04-18-2017, 10:46 PM
Slim. I'll add a little more to the discussion as a 2013 V7R owner AND having a CB sitting next to it in the garage. The Guzzi provides ABSOLUTELY no performance or mechanical/reliability advantage over the CB (except maybe the the shaft drive that negates dealing with a chain). For me the Guzzi was an emotional purchase. The chrome tank, the red frame, the classic café stance of bikes I grew up with. I saw it/ I bought it. While I REALLY like the CB I LOVE the Guzzi (have written this on the site before). It's just hard to explain. Although the CB is superior in all performance areas, what the Guzzi does and how it FEELS while riding it is more than enough for me personally.
The Guzzi is a 2013 bought new and now has 7006 babied miles on it. My dealer folded up shop about a year ago. The rear running lights don't work (but brakes/license plate and blinkers do). It's slowly leaking some type of oil around the rear drum. I've checked all the fluids and can't trace it down. After I get back from Europe in Sept I plan to ship it to Harpers Moto Guzzi in Missouri for an overhaul and to have a number of issues addressed i.e. new tires/front fork cartridges installed/ routine maint/oil sump installed etc. After that it will only see the road on Sat/Sundays on short jaunts over the mt's and to coffee shops. BTW, I'm 6 foot and the bike fits me nicely in the Racer configuration. And one last thing. After early issues are resolved on Guzzi's, routine maint is a breeze. It's not uncommon for the motors to turn 75K-100K miles without anything else being required.
Post script added: Considering what CB's listed for new when they were first rolled out It should be possible to pick up a well maintained version of both the CB and a V7 Stone for under that price, or even in the 8.5 to $9K range. Why make yourself choose if that's an option.
The Guzzi is a 2013 bought new and now has 7006 babied miles on it. My dealer folded up shop about a year ago. The rear running lights don't work (but brakes/license plate and blinkers do). It's slowly leaking some type of oil around the rear drum. I've checked all the fluids and can't trace it down. After I get back from Europe in Sept I plan to ship it to Harpers Moto Guzzi in Missouri for an overhaul and to have a number of issues addressed i.e. new tires/front fork cartridges installed/ routine maint/oil sump installed etc. After that it will only see the road on Sat/Sundays on short jaunts over the mt's and to coffee shops. BTW, I'm 6 foot and the bike fits me nicely in the Racer configuration. And one last thing. After early issues are resolved on Guzzi's, routine maint is a breeze. It's not uncommon for the motors to turn 75K-100K miles without anything else being required.
Post script added: Considering what CB's listed for new when they were first rolled out It should be possible to pick up a well maintained version of both the CB and a V7 Stone for under that price, or even in the 8.5 to $9K range. Why make yourself choose if that's an option.