But given enough time, I'm sure I will be eventually.

People today have gotten lazy with the transmission.  If they can't pass in top gear they aren't happy.  Downshift and rev that baby out!  I rode the pacific coast highway on a Kawasaki KLX250S, and people have completed the Iron Butt Rally 11,000 miles in 11 days on Kawasaki Ninja 250s. 

[Huzo]

People today have gotten lazy with the transmission.  If they can't pass in top gear they aren't happy.  Downshift and rev that baby out!  I rode the pacific coast highway on a Kawasaki KLX250S, and people have completed the Iron Butt Rally 11,000 miles in 11 days on Kawasaki Ninja 250s.

Yeah mate, but if your prime reason for living is to suffer, you may as well just re-marry your ex wife..!
We all know what CAN be done, but when you're tired and the edge has gone off your concentration for the day, the extra capability of the stronger bike, will compensate for your shortfall.
But maybe I just don't know..

PS. That GeneW bloke sure knows how to start a conversation..!
Are we being "gentle" as you requested..?
First time is the worst..

[Ncdan]

Ive did the touring thing since the mid 70s on everything from a 500cc Honda silverwing, Honda CB750, honda CB 900, two goldwings, three  Harley's and three moto Guzzis, hadn't been able to tour on the 1400 tourer yet due to the TPS SENSOR issue, but I'm working on that. Here's my point. After a few hours and 300 miles I've been ready to get my arse off every one of them....:)

[Huzo]

Ive did the touring thing since the mid 70s on everything from a 500cc Honda silverwing, Honda CB750, honda CB 900, two goldwings, three  Harley's and three moto Guzzis, hadn't been able to tour on the 1400 tourer yet due to the TPS SENSOR issue, but I'm working on that. Here's my point. After a few hours and 300 miles I've been ready to get my arse off every one of them....:)

I'll ponder that, but my intended response might be beyond the scope of this forum.
Anyway, I sense massive thread drift about to occur.
If Gene wants a mid sized bike and it needs to be a Guzzi
And he doesn't want to wait for the V85
And he doesn't overload it with luggage
And he doesn't go up massive hills into strong headwinds
And he doesn't want "buffeting"
Then one of those lovely little V7 Stone jiggers may well suffice for a few weeks 'till he gets the bug and becomes serious...!

[twowheeladdict]

I'll ponder that, but my intended response might be beyond the scope of this forum.
Anyway, I sense massive thread drift about to occur.
If Gene wants a mid sized bike and it needs to be a Guzzi
And he doesn't want to wait for the V85
And he doesn't overload it with luggage
And he doesn't go up massive hills into strong headwinds
And he doesn't want "buffeting"
Then one of those lovely little V7 Stone jiggers may well suffice for a few weeks 'till he gets the bug and becomes serious...!

So, what you are saying is buy a car to tour and ride a bike to local tavern or coffee shop.   

[Kev m]

Yeh me too. (
1976)
My only point is and always was, is that when two or more adverse conditions arrive at the same time, you won't have a comfortable margin of safety and performance for today's world.
But anyway..
I'm not absolutely sure that I'm right, I just haven't been wrong on this one yet..
But given enough time, I'm sure I will be eventually.

I've heard this argument before, mostly from people who are fooling themselves.

Most don't have the reaction time or skills to get out of a situation with a throttle that brakes (and/or better planning) wouldn't have worked better.

[Dave Swanson]

It sounds like you are in the market for a new bike from a dealer, but if you would consider a used bike I wouldn't turn up my nose at a late model V7.   I bought a 2015 V7 Special from Moto International a couple of years ago and it has really endeared itself to me!  I have added Mistral slip ons and a tune from Beetle and it is pure bliss. The non ii/iii V7 can be had for a great price with just a bit of patience. 

[jas67]

Anyway, I wouldn�t worry about the V7 ii or iii dilemma. In my experience the little b@stards breed like wildfire once you get them in the garage. You will most likely end up owning more than one [emoji106]

True story!

I test drove both and ended up with a iii.  I really like the extra power, a bit more refined (but still plenty of shake and chug), the idea of improved engine oiling, and bottom line I just found it more fun to ride than a ii.
......
Anyway, my vote is a iii.   

I have to agree.   I haven't owned a II, but, had a V7 Classic, a 2013 V7 Racer (still have), and a 2014 V7 Special.

The V7 III is a very nice evolution of the V7 lineup.   Everything is just a bit better, adding up to a very nice package.

When I first got mine, which I sold the 2014 V7 Special to get it, I almost regretted the decision, as I had spent about $4k to sell and buy.   But, every time I ride the V7 III, I love it more, and a happy with the purchase.

The blue special is the best looking.   The cast wheels and tubeless tires of the Stone are great, but, I like having a tach, and the Stone was just too much flat black for me.

