Ducati Monster Forum

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

So, this morning the long anticipated day finally arrived. Jenn and I suited up to ride her Harley 2-up the cold (about 40F) 50 miles of Philly freeways to FBF where I'd ordered my new V7 this past summer.

Seeing the anticipated temps I finally got off my butt yesterday afternoon and made a new fused harness adaptor to hook up the Widder heated vest/gloves to any bike with a battery tender lead. I've literally not used the vest or gloves in the past decade or so (or on any of our last SEVEN bikes, even when we took that spring break trip down the east coast in Feb of 2005 half of which was in freezing temps. I don't know why, just laziness I guess. Or maybe it's just that I started working at home back around 03 when I sold the last bike I HAD rigged for use with the Widder stuff. And not HAVING to commute on cold mornings allowed me to wait for better temps or weather most of the time so I just wasn't motivated.

Anyway, Jenn was bundled enough that she told me to go ahead and use the heated gear which was super comfy while we were 2-up on the Harley behind the big windshield. But it was a God-send this afternoon on the naked V7 (thanks FBF, I figured you'd install a battery tender lead for me!).

When we pulled up to FBF there was ONE bike sitting outside, obviously my new white V7 Stone!


(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-11-30_11-40-54_288a.jpg)

Shortly we were on our way for the leisurely 65 or so mile run home on various back roads so I could get to know the new bike a little better.

I know it's the honeymoon period with this bike, but I was immediately convinced I'd made the right decision replacing my other 2 Guzzis with this one. The bike feels light and nimble, with plenty of down low grunt and a wonderful throaty sound when you wind it out a little more. Unlike my previous big-block Guzzis this bike really pulls from 2k on (at least in the lower gears). I'm not trying to baby it too much during break-in, but I never really had to wring it out either. I could effortlessly run along at 50 mph in 5th gear without feeling the slightest hint that I might be lugging it. I could also easily run it up to 70 mph or so in the same gear without it feeling busy/hurried at all.

As I'd expected from the demo I'd inspected back in October the fit/finish was fantastic. It's really a step up from the build quality on my old 00 Jackal, and possibly even a step up (or at least equal) to the perceived quality of my old 06 Breva (which is a fine bike and my little bro seems to be enjoying it quite well).

This was my first time seeing a new white V7 Stone in person and it was really visually stunning, striking every cord I wanted. Honestly there are a ton of cosmetics on this bike that I painstackingly did to my old Jackal (the colors on the tins, motor, rear drive, fork lowers, bar clamps, wheels, turn signals and valve covers are all things I did to my Jackal over the years). It's so nice it came this way, AND had extra touches I wanted like the fork gators, the black triple trees, the black dash etc. Plus details like the Guzzi badges on the tank and front fender, the Guzzi lettering on the back of the seat, the shape of the seat and tank are all exactly what I think a Guzzi should look like.

About halfway through the ride we stopped in Valley Forge park to take a couple of pics (and for Jenn to warm up a little). I should add that this was only the SECOND time Jenn has ridden her Harley since we picked up her Ducati a year and a half ago now. She still likes it, but REALLY prefers the Ducati.

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-11-30_14-11-23_285a.jpg)

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-11-30_14-11-01_444a.jpg)

Interestingly enough, the Guzzi does feel very similar to the Ducati in a lot of ways. For all practical purposes there's nothing either of us will do with the Ducati that we can't with the V7.

Anyway, by this evening we rolled back into the garage to introduce the V7 to her new home.

I'm thrilled to have a current fleet of such comfortable and capable bikes, all of which Jenn or I can happily ride. Jenn hasn't ridden the V7 yet, but she said she's looking forward to it. Perhaps she's waiting for me to install my x-mass and birthday present that she presented me when we got home, a set of gorgeous billet aluminum, frame-mount sliders she ordered from a Japanese company! I'll have to do that tomorrow, as soon as I figure out how to remove those black plasti covers over the lower frame rail bolts.

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-11-30_16-03-09_739a.jpg)

After standing it up in the garage she did remark that perhaps if she really is done with the Harley she'll have to think about a different second bike for her and pick up a new Bonnie in the next couple of years. Our Harley dealer is picking up Triumph sop the timing might work out next year or so. Till then, we certainly can't pregnant dog.

Very nice!!  After one of your posts, I looked up the Stone and thought, "I hope he got the white!"

Are you sticking with the stock exhaust?

I grew up across the Susquehanna from Harrisburg.

Yeah, I'm very much a "loud bikes cost rights" kinda guy and usually stick with the stock pipes.

The stock pipes on the new V7 actually have a nice sound.

We spend a lot of time up and down around the Susquenhanna (and on it in the summer).

Nice!

Where you located - Chester County west of VF Park, or in the Reading area?

I'm in your area - let's hook up for a ride in the Spring.

Let me know when you are around. I ride a lot of the roads down by the river.

I'm from the Lancaster area.

Bike looks great and in a well sorted garage  [thumbsup]

I see you have a soft spot for large displacement, air-cooled bikes.  Nicely done.

