Triumphrat

prior · 11-15-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RumRunner

I guess that's why they say there's a butt for every seat. The V7 Racer is beautiful from about 5' away, but once you get up close and personal the fit and finish appears to be very cheap in certain areas. As far as the performance they are certainly lighter and feel that way in a parking lot, they also accelerate quicker through low gear than my Thruxton, but that's about where the comparison stops. They don't pull or handle the mountain twisty's like the Trumpet and the overall ride just isn't as much fun.

Got to say I disagree. I thought the quality and finish were fantastic. The only part I didnt like was the numberplates moulded into the rear cowl which gave it a plasticky look. Everything else was a class act.

villageidiot327 · 11-15-2012, 04:13 PM

i went to the guzzi dealer before i went to the triumph dealer to buy my new bike 3 weeks ago.....

the guzzis are damn beautiful, fit and finish is great, bike is light, nimble, and well laid out.

if it was an 850, i would have been sold on it. the other problem was, they only had a demo, and couldnt sell me it. if they could have, i might have bought it.

i love my new bonneville. but i wish it were a shaft drive bike (i know you cant change gearing, but its less to maintain) if the bonnie were shaft, id be smitten.

leftarmlogan · 11-15-2012, 04:28 PM

For its price, the V7 had better have high quality.

beemerrich · 11-15-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prior

Got to say I disagree. I thought the quality and finish were fantastic. The only part I didnt like was the numberplates moulded into the rear cowl which gave it a plasticky look. Everything else was a class act.

+1. A guy at our sunday bike gathering just bought a 2013 V7 Racer and its a very nicely executed bike. As noted in the quoted post, I'm also not a fan of the integral number plates, but the cowl comes off to reveal a bum-stop seat (no passenger compromise - a good call considering the rwhp).

I'd have a hard time not owning one if they put out an honest 60 rwhp...the thruxton would have to become an AHRMA bike....

Regards,

--Rich

olivino · 11-16-2012, 07:18 AM

My dealer had both the Bonnie and V7 Classic in stock in 2010, so I test rode both, back to back. The Bonnie convinced me because of its extra power and its steel tank, the Guzzi's is plastic. At the time, Ducati was having a lot of customer dissatisfaction problems with their plastic tanks. So that sold me on the Bonnie.

Sheepdog · 11-16-2012, 08:04 AM

The new V7s have steel tanks.

KC1961 · 01-10-2013, 10:56 AM

Popped into my local Guzzi dealer's today. Two V7s sitting there, a "stone" and a "special" (red & white - stunning). Got me thinking back to how after years of looking at Bonnies and going, "Hmmm, should I?" Well I eventually did and it's been great. However, I've now been looking at V7s for a couple of years and going, "Hmmmm?"

RumRunner · 01-10-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC1961

Popped into my local Guzzi dealer's today. Two V7s sitting there, a "stone" and a "special" (red & white - stunning). Got me thinking back to how after years of looking at Bonnies and going, "Hmmm, should I?" Well I eventually did and it's been great. However, I've now been looking at V7s for a couple of years and going, "Hmmmm?"

Ride you Bonnie to the Guzzi dealer, then hope on the V7 racer... Instead of saying Hmmmm after hopping off the V7 you'll be saying meh...

Sparky · 01-10-2013, 02:54 PM

Went to a nearby Guzi/Ducati/ dealer recently and took a test ride on a white Stone. Sits high and feels nothing like a Bonnie. Felt a bit like a dirt-bike. Also found the shifter has to travel like six inches (maybe more!) to change gears; weird.
Not as quick as my Bonnie, but hit the ton on the freeway pretty easily. Not bad in curves (no twisties available) but I was much more comfortable on the Bonnie when I first rode one in '09.
If I had the $$, I think it would be my next bike, though. I like the look. Of course if I really had the money, there would be a Rocket in the garage next to the Bonnie.

Village Idiot: Pro-Italia in Glendale, CA will sell their white Stone demo for what they said was a "good price" -- whatever that is. It had < 300 miles on it on Jan 4, 2013.

-Sparky

rwantin · 01-10-2013, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

Guzzis are best owned by folks who service their own machines. They are simple, understressed, and will give their owners many happy years of service once the bugs are worked out (IOW, a great deal like a Bonneville). Last year I took mine on a 6000 mile tour and the the only problems I had were some flats (I knew I should have switched out that rear tire in Olympia, Washington). These are some of the last bikes with screw and locknut valve adjustments and when you get the FI adjusted properly, it stays balanced and in tune for a long time. If you are the type that depends on your dealer to keep up your bike and switch to new rides pretty frequently, you won't really enjoy a Moto Guzzi. But if you want a machine that rewards you for your commitment with longevity and pride of ownership, you may wish to check them out. YMMV.

This is really well-stated, and exactly how I would envision 'Guzzi ownership. I have had a 'Guzzi on my vehicular bucket list for a while now - used to borrow (and thoroughly enjoy) a friend's old (and beautiful) 850 Eldorado.

I posted the attached on another thread...absolutely love this thing, bordering on gotta-have.