New Moto Guzzi V7 range unveiled for 2021
By Ben Purvis
Has written for dozens of magazines and websites, including most of the world’s biggest bike titles, as well as dabbling in car and technology journalism.
14.12.2020
Moto Guzzi’s retro-styled V7 range gets a more powerful 853cc in 2021 – giving a whopping 25% power increase at a stroke.
The old 744cc air-cooled twin was good for 52hp, making the V7’s performance as much of a throwback as its styling, but the new 853cc engine increases that number to 65hp in 2021. It’s still an air-cooled, two-valve twin but now based on the engine from the V85 TT, albeit detuned from the V85’s 80hp. As you’d expect, the extra cubes also provide a boost in torque, which rises from 44lbft to 54lbft, arriving at 5000rpm.
The substantial power increase means that Guzzi’s also had to tweak the chassis and transmission. There’s a chunkier shaft drive taking power to a rear wheel that’s grown from the old model’s skinny 130/80-17 to a 150/70-17, and two new Kayaba shocks provide improved rear suspension.
The steel frame’s headstock area is strengthened with new steel sections, while visual tweaks include a new seat, revised side panels and a shorter rear mudguard.
So far, Guzzi has revealed two versions of the 2021 V7; the entry-level ‘Stone’ and the higher-spec ‘Special. The Stone gets new full LED lighting, including an eagle-shaped DRL that mimics the Moto Guzzi logo, plus a new LCD instrument pack and revised alloy wheel design.
The Special uses wire-spoked wheels and more traditional analogue clocks, but also gets a shorter front mudguard than the old version. Both bikes have a revised exhaust system to accompany the new, Euro 5-compliant engine.
We’re still waiting on pricing and availability information. At the moment, Guzzi’s previous-gen V7s are being offered at £1000 under their RRPs, with the Stone at £6999 and the Special at £7699.
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