What one feels the moment you walk up to a bike and throw a leg over the seat is its own answer . If it brings one joy then you know you are on the right bike . If you feel the same way 3 hours later putting it away you know it's the right bike .If you feel that way 6 years later you know it's the right bike ... Thanks for sharing the joy as always ..There is so much to love about this bike . Yours Guy
Hey Guy, how are you doing ? And yes, all very true! I should also add the fabulous Dulcimer and associated video will be aired next week and it sounds fabulous! As always thanks for your comments and I'm very glad you enjoyed the video - pants and all! Have a great day Guy, hope all is well in the world of pottery, kilns and banjos....Cheers, Phil.
The shot from 12:25 is some fine RU-vid cinematograghy! Works very well with a Guzzi. I feel inspired to take a test ride this weekend! Wonder if the dealer lets me dry some laundry…
Evening Rafał, hope you're doing well. I'm very pleased you like that shot - it's one of my favourites also - thanks! Let me know if you decide to act on the inspiration and if it's a proper Guzzi dealer, they'll be used to potential customers and their 'interesting' behaviour so you shouldn't have any problems! Have a good evening, cheers, Phil.
Early into work. Coffee, sit back and relax to enjoy this wonderful video about a wonderful bike. It's the simple things in life that bring most joy. Thanks Phil
Hey Tim, how are you doing? I hope the sight of someone else's pants first thing in the morning wasn't too upsetting though? Hopefully you'd finished your shredded wheat by the time you got to that part :-) Anyway, I'm very glad you enjoyed it and thanks for stopping by and letting me know. Simple is best. Have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.
Hey Phil! You keep rising the mark on the quality of your cinematography! I commute daily 20km on my V7 III and truth be told almost any scooter would do fine but I know I wouldn't enjoy it as much as the V7. This bike feels alive and visceral and much more than the sum of its parts.
Evening Manuel - hope you're doing well and great to hear from you. Thanks for your comments on the filming...I'm trying to improve so it's you great you noticed! Well, enjoying the commute is a very good thing and puts you in a good frame of mind both going to and leaving work. Must admit I liked commuting on a bike especially on the homeward journey as it cleared my head of all the work rubbish before getting home. And I agree, the V7, on paper shouldn't really work, but it so does! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Good morning Mr. Skaraborgcraft, good to hear from you and that's a very good point actually. As you say it's all in the open air which makes a change from some / most bikes these days. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Really enjoyed this latest video. No nonsense you tell it like it is. I’ve been enjoying old BMW for years riding them that is? Oh yes, I’m collecting my New CL 500 next week, which is your fault entirely and I’m really looking forward to soon white leaning. Keep up the good work brilliant videos. Cheers PC.
Good afternoon Pete - thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I remember your old BMW's from wayback - especially the one you modified for trail use....Did I have a go of it once? Or did it have a go at me? I seem to remember coming down a gravelly hill on something huge and black and finding the brakes needed a rather good squeeze. Lost at least 7 pounds that day I think... CL500..Blimey..Really hope you enjoy it! It is the perfect 'white laning' bike and great for a bit of gravel and dust also. Orange ones are the best! Let me know what you think once you've had chance to ride it a bit. Have a great trip to the NE week after next Pete, talk soon, cheers, Phil.
My V7III Special liked to sit and idle while I put on my jacket, helmet, sunnies, and gloves. By the time that faff was over, she was sweet. I love the Stornello. They used to be regulars on our Kiwi sales sites, but over the last couple of years they've disappeared. Mate, that Arrow exhaust is gorgeous and sounds wonderful.
Good morning Mr. Mantarayal - great to hear from you. Ah yes, the start-up ritual - so true! And yes, there's not so many around for sale here in the UK either - you maybe see a couple for sale at any one time and I don 't think I've ever seen another one on the road at all. So for me it's nice, affordable form of exclusivity with as you say a brilliant exhaust note. Thanks for watching for taking the time to comment, all the best, cheers, Phil.
Very very well put together bike tutorial. Your scrambler is a model of what comes to mind when someone says the word scrambler. Looks, build, simplicity, and fun factor all rolled into one. 🌬🩲🧦
Good evening Mr. Neutral, thanks again for stopping by - yeah, it's nice isn't it? You nailed it completely in your description...Now if only you could smell it! ll the best, cheers, Phil.
