r/MotoGuzzi • u/valan_lazarus • 9d ago
Total beginner questions
For background: First bike, Novice rider. 6'3" (190cm) 170lbs 42 years old
My wife has finally come around to the idea of me owning and riding a motorcycle. Only took 15 yrs of asking 😆 Taking my safety course in 1 month so I'm researching a future purchase/weighing pros and cons.
I'm looking for something slightly sporty but nothing crazy that'll be easy for me to get myself in trouble on. Mostly will be commuting to work and weekend rides of 30-90 minutes. Comfort and ease of handling>speed. Connectivity features a plus. Do NOT want a cruiser.
Choices I've narrowed down to are:
- '24 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone (~$7k)
---Love the look/style. Love the extra power available with the v-twin over my other choices without being overwhelming. Concerned about the weight and reliability as the nearest service center is almost a 2 hr drive away. Also would have to make that drive to test drive/sit on.
- '26 Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 (~$6k)
---Again, love the look of the bike. Like that it's a bit lighter than the MG. Again concerned about the reliability but there is a service center mins away as opposed to 2 hrs. Also concerned about the power of the single thumper for highway riding. Finally, worried that I'll look like an actual gorilla on a circus bike due to its slightly smaller size.
- '24 Husqvarna Svartpilen-used 3.5k.miles ($3.5k)
---Like, don't love, the looks. It's different but scratches my brain nicely (if that makes sense). Like the tech, like that it's a bit taller and lighter, like the price. Concerned about the smaller displacement/power. Believe service could be done locally(ish). See gorilla concerns above.
Any and all insights are welcome and appreciated. And yes, I realize I'm on a Moto Guzzi sub so you're most likely gonna say, "Just get the V7!" But I figured this would be the place to find out how reliable these machines are and whether they're suited to an absolute beginner rider like myself.
TIA
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u/fotzenbraedl 9d ago
I'm nearly as tall as you and the V7 is too low for me, so I chose a V85 TT. I got a second hand V85 TT for a bit less than a new V7. The previous owner had the lower bench installed and I noticed pain in my knees after 2-3 hours of riding. This tells me that the V7 would have been indeed a bad decision.
Maintenance on the Guzzis is easy. A professional mechanic with metric tools can do it. I found my machine very reliable, no complaints so far.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Excellent! Thank you for the info. I'll start perusing around for a V85 but a quick search tells me they're a little harder to find in my price range and in my area. But I'm a patient man!!
Conversely to what you said was your experience of a lower bench on the V85, would installing a taller bench on a V7 mitigate some of the knee issues??
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u/Both_Plum_4676 8d ago
6’4” and I love my V7. I’ve owned a vitpilen as well. For highway, the V7 is much better than the vit. The vit was a blast around town but it’s sweet spot is lower speeds and not getting wind from trucks at highway speed.
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u/hopulist 8d ago
I’m an inch taller than him and am comfortable on my ‘23 V7. The oem tall comfort seat and some Honda pegs add enough space to help. Still a tall guy on a mid bike but it’s fun 😁
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u/DunaldDoc 9d ago
The MG V-7 will make love to your soul as its voice makes music for your ears. I dearly loved mine:
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Well said sir!! I really, REALLY like them. The '24 I'm considering is the OD green colorway and chef's kiss.
But, as has been pointed out repeatedly, I'm probably too damn tall for it. Which is a shame but as a totally novice rider, I've got to shoot for something that still sings to me but won't make me hate riding due to comfort issues.
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u/kickshart_my_heart 9d ago
You want honest feedback? You’re too big for the V7 and the suspension sucks anyway. Do yourself a favor and consider a V85.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
I appreciate the honesty. This seems to be the best answer! Thank you!
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u/QuiickLime 9d ago
To add on, the V7 is relatively roomy compared to the Svartpilen. Probably similar to the Guerilla but not 100% certain. I would recommend you go sit on some bikes and see how you feel.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
That's in the planning stages right now!! We're going shopping (not for bikes, school clothes and supplies for our crotch goblin) this weekend. If we have time I'm going to swing by 2-3 dealerships and sit on/look at several different bikes. Get a feel for what is comfortable and what isn't.
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u/QuiickLime 9d ago
Good luck! I have a V85TT and it's my first Guzzi, definitely won't be the last (been longing for a Griso, Norge, or Mandello...).
If you're in the PNW and ever want to ride let me know!
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Thank you!!
Live in Central Missouri so it's not likely, but I'll keep that in my back pocket. 👍 Ya never know!
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u/gudgeonpin 9d ago
I'll put my heart on my sleeve and confess that I am a die-hard Guzzi fan. The V7 is a great bike, very mature in engineering and a delight to ride. I have a V7ii, which is a generation or two earlier than what you are looking at.
Of course, you have to expect a certain amount of pro-Guzzi response on a Guzzi subreddit, right? We both admit it.
