2021 Guzzi V7 Special

[the Ferret]

I think the new MG Mandello 100 is a gorgeous motorcycle, but knowing my history with test rides in the past, it is highly unlikely that one would end up in my garage. The NT 1100 has about the same specs, for hp and trq, comes with bags and heated grips the Guzzi doesnt have, and it will be a ton cheaper, and it will be a Honda, so not as quirky. Not as good looking though.

[GoldOxide_imp]

The Moto Guzzi V7 is pretty well everything you said Charlie.

One does not acquire one solely on [lack of] performance. Maintainability and nostalgia (arguably "the soul") is the draw. The looks are pretty nice too.

[rboe]

Guzzi's, especially that preetty blue V7 Special, look very nice and are seductive. So was my Griso (Tenni green). But ownership was a different matter. Mechanically I had problems with my Griso (had it converted to roller tappets before problems showed up) - even more problems with my XR650L - pretty much zip with my CB1100's.

Kinda leaning towards another Honda vs a Moto Guzzi. Or a Royal Enfield.
And I have yet to hear the NT1100 is coming to the US.

[the Ferret]

Have faith Rboe it will come

[Ollie]

I liked my 2016 Stone with cast tubeless wheels, single wall chrome headers, and traditional tachometer / speedometer. Were I buying a new V7 now it'd be a Special, only with cast tubeless wheels in place of the spokes which I'd have done at purchase. No way in this day and age will I tolerate inner tube tires on a street motorcycle anymore. The work that was required to remove the rear wheel on my 2016 V7 Stone (with cast wheels when changing tires) on a lift inside my shop was bad enough. No way I could do that on the side of the road to change inner tubes after a puncture.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I liked my 2016 Stone with cast tubeless wheels, single wall chrome headers, and traditional tachometer / speedometer. Were I buying a new V7 now it'd be a Special, only with cast tubeless wheels in place of the spokes which I'd have done at purchase. No way in this day and age will I tolerate inner tube tires on a street motorcycle anymore. The work that was required to remove the rear wheel on my 2016 V7 Stone (with cast wheels when changing tires) on a lift inside my shop was bad enough. No way I could do that on the side of the road to change inner tubes after a puncture.

This is constant chatter on the Africa Twin Forum where it almost seems to be a rite of passage. Yeah, no thanks. Besides, Honda has gone with tubeless spoke rims starting in 2020 for the AT.

I think the V7 might look okay with tubeless spoke rims, but the price will be raised.

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

Good to know, thanks
Was it 850cc, year?

Yes, it was an 850. My older Honda Nighthawk 750, with more hp and torque but slightly lighter, could've run circles around the Guzzi.

[Ollie]

I liked my 2016 Stone with cast tubeless wheels, single wall chrome headers, and traditional tachometer / speedometer. Were I buying a new V7 now it'd be a Special, only with cast tubeless wheels in place of the spokes which I'd have done at purchase. No way in this day and age will I tolerate inner tube tires on a street motorcycle anymore. The work that was required to remove the rear wheel on my 2016 V7 Stone (with cast wheels when changing tires) on a lift inside my shop was bad enough. No way I could do that on the side of the road to change inner tubes after a puncture.

This is constant chatter on the Africa Twin Forum where it almost seems to be a rite of passage. Yeah, no thanks. Besides, Honda has gone with tubeless spoke rims starting in 2020 for the AT.

I think the V7 might look okay with tubeless spoke rims, but the price will be raised.

Here in the US tubeless wheels for whatever reason are only on 2020+ Africa Twin Sport, not the regular AT like I have. Can you imagine, in this day and age, Honda putting blow-out prone inner tube wheels on their cars?

IMO the V7 looks great with cast wheels. A friend bought a new V7 Special, last year of the 750, and liked most everything on the bike except the spoke, inner tube wheels. When he took it in for it's 600 mile service he asked if there was any way he could trade up to cast wheels? He really lucked out because they agreed to swap to new cast wheels for just the cost of changing the tires over because they just happened to be in the process of changing one of their new V7's (with cast wheels) to some kind of hipster look and wanted to fit it with knobby tires with spoke wheels.

[James2621_imp]

“IMO the V7 looks great with cast wheels.”

I was seriously considering a new V7 Special after a 26 year or so hiatus from riding when they were dealing on the leftover 17-18’s. The tubed spoked wheels were the dealbreaker. There was a leftover Milano but I couldn’t get past that grey color. Was patient and found a 2013 CB on Craigslist 5 minutes from were I live with only 900 miles.

[peterbaron]

A little progress as to a test ride:
"Can you confirm if you have a full M license and your own motorcycle insurance policy? These are conditions from our underwriter to be able to set up a potential test ride alongside one of our staff members as an escort".