We're down in Kennett Square. Definitely would like to get out for some rides in the spring. Jenn and I will be the easy to find, the slow ones everyone is waiting for lol.

Yup - definitely have a soft-spot for air-cooled twins. It's almost a prerequisite in this garage. Of the many bikes we've owned I think only one was water cooled and only one was an L4.

So what were the two odd ball bikes?  And did you mean I4? 

Ha ha...I don't recognize the moniker L for Duc since the upper cylinder doesn't have twice the stroke of the lower lol. So I use L for inLine.  ;)

Oddballs were a Honda Ascot VT500 (water cooled) and Suzuki GS550E.

That's a beauty.  Fantastic.

Very nice bike. I liked it since the first time I saw it in the previews.

Congratulations, great bike!  I like the white [thumbsup]

Congrats!

Looks like a nice "standard". You don't find it underpowered? Curb weight is ~ 100 lbs less than my T-100, but has ~ 19 BHP and 8 ft.lbs. less juice. Just curious as an acquaintance who lives on the Main Line asked me about these new Guzzis recently.

My M796 will leave my T-100 for dead but they have different missions. Never enough bikes, right?!

How's the gearbox? (18" front wheel looks good! ;))

Curmudg - I think this report will answer your questions - if not, ask away. As for the gearbox, hard to say, compared to what? I've got not complaints, but I'm as happy with Harley and Guzzi gearboxes as I am BMW or Ducati.

See BOLD for Reader's Digest version

DAY 2 report.

Again, thanks all for the well wishes. I hope everyone has an awesome Christmas season and new year.

Woke up this morning and took some time to install the frame sliders.

http://www.over.jp/item/59-931-01/ (http://www.over.jp/item/59-931-01/)


With them installed Jenn came out with a hair dryer to tackle the horrible de-stickering. An hour or so of cursing, realizing she better use the high setting, and some Goof-Off got the job done and it was time for me to sneak out for a bit.


I spent the next couple of hours getting to know the girl even better, breaking in the motor and further scrubbing in the tires.

About 100 miles of almost all hilly and twisty roads later and I rolled back in even more excited than I had been the day before.

The motor and gearbox are already starting to feel like they are loosening up a bit (and/or I'm just getting to know them better). The bike is more nimble than I remembered or expected. Probably it was the fact that I was finally riding MY OWN bike on largely familiar roads so I was more willing to explore its capabilities. What struck me by the end of the ride was that I FELT AS IF I was already cornering it as or more aggresively than I would the Duc (M696) on the same roads. Now I think part of this was a comfortable familiarity with the feel of a Guzzi motor/chassis, and part is how confidently and easily this bike turns. But part of it might be illusion too.

I think a big piece of the fun on this bike is how it FEELS like it is going fast, even if it's closer to legal speeds than a more powerful/capable bike might be under the same conditions. The sound of the pipes, the feel of the motor, the feedback from the chassis is just enough to add up to FUN even if you're not about to win any actual races with it.

I'll be anxious to compare it to Jay's (my little bro) 2009 V7C when we get a chance because I feel like I can already tell the differences in where this motor makes its power compared to the older dual-throttle body motor. I'm taking it a little easy because I'm running it in, but it never feels like it needs to go north of say 5k (and probably rarely saw that today too). The gearing seems relatively low (like a Harley 883), so I'm shifting out of 1st earlier than usual, taking very sharp corners in 2nd more than I thought I would, and finding 5th on a lot of roads that I'd still be in 3rd or 4th on a big block Guzzi. I feel like Jay's V7C needs to be rev'd more (and is willing to oblige when you do).

Anyway the Stone will run along happily turning about 3k at 50 mph in 5th gear.

If I remember correctly 60 mph is a little shy of 4k, 70 mph is just shy of 4.5k.

It felt/sounded a little busy on the highway, and I didn't want to try and run it any faster at this point of break-in. But I'm figuring it won't be bothered at all running a constant 70-80 mph after break-in.

But running it there probably misses the point of this bike.

It REALLY feels good and happiest anywhere say 60 or below, meaning anywhere BUT the highway.

If you're the type that wants (or needs) to drone the highway at 75+ for long periods of time, my initial impression is that this IS NOT the bike for you.

I can understand that someone who is used to being thrown back on the seat and holding on while finding the ton before 3rd gear will probably think this bike is under powered.

However I've spent extended time on a number of bikes like that, and when I'm on the type of roads I was today on something like that, I've always wished I was instead on a bike like this.

Which tells me this is exactly what I wanted to add to the fleet at this time.

It feels like a brand new VINTAGE bike. Like a bike that CAN be hussled along well above the legal speeds, but is just as happy (and just as much fun) reasonably close to them.
 
I'm really looking forward to riding this bike, both around here and on some extended trips next season.

Kev

Thanks! I forwarded this link to the potential "victim" up on the Main Line. ;)

Is yours a 2012 or 2013? Allegedly the 2013 has a bit more "go" and shifts better.

