What makes the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer->ke3173 such a desirable bike? Lots of reasons, if you know what you're looking for.

Built in 2008, the V7 Racer comes with a design inspired by its predecessors - the V7 Special and Sport from the seventies - but combined with the technology of a modern Moto Guzzi->ke1411. The result is a bike that's well worth owning.

One of the first things you'll notice about the V7 Racer is the red frame that was inspired by the legendary first 150 examples of the V7 Sport with CrMo frames. The bike also has an ultra sporty single-seater saddle - with a two-seater saddle and pillion footpegs available as optional accessories - that has been upholstered in suede. The seat leads into an aerodynamic tail fairing that also incorporates lateral race number panels in true Seventies style.

In terms of power, the Guzzi V7 Racer doesn't hold back, thanks to an updated 745cc V-twin engine with more than 70% of its internal components being all-new, and twin intake manifolds and throttle bodies being replaced with a single Y manifold and single 38mm Magneti Marelli throttle body. All these components help the bike not only improve its fuel economy, but also reduce CO2 emissions.

The updated engine of the V7 also gets a redesigned fuel tank with the tank now lighter than the earlier unit and made of metal instead of polyethylene. All told, the bike can hit 51 horsepower and 58 Nm of torque, enough numbers to make it a worthwhile cafe racer.

Find out more about the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer after the jump

2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Moto Guzzi V7 Racer
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: 4-stroke 90° V-twin
  • Horsepower: 26 @ 6800
  • Torque: 54 @ 3600
  • Transmission: 5-speed
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Moto Guzzi V7 Racer

V7 Racer. USA version comes with black gas tank

Italian style and superb craftsmanship in a motorcycle created for collectors in search of vintage appeal.

The Moto Guzzi V7 Racer pays homage to the extraordinary racing career of the V7 Sport, an icon in the glorious history of the marque from Mandello del Lario.

Among its many merits, the legendary V7 Sport - with its technical excellence and outstanding performance - was also the most desirable bike of all in the modified production class. This class, reserved for gentleman riders, enjoyed an avid following spurred on by the passionate rivalry between supporters of Japanese bikes, which were extraordinarily powerful but difficult to ride, and fans of Italian sports bikes which, while disadvantaged in terms of pure horsepower, boasted better engineered chassis and superior braking performance than their multi-cylinder adversaries.

Away from the circuit, this rivalry between the two factions continued in heated discussions around café tables, and if you happened to have a Moto Guzzi V7 Sport parked in front, with its single-seater saddle in suede, its racing exhaust and its unmistakable top fairing, it was proof that you belonged to an elite group of expert motorcyclists for whom riding is a true art.

Moto Guzzi has captured the essence of that magical moment in time from over three decades ago, and reinterpreted it with the marque's hallmark passion and skill to create a genuine production special: the new V7 Racer. Produced in a numbered edition, as demonstrated by the commemorative plaque on the steering yoke, the V7 Racer celebrates the classic styling cues of the Moto Guzzi brand in a perfectly balanced blend of craftsmanship and technology evident in every aspect of this stunning motorcycle.

The first thing to catch your eye is the red frame, inspired by the legendary first 150 examples of the V7 Sport with CrMo frames, has been given a special treatment - as have the hubs and swingarm - which accentuates the gloss finish and emphasizes the aesthetic purity of the double cradle structure. Perched on top of the frame's tubes is an ultra sporty single-seater saddle (a two-seater saddle and pillion footpegs are available as optional accessories), upholstered in suede and terminating in an aerodynamic tail fairing that also incorporates lateral race number panels in true Seventies style.

With its tiny Plexiglas screen above a race number panel, the top fairing - an exemplary expression of the Guzzi school - cites the front of the legendary Gambalunga. This unequivocally sporty element is in perfect harmony with the new design of the front mudguard. One of the most distinctive features of this unique special edition is the widespread use of bespoke components in brushed, drilled aluminum. This hand-crafted treatment, which requires superb artisan skill, has been applied to the side panels, the throttle body guards and the silencer mounting brackets.

Other premium components include the aft-mounted footpegs machined from solid billets, the lightened steering stem and the steering yoke guard consisting of a double chromed ring, which is so exquisitely crafted that it looks like an ornamental feature.

Any gentleman rider in the mood for a track day simply needs to don a single color helmet and an understated leather riding suit, find the perfect setup for the fully adjustable pair of Bitubo gas shock absorbers and aim the 18 inch front wheel as close as possible to the apex. Riding enthusiasts who want to take it a step further can also choose the Arrow exhaust system (not homologated for street use), which is in perfect keeping with the visual balance of the bike and produces a spine-tingling sound as well as a significant increase in performance.

