Moto Guzzi’s Café-Styled V7 III Racer Is Hitting North America

Back in 2017, Moto Guzzi decided to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of one of its most popular machines, the V7, by introducing the V7 III, a revamped model that boosted power by 10 percent more than the outgoing bike. The V7 III Racer was the sporty version with a café-racer look, and you could see the appeal of the series.

Which is why Guzzi is going back to that well for 2020 with the V7 III Racer Limited Edition. The so-called “factory custom” model is heading for North American shores this summer, with a limited number of units exclusively targeting the US and Canada.

Thing is, this factory-farkled homage isn’t really a new model but more like a carryover 2018 V7 III Racer with new paint, graphics, and details. The spec sheet is a mirror image, though Guzzi redistributes the color scheme, adds a few trick styling details, and tops it with a few other bits to distinguish it from the other V7 III Racer. And this time, it’s making fewer of them.

The V7 III Racer Limited Edition retains the sportiness with a clearly aggressive rider’s triangle and a classic solo humped seat, ladling on the old-school café style via a shorty front fender, black headlight bucket, and fork gaiters. Even the brief fly screen reminds you of a classic café racer. The “racing red” splash of color on the frame and swingarm is a bold look that contrasts with the dark engine bay and exhaust while also playing off the gloss white tank and aluminum fly screen.

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But that’s not really a solo seat; you can remove that rear seat cover and go two-up on that downward-sloped passenger portion if you want some excitement. Unique details include brown leather trim along the fuel tank’s spine and fuel cap, with aluminum spoked wheels carrying the black channels and red stickers from other MG models. You also get solid billet footpegs, a lightened steering stem, and steering yoke guard. Leading the way is a 40mm telescopic fork, but smoothing things out back is a pair of fully adjustable Öhlins shocks. The robust brake system brings triple discs and ABS as standard equipment.

Even though it's a limited edition, the V7 III Racer Limited manages to ring in at an MSRP that's almost $700 less than last year's model without losing any of the good bits—nice! It's a sporty, affordable, and unique build, with generous splashes of retro adding to the aesthetic. Check out this video of last year's model for some inspiration.

The V7 III Racer Limited Edition will be available this June in the US for an MSRP of $9,990 and July in Canada for $11,590.