Yes, sorry about the jackets! No, they're not product placement - I was just rushing to set the camera up to film ourselves before the rain came in and missed how prominent they looked. That's the problem with not having a camera operator! Hopefully you can still enjoy the video... John
Bennetts Bike it’s fine what a wonderful video. I was glued to it as I have new interceptor. Been off bikes for 45 years. Had Norton’s and BSA when I was young. Also raced outfits at snetterton Caldwell etc.
Love my RE, one of the main reasons is I can work on it myself, it doesn't have to go to the dealer. And the cost allowed me to add stuff and change it to how I wanted it. Ownership rather than stewardship 😂
Love those heads sticking out. To me, it gives it an old prop airplane look, I get the same vibe on an R9T and that one even sounds like an old airplane. JMO of course...
Great comparison. Personally, where a bike is made does make a difference to me and I wouldn't buy a Chinese manufactured bike for that reason. After watching this last year, I bought a V7 III Stone and absolutely love it.
All Japanese bikes are now made in China, Honda as I last heard was still made in Japan, but it won't be long until they too move to Chinese builder's.
I've recently purchased an RE650. Funny thing, I tossed up between exactly these three bikes (and only stumbled on your video today). I agree that the Triumph is probably the best machine, and I've owned 3 Guzzis in the past (and loved them all). But here in Australia, I found that for the cost of a second-hand Triumph (a few years old, a few dings and scratches), I could buy a brand-new RE (with all the bells and whistles and extra bits) and spend money on really lovely leather luggage from Tripmachine and STILL be about AUD$1-2k ahead. So while both these machines are lovely, alas a Triumph is a top-end machine with a top-end price. A Guzzi is an Italian machine with Italian parts and Italian servicing and only one bloke in a thousand miles who can actually fix it as an authorised repairer. An RE is a falling-off-a-log simple bike that is easy to repair, pleasant to ride, will do the Ton if you want it to, and hugs the curves nicely. So while it's very middle-of-the-road, It's the RE for me and I've not regretted it.
I've ridden the Triumph and the Guzzi. The Triumph is a modern bike styled to look old. The Guzzi is an old bike that's been updated to meet modern regulation. By any logical measure the Triumph is the better bike but I still love the character of the Guzzi.
Bold, putting out a nearly 50 minute video, but I really enjoyed the longer form analysis and hanging out with you three for a bit. Good stuff, John, cheers.
Thanks! Yeah, I gas on a lot; add two more people and it's a recipe for disaster but there's so much we wanted to talk about with these three bikes! Cheers, John
Considered all three but when I test rode the Street Twin, it was love at first ride (and side). Best bike for me, but I get the advantages the other two have and the price tag is considerable.
Loved the review! I have an Interceptor myself. Great video guys, but it seemed to me like the music intermissions were a bit too loud, compared to the rest of the audio. Keep up the good work though!
@@mohitpal9894 I don't think so, it could be due to some duty otherwise why is triumph bonneville cost 9 lakh in India where as it's 6000 pound( approximately 6 lakh ) in UK .
@@mohitpal9894 or vahi chutiye mehnge log saste me bike bechte h saal baad 😂😂😂😂😂😂,bike khareedna or baad me maintain krna jaroori h Spare parts cost and services cost bhi matter krti h yaha t120 ka tank kholkr lagane k 20k + lete h showroom vaale
@@mohitpal9894 Your opinion is based on taste and passion, but logically now many European, Japanese and Korean brands are implementing their factories in India for their economy and performance, for which an Intercept 650 in Colombia, my person has taken a speed of 190 KM / H still feels that it can walk much more ..
I looked at the Triumph (expensive in Australia), rode the Enfield and bought the Moto Guzzi V7. They are all great, the Enfield surprisingly so (except your feet get pushed outwards by the mounts) but the 21litre tank, air cooling, shaft drive, euro manufacture, Brembo brakes, Hepco & Becker panniers (not for RE when I purchased) 6 gears, and the Guzzi V7 stone won. It’s the best all round bike I have ever had (perhaps new rear shocks) in 40 years of riding - brilliant.
This is very literally the decision I'm making now when deciding a motorcycle, but the calculus has changed with the V7. The V7 now runs an 850cc engine at 65 horsepower -- slightly more than the Triumph. The V7 Special has the extreme retro dash of the Enfield. I think it takes my money.
Over the past year or so, I pondered long and hard about what new bike I would buy. Fairly early on, the RE Interceptor became the "baseline" choice, something to measure contenders against. I considered Triumphs, BMWs, even (very briefly) a Harley Davidson. In the end, the only contender left was the Guzzi V7. It ended up being the Interceptor, mostly because of availability and dealer support/enthusiasm.
It's like driving a RWD manual transmission car - that shaft and immediacy/connection to the gears is very pleasing, especially on downshifts. I'm actually not a fan of chains and their springy feel.
@Kung Fu Money Bee I get that, and if you are off-road, it's a must. But I can't honestly remember the last time I heard of a shaft going out without a fair amount of warning, barring obvious abuse and accidents and the like, of course. Some people have never had to do a service on theirs, even.
I just found this video and it was a fun 49 minutes watching it. These gentlemen did a great job mixing the bits of discussion with riding footage. The data points were also informative. The only thing that I might add to the list of data points is 1 - Factory Service Intervals and 2 - Factory Service Costs. For me those two items are extremely influential in making a purchasing decision. Keep making great videos. Thank you.
I picked up my new V7 yesterday and on the 150 mile road home it gave me a good idea of what to expect. The transverse twin sounds great and the side ways shaking is really different. My 21 year old son who's really I to bikes fell in love with it's looks. He said "that's how a bike should look". Maybe I will let him have a ride or maybe not !
Gone from a W800 (prettiest) to a Sv650 (fastest & handling) to a Street Twin (coolest & torque). Fully enamoured with the Triumph effortless cruising, great detailing, great gearing, smooth and polished throughout and ohh that low end torque
*_The 2021 & later Guzzi V7 is a totally different bike now & has some huge improvements..._* -A superior choice among other retro standards if you want to be able to snap on a windscreen & bags for LST duty due to its *5.5 Gal / 21 Litre* range, excellent seat & rider position, 6 speed gearbox & final drive. Cruises at 90mph / 145 kph w/o stressing. - 4 pot Brembo 320mm up front. Others may only be a 2 pot. - Forks are BRACED midway - not mentioned the others aren't + new rake & trail make for very good low speed handling while maintaining excellent stability on the highway. -Massive beam from the LED headlamp equipped Stone models. -The new V7 weighs 436 lbs or 198 KG dry - keep in mind wet weight will include all the fuel it can carry. Also, aftermarket exhaust drops the weigh 20 lbs if you're so inclined. - Fueling on US models 2022 & later is spot on, others have a map update for the asking on this new 853cc engine. - Please know the factory presets the gear shift indicator for the BREAK-IN period RPM - reviewers fail to ignore this or reset it to the actual redline. Easy to do via the menu. -If you don't explore the envelope of the V7 like 95% of all reviewers you'll miss the shear fun factor from time spent on a bendy road in the upper rpm range. Bonus, it's a forgiving bike.
@@JobyStaneslavose They are, at least the "classic" engine. I wouldn't rely much on the Italian electronics of a more modern v85TT, but v7 is apparently a very reliable bike from Internet people's experience
With the latest update on the V7, this changes. It's much more attractive with the engine update and the new colorways. Really nice daily! I own a classic Speed Triple ('09) and it is the Street 10X. I love it. It's really fast and a bit demanding, and it draws people ALL the time. It's an emotional ride, for sure. But it also is constantly begging to be flogged, and it gives back when you do. But you simply can't do that all the time. Not getting rid of it, though!
Big Guzzista here. The original V7 and V7 Sports were all based on what we call the big block motor. In the mid to late 70's Guzzi came out first with V35, then the V50 and the V50 Monza followed by V65's etc and other sales disasters. These were called the small block motor, nice, along with split c/cases but nowhere near as robust as the big blocks (think Le Mans 1-5, Cali's for decades etc). The small blocks were sort of Morini 350 competition. And the modern V7 and new V85TT are all based on those original V50 small blocks, along with with the split cases, gearbox and swing arm design. So really this is a V7 in name only, based more on a mid 70's new design.
