Ducati Monster Forum

i've been thinking about maybe switching my m695 for a sport classic s, then came across the moto guzzi v7 classic, great looking bike but the HP numbers seem very low, anyone have any info on these bikes?
(http://www.cexut.com/wp-content/uploads/gw560-2.jpg)

Keep in mind that parts are very hard to get and when you do get them, they are in no hurry to ship them out here.  My local European shop had a Guzzi Grisso in for some service and was waiting 6 months on a factory part.

I think it is great looking bike, but Moto Guzzi does only sell something like 600 bikes in the US per year.  The V7 Classics are probably a lot of fun as long as you don't try to use them as a sport bike and just enjoy them for what they are.  I'm hoping Guzzi will bring the V7 Cafe Classic over next model year.  They sell these in Europe.  It is the same bike with different bars, seat, and pipes.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/V7_750_Green_NoMirrors.jpg?t=1243999277)

How do you like this one someone photoshopped in red with black rims?
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/V7_750_Red.jpg?t=1243999575)

Hot.

Personally I prefer the Ducati Sport Classics...
But get yourself one fo those and you can be sure not every second Joe has one.
But I would never do it without a passionate dealer or importer around the corner.
My Ducati dealer is one of those and I am thinking of a Benelli or Morini to raise the unique bar even higher.
For all that money you need to pour into a Ducati to make it stand out, the TNT seems cheap now ;)

yeah, they are great looking bikes, but i agree, if i where to go classic, it would be a ducati sport classic.

I was thinking that way too, until i started reading about the tank issues :/

tank issues?!

Motorcyclist in their new issue has a quick review on it..maybe it is coming to the states.

Read fuel issues, the amount of ethanol in US petrol is causing plastic tanks to deform. Only a problem in the US as far as I know.

I saw that review too.  It must be coming.  I hope it sells well.  It will be compared to the Triumph Bonneville which is more powerful, but this bike is about 50 lbs lighter.  It is a shame that Guzzi 750 motor can't be easily hopped up similar to the way a HD 883 can be made into a 1200.  I want Guzzi to sell a lot of these V7 Cafe Classics so that they will make a "big-block" version down the road.  I'd like to see a bike with similar styling and the 1200 8V engine found in the Stelvio & Griso.

dig that Griso 8v S.E.

I'm not sure if that is coming to the U.S.  Has there been any announcements?

They have a V7 classic at GP in San Diego. I've looked at it a number of times, it is tempting. Real comfortable ride ergos

Not sure what's going on with this (500 S.E.'s total, I think)or Guzzi in general. There is buzz of Piaggio shutting down the Mandello del Lario factory and moving production to some Aprilia plant. That would be a shame, they've been making bikes there since 1921! I tried to find the # of Guzzi sold in the U.S., they sell 7000 bikes worldwide and supposedly need to sell 12,000 to survive. Little scary.

The buzz about Piaggio shutting down the Mandello del Lario factory and moving production to an Aprillia plant was based on the fact that the factory was shut down this winter for big renovations.  A lot of people theorized this was a plan to shut down the old Guzzi factoy without getting everyone upset in advance.  However, it looks like Piaggio was honest because the factory reopened this Febuary. 

I read recently that Guzzi's best recent year was 2007 and they sold 10,000 bikes worldwide with 1,000 coming to the U.S.  However in 2008 they only sold 5,000 and this is what started people speculating again about the demise of Moto Guzzi.  People that ride Guzzis don't worry about it because they've been hearing these rumors for 30 years.  "Moto Guzzi - Going out of business since 1921."

Saw one in white  [puke] at Duc shop yesterday. 

I like it though!  Just put some clip-ons on it. 

Very thin tank.  Upright sitting position.   [thumbsup]

I saw this bike at the IMS show this spring.
I love the looks and it's the first Guzzi I've ever considered buying.
Got to sit on it, it's light, it looks great, and its really comfortable.
But 48HP??? No thanks!   [coffee]

Didn't realize the new Bonnie's were that heavy.  My only real objection to Guzzi's  has been their weight and that the CG feels to be high up on the bike, at least compared to a Duc.