Although I love riding bikes I would say I know very little about bikes. I wanted to buy the V7 Stone back in January and I had the money. I made myself to stop myself from buying as we were in the process of buying a house, and made myself be a good boy. Now yesterday I went a dealer to see the V7 Stone, and I saw the Racer there, and now I really love the Racer. I saw the Racer on pictures, never saw it face to face. The pictures don’t do this bike justice. Anyway, I want one, even though, we still haven’t bought the house, and I am sick of waiting. I have waiting almost a year now to treat myself to a new bike since selling my last 3 bikes. I know this buying is not rational. But I suppose rational goes out the window when it comes to buying like this!
The dealer is asking £7,500 for the Racer. he say’s that’s the best he can do on cash purchase! That’s a lot of money. And they are not throwing anything in. As it’s summer, I am probably going pay more than normal. They are saying there is a huge demand for the Racers, the 3 that they got in stock is all sold. Is there a big such demand for Racers or is this another sales tactic? I felt he was exaggerating.
I know rationally it’s probably not the best bike in the world. But it is wow good looking bike. And in London let’s face it, you are lucky if you reach 30 or 40 mph. I live in London, I would be using it to do occasional enjoyment riding in London. I am also about 5"6-5"7 height, and the V7’s seem to be a good bike for short people like me.
I would like to hear from anyone who has bought a V7 Racer, and get their advice and opinion, and what deal they got? Do you regret your purchase? I just want to hear from anyone who has any knowledge on these bikes about what I should expect and look for. I have never owned a Guzzi before. However, since seeing one t traffic lights 2 years ago, I have been obsessed with me.
I have a V7 Stone and completed 1500 miles. I had gear shifting issues early on which have now been resolved. The only negative comments I hear about the V7 is that it’s underpowered. Well all things are relative. Mine is quite fast enough for me. Very quick up to 70mph which is more than fast enough on the roads I use. The weight enables me to move the bike easily into a tight spot in my garage. The bike is very easy to keep clean - one of the benefits of having a drive shaft. I’m a first time Guzzi owner not put off by the early problems I had with gear shifting. I just love the Guzzi looks and every aspect of its performance. So much so that I doubt I’ll be looking for another bike any time soon.
I suspect you have already made your mind up about the Racer. I test rode one but didn’t like the seating position so opted for the Stone. But if it suits you I doubt you will regret your choice.Sounds like the deal is a fair one.
I hope an owner of a V7 Racer comes up with the reassurance you need.
Hi, Thanks for you reply. I was waiting on someone to post a reply. I actually went in wanting to look at the V7 Stone, and then I saw Racer. However, I do like the simple beauty of the Stone. Also, if you live in the big cities like I do, in London, you can’t ride bikes that fast anyway. I had a Ninja 2 years ago, and I hardly ever went above 50mph. Can I ask you which country you are based in? How long ago you bought the Stone and what you paid for it? Did you buy it new. I am looking to buy new. Although people always say if you should buy 1 year old bikes, then you get the best deal. However, I have one too many bikes with small nigly issues, that I want a bike from the beginning, so I know everything there is to know about it.
I live in the New Forest in the UK. My local dealer had a Racer demo but not the Stone or Special. So I went up to Corsa Italiana in Hersham/Walton Upon Thames for a test ride on a Stone. So that is where I bought it new. I struck a deal around the full price last September with some extras thrown in. Limited availability/high demand equals not a lot of negotiating room. The bike was delivered to my home and my early gear shift issue was satisfactorily resolved after home pick up and redelivery. Corsa are Guzzi specialists. Go see their showroom and if you are not already hooked, you soon will be.
Thank you all for your advice. I now I would really love the V7 Stone. However, the Racer is a thing of pure beauty. I am wondering if it says “look at me”, as I am not “look at me” type of person. I prefer things of beauty but I don’t like red ferrari’s, I prefer black Porsche’s if that is a good example.Everytime I want to buy it, I always have something come up that says, you money would be better spent elsewhere. A year ago, it was about buying a house, now it’s about launching another businesses, which may need every penny or buying this bike. The business will still happen if I buy the bike or not. It’s seems more sensible. I just turned 38, and I feel I am getting old. Not in the mid life crisis sort of way. I am thinking if I don’t enjoy things now, when will I? There will always be things in life!..You can hear me argue with my self and justify it can’t you , I am not going crazy :)I would be happy with V7 Stone or the Raser. It depends on which I get the biggest discounts on. Let’s see. I should buy one should I? It’s not as if I am loaning the money. It’s my own hard earned cash.
