Ive bought my first Guzzi ( a 2015 V7 stone) back in 2017 with 4700 kilometers on the clock. Now 4 years later ive ridden it the italy, France, Norway, and Germany and it never let me down after 36000 + kilometers... One of the best bike brands ever. :)

In 1971, I went on vacation with my V7 from the Netherlands to Italy . In Switserland my bike started leaking oil at the flywheel. We decided to drive to the factory in Mandello del Lario. At the factory we went to the reception and waited until somebody looked at the bike. We waited half an hour in the sunshine and suddenly my wife fainted. Wthin a minute five men showed up and my wife was brought to the first aid room. We didn't have breakfast and a gentleman said reproachfully to me " niente mangiare.... KAPUTT " Later that week we met a test driver of Moto Guzzi at a bar where we had a coffee. He drove the prototype of the Sport. We were allowed to make pictures but he removed the license plate wich read PROVA . When I draw a power curve he wrote 70 in it. He later showed us a paper for the Police that he drives sometimes too fast because of his work. So ....... The name of the test drivers was Antonio Piazzalunga. We became friends. He was a friend of Giacomo Agostini. They both were members of Motoclub Bergamo. Now I am 77 yo.

MOTO GUZZI knows the secret of success. Improve through the years BUT stay true to the HERITAGE. Moto Guzzi motorcycles are among the most beautiful machines on the planet.

i have owned 4 guzzi machines starting in 1979-an Sp1000..had that 10 yrs-142,000 miles 1980-V50 ll--35,000 miles-6 yrs 2004 V11 sport..5,500 miles-3 yrs--the most uncompfortable motorcycle in the entire history of the universe 2007 Norge-115,000 miles - 13 yrs on all 4 machines- never broke down-no mechanical issues…little common glitches- oil pressure sensor fails-3-start relays are undersized / overloaded--the starter motors should have more power when the batteries get 3 yrs old, get a fresh battery.. the old guzzis from the 70s & 80s feel nothing like the newer fuel injected 6 speed modern transmission machines..the 6 speed trans shifts as buttery as my gold wing and my kawasaki Z400… my guzzi norge suspension w/ single sided swinging arm and fully adjustable suspension, heated grips- electric adjustable windshield-self diagnosing fuel injection system-6 gal tank-common size sport touring tire sizing-hard locking color matched bags that remove w- ignition key in 4 seconds- center stand- vib reducing rubber topped footpegs-seat removes in seconds w- key- multi function LCD dash display even informs you if air temp drops below 34 degrees to watch for freezing bridge/ elevated roads..valves that can be checked-adjusted using 3 common tools- hex wrench to rem valve cover- feeler gage and 13mm wrench- 20 minute chore-no need to even remove fuel tank- try that o a kaw concourse or fjr ..or a desmo ducati that costs more than $3000. to adjust those valves- the only reason i never bought one of those magnificent quirky machines… the older guzzi machines feel and sound and ride beautifully- to a guzziest that appreciates .. but the more modern guzzi, is so much closer to the most refined equipment- the masters of perfection- the japanese- that the recent guzzi equipment is not as perfect as the mighty japanese stuff.. but- the modern guzzi is not even compairable to the classic guzzi equipment.. a rider raised on japanese machines that rides a classic guzzi like a 70s LeMans would feel like they were driving a 60s ford 6- cylinder pickup with 3 on the tree shifting..if thats the alter you worship at, thats fine, but the modern guzzi stuff feels like a ram hemi pickup compaired to the classic machines.. in spite of progress and individual preference, one thing all guzzis have that no japanese masterpiece ever can have- a soul.. caracter…Guzzi’s are alive.. they have a heartbeat.. they are a living breathing thing that motorcycleists like myself make a connection with..as soon as i sit on any guzzi, and press that start button, i feel its heart pounding, i hear those valves tick tick ticking like Castanets.. i feel those two jugs of that v twin twist to the right with every explosion..to quote dracula-“ what music they make”….

Thank you for recognizing that the current V7 is NOT a "retro" model. It is a classic motorbike updated to 21st century specs, which this comparison makes crystal clear. Guzzis are not for everyone, and that's a good thing in my opinion.