Will agree with you about going fast comfortably on a machine whose characteristics feel second nature. As an old BMW hand, I was faster in some tight stretches on my K100RS 16/ABS than I was on my 851, although my 796 feels like my Pantah 600 SL and just as confident and nimble.

Now that my T-100 is fairly sorted, it's the bike for 30 - 70 MPH. Poised and relaxed below 70. The 796 likes 80 and is not much fun under 55. Totally poised and relaxed at 80+ though. The T-100 can do it, but the steering becomes sluggish and it's like riding in a hurricane compared to the 796.  ;)

Yeah, this is the redesigned motor which is new to the US for 2013 (single throttle body, different tuning, slightly more hp, and more power lower in the powerband).

I don't THINK the gear box is different.

PS FBF has a demo available.

Also, I'll be happy to answer your bud's questions if he wants.

 [thumbsup] Enjoy!

Supposed to be in the low 60s today and tomorrow. Gonna try to sneak out for some more break in miles.

Meanwhile:

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-12-01_14-00-08_822a.jpg)

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2012-12-01_13-58-57_841a.jpg)

Curmudgeon - or anyone else who is curious about how this bike compares power/performance-wise to other bikes on the market. I performed a bit of a comparison with our M696

Snuck out again today for another crispy winter ride.

I did two 35 mile loops (almost all twisties) back-to-back on the Duc Monster 696 and the V7 for a comparison.

I can honestly say that for this type of riding at speeds from 40-80 mph there was literally no difference between the V7 and Monster.

If you're not going WOT all the time and seriously abusing the speed limits, it doesn't matter which bike you're on.

At particular corners and straights along the route I carefully noted my speeds on the Duc, then went back and checked the V7 against them.

In all cases the limiting factor was ME and not the bike.

About 40 mph in this tight s-curve, about 50 mph another curve, 60 mph and 70 mph in a couple of sweepers etc, for all practical purposes in street riding the V7 is accelerating and cornering as well as the Duc.

Now as I've said previously, I'm sure the Duc would win on a race track with equal riders and I still think it pulls more at the higher rpm and higher mph range.

But today on the one or two straighter sections when I did go WOT on the V7 she was pulling better then she had yet and felt strong all the way to 90 mph where I had to back out of the throttle because of conditions and not the bike.

I think the motor is breaking in nicely. It seems to be reving more freely and feels great throughout the rpm range.

Nice!

The "tight S-curve" sounds like Rt 841/N. Chatham Rd about a mile west of Rt 82...

See you at Northbrook Market on the first nice day in the Spring  [thumbsup]

Precisely, about a mile before "The Whip   Tavern." Well done!  [beer]

And Northbrook Market is excellent. Robritos chips, great sandwiches, and THAT APPLE PIE! Mmmm, now I'm hungry!  [drool]

Hello Kev!

Just passed this along to the "prospect" in Bucks County. ALL feedback is good even if it's subjective. ;) From your latest remarks I conclude that the V7's light weight makes it comparable to you wife's 696. Does she have a 14T on hers BTW?

My own experience with a stock 696 is only 15 miles of mixed roads. The stock riding position for me was agony (at 5' 8") and I found it very overgeared. While it moved along, it was shorter on torque than I like... It DID handle confidently and precisely though..., so I ordered a 796 with the "fixes" I deemed essential. (See my sig line.) Those more or less nailed it.

The only other "naked" in my stable is a T-100. It's 100 lbs heavier than your V7. Bear in mind that I've replaced the shocks on mine, steepened the rake and fitted Ricor valves to the forks so that the ride is tolerable for 100+ miles with a 175 lb. rider. It's very laid back compared to my 796 and is just the bike you'd hop on for an errand in town, etc. or a relaxed cruise. It has enough mid-range torque to be a 1 - 2 gear bike between 30 - 70 MPH. The 796 likes its gearbox stirred..., but with the same effort and concentration is generally moving 20 MPH faster (at its relaxed pace) than the T-100 is on those same twisties. That's what makes your comments above interesting. In general I'd say the T-100 handles reasonably as a "standard motorcycle" since my suspension mods. On the other hand, my 796 has the precision of a scalpel but with no hint of nervousness or instability. Two bikes and two different characters.

From your review, the 696 and V7 appear far more similar.

Hello,  I have been eyeing the V7 Racer version.  Is there any particular reason that you did not go for the racer version?

Well, I've ridden the Bonnies too (and while we're at it the W650) and I would say that in a lot of ways (laid back ergos for instance) the V7 is closer to the style and feeel and performance of a Bonnie or W650 than the Duc.

HOWEVER, the Pirelli sport demons, the very light weight and the light aluminum wheels, hell even the wheelbase of the V7 are all closer to the Duc. So it handles a lot more like the Duc than one would think just looking at the style.

Again, don't get me wrong. The Duc is clearly more sporty when pushed to 9 or 10/10ths, but that's just not something that I (or I think 99%) of the public are going to do on the road.

The V7 Racer is, by most indications, an even better bike than the Stone. The more aggressive riding position (rearsets and bars) and the better suspension make it handle even sweeter.

