P88
RIDE REVIEW I 2021 MOTO GUZZI V7
machined cylinder head fins for $9490.
All bikes come with switchable traction
control and ABS.
The 2021 V7's are part of the fourth
iteration of the machine that was
relaunched back in 2008. You could ar-
gue Moto Guzzi has more genuine skin
in the retro game than most and has the
ability to dip into its own back catalog
to come up with modern interpretations
rather than design modern bikes from
scratch with classic tones.
Mechanically, the three bikes are all
the same and come with a new motor
that pumps out 25 percent more power,
thanks to a capacity pushed from
744cc to 853cc. Quoted power is up
13 horsepower to 65 at 6800 rpm, with
torque noted at 53.8 lb-ft at 5000 rpm.
It's more than just a capacity hike
that's given the increased performance.
There're new cylinder heads with bigger
intake valves and alloy rocker arm driv-
ing the pushrods, new cam followers
and cams, cylinder, and a new crank,
with the crankcase derived from the V
85 with semi-dry-sump lubrication.
Although the V7 is a six-speed, in
truth it's more like five-speed with an
overdrive. On our test ride we only saw
sixth gear once, which was on the 10
Freeway when heading back to the
hotel at Palm Springs.
Riding position is absolutely spot-on for easy cruising.