Wow!! So many Guzzi lovers!! Back in the day I was on my Kiwi OE to Blighty and bought and rode a Guzzi V50II all around the isles and across Europe to Israel. I loved that little bike (I was ex-trail biker and thought 500cc was HUGE) and now I'm settled again (yeah...took a while!) will get another. Really like the VII white Stornello...anyway, all these bikes are cool (love the Interceptor too) so happy trails everyone and thanks for the fun and informative vids guys. Ride on.
Great vid & comparison. I really enjoyed the casual pub chat vibe you guys had going. I know it's not the best bike but I just can't help being drawn to the Guzzi. There's just something about it & I love that transverse V. I'm desperate for Guzzi to put their latest V85 TT engine into something like the V7 chassis or better still a new Griso.
V85TT mill in a V7 chassis, twin discs and a 1980 850 LeMans paint job complete with bikini fairing, for about 8 grand, I don't think they'd be able to make them fast enough
The Royal Enfield looks the most like a classic motorcycle. The Moto Guzzi looks the most like a retro style motorcycle, but at the same time very distinct. I would go for the RE. The classic styling is beautiful.
I personally like that my Guzzi is made in Italy. Not assembled in Italy, but made there. I used to be a massive Triumph fan about 8 years ago but now every 2nd “classic” bike is a Triumph. I’m all about the Guzzi for the past 7 years.
Great work guys , really brings across that it is not always about speed. Bikes in this league can be great for relaxing and enjoying the ride and scenery.
Moto Guzzi V7 III for all means. If you try all 3, Guzzi is the one that trasmits that feeling to me, the maximum pleasure when you are riding a motorcycle. Transverse engine, Shaf, Incredible sound with Agostini Exhausts, Fantastic Details, Quality Parts and a Beautiful Italian Design.
I was seriously looking at the triumph....but the Guzzi has now got my eye. Love the shaft drive on this style/size of bike. My vulcan has shaft drive and I love it.
Also having the engine longitudinally makes valve adjustments a breeze. Great little bike for around town, back roads, mountain passes, and the occasional interstate jaunt.
I really enjoyed this revue. After seeing the test, I would not choose the Moto Guzzi. Don't like the styling, at all. Seems like the RE is a great bike and amazing value for money. Probably my choice. However, if I had plenty of money the Triumph looks like it is worth the extra. I don't have any money, so I will stick with my amazing do anything bike, a 1988 BMW K75 (naked base model). It takes me anywhere, from trackdays at Jerez to the Sahara and over the Atlas mountains in Morocco (last year).
These are the best and most thorough motorcycle comparisons out there, full stop. During the exhaust comparison though, it dawned on me, that we may be looking at it backwards. Changing the exhaust is the most economical character change one can make, especially in regards to loudness. But, if one prefers a quieter bike, it's very difficult to source quieter than factory pipes. So maybe a very quiet bike, such as the Royal Enfield(which there are already a mess of louder aftermarket pipes available for), is the winner in the exhaust category?
On the vibration issue W800 is a 360 degree crank phasing which has more intrinsic vibration but gives the traditional sound and power delivery of a parallel twin. RE and Triumph have 270 degree phasing which is smoother but sounds same as 90 degree V twin. Personally I prefer the 360 degree sound and feel but it does have more vibes.
@@Sujeesh_Bhosri My V7 is smooth as can be. If you keep it in the powerband. Gets a little lumpy at low revs, but not in a bothersome way. Does vibrate quite a bit if you get too high in the revs. The 7200 rpm redline should be more like 6500 to avoid it.
I just purchased a V7lll Special a couple of weeks ago. It is going to be my local run around bike as I already have a Guzzi big block for longer highway rides. It is a wonderful bike and I am quite pleased with it. I bought it without a test ride as I already kind of knew what I was getting and I wasn't disappointed. My one comment concerns what comes up in every review I have read or seen here on Utube and that is the supposed torque reaction. Yes, there is a little but hardly noticeable. Having ridden BMW Airheads for more than 3 decades Guzzi torque reaction is minimal compared to earlier longitudinally mounted engine bikes. It is really a non- issue and I hope no one rules out a Guzzi before trying one on this almost non-existant "feature".
Excelent video despite the jackets positioning haha. I'm feel like hanging out with you guys, thanks for that. Here in Brazil we don't have Guzzi, so it would be between RE and Triumph. I'm really thinking on go with Street Twin, specially looking into used ones. I can find a 3 or 2 years old unit, with extremely low kilometers, at the same range price of a new Interceptor. For what the bike deliveries, I think it worth.
By coincidence I had a Street Twin for the day as a loan bike from Triumph last week. Very easy going bike - lovely to ride, and beautifully made. The feel of the gear change is miles ahead of my Trident and it really makes a lovely sound. Downsides were that the retro speedo-only dial took some getting used to and it misses having a 6th gear for motorways, but around town and country roads it’s delightful. Don’t leave it parked in the city though - no locking petrol cap means no petrol to come back to.
Moto Guzzi all day. 2nd place would be a Triumph SPEED Twin. Had a STREET Twin as my first “real bike” and loved it. BUT the Guzzi from 2021 on with the increased engine performance has them all beat.
Now that is one good bike talk that you guys did. Telling all the options clearly and cleanly with no jargons and most importantly by being civil.!! Awesome.!!
Been thinking on a new bike and rode the re and v7. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I was really disappointed in the re. Foot placement and seat were not comfortable for me and the re felt very slow and heavy. I really thought that would be the way I was going but the test ride dashed my hopes. The V7 though I loved. To me it was a smooth comfortable ride with power to spare on the Guzzi compared to buzzing around on a washing machine on the re.
The fact that we all love different things in bikes is part of what makes them great for me. A review can only ever hope to give some pointers of what we think you should be aware of when test riding one. It's why I don't think group test 'winners' make any sense. Cheers, and enjoy the Guzzi, John
The 650 for me, just needs pipes, DNA air filter and maybe one of the big bore kits. 750 or 865. Lots of aftermarket options available for such a basic bike. Great review! Thank you. 👍😎
@@degiorgiosaviour881 I understand that. However it’s much more to do with the experience... to be honest I wouldn’t own any of them. But if I had to choose it would be the 650 as it has more “potential”.
I find an appeal of the push rods and shaft of the Italian job, despite having it drummed into me to only let Italy feed and clothe me. Good review, reference to the earlier W800 review got me wondering about where the Honda CB1100 would sit.
I own a Royal Enfield 650 and a Honda CB1100. I love them both though they are very different. The CB1100 is more luxurious for 2 up riding and it’s heavier and has much more horse power. I use the Enfield all the time especially for local riding. The CB1100 gets used for longer distance touring.
Very joyful shoot .. I have the 2017 version of the 900 as a Street Scrambler and love it for our New England farm dirt roads and bumpy back lanes .. AT almost 70 I am tired getting under the bike to work on the chain ... I like the range and shaft drive on the V7 but still feel the reliability of the triumph makes the difference on its day to day use .. My range is only 160 miles but it does keep the weight down .So road range on the tank ( Guzzi wins on range ) and oil change intervals would be two comparisons I would have added .. I think the Enfield is a simple bike but needs the most tinkering and so looses on ride convenience ... The Street Twin in the form you were testing has the added hastle of needing to take the silencer off to play with the chain tensioner .. Very glad to have the SS for that reason .. Thanks for the great clip !!
I have owned Triumphs and Guzzis. I owned Triumph first however. Having switched to Guzzi, I could never go back. Guzzi engines are soulful and full of character. They are like nothing else. If the V7III had its engine pumped to be equal CC to the Triumph and the extra price for the nice to haves, Guzzi would have walked this review. Also I do care about where bikes are made and Guzzi is the most authentic by any measure.
Manufacturers are coming out with every excuse possible as to why their bikes are being made in foreign countries. The Internet is awash with arguments over it. However these arguments will not go away. Bikes are mostly bought out of passion and it does matter where they're manufactured. Nobody cares if their Nissan Leaf is made in Sunderland, rather than Japan. It's just a tool to do a job. However motorbikes are different and need to keep their heritage intact...in my opinion anyway.
