OLD BIKE AUSTRALASIA: 103MOTO GUZZI V7 III
Moto Guzzi V7 III Special
Off-the-shelf
ENGINE Air-cooled V-twin, 2 valves
per head with alloy
pushrods and rockers.
BORE X STROKE 80mm x 74mm = 744cc.
POWER 52hp (38kW) at 6,200 rpm.
TORQUE 60Nm at 4,900 rpm.
FRAME Double cradle steel tubular
with detachable sections.
Die-cast alloy swinging
arm.
WHEELBASE 1463mm
SUSPENSION Front: 40mm telescopic
fork wit 130mm travel
Rear: Twin Kayaba shocks
with adjustable pre-load.
93mm travel.
WHEELS/TYRES Front: Steel spoke on alloy
rim, 110/90 x 18 tyre
Rear: Steel spoke on alloy
rim, 130/80 x 17 tyre.
BRAKES Front: Single 320mm rotor
with 4-piston Brembo
calliper
Rear: Single 260mm rotor
with floating
2-piston calliper.
SEAT HEIGHT 770mm
FUEL CAP. 21 litres including
4 litres reserve.
KERB WEIGHT 193kg.
PRICES $12,990 (Stone),
$14,990 (Special),
$16,990 (Anniversario).
ll plus ORC.To celebratesuch an important
milestone, Moto Guzzi have released
three versions – the Special, Stone
and the racer. Four in fact, if you
could include the very limited edition
(750 made, only 20 coming to
Australia) Anniversario.
We tested the V7 III in both Special
and Stone versions, the latter being
the entry model priced at a respectable
$12990. All versions boast a 10%
increase in power over the V7 II; the
result of an all-new engine with a new
crankshaft design and a completely
redesigned top end. The cylinder head,
still with two valves per cylinder, is
now of a hemispherical combustion
chamber design, and as well as the
increased performance, all the changes
are directed at making the V7 III
compliant with ever-tougher Euro 4
emission laws. A single body Marelli
electronic fuel injection system controls
the mixture and how it is burnt.
I spent most of my time on the new
Special, which is a more traditional
design than the edgy Stone. The
Special has twin instruments, a plusher
seat with a grab rail for the passenger,
spoked wheels on alloy rims and
Kayaba rear shocks giving 93 mm of
travel. Up front is a single Brembo
caliper working on a 320mm disc, and
despite its pedestrian appearance,
provides excellent stopping power.
The seat is low, just 770 mm from the
road, and the aluminium footrests set
reasonably high, although you can still
drag them through corners without too
much trouble. Being brand new, the
engine was tight, and an in-built red
warning light tells you to take it easy
on the motor during the running in
period. This rev-ceiling can be adjusted
as the engine gains a few kilometres.
Even in brand new form, the engine
buzzes along lustily, with 52hp on tap
and plenty of mid-range torque. It’s a
fun bike to ride with no vices and
excellent handling.
Chassis-wise, the V7 III maintains the
time-honoured double cradle layout,
but the front end has been completely
redesigned and strengthened, with
revised steering geometry for sharper
handling. A system called Moto Guzzi
Traction Control (MGCT) provides two
levels, and can also be turned off
(which I did) via the same button on
the right switch block that activates
the electric starter. I think this is
largely superfluous except for riding
across frozen lakes but is nevertheless
marketed as a safety bonus.
The Stone sports black exhaust pipes
and a single instrument, with nochrome and a matt (satin) finish
instead of the gloss on the Special.
Should you be lucky enough to get
your hands on one of the 20 Anniver-
sario being imported, what you will
receive is a Special-based model with
a chrome plated fuel tank with locking
billet aluminium cap and a leather
strap, a brown leather seat, alloy
mudguards, and a stamped plate
showing the individual number of the
750 being produced. All for $16,990
plus ORC. As is the norm these days,
there is a truly massive array of
genuine accessories available for all
models, but even in standard trim,
the V7 III represents a highly desirable
series with stacks of heritage in a
thoroughly up to date motorcycle. LEFT Plush seat for
the V7 III Special.
RIGHT Plenty of black
distinguishes the Stone.LEFT The V7 III Stone is a bit more Spartan
but still fabulous out on the open road.
FAR LEFT Chrome tank really sets off the
V7 Anniversario.