Moto Guzzi V7 test

Menus

• It’s bathed in oil !
• Currently available in three versions, the Moto Guzzi V7 benefits for 2014 from minor technical and cosmetic changes. The opportunity for us to take another ride on the handlebars of this iconic motorcycle and to discover three of the brand’s historic partners, all located on the shores of Lake…
• Visit to the heart of the Moto Guzzi universe
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• Contact
• Motorway and expressways
• Departmental
• Braking
• Comfort / duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion

It’s bathed in oil !

Currently available in three versions, the Moto Guzzi V7 benefits for 2014 from minor technical and cosmetic changes. The opportunity for us to take another ride on the handlebars of this iconic motorcycle and to discover three of the brand’s historic partners, all located on the shores of Lake Como ….

It is in Lombardy, in Mandello del Lario, the city where the Moto Guzzi was created in 1921, that we discover the 2014 V7s. The owner’s turn and the few changes made to this vintage are particularly rapid. On the technical side of Moto Guzzi, to sum up, these “new” V7s mainly benefit from a new alternator, now cooled in an oil bath to improve its longevity. This slightly modifies the front face of the 90 ° V-twin due to the adoption of a more compact housing.

On the aesthetic side, the V7 Stone reinforces its minimalist look and its total-black decoration by replacing certain chrome parts (mudguards, mirrors, wheel shock absorbers and side covers) with elements painted in black. The color of the engine and exhaust pipes is preserved. The choice of colors is also extended, with a superb Corposo red, an elegant Agata green and the popular Ruvido black. The Stone continues to stand out from its peers by retaining its light alloy spoke wheels and adopting a rigid fork protection rather than the dust boot of its sisters..

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone test

More typical of the seventies, the V7 Special inaugurates a new Essetre livery reminiscent of the 1974 V750, the first to have been fitted with disc brakes. Two colors are available, metallic silver with black bands and black with orange bands. Both receive an embossed tank logo and black rather than chrome rims.

Moto Guzzi V7 Special

Finally, the third edition of the limited series V7 Racer (numbered plate on the upper triple clamp) also adopts this total-black look at the level of the mirrors, side covers, muffler brackets and footrest protection. It retains its superb 22-liter chrome tank and adopts now chrome headlight and rear hull plates, still marked with the number 7 (lucky charm of the 250 world champion Enrico Lorenzetti). The single-seater is now dressed in Alcantara and Skai in a color matched to the tank strap marked with the Moto Guzzi logo. The frame, wheel hubs and swingarm are painted red reminiscent of the early V7 Sport (1971) and the rims are Moto Guzzi branded. The V7 Racer is still distinguished by the use of parts in matt black anodized and perforated aluminum (covers, injector protection and muffler supports), its Bitubo WMY01 shock absorbers adjustable in preload, rebound and compression, as well as by its footrests. recessed and adjustable cut in the mass.

Moto Guzzi V7 test

Visit to the heart of the Moto Guzzi universe

For once, our press trip was not limited to a simple dynamic test of the new Moto Guzzi V7s. The brand had indeed concocted a most interesting journey for us because it was interspersed with visits to three of its historical suppliers, all based around Lake Como and relatively close to the Moto Guzzi factory in Mandello del Lario..
At the first, Domino, a company founded in 1951, with a turnover of 12.6 million euros in 2013, we were able to discover the backdrop of the manufacture of brake and clutch levers, handlebars, handles rubber, throttle controls, various commodos and contactors for the two-wheeler industry, but also other sectors of activity. We cannot imagine the treatments these components undergo before they are deemed suitable for installation on our two-wheelers. Tests of material resistance, mechanical wear, humidity, etc. This manufacturer, who has worked with Guzzi since 1977, also supplies Aprilia and Vespa for the Piaggio group..

Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

With the following one, Alpina Raggi, a company founded in 1926, we were able to measure the complexity of the manufacture of hubs and spoked rims, in aluminum alloy or steel, for the motorcycle industry, but also for cars and mainly bicycles (carbon rims ). These are all essential elements in the design of a two-wheeler and so important to guarantee the best possible safety. A partner company of Moto Guzzi since 1957, which notably supplies the wheels of the Stelvio NTX, Griso SE and V7 Racer.
Finally, our tour of the lake ended with a visit to Gilardoni, established in 1947 in Mandello del Lario and specialized in the manufacture of aluminum cylinders for internal combustion engines, with wear coatings in Gilnisil, Cromogil or Gilnidur according to the type of engine. A foundry that works for many European motorcycle manufacturers, including Moto Guzzi since 1956. This is where the famous Moto Guzzi tumbled V-Twins are manufactured, as well as the Aprilia V2 and V4s..