I went for the Guzzi and find it entertains enough without encouraging the hooligan side too much. Plus The chain maintenance aspect put me off all the others. A younger hipster type would probably prefer the Triumph I guess.
I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and we don’t have a Triumph dealership but we do have a Royal Enfield and a Moto Guzzi dealership here! How’s that? I kinda get the RE because they are making a huge push into the US market, but MG, a smallish Italian manufacturer? I gotta say though, I absolutely love that V7! Beautiful, beautiful, motorcycle! As far as where the bikes are made, Thailand has a rich motorcycle culture and I would be honored to own a motorcycle made by the Thai people! The Guzzi however, is stealing my heart with their latest adaptation of the V7. I just have to test ride one…..soon!
Amazing review guys..Thanks a lot. But... nobody commented on how these 3 bikes ride with a pillion and how is the pillion's comfort on them (both commuting and touring). Shame, because they do look like bikes to get on a twin-ride.
Sadly we didn't have a chance to do it for all of them, but you might like this playlist. Cheers, John ruclips.net/p/PLEmXSigXaptxbnx9Q-1RV3u3haG2wrXIz
It was those after credit comments about the Street Twin that turned me on to the Triumph....bought a 2022 Street Twin a few weeks ago and it is such a fun, high quality bike. I'm loving it
I own a V7 stone II right now,it's the ideal commuter for me with it's 21L tank,shaft drive,6 gears... but still I'm looking to buy a Triumph again.I fell in love with Triumph,wanted to give another brand a chance and absolutely love my Guzzi but next year I'm going back to Triumph.Always thinking about you're first real love right? 😅
@@bennettsbikesocial can you come and convince my wife why every man should have at least 2 bikes? 😅 very good,thorough review btw and it is very nice of you to respond.Really appreciate that!
@@punkrockdidi I'm lucky - my wife doesn't mind how many I have. Though she did draw the line when I suggested having one in the house. Maybe try with how they have different purposes, and also, if one broke down, you'd have a back-up, so you won't need to bother her about using the car.
Enjoyed that fellas. I'm the owner of a 2020 Triumph Bonneville T100, which is basically a Street Twin but with the more classic 1950's retro look and I absolutely love it. It's a bit more expensive but the quality, paintwork, fit and finish is brilliant. Very happy with my choice :)
I truly love my Guzzi (v7 iii stone my19), as much as you can Love a machine. It’s beautiful and you feel the authenticity in every combustion...really.
Love my V7 ii! So fun to ride but I wish Guzzi parts were more available in the US; hopefully it gets to that point one day. As far as the weight goes, I have to agree - it seems relatively lightweight on paper for its size but it feels heavier due to the weight distribution. Big tank and blocky transverse engine makes it very front heavy, especially compared to the Triumph. As far as ride, it leans toward crusier vs any of the modern retro standards. It's certainly more a small block Italian Harley than a parallel standard.
I assume some of the weight may be from the magnificent large gas tank. 250 mile plus range. It’s all relative as it feels very light and nimble compared to my Eldorado which I recently sold.
I purchased a NOS Moto Guzzi V7iii carbon dark in March of 2020. After 5000 km I can tell you it is amazing bike I enjoy my Guzzi. What I would have reconsidered when purchasing it would be the matte black too easy to mark up on the gas tank. Couple noteworthy things I like the trip odometer that comes on when the gas light comes on tell you how far you went in reserve also the gear indicator works wonderfully what they failed to tell you it's not mechanical that's why you don't see it it's electronic it goes by engine speed. Also I can get over 400 km on a tank of juice.
What color would you pick if you could do it over again? I’m considering the matt black stone, black special and the green rough, which will look best long term? Thanks
@@dhhjsjzjzjjhsjsjh The night pack brown or blue might be less work and to show any marks.which the matte black some how over night locked in a garage pick up.
I'd have the Guzzi, because it's a Moto Guzzi. Then again, the Triumph one is a Triumph, and that's also a brilliant argument, not to mention, the RN was made by Royal Enfield...
I'm not even interested in modern retro bikes, but I do love the "top trumps" comparison style you've adopted, followed with riding experience and subjective opinions. Works really well. Although from memory the Munch Mammut was the card to have in my early '80s Top Trumps motorcycles deck, so it definitely didn't influence my taste/interest in bikes.
I can’t speak for the Triumph and the Enfield as I haven’t tried them. I love my Guzzi. The word character gets thrown around a lot regarding the Guzzi’s. You have to ride one for a while to understand it. Also very reliable. I take issue w the comment that the bike pulls to the right when u give it gas while at speed. Never noticed it in 20k plus miles of riding Guzzi’s. They do it when parked.
The appeal of the Guzzi is it's the only classically European style machine actually made in Europe. Somehow the Italians have managed to hold onto its domestic motorcycle manufacturing capability. Sure the Guzzi is going to cost more. I hate that seam on the underside of the Triumph and RE tanks - why is that necessary?
In my opinion from these 3 bikes the best is: 1.Guzzi V7 2.Street Twin 3.Royal But talking about price and what they offer,best buy is: 1.Guzzi V7 2.Royal 3.Street Twin
What an amazing review. Loved the 360 footage, the pan tracking the bikes from the roadside were awesome shots. So too was the shot looking back from the handlebar/headlight with two bikes in frame leaning into a corner. Another winner was the shot where the camera panned while on the bike to follow the passing bike. Thanks again for a great vid. The edit must have taken ages! Much appreciated.
Bennetts Bike Nice one John and Dom! Great problem solving for the animation of the graphic that labelled the gear. It felt dynamic (looked like a quality suspension component working a mountain road!) and was still super legible.. You guys turn out amazing content on a very British (read shoe string) budget. Would love to see you guys given a little more time like some of your competitors. Just a few extra hours for shooting, animation creation and editing - maybe even the time to meet in an interior location (I could not imagine anyone else having to shoot in the rain - so United Kingdom of you guys.) Don’t forget to include where you ride. Google Earth Studio can make Relive style maps that are simply breath taking. Most of us are thinking about the next ride, when we are not thinking about the next bike. A journeys or quest with time for reflection is always a compelling narrative. Thanks again for the amazing video.
As far as Italian bikes, I have owned a ducati 860, moto morini 500 camel, laverda 3cl 1000, cagiva 650, and currently have a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 and a 2013 Moto Guzzi Stone 750. Have owned several German bikes to include BMW and Zundaps. Grew up with British bikes--meaning Triumph and BSA. Have never been interested in Harley. Owned several Suzuki's to include 2-stroke models and the Wankel rotary 500. The Moto Guzzis have been my favorite above all the rest. Quirky, reliable, tractor-like in that the Japanese "refinement" is not there--but if you love just being connected to machinery and sound--Moto Guzzi!--mike battle
I love V-twins, I like shaft drive, and out of these three the Guzzi looks like the obvious choice, in my case the V7-III Special, with spoked wheels and twin clocks. BUT... My nearest Guzzi dealer is a very long way away, while my local Royal Enfield dealer is 100 yards from my house. Long story short, I bought an Interceptor 650 in the chrome finish just over a year ago at time of writing. It's very good, the engine is terrific, it handles extremely well and it achieves 75 mpg. (You must have been caning the nads off yours to get only 51-odd.) It's not perfect; as you say the suspension's a bit tragic and the standard seat's marginal in terms of comfort, but upgrades are available and overall the machine is excellent value and a very good platform for judicious customisation.
That’s a fair point, but in 57 years of riding motor cycles I’ve had precisely one puncture in a tubed tyre on a spoked wheel. Maybe I’ve been lucky; who knows? The best compromise was BMW’s design using tubeless rims on wire-spoked wheels, but you have to buy a BMW to get those! Anyway, if the worst comes to the worst I’ll have to call the RAC out to put a new tube in at the roadside... 😀
Maintenance and service costs. Both parallel twins will need a fuel tank removal and pump disconnect EVERY valve check. And a valve clearance check on a v twin Guzzi is the easiest and fastest on any motorcycle you can buy (bar hydraulic tappets on Harleys)... Quite reasonable to expect the Guzzi tank to remain in situ for 50-75k miles. Throttle body synching? - only one on the V7.... As for chain and sprkt replacement - how many miles?
