No, I did not buy a Guzzi. That would probably make me persona non grata around here especially if it was to replace the Bonnie. No, but I have a Moto Guzzi V7 Racer to try for the weekend!
So here it is together with my Vicky:
Summary:
Gorgeous bike - soooo beautiful.
Intoxicating sound.
Decent handling, up to a certain point.
Underpowered, but still decent torque-curve.
Wow, what a great looking bike! It really is a beauty to look at, with lots of details to enjoy. When I picked it up, I wore my Armani Jeans Leather jacket and black leather trousers to look the part. And that is what it really is about
The three really outstanding features with the look of this bike are:
1. Chrome tank. It just screams retro, and sucks attention from passerbyes like no other piece of bling could.
2. RED ! frame. It is a gorgeous complement to the red lettering on the tank (bet you noticed that, huh), and even close up the colour is deep and fabulous. The fact that the frame itself is a good looking frame, is ofcourse a requirement when one puts such a colour on it. Oh, and did I mention that the colour also is used on the shaft-drive and the wheel-hubs?
3. The signature transversally mounted engine, where the cylinder heads poke out at the sides. You can hide the name on the tank, you can disguise a lot of things, but any bike-savvy person will know that this is a piece of Italy.
Just have a look at it:
The details are way to numerous to mention, but here is a short list of things that I noticed:
Black rims (for those of you that like them, atleast they are retro in theme with the bike).
Funky numbered flyscreen, with plexiglass top. It actually works quite well.
Fork gaiters (as standard, no less)
Forkbrace (as standard, no less)
Leather strap for the tank. Very cool!
Lockable tank-cap (as standard, no less)
Suede on the seating area of the seat (me likey)
Only solo seat (no worry about a Pillion needing her chai-latte stop)
Number-plate seat-hump
Bitubo piggy-back rear suspension
Rear brake reservoir visible through side-cover
Easily detachable rear reflector (for those that think the things should just be taken off straight away)
Blinkers have clear glass and coloured bulbs
Proper alu footpegs
The "attachments" where the headers come out from the cylinder-heads don't look like they will rust
Things that I noticed and didn't really like:
Same old-fashioned, and ugly, reg/rec as the Bonnies (why don't they all move to Mosfet units?)
Two big ugly horns (one on each side)
Rust (!?!) on the headlight rim (this on a bike with only 1500 kms on the clock)
Digital displays in both clocks (okay, so the lates Bonnies also has it)
A cluttered area around the triple-trees and clocks.
The tank looks great from the side, but a bit odd from above (not like the beautifully rounded Bonnie-tanks)
So, what about the ergos?
To be honest, it fits me better than the Thrux does. Main reason are the pegs. Although equally "jockey-position", the knees fit towards the tank. But on a Thrux my knees are too low for the tank-pads (so, what is the point of them?).
If you think the handlebars on a Thrux is too low, then it is too low on a V7 also. I think it is pretty decent.
The seat is comfortable, and the hump is good.
What about the handling?
The handling has been a common source of complaint in the reviews that I have read. But to be fair, it also has been a common complaint against the Bonnies. If you don't push it too hard it is quite decent. It corners better than a stock Bonnie (maybe because of the fork-brace?), if you ride it moderately. For most situations the rear suspension gives a comfortable ride, with a decent confidence-level.
It is when you try to push it just that little bit more than "normal", that it shows it's limitations. The front suspension has a lot of dive, and the brakes are just not up to the job. This must be bottom-shelf Brembo - shame on you for putting your name on them!
Not being a fan of transverse cylinders and shaft-drive, I must say I was particularily interested to experience how this would work. Well, as the engine is not exactly a powerhouse, it was not too bad. The engine, if pushed hard - for example while cornering - would make the frame feel like rubber. But not as easily as I had expected. Thus one can easily learn how to moderate throttle-use in corners and thus not experience it as an issue.
Engine:
Clearly the one weak component. If you really hot-rod them they will perform about the same as a stock Scrambler (that is - a Scram with stock everything, including pipes and airbox). So, don't expect too much.
It will pull more than 100 km/h in second gear, and (just) pull you to the Ton on a 7% inclination. If you select the right gear, you have a fair bit of power most of the time.
The good thing about the engine is the sound (and maybe also the "character"). It really sounds intoxicating.
Oh, and then there is the vibration than just takes off from about 6000 rpms, and extends almost through the footpegs, in an almost sexual manner.
And to be honest, the power may be just enough for many, many out there. Is it really neccessary to have a lot of power? How often do you use (or need to use) all the power you have? Many Bonnie-owners say, when confronted with how much so-and-so bike has that "I don't need that much". This is a common comment when discussing the Ducati-retros (that have more power than the Bonnies). To be honest, I believe many will find it to be enough.
Conclusion/ Recommodation:
It is a great bike. It really is. But like with every other bike, it has to fit the intended use. You wouldn't buy a GS for racing, and you wouldn't buy an R1 for city-rush-hour use. The V7 Racer is a very well put together package, for anybody who likes moderately spirited riding at moderate speeds, and hanging out at trendy city-cafés. Some would call them fashion accessories, but that would be cruel and miss the mark. It is an honest homage to what bikes are (and were) all about - fun and style. And let's face it - the engine has lineage back to some great bikes.
Would I exchange my Bonnie for it? No way!
Could I have bought one, instead of my Bonnie back when I bought it? Possibly.
How to decide between it and a Bonnie (or Thrux)? If you like a "finished" package, and prefer the look. If you prefer the transverse cylinders and/or shaft-drive.
