Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone 2017 — Specifications

Can you still fall for a 52-horsepower twin in 2017? The Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone proves you can, provided you're willing to ride with your heart rather than against the clock. This third generation of the small neo-retro roadster from Mandello del Lario revolutionizes nothing, but it refines a recipe that has been working for years. And sometimes, that's exactly what you expect from an Italian.

Beneath the 21-liter tank, the 744 cc 90° L-twin has undergone a serious overhaul. Guzzi grafted on cylinder heads from the V9, revised the pistons, crankshaft, clutch, and exhaust system. Piston cooling via oil injection makes its debut. The result: 52 hp at 6,200 rpm and 60.8 Nm of torque at 4,900 rpm, representing roughly a 10% improvement over the V7 II. First and sixth gears in the 6-speed gearbox have been lengthened for greater flexibility in the city and on the highway. It's no speed demon. Nobody claims otherwise. But the mechanical grain of this twin, its contained vibrations, and the visual pulse of the cylinder heads protruding from the frame are worth all the horsepower in the world to anyone who appreciates that kind of spectacle. Up against a significantly more muscular Kawasaki Z650 or Yamaha XSR700, the 2017 V7 III Stone plays on an entirely different field: that of raw emotion and riding pleasure at legal speeds.

The steel double-cradle frame has been reinforced at the front. The geometry evolves with a tighter steering head angle of 26.4° and trail reduced by 11 mm, making the steering sharper without sacrificing stability. The 40 mm telehydraulic fork offers 130 mm of travel, while the twin rear shock absorbers provide 93 mm. It's adequate without being generous, and the suspension remains the machine's weak point: on rough roads, comfort quickly shows its limits. Braking, with a 320 mm front disc gripped by a four-piston caliper and a 260 mm rear disc, proves sufficient for the 209 kg wet weight. ABS comes standard, along with a two-level switchable traction control. Useful on 52 hp? Debatable, but it's always welcome in the wet.

The spec sheet of the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone reveals a detail its Japanese rivals cannot claim: shaft drive. It's the only machine in this displacement class to offer one, and it's a compelling argument for regular riders who don't want to lube a chain every 500 kilometers. On the equipment front, the Stone version adopts a stripped-back look with a fully blacked-out exhaust line and the removal of the tachometer in favor of a minimalist instrument cluster. The MG-MP multimedia platform, available as an option, connects the bike to a smartphone to display rpm, real-time torque, fuel consumption, or even locate your ride in a parking lot. Gimmick or genuine asset? Everyone can judge for themselves, but the modernization effort is real. The used market is packed with 2018, 2019, and 2020 V7 III Stone models at attractive prices, and the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone accessories catalog lets you customize the machine to your taste. The Night Pack version, with its matte black accents, is particularly appealing.

Priced at €8,499 in 2017, the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone is aimed at riders who value character over performance. Beginners welcome thanks to its low 770 mm seat height and contained power output, urbanites won over by its compact dimensions, weekend tourers drawn to its transalpine charm. A test ride on the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone is usually enough to settle the matter: either the rhythm of the Italian twin speaks to you, or you head back toward more anonymous machinery. And in both cases, the verdict is final.