HOWEVER, as much as I can enjoy a short jaunt on a bike like the Duc or a V7R, that's "not my bag" and I really prefer a more standard/upright riding position.

Not only that, I LIVE with my bikes day in and day out - running errands, going to the gym, picking my daughter up at school etc. The only way a bike really works for me other than as a rare weekend toy is with a set of locking, waterproof, hard side bags and topcase.

Adding bags like that to A V7R would be like adding the proverbial teats to a bull. Just wouldn't be right.

The Stone is much more MY type of bike.

But I do like the V7R too.

I'd PERSONALLY own the V7R before our Duc, but the point is moot since the Duc is really Jenn's bike.

Forgot to mention. My T-100 already has the Sport Demons.  :) No doubt the alloy spoked rims from a Thruxton would make mine even better, especially the 18" front, but the expense and dealing with the front fender didn't appeal.

Did you ride an EFi 865? Even made of water pipe it has to have more urge than a V7 or 696 I'd have thought, especially two-up. Mine is stock except for Triumph Off-Road silencers and the air injection plugged. Runs like a Swiss watch up to 5,000 but starts to buzz above that. Riding over 70 MPH is like riding in a hurricane though compared to a stock 796 which is almost silent aerodynamically well past 80 MPH.

Oddly, for this old fart, I can cover more miles comfortably on 796. Both bikes have Sargent saddles too. My T-100 saddle was a custom based on a friend's, using a stock EFi pan naturally. I think the rear subframe is too wide for comfort.

Have you ridden a 796? Mine at 7/10 leaves the T-100 for dead. 8) If you rode mine, I think you'd be riding at 7/10 without even knowing it. 80 MPH feels like 55 - 60 on the T-100.

When is spring, BTW?!

I've not ridden too many other Ducs (just the GT1000), but I've been on enough Japanese sportbikes, as well sport Triumphs (triples and fours), BMWs (Rs and Ks, even a week on a bud's 180 hp tweaked K), and hell even a number of Buells to get the breed. Though I get the appeal I just don't practically see their benefit (to me) on the street.

Sure, there's more of a rush when the throttle is whacked, but as much fun as acceleration can be it's just not the same fun factor to ride a bike like that at 5/10s or less on the street (because of more practical safety limitations) than it is to push a smaller, more simple machine closer to its limits.

Like I say, the limiting factor is me and I'm fine with that.

Torque is a funny thing. I think on paper the 696 may have as much as the V7, but I bet it's more peaky which changes the nature of the bike. I can't say what it would be like 2-up, but truthfully none of our bikes are really 2-up machines for any distance. But we tour solo and only really go 2-up with my daughter on local rides.

Nice Guzzi Kev  [thumbsup]

Kev,

You never said whether your wife's 696 has a 14T fitted or not. THIS makes a HUGE difference. Torque is then much more accessible and 6th gear actually becomes usable, at least in the USA. [leo] Ducatis like higher revs where they are smoother and relaxed. I wouldn't equate those revs with "peaky" though because at 5,500 - 6,500 RPM they are not "busy".

We don't disagree but your riding style might be one click below mine, based on the day of the week.  ;) For short hops or when I'm feeling more mellow, I take the T-100. I haven't done any WFO riding in 25+ years and have always ridden my bikes in their natural mid ranges. Sold my 851 after three years though because it was "sneaky fast" and there was going to be a "tree with my name on it". 8)

If published specs are to be believed, your V7 is 20 lbs lighter than my 796 and 110 lbs lighter than my T-100, all with full tanks! Maybe that validates all your impressions. On paper though, the V7 is seriously down on BHP and ft.lbs. vs the 696. I'd love to put my T-100 on a 50 lb. diet but the cost would be obscene!!!

These days my body and strength are my main limitations. A real PITA. Some of my riding history is here if you're interested. Wish I still had that Motorsport at the bottom of that thread. :'( It had all Pridmore's suspension mods and weighed ~ 465 wet! http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50673.msg929505#msg929505 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50673.msg929505#msg929505)

Oh sorry, 696 is bone stock and she likes it that way.

One click down, sure quite likely, maybe more.

There's nearly a 2 second difference in the 1/4 mile between a 696 and old version of the V7, but the new version doesn't make much more power so the times are probably still similar. So I'm sure the difference in power shows.

But, I've got a theory.

Riding em back to back they're similar enough that I think you only feel the difference at or near WOT, and near the top end of mph.

I suspect that they'd stay close in the first half or three quarters of a 1/4 mile drag at which point the V7 would fall flat on its face and the 696 would walk away from it. The V7 would hit fifth gear and start to wind out while the 696 would still have another gear to go AND would be pulling harder still due to the additional HP.

Or I'm fooling myself and the 696 would walk from the start as the numbers suggest, but I think it's closer than peak numbers make us think.

More importantly, it's quick enough for what I want in the real world, which is all that matters to me, but hard to quantify to others sometimes (which is what I've been trying to do, lol).

It's a pity you can't sneak a 14T on there for her when she isn't looking. Wouldn't want you to lose a couple of fingers though. ;) If I've learned one thing, it's never to argue with a female!

