Anybody have a Moto Guzzi V7?

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by greer

Would it be fairly simple to fit a 19" front wheel on one of these bikes? Thanks

Sarah

Take the hub and have someone like Woody's mount any rim on it you want.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by bigtex

Yes, no doubt. But I had it 4 years and it was time for a change.

And if I was changing, I thought something smaller might be nice. The extended discussions about a small-block NTX really got me going, and let's face it, the Racer is pure bike porn every time I go out to the garage.

Now if I can just get the street to melt, maybe I can see what it is like to ride...

I rode a V7C in Colorado in 2009. It was a hoot, but had to use lots of throttle and rpm at the high elevation of Monarch.

I really enjoyed mine this past summer, but sold it to fund other projects...

[greer]

Originally Posted by straightrod

^ Here we go off the road onto a trail.

Originally Posted by rocker59

Take the hub and have someone like Woody's mount any rim on it you want.

Thank you. I'm a wuss in gravel and need all the help I can get.

Sarah

[FirstPath]

OK guys and gals,
I'm heading to the Int. Bike Show this weekend in Minneapolis and will be sitting on some bikes I may potentially own in the coming year. I'm contemplating the new NC700X but always keep coming back to the V7 Stone. I need to see how it fits my body as the NC700X is spot on. Also like the Honda's storage and mileage available. But the Stone seems like a bike I wouldn't get tired of owning.

What kind of mpg are you getting and how does it handle with the Hepco bags? I saw a post on a different site about some tail waggle due to the bags relationship to the rear axle. I would like to do some light touring and some possible long tours with the bike. Commutes to work and maybe a dirt road here and there on the weekends. Bags, rear rack and a windscreen will be a required accessory.

I would love to love the Stone so any feedback would be awesome.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550

[bigtex]

Originally Posted by rocker59

I rode a V7C in Colorado in 2009. It was a hoot, but had to use lots of throttle and rpm at the high elevation of Monarch.

I really enjoyed mine this past summer, but sold it to fund other projects...

Have you tested the updated motor in the 2013? Be interested in a calibrated comparison.

I'm sure it will be a while before I get up to any high passes (no studded tire option, can you believe that?) but it sure feels good around town and out on the flats here about a mile high.

[kamikazekyle]

Originally Posted by Scott in Shoreview

OK guys and gals,
I'm heading to the Int. Bike Show this weekend in Minneapolis and will be sitting on some bikes I may potentially own in the coming year. I'm contemplating the new NC700X but always keep coming back to the V7 Stone. I need to see how it fits my body as the NC700X is spot on. Also like the Honda's storage and mileage available. But the Stone seems like a bike I wouldn't get tired of owning.

What kind of mpg are you getting and how does it handle with the Hepco bags? I saw a post on a different site about some tail waggle due to the bags relationship to the rear axle. I would like to do some light touring and some possible long tours with the bike. Commutes to work and maybe a dirt road here and there on the weekends. Bags, rear rack and a windscreen will be a required accessory.

I would love to love the Stone so any feedback would be awesome.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550

Hrm...are you selling your GS550? If I could only have one bike and was choosing between the V7 Stone and NC700X, I'd go for the Honda. And this comes from being a totally satisfied V7 Stone owner without much desire for the Honda. The NC700X is simply built from the ground up to be a utility and budget touring bike. New liquid cooled engine tuned for street-legal torque and economy, modern geometry, modern tires, long service intervals, better braking, etc. I believe it puts out a good bit more power at the wheel. Plus the base model is significantly cheaper. I wanna say the charging system will also support more accessories, but I haven't looked up the actual alternator output (the V7 Stone can't support much).

That said, to me the NC700X does lack a lovable character that the V7 oozes. There's something to be said for that irreplacable character and charm that tingles from the V twin as it tries to buck from beneath your legs and toss the bike during turnover. Though I already do own two late model year Japanese sportbikes that are there if said charm ever gets annoying at times. And if you're into working on your own bikes, the V7's smallblock is pretty dead simple. A shaft drive is a bit of a boon for touring, too.

The Stone will certainly serve all your intended purposes including off road -- though the NC700X will have more off road/dual sport oriented tire options stock, and more pure-sport oriented tires available. The V7's are largely limited to touring (or touring-oriented sport/touring) tires, though you can get a little creative and slap on practically anything. I've seen some V7 Classics converted into pure dual sports without too much effort.

I can't vouch for any hard luggage yet since I'm still trying to source options. Outside of the OEM bags and one set I saw on here (but dunno where to purchase), I don't have a line for any. The OEM hard bags are priced high enough to make your mind laugh with obsurdness. No windscreen yet, either, but it's on the to-get list.

