Moto Guzzi V7 III

Motor Guzzi is aItalian manufacturer that have been making motorcycles for nearly 100 years (As I write in in 2020) . It’s a little known brand outside of real motorcyclists and trading on very distant motor racing heritage. As with all Italian brands it’s been taken over a number of times and is currently owned by Piaggio the manufacturer of Vespa scooters. The brand’s relatively obscurity compared to say Ducati, is due to the lack of racing and prominent sponsorship or ownership rather than a reflection of the actual motorcycles it makes.

The most popular model is probably the Moto Guzzi V7 III which is as it’s name suggests the 3rd generation of the frame and engine. The engine design is unique in the world by being a V2 cylinder engine mounted n a horizontal configuration aka opposite of the Harley Davidson but same direction as the BMWs flat 2 cylinder engines. As a result it looks different and arguably retro. In fact the entire design hasn’t moved with the hottest’ design trends over the decades hence looks unchanged to the casual glance and consequently retro. As a result it’s perfect for anyone wanting a Cafe Racer. Mind you, there are many variants or trim levels to choose from and all vary in pricing.

In terms of engines and specifications the V7 model follows a similar theme to the exterior design. The engine is push rods and valves, hence sounds decent despite emission regulations and it is based on the 1960’s design. While it does have fuel injection, the power and torque are minimal and fuel consumption quite high for a small capacity engine. There isn’t much else to feature as it’s all quite ‘retro’.

The Moto Guzzi V7 doesn’t sell based on the latest high tech material and components or outright performance. Moto Guzzi is like the Italian version of a Harley Davidson but targeted at the cafe racer crowd that’s after design aesthetics, a genuine retro motorbike and a niche brand that only other motorcyclists know about. Turning up at a cafe on a Moto Guzzi is inviting conversation regardless if it is about the usual  reliability or otherwise. The V7 in particular is a retro package and as traditional as you can get in 2020. I like the V7 as a motorcycle and can’t comment on longevity or riding experience as most references are in various European languages other than english.