Few bikes can match the Moto Guzzi V7 in terms of charisma and charm | 2021 expert review

brakes are stopping well & ride quality remains me my old days on a bikes.

Just one word, Fantastic!

feel solid and I hope ot last for long.

£250 its a bit to much.

Not much original equipment, but i am happy for what it is

Shaft drive adds smoothness but obviously saps power, but if you want power you’d choose something else anyway. Many complain of the harsh rear shock; I find it on the firm side but not enough to pay £££ for an upgrade. Brakes never an issue. Low-speed control with the rear is the most confidence inspiring I’ve ever used.

This is the bike’s forte. Not the power, but the character. I never tire of the sideways vibes.

As explained above, the cylinder head bolts have furred a little after a couple of winters of owning the bike since new. What’s more of a worry is that I’ve found the electrics to be somewhat temperamental; the electric start can take a few seconds to start cranking but once it does, it’ll fire no problem. That is, if you’ve switched the kill switch back on. As a precaution, I’ve found it to be far more likely if the battery is isolated between uses. I use it as a weekend toy, like most owners, rather than a daily hack. But the rest of the bike is as good as any other I’ve owned, including Japanese makes and H-D.

Only had one service so far, the next one is in a few days time. Significant thing is that, due to the relatively tiny dealer network, you will need to book your service a long way in advance (8 weeks last year, same this year).

Not so much for what the bike has, because it looks its best as intended from the factory. Some worry about the lack of fuel gauge: when you’re running low an additional trip meter automatically displays, counting up from 0.0 from the point when the warning light comes on, so a bit like a ‘reserve’ without having to turn on a fiddly tap like the old days. Rather than use MG’s expensive luggage range I tour solo with Givi’s much more cost-effective Remove-X system and fit their soft Corium bags, which are excellent products in their own right but really suit the look and nature of the bike. It’s a very capable mini-tourer.

It handles perfectly for what it is and it’s price point. Not 5/5 as the rear is a little crashy on some bumps (but I’m a bit/lot overweight). Rear brake is great- decent power and feel. Front brake could be a little stronger for more spirited riding but is absolutely fine.

Full of character. Perfect power level for relaxed and more spirited riding at legal speeds. As others have said, lumpy low down, eager in the mid range, and with a little fun to be had at the top end. Twisties are dealt with in 3rd and 4th. 6th is overdrive for cruising.

Build quality is high and materials are lovely. Too young to speak to reliability.

First service was a very reasonable £160 - oil change and valve clearances. 10k/1yr intervals after that. Suspect next service will be slightly more, but not much.

Clocks have all you need. I’m a bit bemused by those bemoaning lack of a fuel gauge. Light comes on about 160 miles and I’ve done 200 miles with fuel still in the tank- it’s a bike, not a car. Some luggage tie down points and a little underseat storage would be good. But I’ve got an Oxford Aqua tail bag and tank bag and they work great. Also Peak Design phone holder is very discrete. Dart fly screen is a nice addition too. I’m not entirely convinced by the standard (Dunlop Streetsmart) tyres. They are French made and have full tread thickness- but lack a bit of feel and turn-in. I might change them before they’re worn out.

I knocked a point off here for the harsh rear shocks which will jar you on rough pavement. Otherwise, the front end is good and if the pavement is decent so is the rear. The brakes work very good but do requires some force at the lever for hard braking. Feel of the brakes are very good for a single disc.

A little torn about giving a 4/5 here. The fuel delivery is not the smoothest below 3000 rpm and neither is the engine. But nearing 4000 rpm the motor just sings and pulls very well on its way up. Overall, not unexpected and not really much of an issue, for me. Transmission is a bit balky when cold but smooths out fine once warm. Clutch action is excellent.

I can't speak to reliability as it's too new yet. The build quality is very good however.

I do my own service as it's easy, and I know the mechanic. Because of the shaft drive and easy peasy valve adjustments, the operating costs come down to tires and motor oil mostly. Every blue moon some gear oil and fork service.

The ergonomics of the Special are excellent with a very comfortable seat and controls layout ideal for me at 5'9". The large fuel tank is welcome and the fit and finish are beautiful. I've read people complaining about the stock tires (Dunlops) but I don't have a problem with them. The tires hold well cornering moderately fast and the don't track grooves in pavement. One minor complaint is the front fender is too short to give good coverage and road debris pastes the front of the engine.

Superb handling. Coming from Ducati's/KTM's that is a strong statement.