You don't have to remove the tank on the interceptor, I didnt, just lifted up a bit. A chain replacement is usually down to how you maintain it along the way. How often does the Moto guzzi need oil &filter/ tappets etc?
Hey mates, why no mention of how good or bad the headlights are? For us older riders, this is important for night riding. Real important. High and low beam should be evaluated.
Triumph is good for modern classic. Royal Enfield is great value. But I love guzzi cuz it's unique. It's horizontally placed push-rod v2 air-cooled shaft drive motor with hardcore retro styling & some modern touch. Good review, a viewer from India.
I've had 3 Triumphs and love them but am ready for something different. I am currently shopping a used 2018 Guzzi V7 III Stone vs a 2020 Royal Enfield INT650 Baker Express for around the same price. While i realize the Guzzi is a more "high end" machine (and i really like the big gas tank) the lack of tachometer really bugs me. I also really like the center-stand and ease of maintenance for the Enfield, and slightly higher seat height (I'm 6'4). Torn at this point...going to have to just sit on them both and see what feels right. Great video, thanks for your thoughts!
I had a Street Twin yesterday whilst my Street Triple was in the dealer, and I absolutely loved it. It’s a very capable bike and the noise is so entertaining.
I would just leave out the part about power & performance on these bikes, my 18 years old gixer worth about 2k will smoke them in third...I think for these "classics" the only thing that really matters is the flavor of the ride and how much they remind us of the bikes we rode when we were young...
Give me a Norton Commando with its problems. When I was a young man I was in love with my 69. Growing up in a country that drives on the left, right foot gear shift to me was sweet, particularly when doing a U turn so you could drag the rear brake. I also owned a Triumph Bonneville loved it too.
Great to see the love for these bikes, especially the Triumph. I have a few larger bikes and a big scoot but really must take a few test rides. Really fancy something that goes like the Speed Twin with a more classic look tbh. Also have a regular pillion which is another consideration...
Enjoyed your review. Have to say, I can't find a 650 vs 650 review, usually being against a larger displacement bike. If you know someone with an original, late '60's Triumph or BSA 650, please pair one or both of those against the RA 650. That would be quite interesting!
People are looking for that 'classic' and 'simple' charm these days, which imho, is why both Guzzi and especially Royal Enfield are hitting the mark. Put simply, they look and feel authentic.
The RE interceptor 650 Chrome version in Colombia, has a value of $ 4,399 and the maintenance of the motorcycle in the authorized motor centers has a cost of $ 14. And the motorcycle has a perfect relationship of speed and strength.
Great video! Guzzi all the way for me (currently ride a V7II). The Triumph is pretty, but I find it kind of boring. What does it have, looks-wise, that you don't see on another bike? The tank shape is so generic. Guzzi has that flair'd tank and the transverse engine that's so distinct. The RE is a fun ride though. Got a chance to ride one at a launch event in San Diego last year and it was a blast. So much smoother than my Guzzi.
thanks for this as these are the exact same three I am considering. You haven't made the decision any easier I'm afraid though LOL. I think the V7 will win out for me though as I'm looking for a relaxed longer distance ride and the simple air-cooled engine is appealing as I do my own maintenance. Also having owned an SD Darmah in another life, I still find the sound of an Italian V twin intoxicating and has me reminiscing.
I'd really like to see a comparison of the W800 and the Triumph. I almost bought a Triumph Bonneville but read and saw some videos of the poor reliability of the new Thailand bikes (one guy's dealer finally came and got his T100 and refunded his money because they couldn't keep it running), so I bought the Triumph look-alike bike, the 2021 W800. You can't beat Kawasaki reliability and that bevel gear drive for the cam, and the simple shim and bucket valve adjustment. But you guys really liked the Triumph and you mentioned the W800 a couple times like you didn't really like it. What didn't you like about it as much as the other bikes? By the way, I'm thinking about adding a new 850cc Moto Guzzi V7 to my stable right now but I kinda hate having two similar bikes (the W800 and the MG) that do basically the same thing. ONe thing you guys didn't touch on was maintenance. Shaft drive on the MG (no cleaning and adjusting and lubing the chain all the time). Adjust the valves without removing the gas tank. Tubeless tires (which both the MG and the Triumph have) are easier to repair along the road. And last but not least, the simplicity of air cooled engine instead of oil cooled or water cooled, both of which add more complexity and more things go wrong eventually (like having to replace antifreeze and flush the system). Lots to be said for the MG that you didn't say.
I'd be interested to see a comparison of the Triumph T100 to the Interceptor as I feel that is more comparable in terms of styling and performance than the Street Twin which has a slightly more modern look and feel.
![OsamaSon - ik what you did last summer [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4DIQDnu3mr4/mqdefault.jpg)
Yes, sorry about the jackets! No, they're not product placement - I was just rushing to set the camera up to film ourselves before the rain came in and missed how prominent they looked. That's the problem with not having a camera operator! Hopefully you can still enjoy the video... John
Bennetts Bike it’s fine what a wonderful video. I was glued to it as I have new interceptor. Been off bikes for 45 years. Had Norton’s and BSA when I was young. Also raced outfits at snetterton Caldwell etc.
@@DLoneRanger Thanks very much! Are you planning on getting another? Cheers, John
Bennetts Bike prob not I’m a bit old now. Pls more top trumps but must have interceptor
Tum log ki moto guzzi bhi lavde pe aur triumph bhi lavde pe....
Don't worry about it - just remember for next time.
Love my RE, one of the main reasons is I can work on it myself, it doesn't have to go to the dealer. And the cost allowed me to add stuff and change it to how I wanted it. Ownership rather than stewardship 😂
You have hit the nail on the head well pointed out.
completely agree. The enfield can be fixed by any half assed mechsnic.
I really do like looking at the V twin of the Moto Guzzi, it does look like a work of art to me.
Love those heads sticking out. To me, it gives it an old prop airplane look, I get the same vibe on an R9T and that one even sounds like an old airplane. JMO of course...
Triumphs are 10 a penny, with reason but still
The only Guzzie I really loved was the Californian
It truly is 🤘🏽💪🏽
and intrigued by its shaft drive alone in its segment as far as I can see
Great comparison. Personally, where a bike is made does make a difference to me and I wouldn't buy a Chinese manufactured bike for that reason. After watching this last year, I bought a V7 III Stone and absolutely love it.
You feel good riding the Guzzi knowing it was handbuilt buy a small village in the north of Italy.
Which is the Chinese manufactured bike?
All Japanese bikes are now made in China, Honda as I last heard was still made in Japan, but it won't be long until they too move to Chinese builder's.
@@philiprogers4071 none of these are Japanese bikes though. Italian, British and Indian.
Although yes most of the new classic Triumphs are made in Asia. But not China.
I'm a massive fan for triumph but the Enfield is the one i would have
I ride an Interceptor but I want a Triumph....quite honestly there Triumph is a far superior Brand and bike. RE make cheap bikes. Period.
@@RajA-wi2ut lol Re interceptor appreciated all over the world. ..
I'm getting one myself too.
I've recently purchased an RE650. Funny thing, I tossed up between exactly these three bikes (and only stumbled on your video today). I agree that the Triumph is probably the best machine, and I've owned 3 Guzzis in the past (and loved them all). But here in Australia, I found that for the cost of a second-hand Triumph (a few years old, a few dings and scratches), I could buy a brand-new RE (with all the bells and whistles and extra bits) and spend money on really lovely leather luggage from Tripmachine and STILL be about AUD$1-2k ahead.
So while both these machines are lovely, alas a Triumph is a top-end machine with a top-end price. A Guzzi is an Italian machine with Italian parts and Italian servicing and only one bloke in a thousand miles who can actually fix it as an authorised repairer. An RE is a falling-off-a-log simple bike that is easy to repair, pleasant to ride, will do the Ton if you want it to, and hugs the curves nicely.
So while it's very middle-of-the-road, It's the RE for me and I've not regretted it.
