Thinking about - err bought - a Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Ted

The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
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iFlyNothing
Almost 15 years ago I bought a t-shirt.

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I was still a pretty new motorcyclist at the time, but knew I liked Moto Guzzis. I loved the style, the engine was very appealing to me, especially because of their odd longitudinally mounted setup in a motorcycle. While hauling cars around the country (how I earned money during college) I stopped at a Moto Guzzi shop outside of St. Louis to chat with them, sit on a few, and hear one run. I was especially interested in the California at the time, since at that point I was more looking for a motorcycle I could ride on a longer trip. I told them "Well I'm not going to buy a motorcycle today, but I will buy a t-shirt." I loved the engine sound of the Guzzi, and I've always loved the longitudinally mounted V-twin engine setup. Practical? No, not really. But it's very cool and unique.

Years have passed, I've gone in and out of various motorcycles (predominantly Jap bikes) that fit my wants and needs at the time. And, of course, my Harley that I love and is a "forever" bike, but I've been casually searching for a fun motorcycle off and on now that we're getting back into riding more. And I've always wanted a Guzzi. I've gone around in circles over the years for which one I wanted. I knew I'd own one eventually, but it would be when the "right" one showed up. Which one that was, I didn't know, but I knew I'd know it when I saw it.

And then on Saturday I saw a listing on Facebook marketplace for an absolutely gorgeous 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. Still low miles, looked brand new. I showed it to my wife. She said "Do you want it?" "Kinda." (understatement) "Your birthday's next month, you should buy it." So we went to check it out, and I took it for a test ride. Sold.

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The V7 is the Guzzi series of 750cc V-twin motorcycles. They offer a bunch of different variants, but the racer is intended to look like a cafe racer from the 50s or 60s. I personally think they got the styling perfect. The chrome tank has leather straps on it (which serve no purpose other than to look cool).

2020-05-18.jpg


The chrome exhaust that's discolored from heat in some areas is likely going to crack some day, but for now, it's beautiful to look at. The colors are perfect. The previous owner had removed the factory race plastics and put on the small windshield, which does block more air. I reverted it to stock:

97511428_10100101783806523_354354988266291200_n.jpg


Which I like better. Yes, it's windier, but I like having the completely unobstructed forward view and I think the plastics help complete the look they were going for. Easy enough to remove, though.

The engine. Well of course, I'm an engine guy. It's a 750 and it is not a fast motorcycle. In fact, it's the lowest horsepower motorcycle I've ever owned (although not the slowest). However it is just fun. The engine is torquey at any RPM being a V-twin that makes peak HP around 6,200 (and is happiest in the 4-6k range, like most non-American V-twins). It has a beautiful Italian sound to it. It never feels underpowered and will happily exceed the speed limit without feeling unstable or strained, but certainly the most comfortable speeds for it are under 60. It's a great bike to just leisurely enjoy backroads. All the styling of a vintage cafe racer, but with fuel injection and electronic ignition. At only 420 lbs or so wet, it is very light and tossable. Interestingly, the V11 racer I think doesn't look as good, and weighs about 60 lbs more. That's a noticeable amount.

Surprisingly, the air cooled cylinders I don't find cook my legs much. They don't seem to get too hot and I've found lots of water cooled bikes that make more heat. But, it's not a high output engine, so that's probably a lot of it.

Modifications? Yes, I will be doing some, and I need to think about those more. The exhaust is too quiet. At speed you can barely hear the engine over the wind noise while riding, and even then only at full throttle. So it needs something to replace the slip-ons. They make a big bore kit that pushes it out to 820ccs and adds high compression pistons. That's intriguing and I think would improve the bike, but I'm going to ride it a bit more and figure out what I want to do with the exhaust first. Not like I'm trying to win any races with this, I just want to enjoy it. And it is very enjoyable.
 
I raced a Moto Guzzi Lemans for Euromart corporation (the west coast distributor) 77,78 and 79. I returned it with the original paint and finished first in the state once and second behind another MotoGuzzi twice in open production.

The one you have manages the shaft drive much better than mine did.

Be careful how you modify her as it is easy to upset the harmony.

In my opinion bigger tires would be a mistake.
 

