Moto Guzzi V7 Classic (2008-current)

New price	£5,699
Engine size	744cc
Power	48bhp
Top speed	115mph
Insurance group	10

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The Moto Guzzi V7 Classic isn’t perfect. It’s underpowered slightly, a tad vibey at speed and the levers aren’t span adjustable. But otherwise we struggle to find fault. The Moto Guzzi V7 Classic is stylish, useful, charismatic and simply a nice motorcycle to ride and own and, for the money, that’s accomplishment enough. We’d have one instead of a Bonnie like a shot. Welcome back Moto Guzzi, finally your ‘old fashioned bikes’ make sense…

Engine

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Moto Guzzi V7 Classic’s remapped Nevada 744cc twin may be soft but it’s eager, willing and flexible. On paper, 48bhp seems fairly weedy (and it’s hard to believe that the original V7’s 50bhp was considered ‘superbike performance’ 40 years ago), but the reality is that it’s spread so evenly that it’s actually a fun and fruity, if a bit run of the mill, roadster.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Moto Guzzi V7 Classic’s fairly basic chassis m

anages to be good enough for a retro roadster, too. With no particular sports or performance pretensions, the mix of old school tubular steel frame, relatively light, low weight and adequate suspension and brakes combine to give and honest and effective ride. The single Brembo front disc is more than adequate and the suspension, though slightly basic and harsh, is more than up to the job, too.

Equipment

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Moto Guzzi V7 Classic exudes class. The filler-cap is a beautifully crafted aircraft-esque alloy affair, the clocks are all new (by Marelli) twin Veglia-style dials, the headlamp is fully-chromed, there’s quality switchgear and mirrors and a classically-styled seat (with ‘Moto Guzzi’ emblazoned on its rump). A stock Bonnie, by comparison, seems basic and cheesy.