2021 V7 850

For those of you who don't get to ADV rider much here's some thoughts I wrote on the 2021 V7 850 after catching a demo ride on Saturday:

Snuck out early on Saturday to ride over to Blackman's Cycle in Emmaus PA because I got a tip the Guzzi demo truck was in town.

I'm glad I did despite the hot weather because I got to ride a new V7 850 Anniversary model.

I liked it, no doubt.

I would buy one in a heartbeat if I didn't already have two.

It made decent power, handled great, was comfortable (though 20-25 minutes might not be the best test for that last one).

Overall it felt more like our V7III than not (more than I'd expected, not sure why I expected different).

I'm sure it is making more power than our III, but that didn't jump out at me as much as I'd thought it would. I could definitely feel it and it's a nice ride. Maybe approaching the overall power level of Jenn's Duc finally.

Honestly though what struck me the most was that it feels and acts like a thoroughly modern bike and now that I think about it, that's how I feel about the III. As such it stands in stark contrast to the overall feel of my MK I Stone which "feels" like an older design (cause it is).

To me the difference between our MkI Stone and our mkIII Carbon Dark is greater than the difference between our mkIII and this new mkIV.

So to the question I asked myself was "Do I need a THREE V7's?"

No, I don't.

Now I have to decide if I just plain WANT three V7's.

Didn't take pics of the demo fleet, but here's a looker from the showroom.

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Thanks for the write up Kev. Would you consider selling the Mk-I for this bike so you 'only' have 2 V7s?

egschade wrote:Thanks for the write up Kev. Would you consider selling the Mk-I for this bike so you 'only' have 2 V7s?

Interesting question that's already been asked by a few friends.

I dunno.

Probably not because:

* I've got no fewer than a dozen modifications that I've made to the MK I to make it feel/perform the way I want (Extended sump, centerstand, euro side-stand, YSS shocks, frame sliders, corbin seat, side case racks topcase racks, 1/4 fairing, injector covers, lowered footpegs, lowered shifter/brake pedal toe pegs, mirrors) not to mention upgrades like the fuel filter (though probably not necessary) or the mosfet regulator. Sure SOME of that stuff could probably be moved over, but most of the large dollar items wouldn't work.

* That feel I was talking about earlier. Despite the obviously lower power (and significantly so now when you contrast it with the 850) there's that feel I was talking about and it's just RIGHT. Like an old airhead, but that's NOT OLD.

I still really like it and it meets all my needs/expectations, despite that lower power output, lack of 6-speed, lack of ABS, lack of tractions control, and less comfortable suspension/chassis.

I would replace it with an 850 tomorrow if it were lost or stolen for sure. No doubt.

But I don't think it's worth getting rid of JUST to get the 850.

Now if my RK left the fleet tomorrow I'd consider an 850 to fill that role, but even with all the improvements of the 850, that would be a stretch.

And I would probably replace the V7 III with it tomorrow, but I'm certain Jenn doesn't give a crap about the smaller differences and she definitely like the LOOKS of the IIID which trumps all other minor differences.

Here's the one that caught my eye up at Hamlin's.  Trash the ugly chrome mirrors and put gaiters on the forks and you have an early 70's Brit bike with all the nice 21st century improvements.  Even the lettering on the side of the tank says BSA (if you look at it fast).
Standing in Jim's showroom I was doing some fast calculating on how I could put one in the garage.   I could do it but it might () be pushing my CFO just a little too hard.

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If you like it more than the promise of the new model then that's all that matters. I'm loving the V85TT and it's meeting all my current needs but we'll see if the 3 yr itch hits me with this one.

I think they very cute!
Sorry but I have no interest in these so called mid sized bikes.

Mac wrote:I think they very cute!
Sorry but I have no interest in these so called mid sized bikes.

Hey, like what you're gonna like, but the ONLY thing I think my big blocks did better than my smallblocks is high-speed highway work. And the number of ways my smallblocks are better than my CARC are almost too many to count.

With this particular one I really think they may have surpassed the usefulness of the Tonti Cali in everything but maybe 2-up accommodations for people OUR size.

But I've got my RK for that.... and if I didn't the only regular passengers I take are my kids and the V7s are still fine for that.

Though I get how they aren't for everyone.

I here you,I would have to ride one to see if it would even compare to my EV.You know me 750Lb-900Lb bikes that's where I'm at.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I like the blue but wish they had also kept the black/green theme of the MK-III Special

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Very nice! I had planned to go out to Blackmans, where I bought my V7III Special, but wife and chores got in the way. I did contact them and they said I could come out and ride a V85 demo anytime. If I do it, the V85 will replace the V Strom 650. But like Kev M, I have that one set up just right for me with bar risers, peg lowering kit, Puig screen, mirror extenders, better tires, etc. And it IS a really good bike........but not as cool in any way as a Guzzi. AND it seems doing the valve adjustment on rear cylinder costs around a weeks pay. And that is not gonna happen............see? I just talked myself into a V85 without even trying one!
Scott

9fingers wrote:Very nice! I had planned to go out to Blackmans, where I bought my V7III Special, but wife and chores got in the way. I did contact them and they said I could come out and ride a V85 demo anytime.

I would have PM'd you to ask if you wanted to come along (as I noted your interest earlier), but the wife had the SIL, BIL, and cousins coming over that afternoon and I knew that I likely had to kamikaze it home (or at least not dawdle) to cook for everyone.

9fingers wrote:
If I do it, the V85 will replace the V Strom 650. But like Kev M, I have that one set up just right for me with bar risers, peg lowering kit, Puig screen, mirror extenders, better tires, etc. And it IS a really good bike........but not as cool in any way as a Guzzi. AND it seems doing the valve adjustment on rear cylinder costs around a weeks pay. And that is not gonna happen............see? I just talked myself into a V85 without even trying one!
Scott

Oh I am great at that....

"
Oh I am great at that.... Twisted Evil"

Ha Ha! I bought my V7 III without ever having even sat on one! I had sat on a V9 roamer and found my knee hit the left cylinder head. So doing the deal without trying one was a leap of major faith.........and VERY well worth it. It truly is a spectacular piece of machinery. I am not fully crazy about any of the colors that the V85 comes in, though the special Centennial edition is pretty cool, but also more expensive and I would like to have those AL cases. Maybe see what they do for 2022.
Scott

Kev M, or any of the other guys, what did you do about the rear shocks on your V7s? And yes, I know I will need to do something about the forks too......but shocks first.
Scott

9fingers wrote:Kev M, or any of the other guys, what did you do about the rear shocks on your V7s? And yes, I know I will need to do something about the forks too......but shocks first.
Scott

I put a set of YSS shocks on my MK I that my cheap ass bought lightly used off someone on WG. They are decent enough, though they are a hair shorter than stock which I don't love, but at the time I wanted Jenn to be able to ride it as a second bike.

I haven't done anything to the V7 III shocks because they aren't nearly as bad as the MKI was. Actually I think they are generally "good enough" for our uses. YMMV.

9fingers wrote:Kev M, or any of the other guys, what did you do about the rear shocks on your V7s? And yes, I know I will need to do something about the forks too......but shocks first.
Scott

Already replied on WG but I went with Hagon Trail (longer travel) shocks +40mm and appropriate spring weight for my III. Not top line but good value and good result with a much better ride.