The Moto Guzzi V7 Sport is a sports

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

first manufactured in

1971 * The year 1971 had three partial solar eclipses ( February 25, July 22 and August 20) and two total lunar eclipses (February 10, and August 6). The world population increased by 2.1% this year, the highest increase in history. Events Ja ...

by Italian company

Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer and the oldest European manufacturer in continuous motorcycle production. Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its historic role in Italy's motorcycling ma ...

. Based on the V7 roadster, but with a new frame and clip-on handlebars, the V7 Sport was the first Moto Guzzi

café racer A coffeehouse, coffee shop, or café is an establishment that primarily serves coffee of various types, notably espresso, latte, and cappuccino. Some coffeehouses may serve cold drinks, such as iced coffee and iced tea, as well as other non-caf ...

. The V7 Sport was lighter than the standard V7, it handled well and proved popular. The V7 Sport formed the basis for subsequent models and ultimately led to the very successful

Le Mans Le Mans (, ) is a city in northwestern France on the Sarthe River where it meets the Huisne. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Man ...

. In 2008, Moto Guzzi introduced the "V7 Special", a detuned retro-styled roadster loosely based on the V7 Sport. The "Special" was itself succeeded in 2012 by a more powerful 50 bhp model.

Reception

''Motorcycle Mechanics''' editor ''Charles Deane'' commented in his 1972 road-test that the V7 Sport, with a factory-claimed 70 bhp power output, was like a "BMW with a little bit extra" – a bit more acceleration, higher top speed and better braking, but was also, significantly, the most expensive "Superbike" available in Britain. ''Motorcycle Mechanics'', March 1972, pp.36-38. ''Moto Guzzi V7 Sport test. "Charles Deane reports on the most expensive 'Superbike' in Britain...''". Accessed and added 2015-02-08 The reviewer added: "The brakes were 'faultless' – powerful and progressive but did not prove fierce, inspiring 'confidence' in wet conditions, and the 'remarkably-low' seat height enabled a 'short' 5' 6" rider to place both feet on the floor but would be 'cramped' for a taller rider".

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V7 Sport Motorcycles introduced in 1971 Sport bikes Shaft drive motorcycles {{Motorcycle-stub