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There's a certain segment of the Common Tread readership that admires a straightforward motorcycle with classic styling, just-the-essentials technology and a four-digit price. If you're in that group, Moto Guzzi has made some changes to its V7 to try to win you over.
For 2021, Moto Guzzi is introducing two versions of its least expensive model, the V7 Stone and V7 Special. Both are powered by a new 850 cc engine that's a version of the powerplant in the V85 TT. The larger engine means the V7s get a boost from a claimed 52 horsepower at 6,200 rpm to 65 horsepower at 6,800. Those numbers, along with peak torque of 54 foot-pounds at 5,000 rpm, won't win any spec-sheet wars, but Moto Guzzi says 80 percent of the torque is available from 3,000 rpm on, and when our European test rider reviewed the V85 TT, he found the V-twin was a torquey and fun engine.
Other changes to the V7 include reinforcements to the frame and new Kayaba rear shocks that provide more travel. Along with the increased power comes a wider, 150-section rear tire. Unfortunately, Moto Guzzi has not yet provided full specs for the two new models.
Returning to the just-the-essentials crowd I was talking about above, the V7 looks like it will provide the sort of elemental riding experience many like. Lots of riders don't feel the need to pay for an extensive array of electronic rider aids but do appreciate the basics, like ABS. No matter how good you are at braking, it's easy to miss the water on the road in the dark or to lock the front wheel in a panic stop when someone makes a left turn in front of you. The V7 gives you that safety net.
Naturally, since these are Moto Guzzis, you get the traditional shaft final drive hooked up to the sideways V-twin. If you're one of those riders hoping to bid forever farewell to chain lube and adjustments, here's the lightest shaft-drive motorcycle you can buy new in the U.S. market.
In the United States, the Stone's MSRP will be $8,990 and the Special is $9,490. Canadian prices are $10,990 and $11,590 respectively. Considering the updates, that compares favorably to the current V7 models, which are generally priced in the $9,000 range and it keeps the V7 in the position of being easily the most affordable Moto Guzzi.
With the new V7s, Moto Guzzi has dropped the naming convention of adding Roman numerals to designate new versions. The company also says more new model announcements are coming and, with the V7 line now getting the 853 cc engine, we will certainly see replacements for the V9 line, too, which currently uses the same engine.