Evening Stuart, thanks very much and let me know how your efforts at drying your laundry goes. I've got some spare pegs if you need them? Have a good evening, cheers, Phil.
I have had a number of Guzzis over the years, I currently have four (!) but never a Stornello. Which is a shame as it is one of my favorites. Surely they will make an 850 verson (eventually). I am glad you are enjoying Guzzi ownership so much. I agree completely with your sentiments about these machines. Great series and good to see you back on a proper bike.
Evening David! 4 x Guzzi's ? Perfect!! I'm obviously not trying hard enough....And yes, there have been rumours of an 850 Stornello for a while and it sorta feels it wouldn't be too hard to do would it? There is something about them which, I don't know, gets properly under my skin. And while I really appreciate my Honda's they are very much about where they can take me as opposed to the Guzzi which just makes me smile when looking at the ignition key! Thanks for your comment David, really appreciate them, have a good evening, cheers, Phil.
What a beautiful bike. As always, a video akin to a work of fine cinema. Art. Coupled with your wit, what a treat. I've long been drawn towards Moto Guzzi, but secondary to a lack of availability in my locale, have yet to experience one. That recently changed. This model may be the one I know least about (and, to my understanding, has only recently been resurrected). While drawn to the promise of (the) adventure (bike), a V7 Stone may be the next to join my garage (knock on wood).
Hey Rob, hope you're doing well and thanks again for your kind comments on the video. The Stornello was around from 2015 - 17 I think but the engine (with some changes - most notably the cylinder heads) lives on in the latest V7 850 which are cracking bikes. Well worth a sit on if you get the chance. Once bitten though you'll never look back! All the best, let me know if you take the Guzzi plunge! Cheers, Phil.
As a past owner of a 750 targa on carbs....i like you say rode around all the foibles but I could never get the linked brakes bled properly and a bike I🫣 should never have part ex'd...😮 also had a new 2008 breva 1100 toured allover Europe on that brilliant bike always a topic of conversation when I parked up.... anyways stornello is certainly a looker...atb....ps my daughter recently brought me a bottle of farne Island beer hadrian border brewery I assume you might of partaken ...🤔😊
Hey David, yes, I think the old linked brakes were probably not the best - still it shows how innovative Guzzi have been in the past even if they didn't always get it right :-) Breva's are great bikes, I've always liked them and as I've never sampled the 'big block' engines I'd can only imagine the torque, rumble and roll of the 1100 feels like - it must be brilliant. And yes, I'm very familiar (probably too familiar) with the Hadrian Border beer - my local occasionally has a few barrels on and it's great. Farne Island is lovely and I really like "Tyneside Brown" also. I can feel a thirst coming on.... Anyway, thanks for stopping by David - it's really good to hear your tales of Guzzi's past and taste in beer. All the best, cheers, Phil.
Yup definitely agree you have to adapt to the bike, took me a few times of starting there bike (a wonderous experience), putting my gloves on the seat and doing up my helmet, then having to pick my gloves up off the floor before I got learnt 😂
Hello Brutus The Red V7 : Great name! Yes, gloves on the seat...Or not! That's exactly it! As I wear glasses I've learnt to be very careful where I put them when putting my helmet on :-) Rather than using the word 'character' I would say it's more a 'personality' of the bike as it reminds me of a very good friend who in the morning, before his first cup of tea is exactly like the Guzzi - a little grumpy and not at his best...And adapting to that it what it's all about. Thanks for stopping by, great to hear from you and hope you get some good rides in on 'Brutus' over the weekend, cheers, Phil.
Because you can maintain these commuting works out cheaper...I started commuting huge miles on Honda went to Guzzi to maintain myself then BMW back in year 2000. Guzzi's were livable in a harsh world. My commute was 225miles all weathers.
Morning again, that's a really good point actually and 225 miles...blimey. My worst / longest commute was 600 miles / week for 9 months....On a Bandit 1250 and then a Honda NC750X....Cost me a fortune! Guzzi's will get you through an apocalypse! Cheers, Phil.
Sorry Phil/Gertrude, after watching the first minute I had to consume so many expresso coffees I had to keep running to the loo. Plus of course I’ve spent quite a lot of time polishing my new toy. Boy what a machine!! When I’ve summoned enough Dutch courage I’ll give my critique which I know is eagerly awaited and will of course be respected by you both. 😊
Evening Jon...Hmm...Polishing? I'm now seeing purple metal-flake in my crystal ball. Congratulations on the Virago Jon! Did you get one with tassles? Anyway, best you gird your loins and get that critique out of your system once and for all. Wait! Did I hear the sound of flushing then? Yours, eagerly, Phil.
