The V7 edition of the 100th anniversary is incredibly beautiful, with its two-tone painting.
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi may not have the same kind of recognition among non-motorcyclists as, say, Triumph or Ducati, but it definitely should. The Italian company is celebrating its centenary in 2021, and the centerpiece of that is the launch of the new V7, which the company announced on Wednesday.
The 2021 V7 is a comprehensive remake of the previous V7 III, meaning that its strange double V-shaped engine gets bigger and more powerful. The power train is more robust and the instrumentation is more modern. It’s still a bicycle for people who has to have something different, but now, more than ever, different does not mean less.
Moto Guzzi does not manufacture extremely powerful motorcycles, but its engines always offer a lot of character and style, and the new 850 version of the V7 engine is no different. The air-cooled engine achieves an increase in size of 100 cc and a corresponding increase in power from 52 horsepower to 65 hp. It won’t scare superbikes yet, but a little more power is always appreciated.
Another thing that Guzzi is known for is the axle transmission. The V7 receives a larger drive axle, a larger swing arm and a wider rear tire for 2021, which should help make the bike a little more rigid and increase its traction in the face of all that extra power. I definitely said that with a straight face, by the way. A larger, more powerful engine also means more vibrations – a longstanding problem with these bikes – but in a concession to the rider’s comfort, the 2021 V7 receives rubber-insulated pedals.
This transverse V-twin is the source of much of the V7’s charm and style.
Moto Guzzi
Another novelty is an updated suspension with a longer stroke thanks to the new Kayaba shock absorbers. The brakes still come from Brembo, and as in the previous version, there is a single front rotor that must be fully adequate. The V7 also receives standard anti-lock brakes, along with traction control, the latter of which can be defeated by the user. None of them are sensitive to lean tissue.
Now, the problem is this: people don’t buy Guzzis because they are fast. Instead, they buy them because they both have a beautiful style and build, and the V7 certainly seems to have both in their favor. The 2021 model receives a new and more elegant exhaust and a new two-tier seat, but luckily it maintains its iconic (and gigantic) fuel tank. This tank has a capacity of 5.5 gallons, which means that the V7 must have a positively epic cruising range.
The new V7 also benefits from new digital instrumentation, which provides passengers with almost all the information they need. This includes a speedometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, on-board computers, traction control level indicator and a watch. Unfortunately, there is no fuel gauge, so passengers will have to rely on the gas light to know when to refuel. That would be a big problem on a bike with a smaller tank, but I will let it go in this case.
In total, there will be three versions of the new V7 available. The basic V7 Stone model will sell for $ 8,990 and will be available at the end of the first quarter of 2021. The incredibly beautiful 100th anniversary model with its two-tone painting will cost $ 9,190 and will reach dealers in late March. Finally, the Special model will cost R $ 9,490 and will also arrive at dealerships at the end of March.
2021 Moto Guzzi V7 gains more power, new instrumentation, but keeps its roots
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