Improving a Moto Guzzi is never easy. It takes courage, passion and skill to live up to the expectations and reputation of a legendary brand that is beloved the world over for its coveted motorcycles. The best recent example of this magical combination is the California 1400, the Mandello del Lario flagship, a final exam conducted by critics, customers and the market passed with flying colours.
Now Moto Guzzi relaunches, improving on the other pillar in its product range: the V7. An even more difficult challenge because the V7 – the brand’s best-selling bike since 2009 – represents the Moto Guzzi entry level, the model made for women and men, young people, those who want to buy their first bike ever and broaden their horizons.
The revamping of the “small” V7, unveiled for the first time at Intermot 2014 in Cologne and available on the market to coincide with the Milan show EICMA 2014, represents a clear evolution compared to its predecessor, so much that it deserves a new name: V7 II. The addition of the Roman numeral historically identifies the most successful and longest running products to come out of Mandello del Lario, such as the V50, Le Mans, 1000 SP, California and now also the V7 in its well-known and popular versions: Stone, Special, Racer.
V7 SECOND GENERATION: COMPLETELY NEW, INFINITE VERSIONS.
The second generation of the Moto Guzzi V7 keeps the stylistic personality of its predecessor intact: a design that dialogues between Moto Guzzi shapes from the past combined with the needs of a modern bike capable of satisfying the widest possible range of enthusiasts.
At the same time, Moto Guzzi V7 II is a completely new bike in terms of technology, powertrain, ergonomics, safety, construction quality and finish and riding pleasure
Moto Guzzi V7 II also marks a decisive turning point in the quality and wide range of Moto Guzzi accessories. In fact, the brand from Mandello del Lario introduces a wide range of accessories at EICMA 2014 which are dedicated to the “V7 family”. In fact, simultaneously with the Moto Guzzi V7 II commercial launch, customers will also have more than 60 brand new accessories available to them which allows a totally unique level of personalization. In addition to the vehicle accessories line, which will now be in excess of 90 items with the important new products, from the beginning of 2015 there will also be brand new helmets as well as technical and lifestyle apparel to complete a 100% ‘Made in Guzzi’ style.
But that’s not all: another extremely important aspect was the design and development of numerous parts in order to allow each customer to personalise his or her V7 to the extent that it becomes a true “special” in the most diverse interpretations, from the Dark Rider to the Scrambler, from the Heritage to the Café Racer. This multiplies the V7 II exponentially with respect to the three standard versions and allows each Guzzista to create a completely unique, original and “tailor made” vehicles which is still entirely compatible with the basic version. This is a new Moto Guzzi strategy that confirms the V7 as an extraordinary platform for the creation of special bikes, thanks in part to the enthusiasm with which the greatest customizers in the world take on transformations of Guzzi models into unique, magazine cover works of art.
It is not by chance that at EICMA 2014 four of the most important European preparers and customizers will present their tributes to Moto Guzzi by creating as many unique versions. This important initiative launched by Moto Guzzi is just the first step in a strategic outline aimed at the progressive and continuous expansion of available accessories and the possibilities for personalisation, all associated with a painstaking eye for detail, quality and typical “Made in Italy” taste.
V7 II: AN EXTRA GEAR.
The Moto Guzzi V7 II was born out of the radical and energetic work done on the engine and the chassis where every possible path was explored to increase the level of safety, ergonomics and comfort – in short, the pleasure of riding.
It’s not just an expression, the V7 truly has an extra gear. All it takes is one look at the completely redesigned gearbox that completes the engine revamping launched in 2012 with the thermal part, electronic management and the fuel system, continued this year with a new alternator and the introduction of forced lubrication with an oil pump.
The six gear spacing allowed the first and last two ratios to be reduced, decreasing the drop in rpm between one gear and the next. For everyday riding this means a better response, even in the use of torque, and even lower fuel consumption.
The primary drive ratio has also been changed, going from 16:21 to 18:23. Along with the gearbox the clutch was also improved, with modifications to the lever, the linkage and the cable in order to achieve a softer action and a more even release.
THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS THE ONE THAT COUNTS.
Looking at the V7 II for the first time, the trained eye of an enthusiast may sense an initial significant difference: the bike appears to be longer and more front-loaded.
It may seem like an optical illusion, but it is something more: the engine has been tilted 4° toward the front axle and lowered 10 mm compared to the previous model. The proof is in the pudding: three centimetres of knee room were added which, thanks to the new footpegs, lowered 25 mm provide a comfortable seating position even for riders who are a few centimetres taller than average.
Besides comfort, the Moto Guzzi V7 II is a whole other bike in terms of riding pleasure.
