Bought my ticket to the Moto Guzzi World Domination Tour - V7 Classic

[Rabidsnipe]

As some of you may have heard, BikingSailor and I took a trip down to RPM Cycle in Dallas on Saturday.  I had only one goal for the trip: buy a 2009 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic.  BS, on the other hand, basically walked through the shop leaving questionable bodily fluids on pretty much everything in sight (if anyone plans on buying the red/white 2010 Thruxton from RPM, make sure it gets wiped down a few times before you touch it).  Anyways, I accomplished my goal.

Got to ride it today before it rained.  So I stopped to take some pictures.  

Getting checked out before delivery:


Loaded in the back of the truck:


Finally home:

[custodian]

She is absolutely beautiful... are you going to add a windscreen & bags?

[Rabidsnipe]

Windscreen?  Not right now. Saddlebags?  I was torn on getting the leather bags that Guzzi offers. They really retain the retro look. But I'm going to start out with a luggage rack and topcase. They're just so functional.

[BobW]

Congrats!

[st2sam]

  Awesome, a great way to spend a day.
Thanks for sharing, and good luck with her.

[Rincewind]

Simply gorgeous.  Enjoy your domination tour.  

[ANZAC]

Bella Guzzi  

That's a beautiful bike and so clean too.  Even the inside of the fenders are clean.

I am sure Orson will approve  

[kendenton]

 

[Rabidsnipe]

Simply gorgeous.

You think it looks good?  You should hear it!    I can't wait to be done with break-in.

[nevinfs327]

You think it looks good?  You should hear it!    I can't wait to be done with break-in.

Congrats - it really is a cool bike.  I'm sure riding it will be like motorcycling in its purest form.  

I spend a lot of time watching videos of this bike on Youtube, listening to the Mistral and Staintune exhaust notes.  

[Oilhed]

Windscreen?  Not right now. Saddlebags?  I was torn on getting the leather bags that Guzzi offers. They really retain the retro look. But I'm going to start out with a luggage rack and topcase. They're just so functional.

You got a pic of those bags?

Congrats on a sweet looking bike.
I would love a black one with hump seat.

[atadaskew]

Bella!

[tigertim955]

Lucky for you the World Domination March has stopped for lunch, otherwise they would get WAY far ahead of you. (it's only been going on since 1921,you can't expect that much progress!)

Beautiful bike!

[MisterSmooth]

The fifth pic down is especially nice.  Looks like a Guzzi ad in a magazine.  

Nicely done, 'snipe.  Welcome to the cult club.  

[falconati]

Love, love, love that bike.  Nice choice!

[Jeff]

Beautiful!  

[Rabidsnipe]

Finally got it tagged today!  So I took it out and did some more "break-in" riding around an office complex near my house.  This thing is a hoot!

The center stand and luggage rack showed up on Friday.  So now I've got some winter projects while the weather is still crappy.

[falconati]

Could you please make some YouTube videos of the exhaust sound pretty please?  

[Rabidsnipe]

I'll see what I can do.  Currently my only video options are an iPhone 3Gs and a Nikon D5000.  Not really sure what the quality of the audio will be with either of those.

[falconati]

probably good enough even on the iphone if you stand a bit away from the bike (to avoid maxing out the microphone sensor)

[Pete Roper]

The center stand and luggage rack showed up on Friday.  So now I've got some winter projects while the weather is still crappy.

If You haven't installed the centrestand yet I think you'll find that it won't fit with the US market sidestand. I'm not sure why this is but Todd at MPH contacted me about getting an Oz market sidestand for one of his customers that WILL allow fitment with the centrestand. Must be some weird-harold rule you have in the USA for sidestand deployment. Anyway, if you do find it an issue and want an Oz/EU type stand I can supply but its ridiculously expensive for what it is.

