[majstevetrevor]

I know, not entirely relevant to the Bobber forum, but as I think of possibilities for trading up my Royal Enfield, this new Guzzi V7 III Anniversario (pics attached) has gotten on my radar, in addition to the Bobber. I have test ridden both briefly, and like both at first blush. The Guzzi has a smaller engine and less HP, but felt zippy enough for me (compared to my 500cc single cylinder). Guzzis seem to have a mixed record with regard to liability, but I gather the newer ones are better.

Anyway, obviously a pretty subjective comparison, but just curious if anyone wants to weigh in on the relative merits of the two bikes. Either performance, reliability, or sheer coolness factor.. Cheers!

 

[muensterDeath]

I have a hard time getting into bench seats, but the rest is sharp.

How old is your RE? The newer ones have an alluminium block opposed to the iron, disk break up front and EFI. Perhaps trade up to a newer RE? I know, may not totally feel like a change....

I was riding one that was the iron, with drums front and rear, bench changed to single. Was good for a putt-about...the Guzzi prob more reliable in every regard though.

 

[majstevetrevor]

I agree totally -- really like the brown leather with all that chrome (more than I might have expected), but much prefer a solo seat.

My RE is one of the newer UCEs, 2015. There's a lot that I like about it, including the sound of single cylinder, but it's pushing it to get up past 60-65 mph without feeling like it's about to fly apart.

Have you seen the custom V-Twins that this guy in Columbus OH makes out of the old iron barrel Enfields? Pretty darn cool.

I have a hard time getting into bench seats, but the rest is sharp.

How old is your RE? The newer ones have an alluminium block opposed to the iron, disk break up front and EFI. Perhaps trade up to a newer RE? I know, may not totally feel like a change....

I was riding one that was the iron, with drums front and rear, bench changed to single. Was good for a putt-about...the Guzzi prob more reliable in every regard though.

 

[Heyzeus]

I have a modern Guzzi. Mines the Audace. I love it. It is very reliable and rides great. I have had my butt on the new V7 III and it is excellent. I will own one one day. Don't get sidetracked by the numbers. The motor pits out great power for Street riding. The motor feels much better then the older V7's. I almost bought one instead of the Bobber.

 

[Psychopasta]

I am a big guzzi fan. I've attached some pix of my V50 Monza, that I'm restoring in a cafe racer style. You can read the gory details here: My V50 Monza Rebuild. Wildguzzi.com is a great resource for anyone interested in getting a Guzzi.

I bought one of the V7 series when it first came out, a V7 classic, and had a poor experience with it. It was a lovely bike, it must be said, but it leaked oil constantly, and the dealer's attempts to fix it only made things worse, to the point where I lost confidence in both bike and dealer.

That said, many people on WildGuzzi had a great experience, and last year a friend bought a V7 II and loves it. They are now onto the V7III, which produces more power (by about 10%) but retains the lovely riding nature of the bike. I truly believe the V7 offers plenty of power and torque for any real-world on-road motorcycling task.

BUT, you need to live close to a dealer. The base reliability of a Guzzi is way better than the bikes of the 70s and 80s, but well behind Triumph or Ducati, let alone the big four Japanese. I could only really recommend a Guzzi to someone willing to get their hands dirty, or who lives close to a good dealer.

-Pasta

 

[fminus]

I own a v7ii stone, have tons of fun with it, faster than it looks on paper. No problems with it so far.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[majstevetrevor]

Thanks for all this feedback. I am definitely tempted by the new V7 III (Anniversario, pictured above). I have wondered about how difficult it might be to get work done on it. There is only one dealer in the area (which is where the bike I am looking at is), but it's not super close to me. Also, they are fairly new, so not entirely clear they will last over the next 10 years. Probably the Bobber is the better bet for me, though it is about $3000 more than the Guzzi. I hope to go test ride each again soon, and see if one grabs me more definitively than the other.

 

[djdannygunz]

One of my co-workers is on the fence between a Bonneville (either T-120 or T-100) or the V7. One thing that has him leaning towards the V7 is the ease of adjusting the valves over the Triumphs as he likes to do a lot of his own maintenance. He's test ridden the Moto Guzzi's and says there's plenty of power there. Has yet to test ride a Bonneville, so his mind may quickly change after that.

 

[Psychopasta]

Moto Guzzis will definitely appeal to those who like to do their own maintenance

I don't want to come over all negative on Guzzi, the V7 is a lovely bike, handles well, and that engine is definitely easy to work on, especially the top end. Comparing it to the Bonnie, I would say that Triumph has a clear advantage in terms of build quality and reliability, but everything else comes down to personal preference.