Addictive motor, as simple as a hammer, as effective as one too! Gearbox can miss a change when wanting to hurry up a bit so drops a star for that.

Drops a star because of initial fuelling hiccups and the occasional gearbox stutter. Running gear and paintwork etc is first class.

65+ MPG simple enough to service yourself (Unless you're allergic to oil under your fingernails) you can't get simpler than an air cooled pushrod two valve motor. Could get tricky with the drive train tho.. time will tell.

Glaring omission of a fuel gauge loses a star, awkward right-thumb scroll through the menu button loses another.

Steady as a rock

Great

I just give most of the bike a wipe over with a clean oily rag and it comes up fine.

Good on fuel,dealer servicing £255 for 1st service and £360 for the next one,so budget for that..

OK, brakes aren't the tops but this isn't a sportsbike and so perfectly adequate.

Just a super, smooth, V-twin thumper.

First service due now but waiting for recall to synchronise. Assume MCN are near the servicing costs mark.

Great dual clocks & comfy, low saddle ( bit of a short-****). The 'heavy' weight doesn't feel intimidating.

Loves A or B roads, can do anything. 500 mile days are easy. Pillion comfort limited to 100 miles per leg.

Once run in (3000 miles +) is fantastic.

Simple but put together by idiots. Every bolt is threadlocked cheese. No grease is used anywhere. The dealers filled the gearbox with the wrong oil because their Honda tech doesn't know the differences between a 750 and 850. Take it home, take it apart, tidy it up. Just like a 1975 Ural.

Do your own servicing, its very very simple and you will give attention to the detail. Less maintenance than an Enfield, simpler than a Triumph. If you can't you need a dealer that really cares about Guzzi's.

OE Dunaplop tyres are awful Brazilian rubbish, but everyone knows that. Fit Michelins. It's not the sort of bike where you even think about Bluetooth connection to the ashtray or whatever, just ride it.

after my Susuki V strom the front brake feels a little under powered. You have to use more pressure but seems to stop the bike.

at low revs feels lumpy and when cold, 10 miles , the gearbox is also lumpy. then becomes smooth

to new. But both my other ones had issues, The V50 had electrical issues and the V7 (1) had a porous gearbox and a leaking rear gear seal. Both repaired under warranty. The V7(1)s chrome on the wheels was a rust box.

seems to be very frugal on fuel

needs a fuel gauge

Love the ride. Great for trips out but over two hours and you need a short break. It’s a country lane boy, avoid motorways, much more fun.Breaks are ok just not dynamic

Engine picks up over 4000 revs but plodding along slowly in sixth gives a nice low rumble

2000 miles and not one problem

Finding a good local MG dealer is a challenge

Equipment level is basic which suits its retro look. Love the matt black tank, exhaust and wheels. Had to fit a USB Charger (easy) but the manual is awful. Still no idea what most of the wires are in and around the battery. Bought a small disc break lock that just fits under the seat. Still trying to get small discreet side panniers.

Single front Brembo does the job. Back break good. Suspension basic but very effective (much better the the v7 iii). Low seat height and centre of gravity, and Dunlop tyres inspire confidence.

Good low down torque, great v-twin character and enough power for real-world riding for those keen to hang on to their licences.

Have ridden the bike 2000 miles in the 3 months I’ve had it. All I have had to do it put petrol in it, and that not very often with a 250 mile tank range: it hasn’t missed a beat.

First service cost £110 (my dealer gives good discounts to anyone buying their bike from him), it has averaged 62 mpg over 2000 miles and insurance is very reasonable. Easy access to air cooled engine, shaft drive and minimal electronics (ABS and three levels of traction control) should keep costs down.

Basic electronics are more than adequate for riders not wanting umpteen riding modes they never use. Basic suspension soaks up the bumps and holds the roads without offering adjustments beyond most people’s appreciation. Lacks a fuel gauge but does have an accurate low fuel warning light. Dunlop tyres are good. “Comfort seat” fitted as standard, rather than a rip-off optional extra. I have fitted Halcyon bar end mirrors (look and work better than OEM), Ultimate Add-on heated grips (switch for setting heat levels built into grip rather than needing a separate, ugly unit bolted to the bars), Motone fly-screen (works remarkably well for its size and looks great) and Hepco and Becker c-bow legacy panniers (stylish, well made and useful).

It’s new to me so I am getting used to it but feels sure footed and brakes fell well matched to performance

Superb so far. (Under 1/- miles)

It’s a new bike. Looks well put together and thought out.

It looks awesome