Fantastic! I'll be out on one again shortly and can't wait; just a truly lovely bike to ride. Cheers, John
I've ridden the Triumph and the Guzzi. The Triumph is a modern bike styled to look old. The Guzzi is an old bike that's been updated to meet modern regulation. By any logical measure the Triumph is the better bike but I still love the character of the Guzzi.
Bold, putting out a nearly 50 minute video, but I really enjoyed the longer form analysis and hanging out with you three for a bit. Good stuff, John, cheers.
Thanks! Yeah, I gas on a lot; add two more people and it's a recipe for disaster but there's so much we wanted to talk about with these three bikes! Cheers, John
Considered all three but when I test rode the Street Twin, it was love at first ride (and side). Best bike for me, but I get the advantages the other two have and the price tag is considerable.
Loved the review! I have an Interceptor myself. Great video guys, but it seemed to me like the music intermissions were a bit too loud, compared to the rest of the audio. Keep up the good work though!
Absolutely.
But here in India RE interceptor 650 will cost only 3000 pound whereas Triumph Bonneville T100 will cost you around 9000 pound.
Yahan.. Saste logo k liye sasti cheezen deni padti hain.. Cost cutting by adding cheap parts.. Whereas in foreign countries they use best components..
@@mohitpal9894 I don't think so, it could be due to some duty otherwise why is triumph bonneville cost 9 lakh in India where as it's 6000 pound( approximately 6 lakh ) in UK .
@@mohitpal9894 or vahi chutiye mehnge log saste me bike bechte h saal baad 😂😂😂😂😂😂,bike khareedna or baad me maintain krna jaroori h Spare parts cost and services cost bhi matter krti h yaha t120 ka tank kholkr lagane k 20k + lete h showroom vaale
@@mohitpal9894 Your opinion is based on taste and passion, but logically now many European, Japanese and Korean brands are implementing their factories in India for their economy and performance, for which an Intercept 650 in Colombia, my person has taken a speed of 190 KM / H still feels that it can walk much more ..
Yes......that + the arrogance of Triumph showrooms (Royal Enfield is no exception to showroom arrogance).
I looked at the Triumph (expensive in Australia), rode the Enfield and bought the Moto Guzzi V7. They are all great, the Enfield surprisingly so (except your feet get pushed outwards by the mounts) but the 21litre tank, air cooling, shaft drive, euro manufacture, Brembo brakes, Hepco & Becker panniers (not for RE when I purchased) 6 gears, and the Guzzi V7 stone won. It’s the best all round bike I have ever had (perhaps new rear shocks) in 40 years of riding - brilliant.
This is very literally the decision I'm making now when deciding a motorcycle, but the calculus has changed with the V7. The V7 now runs an 850cc engine at 65 horsepower -- slightly more than the Triumph. The V7 Special has the extreme retro dash of the Enfield.
I think it takes my money.
Triumph is very much off their claims when it comes to horse power… the small twin in reality produces just over 50 hp
I’m in this choice too but with the z650RS and the V85tt in for consideration too 🤣🥹😭
@@MrTbirkett I bought the v7. Best choice I ever made.
@@hesham8 congratulations 🍾
@@hesham8 still happy with it? Any issues? I’m thinking of buying one..
Over the past year or so, I pondered long and hard about what new bike I would buy. Fairly early on, the RE Interceptor became the "baseline" choice, something to measure contenders against. I considered Triumphs, BMWs, even (very briefly) a Harley Davidson. In the end, the only contender left was the Guzzi V7. It ended up being the Interceptor, mostly because of availability and dealer support/enthusiasm.
I love these long chatty reviews, really feel like I know something about the bike after I finish watching these. Keep it up!
Brilliant - thanks! John
Shaft drive Guzzi for the win!🏁
It's like driving a RWD manual transmission car - that shaft and immediacy/connection to the gears is very pleasing, especially on downshifts. I'm actually not a fan of chains and their springy feel.
Joseph Oberlander
Agreed.
@Kung Fu Money Bee I get that, and if you are off-road, it's a must. But I can't honestly remember the last time I heard of a shaft going out without a fair amount of warning, barring obvious abuse and accidents and the like, of course. Some people have never had to do a service on theirs, even.
I just found this video and it was a fun 49 minutes watching it. These gentlemen did a great job mixing the bits of discussion with riding footage. The data points were also informative. The only thing that I might add to the list of data points is 1 - Factory Service Intervals and 2 - Factory Service Costs. For me those two items are extremely influential in making a purchasing decision. Keep making great videos. Thank you.
Thanks very much, and we'll keep that in mind - good point. I am planning a closer look at servicing on the Royal Enfield this year. Cheers, John
I picked up my new V7 yesterday and on the 150 mile road home it gave me a good idea of what to expect.
The transverse twin sounds great and the side ways shaking is really different.
My 21 year old son who's really I to bikes fell in love with it's looks.
He said "that's how a bike should look".
Maybe I will let him have a ride or maybe not !
Gone from a W800 (prettiest) to a Sv650 (fastest & handling) to a Street Twin (coolest & torque).
Fully enamoured with the Triumph effortless cruising, great detailing, great gearing, smooth and polished throughout and ohh that low end torque
*_The 2021 & later Guzzi V7 is a totally different bike now & has some huge improvements..._*
-A superior choice among other retro standards if you want to be able to snap on a windscreen & bags for LST duty due to its *5.5 Gal / 21 Litre* range, excellent seat & rider position, 6 speed gearbox & final drive. Cruises at 90mph / 145 kph w/o stressing.
- 4 pot Brembo 320mm up front. Others may only be a 2 pot.
- Forks are BRACED midway - not mentioned the others aren't + new rake & trail make for very good low speed handling while maintaining excellent stability on the highway.
-Massive beam from the LED headlamp equipped Stone models.
-The new V7 weighs 436 lbs or 198 KG dry - keep in mind wet weight will include all the fuel it can carry. Also, aftermarket exhaust drops the weigh 20 lbs if you're so inclined.
- Fueling on US models 2022 & later is spot on, others have a map update for the asking on this new 853cc engine.
- Please know the factory presets the gear shift indicator for the BREAK-IN period RPM - reviewers fail to ignore this or reset it to the actual redline. Easy to do via the menu.
-If you don't explore the envelope of the V7 like 95% of all reviewers you'll miss the shear fun factor from time spent on a bendy road in the upper rpm range. Bonus, it's a forgiving bike.
The triumph looks so well made but the guzzi is just art beautiful
Interceptor 650❤️. Simplicity beats complexity everyday. Which means easier maintenance and easy repairs.
Are those Guzzi’s reliable?
@@JobyStaneslavose They are, at least the "classic" engine. I wouldn't rely much on the Italian electronics of a more modern v85TT, but v7 is apparently a very reliable bike from Internet people's experience
With the latest update on the V7, this changes. It's much more attractive with the engine update and the new colorways. Really nice daily! I own a classic Speed Triple ('09) and it is the Street 10X. I love it. It's really fast and a bit demanding, and it draws people ALL the time. It's an emotional ride, for sure. But it also is constantly begging to be flogged, and it gives back when you do. But you simply can't do that all the time. Not getting rid of it, though!
Big Guzzista here.
The original V7 and V7 Sports were all based on what we call the big block motor.
In the mid to late 70's Guzzi came out first with V35, then the V50 and the V50 Monza followed by V65's etc and other sales disasters. These were called the small block motor, nice, along with split c/cases but nowhere near as robust as the big blocks (think Le Mans 1-5, Cali's for decades etc). The small blocks were sort of Morini 350 competition. And the modern V7 and new V85TT are all based on those original V50 small blocks, along with with the split cases, gearbox and swing arm design.
So really this is a V7 in name only, based more on a mid 70's new design.
Very true, l had a T3 way back when. Lovey big V twin.
Wow!! So many Guzzi lovers!! Back in the day I was on my Kiwi OE to Blighty and bought and rode a Guzzi V50II all around the isles and across Europe to Israel. I loved that little bike (I was ex-trail biker and thought 500cc was HUGE) and now I'm settled again (yeah...took a while!) will get another. Really like the VII white Stornello...anyway, all these bikes are cool (love the Interceptor too) so happy trails everyone and thanks for the fun and informative vids guys. Ride on.
