Moto Guzzi V7 Sport with Real Brakes! 2025 Review

Complying with the Euro5+ standard has only brought good things for the air-cooled 850 V7 engine. This powerplant, which has delighted riders with its archaic character in the past, has seen noticeable improvements, especially between 3000 and 4000 RPM. Previously, there was a slight dip in torque and power in that range, but that's now a thing of the past. Moto Guzzi's dyno charts show up to a 20% increase in torque in this area, and the power curve is right there with it. In practice, this means the engine revs smoothly from 2000 RPM and remains fully potent across the entire rev range. The increase in peak power by two horses to 67 HP is nice, but it's the bolstered mid-range where this 2-valve engine truly shines. The "Sport" moniker is certainly justified, but if you're buying a V7 to blow everyone away, you've misunderstood the essence of the machine—and might need a strong resolve. Cruising through town and country, enjoying the rumbling and thumping engine, and occasionally indulging in your sporty cravings is where the new engine setup excels. However, outpacing your buddies on the home stretch is still a challenge.

To briefly touch on the engine's technical updates: new camshaft timing, revised piston cooling, a new airbox, new exhaust, and updated engine management with a ride-by-wire throttle. This setup allows for cruise control, now standard across all new V7 models. The Stone and Classic offer two riding modes (Poggia, Strada) and switchable traction control. The V7 Sport, equipped with a 6-axis IMU, adds a Sport mode (which, in my opinion, feels similar to "Strada" but with delayed traction control intervention) and cornering ABS. Paired with the new 320mm dual disc brakes featuring radially mounted four-piston Brembo calipers and a 41 mm USD fork, there's a massive improvement in braking performance. While the lever's feedback isn't crystal clear yet, the bite and modulation are now at a sporty level, allowing the "Sport" to take sharper and more battle-ready lines into corners compared to the Stone and Special, which still make do with a single disc setup. Personally, the V7's previous braking performance never bothered me (I managed just fine), but the Sport's dual discs are undoubtedly a solid improvement, enhancing the fun factor for those with a competitive streak.

All the changes Moto Guzzi has made to the V7 for the 2025 model year can be considered highly successful. However, there's a slight disappointment: the Special has lost its classic clocks and is now also equipped with the LCD round instrument.

Personally, I would have gone the other way and given the Sport analog clocks as well, or at least a nice big speedometer with real needles. The tachometer isn't that crucial since, as mentioned above, the new engine performs brilliantly across the entire range. All in all, Moto Guzzi deserves sincere congratulations for the new V7 lineup. I didn't expect Euro5+ to have such a positive impact.