Riding my 2020 Moto Guzzi V7III S is a constant awareness of it being mechanical- the different pulses of vibration from throb to buzz to a purr. This sense of the engine and all it's parts working in concert with the pace of momentum and flow of the road makes the riding experience fully dimensional- as tactile as the feel of velocity, the ripple of the road surface, and the fluctuating g-forces in a fast curve. Being one with the bike is not just about fit, but all the dimensions of the experience. I had two Hondas- a VFR750 and a VTR1000. The VTR1000 had lovely torque and power and a bit of throb to the big v-twin. The VFR750 was more a presence of whirring whining sound from the gear driven cams with very little vibration. They were great bike but I am much more energized and fulfilled as a rider by the full sensuous experience of my Guzzi. The ride is much more enjoyable to me even at half the HP and 50 pounds more weight. You can call it "soul", but it is more about the feel of the engine and the consciousness of its mechanical parts working in concert. The "soul' of my Guzzi, for me, is more the fact that it was evolved and lovingly made in Italy by descendents of previous Guzzi workers under the same roof that has been building the V7 for decades. Honda also has great racing history and certainly has evolved their bikes to a level of engineering excellence, but they have made a verbatim translation of what a motorcycle is, while Guzzi has accomplished poetry.

❤ i love your attempt to explain the emotions you experience when riding an older, edgier bike. its hard to put into words, but i feel the same! ❤

Loved this comparison, you did a great job of responding to the new bike and then expanding on your reactions.

I got the 2021 V7 and I love it. Watching this video now also makes me want to get a 2020 V7. Fun and informative video, I really enjoyed it! Now i need to start saving again lol

That was one of first things I noticed when riding the 850 over the v7 iii, was the suspension feel, when I test rode it at the dealer. I like the new dash actually, it gives me a retro 80s vibe, which I actually like. I dont feel like its japanese, it still has the character, but its more refined, if that makes sense. Clutch is smooth but has good resistance compared to the v7 iii. If someone buys a v7 iii or the v7 850 i think both are good and will be happy with either, its just gonna come down to certain little features and nuances which bike someone should choose.

I’ve got the 2021 V7 Stone, it is a very nice bike. I test road a new 2019 V7. The 2021 is much better in my opinion.. I also have a 2015 Honda CTX700, the Guzzi does not feel like a Japanese bike.. The Honda is much smoother. The 2021 V7 ticked all the boxes for me. The bike has lots of soul. Thanks for the review.

Terrific comparison video. Exactly what I wanted to find on KZfaq. Thank you

The changes from the 750 to the 850 are selling points for me. I fell in love at first sight of the 2021 V7, but had to go home and (1) do the math and (2) look more into the bike. If the shop hasn't sold it when I go back,....

I understand exactly what your trying to say,I've ordered the 850 special not crazy about the looks/clock on the basic model,I've had Harleys,Ducati ,Triumph loads of bikes all so smooth especially the Japanese bikes I've owned I miss that rumble and kwirkyness ,I've not ridden the 750 but I understand the new 850 has ironed out the issues and made it a little vanilla but I need reliable and long distance so it will be perfect for me,great honest review ,thanks

Regarding the 2021 & later bikes, they're different tho they visually resemble older ones... -The factory preset gear shift indicator is low for the BREAK-IN period RPM - ignore or reset via the menu to the actual redline. -If you don't explore the envelope of the V7 you'll miss the most delightful characteristic - it's the shear fun factor on a bendy road with time spent at or near redline. It's a forgiving bike. -This V7 weighs 436 lbs or 198 KG dry - it's not heavy, it carries 5.5 Gal or 21 litres which is more than competing offerings so the wet weight will reflect that. Aftermarket exhaust drops the weigh 20 lbs if you're so inclined. -A superior choice among other retro standards if you want to be able to snap on a windscreen & bags for LST duty due to its range, excellent seat & rider position, 6 speed gearbox & final drive. -4 pot Brembo 320mm up front - others in the genre may only be a 2 pot. -Excellent stability on the highway, cruises at 90mph or 145 kph w/o stressing. -Low speed handling is very good thanks to the low CG, steering lock turns & filtering are a breeze.

I have a v85tt and a v7111 the new motor is more and you feel it. If you drag race them the v7 feels almost as fast. I love both of them. Great review.

I totally agree with the feels like a Japanese bike comparison as that was my first reaction upon leaving the dealership. Still has a lot of character:)

I have a 21 V7 Stone 850 and am about to buy a 23 Special. Love the MG, flaws and all.

