2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Centenario assessment: This goose is now not any turkey

Moto Guzzi motorcycles don’t seem like factual values on paper. This V7 has a new engine with extra energy, better electronics and an improved suspension. But on the tip of the day, in this lovely Centenario orderly, it’s silent nearly a $10,000 bike that makes factual 65 horsepower. And yet, I completely love it.

The predominant reason? The V7 — particularly the achingly enticing Centenario — oozes vogue. The whole lot from the transverse V-twin engine, exciting tank shape and big headlight looks wonderful. Even better than that, even though, is the vogue every little thing feels. The bike feels like something that grow to be built by individuals that care, thanks to its very fair correct match and construct and total sense of workmanship. When every little thing feels this stable, the energy doesn’t topic as well-known.

The V7 gets a newly revised engine in line with the one in the V85TT to celebrate Moto Guzzi’s 100th anniversary, and it is a total sweetheart. It gets a displacement bump for the 2021 mannequin year from 744 cubic centimeters out to 853 cc’s, and the added efficiency this brings makes the bike infinitely nicer to go in traffic. The same outdated V7 (aka V7 III) grow to be enticing however by no plan felt gay being revved out to hit freeway speeds, however the brand new V7 does it with out complaint.

The bike’s six-walk gearbox straddles the twin carriageway between feeling same outdated-timey and John Deere-ish, and peaceful and up to date. It’s now not slick, by any plan, however the transmission is candy to make use of and feels appropriate on a bike like the V7 in that very Guzzi new-same outdated-bike extra or much less manner. The bike’s gigantic, single-plate dry clutch is also nicer to make use of this time spherical. The pull on the lever feels lighter, and the engagement appears to be like smoother than with the same outdated bike, which, when mixed with the quite tender powertrain, makes the V7 highly approachable for a new rider. The V7 earns bonus points for its shaft pressure, too, because it requires very cramped upkeep — one other boon for new riders because chain upkeep sucks.

The V7’s suspension points a pair of nonadjustable, 40-millimeter, correct-facet-up forks, whereas the rear has a pair of shocks with spring preload adjustment. This is now not the arena’s most refined setup, determined, however for a bike geared toward comfort and spherical-metropolis using, it’s utterly ample, and it’s loads enjoyable to lean over in a turn.

Braking is dealt with by a single four-piston Brembo caliper with a 320-millimeter rotor up front, and a 260-millimeter rotor in the aid that is gripped by a two-piston caliper. This setup is extra than adequate for a bike of the V7’s energy level and weight, and I by no plan go out of preventing energy, even after repeated laborious stops in traffic. 

Dual-channel antilock brakes are same outdated on 2021 V7 objects, which I love to search out out about, particularly on a bike that ends up being a first bike for many individuals. The Guzzi’s varied digital rider serve is the logo’s multi-level traction abet an eye on, which is one other nice-to-bag aim on a bike like this. Neither diagram is lean-lovely, however that is now not a deal-breaker for me in this segment, exciting regarding the bike’s efficiency ranges.

The V7 has repeatedly been a reasonably approachable bike, and fraction of that comes from its relaxed and accommodating rider geometry. The wide, swept handlebars are sizable, and the seat is prolonged and smartly-padded, giving a lot of alternatives for a rider to circulate spherical on longer rides — and thus take care of some distance from a sore butt. The seat prime is a tiny-rider-pleasant 30.7 inches, which plan that getting your toes flat on the bottom at a stop needs to be a cinch.

“Ought to be a cinch” is extra or much less the V7’s whole raison d’etre, if I’m being correct. It’s a bike that excels at being standard and intimidating transportation. It’s now not the least costly bike in the category, however now not like many others, it’s silent being produced in Moto Guzzi’s manufacturing facility on Lake Como with prime quality formulation. There’s also something to be talked about about Guzzi’s varied manner of doing issues and its blueprint language that has spoken to individuals for a century, and which can seemingly continue to attain so for a prolonged time to come aid. It undoubtedly speaks to me.

The 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone begins at $8,990, whereas the 2021-simplest V7 Stone Centenario comes in at $9,190. The V7 Particular, with its extra retro styling and analog gauges, comes in at $9,490, and all three objects are on sale now.