Back when I were a lad I worked for a short time as an unpaid bike cleaner at Sports Motorcycles in Manchester (I offered to do it because I wanted to be able to be near these bikes.), I still remember the rows of brand new Moto Guzzi California T3s and Lemans, Laverda Jotas, Ducati 900SS Desmos etc etc. Awesome time.

While not as special as the V7 Sport, that V7 Special is still a pretty nice looking motorcycle. Kudos to Moto Guzzi for still offering true retro motorcycles, complete with air-cooled engines.

As a kiwi on my OE I bought a V50II in 1983. Can't remember the year, but it was red and mint. I didn't even know what a Guzzi was. It was just a sexy thing that was a hoot to ride and i took it all around England and Wales and then from England across Europe to Israel and all around there from Gaza to Eilat. 40 years on I have just bought a 2017 V7III and waiting for it to be delivered in a couple of weeks. I can't wait. It's black with turquoise strips, so I was very interested to see these colours on the older bike. Thanks for a cool vid guys.

I bought a moto guzzi california back in 79, , I was 24, in the UK and been watching chips too much lol.sold that to fly to the States were I hitchhiked around for six months, came home and after seeing all those harleys I had to get a bike ...so I bought a t3, ( looking back now at 66 , having owned loads of bikes and still riding, that was my favorite bike ever).rode it through a few winters , never let me down and gave me lots of good memory's, rallying, bike races, all the stuff we did back then when you didn't drive a car, then one summer I fell in love with a fiery Italian lady by the name of laverda! 1000 3 cl( the one the jota was developed from) bright red, twin headlamp 24 hrs race style fairing, 3 into 1, looked tge dogs bollox, fell out of love with her after a car pulled out in front of me ( the usual I didn't see me car driver, twin headlights, 3 into 1 ffs...so I had to get myself another guzzi, 1981 le man's 2...favorite bike memory ever on that bike, Nottingham to the bol dor 24 hr bike race in the south of France, 10 days on the piss , camped with 100000 nutters, bonfires, fairgrounds , and the Mediterranean 15 miles away down a mountain rd, with topless ladies on the beach! ...coming back to uk 10 pm at night , the rue de periphique in Paris, 6 lanes of traffic, lights failed, got to catch the ferry, latched on the taillight of the bike in front, the bike behind latched onto mine, bowling thro the tunnels, open pipes bouncing off the tunnel walls, singing my head off speed drunk and dosed up on pro plus lol..Nice video , thanks for jogging the memory bank on new years eve 2021..

That '72 Sport is gorgeous!

Thanks for posting this video! After a 6 month period of research, I have finally bought a 2023 V7 Special. If you've never ridden one, they are a very unique experience. With less than 100 miles on the odometer, I already know I've bonded with the machine. Maybe some riders won't get it, but the experience of riding a Moto Guzzi is like no other! I highly recommend it!

The current V7s actually trace their lineage from the 1977 V50 rather than the 1973 V7 Sport. Whilst the new V7 models have been heavily revised, the first of the new V7's released in 2007 was little changed from the original V50 designed by Lino Tonti in the seventies. Now that's true heritage ....

The early V7 Sport, particularly in that green paint (and red frame if you can find one), is perhaps the most beautiful bike ever made.

Love those Guzzis. Awesome looking classic bikes. I plan on keeping my 2001 California Stone forever.

What could possibly be better than the sight and sound of two Guzzis?

Love the under seat light on the old bike, amazing they would bother doing that.

An old cyclist from way back, mostly BSA twins and a small time with a Norton.. because I rode, I met other riders. Riders that rode thing unfamiliar to me. I would ask, "Wanna swap?" Sometimes the answer was yes. I did, once, ride a circa 1971 Moto Guzzi. Marvelous, excelent, elegant bike. Fun posting.

The ticking of the valves and the air inlet murmur are distinctive, and characteristic of Guzzi. Even the small Stornello had it. Oh sweet memory!

I've owned a LeMans III, rebuilt as a 1000cc at Agostini's in Mandello, a LeMans IV, and now a Norge GT8V. Would love to see an updated LeMans. Love my torque monsters!

I like the V7 but my favourite Guzzi's were from the late 70s early 80s. The new V100 looks good, its been a long wait and I hope it will live up to expectations.

