Text: Ole-Andreas Isdahl
Photo: Moto Guzzi
If you haven’t, you’re in for a real treat.
Moto Guzzi is more than just an Italian motorcycle and if you haven’t ridden or owned one, you actually have a lot to do and a lot to look forward to. Everything about Moto Guzzi is a little different, a little special but very good. These bikes have something the others don’t: character and identity. We’re talking about characteristics that may not be suitable for everyone, but if you’re one of them and haven’t yet discovered it for yourself, then you really have something to look forward to. The Guzzi clan is an exciting group of riders who know what they want, they’re passionate, knowledgeable and consistently do much of the maintenance and repairs themselves. The bikes definitely have an X-factor that other brands don’t have and this X-factor is appealing to new and younger groups, especially the V7 model.
Moto Guzzi has a large portfolio of classic and touring bikes and is particularly well known for its cross-styled V-twin engines that are powerful in both sound and power. The bikes are produced in the Italian town of Mandello del Lario on the shores of Lake Como, where people flock to have their picture taken at the legendary red Guzzi gate, which over the years has become a destination for many.
Guzzistas in Norway are gathered in their own club called “Norsk Moto Guzzi Klubb” and the club still publishes its own membership magazine – Bicilindrica, which keeps members informed about old and new in a very pleasant way. Once you get a membership number here you have it for life, it’s a nice gesture and definitely helps to maintain the riders’ loyalty and also supports the brand’s identity. Guzzists differ from other motorcyclists in that they are extremely loyal and it is said that a Gizzist never sells his or her bike – he or she just buys a new one. Of course, this is a truth with modifications, but if we look at Finn.no, there aren’t many used Guzzis there, as they’re mostly sold in their own network and rarely get as far as the commercial channels. The most hard-driving Guzzis tend to swear by the slightly older models, and the Guzzi family includes a fairly large sidecar clan that has an almost religious relationship with their bikes. We’re talking about the real Guzzis who worship authenticity rather than polished surfaces that glisten. Real is best and knowledge trumps vanity in this camp.
But there is room for vanity
Moto Guzzi has always been good at making motorcycles and in 2021 the manufacturer celebrated 100 years, so mature manufacturers are few and far between and as far as I know, Moto Guzzi is the manufacturer that has had the longest continuous production of motorcycles in the market and for more than 100 years. It all started with a pilot and his mechanic more than 100 years ago.
I bought the 100th anniversary V7 Centenario myself in 2021 and have missed it since it was sold. For some inexplicable reason, the Guzzis crawl under your skin before they find their way into your heart. It actually happens to a lot of them. None of the models can be regarded as powerful power bombs, nor have they been at the forefront of technology in terms of instrumentation and driver support, but they are beautiful and the design has identity and distinctiveness. They’ve always been a bit behind on the tech side, but have delivered a very high level of mechanical precision and I think it’s this part of the Guzzi world that appeals to many. You really get in touch with the authentic motorcycle and then power and performance become secondary and subordinate to the fantastic riding experience and the relationships that arise between man and machine. They are fantastic to ride and have a unique character and identity that no other motorcycle has. In addition to fantastic ergonomics, a hefty mid-range and excellent handling, all these models create riding experiences you’ll never forget. Let’s remember that this is a small factory, which until recently has produced around 6,000 bikes a year, this figure has probably now risen to around 10 – 12,000, which isn’t much compared to the big brands that produce many hundreds of thousands of bikes every year. Perhaps that’s what we find so special and like so much, you don’t see hundreds of these bikes in the street every day and this is not something everyone has. In the Guzzi world, it almost seems like the customer is there for the factory, not the other way around and I think that’s kind of cool.
What’s so special about this V7 model?
To date, the factory has presented four different versions of the V7, but this will probably change a little in the future.