Maybe you know, maybe you don't. The stock gearing from the factory is there just to squeak past Euro3 and drive-by noise testing. Of the eight Ducatis I've owned prior to the 796, two required losing a tooth right out of the box. The rest had enough torque to ride through the dead zone and/or were smooth enough to ride at low revs and all would pull red line in top.

It might not seem like much, but ride a 696 with a 14T and you will find it much more responsive and much quicker. Best bang you'll ever get for $38-. Most who have switched say, "Ahhh, THIS is the way it's supposed to be!".  ;) Personally I wouldn't even rate it as a "mod". Your comparison results would likely change quite a bit, regardless of rider or riding style.

This is "real world" performance I'm talking about too. No "Ricky Racer".

To be clear, I'm not complaining about or poo pooing the 696 in any way.

And as such, if it ain't broke...

My husband snuck a 14T onto my 695.  I rode with it (and grumbled a bit about it) until it was time to change the sprocket again, and asked him to go back to stock.  For me it really did ride better with stock gearing.  But that may be partly due to me being much lighter than most riders.  It also may be due to me living in the twisties and not having too much city riding to deal with.  Anyway, lowering the gearing may be great for most but not for everyone.

Yes, lots or variables. Maybe you could define "rides better" for us. Seems curious to me, as a 695 is down a whopping 9 ft.lbs and 7 BHP on a 696. Do you EVER see 6th gear? ;) On my 796 with a 14T, I'm still rarely in 6th below an indicated 75 MPH. Gearing down also tightens up the ratios a bit which is nice for twisties too. Not having much town riding is a big plus naturally.

When someone like Raux says that he prefers a 15T in Germany, that I can easily believe / understand on the Autobahn or Autostrada. Would still make riding alpine passes more of a struggle.

My bike is back to stock gearing.  Works for me. 

Yeah, I geared my 900 down and now find myself trying to upshift when i'm already in 6th, never did it before.
However it's much better bringing it up my path out of my walk-in basement.
Not necessarily a good mod for everyone.

Your's is a 5-speed, right? My 750 Paso Limited with 38mm Dellortos had no need of a gear change either.

Are we getting a bit OT here? Kev was comparing a stock 696 to his V7. IMHO  8) a 696 cries for a 14T. With it, a 696 takes on a different character. That's how we got here...  ;)

Back OT, I'm wondering whether Kev is going to fit hard cases to his new toy. On the Guzzi USA site they show two cases but no pix of the hardware. I'm curious what that looks like. Maybe like an old /6 BMW case hardware? For 10% of my use, having cases on my T-100 would be great but I've never found or seen hardware for that bike which looked acceptable to me for the other 90% of the time when the bike is bare!  :'( Only my K100RS 16/ABS had bag mounts which were almost "invisible".

Yes, 5 speed.  It seems most people gear down to improve ease of clutch usage in low speed situations and to avoid low speed rideability problems, not to make 6th gear more useful.

I mostly used 6th gear as an overdrive on the freeway.  That didn't bother me.

In stock gearing I could do long stretches of the twisties we live in using a single gear.  With lowered gearing I found myself having to shift much more frequently which was annoying.   

Also, I didn't really see much benefit in taking off from a stop, I had plenty of torque with stock gearing.  It just annoyed me to then have to shift to second so soon.

The "new" Monsters are obviously very different. Not doubting what you are saying at all. The Siemens ECU bikes with stock fueling run very lean under ~ 4,000 and then smooth right out, but riding under load below 4,000 mainly produces vibration rather than power. One tooth less also produces much crisper throttle response everywhere in the powerband. With a 15T, 4,000 RPM = 80 MPH in 6th.

Unlike your 695, on a 696 in traffic with a 15T I was using three gears in traffic between 20 - 55 MPH. With a 14T that's now 3rd & 4th on my 796. Most of my leisurely riding is between 4,500 & 6,500 RPM where it is smooth and has "adequate" power. In VA I rarely need to ride over 7,500 as that's a really ugly ticket. ;)

I don't really think it's old vs. new, a lot of people swear by dropping a tooth in the front for the older monsters.  I think it might just be my lighter weight and personal preference.  I also prefer higher gearing on a bicycle.

Somegirl nailed it.

Jenn is 100 lbs lighter than me, so torque is just not an issue, plus she specifically likes that the stock gearing allows her to hold a single gear for longer stretches of twisties.

And yes, as I said in answer to the V7 Racer question, one of the reasons I preferred the Stone was specifically that I'm adding Hepco & Becker hard cases. Frame hardware does look similar to airhead Krauser frames. But I'm powdercoating the support frames black first to help hide them somewhat visually. I need bags for most of my riding which tends to be practical more than purely recreational.

Found you a snap. Should look fine on that bike if they're on there most of the time.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14661876&postcount=56 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14661876&postcount=56)

Would love to have small bags on the T-100 for the 10% of the time they'd be handy. Just never found any bag supports for the bike which looked decent with the bags detached. PITA.

