My Moto Guzzi V7. Does it smell like pizza or is it just me?

[totalmotorcycle]

Thanks for researching that Eric, it does appear then that motorcycles DO need amber reflex reflectors on the front then and no other color.

So, that means either getting a different amber one or leaving the OEM ones in place. As they seem to be not screwed on it's an easy replacement but what would look better?

I wonder if this would work as it has red in it? http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... OR&_sop=15














Mike

[JackoftheGreen]

Well, now you're just going Italian fanboy. (-;

Kidding, of course. I dunno, from the Fed code it looks like you have to have an amber reflex reflector on the front, period. I suppose you could add reflectors of any color if you wanted to, but there's gotta be an amber in there somewhere. I was thinking something clear so it wouldn't clash so noticeably with the new t/s lenses - purely aesthetic, of course.

I guess if I were in your shoes, I'd either swap out the amber reflectors for clear ones, or remove them entirely, and just hope nobody notices. (-: Really, you could tote around the correct reflectors in a pocket or something and if you get stopped for an infraction, swap 'em out in thirty seconds. We're supposed to be outlaws, right?

[totalmotorcycle]

LOL. Fanboi.

Ah, I forgot what the nickname was for Guzzi riders... Goose's? Guzzers? lol

Yes, I completely see (and agree) where you are coming from for the autistic (errr I meant artistic... dam spell checker!) looks... hmmm, will have to think about this one as I do side on safety and law.


With clear reflector and signals (photoshoped)

Mike

[JackoftheGreen]

Damn, that does look good. Nice PSing...

I wonder if you could find a custom fab place around there, some sorta plastics lab or something. Maybe someone could make you a reflector with an amber border around the edge and clear in the middle. The Fed guidelines don't specify anything regarding how much amber reflective surface you have to provide. Hell...maybe you could even 'black out' the middle of the reflectors you have.

[totalmotorcycle]

Damn, that does look good. Nice PSing...

I wonder if you could find a custom fab place around there, some sorta plastics lab or something. Maybe someone could make you a reflector with an amber border around the edge and clear in the middle. The Fed guidelines don't specify anything regarding how much amber reflective surface you have to provide. Hell...maybe you could even 'black out' the middle of the reflectors you have.

That is a GREAT idea, I wonder how that might look if I can find someone or make that... what a creative solution... I'll have to look into it.

Not many know this on the site, but I am (and used to be professionally) a Graphic Designer of some renown in Toronto. If you know Sudafed, Benylin or Halls brands then you have held my package designs (in the 90s). I even won top graphic designer in Toronto one year.




Mike

[totalmotorcycle]

1200 miles:

I'm very happy to report I haven't had 1 single issue since the oil dip stick fault 600 miles ago. The Moto Guzzi has been running perfectly.

In fact, Andrea took the bike to work all last week (as I was working on a coolant/antifreeze change, brake fluid change and a loose tail end) and she got a lot of complements on the bike from her co-workers, even more than I've had!! (Go figure!). lol.

Mike

[Hanson]

Hi Mike,

Some of the new bikes I have sat on recently have clear turn signal lenses with amber bulbs. A good example is the Kawasaki Versys. I think it unlikely that they would be selling these bikes in this configuration unless they complied with federal law. In contrast, all of the side reflectors appear to be amber. One thing to think about just a bit is that uniformity in the color of reflectors helps to train peoples brains to recognize objects as a vehicle at night. Changing the color of your side reflectors, or deleting the same, might have a negative impact on how conspicuous you are in that environment.

Also, I am glad to know that you Guzzi is not giving you any more mechanical problems.

Safe Travels,
Richard

I still love your bike!

[totalmotorcycle]

Hi Mike,

Some of the new bikes I have sat on recently have clear turn signal lenses with amber bulbs. A good example is the Kawasaki Versys. I think it unlikely that they would be selling these bikes in this configuration unless they complied with federal law. In contrast, all of the side reflectors appear to be amber. One thing to think about just a bit is that uniformity in the color of reflectors helps to train peoples brains to recognize objects as a vehicle at night. Changing the color of your side reflectors, or deleting the same, might have a negative impact on how conspicuous you are in that environment.

Also, I am glad to know that you Guzzi is not giving you any more mechanical problems.

Safe Travels,
Richard

I still love your bike!

Thanks Richard! I've noticed the same over the past few years that more and more motorcycles are starting to come out with clear turn signal lenses with amber bulbs. I'm sure one day it will again be the opposite but it's quite interesting to see the cosmetic change taking place.

The amber reflector from what we have researched above is required by law, although it doesn't specify size, but the amber glow it gives off does help with safety. I wouldn't want to remove them myself, although I have seen riders do that.

If you have a Guzzi dealership near you, check one out, I believe they still have their Demo ride program on.

UPDATE: Looks like there is one in Dallas near you: http://www.rpmcycletx.com/ and they say they have a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone in stock ($8399 new). I would confidently recommend the V7 to any level of rider.

Mike

[Hanson]

Hi Mike,

I have been keeping an eye on the RPM Cycle dealership and their Guzzi inventory and I love the V7, especially the Special. I do need to go visit and sit on those bikes and also evaluate the dealership. Currently, RPM has a V7 Stone, two Specials, and even a Racer listed in their floor inventory. They also have a Stelvio 1200 NTX and that looks like a bike that would be great for some long distance adventure touring. I like the big tank and the ability to ride on dirt / gravel roads and I have read a lot of great Stelvio reviews.

My biggest hangup is the Guzzi dealer network. What do I do if I break down on the gravel road to Deadhorse Alaska? I love the Moto Guzzi brand but at the same time it also scares me a bit and it is the extent of the dealer network that weighs most heavily on my mind. For a big adventure bike, the Super Tenere also looks like a great choice, even if it lacks the wonderful pizza aroma of the Stelvio NTX, but the Yamaha dealer network dwarfs that of Moto Guzzi.

I will get my first motorcycle within the year and I am thinking about used and cheap and then dumping that first bike in a year or two and getting a Stelvio. In this one bike at a time solution, it is not likely that my first bike will be a V7 Special. What I dream about for the long term is a two bike solution with a Special for around town and a Stelvio for the road. Or how about a three bike solution with a Special, a Stelvio, and a Husqvarna TE511 for those more gritty adventures. Or a four bike solution with a ... Mrs. Hanson has friends with both land and a backhoe and no one will ever find my body if I start talking about multiple bikes in the garage. Perhaps I just need to look at my ugly face in the mirror and chant "courage Richard, courage" over and over again.

Safe Travels,
Richard

Please keep the reports coming. I am very interested in maintenance issues and costs as well as your experience with your Moto Guzzi dealership.

[totalmotorcycle]

Hi Richard,

I do share your concern about the Moto Guzzi dealer network, there isn't as many as Yamaha for sure. When I bought my Moto Guzzi I got a free 1 year road side assistance and they did come and get me and my bike, dropped my bike off and drove me home. I'm not sure what would happen if you broke down in a place hundreds of miles away from a MG dealer.

The one thing I can say is Moto Guzzi's are quite simple in mechanical design (air cooled, twin) and any bike mechanic worth their salt should be able to fix one up. URAL doesn't have a big network either but they are also quite simple engines and many use them for trips around the world as they can be fixed even at the side of a road in timbuktoo. Not sure If the Guzzi is as simple but it's not complex.

For your first bike, I'd definitely suggest going used and not a "big bulky bike" unless you really want that sort of thing. If you are thinking about a "big bulky bike" to tour with or go off-road, take a look at a used Suzuki V-Strom 650 (DL650). I had one and enjoyed it.

Mike