MOTO-GUZZI V7 RACER (2011 - 2016) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
| Power: | 49 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.7 in / 805 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (437 lbs / 198 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesMoto Guzzi’s new V7 Racer is a class act. It’s a special, but full-production, version of the Italian firm’s V7 Classis and comes with an unbelievable raft of goodies, including a chrome-effect fuel tank, a hand-finished frame and uprated cycle parts.
- Latest news: new Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer versions for 2020
This modern-day retro isn’t on a par with a Triumph Thruxton or Ducati Sport Classic performance-wise, but it’s easy to ride, looks fantastic and makes you feel even better.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineIf you try and grab the V7 Racer by the lapels and ride it hard, it doesn’t like it. You’ll run out of brakes pretty quickly and the gyrating motion of the shaft drive will get the chassis wobbling through the corners. The idea is to cruise along and take in the scenery, admiring yourself in shop windows and getting lost in the romance of riding such a typically Italian machine. It’s very comfy, smooth and low enough for shorter riders to be confident.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe V7 Racers’s 49bhp air-cooled, 744cc, 2v, four-stroke 90° V-twin engine, five-speed gearbox gearbox and shaft drive are all old-generation Moto Guzzi. The drivetrain might not have the power and refinement of their current evolution motorcycles, but its relaxed, throaty character suits this bike perfectly. The fuel-injected motor is smooth and friendly and offers enough oomph for swift progress cross-country.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueAlthough the V7 Racer is old school, it benefits from the all the modern manufacturing methods that the Piaggio Group (which includes Moto Guzzi and Aprilia) have developed over the years. It’s fuel-injected and conforms to Euro 3 and built to a very high standard.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentYou’ve only got to look at the list of standard equipment to know the V7 Racer is astounding value at £7599. If it knocked on the door of ten grand you wouldn’t bat an eye lid.
Equipment
Imagine all the mods you’d want to make to the standard V7 Classic and the V7 Racer already has them. The highlight is the shiny 17-litre fuel tank, which is actually plastic with a special chrome effect process, which looks like the real thing.
It has a hand-finished metallic blood-red frame, swingarm, tank badge and wheel hubs, which carry silver spoked and satin black rims. You also get a suede-topped seat, a leather tank strap, big chrome mirrors, chrome top yoke guard, bikini fairing, clocks featuring 70s-style logos and graphics, a numbered plaque on the top yoke, number seven racing numbers, milled ali rearsets, stubby sports mudguard, brushed ali throttle body covers, fork gators and a rear light, fuel cap, rocker cover and engine heat shield all finished in chrome.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 744cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 2v, V-twin |
| Frame type | Tubular steel |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
| Seat height | 805mm |
| Bike weight | 198kg |
| Front suspension | 40mm Marzocchi forks, non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Twin Biturbo shocks, fully-adjustable |
| Front brake | 320mm disc with Brembo four-piston caliper. |
| Rear brake | 260mm disc with twin-piston caliper. |
| Front tyre size | 100/90 x 18 |
| Rear tyre size | 130/80 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 45 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £101 |
| Annual service cost | £200 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
14 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 49 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 19 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 120 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 170 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Model introduced in 2011
Other versions
Other Moto Guzzi V7 reviews on MCN
Owners' reviews for the MOTO-GUZZI V7 RACER (2011 - 2016)
6 owners have reviewed their MOTO-GUZZI V7 RACER (2011 - 2016) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your MOTO-GUZZI V7 RACER (2011 - 2016)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
Version: Anniversary edition first issue of 1000 bikes
Year: 2011
This is a fabulous bike for tooling about on and taking it easy whilst making a good noise and looking good. A really lovely retro bike, just like those I rode in the 70’s and 8-‘S but it doesn’t leak and it does start and stop properly? I kinda wish it had a kickstart though - just for old times sake!If I only had space for one bike in the garage I’m not sure I could live with it, but I won’t part with it.
Compared with most other 2011 bikes the V7 Racer doesn’t deliver the same performance but that’s not what is promised or expected. It is nice and smooth but with with the lovely V Twin side-to-side wobble when you rev it. Brakes are adequate and suspension is good. Top end speed isn’t going to set any records but I’ve rarely taken this bike above 70mph. Why would you?
It’s a great engine. I love the simplicity of air cooled engines and it’s simple to adjust the valves.