Discovery

The V7 is one of the flagship models in the Moto Guzzi range, initially designed to equip the Italian police following a competition launched by the administration in the early 1960s. The civilian version was presented at the Milan Motor Show in 1965 and then marketed in 1967. It evolved in 1969 into a Special version, slightly more powerful and attractive. In 1971, the V7 Sport benefited from a more compact and powerful engine (70 hp), with an alternator placed at the end of the crankshaft rather than a dynamo, as well as an improved frame, a fifth gearbox ratio and braking at ventilated drum. Its career was interrupted in 1974. It resumed in 2007 with the arrival of the V7 Classic engine from the Breva 750 with electronic injection, followed by the V7 Cafe Classic in 2008. Then came the limited and numbered series of V7 Racer, in 2010.

The range was completely revised in 2012 with many cosmetic improvements (return to the metal tank and noble materials such as aluminum) and engine. According to the manufacturer, nearly 200 parts would then have been changed, the 744 cm3 longitudinal V-Twin adopting in particular a single intake body, a revised airbox and combustion chamber, new pistons and an improved 5-speed gearbox. . The characteristic look of the 90 ° V-twin is reinforced by its rounded shape and an aluminum cylinder head cover reproducing the profile of the cooling fins of the first V7s.

Moto Guzzi V7 Special engine

It retains its tumbled distribution with 2 valves per cylinder and now develops 35 kW, or 48 horsepower, which makes it accessible without modification to young holders of an A2 license. The final transmission is obviously ensured by shaft and cardan. The dual cradle frame chassis has a bolted and removable lower part, with a column angle of 27 ° offering a good balance between stability and agility, to which also contribute the 18 and 17 inch wheels with narrow tires. Its equipment is limited, with a simple side stand, no passenger grab handles or luggage rack.

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone engine

In the saddle

Today as before, the V7 is impressive for its ease of handling. Narrow and low in the saddle, it allows most riders to put both feet flat on the ground. With the Stone and Special V7s, the rider enjoys a natural and relaxed upright riding position, with high and wide handlebars. Tall pilots will however be hampered by the relative height of the footrests which will force them to fold up their legs a little more..
The seat is relatively soft, but the seat length does not leave much room for the passenger. On the V7 Racer, originally fitted with a single-seater saddle and a little wind, the rear footrests and the strap handlebars impose a much more sporty driving position, resting on the forearms.

All have readable instrumentation including tachometer and tachometer ringed with chrome and fitted with a small internal dial with digital display. Odometer and trip counter on the left, outside temperature and clock on the right. A battery of warning lights (including a reserve and oil pressure warning light) completes the set.

Moto Guzzi V7 Racer Speedometer
Moto Guzzi V7 Stone speedometers
Moto Guzzi V7 Special Speedometer

The controls naturally fall to hand, but the gap adjustment of the brake and clutch levers is not always offered..
Seduced by the vintage look and gleaming chrome of the V7 Racer, I made one of them to start this ride to meet the brand’s historic suppliers.

Contact

With the engine running, the V7 Racer delivers a discreet but nonetheless pleasant and sufficiently present exhaust tone, the longitudinal twin-cylinder punctuating each stroke of the accelerator in neutral with a characteristic jerk due to the still noticeable reversing torque. The first clicks into place, quickly followed by a second whose locking seems less precise. The selector stroke is actually a bit long due to this backward command and you actually have to break down its movements to shift gears smoothly, especially since the clutch control is not the most progressive. However, you quickly get used to this operation, although it can sometimes be difficult to find a neutral point.

The Italian V-Twin shows good flexibility in the urban cycle, accepting to pick up low in the revs in a higher gear. The cardan transmission contributes to this smooth operation by delivering little jerk in the acceleration and deceleration phases, provided the rotation of the throttle is finely controlled. The revivals from these low revs lack a little vigor, but are much more vigorous past 3500 rev / min on the right report. Stable and precise in steering, the V7 Racer displays good overall handling despite a slightly tight turning radius. Very agile, it responds with the finger and the eye to the orders of its pilot, registering on the angle with roundness and precision, passing from one angle to another without having to force the handlebars.

Moto Guzzi V7 test

Motorway and expressways

Very comfortable in town and on the road, the V7s mark their limits more quickly on expressways and motorways. Without the original windshield, they offer little protection to their driver at high speed, except for the V7 Racer, which has a small deflector and imposes a more prone position on its pilot. Despite the few cavalry available, the legal speed was quickly exceeded, with a relatively linear increase in power to 160 km / h, followed by a slower progression to almost 180 km / h with full fifth gear..
The vibrations are present throughout this flight and at stabilized speed, sensitive to the level of the footrests and the handles, which can quickly numb the fingers on a medium journey. The greater wind resistance on the Stone and Special models quickly encourages adopting a more reasonable pace, for example by stalling at 110 km / h around 5000 rpm. However, it is clear that the V7s know how to handle fast lanes if necessary, knowing that they are much better suited to strolling on small roads..

