V7 Racer review by MC USA

[Rincewind]

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/195/11403/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Moto-Guzzi-V7-Racer-First-Ride.aspx

[R Doug]

 

I don't feel cool enough to ride that bike (and I'm not taking about temperature).  

[Rincewind]

The only cool you need is a cool $10k.  I would love a cafe bike like this in my garage.

[Rincewind]

The main Moto Guzzi US site links to http://v7racer.com/ now to showcase this new V7 sub-site.  I'm glad to see them showcasing this series.  The video under the 'history' link is well done and covers the whole range.  

I must say I really like the new V7 Racer with the black tank and red accents over last year's version with the chrome reflective tank.  

[Orson]

Apparently they can be tuned to more than 49 HP, as they are beating Triumph Thruxtons in classic bike races in Italy  

[vitaminC]

They are certainly beautiful bikes that sound incredible, but the price to performance ratio of this one is a little off...

[coho]

They are certainly beautiful bikes that sound incredible, but the price to performance ratio of this one is a little off...

Price to performance would depend on what, exactly, is meant by performance.  If it's something like bhp per dollar it's unlikely that any Italian motorcycle could compete in that case.
I'm leaning toward the V7 because I suspect that its price to fun ratio is probably pretty good and motorbikes are supposed to be fun.

[Hambonee]

Price to performance would depend on what, exactly, is meant by performance.  If it's something like bhp per dollar it's unlikely that any Italian motorcycle could compete in that case.
I'm leaning toward the V7 because I suspect that its price to fun ratio is probably pretty good and motorbikes are supposed to be fun.

+1  

[Orson]

I rode a V7 Classic on a twisty mountain road and had a whale of a time  

so light & nimble, it's great fun to hit the apex then just pin the throttle to the stop  

but I could see how it might seem lacking in places where there aren't many twisty roads.

I think i prefer the classic, as I think clipons are wasted on a 49 HP bike  

[sammyseaman]

I rode a V7 Classic on a twisty mountain road and had a whale of a time  

so light & nimble, it's great fun to hit the apex then just pin the throttle to the stop  

but I could see how it might seem lacking in places where there aren't many twisty roads.

I think i prefer the classic, as I think clipons are wasted on a 49 HP bike  

Yeah but this:

Apparently they can be tuned to more than 49 HP, as they are beating Triumph Thruxtons in classic bike races in Italy  

[Orson]

whut duz he know?  

besides, there are whispers of a 1200cc "sport" model coming soon  

[nevinfs327]

I rode a V7 Classic on a twisty mountain road and had a whale of a time  

so light & nimble, it's great fun to hit the apex then just pin the throttle to the stop  

but I could see how it might seem lacking in places where there aren't many twisty roads.

I think i prefer the classic, as I think clipons are wasted on a 49 HP bike  

The V7 Cafe is my big displacement, slow, heavy bike  

Weight and HP are sorta irrelevant.  It is fun.  I don't find the clips ons the least bit aggressive or uncomfortable.  I try not to cruise at speeds higher than 80mph, and it has no problems up to that point.  The Street Triple is much quicker, and can definitely maintain a higher speed, but the wind blast starts taking away from the fun around 80mph anyhow.  

The bike I'm daydreaming about riding first as soon as I can ride again is the because it'll be such a pure motorcycling experience.

[Rincewind]

The bike I'm daydreaming about riding first as soon as I can ride again is the because it'll be such a pure motorcycling experience.

Is the...?  V7?  W650?  Streetie?  

Sorry to hear you are injured.  Was it a bike accident?  

[nevinfs327]

Is the...?  V7?  W650?  Streetie?  

Sorry to hear you are injured.  Was it a bike accident?  

Ha - I didn't intend to create such suspense.    Meant to say the V7.

Mountain bike accident.  Managed to partially cut my Achilles tendon so no weight on it for a few weeks and can't risk the motion required to shift. Should have a full recovery and ride again.  Hoping the 70s and sunny weather we've had for the last month holds at least into November.

[Rincewind]

Ouch - Bummer.  I would offer to exercise your V7 Cafe if you lived closer.  

[nevinfs327]

Ouch - Bummer.  I would offer to exercise your V7 Cafe if you lived closer.  

Generous  

I'm thinking the weekend of the 12th I'll be able to ride.  Walking comes first though...

[ConPilot1]

I think it's a hot looking Guzzi. Be better if it had a cafe bullet fairing on the front. I'd hit that no doubt.

I rode one Guzzi, a V65 Lario and that thing was a blast.

[sammyseaman]

The V7 Cafe is my big displacement, slow, heavy bike  

Weight and HP are sorta irrelevant.  It is fun.  I don't find the clips ons the least bit aggressive or uncomfortable.  I try not to cruise at speeds higher than 80mph, and it has no problems up to that point.  The Street Triple is much quicker, and can definitely maintain a higher speed, but the wind blast starts taking away from the fun around 80mph anyhow.  

The bike I'm daydreaming about riding first as soon as I can ride again is the because it'll be such a pure motorcycling experience.

My under powered thruxton is one of the most funnester bikes I've had in a loooooong time  

[Hambonee]

I really want a smaller, zippy , commuter, zoom around around bike after done paying off the Norge...

Would be a hard choice between the V7 and the Thruxton.

[sammyseaman]

I really want a smaller, zippy , commuter, zoom around around bike after done paying off the Norge...

Would be a hard choice between the V7 and the Thruxton.

Sounds like a fun problem to have