Great review, but what I really don't understand is why Guzzi don't use the 850tt engine which has around 80bhp and make a retro le mans (the original having around the same bhp).

1972 buzzing ,What a beautiful bike

Love it! I've had an 850 V7 (Centenario paint) since July which I'm very much enjoying, but can't deny the appeal of the original 70s Tonti sports bikes.

very nice video, many thanks it made me homesick for england,

This bike makes for a great daily rider, more power than the Continental/Interceptor 650, amazing looks, and a shaft drive for easy maintenance.

I remember seeing a V7 in the window of the local bike shop, in that colour in the early 70s. I thought it was the best looking bike I'd ever seen.

I had a mk2 Le Mans (last of the round barrel engines) Great bike. Needed strong man wrists to hold the throttle open for motorway work. I put weaker springs in the carbs but then the throttle slides had a tendency to jam wide open due to the inlet vacuum which could be 'disconcerting' After one such episode leaving a junction of the M3 at twice the velocity I intended, I reverted back to the original heavy slide springs and started going to the gym!

I was lucky enough to own a '73 V7 Sport for 6 years - traded it in for a used '77 RS, both great bikes, but the Guzzi is the one I always regret giving up. I've been riding since 1965, and it was the most pleasing motorcycle I've ever owned. I'm glad they are still making something similar, and it must be a pleasant bike to ride, but it pales in comparison to the original.

Take a drink every time the word "iconic" is spoken.

My mk2 Le Mans is the one bike that I'll never sell. I've had it for 34 years now and although it looks nothing like it did when it left the factory and has been extansively tuned to obtain 68BHP at the rear wheel it's unmistakeably a Guzzi with the same origins from the V7.

Nothing beats the originals.

Customized my 2016 V7 Racer and i love that Bike. Always a joy and different to all the BMWs and Asia Bikes.

I have a cal 3 and a cal 1100 i. Both gearboxes are a bit ‘searching’ for 1st (from free) and ‘searching’ for free between 1st and 2nd gear. Other Guzzi’s of that age, I found the same. That’s what it is, I guess. I drove a wider variety of bikes ( BMW 60/5, Yamaha SS400, Honda GL1000, CB750C, Shadow 1100c) until my best friend Peer (RIP 😢) introduced me in the wonder world of Moto Guzzi. That was soooo different compared to the others (don’t get me wrong, lots of fun and km’s on those as well). Much more fitting in my view of enjoyment. A very skilled technician (became a very good friend as well), Tajan vd Wiel, introduced me in the in’s and out of proper maintenance (and bit if iron-works). Great thank you to both (!). Guzzi is a way of life. Most of the Guzzi owners know ‘their share’ of technical stuff of the Guzzi’s they own, resulting in nice stories on the meetings and trips, organized during the year. Bottom line: A Guzzi and it’s life is a lot of enjoyment 😊.

I have a Griso and drove it across Spain in a day recently.. what is most surprising is the smoothness of the engine..felt like a 4 cylinder ..

Well done video production gentleman. Back in 1978 I had a opportunity to purchase a Moto Guzzi v7 for $800 with less than 4k mi....my loss! The owner passed away two years later and because we both lived in the same condo complex I saw the bike for another 4 years before it was gone. Perhaps the management of the property took it on a mechanics lien?

The original soundtrack is superb

Lovely presentation! Thank you for taking the time and effort to make such high quality content! Cheers!🇬🇧

Great video. The way the number plate / seat on the original hinged/pivoted was a work of art.

Thanks for your videos. I congratulate you for finding all these classics and introducing them to a larger population. It’s easy to get a hold of and roadtest a new bike that manufacturers are gagging to sell, but you provide unique well made and well researched content not only on the bikes themselves, but also on the world around owning and working on them 👍

Excellent video ! Being 61, I remember the original V7 from my youth. It was exotic !!!!

the good old sound that we love 😀👍 thanks also for the history !

Nothing like the honk of an old roundhead at full song.

Watching was pure enjoyment.There is some very good content available these days. Yours is simply some of the best. Thanks very much.