The first edition of these bikes had problems with the chrome tank finish developing feint cracks. This has been quite well reported and you’ll find plenty on the internet about it. I was disappointed that Piaggio didn’t recall bikes and sort this out but once I reported it to a main dealer Piaggio agreed to replace the tank under warranty. Sadly, they replaced it with an identical tank, and guess what? Yes, a few months later it was back with them. This time the replaced the tank with an updated metal tank with the chrome finish and it was an upgrade that required quite a bit of work with the fuel system. No problems since but I’d have hoped it would have been sorted as a recall. I guess it not a safety issue so perhaps that’s why not. Anyway, that’s all history and I’ve been delighted ever since.
I mostly service the bike myself because the nearest dealer is a fair distance away but on the odd occasion I’ve put it in with them it’s been cheap. They’re very simple bikes.
It’s all about retro styling and looks. I like the tank strap, single seat, bikini fairing, rear sets and the upgraded Mistral silencers that bark and pop.
Buying experience: Superb small local dealer that has since relinquished their main dealer status due to lack of support I believe. But top guys. I paid under £6.5k which is a steal for a small production number Italian bike.
Year: 2013
Annual servicing cost: £200
I bought mine new in 2013. 5 years on and the love affair has evolved. Want a fast bike with pin sharp handling, rapid acceleration and bragging rights top speed? Don't get one of these. Want an ear-to-ear smile and an itch to ride it as often as possible, this might fit the bill. Certainly does for me. So here's my take on the good, the bad and the ugly: I am 6'3" and I weigh 90kg. It isn't a big bike, but a touring trip to the Isle of Man 2016 TT posed no problems, as long as you haven't a pillion. It's delightfully nimble around town and roundabouts. The stock suspension is a bit crude and hard country road riding requires commitment as the chassis gets a bit out of shape when pushed hard. I have never touched down pegs or exhausts even with spirited cornering. I love the soundtrack from the Mistral exhausts fitted. The practical extras I have fitted include a centre stand, double seat and rear pegs. Performance isn't much affected two-up either, which is surprising given there wasn't much to start with. My bike has been on the dyno, which added a whopping extra 1 horsepower, but more importantly smoothed the running loads and improved the torque which is a big benefit. The bike runs a genuine 55mpg from brisk / frantic riding and although I refuel at around 170 miles it still has quite a lot of reserve left - good enough for another 30 miles maybe. I have heated grips which makes it more comfortable over the winter too. I fitted a tail tidy, which I think improves the looks and still love that polished tank and metallic red frame. One significant area is choice of tubed tyre. There isn't much choice out there but the Pirelli Sport Demons got a bit scary in the wet and when worn, but still did 4K miles. I have swapped to Michelins and have been really impressed with the Michelins, more feel, especially front end, better in the wet, smoother and more compliant and affordable. Complaints? The gearbox requires a firm prod from 1st to 2nd. It's a long throw and I get a fair number of false neutrals, which is irritating at best. Checking the rear link adjusters is key here. Mirrors work but need some fiddling to avoid being filled with elbow and they shake a bit, but don't they all?
Hard cross country riding can tie the suspension up a bit. Single front disk is actually ok for my 90 kgs and the bike doesn't have ABS. Engine braking works well though. The front forks don't adjust and although the rear piggy back shocks do adjust for preload, rebound and compression fiddling doesn't seem to make too much difference.
It's a bit of a tractor but that's what makes it feel fun. Having it dyno'd has smoothed it out. I wonder what an extra 30hp would be like but given it can get in knots with a stock 49/50 what would be the point?
No mechanical problems. Still looks box fresh.
It's not exactly complex is it?
That gorgeous chromed tank, metallic red frame and alloy fitments make it feel special. Characterful sums it up and with Mistral pipes it apparently sounds really nice. First job for me was to ditch the "7" plastic hump rear seat cover. I left the mini windshield on though. Thought about an endurance fairing but not for long.
Buying experience: Brand new from dealer, happy with the deal and accessories.
sorry for the typo - tank range 200 miles (maybe more)
Just got my hands on my v7 racer. Guys at Corsa Italia are great - recommended. The bike - does everything I wanted - handling, equipment, engine, gearbox, brakes, are all good. Tank range is 300 miles! Moved down from 100bhp+ to this at 50bhp and its just fine up to 90 mph. Got heated grips & double seat. It looks great and the best thing is that its just so much fun who needs more? Great bike. A keeper for sure.
Got mine 2011 just love riding it,puts a smile on my face every time. it's so light and easy to ride. just getting ready to go to oulton BSB and will be at the northwich sprint.
and collecting it this week. Just love it. I've become sick of all the stupid macho willy waving that seems to go with bikes now, mostly from people who would be hard pushed to find the limits of a Puch Maxi. This bike for me, is ther perfect antidote.