Moto Guzzi V7 Special test

Departmental

By switching from the V7 Racer to the V7 Stone or Special we are radically changing the universe. In addition to the riding position, lightly resting on the wrists for the first and the right bust on the second, we can see above all the differential in dynamic behavior and damping quality of these motorcycles. The Sachs shock absorbers of the V7 Stone and Special are indeed much more flexible than the BItubo elements with separate cartridge of the Racer, which also thrust over more amplitude (130 instead of 118 mm).

Moto Guzzi V7 test

As a result, when attacking small roads we appreciate the more rigorous behavior of the Racer in the sequences and when passing a constraint on the angle. The compression is better absorbed and the rebound more progressive, which helps to maintain good front / rear cohesion, where the other two send you back a racquet more quickly in the lower back. With the Racer, you also feel the front axle better, as is the case with the original Pirelli Sport Demon tire with very perfectible grip. On the other two, it is more difficult to pinpoint the limits of these tires, which quickly rewarded us with a few untimely slips on a curve during the photo shoots..

Moto Guzzi V7 Special duo test

It is obviously in this road context that the engine pleasure of the Italian V-Twin is best appreciated. Really available past 3500 rpm, it allows cruising serenely at legal paces, then displays a more pronounced force past 4500 rpm where its character asserts itself, with a convincing rise in power up to 6500 rpm. It is possible to push it higher, the breaker intervening around 7800 rpm, but without real interest because the maximum power is delivered at 6800 rpm. In use, we learn to compensate for the relative slowness of the gearbox, which is otherwise correctly staged. However, do not hesitate to drop a gear when passing the road, just to get a really energetic recovery. Note that the selection is more direct and straightforward on the V7 Stone and Special.

Moto Guzzi V7 test

Braking

In this regard, all three are the same, with a 320 mm front disc brake with an opposing 4-piston caliper and a 260-mm rear disc with a 2-piston caliper. The first has little bite and medium power that requires you to take the lever with full hand to obtain convincing braking, the rear brake for its part being quick to lock the wheel if you press too hard on the associated pedal. The 40mm Marzocchi tube fork also tends to dip quickly, causing rapid mass transfer to the front. This during heavy braking in fast driving of course because, in standard use, the dynamic behavior and the joint braking of the two brakes is sufficient to stop safely.

Brembo Moto Guzzi V7 brakes

Comfort / duo

Overall, the original comfort offered by the V7s is quite firm. The Racer has a properly padded single saddle and can optionally be fitted with an equally decent two-seater, or even comfort saddles with gel insert. The same goes for the V7 Stone and Special, but the length of the passenger seat doesn’t save as much space as you might think, especially with two healthy adults on board. In addition, the lack of stock grab handles on the V7 Stone and Racer doesn’t allow the passenger to hold up as well as on the Special, which originally features side grab bars. You will therefore have to resort to options if you want to ride regularly as a duo.

Moto Guzzi V7 Stone seat
Rear light Moto Guzzi V7 Stone

Consumption

We didn’t have the opportunity to refuel during this little outing of about 100 kilometers. However, the V7 engine remaining the same, the average consumption measured previously remains valid, namely nearly 4.5 l / 100 km in mixed driving, or nearly 490 km of autonomy with the current 22-liter tank. . A value close to that announced by the manufacturer (4.3 l / 100), which can however climb to almost 5 l / 100 km when the handle is tickled a little too much.

Conclusion

Widely revised in 2012, the Moto Guzzi V7 changed very little for 2014. However, they gained in reliability thanks to the adoption of a new alternator and further accentuated their power of seduction by refining their look. However, we would have preferred a return to the famous Moto Guzzi combined braking to improve the performance of the V7s on this point and a small effort on the price of the V7 Racer. This is indeed offered at € 9999 in a single-seater saddle. It is therefore necessary to resort to options to add a two-seater saddle (242 €) or a few attractive options such as the beautiful Arrow exhaust line (1260 €), where again the famous Record kit with full fairing and seat cowl number holder (1895 €) ). The V7 Special is sold for € 8799 and the V7 Stone € 7999. In short, the V7s do not sell off and charge a high price for their authenticity but, in the end, when you love you don’t count. !

Strong points

• Cool retro look
• Engine flexibility
• Cycle part agility

Weak points

• Perfectible braking
• Flexible suspensions
• Price of the V7 Racer
• Vibrations

The technical sheet of the Moto Guzzi V7

Competitors: Triumph Bonneville, Kawasaki W800

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