Technically, the V7 Racer retains the same winning formula used for the V7 Café in terms of both frame architecture - with a double cradle layout and detachable bolted lower elements - and geometry, with a steering rake of 27°50’. Doing duty together with the fully adjustable Bitubo rear shock absorbers is a 40 mm Marzocchi front fork, with a wheel travel of 130 mm and fitted with dust gaiters.

The brake system uses the finest components that the market has to offer, with a 320 mm floating front disc gripped by a fixed 4-piston Brembo 30/34 caliper, and a 260 mm rear disc with a 32 mm Brembo caliper. Measuring 2.50 x 18 at the front and 3.50 x 17 at the rear, the wire wheels, with silver spokes and nipples mounted on a matte black rim, are the same size as on the V7 Café, but are shod with higher performance and more visually impressive Pirelli Demon Sport tires.

Specifications

Engine

Type

4-stroke 90° V-twin

Engine capacity

744 cc

Bore and stroke

80x74 mm

Compression ratio

9.6:1

Timing system

2 valves with light alloy pushrods and rockers

Valve timing diagram


-intake valve opens 18° BTDC

-intake valve closes 50° ABDC

-exhaust valve opens 53° BBDC

-exhaust valve closes 15° ATDC

(with 1 mm control clearance between rockers and valves)

Maximum power

35.5 kW (48.8 hp) at 6,800 rpm

Maximum torque

54.7 Nm at 3,600 rpm

Fuel system

Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection

Exhaust system

with 3-way catalytic converter and oxygen sensor


Transmission

Transmission

5-speed

Gear ratios


-1st - 11/26 = 1 : 2.3636

-2nd - 14/23 = 1 : 1.6429

-3rd - 18/23 = 1 : 1.2778

-4th - 18/19 = 1 : 1.0556

-5th - 20/18 = 1 : 0.9


Lubrication

forced circulation with lobe pump - circuit capacity: 1.78 Kg

Primary drive

gear, drive ratio: 16/21=1: 1.3125

Final drive

cardan shaft, drive ratio 8/33=1 : 4.825

Clutch

single plate dry clutch with flexible coupling


Chassis

Frame

double cradle tubular frame in ALS steel with detachable elements

Center to center

distance 1.449 mm

Trail

109

Steering rake

27°50'

Front suspension

telescopic hydraulic Marzocchi fork with 40 mm stanchions

Front wheel travel

130 mm

Rear suspension

die cast light alloy swing arm with 2 fully adjustable Bitubo shock absorbers

Rear wheel travel

118 mm

Brake system

Brembo

Front brake

320 mm floating stainless steel disc, calliper with 4 differently sized opposed pistons

Rear brake

260 mm stainless steel disc

Brake pump cylinder diameters

Front pump 13 mm

Rear pump

13 mm

Caliper piston diameters

Front caliper 30/34 mm

Rear caliper

32 mm

Braking surface area

front 21.3 cm2, rear 16.1 cm2

Friction material front

Ferodo 222, rear Ferodo ID 450

Wheels Steel wire wheels

- Front wheel: 2.50" X 18"

- Rear wheel: 3.50"X17"

Tires Front

Pirelli Sport Demon 100/90- 18 56H TL

Rear

Pirelli Sport Demon 130/80 -17 65H TL


Electrics

System voltage

12 V

Battery

12 V - 12 Amp/h

Alternator

12 V - 350 Watts

Headlamp

12 V - 55/60 W

Taillight

12V - 5/21 W

Turn indicators

12V - 10 W


Dimensions

Length

86" (2,185 mm)

Max width

31.5" (800 mm)

Height

43.9" (1,115 mm)

Saddle height

31.7" (805 mm)

Minimum ground clearance

7.2" (182 mm)

Steering angle

32° per side

Dry weight

401 lbs (182 Kg)

Kerb weight

436.5 lbs (198 Kg)

Tank type

Nylon

Fuel tank capacity

4.49 gallons (17 liters)

Reserve

0.66 gallon (2.5 liters)


Quotes

Bikez ---- "The Moto Guzzi V7 Racer pays homage to the extraordinary racing career of the V7 Sport, an icon in the glorious history of the marque from Mandello del Lario."

Fasterandfaster ---- "Moto Guzzi have provided a mild makeover for the V7 for 2012, which is available in standard, Special and Racer versions. Guzzi claim the V7’s 745cc V-twin engine has been extensively updated, with more than 70% of its internal components being all-new, and twin intake manifolds and throttle bodies being replaced with a single Y manifold and single 38mm Magneti Marelli throttle body. This, according to the company, helps improve fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions.

"

Totalmotorcycle ---- "The Racer is now the only sport version of the V7 and the model in the range which benefits the most from the two most significant new features: the new single throttle engine which provides more sporty performance and the metal fuel tank, further enhanced by the specific chromium treatment for this prestigious version."