At the EICMA show in Italy, Moto Guzzi announced third-generation updates to its V7 lineup, now called V7 III. The family includes four models, the returning Racer, Special and Stone, and a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the V7 line, the limited-edition Anniversario (only 750 will be built).
Read our 2016 Moto Guzzi V7 II Stornello review
The V7’s air-cooled, longitudinal, 90-degree, 744cc V-twin, with two pushrod-and-rocker-actuated valves per cylinder, gets new cylinder heads, pistons, piston-cooling oil jets and cylinders, a stiffer crankcase, as well as a new oil sump, oil pump intake duct and alternator cover. Claimed output is 52 horsepower at 6,200 rpm (up 10 percent) and 44 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm, and the engine is Euro 4 compliant. The 6-speed transmission features new first and sixth gear ratios, and its mated to a dry, single-plate clutch and driveshaft. Standard equipment includes new two-level, switchable traction control and dual-channel ABS.
As before, the V7 III line has a steel double-cradle frame, but the front section has been redesigned and reinforced, and steering geometry is new: 57.6-inch wheelbase, 26.4-degree rake and 3.7 inches of trail. (The V7 II had a 57-inch wheelbase, 27-degree rake and 4.6 inches of trail.) The dual preload-adjustable Kayaba shocks are new, seat height has been reduced to 27.2 inches (down from 31.4 inches) and new aluminum footpegs are lower and farther forward. The V7 III line also features a new locking, screw-on gas cap, new injector covers, sleeker side panels, a new saddle and updated instrumentation.
The base-model V7 III Stone features matte black bodywork and blacked-out components, cast wheels, a single instrument gauge, dedicated seat graphics, a passenger grab strap, fork gaiters and a shorter front fender.
Inspired by the 1975 V750 S3, the V7 III Special has chrome on the exhaust pipes, mirrors and passenger grab rail, blue bodywork with special stripes on the side panels and gas tank, dual instrument gauges, old school seat stitching, fork protectors and spoked wheels with polished rims and black hubs.
The numbered edition V7 III Racer has a red frame, satin finish chrome fuel tank, lower handlebars, a hump seat with removable passenger seat cowl, a brushed aluminum front number plate/flyscreen, billet aluminum rear-set footpegs, black anodized components, Öhlins shocks, fork gaiters and spoked wheels with black rims.
Last but certainly not least, the V7 III Anniversario is based on the Special but has many unique features: a chrome gas tank with a gold Moto Guzzi eagle emblem, a leather saddle, billet aluminum locking fuel cap and steering yoke risers (the latter with laser-etched serial number), brushed aluminum fenders, chrome passenger grab handle, fork protectors and spoked wheels with polished rims and gray hubs.
Pricing and availability are TBD for the 2017 Moto Guzzi V7 III lineup.
