Comments on: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:06:36 +0000

I love the look of this bike…I think it’s better looking that the Bonneville, and shaft drive makes it that much more desireable.

I tested one yesterday. Tested a Bonneville today. I will probably end up buying the Bonneville. To me, the Guzzi felt cheap. The plastic tank, loose side panels, flimsy feeling switches on the bars, vague shifter, ugly gauges and numerous rattles all gave me a pretty negative first impression. The engine and brakes were fine. The clutch was not to my liking, but that’s probably very subjective. I found it a little abrupt- easy to kill the engine. This may be in part because it’s a dry clutch. I spoke to the dealer at length about reliability, and he mentioned one having come back to him with a ‘porous casting’ in the engine that required replacing the engine case. I thought in 2009, manufacturers pretty much had die-casting down.

The Bonny? Smoooooooth. I was very impressed. Felt powerful to me (I ride a GB500 currently). The brakes were flawless. I could honestly find no fault with it. Except the fake carbs. That annoys me. If it’s fuel injected, why hide it? FE is a good thing.

Again, I think the V7 is the better looking bike, and the shaft drive is very appealing, but it only comes in white, and for the reasons I mentioned above, it just felt….well…italian.

By: Al Peat

Al Peat — Thu, 14 May 2009 22:28:40 +0000

My 1st Guzzi, our Xmas present 2008, V7C 09 model. 3000mi on the bike now and running like a champ. I did change to the Mistral mufflers . Seems to run cooler and sounds good(baffles in). When you 1st ride the bike it might seem a little tight and stiff, as you break it in the engine seems to produce plenty of go and the suspension becomes more comfortable. Overall one of the best and most likeable bikes I have owned , congrats to the crew at Guzzi.

By: Tim Hudswell

Tim Hudswell — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:31:05 +0000

One might say “the V7 is short on bells and whistles” like it’s a bad thing. I say simplicity is the point of this machine. That and a wonderful entry into Italian marque. I’ve had mine just one week and am already talking about never ever selling it. For 15 years i’ve wanted a Guzzi so setting myself up for disappointment – i’m not! Buy one of these fine machines and enjoy finding its potential legally. If you think the V7 has short comings, buy something else.
Tim in Cairns

By: Ed O'Brien

Ed O'Brien — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:47:41 +0000

My cycling buddy and his wife visited the last week of Jan. and we discussed the beauty of the new V7 Classic. I said I’d buy one if it came stateside. We visited the local MG dealer just by chance that weekend and a V7 was on the floor! My wife and I both flipped over it, talked it up over the weekend, she gave me the go-ahead, and I called and purchased it on Tuesday. Now mind you, I already own an ‘04 Bonnie that I have had custom painted and tricked out for my needs (and it gets 50-55 MPG), an ‘08 GT1000 (running rear Ohlins) that gets 50-58 MPG, and my original ‘76 R90S restored to perfection just over a year ago (and 48 MPG). The new Hinckley Bonnie and the Duc have been perfectly reliable (the R90S never let me down, but we’re talking about the modern classics in this thread). I expect the Goose to perform on par with the Bonnie (very low upkeep costs) and if it does, I’ll have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. The stock Goose already contains items that I had to upgrade on the Bonnie – brakes, SS lines, tach, and a more comfortable saddle for starters. The Goose is without a doubt the nicest looking newer bike in my stable and its riding position is perfect. Handling is great and its light weight makes it the easiest to move around in my garage. I’m still breaking it in – high-40’s MPG right now, but I can tell that it has all the power I want or need in a bike of its type. If I have an urge to slice and dice, I’ll take one of the Ducs for a run. However, if I ever had to pair down to only one bike, I had been saying for years that the Bonnie would be the sole keeper. Now, I’m not so certain. It’s a really tough call now, believe me, and I’m glad that I don’t have to make that decision. Take it from an older rider – relax about the HP; buy the Classic, treat it right and enjoy it for the next 30 years. You’ll be smiling on every ride. Oh, and never sell your classic bikes. You’ll miss them and chances are, you won’t get what they’re worth if you do sell.

By: Mike Brown

Mike Brown — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:29:01 +0000

I’m absolutely delighted Moto Guzzi is bringing the V7 Classic to the States. Triumph has enjoyed a total monopoly on standard ergonomics and classic styling but the arrival of the V7 changes that. Here in America, cruisers, sport bikes, and way too tall adventure bikes are virtually all that’s available. For riders (especially mature riders like myself) who just want to have some fun… too big, wide, heavy, and/or too uncomfortable, not to mention too expensive, just doesn’t cut it. I’m frankly amazed the Japanese don’t offer traditional midsize UJMs in the states. My last two bikes, a BMW R75/5 and most recently a vintage Honda twin served me very well. I look forward with great anticipation to the arrival of a V7 at my local MG dealer. Now I have a choice! Are you listening Japan?