Breaking News: "The V7 850, I feel like I am riding a Japanese bike"..lol.. nothing wrong with that.. the top four are all Japanese bikes..:) But who wants the same as the majority when you want to find that personal bike..:) Very good review and comparison... the silver/brown Special(double analog gauges) is on the top of my list... but the older Shine and Racer V7III do look nice at the right price.. if I don't get lazy I will be looking at them closer before the 4th... and trading in a "Japanese bike"... if I can part with it.. might have to double the bike space at the home.. :)

Sounds like this would make a good commuter, touring bike.. Comfortable and Predictable. The gap between the Rear Fender and the Tire is greater and I don't like that... visually.

Mate, I totally get you - but I see how you struggle to word it. People have to feel it, not everyone does that. I had a V7iii Rough - same as you, came in the shop and said that's it. That's exactly what I want. Unfortunately we had to leave the country where we were living and I had to leave the bike there. At the new place, there's hardly any Guzzis, so I bought a BMW F700 GS. Totally different bike, but it actually does exactly what you call 'Vanilla'. I drove so much faster than with the Guzzi, and at the end of the day, it was just another bike ride, without the spices. So I sold it now, and bought the last new 'old school V7iii Stone'. It has been in the store for 6 years, the centenario came and all the 850's and it just wouldn't sell. Yes, I need to do some upgrades to get it close to my rough, but I will get the feeling or 'old school motorbike riding' back. Thank you so much, you kind of prevented me making the mistake to buy an 850, while I really wanted the 'feel' of the 750 back. Happy riding!

Thanks for the comparison. I was looking at V7iii‘s but bought a Kawasaki W800 Cafe instead. It’s oozes that “character” you described. I really like the Moto Guzzi’s but I couldn’t justify the price difference. I got a great deal on it

Re : your jazz reference, the 2020 honks like john Coltrane whereas the 2021 is smooth like sonny rollins. I need oneof each.

Soul...you are missing soul on the new V7 2021. I used to own a Breva and loved the feeling. Though I always was looking for the 6 gear. Love my Stone V7 III for its old school spirit and its 6th gear ;). Also, suspension is always upgradable.

for god's sake, please do your videos in landscape mode. NOBODY uses portrait mode. But after the portrait mode, I loved the rest of your video. Damn, I want one of these. I just bought a new Kawasaki W800, which I love, but I really want one of these. Very soon. I love the sound of the engine, and the easy maintenance. Like adjusting the valves without removing the tank. "old 750 to the new 750"? ha ha.... old 750 to new 850!

Great review. You sold me on V7 850. Thanks!

The 2020 is more solid retro bike comparing with the 2021 that seems more modern retro.

It's so SMOOTH 😁😆😂🤣. Seriously great bikes.

You talk about the V7 2020 as I use to talk about my beloved 2018 Royal Enfield Classic 500. Sometimes it's difficult to find the right words to define our feeling. I enjoyed a lot. Why am i viewing these videos ? Because I found used a V7 Carbon whith less than 10000km seducing me. Why not having two beatiful bikes?

It's vanilla, but it's sporty. It's spicy but bland. Boring but in an exciting way. I guess it's kind of hard to define. It's okay man, I still liked your video a lot and I got the feeling you liked the new V7 a lot. Nice honest review, good job., bikes are more a feeling, sometimes hard to put into words.

Nice video...I agree the older version has much more of that old school MG character and vibrations but less power of course. The OE tires are not the best on either and you would feel a big difference in handling by just switching to new tires. I put on some Conti Road Attack 3s and the improvement was like night and day, especially on damp roads

totally agree with the "japanese effect"! it's the reason i prefer way more my v9 2018 than the 2021 ( same on the v9 than on v7). also, even if the 2021 has 10hp more than my v9, it come higher on rpm and at the end the 2021 has less torque than mine. i changed th rear suspension for Shock factory so i'm really happy and dont see an improvement with the 2021. the handling is the same but with mine, above 130km/h on highway with a small lateral wind, the bike is dancing left to right and it's really annoying and scary. nothing like than with the 2021. overall i prefer mine. less confortable, but more torque at low rpm, more character, more good vibes, even if the very strong dry clutch noise at idle is sometime scary lol.

Very helpful video as I'm currently trying to choose between these two models. I'm not a new rider, but I have a very short inseam and seat height is a huge issue for me since I hate having to lower a bike or do the one-legged stork lean at stops. Can you tell me how much you feel the seat height difference when going from the 30.3" on the 2020 V7 iii to the 30.7" on the 2021 V7? Thanks!

Cool comparison. Was curious how the new ones rode..

When riding, I sensed that you struggled to enjoy it: sterile, clinical, 'Japaneseness', while stating 'smooth, easy' fluid, comfy, etc... But, your film partner needed clarification. At the end (Thank you for the post ride explanation!) I felt much more comfortable getting into an ownership experience w/ a '21 or newer bike! It's a slightly neutered Moto Guzzi w/ better everything!

