I’ve had a Moto Guzzi V7 Classic for a few years now, and on seeing the new V7 Sport I was a bit smitten. There’s something about the Verde Legnano finish — it’s not a color I especially like, but it evokes the ‘70s racers Guzzi used to field. I really dig the bevelled front on the side panels. It’s a small thing, but I find it catches the eye.

What’s new? Inverted folks. Dual front brakes. A nice throaty exhaust. Bar end mirrors. But the big change is the variable valve timing from the V-85.

I got a chance to ride one this weekend while my V7 was in the shop for maintenance. The good folks at Motopia New Mexico — probably the best dealer in the state for Triumphs, Guzzis andAprilias, Royal Enfield, and MV Augusta — led me bang around for an hour.

The VVT really smooths out the idle and and overall feel of the transverse twin. It doesn’t lose the character of the motor, but it is more refined. Power delivery is still fast through the shaft drive, but I did notice the rev limiter seemed to be kicking in a good 1000 RPM lower than on my Classic. I almost never hit the governor on my V7, no matter how hard I’m flogging in. I was regularly hitting it on the Sport. That said, it’s plenty quick for the non-sportbike crowd.

The saddle is incredibly comfortable. The V7 is a fantastic distance bike, but the saddle on this is superb. I may have to see if I can throw one on my Classic. With the 5.5 gallon tank, you can get about 300 miles out of a tank. You’d be able to stay in the saddle for that, if need be, without losing feeling.

The brakes? Great. The bike stops very well, now, and there’s none of the slight pull you get on the older ones.

The good news is that the all the things that make the V7 such a good platform haven’t changes. The inverted folks really didn’t seem to make it handle all that much better than the early V7s. The weight sits low and central, the frame contributes to exceptional balance, especially at very low speeds. The seating position is comfortable and conducive to long rides. It’s speedy enough to handle most traffic, but not fast enough to send you straight to jail, if you get stopped by the police. 

The V7 Sport is a nice addition to the line, and improves on the Classic and Stone versions with a smoother engine and much improved braking, without losing what makes the V7 so attractive to those that want an old-school machine with modern conveniences.