Pete

[Rabidsnipe]

Thanks for the heads up.  I bought the Stuchhi Centerstand from MG Cycle rather than the OEM Guzzi stand.  From what I understand, the stand fits US models but does prevent the side stand from going up “all the way”.  It doesn’t seem to be causing any issues with riding the bike though.  Also, you have to deploy the side stand before you can deploy the centerstand.  I’m thinking that won’t be a huge issue.

[Rabidsnipe]

I think I'll be able to live with the US stand.  The side stand comes up almost all the way, far enough to not trigger the safety switch.  Basically you have to have the side stand deployed in order to use the center stand.  Second time I put the center stand up I forgot.  No big deal.  Just dismount and pop it back up on the center stand, deploy the side stand, and pop the center stand back up.  You're in business.

And it is amazing what a difference a tiny little adjustment makes.  I tweaked the position of the gift shift lever just a touch **BAM** up/down shifting is much sportier.  This bike rocks!

[sagerat]

Wow, that bike is a stunner.  

I loved the sound of my Breva 1100.  

[atadaskew]

I loved the sound of my Breva 1100.  

Eh?

I thought you sold it because it did not make a sound...

(does "click click click start you bastard" count as a sound?)

[sagerat]

 

OK, when it ran I loved the sound.

[Rincewind]

Any updates on your ownership, Rabidsnipe?  How many miles by now, and how have they been?  What kind of tank range are you seeing?  Easy maintenance like you wanted?

I tested on of these last month and I'm having trouble getting it out of my head.  I noticed the maintenance schedule is a bit shorter than the larger Guzzi's.

[Rabidsnipe]

Quickly to answer your questions:
I still own the bike
About 2400 miles; they've been good.
45.5 mpg, 200 miles theoretical max, 135 average fill-up.
Only maintenance has been topping off fluids ( confession time, I took it to Kinetic Playground for initial service)

I'll write some more this evening.

[ConPilot1]

Beautiful machine!! What a clean, classic look that has. Simple and elegant design. Love the white.  

[Rincewind]

Quickly to answer your questions:
I still own the bike
About 2400 miles; they've been good.
45.5 mpg, 200 miles theoretical max, 135 average fill-up.
Only maintenance has been topping off fluids ( confession time, I took it to Kinetic Playground for initial service)

I'll write some more this evening.

Thanks!  I thought maybe with the short valve check intervals (only 4750 miles) you had done it already.  These are screw-type adjustments not shims, right?

[Rabidsnipe]

No shims here; screw adjusters.  The low mileage is partly what I plan on expounding on later tonight.

[Rincewind]

 

Here is the one I rode - write-up

[Orson]

I tested on of these last month and I'm having trouble getting it out of my head.

http://www.howcultswork.com/

Cults, wonderful on the outside but on the inside are very manipulating. Cult leaders are desperate to trick you into joining. They are after your obedience, your time and your money.

Cults use sophisticated mind control and recruitment techniques that have been refined over time. Beware of thinking that you are immune from cult involvement, the cults have millions of members around the world who once thought they were immune, and still don't know they are in a cult! To spot a cult you need to know how they work and you need to understand the techniques they use.

[Rincewind]

http://www.howcultswork.com/

Cults, wonderful on the outside but on the inside are very manipulating. Cult leaders are desperate to trick you into joining. They are after your obedience, your time and your money.

Cults use sophisticated mind control and recruitment techniques that have been refined over time. Beware of thinking that you are immune from cult involvement, the cults have millions of members around the world who once thought they were immune, and still don't know they are in a cult! To spot a cult you need to know how they work and you need to understand the techniques they use.

In the movie version, I will have it written that I was seduced by a Guzzi Girl working undercover as a dealer salesperson.   But in reality it is not any esoteric aspect that appeals to me.  It is the practical features that make the V7 stick out like a sore thumb: shaft-drive, simple design, air-cooled, and having accessible and easy to adjust valves.  All of that in a very lightweight, pleasing, and beautifully shaped bike.  