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Be careful how you modify her as it is easy to upset the harmony.

In my opinion bigger tires would be a mistake.

As far as the bike and suspension/tires go, I see no reason to change any of those. The exhaust is too quiet and that is really the big thing I want to change because it is too quiet for my taste. And probably the only thing, really. I need to ride it more.
 
Finally, a post from the Ted that makes sense. Yes Guzzis are cool. Way cool. Very nice looking motorcycle. You don't buy a Guzzi to ride fast. You buy. Guzzi to ride a Guzzi.
 
SWEET! Im a sucker for a longitudinal motorcycle engine. First bike was a 78 GL1000, current and possibly forever bike is a Triumph Rocket. I would love to play with a Guzzi, though. Saw a California at the bike night at the local Harley dealer last summer and could see myself putting some miles on it....

I really dig the styling of yours... especially that chrome tank.
 
Belissimo.

I don't have much interest in Duc's but I would, one day, like to have a temperamental, beautiful Italian mistress.

Also, its quite clear the leather strap on the tank is to protect the beauty of that chrome from your big, American belt buckle that all those cowboys over there wear.
 
Almost 15 years ago I bought a t-shirt.

2020-05-17.jpg


I was still a pretty new motorcyclist at the time, but knew I liked Moto Guzzis. I loved the style, the engine was very appealing to me, especially because of their odd longitudinally mounted setup in a motorcycle. While hauling cars around the country (how I earned money during college) I stopped at a Moto Guzzi shop outside of St. Louis to chat with them, sit on a few, and hear one run. I was especially interested in the California at the time, since at that point I was more looking for a motorcycle I could ride on a longer trip. I told them "Well I'm not going to buy a motorcycle today, but I will buy a t-shirt." I loved the engine sound of the Guzzi, and I've always loved the longitudinally mounted V-twin engine setup. Practical? No, not really. But it's very cool and unique.

Years have passed, I've gone in and out of various motorcycles (predominantly Jap bikes) that fit my wants and needs at the time. And, of course, my Harley that I love and is a "forever" bike, but I've been casually searching for a fun motorcycle off and on now that we're getting back into riding more. And I've always wanted a Guzzi. I've gone around in circles over the years for which one I wanted. I knew I'd own one eventually, but it would be when the "right" one showed up. Which one that was, I didn't know, but I knew I'd know it when I saw it.

And then on Saturday I saw a listing on Facebook marketplace for an absolutely gorgeous 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. Still low miles, looked brand new. I showed it to my wife. She said "Do you want it?" "Kinda." (understatement) "Your birthday's next month, you should buy it." So we went to check it out, and I took it for a test ride. Sold.

97484794_10100101783776583_3958835639222272000_n.jpg


The V7 is the Guzzi series of 750cc V-twin motorcycles. They offer a bunch of different variants, but the racer is intended to look like a cafe racer from the 50s or 60s. I personally think they got the styling perfect. The chrome tank has leather straps on it (which serve no purpose other than to look cool).

2020-05-18.jpg


The chrome exhaust that's discolored from heat in some areas is likely going to crack some day, but for now, it's beautiful to look at. The colors are perfect. The previous owner had removed the factory race plastics and put on the small windshield, which does block more air. I reverted it to stock:

97511428_10100101783806523_354354988266291200_n.jpg


Which I like better. Yes, it's windier, but I like having the completely unobstructed forward view and I think the plastics help complete the look they were going for. Easy enough to remove, though.

The engine. Well of course, I'm an engine guy. It's a 750 and it is not a fast motorcycle. In fact, it's the lowest horsepower motorcycle I've ever owned (although not the slowest). However it is just fun. The engine is torquey at any RPM being a V-twin that makes peak HP around 6,200 (and is happiest in the 4-6k range, like most non-American V-twins). It has a beautiful Italian sound to it. It never feels underpowered and will happily exceed the speed limit without feeling unstable or strained, but certainly the most comfortable speeds for it are under 60. It's a great bike to just leisurely enjoy backroads. All the styling of a vintage cafe racer, but with fuel injection and electronic ignition. At only 420 lbs or so wet, it is very light and tossable. Interestingly, the V11 racer I think doesn't look as good, and weighs about 60 lbs more. That's a noticeable amount.

