Thought I chine in on the new Guzzi owner thread
Basically I just picked up my 2015 V7 Stone about 2 weeks ago, but was only able to ride her home...30KM ride with partial highway. Can't ride much lately as the weather is not cooperating...Pacific North West (I am in South BC) weather with snow *shock* in the forecast almost daily and for the next week or 2 also!!!! *ARGGGGG*
I am a new rider with just under 2 years experience and came off from a 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 Cruiser, there were something that were worries me such as ABS & dry clutch before I pulled the trigger...but once I saw the bike...man, I was in love!!!!! Now with that,I think I find myself in the "wrong" crowd as I am only 30+...LOL...
Before the guzzi, I was having a hard time finding the bike that fits me as my inseam is only 29.5 and most of the up-right position bike such as DL650, Versys, and NC750X are too tall for me as I crawl thru traffic lots.
This is what I found when I rode her home:
- The ride back home was fun, nimble, & awesome thru traffic.
So much torque that I didn't have to worry about car edging behind me for going too slow off the line.
Coming off a cruiser, I actually felt more power until 120~130 KPH @ 3.5K~4K RPM
Wife actually was pushing me to go faster by accident (she was driving behind me in her car, coughdamncagerbraincough)
- 1st gear was hard to find from time to time especially during a full stop in a traffic light/stop sign as the green N sign would go out, but the bike was still in neutral.
Haven't found other gears hard to get into & out...yet.
- Friction point of the clutch was a lot closer between closed fist to half open fist so ended up stalled her a few time...my shadow was almost 2/3 way out...learning curve, learning curve...
- Ergo & Suspension felt okay to me as I am only 160lb + gear, 5'-9.5" w/ 29.5" inseam...
I do feel the seat is a bit wide at the front and I couldn't flatfoot it at stand still.
Had to tippy toeing most of the way to get the bike back up into the garage...few scary moments I tell ya...
- One thing I do not like "minor I feel" is how high the rear brake pedal resting position is. Had to lift my toe up quite a bit to be able to rest on the pedal before stepping on it.
I tried to adjusted the jam nut by the brake cylinder but it just ended up moving my braking point instead of brake lever resting point...
Anyone has this "concern"?
- The short fairing did nothing for the wind but rather just keep my gauges clean...
I don't mind it too much as my cruiser was a naked set up.
So far no issue with her with the minimum amount of saddle time...
aftermarket items are so rare and few...and not cheap sometimes LOL...yes, I am "cheap"...
So here she is, resting in the garage.
I can't wait to ride her again so I can get her ECU updated and go on trips!
Man I need more photo of her in her natural habitat...THE MOUNTAIN ROAD!