[Rabidsnipe]

First, I haven't put nearly as many miles on the bike as I would have expected (2400 in 6 months).  I've done a lot of simplifying over the last six months and as a result I've been riding less.  While I had previously been wrapped up in the aura of being a "rounder",  I've discovered, for me, the quantity of miles isn't nearly as important as the quality.  While it is possible this push for simplicity was inspired by the Guzzi's clean lines and straightforwardness, I think there were much larger forces at work.

Comfort - The flat seat makes the seating position work very well.  Because you can move forward or back you can transition between sport and standard very easily.  So far the seat has been one of the best stock seats I've ever had.  However, I don't think I've done more than 250 miles in a day yet.

Handling - The low weight, skinny tires, and wide handlebars make this bike super nimble without feeling twitchy.  It is a budget suspension though so there are limitations.  But out of the box it actually works pretty well.

Power - This will probably make or break the bike for most people.  If you're considering a V7 be honest about your expectations and anticipated usage.  For me, the power is plenty, but I ride mostly around town with one or two trips a year to Arkansas.  You're probably not going to do any double-yellow passes uphill on a V7.

Farkles - While I expected parts to be hard to find on the V7, it isn't much more involved than any other manufacturer.  You can't go to BikeBandit and look at schematics with part numbers but the information is out there.  I've added the following:

Stucchi Centerstand
Stucchi Luggage Rack
Givi Adapter Plate/Givi Topcase
Dart Flyscreen
Barkbuster Storm Handguards

Guzzi "Issues" - I really expected more problems.  I thought I would have taken it to a dealer for warranty work already but haven't had any such issues (yet).  The fuel light isn't really reliable; best to stick with the trip meter (like every other bike I've owned).  It also is kind of persnickety to start when it is cold... or hot... but it is a Guzzi.

Maintenance - I think there is a difference between low maintenance and simple maintenance.  Low maintenance would be something with shaft drive and 26k valve checks; maybe a Honda or Yamaha.  While the V7 does have shaft drive, it also has 4.7k valve checks and three different lubricating fluids (one of which requires an additive (depending on who you talk to)).  However the V7 is a really simple bike where pretty much everything is really easy to access.

Overall Impression - I'm really glad I purchased the V7.  This bike is better than the sum of its parts.  It just seems to work really well together.  Like everyone seems to say, it would make a great "round town" bike or a bike for short weekend trips.  Obviously it isn't a track bike and isn't meant for long distance (which doesn't mean someone won't take it there, just not its intent).  I like that it is fun to ride at a leisurely pace around a lake at 25 mph with the motor humming pleasantly at 3k rpm, while at the same time being fun to ride up and down a mountain at 4k-7k.

I tried to keep the review short and kind of failed.  If there is something particular you want to know, feel free to ask.  

[mugwump58]

She is absolutely beautiful...

What he said

[Orson]

Handling - The low weight, skinny tires, and wide handlebars make this bike super nimble without feeling twitchy.  It is a budget suspension though so there are limitations.  But out of the box it actually works pretty well.

This bike is better than the sum of its parts.   

This matches my impressions after a 4 hour test ride  

[Rincewind]

Thanks for taking the time to write up your impressions, Rabidsnipe.  My only other question is whether you, at times, ever think you should have gotten a big-block instead of the small-block?  That question is not meant to belittle the small-blocks.  After my test ride on one, I'm quite charmed by them.  

[Rabidsnipe]

I’ve wondered that a couple of times, but I’ve never come to the conclusion that I should have gotten a big block over the small block.  For my mission envelope, the V7 is a great fit.  If I were doing longer trips and more of them, I might think differently.  My last “big” trip was a 6 day journey through Big Bend and Hill Country back in spring of 2008.  Since then they’ve all been shorter 2-4 day trips to the Ozarks.  The V7 shines on twisty mountain roads, in city traffic, and stop-and-smell-the-roses riding.  Its glory is diminished by long stints on the freeway or anywhere speeds are going to be consistently above 80 mph.

[Blaufeld]

Beautiful, congrats!