Another amazing video really enjoyed it, keep up the good work😊👍

When I was a kid one of my best friends uncle had a 750 Guzzi. Black, ugly, slow but always ran. He crashed that thing riding it drunk so many times I don’t know how he’s still alive but he is. He’d fix it and just keep on riding. It was about 35 miles from our town to the Air Force Base where he worked in San Antonio and he rode that old 750 to work every day for many many years and as far as I know he still owns it. That Bike was an absolute Tank.

The photos showing what he’s talking about as he explains things are brilliant. They really make the video. I see that you do it with all of your videos and it’s fantastic and very much appreciated……also, the old bike wins on sound…and probably other things too.

You are very lucky. My 2014 V7 Classic unreliable within one day from new. No help from Piaggio. Dealer reluctant to buy the bike back after six months of problems. However a wonderful bike to ride but the original 1970’s model is the one to have. A gorgeous bike.

Oh the sound of the old guzzi.. absolutely gorgeous

Thank you for sharing this vdo nice story

What a cool video. Really enjoyed watching it and getting some cool info on the original V7

on my wish list. still have my 1980 SP, and have gone through a V50 Monza, V65SP, 750 Breva and a V7 Classic (plus 2 T's, one of which i turned into a V7 Sport replica, and my current 01 California) Love the small blocks, but it's hard to fault the original V7 Sport (especially the S and S3).

That was a treat. Thank You.

Nicely made review thank You 🙏 Guzzi leaving most other brands with its Italian elegance far behind and continue 2022 with the new V100 Mandello 1000cc Moto Guzzi opens the doors to the future, distilling a century of motorcycling innovation with a powerful, comfortable, thrilling complete bike that is packed with advanced technology.

3 mins in and already five iconics! Apart from that, great video. Thanks

I do hope that they rethink the design of the factory! I won't complain too much , they are making Italian bikes in Italy and using local labour . Unlike triumph, BSA , royal Enfield . Good for them ! Good solid bikes

really well thought out video and a Derek is a champ …love to ride his bike one day

The new 1000 is absolutely Gorgeous!

Thank you so much for this video. It reminds me that a few years back I was desperate for V7 sport or even better a V11 Le Mans and never could afford one. Now I m 52 and I ride a Triumph 😂😂😂. Thanks again lads

Great video...Thanks!

Amazing bike! The channel is excellent! Cheers guys!

Very interesting, tank you!

Interesting review, I'm fond of Moto Guzzi and it's heritage. Think the V7 in today's panorama is a beautiful motorcycle

Awesome video and comparison!!

Great video, thanks a lot

Finally someone driving on the proper side of the road! Mate of mine had a Lemon (Le Mans II) back in the early 80’s. Another mate had a Cali but that was a bit of a lump in comparison. Love to see these Retros.

Oh man, what a great video! Thank you guys for making!

Moto Guzzis are my favorite bike. I have the v85tt and v7. Great fun .

Great video lovely bikes👍

You've just picked two of my Guzzi festering scabs.Nr.1. Idiotically I sold my glorious, and favourite ever motorcycle, 1000S 15 years ago (wife, kids, mortgage, blah, blah). Nr.2. I was at Como eight months ago & the factory was closed. Grrrr!

Very nice video, nice to see the newer models are nice as well. I own a 2014 V7 Racer, and it feels oldschool. It lacks ABS, it's shaking all over the place during starting and it has a somewhat irregular idle. So much character, maybe not as much as the original, but I really love it!

Currently own a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 cc that I have had for 20 years. Once took me 120 miles on one cylinder at highway speed when one spark plug wire crapped out on a Sunday morning with no shops open. At almost 70 years old it has gotten too heavy to maneuver in and out of situations. Purchased a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone at more than 100 pounds less wet weight. Absolutely love it. Will stay with Moto Guzzi for the rest of my riding life. I have owned BMW, Laverda, Ducati, Moto Morini, Triumph, BSA, Zundapp, Indian, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Cagiva and loved them all for different reasons, but the fact that I can physically handle the weight of a bike that will cruise (illegally) at 85-90 mph for as long as I need, looks good, is reliable and affordable and unique, why shop anywhere else?- -Mike Battle

Moto Guzzi la moto italiana👍🤛

Yes , old Guzzis are still nice to ride. Love my LM2 . Best bike I ever had.

