Underpowered?

[DrMikey]

OK.  So I really like the look of the V7 Classic and Cafe Classic.  Looks like one would be extremely fun on the roads around here.  But- 48HP.  Anyone know if with the right combo of FI reprogramming and Exhaust any significant power gain can be had?  I'm not looking to blow the side panels off an SV650, but 8 or 10 more ponies would make it a more attractive backroad bike.

[Orson]

I test rode a V7 Classic on twisty mountain roads, and my seat-of-the-pants tells me that as long as there are few straights & lots of curves, it's plenty fun as is  

Depends on what the roads are like where you live.

I know what you're thinking. I rode my Thruxton in Scotland last summer, and found myself longing for that little extra my V11 has on those fast, sweeping roads.

[Pete Roper]

OK.  So I really like the look of the V7 Classic and Cafe Classic.  Looks like one would be extremely fun on the roads around here.  But- 48HP.  Anyone know if with the right combo of FI reprogramming and Exhaust any significant power gain can be had?  I'm not looking to blow the side panels off an SV650, but 8 or 10 more ponies would make it a more attractive backroad bike.

No gain to be had without a lot of money and effort. t's down to the Heron head design.

Pete

[atadaskew]

No gain to be had without a lot of money and effort. t's down to the Heron head design.

Pete

Does the new 2013 model V7 with the "all new" motor have that design?

[Rincewind]

Here is a relevant article -

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/goosing-the-goose-making-a-cafe-racer-out-of-the-guzzi-v7-cafe/

In my test ride I felt it was powered well enough for its purpose.  It's a really enjoyable motor even without the big performance numbers.

[DrMikey]

Here is a relevant article -

http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2011/09/goosing-the-goose-making-a-cafe-racer-out-of-the-guzzi-v7-cafe/

In my test ride I felt it was powered well enough for its purpose.  It's a really enjoyable motor even without the big performance numbers.

If I'm reading this right, they took a California bike and brought it up to where the spec sheet on http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/ says it is to begin with.  Are Californian motorcycles still held to more restrictive noise and exhaust specs than 49 state bikes?  If so, it begs the question of whether the same mods could take a 48 HP motor to 60HP.  That would be sweet.  Either way, the bike is begging me to ride her to Wildcat mountain.  Lunch at the Rockton Bar and on to Mindoro...

PS- Is there a good Guzzi forum to further investigate?

[radlefty]

"PS- Is there a good Guzzi forum to further investigate? "


www.wildguzzi.com   Lots of small block fans over there. I've never ridden one, so can't offer any opinions  on them except I think they look good.  

[Orson]

Well, this is a timely thread, as I'm in Italy on vacation and had a chance to attend some classic bike races in Umbria.

Gianfranco Guareschi, he of the glorious victory over Ducati at Daytona a few years ago, rode a V7 Cafe to victory over a field that included a Ducati 996, several Guzzi V11s and a couple of Grisos  

The 996 spec sheet show 122 hp, so I'm flabbergasted. I'm sure some of it is due to rider talent, as I watched the 996 gain on him on the back straight on the first lap, but once they got into the curves, it wuz all over but the crying. The 996 finished second.

I asked dad, Claudio Guareschi in my limited Italian if they had bored out the cylinders, but he assured me that it wuz still a 750. I'm afraid my Italian isn't good enuff to ask more incisive questions. The only exterior mods I saw, were a header made by Zard and air filters, along with Ohlins rear shocks.

[atadaskew]

If I'm reading this right, they took a California bike and brought it up to where the spec sheet on http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/ says it is to begin with.  Are Californian motorcycles still held to more restrictive noise and exhaust specs than 49 state bikes?  

All new Guzzis in the USA are the same spec.  There are no CA specific bikes.

[Rincewind]

Well, this is a timely thread, as I'm in Italy on vacation and had a chance to attend some classic bike races in Umbria.

Gianfranco Guareschi, he of the glorious victory over Ducati at Daytona a few years ago, rode a V7 Cafe to victory over a field that included a Ducati 996, several Guzzi V11s and a couple of Grisos 

The 996 spec sheet show 122 hp, so I'm flabbergasted. I'm sure some of it is due to rider talent, as I watched the 996 gain on him on the back straight on the first lap, but once they got into the curves, it wuz all over but the crying. The 996 finished second.

