Short answer. No. I had never before considered a Moto Guzzi. I was looking for something easier to manage (height, weight, center of gravity) in the garage or at low speed than the R1200RT. I love that bike, but I'm not as strong as I once was.
Long answer. I cleared my mind (of BMW bias) and looked at all kinds of bikes. I actually bought a 1982 Honda GL500I Silver Wing on a whim, because that was a bike my then-girlfriend (and now 39-year wife) and I admired at a dealer when it came out. Needs some going over by a mechanic, though, maybe this spring. I also considered getting another 1982 Seca, but I realized that what I really wanted was a new bike with a classic look. I freaking hate the look of swoopy, sharp-angled fairings, "Transformers" bikes. My RT is old enough for the fairings to be more (IMO) elegant than the latest bikes, but all that plastic can be a hassle to deal with, too.
I started researching Triumphs, Ducatis (Desert Sled), and other makes, but then I also realized that I really like the look of the protruding cylinders on the Honda's engine. That's when I started looking at Guzzis. And fell in love. It was just good timing that this was when the upgraded V7 was out with more power and torque. The 2021 color schemes are beautiful, the blue and green are outstanding, but the orange is unsurpassable
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When I was researching the V7 850 online, many of the YouTube reviews seemed to call out the HP and top end as shortcomings, as if all bikes must be sport bikes. Speed has never been my reason for motorcycling, so that was actually a plus in my book.
So, styling, engineering (except that absurdly unfindable neutral), height (might need to lower the pegs a smidgen), weight, center of gravity, and vibe, it was a perfect storm. The dealer (Seacoast Cycles) had a lot of V7s in stock, and amazingly had one in orange, so I lucked out. I didn't even test ride it.
I didn't realize until after it was over that there was a national Moto Guzzi rally just 12 miles from my house this summer. It would have been nice to see a wide spectrum of Guzzis, but I think it would only have reinforced my decision-making process.
bws
