Moto Guzzi Drool

G

glen@fsmotorcycle

New Member
I like most of this bike:

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/bikes/moto-guzzi-v7-clubman-racer/
Moto-Guzz-V7-Clubman-Racer-2.jpg


and most of this bike:

http://www.motoguzzi-canada.ca/en_CA/prodotti/naked/v7_cafe_classic/v7_cafe_classic/default.aspx
v7_classic_cafe_img_grand_06.jpg


somewhere in the middle I think is my next bike :)
Has anybody here ridden one of the V7 Classics or V7 Cafe's?
 
I own one. Ask away...

The first picture you posted, that's not a real production bike. They made that for one of the big bike shows in Italy, EICMA I think, and it's been rumored it was used to gauge interest in a possible line of aftermarket parts. It's now rumored that it's in the pipeline. Maybe they are trying to compete with Triumph and their product line. I can say that aftermarket parts is one of the downsides to owning a Guzzi. There aren't many to pick from. Some people on the web have spread rumors that it is going to be a production bike in the future; however, I'm skeptical on that, as are most everyone else. Like you're saying, it's a little too much, I don't think that would really sell. Plus, they would make more money selling the Classic and Cafe and selling the parts for you to add on and customize how you want. Just like Triumph's cash cow.
 
I like the way Guzzis look, but how do they ride? How tall are you? Do they "torque steer" with the drive train mounted longetudinaly?
I have heard that they are reliable, and easy to do maintanence. How are parts prices?
I'm shopping for a "new" new bike ;) and the Guzzi is in the top five.
 
Let me tell you first that I don't have that much experience with other bikes, it's only the 3rd I've ever owned. I'd say it rides great, but my other two bikes were of the vintage variety. So, this one's like a dream. There is some torque-steer from the shaft drive, I'd say, more-so than the way the engine is mounted. Maintenance is a breeze. Mostly because the heads are sticking right out for you to get to, to do valve adjustments etc. This is the same engine design they've used for 40 years, so it's perfected in its own way. Therefore, the reliability factor is certainly great. Often times some Guzzi's will need a "sorting out" but the warranty will cover those small issues. I haven't had any other than an ECU update in my 13 months of happy ownership. Price on parts aren't really that bad, from what I've experienced thus far. I paid only $175 for the Cafe seat. I was expecting double that. It's the lack of parts that are stocked that's really the problem.

This biggest downside is the limited head design. If you want a fast bike, this may not be the bike for you. It's fun as all hell to ride, gets complements EVERY time I ride it, but it's no Ducati or UJM in the speed department.
 
Thanks for the quick reply :)
Fast isn't as important to me as stable and predictable, I guess I'm gettin' old. :-[
How about comfort, how tall are you? I'm 6'1" and some bikes are a little cramped. ;D
 
4eyes said:
Thanks for the quick reply :)
Fast isn't as important to me as stable and predictable, I guess I'm gettin' old. :-[
How about comfort, how tall are you? I'm 6'1" and some bikes are a little cramped. ;D
Click to expand...
I'm 6'2" and it's not a problem. With the clubmans I really need a set of rearsets to keep from having to stretch a little, which Im trying to figure some way to mount some, but stock it's perfectly fine. The leg room is just fine.
 
COOL BEANS! Thanks, that makes my decision harder ;D
I need to win the Lotto, and buy them all. 8)
 
Muzak, have you had any problems with your dealer?? I've read that Piaggo is fucking with the dealer network, especially in Canada. On the Guzzi forums some of those guys are getting pretty twisted over this. Just a thought to consider and maybe research before buying a new Guzzi. It might also be that Piaggo wants to go to the Ducati and BMW style dealers, the "boutique/lifestyle" shops. The local dealer here in Jacksonville that sold Guzzi was a mutli-line dealer and they just dropped Guzzi. I've also heard that Stan's Moto Guzzi/BMW in Gainsville, Fl. is in trouble.

Terry
J'ville, Fl.
 
I've had no problems with my dealer support thus far. I think that's a dealer by dealer basis. I live just about a mile and half from my dealer so I stop in there occasionally and talk to his wife, who rides an old Guzzi V7 Sport, and I'll buy some gloves, oil, or whatever I might need then. I've built a small relationship with them. They know me when I walk in. I've only had to take it in for warranty work twice, though, and one was a false alarm. I'm pretty sure he ate the cost of his shop time on that one just to please me and keep me as a customer. I will definitely be buying my next bike there. I ask her all the time how the business is going and she always says that it's doing great and was surprised to hear me say that a lot of the euro-bike shops are struggling. DFW is a pretty big area, so maybe all the people here have something to do with their business not hurting. Who knows...
 
For me I think I really just need to arrange to take one for a ride. The V7 Classic has what feels like a terrible plank seat in the showroom. How is the Cafe seat? I know there is not much aftermarket but is there any web sites that have any accessories for the bike? I looked at the Arrow web site and they don't list pipes for the bike yet. Moto Guzzi has I think 5 things on there site for the bike. There totaly missing the boat on people wanting to personalize there bike.

cheers
 
The Classic seat is pretty hard, you are right. The Cafe seat is like night and day as far as comfort and of very high quality.

mgcycle.com and harpersmotoguzzi.com are two sites that have some parts fort he V7C/Cafe. You have to remember, too, that this bike (in its modern form) just came out less than 2 years ago. My dealer said they can fit Arrow pipes no problem. Any shop that can bend and weld can do it. Especially on the V7 as there's no twists and turns in the exhaust, it's pretty straight forward. They are missing the boat on personalization. I'm fairly certain that's what the Clubman V7 was all about and surely Piaggio has something in the works for that. The V7 has been a decent seller from what my dealer was telling me. The only other thing I can't find that I absolutely need is rear-sets and if you got access to a lathe/mill or have money to pay someone to make some brackets, it can be done. It has been done. I had a set of brackets given to me from another V7C owner, who made them, but I agreed to donate them to the V7 build in Cafe Racer Magazine. So, if you see that bike in that mag, those are my rear-set brackets lol. That reminds me, I need to email him to see about making another set. There is also a 850 big bore kit that has just been released to the market for it. It's a decent price too at $700. I'm waiting on someone else to try it out first before I think about doing that.
 
muzak said:
Where are you located? I'd let you take her for a spin.
Click to expand...
NW Arkansas, thanks for the offer :)
There is a dealer in Tulsa OK that also has Triumph Bonnievilles so I need to go and do some comparison shopping. ;D
 
4eyes said:
Thanks for the quick reply :)
Fast isn't as important to me as stable and predictable, I guess I'm gettin' old. :-[
How about comfort, how tall are you? I'm 6'1" and some bikes are a little cramped. ;D
Click to expand...

I am 6'4" and they fit me fine. I have never rode the new V7 but I own a Centauro and also have an SP1000 that I did the cafe treatment on. http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=7554.0 ) I really like them both. The SP is not as fast as the Centauro is, but it will really move if you want it to. Both of them handle good, and are really stable bikes in the turns.
 
Very nice job, Joe. :eek:

Have you posted pics of that on Wildguzzi? They would love to see your work over there. That is just stunning.
 
muzak said:
Very nice job, Joe. :eek:

Have you posted pics of that on Wildguzzi? They would love to see your work over there. That is just stunning.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the compliment. I did post pics on the wild guzzi site. I look on there when I can. Great group of guys on there....
 
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