Mileage wise, I'll quote myself:

And for anyone actually pondering a V7 and its mileage: I managed 42 MPG with 95% city and average temps around 38F, and 51 MPG with 15% city and average temps around 47F. Still dislike the overzealous reserve light coming on at like 2+ gallons left, but at least it's consistent.

All that is without a windscreen. I've heard of 2013 V7 Racer owners getting upper 50's during warmer weather with highway mileage. The NC700X gets better mileage, IIRC. Some reveiwers were getting upper 60's to 70's if they were playing nice with the throttle.

Anywho. Both bikes will fit your needs just fine, assuming the V7 Stone has a compatible seating position. The NC700X will probably do it better stock and for less (baseline model). But most people *DO* choose to ride motorcycles for more than utility -- to get that bit of enjoyment from being open and to experience that little *something* that a motorcycle can give -- and the V7's will do that in spades. Test ride both, and if you feel that ping of excitement with the Guzzi and understand it's features and quirks, go for it.

One of the reasons I purchased my Stone was due to my girlfriend's interest. She didn't want to ride my sportbikes, but was all for an old school styled classic. The V7 will also stand out a bit in a crowd -- any Guzzi will with the longitudal V twin -- so long as someone doesn't confuse it for a Harley (already happened to me).

Oh, and Honda is coming out with an CB500X -- styled after the NC700X -- using their new 500cc twin. From what I've read, the 500cc twin will still match (or even exceed) the Guzzi small block performance, but deliver much better mileage. And the CB500X MSRP should be right around $6000 and can use some of the NC700X's accessories.

I'm the only V7 Stone owner I know on this forum so far, but for the most part, the older V7 Classics are interchangable with the Stone. The 2013 engines are improved over prior models and te Stone has cast wheels with tubeless tires, but for general feedback there are owners here with older V7 models that have many more seat hours than I who would have better long-term feedback.

[Pokeyjoe]

Looking a little different. New seat, rear foot pegs, etc. I think I've about run out of mods for the moment.

[sfrider300]

Originally Posted by Scott in Shoreview

OK guys and gals,
I'm contemplating the new NC700X but always keep coming back to the V7 Stone.

It's always difficult to advise someone on how to choose between their head and their heart. That's assuming the V7 steals your heart, which it may or may not, but it's much more of a heart-stealer than the Honda.

[FirstPath]

Well I got back from the Int. Bike Show and disappointed not to see a V7 Stone. There was a classic so I tried that on for size. Peg placement has me feeling a bit squished. Probably going to rule the Stone out since the ergonomics are the same. If I had room for a stable of rides I would consider bringing it home more seriously.

Scott in Shoreview
'79 Suzuki GS550

[McJamie]

I just finished reading a comparison test in Motorcyclist, and they didn't like the V7 at all. They said the fuel injection is poor, the clutch is grabby, the footpegs are too far forward, etc... They really didn't say anything nice about it at all. For that matter, the liked the HD 883 Iron better (100 pounds heavier, no suspension, poor brakes,.......?)I can see why they would like the Bonneville so much, but I was surprised how little they liked the Guzzi.
I'm not sure how seriously to take that test, it's really not my favourite motorcycle magazine.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by McJamie

I just finished reading a comparison test in Motorcyclist, and they didn't like the V7 at all. They said the fuel injection is poor, the clutch is grabby, the footpegs are too far forward, etc... They really didn't say anything nice about it at all. For that matter, the liked the HD 883 Iron better (100 pounds heavier, no suspension, poor brakes,.......?)I can see why they would like the Bonneville so much, but I was surprised how little they liked the Guzzi.
I'm not sure how seriously to take that test, it's really not my favourite motorcycle magazine.

$$$

[Murf2]

They're all part of the Anti V7 conspiracy!

[Pedz]

[url=http://peds.smugmug.com/Bike/Guzzi-Scrambler/27484965_hK3VPX#!i=2312569184&k=qThPXDh&lb=1&s=A][/

Here's my V7 Stone with a few mods , hope u like it!

[Pokeyjoe]

I like the white ones. Looks like some loud pipes. And Racer wheels. What did you do with your stock wheels?

[sfrider300]

Originally Posted by Pedz

[url=http://peds.smugmug.com/Bike/Guzzi-Scrambler/27484965_hK3VPX#!i=2312569184&k=qThPXDh&lb=1&s=A][/

Here's my V7 Stone with a few mods , hope u like it!

Very nice! The red hubs may a little over the top, aesthetically, but overall you've given it a very unique and effective look. Would love to hear those pipes.