The Heron head is no longer an issue since they quit making that design and now use conventional heads.

The small block engine from which the current V7 and V9 series is derived has been made for nearly 30 years so they do have experience with that design and it is derived from the older large block design.

I don't see a reason to label the v7 or v9 as "quirky".  If anything it is truly retro and does not try to be a sport bike.  Performance is not the reason why people buy these things.  I currently own 4 very different bikes and have owned lots of bikes in the past.  I see nothing unusual or "quirky" about the Guzzi.  It is what it is, it doesn't imitate other bikes.

Armen wrote, " the 700cc sub 50 HP gutless wonder" (he is referring to the older models, that would be my bike).  Obviously some consider it to be under powered.  The V7 will scoot past most city traffic, it will do the ton and run at expressway speeds all day long year after year.  In performance and design it is very much like the BMW airheads of similar displacement.

The biggest problem I see with the Guzzis is that they are expensive for what you get and the resale is low.  Also there are not many dealers in the US and some of them don't sale enough of them to have any decent experience in their service departments.  The designs are solid but there have been a few quality control problems.  The Japanese manufacturers are more consistent in their quality control.

Having said all that my next bike may be smaller and lighter.  The new small displacement Versys, BMW, KTM and even the new 500 Rebel have me interested and they are attractively priced.

I think the V50 made it's European debut in '76.  I have a late production '77 registered as a '78.  I think they moved small block production to Milan in '78.  I'm a tractor fan, I have a few of them.

Well ,

I put a deposit on a 2016 (new) V-7 Stone today , so I'll be picking it up sometime in the next two weeks .    
I'll keep the Harley for  a while and by spring have it ready to pass on to the new lucky owner .    
The V7 has the same power and is 150# lighter .   The Guzzi also has anti-lock breaks , and blue tooth  ???  I see a learning curve in my future !  

I understand it connects to your smart phone somehow so you can still find your bike if ya come out of the bar after dark and forget where you parked  !  

Yea Gizzo

I'm thinking Hard Bags this time , and what ever makes the Wife more comfortable !   our nest is close to being empty and we need a touring bike that don't weigh a 1000 #'s .   This one is only 418 # starting out.  

The 5.8 gal fuel tank might be nice too !      
remind me of when I could only put in $5.00 worth and the tank never got filled .  

Congrats MM, that is a nice looking bike.

Very handsome bike!
Enjoy!

Great choice. I can't wait to see the ride report(s). I've only ridden a Guzzi once, but what was memorable was running the throttle back and forth at a traffic light and feeling the the bike rock to the right - like only a proper V engine can.

Dave , I didn't even think about the --- Image ---  factor ...  

If my leather and hair need to match , maybe I should find some --- Chrome --- leathers     .