Road test of Moto-GuzziV7 750 Cafe Classic 2009 The people's V7 Sport.

you have to be a historian to understand all Moto Guzzi's past glories. But what I do know is that the V7 Sport was the revolution of the early '70s, and can now boast of being the first production bike to reach 200km/h. Today in Rome, I was able to try out a less radical version of the V7. And what a day it was!

a few months ago, I was able to ride the V7 Classic in Mandello. The 2009 V7 Café Classic offers a similar feel, thanks to its chassis and engine. Both are relatively short, and the transverse twin overflows both sides of the tank.

as ever, none of the brand's tests start on time. Simply because everyone is too busy observing Guzzi's glorious style. One never rides a Moto Guzzi without being fully imbued with the spirit of the machine!

comfortably installed, I set off into Roman traffic. What I like about this small-block V7 is the feeling of lightness and ease exuded by the air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, which nonetheless sounds like a big motor. The 805mm seat height and Café Racer-style handlebars make it easy to feel at ease while cruising between the cafés and bars of the old continent. The resulting good handling allows the V7 Café Classic to react well as I slalom through the overcrowded Roman traffic. In Rome, you have to be Italian to survive on the road! So I found a first-rate teammate in Lorenzo, a fellow Transalpine who knows Rome like the back of his hand.

the small/large machine mix is also evident in terms of agility. The Marzocchi fork is stable under braking, and the dual rear springs allow you to comfortably overcome the obstacles that a big city like Rome regularly throws in your path. It didn't take me long to feel comfortable with the Metzeler Lazertec tires. The 130/80-17 rear tire is narrow and maneuverable. The front is 100/90-18. The spoked wheels are steel, and it would be hard to imagine anything else on this machine!

outside urban traffic, the V7 Café Classic requires more revs than the other 744cm3 Guzzi V-twin presented in Rome (the Nevada Classic). The two machines have exactly the same engine, the same power curves, but differ by just a few kilos (the press kit announced a similar weight, but it's not true!). I'm therefore inclined to think that the clutch settings differed on the two machines tested.

it was only when I tried to keep up with a big Griso 8V that I realized I only had 48 hp, but with a nice torque curve that gives the best at just 3,600 rpm. In fact, it didn't take me long to find this Griso again when I got to town.

gone are the days when a Moto Guzzi V7 was all about performance. The available torque of 54.7Nm was more than enough for me to enjoy myself around Rome. The dry weight of 182kg is low for this segment, and with this robust and sober engine, the 17-liter fuel tank should stay full most of the time.

we also took a little spin around the ring road to give the bikes a bit of a push. As you'll have noticed from the technical specifications, the V7 Café Classic isn't a thunderbolt and, as a result, its twin feels slightly hollow at high revs. So we eased off the pace a little and approached the Colosseum. The engine purring under the saddle, I whistle and smile at a charming lady parked on a scooter. Life spoils me and the V7 relaxes me.

stopped for a quick espresso, I took the time to observe the bike again. Parked opposite a coffee shop in Rome, the V7 Café Classic looks right at home. Its small proportions are ideal. Indeed, too much would seem obscene here in Rome.

the V7 Café Classic is a small, competitive and stylish motorcycle with the feel of a big machine. Part of that feeling comes from the exciting sound delivered by the twin mufflers. A sound that Moto-Guzzi rightly praised in its press release.

on the way back, I take the time to observe the dashboard, which turns out to be beautiful and simple. The two analog meters display speed on the left and rpm on the right. There's also a clock, an odometer and an ambient temperature indicator. The essentials are there.

Conclusion

on this splendid day, I felt really lucky to be riding this Moto Guzzi V7 Café Classic. In addition to the ideal setting, the V7 Café Classic contributes to this feeling of well-being. This easy-going bike will give confidence to young riders with its sense of security, and will please the more experienced with its feeling of pure relaxation. The only negative point I can think of is that some tall riders may find it too small. For the rest of us, it's perfect.

By Tor SAGEN - Tradaptation: Sebastien de Malfin