Yip, I've seen a number setup that way, including my little bro's 09 V7C.   [thumbsup]

Nice snap....

The guy (s?) from Telico used to post on the Guzzi forum. But I remember a green café V7.


Ohh, I've got your answer for the Bonnie:

www.leatherlyke.com (http://)

The "modern" style bags look pretty decent, are waterproof, locking, and quick detach using 2 c-clips per bag. Most of all, they mount on two small, innocuous posts.

If you want I can show pics of our Harley with and without them.

Kev,

Missed your edit because you didn't do a fresh post, so I got no notification.  ;)

A pal of mine (complete loon) with a similar setup on a T-100 uses that rig for touring. I don't need anything that substantial as my range on that bike is 200 miles tops, even with all the mods I've done. I'd also hate to hide my chrome Ikon shocks and the bike looks so clean and "period" as is. I agree it's a good solution. No idea why my pal did it as he has a 955i Sprint with mods already for those duties. Anyone who'd like to see what your suggestion looks like can see it here though. BTW, my Forest Green / New England White gets more attention from all onlookers than any of the 30+ other bikes I've owned, including exotics! Weird... http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk/189001-leather-lyke-bags-on-bonneville-se-inquiry.html#post2042062 (http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-talk/189001-leather-lyke-bags-on-bonneville-se-inquiry.html#post2042062)

Wish I had a better pic of mine for you. This'll have to do. ;) http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/291755-1/DB-Brewery-T-100.jpg (http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/291755-1/DB-Brewery-T-100.jpg)

A small, tasteful Triumph bag would be dandy if it tucked behind the shock and didn't leave any brackets behind when removed. Demand must have been low though because Triumph currently only offers the big bags. Even the little Speedmaster slants are no longer on their site!

Add pix here though as you customize your Stone!

Ah, nice ride.

I would think there would be a market for a quick detach tail bag that connects to some small, innocuous bracket or connection that mostly hides under the seat.

Anyway, I'll be sure to post updates.

Snow is here, so I might not complete break in until spring, but hopefully we'll get a clear day or two.

RIDE SAFE!

 [Dolph]


(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2013-02-15_11-31-31_424a.jpg)


Just got my Hepco & Becker topcase and sidecase racks back from powdercoat AND it hit 50F today!


Life is good.


(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2013-02-15_11-32-52_69a.jpg)

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/2013-02-15_10-45-26_532a.jpg)

Ahhh..., youth!  ;) 50 F would still see me bundled up like the Michelin Man. 8) It's 61 F here currently but windy as the blazes, so I won't be digging out one of the bikes from the back of the garage. If there were no wind, I probably would because then my lunch wouldn't be blown off the table if I rode down to one of my favorite pit stops and sat on the porch in the sun. Maybe soon as I heard some Canadian geese this AM heading north, although the forecast for the weekend is a mix of rain and snow. We still have a TON of sand on the roads down here in VA which it will take a lot more hard rain to remove. Very weird mix VDOT drops on the roads and they never sweep. Even your roads may be clean before ours!  :'(

Thanks for the update. Which bag is your wife's?  8) The Stone looks good and "normal" with the bags attached. I still have an issue with the tubes on the bare bike which is the reason I never bothered installing them on my /6 or /7 BMW's. On the later K bikes I had, the mounts were essentially invisible with the bags removed.

Where are you planning to tour?

LOL - if she wants to travel on the Duc, then she'll just have to go minimalist.  [laugh]

I know what you mean about the bag racks when no bags are attached, which is why I powdercoated them black - they blend in a LOT better than the dumb chrome in which they come from HB.

But I generally keep the bags on anyway - and I don't think the topcase/luggage rack looks bad.

Anyway - as for touring - probably not all that much in the next couple of years. Mostly just some long weekend rallyes or the such - anything from New England to DELMARVA or maybe the Carolinas.

We'll probably run the Blue Ridge again in the next year or two.

And if I can pry her away from the baby we'd like to do a run down to Barbers and a trip to the big easy.

All depends on vacation time and baby sitters.

Minimalist? ;) You're a brave guy!

100% agree vs the chrome and figured you'd just leave the bags attached which looks dandy.

If you head down the BRP midweek on a nice day, I'll ride out there and meet you for lunch. It's ~ 190 miles for me on mostly decent riding roads which I enjoy. I'll PM you my cell if you're interested. Not a bad little brewery with good food and an entertaining detour. If you ride south from there on the local road to rejoin the parkway, the uphill on a secondary road could be VERY entertaining. I just don't enjoy it going down AT ALL. 8) http://binged.it/ZmUR7n (http://binged.it/ZmUR7n)

As for Barber, my son did the color announcing for the last independent bike auction they did before RM bought the rights and rode his (at that time R1150RT) bike down for that week and said that the ride was mostly a drone. No doubt he averaged 80 on the Interstates trying to stay clear of the trucks.

