2020 Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone S And V7 III Racer First Look

The distinctive elements that make the new Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone S immediately recognizable are the beautiful satin chrome fuel tank, wrapped on the top by a black leather strap, and the full LED light clusters, including the headlight, taillight and turn indicators: a modern, high-tech spirit, seen for the first time on the “Night Pack” variation of the V7 III Stone, which also includes the lowered position of the headlight and instrument cluster and a shorter and sleeker rear fender. All of this, along with brand new “bar end” rearview mirrors, give the Stone S an even more slender and dynamic profile.

Another sporty touch is created by the numerous red details: the ever-present Eagle on both sides of the fuel tank, the shock absorber springs and the red stitching that enhances the dedicated seat, upholstered in water-repellent Alcantara. The equipment package also includes an anodized black locking fuel cap made from aluminum billet and the side panels, also in aluminum with a dedicated logo.

The mechanical parts are also elegantly dressed, with the throttle body covers in natural anodized aluminum and the cylinder heads with milled cooling fins. As with all the V7 III Stone units, the instrument cluster is a single circular display with an analog rev counter and all the other information shown on the digital screen. Lastly, the Moto Guzzi V7 III Stone S gets new rubber in the shape of the Dunlop Arrowmax Streetsmart tires.

It’s been a whole ten years since the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer first hit the scene, representing the sportiest in the V7 line, and for 2020 the latest iteration of this classic gets a refreshed look.

The new Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer 10th Anniversary differs clearly from the previous version in the front view, where a new top fairing with incorporated windscreen stands out in true Café Racer style. The top fairing gets a special red dedicated graphic – also seen on the seat cover hump – which flaunts the “10th Anniversary” celebratory detail.

At the center of the top fairing is a new, full-LED headlight, accompanying the LED taillight and turn indicators. The rear fender is also slimmer, and bar end mirrors complete the slim look.

There are numerous stylistic features reminiscent of the previous versions of the Café Racer from Mandello, all tributes to its ten-year heritage: The fuel tank, wrapped on the top by the classic leather strap, it returns to the beautiful glossy chrome that characterised the original 2010 model, whereas other distinctive V7 Racer and V7 II Racer traits reappear on the side racing number plates, namely the number 7 and the red edge with the detail of the Italian flag.

As for the rest, the Moto Guzzi V7 III Racer 10th Anniversary keeps its iconic features, such as the frame and the swingarm painted in “Rosso Corsa” (Racing Red), an explicit reference to the 1971 V7 Sport, nicknamed, in fact, “telaio rosso” (red frame); the semi-handlebars, humped saddle, now with red stitching, that has a single-seat look but can seat a passenger as well with its pillion footpegs once the seat cover is removed. The spoked wheel rims have red Moto Guzzi stickers like the other sport models, including the Audace.

Produced in limited numbers, as indicated by the plate on the upper steering yoke, the V7 III Racer 10th Anniversary is not only the most sporty of the range but also the one with premium parts. These include the set-back footpegs machined from solid billet, the lightened steering stem and the steering yoke guard. And while most people will overlook it, the widespread use of anodized black aluminum is a hand-crafted treatment, requiring superb artisan skill, and characterises the side fairings and the throttle body guards.