The V7 Sport is on its way into the portfolio as this year’s new model and the special editions may eventually drop out, as they often do in such contexts. But the range is large and diverse and most people will be able to find a version of the model that they like. The V7 model is first and foremost a cool classic and not one of the biggest and most powerful, but with 67 hp and 80 Nm it pushes really well. Driving this model can be compared to a form of “mindfulness” where everything is about being present and experiencing absolutely all operations with a form of closeness or presence that is special. You have to discover this yourself, it cannot be explained. The acceleration, the gear changes, the balance and the beautiful steering geometry with the large front wheels, downshifting, braking, balancing your gaze and body, everything becomes a kind of dance or interaction exercise that you really feel you become part of. The bike depends on you and your skills, you depend on what the bike offers you. It takes some time to discover these qualities, but each and every ride becomes a discovery and an experience (now I have to watch out because I’m about to talk myself into a new Guzzi deal).
V7 Stone TEN is one of the special editions that is really cool. The base is the same as the other models, but the design, dampers and exhaust ports have been raised to a different standard and that helps. The standard Stone edition is cool as hell, but this is even cooler and even more special. Personally, I love Guzzi’s digital presentation of the former analog instrument, a fantastic solution that is simply awesome and really builds on the bike’s DNA. I’ve said before that Guzzi has been a bit behind the times when it comes to electronics and instrumentation, but as the manufacturer passed 100 years old, something happened and now they are fully up to speed with the rest of the market in terms of rider support and technology. The way they have solved this is both interesting, well-functioning and in every way elegant. Just what we expect from an Italian.
In general, we can say that Guzzi is a very reliable and dependable brand. The older models probably require some knowledge and “passion” but if you need advice, you’ll get it in the Guzzi community, where there is a lot of expertise and experience that solves most things. In the Guzzi world, not everyone necessarily wants to buy new, many swear by the really old and mature technology that takes them even closer to the authentic.
The TEN edition says “proud owners” and that’s exactly what this is all about. As a Guzzi rider, you will indeed be proud, knowing that you have acquired or purchased an image and features that create great riding experiences for all occasions. The trip to the store, the trip to the cafe visit, the long ride over to the west coast or Lofoten, everything and every situation will be completely unique and rich in experiences. People you don’t know will come up to you unsolicited to chat about something they think is really cool. It’s a real head twister that is simply capable of creating new contact with new people. How cool is that! The V7 model has another big upside: ergonomics. The wide cool handlebars, the narrow tank that actually holds as much as 20 liters of fuel, the comfortable seat with a height of only 78 cm and the upright seating position make it possible for both short and long drivers to have a really good time on board. I don’t really understand why this particular model hasn’t become more popular among women who want a slightly lower seat height. 78 cm is a nice height for all of us who are not so tall. We should also note that the V7 has an 18-inch front wheel, which actually provides good scrambling or gravel properties. If you slam on a 60/40 tire, you can just enjoy Norwegian gravel roads with this, it’s no problem. The front wheel provides plenty of peace and stability on gravel and you can otherwise enjoy yourself to death on the asphalt. Simply excellent all-round properties for touring use. If you fit a small light cover, you also have some weather and wind protection. All in all, very good and as you probably understand, I love the Guzzi world and especially the V7 model that has so much to offer. The model’s origins go back about 50 years and is therefore obviously legendary. I define myself as a passionate everyday motorcyclist and am in no way to be considered a specialist. The size and weight of the bike is therefore of great importance to me and I have personally experienced that smaller and lighter bikes are used more than large, heavy and powerful bikes (given that you are not lying around on long trips to and from central/southern Europe). I ride more and more often with mid-range bikes and have much more fun with these. Power is important but not decisive, it’s more fun to ride a slightly underpowered bike fast and with good flow, than to not master a machine that is heavy and has effects I can’t utilize. It may be difficult for many people to admit this, but I think that’s how it is for most people. Buying an expensive motorcycle with a lot of power doesn’t make you a better rider; if you think it does, you’re probably long gone by now. And right here, the V7 represents a “sweet spot” that should be discovered, enjoyed and cultivated. Get to know the whole thing, spend time getting to know it and see if you have the “balls” to run your own race with something you actually like and that otherwise has a really cool image. Old or new, it doesn’t matter, you’re going to love your Guzzi either way.
I repeat, if you haven’t familiarized yourself with Moto Guzzi, you’re in for a real treat.
Enjoy.