Great vid & comparison. I really enjoyed the casual pub chat vibe you guys had going. I know it's not the best bike but I just can't help being drawn to the Guzzi. There's just something about it & I love that transverse V. I'm desperate for Guzzi to put their latest V85 TT engine into something like the V7 chassis or better still a new Griso.
V85TT mill in a V7 chassis, twin discs and a 1980 850 LeMans paint job complete with bikini fairing, for about 8 grand, I don't think they'd be able to make them fast enough
@@DomRivers67 Totally agree. Sounds great. What about a new 850 Daytona too? : )
They heard you, new one is 850
The Royal Enfield looks the most like a classic motorcycle.
The Moto Guzzi looks the most like a retro style motorcycle, but at the same time very distinct.
I would go for the RE. The classic styling is beautiful.
Triumph gets my vote. Only trouble is the temptation of the Speed Twin. How much it that........ And then there’s Triumph options list..... 🤑
I personally like that my Guzzi is made in Italy. Not assembled in Italy, but made there. I used to be a massive Triumph fan about 8 years ago but now every 2nd “classic” bike is a Triumph. I’m all about the Guzzi for the past 7 years.
Great work guys , really brings across that it is not always about speed. Bikes in this league can be great for relaxing and enjoying the ride and scenery.
Moto Guzzi V7 III for all means. If you try all 3, Guzzi is the one that trasmits that feeling to me, the maximum pleasure when you are riding a motorcycle. Transverse engine, Shaf, Incredible sound with Agostini Exhausts, Fantastic Details, Quality Parts and a Beautiful Italian Design.
I was seriously looking at the triumph....but the Guzzi has now got my eye. Love the shaft drive on this style/size of bike. My vulcan has shaft drive and I love it.
Also having the engine longitudinally makes valve adjustments a breeze. Great little bike for around town, back roads, mountain passes, and the occasional interstate jaunt.
I really enjoyed this revue. After seeing the test, I would not choose the Moto Guzzi. Don't like the styling, at all. Seems like the RE is a great bike and amazing value for money. Probably my choice. However, if I had plenty of money the Triumph looks like it is worth the extra. I don't have any money, so I will stick with my amazing do anything bike, a 1988 BMW K75 (naked base model). It takes me anywhere, from trackdays at Jerez to the Sahara and over the Atlas mountains in Morocco (last year).
Not in the market for any of these bikes but what a great post, great format and easy listening walking the dog!
Excellent - thanks terry! John
These are the best and most thorough motorcycle comparisons out there, full stop. During the exhaust comparison though, it dawned on me, that we may be looking at it backwards. Changing the exhaust is the most economical character change one can make, especially in regards to loudness. But, if one prefers a quieter bike, it's very difficult to source quieter than factory pipes. So maybe a very quiet bike, such as the Royal Enfield(which there are already a mess of louder aftermarket pipes available for), is the winner in the exhaust category?
On the vibration issue W800 is a 360 degree crank phasing which has more intrinsic vibration but gives the traditional sound and power delivery of a parallel twin. RE and Triumph have 270 degree phasing which is smoother but sounds same as 90 degree V twin. Personally I prefer the 360 degree sound and feel but it does have more vibes.
Moto Guzzi all the way,and still made in Italy👍
"Made in Italy" is a warning label! 😄
thats the problem...some days wont even start for some reason...too much personality!!
Prejudices😉
Vibrates a lot
@@Sujeesh_Bhosri My V7 is smooth as can be. If you keep it in the powerband. Gets a little lumpy at low revs, but not in a bothersome way. Does vibrate quite a bit if you get too high in the revs. The 7200 rpm redline should be more like 6500 to avoid it.
I have that exact chrome Interceptor so you know my vote. 😎
I just purchased a V7lll Special a couple of weeks ago. It is going to be my local run around bike as I already have a Guzzi big block for longer highway rides. It is a wonderful bike and I am quite pleased with it. I bought it without a test ride as I already kind of knew what I was getting and I wasn't disappointed. My one comment concerns what comes up in every review I have read or seen here on Utube and that is the supposed torque reaction. Yes, there is a little but hardly noticeable. Having ridden BMW Airheads for more than 3 decades Guzzi torque reaction is minimal compared to earlier longitudinally mounted engine bikes. It is really a non- issue and I hope no one rules out a Guzzi before trying one on this almost non-existant "feature".
Excelent video despite the jackets positioning haha. I'm feel like hanging out with you guys, thanks for that. Here in Brazil we don't have Guzzi, so it would be between RE and Triumph. I'm really thinking on go with Street Twin, specially looking into used ones. I can find a 3 or 2 years old unit, with extremely low kilometers, at the same range price of a new Interceptor. For what the bike deliveries, I think it worth.
Jackets bothered me as well. And side view is always better than front view.
By coincidence I had a Street Twin for the day as a loan bike from Triumph last week. Very easy going bike - lovely to ride, and beautifully made. The feel of the gear change is miles ahead of my Trident and it really makes a lovely sound.
Downsides were that the retro speedo-only dial took some getting used to and it misses having a 6th gear for motorways, but around town and country roads it’s delightful. Don’t leave it parked in the city though - no locking petrol cap means no petrol to come back to.
It does have a locking cap.
Moto Guzzi all day. 2nd place would be a Triumph SPEED Twin. Had a STREET Twin as my first “real bike” and loved it. BUT the Guzzi from 2021 on with the increased engine performance has them all beat.
Saw a video on doing a valve check on the V7. So easy, you don't even have to remove the tank.
Now that is one good bike talk that you guys did. Telling all the options clearly and cleanly with no jargons and most importantly by being civil.!! Awesome.!!
Been thinking on a new bike and rode the re and v7. Maybe I’m in the minority, but I was really disappointed in the re. Foot placement and seat were not comfortable for me and the re felt very slow and heavy. I really thought that would be the way I was going but the test ride dashed my hopes. The V7 though I loved. To me it was a smooth comfortable ride with power to spare on the Guzzi compared to buzzing around on a washing machine on the re.
The fact that we all love different things in bikes is part of what makes them great for me. A review can only ever hope to give some pointers of what we think you should be aware of when test riding one. It's why I don't think group test 'winners' make any sense. Cheers, and enjoy the Guzzi, John
The 650 for me, just needs pipes, DNA air filter and maybe one of the big bore kits. 750 or 865. Lots of aftermarket options available for such a basic bike. Great review! Thank you. 👍😎
And you'll end up with a£9000 bike mite as well but the Triumph
@@degiorgiosaviour881 I understand that. However it’s much more to do with the experience... to be honest I wouldn’t own any of them. But if I had to choose it would be the 650 as it has more “potential”.
I agree but then you are up with the price of the Triumph
@@lipsee100 I’ve actually costed it. Even getting it all done professionally it is still cheaper.
I find an appeal of the push rods and shaft of the Italian job, despite having it drummed into me to only let Italy feed and clothe me. Good review, reference to the earlier W800 review got me wondering about where the Honda CB1100 would sit.
I own a Royal Enfield 650 and a Honda CB1100. I love them both though they are very different. The CB1100 is more luxurious for 2 up riding and it’s heavier and has much more horse power. I use the Enfield all the time especially for local riding. The CB1100 gets used for longer distance touring.
Very joyful shoot .. I have the 2017 version of the 900 as a Street Scrambler and love it for our New England farm dirt roads and bumpy back lanes .. AT almost 70 I am tired getting under the bike to work on the chain ... I like the range and shaft drive on the V7 but still feel the reliability of the triumph makes the difference on its day to day use .. My range is only 160 miles but it does keep the weight down .So road range on the tank ( Guzzi wins on range ) and oil change intervals would be two comparisons I would have added .. I think the Enfield is a simple bike but needs the most tinkering and so looses on ride convenience ... The Street Twin in the form you were testing has the added hastle of needing to take the silencer off to play with the chain tensioner .. Very glad to have the SS for that reason .. Thanks for the great clip !!
I have owned Triumphs and Guzzis. I owned Triumph first however. Having switched to Guzzi, I could never go back. Guzzi engines are soulful and full of character. They are like nothing else. If the V7III had its engine pumped to be equal CC to the Triumph and the extra price for the nice to haves, Guzzi would have walked this review. Also I do care about where bikes are made and Guzzi is the most authentic by any measure.