My mom's boyfriend had the 850-T3 in 1977 and then the first California a couple of years later. They were fantastic bikes. The V7 Special reminds me very much of the T3.

Great video! I have a 2020 V7III Special and consider myself very lucky.

What the photos at the end of the video don’t show is the sheer beauty of Lake Como itself. The museum at Mandello del Lario beside the lake is lovely to walk through and view all the old Guzzis, and a visit to Agostini’s - the Guzzi retailer in the town - is mandatory. Can’t wait for the new 100 Mandello V1000. The only question - as yet unanswered in all the blurbs - is kerb weight…….

very good comparison ,, the older one still shines ;;;

Love seeing the old girl getting up in the high rpm’s and ridden properly like she should be. Love the new guzzis too. I have a v7 Classic and it’s not the fastest, the most expensive, etc. but it rides like nothing else I’ve ever had.

Grazie bel video! Tanti saluti dall' Italia, città di Como!😃👍

Just discovered your channel, really impressed with the content and presentation , John Oakes is very professional , I've now subscribed and look forward to seeing a lot more content on classic bikes.

Nice! Long live Moto Guzzi..... ✌

The V7 hasn’t got a continuous production history at all, it’s a naming convention reintroduced for the retro styled, bigger sized V50 derived lineup of small block motors.

Have always loved the look of the Guzzi. Been riding for 50 years and have wanted one since the first one I saw. Held back for fear of too few dealers across the country (i.e. on the road support), and resale value (i.e. a Moto what??). Still want one so much. Might just have to give in and bite the bullet while I still can.

Great video, would dearly like to own a 750 Sport but have to console myself with a T3 and a Le Mans3….life is hard!

Great video!

I would assume the courtesy light under the seat . may have something to do with it being near the fuses. . . Italian electrocics, as I recall, were not the standard of excellence... - just a theory. But it is an Italian beauty in every sense.

Yes, exactly this Moto Guzzi V7 Sport 750 ccm was my first real motorcycle in my life (ok, I had a Suzuki T250 during the apprenticeship) ... I am born in 1956

Very cool bike!

Infamous Cam Issues. Had Guzzi's all my life; since 1978. Bought a 1200 Stelvio, (6000 miles) cam's went! Piagio (6 month wait for parts) replaced them under recall but charged me for labour, oil and filter. At 8000 miles, cam's went again!! Piago said: "another 6 month wait, and another £380 labour, oil, filter". No chance of purchase refund as others also attempted, by taking Guzzi to court. I decided to leave the Stelvio uncovered in my garden to rust, it's £9000 of rust now, but a very sound reminder to Never buy Guzzi ever again!!

Love my V 7 but straight pipe them, they sound amazing!! 😂

Nicely review, greetings from Mandello del Lario 🇮🇹 🦅 👍

Enjoyed that. My biking regret is that I've never had a Guzzi.

I’ve had many bikes and among them an old T3 California when it wasn’t old, a V50, and now I have only one bike and it’s a 2018 California. They really are from the same genes over all those years and it’s a wonderful brand, very solid, last basically forever, and very much real riders’ bikes. New ones are all that as much as old ones. You need to be comfortable doing some of the maintenance because there aren’t many dealers. But parts are available and they’re mechanically accessible to normal humans. Moto Guzzi is an icon for good reason!

Thank you. Back in '72 I was a founding member of a local motorcycle club. One of the other members worked for the Dutch (I'm Dutch) Guzzi importer at the time, Willy van Gent. One night he showed op at our club with one of the original V7 Sport's, red frame and all, brand new. I will never forget that night!

I'd take that ' 72 over the new one in a heartbeat. I was in high school then and we guys would freak out actually seeing a Moto Guzzi on the street here in Texas back then...

I’ve owned a Le Mans and a Daytona and loved them both. Rode unlike any other bike I owned. The Le Mans ate the Duc 900 for breakfast on top speed and pull. I will get a new V 7!!

Glad to see you back. Happy New Year. Cheers

Thank you for the review. You banged your wedding ring on the tank twice mate , be careful. Cheers 🍻

I have a kind of dark garage to work in. Would love to have a courtesy light on the fuse box of my triumph, may well add a custom job 😆

The older one sounds so much better.