Moto Guzzi V7 Long Term Review!!

10 Things I've learned from my near 1 year ownership of the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Special Edition - what you really need to know!

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[Bob-xcus]

There is a lot to like about the V7 Special Edition. Tubeless tires, shaft drive, LED headlight, comfortable seat, simple and easy to service push rod engine and the undeniably gorgeous styling.

BJ

[Simulera]

I have had a moto guzzi for about 5 years, after many years of German and Japanese motorcycles of nearly every kind. I have been riding since 1969. It is a wonderful motorcycle. I like everything, about it. I even like the few perfect imperfections. The only complaint I have is that in the USA there aren’t a lot of dealers. There is one reasonably close to me, but on trips, well, there just are so few. But mostly DIY is easy enough and… any good independent shop can work on them. My very accommodating and family like “home” dealer can send parts to wherever if necessary. They are durable rideable and charming vehicles in my opinion. Yorkshire is beautiful, the channel is very peaceful and enjoyable, and this video very well done.

[edwardsenesac]

I have the Stone (2023). I like the LCD screen for this model variant because it is a mix of modern and not modern. Other modern touches are the LED lighting, plastic mudguards, alloy rims and such. It all fits this variant. The other V7's have the traditional touches. Old gauges on the modern V7 would seem odd.

Old bikes didn't have a gear selection gauge at all. So it's nice to have something. My Kawasaki Vulcan S didn't have a gear gauge. I had to add one as an accessory. And then it takes a while to detect the correct gear, like with the V7. It seems to be something that wasn't perfected until recently with modern bikes. The Vulcan S is a 2016, but I think the model hasn't changed since the mid-2000's.

The plastic front mudguard can be easily extended with a fender extender from there in England. Cheap and I installed with 3M tape. Looks original. Made for the V7, so fits like a glove. The rear is a disaster! No protection and none available.

[ranplan]

Almost 3 years on my 2022 V7 Centenario. Love this bike. I love my 2022 Himalayan too. But when I hop on the V7, it feels like a hot rod. Such a great experience!

[torehornkjl]

Just love my V7 Centenario. Lovely bike and after some km/miles on the counter gearbox simply got smoother and does it thing (when warmed up) Pure simplicity and a joy to ride the back roads it is designed for. Truly a dirt magnet but cleaning it up ain't that bad. Good opportunity to check out all is OK and relaxing time with my bike. Back in the day gear indicators and nick nack was never an issue, you simply got it in your system automatically. Thank Moto Guzzi for still let us have basic bikes with minimum of electronics interference. Sadly we got a short MC season in Norway.

[chrissunde]

I had a v7iii stone; loved it. I wanted the twin clocks and was told it would be very difficult and expensive to change over.... Wiring not the same. I've got a v85tt now. It lacks the classic charm of the v7, but it has been a brilliant bike on the crappy roads of eastern Maine and Atlantic Canada.

[martinmiller]

Got my guzzi 3 months prior to you, exactly the same model, i agree with all the things you said especially how mucky it gets, it's the first guzzi I've had and absolutely love it.
Its the most engaging motorcycle I've ever riden and it's definitely a keeper!!
Very surprised its not more popular with motorcyclists our age, think your comment on dealer network is a factor

[bsimpson]

Cheers Dave, love that V Twin engine with no radiators, classic looks and design from an unbroken blood line. I was looking at the V7 Special yesterday in Teesdale Motorcycles, Thirsk, gorgeous.

[ianhalliwell]

Couldn't agree more with you there is something unique and special about limestone countryside it fills the soul, love it.

[bronzestarvue]

Good long-term ownership review! I bought my '23 Special Edition back in April, I've only put about 450 miles on it over those six months (I also got a '24 V100 Aviazione Navale in Jul). I have it at my "retirement" home in NC (I'm in VA), so I really only get a chance to ride it about two days a month. I don't ride in the rain, and I keep it garaged with a cover on it, so it stays pretty clean. I agree with that turn signal indicator, if you don't push to cancel exactly the right way, it'll keep blinking, it doesn't self-cancel. Also agree with the lack of Guzzi dealers. Here in the States, I think there are less than 30 for the whole country. Luckily for me, the closest one is about an hour's drive away here in VA. It'll be more like a three-hour drive once I retire down to NC. But after that initial service by the dealer, I can check the valves and do the fluid changes myself. The Special Edition and the V100 are the 6th and 7th Guzzis I've owned over the last 40+ years of riding, and there's just something special about them that keeps me coming back!