All you have to do is squeeze the clutch and engage the gear to appreciate a soft and quiet action which was unheard of on the previous five speed gearbox.
Once you are in the saddle, lowered to 790 mm from the previous height of 805, you’ll discover how the new saddle-handlebar-footpegs triangulation transmits the pleasant sensation of being in the bike and not on top of it like with the previous version.
The new riding position also allows you to fully enjoy the changes made to the chassis which, thanks to the new lower and farther forward position of the engine, have made it more communicative and efficient in demanding riding.
The rear axle has also been re-stabilised, increasing suspension negative travel by lowering the cardan final drive output 50 mm. This now allows greater tyre grip during load transfer, both in braking and direction changes.
Sure, the V7 II is not a bike designed to break track records, but even in that situation it is faster now than the previous version and then its direct competitors.
V7 II STONE.
Eclectic and essential, the V7 II Stone now has new colour schemes: nero “Ruvido” rosso “Impetuouso”, grigio “Intenso” and giallo “Denso”.
They are all satin finishes and inspired by typical ‘70s colour schemes that enhance the contrast of the new frame, built with more aesthetic welding where brilliant paintwork has been applied to enhance the ingenious architecture.
The rest of the bike, from the mirrors to the shock absorbers, from the mudguards to the wheels and even the side panels is dominated by black, now also extended to the tail light assembly and the new brake and clutch levers. This is a look that enhances the chromium on the silencers, the instrument cluster profile, the shock absorbers and even the tight finning of the engine’s aluminium cylinders.
The technical characteristic that differentiates the V7 Stone from her big sisters is the lightweight alloy wheel rims, a unique modern concept on a decidedly vintage design.
V7 II SPECIAL.
Of the V7 versions this is the one that most approaches the original spirit of its ancestor, beginning from its graphics, christened “Essetre” (S3) and inspired by the famous 1975 V750 S3. Following this graphic concept, the V7 II now has three glossy colour bases: classic black with orange stripes to faithfully revisit the colours of its famous ancestor and two brand new schemes on metallic red and light blue with a silver stripe.
The tank on both bears the historic embossed logo and the wheels, spoked with lightweight alloy rim channels, are also done in black finish instead of chrome. As with the Stone, the Special also has a new frame that stands out, besides for the different engine and shock absorber mounting distances, for an improved finish in terms of welding and paintwork, as well as for the redesigned black brake and clutch levers and the new rear light cluster. Unlike the Stone and the Racer, the V7 Special has a fork stanchion protector instead of the dust boots that are fitted on the other models in the range.
V7 II RACER.
Manufactured in limited edition as the celebratory plate located on the upper steering yoke indicates, the V7 II Racer confirms the previous model’s equipment and features when the total-black look was introduced on the side panels, mirrors, silencer brackets and footpeg guards in contrast with the bright 22 litre chromium fuel tank. In keeping with the numbers theme, the number “7” remains on the top and tail fairings (which in the Moto Guzzi world was a favourite for the 250 class world champion Enrico Lorenzetti), in chromium.
The single seat saddle is also back (although a two-up saddle and passenger footpegs are available on request), covered in Alcantara and Skai to match the leather strap personalised with the Moto Guzzi logo that decorates the crest of the tank.
The red frame is still spectacular, itself inspired by the legendary first V7 Sport series with CrMo frame and the result of a special painting treatment extended to the hubs, wheels and swingarm as well, which accentuates the architectural purity of the frame. Moto Guzzi is also written in red where it appears on the wheels, exactly like the most recent California Custom.
Exemplary Guzzi styling is clear in the tail fairing and tiny Plexiglas top fairing above a race number panel which is reminiscent of the front of the legendary Gambalunga. This unequivocally sporty element is in perfect harmony with the front mudguard design. Staying in the driver’s seat, other new features are represented by the brake and clutch levers, redesigned in order to achieve better ergonomics, whereas at the rear you can see the black tail light assembly as on all the V7 II models.
One of the most distinctive features of this special-edition is the widespread use of anodized matt black and drilled aluminium. This hand-crafted treatment, which requires superb artisan skill, characterises the side panels, the throttle body guards and the silencer mounting brackets.
Other premium components include the aft-mounted footpegs machined from solid billets, the lightened steering stem and the steering yoke guard consisting of a double chromed ring, which is so exquisitely crafted that it looks like an ornamental feature.
A particularly gratifying feature, not only in terms of aesthetics, but also because of their dynamic performance, is the presence of Bitubo WMY01 shock absorbers with spring preload adjustment in rebound and compression thanks to a twelve-setting adjustment knob.
This is a bike made to be ridden strictly one-up, in black leathers, with a skullcap helmet and leather studded palm gloves.