Surprisingly, the air cooled cylinders I don't find cook my legs much. They don't seem to get too hot and I've found lots of water cooled bikes that make more heat. But, it's not a high output engine, so that's probably a lot of it.

Modifications? Yes, I will be doing some, and I need to think about those more. The exhaust is too quiet. At speed you can barely hear the engine over the wind noise while riding, and even then only at full throttle. So it needs something to replace the slip-ons. They make a big bore kit that pushes it out to 820ccs and adds high compression pistons. That's intriguing and I think would improve the bike, but I'm going to ride it a bit more and figure out what I want to do with the exhaust first. Not like I'm trying to win any races with this, I just want to enjoy it. And it is very enjoyable.
wow! that was sudden and awesome! Congratulations
 
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I don't know anything about motorcycles, but I really love the look of the chrome and leather together. Congrats!
 
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Finally, a post from the Ted that makes sense. Yes Guzzis are cool. Way cool. Very nice looking motorcycle. You don't buy a Guzzi to ride fast. You buy. Guzzi to ride a Guzzi.

Finally, a post from Michael that makes sense.

Laurie and I were expecting you to post something along the lines of "What a stupid purchase. V-twins are stupid and you are stupid and your new motorcycle is slow and stupid and my motorcycle is faster and my in-line 4 is better."
 
Congrats, Ted, they are interesting bikes. I know a guy who had both a Moto Guzzi California and a Honda CX-500 custom. He called the Honda his "Moto Sushi" lol.
 
Belissimo.

I don't have much interest in Duc's but I would, one day, like to have a temperamental, beautiful Italian mistress.

I'll be curious how reliable this one ends up being. The previous owner said it'd been reliable for him. The gearbox for the shaft drive had developed a small leak at one point (which he got repaired) and otherwise he just changed fluids on it. Even Italian vehicles seem to have figured out most aspects of reliability in the modern era.

I want a Ducati someday as well, but to me the 996/998 are the ones that I really want (from "The Matrix"). And, well, I just haven't found "the right one" yet.

Also, its quite clear the leather strap on the tank is to protect the beauty of that chrome from your big, American belt buckle that all those cowboys over there wear.

:rofl:

wow! that was sudden and awesome! Congratulations

Only semi-sudden. I may not have made a post of "Thinking about..." but that's because it's been something I've been thinking about doing for a long time. The buy itself was something of an impulse buy, but it was also the realization of a long time dream.

Guzzis are very much an unusual bike. Although there is a local Guzzi specialist, they sell in small numbers and you might see one Guzzi for every 1,000 Harleys. So what that really means is that if you find one that you like at a good price locally, you should probably snatch it up because you won't get another opportunity soon.
 
Finally, a post from the Ted that makes sense. Yes Guzzis are cool. Way cool. Very nice looking motorcycle. You don't buy a Guzzi to ride fast. You buy. Guzzi to ride a Guzzi.

Finally, a post from Michael that makes sense.

Believe it or not, Michael, but those who buy Harleys don't want to ride fast either, they buy to ride a Harley.
 
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Believe it or not, Michael, but those who buy Harleys don't want to ride fast either, they buy to ride a Harley.

Exactly. And modifying something doesn't mean you're trying to turn it into something it isn't, it means you're trying to change some characteristics that make it ideally suited to you vs. what the factory produced. Harleys are the epitome of this. I'd bet that more than 50% of them have been modified in some way, shape, or form from stock. Harley seems seem to plan for it as part of the model. They even offer engine upgrades from the dealership that you can do and maintain the warranty.
 
Does this put your Harley project on hold?
 
Does this put your Harley project on hold?

No, absolutely not. I'm scheduled to go to my incoming dyno run on Thursday and plan to also do some of the first videos that day too. The Harley build is the priority and I'm going to get that done hopefully by the end of this month, but realistically sometime in June will be the likely completion.

It also doesn't put the Cobra on hold. Like I said, exhaust is the only thing on the Guzzi that I know I want to do. I want to ride the Guzzi otherwise.
 
