Why I chose the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone as my new bike

Nearly two years after selling my Honda Rally, I’ve finally got a new bike to call my own. So let’s take a look while I give you the rundown on why I’ve chosen to make this bike my own and what my future plans for it are.

So it’s taken me a while to get my own wheels after I sold the Honda.

For what I hope are obvious reasons, I wanted to make sure I bought a bike to replace it that ticks multiple boxes, but most importantly made me grin when I swing a leg over it.

So, after two years of riding various bikes I honed in on this Moto Guzzi V7 Stone.

So eagle eyed readers will recognise this - it is in fact the bike I had over the last summer and had a bit of unfinished business with having been asked to return it to Moto Guzzi HQ before I’d ticked off my full to-do list with it.

So why choose this instead of something a bit more popular?

Truth be told there were only two bikes in the running in the end.

A V7 or a Triumph 900 twin like a Speed Twin 900. I even penned a full modification plan for a Triumph I was that close to pulling the trigger on one.

But at the end of the day the Guzzi obviously won out, so let’s decide why I went Italian over British.

Engine

Now I’ve got to be honest, I’ve only ever owned two types of engine - V-twins and singles.

And as utterly gorgeous as a Triumph twin sounds - and man, there are some great examples out there - I’ve always wanted to get back on a V-twin. It’s such a quintessential motorcycle engine.

While the Triumph has longer service intervals and water cooling, the Guzzi has an easy to service traverse twin that FEELS so damn good to engage with.

Seriously, the engine of a Moto Guzzi has a bit of magic to it that you simply have to experience to understand

Tank size

Now a big plus with the Guzzi is its massive fuel tank - a whole 21-litres! Now while it doesn’t have a fuel gauge, I’ve come to learn that it’s not that big an issue. Interestingly the new 2025 bikes have one built into the dash… I wonder if I can get one retrofitted to my bike?

Rarity

Back in my early riding days I rode cheap and cheerful Hyosungs but they always had folks coming up to chat about them at petrol stations.

Now while Triumph 900s aren’t hugely popular in New Zealand, Moto Guzzis are a much rarer sight on the road, and that adds some weight in terms of cool factor I think.

Accessibility

Last up is the V7 is so accessible compared to my old Honda. Being ex-demo it’s affordable with an impeccable service history, it’s got a nice low seat that is pretty comfy and pillion friendly, and it carries its weight nicely.

Hopes and Dreams

So now I’ve finally got my own wheels again I have some hopes and dreams for what k want to achieve with it.

Firstly, I want to get out Moto camping with it. I’ve already taken it out once to the Cold Kiwi Rally, but I want to get out this summer and enjoy some quiet nights away to reset from the madness.

Secondly, I want to make it mine. It already has the luggage setup, but I have some ideas on how I can make this bike my own and give it even more of a distinctive aesthetic.

Lastly, I’m just looking forward to having a bike I can jump in and enjoy a ride on without feeling like I need to create content with it to justify its existence  at the end of the day, I unashamedly bought this for me and nobody else and I’m going to damn well enjoy it.

So that is the new bike. You’ll probably see a bit more of it moving forward as I navigate the changes to the channel away from being review focused. Hopefully, you’ll find it half as pleasing as I do. And if not, well that’s ok if we all liked the same things life would be boring wouldn’t it?