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Had a 750 Ambassador many years ago, with Highway Patrol floorboards and a stomp shifter. It seems the current V7 is smaller. Is it just the lack of windshield, lights, etc., in the civilian version, or is it more of cafe racer bike now?
What happened to the crash bars?
Is it still good for highway travel?
Old school looks and old engine technology but with fuel injection and ABS. I'd definitely consider a V7 Stone. They are really good looking bikes. My biggest complaint is their poor fuel economy. I've read they get like 40 MPG, which is pretty disappointing when a Triumph Street Twin gets 60+.
Wouldn't buy a Guzzi for the mileage. Nor anything a bit strange like that. Buy it for what it is: a wonky design that sells a few units everywhere because we like to express our individuality.
Highest-quality, go JPN. Wonky and cool, go Ducati or Guzzi. Efficiently weird, BMW. Weirdly efficiently English, go (modern) Triumph. Pure Euro performance, KTM. American, H-D or (preferably) an Indian Scout, IMO.
In fact the latter is interesting to me for a reasonable-cost, fun runabout. I need to ride one. I'd buy either that, or a 'Guzzi Griso which at 100hp at the wheel and 540 lbs rolling isn't going to intimidate anyone. I like the look and thought about buying one for a lark, then realizing I have quite enough vehicles needing registration in my garage already.
For me the extreme outlier bike for appearance over performance is a Royal Enfield. Despite how absurdly unreasonable they are I still really really want one!
The Royal Oilfield is still in business? God help us!
(cue "Land of Hope and Glory")
What next, a BSA Victor that actually starts when you kick it?
What they call an "Indian Scout" is really a Chief. The Scout was 750cc.
Overhead cam V-twins make me laugh. The cam belongs in the valley, dumbo. You're not going to rev a 1200cc twin high enough to need four valves.
I remember the 750 Ambassador manual had a section on "engine alimentation". You know, those square-body Dell'Ortos.
However, the modern V7 doesn't look like much of a highway bike. Doesn't have a six-gallon fuel tank, for one thing. Different-sized wheels, so you can't just buy Dunlop 18-inchers. Curious how they claimed 60 hp back then and only 52 now. Somehow they've removed 120 lbs weight, so the performance probably is better. The looks -- well, the engine was a lot better in natural aluminum, and the black-and-chrome tank has never been surpassed.
If anybody here is actually cruising the highways on a modern Guzzi, let me know how well it works.
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