The smoothness is caused by a heavier flywheel on the 850. If that heavy flywheel where on a 750 it would be smoother then the 850

At the beginning of the video you mentioned it is much havier feel when you first moved the bike. What would be the verdict between two bikes in city? I owned NC750X and NC750S which where quite heavier (225kg dry) then the Triumph street twin I also owned (198kg dry) which felt almost like maxi scooters in the city. It really makes a lot of difference when cornering at small mediterranean city streets.

85 better be smother for the huge price increase

Hi thanks for the comparison, great to show both. While you found the bike taller were you still able to flat foot? Also with regards to the weigh (and apologies if answered) I totally understand moving it back wards while seated but did you find it heaving coming toward a stop and while stopped at the lights? The new model ticks all the boxes but I'm just concerned about the weight.

I suggest you shoot the intro in horizontal mode. When you’re commenting on specific bike feature, include a video of the part, rather than a sweep away from the part. Try writing your narrative so you communicate with meaning.

I am just in the process of buying an 850 special having just sold my 2010 V7. Compared to my old Tonti MK1 le mans you could say the 2010 V7 felt a bit vanilla. So I guess if you really want to experience a real character Moto Guzzi then buy a Tonti Guzzi not a V7. I don't think that a Guzzi will ever feel quite like a Japanese motorcycle, but I understand what you are trying to convey. Anyway, all Guzzis are great bikes.

I realize you shouldn’t rev over 4500 rpm during the break in on the new bike. Other than you noticing the extra low end grunt. You mentioned the engine didn’t feel anymore powerful. The 850 has over 10 more horsepower, and you if you would have done some full throttle pulls you would have felt a major difference. ( for a GUZZI that is ) I have an 850 and have ridden the 750. I wouldn’t have bought the 750, it’s too slow and unrefined. You mentioned the refinement of the Japanese bikes. I’ve been riding mostly Japanese bikes for almost 40 years now. ( sport bikes, standards, cruisers, you name it ) And I took for granted just how good they are until I bought a Guzzi Lol! The bike more or less harkens to being a European version of an older Harley Sportster.

Your height doesn't mean anything, what is your inseam? That's what counts!

I used to have a Suzuki VStrom 650 and it was perfect, perfectly boring. Better in every way mechanically compared to my Cagiva Elefant, but loved the Elefant, much more fun to drive even with the noisy dry clutch. Sorry I sold the Elefant, better brakes and power.

I prefer the aesthetics of my blue 18’ special. I’m not a fan of the new headlight or clock on the Stone version. (Subjective, I know). From what I’ve read and seen, there is not enough difference to trade in a iii for the 850. I don’t know what it’s called but the input in the top of the header on the 850 looks horrible especially on the ones w chrome pipes after being ridden for a while. Not sure why they couldn’t place it somewhere else. In fairness o haven’t ridden the 850 yet, so It’s possible I will feel differently

But does it ride smooth?

The old V7s really are garbage compared to the 2021 model. You can see how the pre-2021 Guzzi V7s are being basically given away on Cycletrader. A much, much better ride in the newer models.

How does it do in potholes? I bet a pipe would bring some soul back to it. Thanks.

Sloans doesn't carry Moto Guzzi anymore. Do you have any info on why? I live in West TN

Dude seriously you have to learn how to hold you phone/camera while recording videos for youtube. I watched your two videos on a huge tv screen and it was terrible because of the portrait mode.

Thanks for the exhaustive review. My local dealer has a bunch of 2020 models for sale with serious reductions as well as some very tasty 2021 models. I was on the point of going for a 2020 V7 iii mainly on the strength of this review and as a peace offering to my wife, but would you believe it? She's gone and told me "go get the bike that you want, otherwise I'll be hearing about how mean I am until we retire!" Now I'm in a quandary... I have her permission to get the slightly bland and "Japanese" 850, but I kind of fancy the "genuine article" 750 with its quirks and foibles... Help! What do I do?

I wouldn't even consider a 50 HP motocycle. The extra power makes it possible to run on the freeway with high speed traffic without getting mowed down. I want to be able to go on all roads not just around town waving at people. The improvements were needed, especially the new engine.

Dud. How can you compare with old V7 750 2020 and V7 850 2021. It’s significant improvement on every aspect. 750 is just outdated shit I have also. But new 850 is now competing with other manufacturers competitors. It’s amazing improvement also sound and emotional things and also shifting and Italian character more.

Is it smooth?

Are the gear ratios the same?

I think you should do something completely different.

Japanese!!!??? Are you freaking kidding me??? Haha. You knew that was coming

Does he have any idea what he’s talking about.