The way you hear people bang on about the V7’s modest power output you’d think it was the first middleweight to produce less than 50bhp.
Conveniently forgotten are the likes of the superb and highly rated Honda Bros 650, Honda SR500, Honda GB500 Clubman, Yamaha SRX,-------------I could go on.
These bikes, along with the superb range of Guzzi V7’s are proof, if proof were needed, that you don’t need big numbers to have huge fun.
Leave all that rubbish for the silly old Men with nothing better to do than compete to be King of the pub car park.
I agree. Unless you are going “racing” on tracks, then it’s often a “piss*ng contest” on who’s has the fastest, most expensive-st, or something else. You average rider probably couldn’t handle the speeds of the super bikes even if they owned one. So these “so called” average speed bikes like the V7 are more than enough for the majority.
Put it this way.
I had to sell my Sport 1100 because it was killing my back.
I was about to buy a Griso, but a really nice BMW R1200S came up for sale locally, and I bought that.
It’s got a lot of power for a twin.
122bhp (claimed)
That did not factor into my buying decision.
I just wanted an old school air cooled twin sports bike that I could go further than 20 miles on.
You know what.
I don’t ride it any differently to the Sport 1100, or even the V7 Racer I once owned.
OK I’ll admit the grunt is handy for those quick overtakes which on the Beemer, are over in a split second.
It is bloody quick, but when I’m not overtaking, I ride it no differently to any of other bike I’ve owned.
The V7 Racer is a nimble little performer with good handling.
It has a good spread of torque which overcomes any limitations it may have in the power department, meaning you’ll keep up with most things and only feel her lacking when speeds go into three figures.
80 mph is it’s sweet spot, with a bit in reserve for cheeky overtakes.
How fast do you want to go.
I say go for it.
You won’t have any regrets.
You mention you live in London. At town speeds, the racer’s riding position could get uncomfortable, with more weight on your wrists. I suspect the Stone will handle better and be more comfortable round town - you need to take a test ride on both!
Others have mentioned that the Stone is more comfortable. The more time I spend thinking about it, the more I think of the Stone. But I know if you put both bikes in front of me, I won’t think too rationally, and I will just go for the racer. One of reasons why I am now leaning toward the Stone again is because it’s more discrete. I kind of like the fact that it doesn’t shout and stand out too much. Because I am not the type of person that likes attention. So I am now thinking twice about it before you wrote this. Thanks.
I dont want to put a spanner in the ointment with the V7 love in here but I wonder how many of you think it would be a better bike with another 20bhp and a little more torque too ? I rode one recently and in advance really wanted to like it as I think it is a lovely looking bike. I came away underwhelmed. Yes it is nimble and handles nicely but I would only consider it if most of my riding was in heavy traffic with just the odd open road blast. I`m not a fan if the 140bhp plus bikes, the bike that for me had the best mix of useable performance and weight was the Ducati 900ssie of a few years ago with 80odd bhp . I think there are plenty of V7 competitors from Europe and Japan that offer a better all round riding experience. If you want one though then get one and enjoy it, lots of people already have. I have a 1200 sport. My closest friend thinks it is the worst handling and steering bike I have bought for 20 years and he is probably right but I absolutely love it, nothing wrong with a bit of constructive criticism is there.
I drive a Lexus and a Honda Jazz. I love both. My V7 is my Honda Jazz. I simply don’t want a motorbike - including the V7 - with extra power and weight. To each his own!
Of course it would be better with an extra 20 bhp.All bikes would be.And in this case more than many others.But it is damn good fun and that is what counts.
, I am not going crazy :)I would be happy with V7 Stone or the Raser. It depends on which I get the biggest discounts on. Let’s see. I should buy one should I? It’s not as if I am loaning the money. It’s my own hard earned cash.