After a few weeks of ownership, here’s a few things to know going into owning a Moto Guzzi V7.

1 — It makes noises like it’s haunted:

When it’s sitting after a ride moaning like the ghost of whateverthehell Ebenezer Scrooge’s late partner was called**, don’t worry; the gas tank’s just a bit overpressurized because you filled it to the top or it’s really hot out. You can just open the gas cap (slowly!) or leave it and terrorize your family when they go into the garage.

2 — It’s really cold-blooded:

When you take off from a cold start and the thing lugs in first and second gear like there’s something wrong, again — fairly normal. Kinda like driving a Ferrari 365GTB — until it’s warmed up a few blocks down the line, it’s best to run a little tall in the gearing. I find a block or two running in the 3k+ on the tachometer and it wakes up. (Addendum: Some of this is the fueling. Apparently, GuzziTech has a widget that will enrich the mix and get rid of a lot of the low end lag. The bitchy shifting, however, is completely an issue with the transmission oil needing to get moved around. That takes a few blocks, then she’s fine. SCR)

3 — No, you don’t have the peg clearance you think you do:

I’ve scuffed hard parts on this thing since the first test ride. I had to take the angle feelers off the bottom of the driver pegs because they were ground to point and were catching on my bloody pants. Hell, I went into a tight turn a gear higher than I tought I was and scrapped the kickstand (which protected the nice chrome pipes. Dial your suspension up a few notches and butt scoot like a professional racer or you’re gonna hit things. A least on the V7. (Addendum: After riding the bike for a while, I realized a major part of the issue is the engine never sounds like it’s straining — even redlined. I tend to ride by sound and compared to my 2010 Thruxton and 2020 Enfield Interceptor, the V7 sounds like it’s barely working. On the mountain twisties that had me hit the damned kickstand while folded against the pipe I did a quick check of my speedo…I was a good 10 mph faster than I thought I was. It’s got plenty of clearance…I’m just riding it like a lunatic! SCR)

4 — You’ve got incredible range on the thing:

My gas reserve comes on at 3.8 gallons on a 5.5 gallon tank. That’s a bit overly cautious to my mind. I usually get about 190 miles on that 3.8 gallons. That makes for a total range of around 300 miles. That’s cars with shitty gas mileage ranges. (Addemdum: It’s been getting a steady 54mpg on the “summer” gas here in New Mexico, and 50mpg on the ethanol-heavy “winter” gas. SCR)

Speaking of gas…

5 — It’ll drink anything, but stick with higher octanes:

It’s run fine at 6000′ in altitude and 90F degree weather on 85 octane but a regular diet is probably not Italian enough for it. Stick with higher octanes.

6 — Yes, people are going to want to talk to you:

…but they’re all going to be old dudes talking about when they had that Monza back in the ’80s and such. Be prepared for a plethora of questions on how reliable it is. It seems ever biker that’s never owned one thinks they’re shit because some guy told them once…and ever Guzzi owner says they’re bulletproof, except for the one time (or two, or three) when something (usually electrical) happened.

Like the modern Royal Enfields, everyone is judging the new Guzzis by horror stories from back when, let’s face it, every bike kinda sucked except for Honda.

( **For those who aren’t literarily inclined, it’s Jacob Marley.)