RF FEB 2021 ONLINE

We are told these pistons draw upon the history and
heritage of the Moto Guzzi rotary WWI and WWII
fighter engines with flat heads for maximum low RPM
torque. In fact, the first Moto Guzzi V-Twin engines
were “cut” from these very same rotary
aviation engines to create motorcycle engines.
From the first bike to reach the Arctic Circle in the
20’s to the racing successes of the 1930’s such as
the 1935 Isle of Man TT. To developing 4-stroke
engines in the 1940’s and even a V8 engine in the
1950’s.
Every time we take out one of these V7’s, without fail some old
timer will come wandering over and spend an hour reminiscing
about back in the day when he was still riding or some youngster
or bunch of youngsters will crowd around it with camera’s
out using words like “cool” or “sick” and etcetera.
Even the young ladies come over to say hello and have their
pic taken with the bike.
Like I said …
“The epitome of cool”.
You too can own a little bit of Moto Guzzi history.
www.italianmi.co.za
Moto Guzzi’s served in WWII as well on the front lines
during that time. In the 1960’s the iconic transverse
V-Twin was introduced and continuously developed
and is still found in today’s newest Moto
Guzzi bikes.
The 1970’s brought about even more innovation with
the 850 Le Mans and “small block” gyroscope effect
engine. In the 80’s, motorcycle company Benelli
acquired Moto Guzzi and sold to Aprilia in the 2000’s
with Aprilia investing billions into the company before
the company stumbled and Ducati stepped in to buy
Moto Guzzi, along with Kymco and BRP but the
ultimate owner of Moto Guzzi would be Piaggio in
2004.
Late 2008 brought about the classic Moto Guzzi
models we know today.
To celebrate, for 2021 Moto Guzzi has produced a
limited series of their models in a special Centennial
Livery, which will be available on V7, V9 and V85 TT.
The local Guzzi Importers IMI, hope to host a centenary
ride soon. We will keep you posted – if everyone
drags out their old Guzzi’s, it will be quite something
to take part in.
To celebrate the milestone, Sean Hendley took the
Limited Edition V7 Carbon for a ride.
This bike is the definition of “Old School Cool”. It still
looks and feels like an old 80’s bike when I was a
teenager, but just sooo much cooler in its blacked out
and red paint job. It is undeniably Italian with form
taking precedence over function, you have to ride one
to understand, but that has always been the Guzzi
way and that is what makes them so
appealing to ride.
The V7 is not fast by any stretch of the imagination,
nor is it a track or mountain pass carving weapon.
What it is however, is the epitome of ‘Cool’ or ‘Suave’.
This is the bike you trundle along on to your favourite
sidewalk Cafe or breakfast run venue and strike a
pose and wait for everyone to pull out their
smartphone camera’s. It is nostalgic to ride as well,
sitting in the breeze with the 750cc V-twin throbbing
along between your legs, its single analogue/digital
display giving you all the basic info you need. The
sunshine on your face, the wind in your beard, (in
my case anyway), and bugs in your teeth astride an
ultra-cool retro bike built for the modern day rider.
We did crank it over in a couple of corners and twist
its ear a bit on the straights and yes it does get
along quite enthusiastically and is fun in the bends,
particularly when the motor tries to stand you up in a
left hander or push you further down in a right hand
corner, but that is why we love Guzzi’s.