[degutube]

Nice review Dave and good on you for getting the Moto Guzzi name out there. I own the V7 Special and while I have the dual analog dials the little things I don’t like are:
1. Indicator display doesn’t show left or right usage (seems inconsequential but does your head in sometimes)
2. No hazard lights (again minor but good if you are stopped on the side of the road sometimes)
3. Also the gear indicator going down to first (may be a fix but it just shows nothing)
4. Lack of dealer support - in Australia there is one in most states
5. Pannier bag solutions - the previous owner put on pannier racks and it is a struggle to find something to easily go on that doesn’t use a proprietary fitting system.

Of course I love the bike and these are all minor gripes at the end of the day.
Cheers from another Dave

[TheTigerman]

I fitted a front mudguard extender on my V7 Special and it’s so much cleaner riding in the rain. Not so dirty engine now.

[philipyorkie]

I suppose it's subjective but I disagree about the single clock, I love it! The only thing is I wish it was metal, with a black or chrome rim. Most of the competion have twin clocks and, as you say, these bikes are really just contrived classics. The single offset clock is yet another detail which gives the Guzzi personality, twin clocks are commonplace. I ride sports bikes and use the tacho to keep in the power band, but with the torquey engine on this bike you don't need one, it would just be superfluous.
A few weeks ago I put my Aprilia Tuono in for service and they gave me a V7 courtesy bike. I was blown away. I put over 150 miles on it, I couldn't stop riding it! One thing which impressed me was just how balanced it was. I had supposed, looking at published weight figures that the V7 was a heavy beast, but it felt beautifully light and manuoverable. Sometimes neutral was difficult to find and that was the only problem I noticed.
I would like to have had some underseat storage and helmet hooks (but that's the case with most bikes now) and I personally prefer standard mirrors to bar end mirrors, but that's it. I want one!

[michaellombardo]

In 1978 I bought a new Guzzi v50 from a dealer. It is the grandfather to these v7 models. Guzzi went backwards on these. No more twin front discs, linked brakes, mag wheels or twin clocks, or Italian red color. I will take grandpa any day over todays models.

[richbaker]

Cheers for the review! I've been following your vids for a few months, and I wanted to say thanks. There aren't many riders doing real world reviews of the V7, and they've helped me make my mind up. Took a Stone Special for a test ride on Friday, and put a deposit down on a Stone Ten first thing on Saturday. Lovely bikes! Can't wait to pick it up later in the week 😁

[paulbutler]

Nice review of this motorcycle in some gorgeous areas where this bike really shines. My son has a 2021 V7 Stone in the matte black. I really enjoy taking it out for a ride. The pushrod, air cooled V-twin is simple and makes enough power to get the job done and the shaft drive is great for low maintenance. The suspension makes for a comfortable ride but also lets you have a fun ride too. Enjoy.

[o]

The user manual is a great example that it's a bike designed for user servicing probably because of the lack of dealerships but that is a good thing. I have a V9, same engine and totally recommend the third party remap that solves the Euro E5 issue of the engine running too lean, no slump at 3000 rpm and no clatter at 1800 rpm.

[Planet-Bertie]

Hi Dave,
I brought my Moto Guzzi V7 Stone from the Aprillia and Moto Guzzi dealer All Bikes, Rochdale.
They are about 35 miles from Bingley via M62 🤔 (or you could go the pretty way!) Top man Stuart is the chap to talk to 👍

I did fit a pyramid fender extender to the front mudguard in an effort to stop the muck covering the engine; it rattled so much and so loudly that I binned it and bought a hose spray-gun…

[mikaelpettersson]

Haha, i beat you on the distance travelled! I bought my Guzzi mid May, and have now 6500km! After replacing the faulty wheels (transport damage from the beginning) it has been running like a Swiss watch

[paulblackfield]

Little here we don't already know or need to know except that I didn't realise there were so few Guzzi dealers in the UK and the bike falls apart in British winter weather. Thank you, I'll cross this one off my short-list.