Excellent work. Beautiful machine. The take away phrase I intend to steal is “gently visceral”. Beautifully put. You do seem to change your pronunciation of Guzzi several times in the video. Is it Guzzi as in Pizza? What would an Italian say ? Anyway, Bella machina. 👍
Evening Mr. Fandango - please take any phrase and make it your own! As for the pronunciation....Well, I got told off many years ago with my first V7 video where I pronounced it "Guzzy" (as growing up whenever talking about bikes, that's how everyone pronounced hot) so I now try and pronounce it semi-correctly but forget every so often. A proper Italian would pronounce it "Gutsi'" just like pizza and let's face it, when it's said with a non-italian accent it sounds a bit rubbish. A bit like saying 'Paree' for Paris... Anyway, more importantly, Bella machina...Exactly! Thanks for stopping by, cheers, Phil.
Well I endured Phil. I’m sitting here in the tranquil charms of North Bedfordshire wondering how the hell I got into all this madness! Tbh I lost it after seeing Mrs Ilbo’s name in the bottom right hand corner. I felt humiliated and deeply hurt. I thought I was your star from now on. All I remember is wondering why you continued doing the video in laddered silk stockings? Anyway no bulletin for you tomorrow. Hugh is now signed up so he’ll get all the juicy gossip and benefits that you once cherished. Life for you will never be the same…….😂
Good morning Jon, I can call you Jon? So, Jon,. Jon, Jon. What can I say? I'm gutted. But listen, let's get over it and move on. I mean I'm just about to knot my cravat and have a toasted teacake and I'm over the trauma already. Uh, hold on, 'Gertrude? Can you pass the relish please, thanks" Anyway...WHAT HAVE YOU BOUGHT????? Later. Cheers, Phil.
Gorgeous machine, Phil! Curious, how do you find the size for your height? Better or worse than your former V7 (Centenario??)? At 183cm I found my V7III a bit cramped. Always keeping my eye on the Guzzi’s tho as they’re hard to beat on the emotive scale. I think the latest iteration of the 7’s (850s) are a bit taller/wider/heavier so I’ll have to check them out. Oh, and I’ll most certainly bring 2, mbe 3, clothes pins for my undies lol. Cheers mate!
A very good morning to you Stephen!...As for your question, well, to be honest any comfort concerns these days are kind of dictated by my dodgy knee so it's difficult to comment as I can only ride the Guzzi for a maximum of 1.5 hours before I have to get off and stretch. Still, on my V7III, I did whizz over to Europe and rode around 2,500 miles on that trip and at 178cm I found it very comfortable while the 850 is a little roomier and certainly wider in the saddle. Overall the 850 is kinda like the V7III that's been slightly stretched in all directions so it maybe a better fit for you. The seat is still really low though! Hope that helps and great to hear from you as always, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews I'm fine, thanks. I really enjoy your channel and the format of your videos. I don't have a bike at the moment, but maybe sometime soon. Can't wait for next video. All the best.
You inspired me to get a V7 . I got a V7 iii carbon shine - 20 in the uk. One of 500 w wide. Love it. That engine hammers when you go 50-70. It’s a speed limit bike , not great at slow speed tho.! All I can see in the near side mirror is… myself! Ehhhhh! It’s Italian! Perfecto! Run it on super unleaded too. I have no idea what the revs are , just go by sound does it have a rev counter anywhere?
Good morning Mr. Kramnam - very good to hear from you! The carbon shine is VERY nice - great choice! And yeah, you don't really need a rev counter as the engine tells you what it likes very clearly. On my V7 Stone you could set the warning light to flash at a certain RPM - on mine it was set at 4,500 RPM for the first 1,000 miles then I set it to 7,200 RPM mainly because the Guzzi guy said they do like to be revved! I assume yours is the same? I had no problem when I took it to Europe one year - cruised easily at an indicated 80MPH with plenty in hand. They are great bikes - a little bit left field, but as you say, they are Italian :-) All the best, cheers, Phil.
