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Moto Guzzi Revives V7 in US

Mon, 05 Jan 2009

If contemporary society has taught us anything, it is that few things are held as sacred. Shameless film and television remakes are rampant while musicians sample (steal) any beats or mixes they deem suitable that will gain their crumby creation attention. In regards to motorcycles, there are times when retro-inspired modern engineered creations work, like the Triumph Thruxton for instance. Then there are times when they don’t, such as the case with the Confederate B120 Wraith.

Fans of the 1967 Moto Guzzi V7 need not be worried about their beloved bike being bastardized for the sake of publicity. More than four decades after introducing the original large displacement V-Twin, Moto Guzzi has created a new chapter of history in the US market with the debut of their 2009 V7 Classic.

Originally commissioned by the Italian police force, the V7 gained a loyal following and moved to mass production, where numerous variants such as the V7 Sport, V7 Special and the U.S. market versions V7 Ambassador, Eldorado and California were created.

The new V7 Classic is simple yet stylish. Powered by a four-stroke 744cc 90-degree V-Twin mated to a five-speed gearbox, the new V7 utilizes modern innovations like graphite low-wear pistons, Brembo brakes and an electronic Weber Marelli fuel injection system, which certainly wouldn’t have come as standard equipment in 1967.

The V7 will be offered exclusively in Moon White pearl paint with classic Moto Guzzi tank decals. Designers were careful to style the new V7 Classic in a way that would honor several variants of the V7 model over the years without appearing tacky, over done or contrived. If more people held icons of the past in such esteem, we would all be better off.


By Dustin Woods


See also: Ewan McGregor Donates Bike to Charity, EICMA 2008: First Impressions.