I'll PM you before we take another BRPKWY trip for sure.  [thumbsup]

Honestly, Jenn always packs lighter than me - I always tell her it's cause my clothes are twice the size of hers.  ;)

 :D

And..., how's THAT working for you? Agreed though, in summer, clean u/w, socks and polos take up little room if your day wear is full leathers or similar. When my son was small, we did 8 - 9 day tours with two bags and a trunk which mainly contained the rain gear and spares. No issue.

Just time your arrival for ~ 1 PM during the week. (It's jammed on weekends.) Your cell will work when you cross I-64 and most anywhere down in the valleys, but not much on the BRP as you've probably learned.

Works just fine - she's not your average prissy girl, she's got a sense of humor (like, ya know, she married me lol).

I've actually had pretty good luck using my cell on the Blue Ridge - broke down on the lower portion of the Virginia run back in 05 or 06 and was able to contact the Guzzi BB and get some help. Most people who stopped to help didn't have a signal, but I did (Verizon). But yeah, it can be spotty.

Verizon is CDMA and owns the old GTE network. Guys on GSM are screwed in BIG countries as CDMA has X5+ the range. I've found this to be true in remote areas of Idaho, Nevada and Colorado too where I had the only signal.

Point taken. Too bad I didn't meet her "older sister" 40+ years ago...

About 2k miles on her now - she's breaking in/loosening up nicely.

No need to use 5th until at least 60-65 mph (65 is about 4k in 5th, 70 about 4.3k, 80 about 5k).

Motor is a smooth as can be right about at 4-5k.

I'm averaging about 48 mpg, and over 240 miles to a tank, and that's pretty much all localish/backroads/lots of twisties per tankfull.

Latest addition is a new set of mirrors off a Guzzi 1200 Sport, much nicer and more useful than the original V7 mirrors, or the V7 mirrors with the extensions I was using.

How she sits currently:

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/IMG_20130520_155846_092aa.jpg)

(http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/IMG_20130520_155915_067a.jpg)

Thanks for the update! That bike looks right to my eye, as long as you leave the Hepco's on, which I know was your intention.

Saw those mirrors or similar on a big Guzzi last summer but he was just leaving the restaurant as I was arriving. Even wondered how they'd work on my 796. Just had no time to study them and there's no M-G dealer within 125 - 150 miles.

I'd like a classic high-quality chrome mirror for my T-100 which was lower and created less turbulence than the stock mirrors. The one's on a few larger Guzzis might work on my perches too, but not sure of thread sizes. Triumph make good bar ends for Bonneville and would look OK if I had a fly screen..., but I prefer to leave mine naked. The stock mirrors aren't functionally horrible, that bike just sounds like a hurricane at 70 MPH compared to my 796! http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/353092-1/Workshop-T-100.jpg (http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/353092-1/Workshop-T-100.jpg)

How's the fork on that thing? I see it's only 40mm but has good travel. My T-100 needed a LOT of suspension tweaks as they come with really punishing KYB on both ends. How plush is the rear? I highly recommend the Ikons I'm using which look classic AND work very well with the recommended damping and preload adjustment. I see they make essentially the same for '09 - '11 V7, which I presume is the same length as your '13? They come in chrome too, (scrool down), like mine, if that rings your bell. http://www.mgcycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=2632 (http://www.mgcycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=2632)

Coming down the Blue Ridge Parkway anytime soon? [beer]

 If they made that Goose with the power characteristics of my old BMW R1100S I would be all over it!

Yup, precisely, they are OEM mirrors from a Guzzi Breva 1200 Sport. Reasonably priced too at $25/side. They're high quality with what I presume is rubbermounted glass as it remains pretty much blur free at most rpms.

They would probably work well on a 796 as well.


If the bars are wide enough the stockers I took off the V7 might work on yours. They're decent quality it's just they were a tad too short and I could pretty much only see shoulders. I BELIEVE threads are the same. I know they are the same as MOST Metric bikes and want to say M10 x 1.25.

If that's what Triumph uses you're welcome to try the take-offs from the V7. I could take some measurements to see if you think they'd work, or I can just send em out to you. If you keep em give me $20.



I've got no solid plans to change suspension yet. I'm maybe JUST beginning to push the front end hard enough to feel the tiniest bit of front end chatter in a really hard corners. But it's fine for about 99% of my usage. I wouldn't call the ride plush, but it's firm enough without being harsh.

Same is true for the rear, though perhaps I could use a tad more preload when picking up my daughter from school (she's just about as tall as dad now).

I might eventually consider upgrading the shocks, especially for something with simple-quick preload adjustments (as oppossed to the double-locknut arrangment), but again, it's just not a need.



Not looking good right now, but we'll see. Wife's call and on-service schedule didn't turn out as requested and our September trip is cancelled. We have to decide if we'd want to try one in October, or risk the tourists and heat of August. Kinda up in the air right now.



ACTUALLY - Piaggio teased us with a single close-up tank shot of something that might be like that. I.E. an 8V big block with classic lines. There are a few dealers in the US who have been read in on some of the new concept bikes but sworn to secrecy. A few of them expect a 1200c 8V Big-Block Lemans or the like in the next year or two. But time will tell.

Kev,

Thanks for the offer!