I have a Tiger (Xr series) which is not a retro bike but a really modern bike in the 800cc middleweight range. I totally get liking the looks of the Bonnie and V7, but my Tigger is clearly the better bike on any rational criteria. But it's whatever floats you boat

Enjoy wrestling with the dilemma,

- Pasta

 

[Heyzeus]

I have had three Guzzi's with never an issue with reliablity. I have had Kawasaki where motors have gone pop. Guzzi's are nice hand built Italian machines. Take care of them and they will take care of you.

 

[Louie]

This is just my opinion, and my opinion only, I think the Moto Guzzi is one of the ugliest bike ever made! everytime I look at one i just want to wash my eyes out with battery acid! but thats just me!

 

[Psychopasta]

Good review here: PIPEBURN REVIEW: Moto Guzzi's 2017 V7 III Special & Stone - Pipeburn.com

 

[djdannygunz]

This is just my opinion, and my opinion only, I think the Moto Guzzi is one of the ugliest bike ever made! everytime I look at one i just want to wash my eyes out with battery acid! but thats just me!

I wouldn't say they are ugly, but hands down Triumphs to me are much more pleasing to my eye. I think what always bothers me visually about the Moto Guzzis is how the cylinder heads project out of the sides.

 

[Olecharlie]

The V7 is way under powered, valve adjustment I believe every oil change or a charge for checking, maintenance is expensive, and the side to side movement when grabbing the throttle stinks. The Bobber will run circles around it, handling, and looks is way superior on the Bobber.

Please guys that love the Guzzi do not be offended, this is just my opinion. This is a Bobber forum so if you ask this on the Guzi you will get a different opinion. Jut ride what you like and the **** with what anyone thinks.

 

[Rob Jones]

Hi,

I'm a previous owner of a 2014 V7. It was under powered but is made for just poodling about. IMO I think they look great, very stylish. I had an issue with mine with the clutch that took a few trips to mechanic before I got it sorted.

Personally speaking the Bobber beats it hands down in all ways but there again in terms of cost it is 50% more - you get what you pay for

 

[Heyzeus]

Hi,

I'm a previous owner of a 2014 V7. It was under powered but is made for just poodling about. IMO I think they look great, very stylish. I had an issue with mine with the clutch that took a few trips to mechanic before I got it sorted.

Personally speaking the Bobber beats it hands down in all ways but there again in terms of cost it is 50% more - you get what you pay for /forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

I sold the bobber about a year ago. I bought another Guzzi. The bobber motor was nice as was the fit and finish. There was not enough suspension travel. The bike was hard on my body. The Guzzi is still a blast to ride and a great bike. I was leaning towards a new Triumph but I just could not justify the price. I am happy with my Guzzi. I don’t miss the bobber. It was pretty but for my riding style it was not the bike for me
Now the speed twin does look interesting!.

 

[majstevetrevor]

Hi,

I'm a previous owner of a 2014 V7. It was under powered but is made for just poodling about. IMO I think they look great, very stylish. I had an issue with mine with the clutch that took a few trips to mechanic before I got it sorted.

Personally speaking the Bobber beats it hands down in all ways but there again in terms of cost it is 50% more - you get what you pay for /forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

I sold the bobber about a year ago. I bought another Guzzi. The bobber motor was nice as was the fit and finish. There was not enough suspension travel. The bike was hard on my body. The Guzzi is still a blast to ride and a great bike. I was leaning towards a new Triumph but I just could not justify the price. I am happy with my Guzzi. I don’t miss the bobber. It was pretty but for my riding style it was not the bike for me
Now the speed twin does look interesting!.

I am in the opposite situation, sold my Guzzi racer in order to get the Bobber. There are definitely things I miss about the Racer (esp how light and zippy it was) and things I like better about the Bobber. It would be nice to have kept both but I only have room and money for one bike at a time.

 

[Ed_Bobber]

I had a real Jones for the V7iii Carbon; just thought it looked beautiful in the matt black with carbon accents pieces and those bright red cylinder heads.

I sat on a load of bikes at Motorcycle Live at the end of 2018 and unfortunately, I felt I made it look rather small. I'd always wanted the Triumph but it had been out of my price range (until Trumpet came along) and the Guzzi was just about right. Glad it didn't work out that way in the end but would definitely consider one in the future.

 

[Roy]

I have to say that I have never owned or ridden a Guzzi but I have always had a soft spot for them and love the look of the engine across the frame.

My wife was never into bikes but since I got my Bobber she has all of a sudden expressed an interest in 'going for a ride'. IF (it may never happen) I get a load of unexpected cash from somewhere I would be tempted to get a California or Eldorado - just for the wife you understand..:grin2:

Cheerio,

Roy

 

[majstevetrevor]

Just found this pic, from the day I traded in my Racer for the Bobber!