I'd like to see a 'test' between the Bonnie and the new V85.
I was disappointed to see my Triumph street twin made in Thailand sticker.😭
I agree I won't be parted from my gloss black V7lll special, so much character and a brilliant ride.
@@larrynorsworthy8582 They have to do an apple:
DESIGNED BY APPLE IN CALIFORNIA
made in china
Manufacturers are coming out with every excuse possible as to why their bikes are being made in foreign countries. The Internet is awash with arguments over it. However these arguments will not go away. Bikes are mostly bought out of passion and it does matter where they're manufactured. Nobody cares if their Nissan Leaf is made in Sunderland, rather than Japan. It's just a tool to do a job. However motorbikes are different and need to keep their heritage intact...in my opinion anyway.
thanks guys; enjoyed the chat very much, - the jacket in the front of the Guzzi though :/ -
I went for the Guzzi and find it entertains enough without encouraging the hooligan side too much. Plus The chain maintenance aspect put me off all the others. A younger hipster type would probably prefer the Triumph I guess.
I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and we don’t have a Triumph dealership but we do have a Royal Enfield and a Moto Guzzi dealership here! How’s that? I kinda get the RE because they are making a huge push into the US market, but MG, a smallish Italian manufacturer? I gotta say though, I absolutely love that V7! Beautiful, beautiful, motorcycle!
As far as where the bikes are made, Thailand has a rich motorcycle culture and I would be honored to own a motorcycle made by the Thai people! The Guzzi however, is stealing my heart with their latest adaptation of the V7. I just have to test ride one…..soon!
Amazing review guys..Thanks a lot. But... nobody commented on how these 3 bikes ride with a pillion and how is the pillion's comfort on them (both commuting and touring). Shame, because they do look like bikes to get on a twin-ride.
Sadly we didn't have a chance to do it for all of them, but you might like this playlist. Cheers, John ruclips.net/p/PLEmXSigXaptxbnx9Q-1RV3u3haG2wrXIz
It was those after credit comments about the Street Twin that turned me on to the Triumph....bought a 2022 Street Twin a few weeks ago and it is such a fun, high quality bike. I'm loving it
Brilliant! Have fun with it! Cheers, John
I own a V7 stone II right now,it's the ideal commuter for me with it's 21L tank,shaft drive,6 gears... but still I'm looking to buy a Triumph again.I fell in love with Triumph,wanted to give another brand a chance and absolutely love my Guzzi but next year I'm going back to Triumph.Always thinking about you're first real love right? 😅
Can you afford to keep both?! Cheers, John
@@bennettsbikesocial can you come and convince my wife why every man should have at least 2 bikes? 😅 very good,thorough review btw and it is very nice of you to respond.Really appreciate that!
@@punkrockdidi I'm lucky - my wife doesn't mind how many I have. Though she did draw the line when I suggested having one in the house. Maybe try with how they have different purposes, and also, if one broke down, you'd have a back-up, so you won't need to bother her about using the car.
Enjoyed that fellas. I'm the owner of a 2020 Triumph Bonneville T100, which is basically a Street Twin but with the more classic 1950's retro look and I absolutely love it. It's a bit more expensive but the quality, paintwork, fit and finish is brilliant. Very happy with my choice :)
Excellent! A good choice (though to be fair, I'd say that about pretty much any bike!) Cheers, John
@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks John, keep up the good work with these reviews and general biker tips and tricks :)
Thanks!
I truly love my Guzzi (v7 iii stone my19), as much as you can Love a machine. It’s beautiful and you feel the authenticity in every combustion...really.
The exact comparison I wanted to see!
Love my V7 ii! So fun to ride but I wish Guzzi parts were more available in the US; hopefully it gets to that point one day. As far as the weight goes, I have to agree - it seems relatively lightweight on paper for its size but it feels heavier due to the weight distribution. Big tank and blocky transverse engine makes it very front heavy, especially compared to the Triumph. As far as ride, it leans toward crusier vs any of the modern retro standards. It's certainly more a small block Italian Harley than a parallel standard.
I assume some of the weight may be from the magnificent large gas tank. 250 mile plus range. It’s all relative as it feels very light and nimble compared to my Eldorado which I recently sold.
@@43tubularbells Definitely can tell a difference, especially when that tank is full haha.
RE Interceptor 650 Is Love!!❤
I purchased a NOS Moto Guzzi V7iii carbon dark in March of 2020. After 5000 km I can tell you it is amazing bike I enjoy my Guzzi. What I would have reconsidered when purchasing it would be the matte black too easy to mark up on the gas tank. Couple noteworthy things I like the trip odometer that comes on when the gas light comes on tell you how far you went in reserve also the gear indicator works wonderfully what they failed to tell you it's not mechanical that's why you don't see it it's electronic it goes by engine speed. Also I can get over 400 km on a tank of juice.
What color would you pick if you could do it over again? I’m considering the matt black stone, black special and the green rough, which will look best long term? Thanks
@@dhhjsjzjzjjhsjsjh The night pack brown or blue might be less work and to show any marks.which the matte black some how over night locked in a garage pick up.
I'd have the Guzzi, because it's a Moto Guzzi. Then again, the Triumph one is a Triumph, and that's also a brilliant argument, not to mention, the RN was made by Royal Enfield...
Just get them all! John
I spend a lot of time looking for V7 Guzzis in Autotrader....
Me too. And eBay!
I had a Guzzi for 21 years until it was stolen, and I loved every mile I rode on it.
I just done 455 miles on the guzzi v7iii today in France .. great fun
I'm not even interested in modern retro bikes, but I do love the "top trumps" comparison style you've adopted, followed with riding experience and subjective opinions. Works really well. Although from memory the Munch Mammut was the card to have in my early '80s Top Trumps motorcycles deck, so it definitely didn't influence my taste/interest in bikes.
I can’t speak for the Triumph and the Enfield as I haven’t tried them. I love my Guzzi. The word character gets thrown around a lot regarding the Guzzi’s. You have to ride one for a while to understand it. Also very reliable. I take issue w the comment that the bike pulls to the right when u give it gas while at speed. Never noticed it in 20k plus miles of riding Guzzi’s. They do it when parked.
The appeal of the Guzzi is it's the only classically European style machine actually made in Europe. Somehow the Italians have managed to hold onto its domestic motorcycle manufacturing capability. Sure the Guzzi is going to cost more. I hate that seam on the underside of the Triumph and RE tanks - why is that necessary?
In my opinion from these 3 bikes the best is:
1.Guzzi V7
2.Street Twin
3.Royal
But talking about price and what they offer,best buy is:
1.Guzzi V7
2.Royal
3.Street Twin
Thank you , fun stuff . Love Triumphs ,my brother had the Moto Guzzis ; which are great bikes as well .
What an amazing review.
Loved the 360 footage, the pan tracking the bikes from the roadside were awesome shots. So too was the shot looking back from the handlebar/headlight with two bikes in frame leaning into a corner. Another winner was the shot where the camera panned while on the bike to follow the passing bike.
Thanks again for a great vid. The edit must have taken ages! Much appreciated.
Thanks! I prepared the 360 footage, but didn't do the edit of this one - that's thanks to Dom Read-Jones. Cheers, John
Bennetts Bike Nice one John and Dom!
Great problem solving for the animation of the graphic that labelled the gear. It felt dynamic (looked like a quality suspension component working a mountain road!) and was still super legible..
You guys turn out amazing content on a very British (read shoe string) budget. Would love to see you guys given a little more time like some of your competitors. Just a few extra hours for shooting, animation creation and editing - maybe even the time to meet in an interior location (I could not imagine anyone else having to shoot in the rain - so United Kingdom of you guys.)
Don’t forget to include where you ride. Google Earth Studio can make Relive style maps that are simply breath taking. Most of us are
thinking about the next ride, when we are not thinking about the next bike.
A journeys or quest with time for reflection is always a compelling narrative.
Thanks again for the amazing video.
