V7 Classic

http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_755_First-Look---Moto-Guzzi-V7-Classic.html

Dunno really. It doesn't quite have the rounded lines of the original
V7 http://digilander.libero.it/massimo254/MOTO/guzzi_v7_special.JPG

Probably a lot lighter and faster though....

Zebee

 

A small-block V7? The word blasphemy comes to mind. Isn't that like a
two-stroke Triumph Bonneville?

Theo

 

I reckon it looks like the old 860GTS Ducati.
http://www.dankelman.nl/images/Modellen/Ducati_860GT.jpg

 

Pretty damn close as I remember mine from back then

currently in the trading post a similar http://tinyurl.com/2anhto

 

Now, that is a nice looking machine.

If it is similar in weight, power, etc. to the more modern looking 750's
and reasonably priced, I could be tempted.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Not being a guzzi-ista, the first bit of comment goes right over my
head, but the two-stroke idea, if applied to the Street Triple, that
would get my attention.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:49:19 +1100

Can't see why it wouldn't be, it's a 750 small block, so it would end
up being similar in price to the Nevada I expect.

It won't have the sheer presence of a loopframe so a loopframe fan
like me isn't impressed but I do admit that tonnage isn't everything!

Of course whether it makes it over here, that's something else again.

Zebee

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:09:40 +1100

Which is why an old bike person[1] like me isn't into them.

I figure if you want to look like you are riding an old bike, then
ride an old bike! Instead of trying for the cachet witout the
headaches.

On the other hand, a bike with a flat seat and no plastic around the
occy strap points is going to make a decent workhorse. The round
headlight will be maintainable from car spares for years, and with
crashbars it will be very crashable.

I don't think anyone will buy this cos it looks like a loopframe, but
they might if they want a seriously practical do anything go anywhere
self-maintainable bike and don't like the image driven current market.

Zebee

[1] that's "old bike" person thank you.

 

I guess a lot depends on one's level of emotional involvement with the
"original".

If Zebee and I stand looking at an original V7, I see an old Guzzi, and
she can probably tell who bolted the engine into the frame at the
factory.

In some respects, I agree with Zebee that folk that fancy having an old
bike should have a "real" old bike, but, I consider that the retro
styling is a valid alternative to the "Buck Rogers on Ice" style of so
many modern motorcycles.

Part of the reason that I have had so much difficulty in finding a
replacement to the Hornet has been that I don't like bikes with weird
for the sake of being weird shaped bits.

In contrast to the V7 Classic, how about
http://www.motorcyclists-online.com/o1_754_Moto-Guzzi-1200-Stelvio--first-official-pictures.html

Now that, while it might be a wonderful motorcycle, looks like shit to
me. <shrug>

regards,
CrazyCam

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:13:07 +1100

There is that. Plus you can't get a bike without an image attached.
Can't get just a bike, you have to have a racerep or a goldwing copy
or an enduro copy or an "edgy urban design".

No allrounders.

Guzzi at least do the Breva and Norge[1] although the Breva does have
some odd plasticy bits for the sake of having odd plasticy bits and
has too much plastic around the cargo area.

Zebee
[1] quota filled

 

Yup. Promotes a "What the **** were they thinking" response in me too.

Theo

 

Let me try to rephrase it then. It would be like making a Holden FJ replica
with a four cylinder Torana engine, or a Falcon GT Phase III replica with a
V-six.

Nothing much wrong with the Guzzi Small-block engine or frame, but it's not
anything like a V7.

Theo

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 2 Nov 2007 08:12:23 +0900

For one thing, it weighs less than a small truck.

It isn't a loopframe if it doesn't dent the concrete when you put it
on the stand!

Zebee

 

It's a square-fin... meh.

 

In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:40:02 -0700

Tell that to the gy I saw doing courier runs on his Darmah

That's why I liked the 850T. Solid workhorse, easy to get bits for,
and you can hoon it too.

At least the bod who has bought it is riding it regularly rather than
doing what he first thought he'd do which is put it in a shed, take it
to bits then try and find the parts to cafe it. I persuaded him to
ride it at least till the rego ran out. Now he's going to re-register
it and keep riding it while he accumulated parts.

There was a time when some bevels were unwanted....

I could have got more for the T if I had waited, but I needed the room
and it went to a good home.

Zebee

 

Well as a 2003 Triumph Bonnie owner, all I can say is it looks beautiful
to me. I've ridden my friends 750 Breva and love the engine but feel a
bit "squished". This looks a bit more open and easier on anyone who's
not a midget. Not like the wogs to think of comfort. I think I'm in
love. Thanks Zebee.

 

each to their own but to me , thats looks terrible :-(

 

Ah, right, thanks for the explanation.

From what I've see of folk with these small-block Brevias, they seem to
work quite adequately well, but I am not too comfortable with the looks
of it. The Navada felt nice sitting on it, price seemed fairly
reasonable, but I'm not totally rapt with the "cruiser" look either.

The blokes I spoke to on the Guzzi stand at the bike show had seen the
piccies of the V7 Classic, thought it would eventually find its way to
Oz, but advised me not to hold my breath. They agreed that it was a
sweet looking motorbike.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Was that the one I have had a ride on?

regards,
CrazyCam

 

In aus.motorcycles on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:14:27 +1100

There are very few options in the middleweights[1] for people who
don't want cruisers or sportbikes.

I think the GS500 is one of the few. The Kwak version is weird
looking, Skorpions aren't made anymore, Breva is as you say a bit
weird too...

If they could make it the size of a V50 that would be sweet!

Zebee

[1] How times change. When I first started riding a 500 was a
middleweight and a 750 was a big bike, the older mags were still
calling a 350 a middleweight.

Now a 500 is a small bike...