'bout lost my right leg on my Guzzi... Back in 86. Only lost 3” Of leg.. and no metal in me.

Accident was 100%my fault. Haven't ridden since... But riding a bike is as close to the feeling of flying there is...

Loved the bike, loved the ride.

Easy to maintain, points and plugs... And a generator! Not fast... But a good tourer... From back in the day.

Moto Guzzi Ambassador.

fly to the scene of the incident, or be recovered at the scene of the tragedy
 
Cool bike! Best looking neo-cafe racer out there.
 
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As long as you pronounce Guzzi with the same zz sound as the pie.
I love Italian bikes, had Ducatis in the past, from as early as 1961.
 
Finally, a post from Michael that makes sense.

Laurie and I were expecting you to post something along the lines of "What a stupid purchase. V-twins are stupid and you are stupid and your new motorcycle is slow and stupid and my motorcycle is faster and my in-line 4 is better."
My bike is Italian as well, and shows it's lineage very nicely. It is a Honda though, so I get Honda build quality, a bulletproof Honda engine, and Italian styling. Best of both worlds. And yes, it will easily outrun your Guzzi. But that just isn't the point.
 
Wow, what a fabulous find.

My first bike, when I was 15, was a Honda CL175. In Florida, 15 year olds were allowed to ride motorcycles under five horsepower. Clearly, the Honda had more than that, but I never got stopped, so I don't know if the cops would have cared. I sold it to apply the money towards buying a car when I was 16, much to my mother's relief. When I was a young adult, I got to buy what I really wanted , which was a Guzzi V50. It was even more not fast than your new steed, but I didn't care, it had a great feel to it and I loved riding it. The only issue I ever had with it was a clutch cable break, that was in five years of riding. I had to sell it when I moved to a place without a garage, I couldn't bear to leave it outside.

When I turn 65 I'm going to buy myself a birthday present, either a Suzuki SV650 or a V7 Guzzi. I rather like not having to lube a chain, so I'm going to give the Guzzis a good look. Besides, "Moto Goot see" just rolls off the tongue way better than Suzuki.

Enjoy.
 
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Looks great Ted! I’d love to have something like that but just don’t trust myself (mostly, I mean I don’t trust other motorists) on a bike on public roads. If I did talk myself into another one though, it would be a cafe racer style bike.
 
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Welcome to the club. I love Guzzis, they have some great Italian styling to them. Unfortunately I only have one at the moment, which is something I need to fix.

Enjoy!
 
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Looks great Ted! I’d love to have something like that but just don’t trust myself (mostly, I mean I don’t trust other motorists) on a bike on public roads. If I did talk myself into another one though, it would be a cafe racer style bike.

I've been riding for close to 16 years and I've gone back and forth on this a number of times depending on where I've lived, what's scared me recently, kids. We basically didn't ride in Ohio at all - drivers were terrible, just didn't feel comfortable there, and our kids were very little. Here in Kansas drivers are mostly good, traffic is much lower, kids are getting bigger. We avoid congested roads and times and pick where we ride carefully, and only ride on nice days. Of course my MSF instructor died in a motorcycle crash a few years back (on a nice day), but I suspect that he had a sudden heart attack or the like. He was always overweight.

In SoCal where you live, I'd be more hesitant.

One thing with this motorcycle, it's not just a motorcycle, it's a work of art. Could easily buy it and park it in your living room, and have it not look out of place in the least. :)
 
Whoa Ted - where was the "Instigation Alert?" :p Congrats on the pristine Guzzi! Geez I miss riding! :(

In SoCal where you live, I'd be more hesitant.

No joke. Besides the aggressive driving (moreso now with the pandemic and lighter traffic on the highways which leads to hyper-sonic speeds and antics on the highway), my aging eyes and reaction times are not conducive to riding. I fooled myself into thinking a smaller, slower bike was the ticket, but the ground doesn't care if you're on 1000 cc bike or a 125cc scooter, and impact forces are the same at 30 mph into a cager that pulls out in front of you regardless of what you ride.