The Carbon shine would be a great way to go if you like  the chrome tank, or the Milano, it's got gloss paint, chrome pipes, and a tach, but, the cast wheels of the Stone.   I'm not big on the grey color, but, for a couple hundred $$, that can be changed.

I definitely recommend riding the II and III before deciding.    If you can find forum members with these bikes with a couple thousand miles on them to test ride, all the better, as these bikes really do get better once they are broken in.

And a final note, I have to definitely agree with the other posters above, that given your current bikes, and style of riding, any of the V7 family would be a great fit!

[Kev m]

Gene, judging from your initial post you seem like a perfect match for any of the V7's. I wouldn't get too hung up on the year/model. Ride a few and find one you like.

[jas67]

Look  at these deals! I bought my 2014 V7 Special from  them.

http://www.eurosports.net/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=5977377&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=m00080&fr=xfeaturedinventory

http://www.eurosports.net/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=5977368&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=m00112&fr=xfeaturedinventory

Wow!   Two great deals.   I'm of course, partial to the blue Special, this is, by far, the best deal I've seen on a V7 III Special.

There are some dealers with the Stones for $5,995.    If you like all the flat black, and don't mind missing a tach, the Stone is a great bike for short money.

[jas67]

PLENTY fast enough.   We're not racing on the street.

+1.

I love my 115 HP Ducati 749 on the track, but not on the street.

The V7 is BIG fun on the street.

[twowheeladdict]

Look  at these deals! I bought my 2014 V7 Special from  them.

http://www.eurosports.net/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=5977377&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=m00080&fr=xfeaturedinventory

http://www.eurosports.net/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=5977368&p=1&s=Year&d=D&sq=m00112&fr=xfeaturedinventory

Those are OK prices, but they are demos.  My local dealer sold new leftover ones for about that.

[GeneW]

Wow. In one day 47 replies to my request for information. Just amazing. Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. All the opinions seem well reasoned and insightful.

I do have some reservations on the musings of Huzo. Hard to take advice of one who was "subconsciously hoping his wife and his girl friend might become "friends."" (See reply #25).

I think either V7 series will have plenty of power as I've never felt under powered on my existing cycles which are old 750's. I'm going do a test ride on the II and the III and see which feels right and then buy it and get out riding.

I noticed references to Moto Guzzi using plastic gas tanks in the past. Are all the V7 II and III gas tanks steel? I tried to research this but couldn't find a definite answer.

Again, thanks for the responses.

Gene

[kingoffleece]

My 2015 V7 Mk1 is steel

[alanp]

Gene, all the II and III series V7’s have steel tanks. 

[guzzi4me]

2016 V7II Steel.

[Paul Brooking]

Wow. In one day 47 replies to my request for information. Just amazing. Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts. All the opinions seem well reasoned and insightful.

I do have some reservations on the musings of Huzo. Hard to take advice of one who was "subconsciously hoping his wife and his girl friend might become "friends."" (See reply #25).

You are going to fit in really well here 

[SED]

I too learned on Brit bikes that shift on the right (correct) side (BSA, Enfield & Ariel) and having learned to left shift on a Guzzi, I can say that it's not too bad except when a car jumps in front and you hit the brake and go down a gear.    Fortunately Guzzis are tough and easy to work on.  And they have great brakes (comparatively).

I rented a V7iii for about 600 miles of riding in mountains and traffic and I find the throttle too light and quick, and the clutch too grabby to be easy feather in 1st gear - need more practice to take tight climbing switchbacks.  Power was fine, but the seating position for me was too upright (I'm 5'11") so 70+ mph had a lot of wind pressure.  Pretty sure the riding position of the V7 Racer is better, but only have a few miles on one. 

The things that appeal to me about the V7ii and iii are the looks, size, weight, steel tank and single throttle body.  My ideal would be the special paint, black frame, mag wheels with the racer bars and rear sets and a tach.  And Ohlins suspension and twin front disks (because they look so '80s)

[Huzo]

So, what you are saying is buy a car to tour and ride a bike to local tavern or coffee shop.   

Well not exactly.
What I'm saying, is what I said. In no time it'll be up for grabs because it wouldn't pull a greasy stick out of a dead bears arse..
That's sorta' my point..

[Huzo]

I've heard this argument before, mostly from people who are fooling themselves.

Most don't have the reaction time or skills to get out of a situation with a throttle that brakes (and/or better planning) wouldn't have worked better.

Sounds like BS Kev, but I hope the guy gets what he likes.
Of course if I end up correct, you'll never hear the end...
Anyway, best he ignores me, I don't ride mine much..

[Huzo]

PLENTY fast enough.   We're not racing on the street.

A tongue in cheek response to the 8th word on the second last line of post #26.
Come on guys, throw me a freaking bone here...!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Huzo! you are having too much fun winding these guys up, why don't you behave and go for a wee ride or something.

[Cam3512]

2012 and later had steel tanks.  2013 and later had single throttle body engines.