MD First Look: 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone, Racer and Special

As we reported last year, Moto Guzzi’s line of V7 entry-level retro 750s got a through re-do. Changes included big bumps in horsepower, torque, fuel efficiency and emissions. However, for almost a year, no word on when USA customers would get the new bikes, or how much they would cost.

Wait no more. The three new models will be coming to the U.S. as 2013 models, and there’s a lot to be excited about. At the bottom of the lineup is the V7 Stone, in a fetching matte black or glossy white paint scheme. It’s the cheapest way—at $8390—to get on board a Moto Guzzi. Like all the V7s, it uses the “short block” 90-degree, air-cooled, ohv two-valve motor, fuel injected with a single Weber-Marelli throttle body, hooked up to the two cylinders with dual intakes. Power output is claimed at 50 horsepower at 6200 rpm—not bad for a 30-plus year-old design, and not too far from the output of the Ed Milich-modified V7 Cafe we tested last year. Not bad for a claimed curb weight of 395 (which we think is measured with just a splash of gas in the 5.8-gallon tank). Seventies-look mag wheels are graced by Pirelli Sport Demon bias-ply tires—an 18-inch in front and a 17-incher in back. Braking is handled by a single Brembo caliper and 320mm disc in front, with a 260mm disc and Brembo caliper in back.

V7 Special

A little fancier is the two-tone $8990 V7 Special. It’s done up in a red-and-white color scheme, with spoked aluminum wheels. Accessory bags and windscreen can turn the little bike into a lightweight tourer (not a bad choice, given the claimed 310-mile range).

And to take advantage of the latest craze is the $9990 V7 Racer. It’s done up with a heap of period-replica cafe-racer accessories, including a chrome gas tank, fastback seat, number plates and fly screen, clip-on bars, gorgeous rearset footpegs (I saw these at Piaggio’s Technical Center in Costa Mesa and was very impressed with how nicely detailed and well-made they were, and Piaggio’s Erik Larsen says they are available for other models out of the Moto Guzzi accessory catalaog), red-painted frame, upgraded Bitubo rear shocks and other little touches. Do the Ton!

V7 Stone

Dirck and I were particularly smitten by the Stone and think it’s a great basis for a cafe-racer project…let’s see if Moto Guzzi wants to play along. I think the bike will be a big hit with younger buyers, who want modern convenience, retro looks, and exclusivity all at a relatively cheap price—compare it to Harley-Davidson’s $7999 883 Iron or Triumph’s basic-black $7699 Bonneville. The V7s will be in U.S. dealers in October, except for the Special, which will arrive in the first quarter of next year..