There’s something about these Guzzis that hits me right in the heart. Not the head, no – right in the heart. I’ve owned a few Guzzis and there have certainly been happy and cool periods of my motorcycle life, and even though I’ve sold mine, I’m clearly not done with Moto Guzzi. Especially when they come up with exciting news like this. If we dive into the Guzzi culture, I quickly find out that I am by no means alone in having this somewhat inexplicable connection to Moto Guzzi, there are a lot of us who have it and most Guzzists are probably much more brand loyal than I am. The real Guzzist doesn’t manage to sell their favorite bike, they just buy a new one and can therefore eventually end up having quite a few in the garage. For my part, I explain my irrational and emotional attachment to the iconic brand as Italian design, perfect mechanical precision, torque, engine sound, good ergonomics and buckets of image and identity. Yes, and an equally large and fine dose of good handling, of course. In recent years, Guzzi has “stepped up its game” by adding a little, but not too much technology and rider support, with very good results.
The V7 is a legend of a motorcycle that received a significant boost when it was upgraded from 750 to 850 cc. In recent years, the iconic model has come in several versions, but the “Stone” version has probably been the most accessible in terms of pricing. The V7 has been, and still is, very popular but struggles a little with a slightly too high price level here in Norway. People often compare the V7 with competitors of a similar size and engine performance, and unfortunately the V7 comes out a little too badly. What people don’t know is that the V7 has some defined extras that can’t be priced and that you can’t get in touch with without taking the time to get to know the legend. You need to get to know these peculiarities because it is precisely these that justify a slightly higher price.
Moto Guzzi is now launching a new and exciting option in the V7 portfolio – the V7 Sport, which in short is a refined and specialized edition designed for riders who want that little bit extra and perhaps stand out from the crowd. The biggest news that comes with the Sport edition is linked to a slightly more powerful engine package that is adapted to the new EURO5+ requirements (it’s not uncommon for manufacturers to pump up the machinery to meet EURO requirements that throttle power), the new model therefore comes with 67.3 hp and 79 Nm, ride by wire that provides mapping options rain, road and sport, new IMU (internal measurement unit) that optimizes engine management, traction control, cruise control and cornering ABS. In general, new and updated IMUs also have good effects on throttle response and distribution of power and error consumption, so I think we can also expect that in this case.
Perhaps the most exciting feature is the new 41 mm adjustable up/down dampers with extended damper travel and reinforced rear dampers that were marginally good enough on the previous models. The V7 Sport also gets pretty hefty brakes from Brembo and a wheel set that has been slimmed down by as much as 1.8 kg. Reduced weight on the wheels results in lower gyro effects and with tougher brakes and more engine power, we’re already entering the world of fun with this model.
On the design side, we find rounded and refined shapes, new aluminum details on the lamp holder and side covers, bare-end mirrors and a new vibrant seat with red stitching. It’s more than enough to make my rocker foot twitch. The model comes in two gorgeous colors, Verde Legnano green and Grigio Lario grey, colors that clearly highlight the bike’s identity and elegance. At the time of writing, we don’t know what the V7 Sport will cost us Norwegians, but we’re hoping that the importer doesn’t price itself out of the market. For many reasons, we would like the Guzzi clan to grow and they must not price themselves out completely. We therefore encourage decision-makers to think about availability, good service, lower prices and higher sales volumes. After all, we wouldn’t mind living with a Guzzi that actually appeals to both young and old riders. To set your sights correctly, it’s important to remember that the V7 range is all about image, ergonomics, sound, mechanical precision, feelgood and, not least, love of the iconic Italian identity. The V7 has always been and still is iconic and incredibly cool. The road is the goal and every single operation on the bike is an experience – nothing less. My Christmas wish list actually includes a Verde Legano green V7 Sport, but I’m not sure if my wife will buy it for me!
Text: Ole-Andreas Isdahl
Photo: MotoGuzzi.com
