Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: Oldfisti on December 30, 2008, 09:05:35 AM

Title: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Oldfisti on December 30, 2008, 09:05:35 AM
Moto Guzzi V7 Classic Available in the US

by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on December 29, 2008

(http://thekneeslider.com/images/motoguzziv7classic.jpg)



Some of you may have noticed by now that Moto Guzzi is bringing the V7 Classic to the US after all. This was another case of a very nice standard bike being introduced in other markets but not in the States. When we wrote about it last year, there were a lot of comments to the effect of, bring it here and you'll buy it. Well, here's your chance. Suggested retail is $8490.

It's interesting that Harley Davidson decided to sell the XR1200 at home after aiming across the pond and Moto Guzzi is going to sell the V7 here, too. Maybe all the commotion and fuss from potential customers had an effect. Now we'll see what happens in the showrooms. The XR is already selling, I wonder how the V7 will do.

Specifications:
• Tanks and side panels with 70s style Moto Guzzi graphics.
• Twin saddle with 70s style Moto Guzzi name
• Chromed passenger grab handles.
• Chromed rocker boxes
• Spoked wheels
• Chromed heat shields
• Chromed instrumentation
• 70s style instrument graphics
• Colour coded rear mudguard.
• Chromed rear light cluster
• Chromed locking tank filler
Engine
• 744 cc 90° V two valve twin
• Weber Marelli electronic fuel injection.
• Single plate clutch
• New high performance exhaust system
• 5-speed gearbox.
Frame
• ALS steel tubular twin cradle with removable lower components
• 40 mm front forks
• Pre-load and rebound adjustable twin rear shock absorbers
• Front brakes - 320 mm disc and 4 (opposed) piston calipers.
• Rear brakes - 260 mm disc with floating caliper fitted with 2 parallel pistons
• Spoked wheels
• Metzeler Lasertec 100/90- 18 56H TL front tire.
• Metzeler Lasertec 130/80 -17 65H TL rear tire.
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Oldfisti on December 30, 2008, 09:07:08 AM
I think me likey...                                                  [bacon]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: TiAvenger on December 30, 2008, 09:27:37 AM
Reminds me of a cross between a bonnie and a sportster.....


reserving judgment pending further review.
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Oldfisti on December 30, 2008, 09:41:07 AM
More pics...   (http://thekneeslider.com/images/motoguzziv7.jpg)      (http://thekneeslider.com/images/motoguzziv7rear.jpg)

                                                                                        (http://thekneeslider.com/images/motoguzziv7b.jpg)

                                                                           
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: JEFF_H on December 30, 2008, 10:41:22 AM
I really dig this.
think i might like the green cafe better even better tho.

Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Triple J on December 30, 2008, 10:50:42 AM
Cool bike...









...if I was 60.  ;D
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Slag on December 30, 2008, 12:18:05 PM
Sat on one today at Eurosport. Neat bike, but the seat has to go  [bang]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Travman on December 30, 2008, 03:33:34 PM
Quote from: Slag on December 30, 2008, 12:18:05 PM
Sat on one today at Eurosport. Neat bike, but the seat has to go  [bang]
What was wrong with the seat?  Too soft?  Too hard? 

I dig the bike as a nice alternative to a Bonneville.  My one complaint is that the tank seems too large in the same way that the Ducati Sport Classic tanks look too large (especially when beside the 70's orginals).  That is what happens when you try to cover a large airbox with a wrap around plastic gas tank.  The press photos minimize the large tank.  You can see how large the tank looks in this picture. 
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/V7_750_Black.jpg?t=1230679406)
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Slag on December 30, 2008, 04:51:40 PM
The seat felt like a brick, and I really did not like the looks of it. The bike was larger than I had pictured, but I still really liked it. My only problem with the bike is how much effort I would put into it getting the desired look  [laugh]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: eyeboy on January 02, 2009, 09:49:47 PM
TOTALLY WANT!!!

i'd take my deposit on the streetfighter back to buy one... if they sell them in canada

[bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: supertjeduc on January 03, 2009, 01:35:29 AM
It's so sloooooooooooooow
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: eyeboy on January 03, 2009, 09:37:41 AM
Quote from: supertjeduc on January 03, 2009, 01:35:29 AM
It's so sloooooooooooooow

so? i'm not buying it as a track bike...

[cheeky]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Slag on January 03, 2009, 10:04:59 AM
$8500 isn't bad. I would put a single seat and cowl on it, plus drop the rear fender. Bar end mirrors and she is done  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Travman on January 03, 2009, 11:10:07 AM
Ducati could make this bike using their 696 engine.  I know they have the Sport Classics already, but the 696 Sport classic could be the little brother. 
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Langanobob on January 06, 2009, 08:08:34 AM
Closest I've come to riding any kind of Guzzi was just sitting on a Quota dualsport a few years ago.  Compared to a Duc it just felt heavy, or at least top-heavy.   Maybe you just get used to the heavy feeling.  After all, lots of people ride Harleys and love them.
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Scottish on January 06, 2009, 09:54:17 AM
Don't mind the tank size... that's weird complaint. Anyway all bikes used to have them, I remeber my GS and CB could actually cost $15+ to fill up... and this was when gas was cheap. I'd say though that there are 3-4 other bikes in the same class I spend money on before I got to this.... for that matter I'd buy something old, spend 3-4k on mods nd still be ahead 4-5k. Meh, not impressed overall.
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: Porsche Monkey on January 06, 2009, 11:07:54 AM
Quote from: eyeboy on January 02, 2009, 09:49:47 PM
TOTALLY WANT!!!

i'd take my deposit on the streetfighter back to buy one... if they sell them in canada

[bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon] [bacon]

(http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll161/porschaholic/smiley_bash.gif)
Title: Re: Moto Guzzi V7 Classic now available in the US
Post by: eyeboy on January 06, 2009, 01:18:43 PM
ya, whatever! i figure i can actually USE all of the bikes performance (as it may be). my mechanic who rides a 1098 thinks it will be scary in the city. i like scary, but you never get to use it enough!

[beer]