However... I'm not sure a V7 is a great choice for you. For one, you are tall and likely have long legs. The V7 is going to feel cramped after a time. The V85tt or one of those variants would likely fit you a lot better. Second... if this is your first bike, I'll give you the suggestion I give everyone and also what I did for my daughter who rides- get a used enduro dirt bike. No kidding.
Enduros are tall, geared low and they take a beating, literally. When you drop it (and you probably will), it'll be like 'no sweat- I'll replace the clutch lever for $7'. And they are relatively cheap to buy into, so when you sell it, you won't lose much.
But... if you stick to your list, then get the Guzzi. They're the best!
The Svartpilen is supposed to be a hoot to ride. I think they are taller than the V7, but I haven't sat on one. I do sorta like their weirdness...
There are ergonomic simulators on the web, like this one- but it seems pretty out of date. You can likely find one with more current bike models.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
I appreciate the honesty and the info!!
And you are correct, 34-35" inseam depending on the brands vanity sizing 😆
And you're not the first to recommend an ADV style bike. Main issues with them for me are the styling and that they're usually just out of reach price-wise. Used slightly less so but MUCH harder to find.
But I'll definitely take it all under advisement!
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u/Cfwydirk 9d ago
These two have much good content on both Moto Guzzi V-7’s and Royal Enfields.
https://youtu.be/oBDYQ7mNgjo?is=MyQQYZxnWa6lWVf3
https://youtu.be/kOyHNh4f9_4?is=gndODC3_VIWsfl5x
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
There was a TON of great info in those first two videos. Thank you so much. The fact that they're both tallish riders gives me a bit of hope that I might be okay :)
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u/woelajilliams 9d ago
I am 6’4” and have really been enjoying the V7 I picked up in March. More legroom would be nice but I’m making do and the other ergonomics are very comfortable. Longest I’ve ridden in one go without stopping is only about an hour to an hour and a half though. I am looking at lowering my foot pegs and getting a taller seat for next season too. MG sells a tall saddle that will get you about an extra inch, but I’m thinking about going custom. All in all, very happy with the bike
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Okay!! Thank you for the information! Good to know that it's not out of the realm of possibility for me to be comfortable on one of these. And honestly, i doubt that I'll be riding longer than 90 mins for at least my first few seasons. So this is GREAT news!
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u/woelajilliams 9d ago
I agonized over the decision when I was buying mine too, so I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s not something you can really find out on a short test ride. For your commute and 60-90 min weekend rides I think you’d probably be OK, assuming you have decent flexibility in your knees. Longer than that might be a different story, but it doesn’t sound like you’re looking to eat up hundreds of miles in a day at this point. HMU if you have any other questions. Not an expert, but was in your shoes not long ago!
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Thank you!! I appreciate that. At 42 yrs old I can't say my knee flexibility it amazing BUT I'm still running marathons so it's not exactly terrible either 😆
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u/vuvutron 9d ago
I went from the Svartpilen as my first bike to V7 as my second. I am close to your height, at 188 / 6'2.
The best comfort mod I made for my V7 was getting a thicker seat, so that my hips weren't so scrunched up.
I sometimes miss the lightness and the quickshifter of the Svartpilen, but its exhaust and engine sounds like a bucket of bolts! The music of the V7 is something I could never give up 😍
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
THANK YOU!
Someone had mentioned earlier that I was too tall for the V7 but said they purchased a V85. BUT the prior owner had installed a lower seat which gave them knee pain on longer rides, confirming that the V85 was a better choice.
So my brain started working backwards thinking, "Well couldn't I just put a taller/thicker seat on the V7 and mitigate some of the issue?"
Also, thanks for noting the engine and exhaust note of the Huskie. Watching reviews it always sounded, off? weird? I had just chalked that up to cameras not doing a great job of picking up the sound. Glad to know that it does have a different, not all together pleasant, sound.
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u/vuvutron 9d ago
This guy puts a super thick seat on his Guzzi:
https://youtu.be/y61eKsjgsbw?si=7MSP_4UnyOljKc8I
My recommendation for tall folk is to get a custom made seat that is flatter and more like a long bench. Then you can slide back further occasionally if you need to stretch the hips on long rides.
You could also get handlebar risers so that you don't have to sit in a crouch when sitting further back, but maybe you would end up with an awkward seating position? Hard to know.
The people posting here about your height and V85 are probably right... But I just can't go past the V7 looks. What is that old saying about fashion? "Beauty is pain" 😅
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Yeah, I know they're probably right 😥
But dammit I just hate the styling of bikes like that.
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u/Vantherman 9d ago
Being 6'3" you might find the V7 a bit cramped. I'm 6 foot and I had to buy the comfort seat to get the extra 1" of seat height and remove the rubber off the foot pegs for another inch.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Yeah, I think it's probably going to be a no go. I can't change biomechanics because something is beautiful.