@@AC-id6rf Thanks! Some great stuff to think about there! John
As far as Italian bikes, I have owned a ducati 860, moto morini 500 camel, laverda 3cl 1000, cagiva 650, and currently have a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT 1000 and a 2013 Moto Guzzi Stone 750. Have owned several German bikes to include BMW and Zundaps. Grew up with British bikes--meaning Triumph and BSA. Have never been interested in Harley. Owned several Suzuki's to include 2-stroke models and the Wankel rotary 500. The Moto Guzzis have been my favorite above all the rest. Quirky, reliable, tractor-like in that the Japanese "refinement" is not there--but if you love just being connected to machinery and sound--Moto Guzzi!--mike battle
Be interested to see how the 2021 850 V7 shapes up against the Enfield and Street Twin...
I reckon Simons beard looks the most retro
Really like the styling of the v7 in that colour
Thanks for the very extensive review
Hats off for the presentation
I love V-twins, I like shaft drive, and out of these three the Guzzi looks like the obvious choice, in my case the V7-III Special, with spoked wheels and twin clocks. BUT... My nearest Guzzi dealer is a very long way away, while my local Royal Enfield dealer is 100 yards from my house. Long story short, I bought an Interceptor 650 in the chrome finish just over a year ago at time of writing. It's very good, the engine is terrific, it handles extremely well and it achieves 75 mpg. (You must have been caning the nads off yours to get only 51-odd.) It's not perfect; as you say the suspension's a bit tragic and the standard seat's marginal in terms of comfort, but upgrades are available and overall the machine is excellent value and a very good platform for judicious customisation.
That’s a fair point, but in 57 years of riding motor cycles I’ve had precisely one puncture in a tubed tyre on a spoked wheel. Maybe I’ve been lucky; who knows? The best compromise was BMW’s design using tubeless rims on wire-spoked wheels, but you have to buy a BMW to get those! Anyway, if the worst comes to the worst I’ll have to call the RAC out to put a new tube in at the roadside... 😀
Maintenance and service costs. Both parallel twins will need a fuel tank removal and pump disconnect EVERY valve check.
And a valve clearance check on a v twin Guzzi is the easiest and fastest on any motorcycle you can buy (bar hydraulic tappets on Harleys)...
Quite reasonable to expect the Guzzi tank to remain in situ for 50-75k miles.
Throttle body synching? - only one on the V7....
As for chain and sprkt replacement - how many miles?
You don't have to remove the tank on the interceptor, I didnt, just lifted up a bit.
A chain replacement is usually down to how you maintain it along the way.
How often does the Moto guzzi need oil &filter/ tappets etc?
@@rich.dodd1 at least as long as an Enfield. But it also has 3 oils,
Engine
Gearbox
Rear diff....
@@michaelhayward7572 so you have no idea....yet spout off in the comments??
Hey mates, why no mention of how good or bad the headlights are? For us older riders, this is important for night riding. Real important.
High and low beam should be evaluated.
Its suprising that the re looks the best for me
Great chat chaps. Shocking jacket placement during filming.. bizarre
Moto Guzzis like the Italian Harley Davidson when it comes to the feeling of being with family
Triumph is good for modern classic.
Royal Enfield is great value.
But I love guzzi cuz it's unique. It's horizontally placed push-rod v2 air-cooled shaft drive motor with hardcore retro styling & some modern touch.
Good review, a viewer from India.
I've had 3 Triumphs and love them but am ready for something different. I am currently shopping a used 2018 Guzzi V7 III Stone vs a 2020 Royal Enfield INT650 Baker Express for around the same price. While i realize the Guzzi is a more "high end" machine (and i really like the big gas tank) the lack of tachometer really bugs me. I also really like the center-stand and ease of maintenance for the Enfield, and slightly higher seat height (I'm 6'4). Torn at this point...going to have to just sit on them both and see what feels right. Great video, thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks! You've got some great choices to make! Cheers, John
The interceptor is one of the bikes that can give the feel of the golden days of motorcycling. Sometimes I prefer the word CLASSIC over OLD-SCHOOL.
I remember when Simon was the young gun new kid at PB (early 90s?), what an era for top notch bike journalism, and laughs!
I had a Street Twin yesterday whilst my Street Triple was in the dealer, and I absolutely loved it. It’s a very capable bike and the noise is so entertaining.
I would just leave out the part about power & performance on these bikes, my 18 years old gixer worth about 2k will smoke them in third...I think for these "classics" the only thing that really matters is the flavor of the ride and how much they remind us of the bikes we rode when we were young...
Give me a Norton Commando with its problems. When I was a young man I was in love with my 69. Growing up in a country that drives on the left, right foot gear shift to me was sweet, particularly when doing a U turn so you could drag the rear brake. I also owned a Triumph Bonneville loved it too.
Great to see the love for these bikes, especially the Triumph. I have a few larger bikes and a big scoot but really must take a few test rides. Really fancy something that goes like the Speed Twin with a more classic look tbh. Also have a regular pillion which is another consideration...
quality riding and review gents. I'm about to buy a Street Twin 900 and I'm pretty stoked. It'll be my first owned bike.
Thanks very much! Good choice, and enjoy... cheers, John
Enjoyed your review. Have to say, I can't find a 650 vs 650 review, usually being against a larger displacement bike. If you know someone with an original, late '60's Triumph or BSA 650, please pair one or both of those against the RA 650. That would be quite interesting!
My pick would be the Guzzi.
People are looking for that 'classic' and 'simple' charm these days, which imho, is why both Guzzi and especially Royal Enfield are hitting the mark. Put simply, they look and feel authentic.
The RE interceptor 650 Chrome version in Colombia, has a value of $ 4,399 and the maintenance of the motorcycle in the authorized motor centers has a cost of $ 14.
And the motorcycle has a perfect relationship of speed and strength.
Partial to the Triumph, although (despite already being the most expensive) I'd spend a little extra for the extra Bonneville design cues of the T100.
Those heads in Guzzi... stands out from rest of the bikes. A piece of art for me
Great video! Guzzi all the way for me (currently ride a V7II). The Triumph is pretty, but I find it kind of boring. What does it have, looks-wise, that you don't see on another bike? The tank shape is so generic. Guzzi has that flair'd tank and the transverse engine that's so distinct. The RE is a fun ride though. Got a chance to ride one at a launch event in San Diego last year and it was a blast. So much smoother than my Guzzi.
thanks for this as these are the exact same three I am considering. You haven't made the decision any easier I'm afraid though LOL. I think the V7 will win out for me though as I'm looking for a relaxed longer distance ride and the simple air-cooled engine is appealing as I do my own maintenance. Also having owned an SD Darmah in another life, I still find the sound of an Italian V twin intoxicating and has me reminiscing.
Have fun deciding! Cheers, John
I'd really like to see a comparison of the W800 and the Triumph. I almost bought a Triumph Bonneville but read and saw some videos of the poor reliability of the new Thailand bikes (one guy's dealer finally came and got his T100 and refunded his money because they couldn't keep it running), so I bought the Triumph look-alike bike, the 2021 W800. You can't beat Kawasaki reliability and that bevel gear drive for the cam, and the simple shim and bucket valve adjustment. But you guys really liked the Triumph and you mentioned the W800 a couple times like you didn't really like it. What didn't you like about it as much as the other bikes? By the way, I'm thinking about adding a new 850cc Moto Guzzi V7 to my stable right now but I kinda hate having two similar bikes (the W800 and the MG) that do basically the same thing. ONe thing you guys didn't touch on was maintenance. Shaft drive on the MG (no cleaning and adjusting and lubing the chain all the time). Adjust the valves without removing the gas tank. Tubeless tires (which both the MG and the Triumph have) are easier to repair along the road. And last but not least, the simplicity of air cooled engine instead of oil cooled or water cooled, both of which add more complexity and more things go wrong eventually (like having to replace antifreeze and flush the system). Lots to be said for the MG that you didn't say.
I'd be interested to see a comparison of the Triumph T100 to the Interceptor as I feel that is more comparable in terms of styling and performance than the Street Twin which has a slightly more modern look and feel.
Agreed
Doing the video while it raining .. badass
But rushing to set up is how I missed the jackets looking so awkward! John