I asked dad, Claudio Guareschi in my limited Italian if they had bored out the cylinders, but he assured me that it wuz still a 750. I'm afraid my Italian isn't good enuff to ask more incisive questions. The only exterior mods I saw, were a header made by Zard and air filters, along with Ohlins rear shocks.

Great story, thanks, Orson. 

[guzzinut]

 But- 48HP.

If it's any help, I regularly ride with a guy who has an NTV650 Deauville, and they're pretty evenly matched IMO

[Pete Roper]

My '79 SP1000 had 48 RWHP. I toured all over eastern and western Europe on that back in the 1980's including one run from West Berlin to Dublin in 3 days in January including two ferry crossings and at an average speed well in excess of the posted speed limits. (It's amazing what you'll do when you're on a promise and young! ).

If 48HP 'Isn't Enough' for you? Don't buy a V7. Buy an RSV-4 with three times the power and about the same weight. Problem is we'll then have to listen to the complaints about fuel consumption and tyre life!

There's no pleasing some folks!!!!

Pete

[rocker59]

As with all Guzzis, the V7 Classic is greater than the sum of its parts.

The bike can be hustled along quite briskly.  

[Thunderbox]

In 1973-74 the most powerful production bike in the world had 83HP.  People had a lot of fun and rode everywhere a road was available to ride on.  If you value the ride more than the prestige 48HP is plenty.  The V7 is a jewel of a bike and will give an owner many thousands of miles of reliable fun.  Of course you could go buy something with higher numbers and lose your smile if that would suit you better.

[sprk_sprd]

FWIW, I just sold my SV650.  While I haven't yet ridden a Moto Guzzi, the blandness of the SV was enough reason for me to finally let it go.  Yes, the SV650 does everything well...blah blah blah.  But as you've heard a million times here, motorcycles aren't simply about "doing things well."  In other words, there's something to be said for foregoing HP for something else...even if that "something else" can't be articulated.

[sammyseaman]

In 1973-74 the most powerful production bike in the world had 83HP.  People had a lot of fun and rode everywhere a road was available to ride on.  If you value the ride more than the prestige 48HP is plenty.  The V7 is a jewel of a bike and will give an owner many thousands of miles of reliable fun.  Of course you could go buy something with higher numbers and lose your smile if that would suit you better.

This ^^^^^
My Thruxton makes a supposed 68hp. It's the lowest horsepower streetbike I've ever owned and I've owned a lot. Also; it's maybe the most fun streetbike I've ever owned.

[Jeff]

Looking back, I think I had to go through a couple bikes to realize that low powered bikes can be tons of fun. My ol' CB550 was followed by a WR250X. Neither one of them would be mistaken for a powerhouse. And they were, for the riding I did, huge amounts of fun. I traded the X for a Triumph Sprint. It was a wonderful motorcycle, but, again, for the riding I did, it was nowhere near as fun. With the riding time available to me, the Sprint was being wasted, and used completely out of it's element. A week after selling I rode Hickey's Street Triple R. Definitely more powerful than the 48hp V7, but compared to the Sprint it was less powerful. But, for me, the Street Triple R was the most fun I've had on a motorcycle in years.

When it comes down to it, ignore the spec sheet and ride the bike. If it pushes the right buttons for you, get it.

Jeff

[Hambonee]

When it comes down to it, ignore the spec sheet and ride the bike. If it pushes the right buttons for you, get it.

Jeff

+1

different strokes for different folks....

[rocker59]

Traded off my 2000 model California Bassa for this 2010 V7C a few weeks ago.  A friend didn't like it.  I wasn't loving my Cali.  It's working out nicely.  I've put about 400 miles on the little V7 Classic, so far.  It's great fun.  Took the GF out to dinner on it last Friday Night.  60 mile dinner ride and no complaints.  

[coho]

Traded off my 2000 model California Bassa for this 2010 V7C a few weeks ago.  A friend didn't like it.  I wasn't loving my Cali.  It's working out nicely.  I've put about 400 miles on the little V7 Classic, so far.  It's great fun.  Took the GF out to dinner on it last Friday Night.  60 mile dinner ride and no complaints.  

That's a right tidy bike. Me likey.