2008 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic - Classic Motorcycle Guide

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2008 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic
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Modern Moto Guzzis are always popular among classic bike riders. Finally, Moto Guzzi jump on the retro bandwagon and produce a new model entirely tailored to old bike enthusiasts...

Moto Guzzi’s Breva 750 was greeted as the near-perfect new bike for classic riders. It’s low, smooth and easy to ride; sensibly priced at just over £5k and with similarly sensible performance from its 744cc V-twin engine, tuned to produce 50bhp at accessible revs. The only problem for classic bike enthusiasts was the style. The Breva was just too swoopy and funky and this-century for folks who prefer their engines to be uncluttered and to feel the breeze in their faces. So classic riders continued to boost the sales of modern Bonnevilles and Bullets (sales of the Electra were up another 15% in the UK in 2007), despite the Guzzi twins’ attractive combination of charisma and traditional engineering.

2008 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic

Enter the V7 Classic, which kills two birds with one stone. First off, it celebrates the 40th birthday of the first Italian Maxi Motorcycle created by Giulio Cesare Carcano. The original V7 marked the debut of the transverse 90-degree v-twin 703cc engine, a record-breaker in its day which was enthusiastically acclaimed by the press and public alike.

Love the hunchback look of seventies Guzzis....

Moto Guzzi's original 1970s V7 Sport

Secondly, the new V7 finally gives Guzzi a classically-styled, retro-design model. Working with the older, two-valve per cylinder engine gives Guzzi a head-start over their competitors who used liquid-cooled motors which were originally intended to be hidden behind a fairing. The Guzzi Vee has always been beautiful, and in the V7 Classic it is housed in a straightforward chassis which accentuates the importance of the engine.

The V7 Classic isn’t really a copy of one particular Guzzi model; it takes styling cues from a generation of classic bikes to produce a pastiche of what might be the archetypal 1970s Moto Guzzi. Some of its features come from the Special (the chrome and decorations), and some from the Sport (the petrol tank).

Other components stolen from days gone by complete the picture; spoked wheels fitted with high-profile sports tyres, the chromed, cigar-shaped silencers and that comfy-looking quilted saddle.

Guzzi stuff on eBay.co.uk

Guzzi say that these components ‘commemorate a style that exemplifies one of the best examples of Italian design from the 60s and 70s using modern-day technology and engineering techniques.’

2008 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic

The V7 uses a current, twin cradle tubular frame, and the 744cc fuel-injected engine is governed by an ECU just like the rest of the range. In fact, styling aside, it’s very similar to the Breva 750. But Guzzi haven’t been half-hearted about recreating the past – the V7 uses twin rear shocks and retro clocks (with dials and analogue displays, not digital read-outs). The front forks are the old-way-up, and it uses a single Brembo stopper – all of which helps to keep the price down. Not that we know exactly what the price will be yet, but our guess is around the £5300 mark, part way between the baseline Bonnie and the Scrambler. Does your wallet feel tempted yet?

2008 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic in detail

Another attraction for older riders is the V7’s size, because it’s somewhat smaller than other Moto Guzzis. The Breva’s seat height was 725mm but the V7 should comfortably fits a 30-inch inside leg. Your pillion should also be happy, with plenty of space at a sensible height, convenient handholds and well positioned footpegs. Moto Guzzi reckon that the pilot will enjoy the experience, too. ‘The Classic is easy to ride’ they say; ‘instinctive and creates a feeling of confidence right from the first time you climb aboard. The manageable size and excellent riding position are perfect for both town use and longer mixed journeys.’

If only it wasn’t quite so… white. Any chance of a green version for summer, chaps?

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