Hi, I’ve got a v50 that I’m getting together at the moment and also like the idea of tying a v65 at some point. I’ve read great things about the handling of the v50 so I thought I’d try one. Â
I also had a v7 classic for a while and  am wondering what the general consensus is about the v7 vs the v50/65 in terms of handing and performance.Â
I’ve read that the v50 is pretty torqueless (I have a v50 III so should be the best of the bunch) and that the v65 is a better bet, my real question is how do they compare to the modern v7 Classic?
I really liked the  power delivery on the v7 Classic, but the handling was pretty poor. I changed the rear shocks to something decent, put on a 17’ front wheel, Pirelli demon sports and some decent fork internals which made it okay., but it always felt like a heavy bike with just adequate handling.Â
Thoughts of those who’ve tried both appreciated. Â Â Â
Well Mike, I didn’t query that observation since it tallies with my own experience with the bike as shod with the OE Metzelers. The steering became imprecise when these had seen two thousand miles, probably compounded by too much preload on the shocks on my part but not a lot. Add to that the hesitant, snatchy throttle pickup from the Euro3 ECU and you had a handful underneath you.
This is all sorted now and it handles sweetly even without a shock absorber upgrade, though I can see the point of that. So tyres and fuelling being fixable the best thing in the V50/V65’s favour is the carburation in my 'umble.
We’ve got a V50 Monza and even on 10 year old mismatched tyres I can get the stand down (in the dry). Â Keeping the motor between 4k and 6k it flys (for a 70s designed engine).
What tyres did you change to please? I have the Metzler Lasertecs on my V7 and am considering going to Bridgestone B 45s when I change. They were very good on my 850 T3 Cali, (which I know is a heavier bike).
I have reduced the spring load on the rear shock absorbers to have 9 threads showing (rather than 17) beneath the lock-nut. However at the recent V Twin I saw two V7s with the nuts backed right off.Â
All the best,
David.Â
Hi CB I changed them for Michelin Pilot Activ. 6k miles on them and still on the ‘plateau’ of performance curve with lots of tread left. A great match for the bike, I’ve found.