But darn you! Beautiful Guzzi and I love Italian bikes. :)

Wish I still had my Ducati ST3. Now I'm on a fat tire bicycle... but with a 750 watt rear hub motor and 48V/11aH battery that gets me moving pretty well. Don't tell my wife - she thinks I bought it to exercise with. :p;)
 
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No joke. Besides the aggressive driving (moreso now with the pandemic and lighter traffic on the highways which leads to hyper-sonic speeds and antics on the highway), my aging eyes and reaction times are not conducive to riding. I fooled myself into thinking a smaller, slower bike was the ticket, but the ground doesn't care if you're on 1000 cc bike or a 125cc scooter, and impact forces are the same at 30 mph into a cager that pulls out in front of you regardless of what you ride

Slower has some aspects of safety, but of course if you have more acceleration that's another tool that you can use to get out of a bad spot, especially on a bike. Really, I think the best thing you can do is to try to pick the times and places you ride appropriately, and do your best to be alert and attentive to what's going on around you.

Coming home from picking up the Guzzi we stayed off the highway and just did backroads. It was very fun.
 
Slower has some aspects of safety, but of course if you have more acceleration that's another tool that you can use to get out of a bad spot, especially on a bike. Really, I think the best thing you can do is to try to pick the times and places you ride appropriately, and do your best to be alert and attentive to what's going on around you.

Very true.

My wife is a life-long equestrian and we've owned several horses over the years. Horses in the wild are prey animals. They can't really fight off a pack of wolves or a cougar, so their primary defense is speed and agility.

It's much the same with bikes. In any encounter with another vehicle, the bike is going to lose. The only real defense is being able to maneuver or accelerate or brake better in order to avoid the encounter.


Coming home from picking up the Guzzi we stayed off the highway and just did backroads. It was very fun.

That's a gorgeous bike. Post more pics when you can.

I considered a Ducati, and I love the looks of them. But I test-rode a Duc 748 when I was bike shopping, and it was nowhere near as good a bike as the Triumph Daytona 675 I eventually bought. Wretched turn-in, abrupt throttle response, brakes felt wooden. The Triumph triple is smooth as glass, and that bike steers by telekinesis.

Those Italian hotties are nice, but I'm still in love with my little British tart.
 
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Very true.

My wife is a life-long equestrian and we've owned several horses over the years. Horses in the wild are prey animals. They can't really fight off a pack of wolves or a cougar, so their primary defense is speed and agility.

It's much the same with bikes. In any encounter with another vehicle, the bike is going to lose. The only real defense is being able to maneuver or accelerate or brake better in order to avoid the encounter.

Exactly. And of course that's where my Harley lacks (and always will lack). But I like it anyway. The Guzzi is notably better in acceleration, handling, and braking. Plus it's much smaller. But I'm also still trying to make sure I'm riding on roads and at times when a crash is less likely.

That's a gorgeous bike. Post more pics when you can.

I'm planning on doing a video on it and uploading that to the YouTube channel, I'll post a link. :)

I considered a Ducati, and I love the looks of them. But I test-rode a Duc 748 when I was bike shopping, and it was nowhere near as good a bike as the Triumph Daytona 675 I eventually bought. Wretched turn-in, abrupt throttle response, brakes felt wooden. The Triumph triple is smooth as glass, and that bike steers by telekinesis.

Those Italian hotties are nice, but I'm still in love with my little British tart.

That's interesting. We had a Daytona 675 (it was my wife's bike) and loved it. The 3-cylinder I don't consider smooth as glass, but I found it to have good torque and personality.

I've never ridden a Ducati. A 996 or 998 is what I would like to own someday. I've always loved the styling, and because The Matrix series was one of my favorite movies in college, there's an appeal there. So maybe I'll buy one and be disappointed, but I expect to own one someday. Just not tomorrow, since the Guzzi was just purchased and I really need a bigger garage/shop. :)
 
I've never ridden a Ducati either, so I don't know whether I'd prefer it over a Guzzi. I do know which one of those motorcycle's valves I'd rather adjust.
 
Congrats! I've got a good amount of Guzzi time, and enjoyed all of it.

I love a piece of equipment that looks like an air compressor. (I guess it technically is)

The stock suspension needs help for a track day, but it's suitable for a lot of things.
 
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