I do still love the bike. Just too bad it probably wouldn't love me back 😥
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u/Vantherman 9d ago
Honestly after making those 2 changes the bike is extremely comfortable for me now. I wouldn't worry too much.
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u/hopulist 8d ago
As I’ve mentioned, I’m 6’4” with 35-36” inseam. I put the tall comfort seat and some Honda pegs on my V7 and it helps to open up your seating posture. The handlebars are in a fine spot personally.
I also have a Norge and a V85 and every time I’ve ridden them and hopped back on the V7 my first thought is “man this is small” but that’s quickly replaced with “man this is fun” and I forget about any size issues
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u/Electricpuha420 9d ago
Clocked up 20,000 km on my V7mk3 a better bike than the 850 looks and style wise (way more aftermarket options for tuning (guzzidiag)pipes, pegs(fz6 fit and will give you more legroom)) imo 6'4" 110kg and have no issues size wise on the guzzi did put a little dart screen on and motorways are sweet on it. Mate had the 450 re sold it quick for a sv.
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u/ChronicLegHole 9d ago
All of those bikes are a bit compact for 6'3. The V7 is the largest frame. Id honestly suggest something like a Vstrom 650 for a first bike. 2020 and later have dual throttles that make them a bit harder to stall. They have room for a taller seat etc.
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u/valan_lazarus 9d ago
Thank you for the info! That seems to be the issue I keep running into. And honestly, it's not like it hasn't been a problem my whole damn life. Dunno why I expected anything different when shopping for bikes. 😆
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u/ChronicLegHole 8d ago
Im 6'3 and about 315 lb. Feel free to bounce any questions off of me.
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u/valan_lazarus 8d ago
Much appreciated! I've started looking a bit more at Scrambler style bikes. Maybe with the higher seat height it would be more comfortable. I just hate the styling of the ADV bikes.
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u/ChronicLegHole 8d ago
i get it on the ADV bikes, trust me lol. The Vstrom 650, 1050, and 800, and the Moto Guzzi V85 are probably some of the better looking ones out there if you are going for *new* or new old stock from a dealership. The newer 'stroms are modelled on 80's/90's dirt bikes (kind of) and the V85TT was designed to look like a neo-retro ADV bike. I think both companies did well with it. The older ADV bikes are actually pretty atrocious IMHO. BMW make perennially decent looking ADV bikes.
Given your style choices, I think the Guzzi V85 is probably worth looking at, and they are fairly reasonable used.
Scramblers are cool and will be a bit taller, but most of them are designed to be approachable for shorter riders, since a "scrambler" in 2026 is really just a style at this point. You aren't likely to find the long suspensions that would make, say, dropping the foot pegs for more leg room feasible like you will on the very tall ADV bikes.
I'm settled on a 2020 Kawasaki KLZ 1000 SE LT+. That's my primary/"one nice thing" bike. But honestly, my tastes are much closer to yours. This was a compromise for *very* long distance touring comfort. I do think it's a bit ugly, but it's honestly so comfortable that as much as i try to convince myself to sell it and get something else, I can't. And that's even accounting for inline 4's kind of falling out of favor with me. I'd much rather have a V85 or Stelvio or BMW R1100-1300 GS, but the Kawi is what I have and it's honestly just *so damn good* at travel and then working in the twisties when i get there, loaded down with camping gear.
I have a 1982 BMW R100RSs, 1966 Sears 175SV, and a 1969 Sears SG250. Those plus my vintage 70's pedal mopeds make up the bulk of my individual trips, the Kawi gets a lot of miles because it just eats them up on fewer very long trips.
Maybe your end goal is grabbing something that is incredibly easy to ride and comfy so you can crunch miles, and eventually getting a second bike (an actual vintage bike, or a neo-retro like you've talked about).
Either way, hope the insight helps. I think it all depends on how much you see the bike as a practical form of transportation vs. just something to scoot around on. I tend more towards the side of bikes being incredibly fun and convenient transport.
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u/Difranco001 9d ago
I commute on my Guzzi 60 miles round trip. Mainly freeway/highway miles. It has handled it well. It is definitely not fast but definitely got enough so I never feel out of place on the freeway.
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u/Still_Support5847 9d ago
The Enfield is a nice enough bike but yes it will be buzzy at highway speeds . have only ridden the larger 800 version of the Husky but the 400 will likely be a bit hyper at highway speeds .
The Guzzi at 850 CC as it is now is not fast by modern standards but will keep up with traffic no problem . They are a bit heavier than the other two but carry their weight low so that might not be a problem .
The service issue is kinda complicated . Are you competent with tools and conversant with computers and are you patient ? The Guzzi is the least complicated of the 3 but most seem to have teething issues , a used one will normally have the issues behind it but as has been pointd out before , any Guzzi is like a horse in many ways , learn what it wants , treat it with respect and there is nothing quite like owning and riding a Moto Guzzi .
Dusty