So, here it is in it's natural habitat, in front of a chic city-centre Italian caffeteria/gelateria:
So here it is together with my Vicky:
Summary:
Gorgeous bike - soooo beautiful.
Intoxicating sound.
Decent handling, up to a certain point.
Underpowered, but still decent torque-curve.
Wow, what a great looking bike! It really is a beauty to look at, with lots of details to enjoy. When I picked it up, I wore my Armani Jeans Leather jacket and black leather trousers to look the part. And that is what it really is about
The three really outstanding features with the look of this bike are:
1. Chrome tank. It just screams retro, and sucks attention from passerbyes like no other piece of bling could.
2. RED ! frame. It is a gorgeous complement to the red lettering on the tank (bet you noticed that, huh), and even close up the colour is deep and fabulous. The fact that the frame itself is a good looking frame, is ofcourse a requirement when one puts such a colour on it. Oh, and did I mention that the colour also is used on the shaft-drive and the wheel-hubs?
3. The signature transversally mounted engine, where the cylinder heads poke out at the sides. You can hide the name on the tank, you can disguise a lot of things, but any bike-savvy person will know that this is a piece of Italy.
Just have a look at it:
The details are way to numerous to mention, but here is a short list of things that I noticed:
Black rims (for those of you that like them, atleast they are retro in theme with the bike).
Funky numbered flyscreen, with plexiglass top. It actually works quite well.
Fork gaiters (as standard, no less)
Forkbrace (as standard, no less)
Leather strap for the tank. Very cool!
Lockable tank-cap (as standard, no less)
Suede on the seating area of the seat (me likey)
Only solo seat (no worry about a Pillion needing her chai-latte stop)
Number-plate seat-hump
Bitubo piggy-back rear suspension
Rear brake reservoir visible through side-cover
Easily detachable rear reflector (for those that think the things should just be taken off straight away)
Blinkers have clear glass and coloured bulbs
Proper alu footpegs
The "attachments" where the headers come out from the cylinder-heads don't look like they will rust
Things that I noticed and didn't really like:
Same old-fashioned, and ugly, reg/rec as the Bonnies (why don't they all move to Mosfet units?)
Two big ugly horns (one on each side)
Rust (!?!) on the headlight rim (this on a bike with only 1500 kms on the clock)
Digital displays in both clocks (okay, so the lates Bonnies also has it)
A cluttered area around the triple-trees and clocks.
The tank looks great from the side, but a bit odd from above (not like the beautifully rounded Bonnie-tanks)
So, what about the ergos?
To be honest, it fits me better than the Thrux does. Main reason are the pegs. Although equally "jockey-position", the knees fit towards the tank. But on a Thrux my knees are too low for the tank-pads (so, what is the point of them?).
If you think the handlebars on a Thrux is too low, then it is too low on a V7 also. I think it is pretty decent.
The seat is comfortable, and the hump is good.
What about the handling?
The handling has been a common source of complaint in the reviews that I have read. But to be fair, it also has been a common complaint against the Bonnies. If you don't push it too hard it is quite decent. It corners better than a stock Bonnie (maybe because of the fork-brace?), if you ride it moderately. For most situations the rear suspension gives a comfortable ride, with a decent confidence-level.
It is when you try to push it just that little bit more than "normal", that it shows it's limitations. The front suspension has a lot of dive, and the brakes are just not up to the job. This must be bottom-shelf Brembo - shame on you for putting your name on them!
Not being a fan of transverse cylinders and shaft-drive, I must say I was particularily interested to experience how this would work. Well, as the engine is not exactly a powerhouse, it was not too bad. The engine, if pushed hard - for example while cornering - would make the frame feel like rubber. But not as easily as I had expected. Thus one can easily learn how to moderate throttle-use in corners and thus not experience it as an issue.
Engine:
Clearly the one weak component. If you really hot-rod them they will perform about the same as a stock Scrambler (that is - a Scram with stock everything, including pipes and airbox). So, don't expect too much.
It will pull more than 100 km/h in second gear, and (just) pull you to the Ton on a 7% inclination. If you select the right gear, you have a fair bit of power most of the time.
The good thing about the engine is the sound (and maybe also the "character"). It really sounds intoxicating.
Oh, and then there is the vibration than just takes off from about 6000 rpms, and extends almost through the footpegs, in an almost sexual manner.
And to be honest, the power may be just enough for many, many out there. Is it really neccessary to have a lot of power? How often do you use (or need to use) all the power you have? Many Bonnie-owners say, when confronted with how much so-and-so bike has that "I don't need that much". This is a common comment when discussing the Ducati-retros (that have more power than the Bonnies). To be honest, I believe many will find it to be enough.
Conclusion/ Recommodation:
It is a great bike. It really is. But like with every other bike, it has to fit the intended use. You wouldn't buy a GS for racing, and you wouldn't buy an R1 for city-rush-hour use. The V7 Racer is a very well put together package, for anybody who likes moderately spirited riding at moderate speeds, and hanging out at trendy city-cafés. Some would call them fashion accessories, but that would be cruel and miss the mark. It is an honest homage to what bikes are (and were) all about - fun and style. And let's face it - the engine has lineage back to some great bikes.
Would I exchange my Bonnie for it? No way!
Could I have bought one, instead of my Bonnie back when I bought it? Possibly.
How to decide between it and a Bonnie (or Thrux)? If you like a "finished" package, and prefer the look. If you prefer the transverse cylinders and/or shaft-drive.
So, here it is in it's natural habitat, in front of a chic city-centre Italian caffeteria/gelateria: