Updated Moto Guzzi V7 range

The Moto Guzzi V7 family has grown, with the entry-level “Stone” to line up alongside the V7 Special and V7 Racer. All three will go on sale in early September, 2012 with pricing still to be announced.

And in 2013, the California 1400 power cruiser will also be coming downunder, so there's a lot to look foward to.

The matte black Stone is clearly forging its own identity with alloy wheels, as opposed to traditional spokes on the Special and Racer.

There are other more subtle differences, but all three bikes share the same air-cooled, 90-degree V-twin, which now has a single 38mm Magneti Marelli throttle body – the first for Moto Guzzi – instead of two on the previous version.

There’s also a new cylinder head with larger intake ducts, which Moto Guzzi says helps improve fuel economy and lower emissions.

New, lighter pistons have helped up the compression ratio from 9.2 to 10.2, with the engine now producing 50hp (37kW) at 6200rpm and 60Nm at a leisurely 2800rpm. That’s up from 47hp (35.5kW) and 54.7Nm on the previous engine.

Wheel sizes are 18 (front) and 17-inch for all three models, seat height is 805mm (with an option for a 785mm unit) and fuel capacity is adventure bike-like at 22 litres.

The V7 Special will replace the V7 Café Classic in the line-up, but the link to the bike’s ancestry – the original V7 dates back to the early 1970s – is still alive with two-tone liveries (red/white or yellow/black) and spoked wheels.

And the chrome-laden V7 Racer, which originally germinated as a limited-edition model and has been a huge buzz generator for Moto Guzzi ever since, continues as the “sports” model with its fully adjustable Bitubo rear suspension, single seat, brushed aluminium, adjustable footrests and tiny Plexiglass screen. A twin saddle and pillion footpegs are available as accessories.

Contact your local Moto Guzzi dealer for more information.