Hey Stefan, great to hear from you again. Shame about the Nevada and while rust itself isn't really an issue unless it's structural or really horrendous, it does tell you a lot about the owner doesn't it? You were right to walk away...One will come up at some point though. All the best, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews You are still limping a bit on the video, Phil .. Hoping the things are getting better with time. We, on the other side of Europe, been poorer on average, have huge imports network with bikes mostly from Italy .. Some from Germany .. So, the Guzzi was in one of this places.. It look like it was siting outside for few winters.. The chrome was pretty bad, the seat too. My almost new 125 city scooter is going to a friend at the end of the month and I'm on a hunt for new bike. Like many bikes for different reasons, for different types of riding but unfortunately have a place just for one .. I had thoughts about the 300 rally, love the bike, test rode it from Honda few years ago but it's not that practical for everyday use as is the scooter for me, specially in the wet (that is why I ask you that on the previous video about it) .. Looking at few Royal Enfields .. The Scram and the Hunter .. They will need extra work, luggage racks and other extras that will take time and more money but love both bikes. I was looking at the new 450 Himmy, it's having almost everything I need stock but struggled to lifted from the side stand at the showroom. And I was thinking that the Trasnalps that rode years ago were heavy.. Maybe need more tests.. Unfortunately, my local RE dealer is too small and they don't have test bikes. p.s. Still have thoughts about the adv350 and the alternative from Kymco - ADX 360 .. The Kymco is more then 1.5k€ cheaper. Sorry for the long comment, Phil .. When at it, can write a book
@@Stefan_trekkie Hey Stefan, yes, I still have a bit of limp but you know, things continue to improve so I have zero complaints. It's a struggle isn't it finding the right machine and I know I'm very lucky to have 3 machines which cover a number of bases. Yes, I've heard the new Himalayan is a little heavy and it seems to be putting a few folk off especially those who loved the original 411. Sometimes progress isn't that at all. Still, I'm sure something will turn up Stefan and also, I love long comments!! Just let me know when the book is published 😀 Have a great weekend, cheers, Phil.
Hit any rusty looking bolts with Hamerite Rust Cure (White goes black) Then wipe ACF 50 on everything that might corrode like all the other bolts. I use a small artist brush and wipe off....EX Guzzi commuter.....
Good morning Mr. Volksplane1 - great to hear from you again. Sounds like a plan - thanks for the info. I use ACF-50 but I've never used the Hammerite stuff so I'll look it up. And yes, the Guzzi has everything you need for a good commuter not least the shaft drive...Personally I'm just not sure I could bring myself to take it through a cold, dark, salty UK winter...But that's just me! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Hah ! you can torque , and you did , keeping the gush to a minimum ( difficult isn't it ) rev matching can be a wonderful sport sometimes , especially when arriving at a meet with a long downhill approach on ya Guz
Hey Colin, ha ha yeah, that downward approach....Been there....I think I bottled it and coasted down clutch in and finally stopped in fourth gear :-) But that what's it's all about! 'You can torque' - I like that very much and yes, I could gush for decades about the bike.... All the best, cheers, Phil.
Hi Phil! May I ask you which one of the three v7s you owned do you like the most, and why? Currently i have a mark 3 and I really love this thing even there are so many things about it that I found to be not good enough! Have a good day!
Good morning Kostas - great to hear from you even if that question is really, really, tricky! Hmmm...Gosh...Well, one thing I would say is that the 850, while still brilliant and much fun, would come 3rd on the list, mainly because of the weight and that a few more of the idiosyncrasies had been ironed out. As I've got the Stornello version, which, while it undeniably is lacking in a few areas compared to the V7III, it has the looks, sounds and a really old-time special vibe so I think it's the top one for me. The V7III is probably the best balance between all of them though. I'm currently pulling together the next episode in the little series which is a comparison between all three bikes so look out for that. Thing is, if you had never ridden one of the other versions you wouldn't notice at all as they are still very different to modern retro bikes. They are all special and all lovely. Is that a cop out? I hope not. All the best Kostas, have a great day, cheers, Phil.
@@80eightReviews Thank you very much for your time to respond in my question Phil! Yes I knew it was a tricky one!😂... I tried the 850 and it felt really powerful but didn't like the higher price and the looks was not the best according to my taste. So I tend to prefer the 750s. But I can tell the 850 is a better bike. One last question please! I really want to put a pair of mistrals in my bike and I can't decide if I prefer the stock sound more. Is there any chance you preferred the stock sound of your iii over this one with the arrow? It's kinda stupid question but I like that stock sound is very relaxed and unpretentious! Thank you again for your time and for your beautiful and enjoyable videos!
