Moto Guzzi V7 (2012) Review

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  • #14855
    Radar
    Moderator

    I have long been tempted to own a Moto Guzzi going right back to the early days of my biking ‘career’ when a mate let me loose on his V50 Monza. It was quite a contrast to the RD250LC I rode back at the time. A couple of years later I booked a demostrator ride on a V65 Lario, the first of the multi-valve models and a sort of mini LeMans…again I was rather smitten. Then I tried a LeMans itself which I utterly loved and Spada which I was not so keen on.

    Somehow the years passed and the itch has remained unstracthed, despite Guzzi making several models over the years that I have liked. Most recently it is the V7 and Racer derivative that have appealed to me the most so when Pete247 came up for the excellent ‘Meet Pete’ weekend I gladly accepted his offer to take his brand new V7 for a ride.

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    Despite the less than ideal conditions on a dank and miserable November morning the little V7 was nothing less than an utterly charming machine. In a throwback to my earlier experiences the 750 V twin was again a contrast to my revy four cylinder and two stroke bikes, to a point where I actually managed to stall the thing as I pulled away. I can’t remember the last time I did that on a bike! Anyway I soon settled down and got on with enjoying a marvellous, proper motorbike. Stylish without trying too hard, as perhaps its flashy brother the ‘Racer’ does, the cool black colour scheme is perfect too. The fit and finish looked good and especially liked the trad Guzzi name plate on the tank and white script on the back of the seat.

    The performance was never going to be startling with only 50 bhp served up, but it was fine and the bike was happy around the 60-90 mph mark as it swept along the 11 miles of the A448 from Brigdnorth back towards Kidderminster as we crossed the border between Shropshire and Worcestershire. The bends were tackled with a smooth, planted aplomb. The Guzzi lapping it up…I was very at ease with the bike at once, my only negative would be that the foot-pegs could do with being shifted back just a touch.

    I can imagine covering many a pleasurable mile on this bike, enjoying a brisk pace but really just revelling in the joy of riding an uncomplicated bike in an uncomplicated way, allowing you to just take in your surroundings and just enjoy being out there…

    Pete, cheers for the ride…you have set me thinking again….   

    #64884
    ses310
    Moderator

    Good review as always.

    Gutted I couldn’t make it along that day to have a little ride myself as it’s such a nice looking bike! Will have to make do with my little sit on it that I had till next time.

    #64885
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    aye nicely written Don :-)

    So when ya getting ya self the Racer then? :D

    #64886
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    I have had some nice lil rides on it on my week off last week. It does seem to need me to go round with the locktight tho, the zorsts are doing their best to become unattached, 2 bolts have vibed loose and the others holding it on needed tightening a bit too. Both these bolts fell off on my way back from visiting InMoto, maybe Lord Vader is trying to stop me leaving Kevin (the 636) up there all unloved lol :D
    Gotta get in touch with InMoto and get them to send me some replacement bolts that have been lost, am tempted to ask them to replace the tax disc that fell off when the first bolt went astray as it was them that put it there (I never normally mount a tax disc as they fall off/get stolen too easy…. as proved here lol).

    Tis lovely tho, and I do so far think its a keeper…. although in a few years it may get sent to Spirit of the Seventies for a makeover!

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    “Got out on the Guzzi for a quick test ride today, popped in at Brands Hatch to watch some car guys drifting their Nissans. It’s a lovely little bike but it’s way too inoffensive, we will be remedying that….”

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    “Moto Guzzi V7 Stone – We’ve been really looking forward to working on a Guzzi and Kev has had designs in place for a while now, the Corsa and Terrastrada. The owner of the V7 wants something a little different and the design isn’t signed off yet but it’s very nearly there, details out soon. It’s getting a trick exhaust system, shocks, rearsets, a one off seat unit based upon S2 and a thorough make-over.”

    taken from:

    https://www.spiritoftheseventies.com/s/blog.html

    #64887
    Radar
    Moderator

    BIKE magazine (Feb 2013, but on my doormat Dec22 2012?) has run a comparison test with the V7 stone up against a 883 HD, a Bonnie and a W800. The V7 come out on top with the Bonnie coming in 2nd. Looks like you made the right coices Pete! Still going well?

    #64888
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    yes mate, totally loving it, needs a clean tho lol

    #64889
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    https://www.spiritoftheseventies.com/s/

    I need to find some money to pay for the ZX6R I pick up in March, but they have some designs for some magic on another V7 which I shall be following the build with enthusiasm:

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.524874434202813.120332.312531012103824&type=1

    (soz if you don’t do facebook)

    I have been to their workshop and it is a lovely place. Their other bikes are amazing!

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    #64890
    Radar
    Moderator

    The wires are a definate, not 100% sure on the tail peice

    #64891
    Radar
    Moderator

    Any updates Pete?

    #64892
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    InMoto have replaced the bolts but am still waiting on a decal that has fallen off the clocks.

    Have not really ridden much recently (well not the V7) as been playing with the RXS and the bike show etc :-)

    #64893
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    Found this pic and thought it was worthy of posting! :-)

    032812-moto-guzzi-v7-engine-assembly.jpg

    #64894
    Radar
    Moderator

    Found this pic and thought it was worthy of posting! :-)

    032812-moto-guzzi-v7-engine-assembly.jpg

    Motorcycle Art!!

    #64895
    imperialdata
    Keymaster

    Can you go easy on the porn pics please?  ;D

    Is it me or do those spark plugs look too small?

    #64896
    HippoDrones
    Participant

    its only got 25 horses each side to spur into action so only needs diddy ones! :D

    #64897
    Radar
    Moderator

    My Guzzi thoughts are now turning towards a 1200 Grisso…

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