I've had many bikes in my time and currently have a Blackbird. I've been riding for over 20 years and would LOVE a 'Guzzi'. The looks and sound is to die for. I love motorbikes and the 'Guzzi' has very gorgeous Italian style.
I have a 2016 Motto Guzzi V7II Stone (Silver color). I rode it to England via the secret trans Atlantic Tunnel reserved for the military and select VIPs. The tunnel has rest areas at every 100 mile intervals and a hotel w/restaurant midway. just saying
Rode my friends v7. Literally been waiting for a reviewer mention the vague gear changes. It's NOT just that bike. You just have to have faith that you are in gear.
I bought my V7 II Stone in matte gray a little over 2 weeks ago. I love mine. I agree with you on pretty much all the points you made especially with the gears being a little too quiet when shifting. And with no gear indicator, I have to really pay attention to what gear I am in. The engine braking is one of the strongest I have encountered as well. The price is what also sold me on this and the fact that there are few Guzzi's riding around my area. I love it!
+The Sideout RockerNice - nice one, yeah, I never pay any attention to the gear indicator, I infrequently use it but I do love the clunk in selecting the gears, maybe it’s me being old school. I still stand by my words it’s a great bike, so enjoy your new purchase. Send us some picture of any mods in the future, keeping my option open here.
Not me. I love mine. I'm coming up on its first service in another 100 miles. The dark rider set up is pretty cool. My first mods will be adding engine guards and swapping the stock mirrors for rizoma bar-end ones.
There's a vibration to the MG's that gives it its "character". However, the vibration is not as rough as say a Harley Davidson (with exception to their Street 500 and 750's). To me, its not a big deal. The bike definitely feels alive, which I really like. Triumph's are a little more refined. You're getting more CC's and more HP's along with the higher price tag. I have checked the V7 forums for potential issues but have not come across any major ones. I think if you take care of any bike, your issues will be minimal.
"It hasn't got a gear indicator". It has a high beam warning light though... Also, if you don't like the engine braking, stop crashing it through the gears to slow down...
Very nice bike. I saw you returned it to Slocombes, so it is the very same demo V7 they keep and I actually sat on early last October when I purchased some parts from them. How did you find it when filtering through traffic?
Changing gears on my guzzi v9 bobber is like a piano out the first floor window, I've had heads turn to see what the noise is it's that clunky, it's like the small hand going into the am on a grandfather clock...**clunkk** hahah
Nice review thanks. I took one for a ride recently and like you found the engine braking very severe. In fact too severe for my liking but perhaps that's something you get used to.
If you learn to blip the throttle when you go down the box to rev match then you get a nice smooth transition. I think engine braking is a good thing as it assists the brakes, I have a V7lll special and love every minute that I am riding they are a great bike. Happy riding and keep it shiny side up.
I have owned 2 v7s now, newest with 6 spd and traction control, not a bad bike at all, can't get by the lack of horsepower, on the open road it's lacking, idle exhaust takes a while to get use to. nice handling, metro styling, price is affordable, a small bike, ecu kept having re map issues, went back to dealer several times, could not get it right, went to a suzuki 1250 bandit, enjoying it much much more sorry
So I found a used model for around $5000 USD. However, it's a bit far away, so I can't test ride it. I'm curious as to what you think of the vibration of the engine. Does it bother you at all due to the placement, or is it a non-factor?
Highest temperatures in Texas are typically lower than the highest in Italy. An operating cylinder block is nominal 98°C but air-cooled may run to 115°C, however they are dissipating heat from the combustion chamber at 1250°C, so ambient temperature variation is of little consequence whether freezing or sweltering so long as there is airflow.
Not had the pleasure of riding the Honda rebel 500, but first glance it looks bigger then the usual 500cc, personally it's a nice cruiser starter bike but Moto Guzzi V7 has the edge in the sound and intimidation department.
There is just enough room to get a disc lock under the seat. The air intake is also there so do not block it. A disc lock usually comes with a hanger you can bolt to some part of the bike.