Just had a look at the T-100. Seems the mirror stems are threaded and retained in a collar from beneath. No point in taking off because I have no thread gauge here but the thread on the stem "might' be M10 because the collar on the bottom is a 6mm Allen.

Surprisingly both the T-100 and the Rizoma bar on my 796 are 28 1/2" wide. As you can see in the link above, my stock "'lollipops" sit above my hands and one of them is usually clear to the rear but I do get some shoulder. Something a bit wider and with the wide end outboard would be nice. It still needs to be "classic" chrome though and high quality.

Triumph make a high-quality bar end which fits. Just didn't want to go with a Dart screen on this bike which I feel might be needed. The bike looks quite classic as delivered. You'd hardly believe the draw this bike gets when parked! Weird. ;) http://shop.triumphmotorcycles.com/Mirrors/id-A9638056/Bar_End_Mirrors (http://shop.triumphmotorcycles.com/Mirrors/id-A9638056/Bar_End_Mirrors)

For reference, the Ikons are really updated Konis. They have a 3-position preload adjustment with the little, flat Koni tool you could carry in your pocket. The damping adjustment dial is under the upper shock mounting bolt if necessary. Know the feeling with your daughter. My son was always large and could put his chin on my head when he was ~ 11 ! :) My old K-RS had a fancy 3-way Koni and that was turns of three dials to set up for a 150+ lbs passenger and full luggage!

The Guzzi mirrors are threaded from the top into blind holes.

Ikons/Konis sound like they might eventually fit the bill. That is, if I decide it's a need.

The mirror stem itself is threaded into the hole on the perch, or is there a bolt going through from the top like the New Monster mirrors?

Ikons are good value and have 95% of the performance of a cheap Ohlins. Ikon also has an infinite number of progressive springs, so if you weigh more than 225 lbs, you should probably get a custom set built. Dave at Ikon USA is very friendly and service from Australia is 1 - 3 weeks, depending on the shipping cycle.

No idea how bad your stock shocks are but I see they offer the V7 Racer versions as an accessory. The stockers on my T-100 were essentially rigid and on the softest preload would kick me in the backside over any large bump or manhole cover. The Ikons are barely noticed.

Funny that my old /6 BMW came standard with a built-in 3-position preload lever. We don't always get progress. ;)

Stem goes into a threaded/adjustable mount, the mount threads directly into the perch.

Though Ironically I was using some extenders that mounted with a bolt through them into the perch, then the mirror mount was threaded into the extender...



They're relatively stiff, but not kicking me - but I'm not a small guy - 5' 10-11" / 225.




Some might call the threaded preload adjuster progress as the dual locknuts and couple of inches of thread allow for finer adjustments over the range, morso than a 3-position lever. HOWEVER, it also means that adjustments are more time consuming.

Loosen locknut, run adjuster nut to desired position, retighten locknut, measure distance of exposed threads, match adjustment on other side...

Hmmm... Sounds like my quest has to continue. How wide are your V7 bars?

The KYB's on the T-100 are torture devices, as are the forks in stock trim. My son is bigger and heavier than you and even HE thought so. [roll]

For most riders, fine-tuning with screw adjusters couldn't even be felt. I could sure feel 2mm, but the average "Joe", not really. OK for one-time setting of initial sag for one rider for one kind of riding. Not much else.

You'd have LOOOVED my 3-way Ohlins on my old K100RS 16/ABS. You could reach down and change preload infinitely while in the saddle. ;)

From what I've seen and read though, most people would be better off with ZERO adjustments!!! ;D

31.5" bar end tip-to-tip, but only 14.5" mirror mount-to-mount.

Anyway, not sure I get why it couldn't still work (not that I'm pushing).

You're saying the stock ones are held on by a nut from below, so does that mean there are no threads in the mount?

My mounts are also ~ 15" apart, but the bar is 2.5" - 3" narrower. This stuff is hard to judge. The stock 796 mirrors stick out farther than the T-100 mirrors, but I can see better with those. Odd...

The stem on the stock lollipops appears to be threaded and the collar (not nut) is I assume a matching female thread. I asked a gent on the Triumph forum about some mirrors he had on his Thruxton but I'm not sure they're any better. No idea why he even changed his since Thruxtons come with the fancy bar-end mirrors. http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-twins-picture-forum/76419-thruxton-pics-23.html#post2571705 (http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-twins-picture-forum/76419-thruxton-pics-23.html#post2571705)

He said those are Hein Gericke. I suppose, these. If you scroll down to the snaps of the red Thrux I posted, you can see the chrome Triumph bar ends. http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/technical/specific-vehicle-parts/steering-mirrors/chrom-ersatzspiegel-links.html (http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/technical/specific-vehicle-parts/steering-mirrors/chrom-ersatzspiegel-links.html)

Since I'd like high-quality classic chrome, there may not be a better alternative but I'll keep my eyes peeled...

Another self-serving bump - and a nice V7 Stone Video!

Sure it's no Ducati - butttttttt


Moto Guzzi V7 Stone with Joe Vertical Dryden (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOWJwa6-IKI#)