BIKE TEST
T
HE MOTO GUZZI V7 Racer
has always been a motorcycle that
looks like a custom straight off
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with the latest version – the V7III.
Produced in a limited, numbered
edition, as indicated by the plate located
on the upper steering yoke (#104 being
our test bike), the V7 III Racer is not
only the most sporty of the range, but
also the one with the most prestigious
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chromium fuel tank with a red eagle
badge, “Rosso Corsa” colour on the
frame and swingarm, humped saddle,
anodized black aluminium parts,
brushed aluminium parts, solid billet
rearsets, lightened steering stem and
steering yoke guard , Öhlins shock
absorbers and the spoked wheel rims
which have black channels and red
Moto Guzzi decals.
V7s of previous years have had
the show, but not much go. This has
changed somewhat for this third
generation Racer (and other V7III
models) with ten percent more power.
While it retains the air-cooled, two-
valve, pushrod, longitudinal-crankshaft
design and the 80 x 74mm bore
and stroke, it’s still new. Up top, the
cylinders, heads and pistons are new.
Down below, the crankcase has been
updated and there’s a new oil sump,
crankshaft and venting system. The
increase in power might not sound
like a lot but when you ride the V7III
it is a considerably different and more
enjoyable bike to ride. Having that
bit more oomph to use/push the top
quality suspension and not worry about
whether it will make it up that steep rise
coming up is what you’ll experience.
Gone is the “smell the roses” feeling
and now it has more of the “racer”
feeling it should have.
While classic in design and style the
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safety features. Twin channel ABS and
a new adjustable MGCT (Moto Guzzi
Traction Control) system that can also
be disabled are standard features. The
MGCT system is adjustable with two
sensitivity levels, one more conservative
and ideal for use in poor grip situations
such as wet or slippery roads, and
the other designed to optimise safety