Hey Kostas, thanks and no problem at all even if that's another tricky question! Well, when I had the V7III I thought it sounded (and still does) just lovely on the stock silencers - lovely and mellow, not loud, but still distinctive and it also meant the sounds of the engine ticking and clicking away are much more discernible. At the time I was doing a lot more mileage and riding compared to what I'm doing these days so in that context and doing more 'everyday' riding - the V7III on standard exhausts gets my vote. Also, I've never swapped the exhausts on any bike just to make them louder as personally I prefer stealth and loud bikes really annoy me let alone anyone else! Thing is, as you know, passersby love the V7III and I think part of that is due to it being relaxed and unpretentious both in looks and sound as you say. I don't know if the Mistrals are louder though or maybe just deeper? They look quite nice though! The Stornello on the other hand is yes, a little louder but still legal as per the rules of 10 years ago. I love the sound of it, especially the popping on the overrun but I do think it is just a touch too loud for everyday (and early morning) riding. However, as I just use it for purely for pleasure on short rides only though and mostly in the countryside, I think it's great for that and again, makes it feel special. If it were me, I'd probably keep the stock silencers on the V7III and use the $$ on uprated suspension and/or towards a holiday - but that's just me! Hope that helps and thanks for your comments on the videos - much appreciated, cheers, Phil.
I appreciate your opinion and overall I agree with you! I think I earned some time to think for the swapping ! Yes, I believe I have to spend these money for rear shocks, they are really bad!!! Thanks again Phil, I will be waiting for your next videos!
Hi, Phil! Being that the Stornello is a scrambler, are you going a dirt ride on it? I'm not talking about enduro riding, but maybe something like dirt adventure riding? Would be curious to see what you think of its suspension and weight on a dirt road.
Evening Mr.UX, how are you doing? Well, I did take my V7III down a dirt track once and yeah, it was OK on flat gravel so the Stornello will be about the same...It's a road bike really and the weight / suspension will be a right handful on anything other than flat gravel....If I get the chance though, I will! But I'm not going anywhere near mud!!! All the best, cheers, Phil.
If those are your smalls how big are your bigs ???? Long live the V7 it’s just great, far too many folk want perfect nowadays . You soon get used to the machine and adapt to it.
Evening Andrew, well, in the interests of decency I couldn't possibly answer that question, however, in the interests of over-sharing, it's purely down to the wide angle lens :-) But yeah, so right. Perfection is the enemy of the good (as someone French said I think)...Every ride is a breath of fresh air! All the best Andrew, great to hear from you again, cheers, Phil.
Good evening BillyCaspersGhost, hope you're doing well and very good to hear from you. Well, that's a tricky question and the final video will be exactly about that! Quickly though...I'd say the V7III probably hit the sweet spot between charm and usability although the 850 is undeniably a much better proposition from a speed / size perspective and has a few more rough edges polished out. The V7II is more idiosyncratic and feels much older and perhaps cruder than the other two which at the moment is exactly what I want and it is the most charming by a mile! All of them though are very different to a truly modern bike though. As for the 850, well, 10 months post accident, I still couldn't ride a normal bike as my knee wouldn't bend and at the time there was no indication it would improve so I sold the 850 and my CRF and bought a scooter. 6 months later I was offered more surgery in an attempt to improve it....Upshot is that six months after that surgery I could ride a normal bike...Hence the Stornello! Hope that makes sense! All the best, cheers, Phil.
Evening Hugh, quite possibly correct on all counts. And thanks for the suggestion - I've now started a little business in Berwick collecting socks in the morning, going for a ride and returning said articles bone dry. £1.25 for 10 - bargain I think! I suspect the business model may begin to fall apart once the clocks change though...
@@80eightReviews Nonsense, Phil. There's all manner of garments you could dry. I have a clean collar every day & my sock garters need a wash periodically. I'm sure Jon's toupée could use a freshen up as well.
I think the label on Jon's rug is "Dry Cleaning Only" otherwise it might shrink to the size of a water voles left ear. Which would never do given the importance of coverage. A clean collar every day. Fresh and starched. I'd expect nothing less Hugh.
@@80eightReviewsWhat no one realises is the pants were white at the beginning of the journey! All those dirty oily fumes coming out that egg boiler engine! What’s the next video how to go ploughing with a Guzzi?
