Moto Guzzi V7 | Pirelli Phantom Sportcomp Thoughts

[@arthurpendragon1610]

Super attention paid to video quality; much appreciate the views of your countryside from your bike. As for confidence and getting older staying fit is only part of the deal. Mentally you need to develop control of your thought process as we all tend to over think and over correct simply from over familiarity with the subject of racing if nothing else. You are at your best when focused on the task with your brain occupied looking for more good energy for you to enjoy. Perhaps your brain has fogotten to be a good partner and instead of good energy it brings you over thinking at the wrong times. Brains can do that once they flinch. So to not pay for the flinch over and over re-program your brain by setting it to work looking for "good energy and how great it will be to find it." Thinking positively can restore years of your youth. I am going to be 75 in a couple weeks and was out getting rid of chicken stripes on my carbed T100 this afternoon. Feels great at my age to putt on my Harley Superglide when I just want that feeling of utter joy at loafing along comfy as can be. Sitting bolt upright and cornering at a nice pace is FUN! Put your brain to work finding that good energy. It's out there.

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks for the comments, I do try to be a positive half full person in life... I'm pretty sure it is my waistline that is slowing me down on track the most though... am becoming a right fatty! 😀 I did stop worrying about chicken strips possibly a decade ago, if I can get my knee down and still have them left, they can stay there! 😀Hahaha

[@ThrottleBackRubberDown]

Love the comment about not realizing how much impact worn tires have on handling due to it happening gradually over time. Great video!

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers TBRD, aye... I think a lot of folk forget this and when they fit new rubber, when it transforms their bikes handling, they forget that their original tyres felt good too when they were new! :-)

[@Johnnywhamo]

back in 82 I ran Phantoms on my 79 RD 40 Daytona Special, they were GREAT tires. I road like I was on a track and once t6hey were warmed up they stuck you to the road just fine.

[@HippoDrones]

Awesome fun Johnny :D I imagine and hope, that the Phantom SportComp tyres have been developed more since the 80's and so far these tyres are working great mate! 🙂

[@paulbudford]

Good to try something different now and again. The only real long term Pirelli tyres I have tried were a slightly off road biased tyre. They were pretty good. Surprising amount of grip in the cold and wet on road.

[@HippoDrones]

It is too easy to stick with what we know, but I am very impressed with these so far, and as the bike is a dry day only bike, even if they are poop in the wet it doesn't matter for my use of them! :-)

[@timhicks2154]

Excellent! I’ve been sorting my Guzzi Cali 3 out. Goes well! You can’t beat that sound-Track!

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers Tim, hope it is all coming together now?

[@RideOnTwo]

Boy has it ever been a weird year. I bought a new bike and still got little seat time, I am so ready to roll over to 2021. I too have had those moments where I felt uncomfortable and it usually comes from less seat time. You are used to riding a lot and this year have had to cut it back, only reasonable that you would not be up to par. I am sure it will come back, it usually does. cheers mate, ride safe!

[@HippoDrones]

Hey Chappy :-) def been one hella weird year for sure! :D hahaha. Am hoping, like you say, it is just lack of seat time... although I do find myself riding a little more gently on the road more and more and it is by choice. Hopefully next year I can get to more trackdays, and maybe get some professional track instruction too. Will have to see what my hand of cards is come spring 2021 :-)

[@highlandriders9696]

A very learned colleague of mine used to always quote "to go faster you must sometimes slow down". I agree every new tyre feels ace and we are all too quick to forget this when the rear starts sliding about.

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, I think people often forget how the tyres they had on originally felt when they were also new :-)

[@CoffeeBrakes]

Looking forward to seeing you on track again. One of the few Moto Guzzis on track

[@HippoDrones]

Not many venture out on track sadly, which is odd as there is a whole race series dedicated to the V7! :-)

[@wsmv]

your V7 looks and sounds gorgeous, great video, i watched your brands video and certainly dont think youve lost your bottle, some incredible riding on track 👍

[@HippoDrones]

Cheers mate, It has taken some time to get it where it is, but I am really happy with it :-) Maybe I am being harsh on myself, but def felt out of sorts on my last trackday :-)

[@Banditmanuk]

Nothing wrong with getting slower as you get older, I definitely don't ride as fast as I did. Perhaps with fewer years left those that remain become more valuable and you just take greater care.

[@HippoDrones]

.... It def feels like the time passes faster and faster each day as I slow down hahaha :D

[@davexs]

Bike sounds awesome mate. Don't worry about losing your mo jo. It has happened to me and I guess all of us at times.....it soon comes back though......track day for me tomorrow, no winter here!!!!!

[@HippoDrones]

I do love these pipes, way more than the ones I had fitted before.... although I loved the look of those! :-) Am sure you are right.... and TBH, on the road, I am fine with the pace slowing a little... I just want the on track stuff to be a bit more adrenalin fuelled.... Ahh damn you mate... that track looks a lot of fun, and I can't believe how cheap it is for you to use it! :D

[@davexs]

@@HippoDrones Even cheaper tomorrow as it's a proper track day with 60 riders and various skill level groups. It's 20 quid for the full day.......:)) it is the wet season though, so fingers crossed!!!! Take care Pete.

[@HippoDrones]

@@davexs hope it stays dry for you 🙂

[@MotoSera]

My partner used to live very close to Box Hill and avoided it like the plague... too busy. I think it's only natural to ride a little differently when you have an off. It took me a long time after hitting diesel to get my trust back, not in the bike, but the road itself....

[@HippoDrones]

I tend to ride midweek when I can, the roads and the cafes are nicer 🙂 Yup, am sure it will return... Just need to give it some time. My wrist is still a bit sore as well which doesn't help

[@TheGorillaBiker]

I always think it's nice when someone rides your bike and likes it, a great feeling!! Can IIIIII ride it :D Oh man I'd be so happy to go for a spin on it. Ah that's fair enough though it'll take a while to regain full confidence! Just send it, worst case it'll be a good video by the looks of the virals that go on! I will never thumbs down good sir! Michelin commander IIs, the Magna grips like a sports bike!

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, is nice to have a bias opinion validated 😁 You most definitely can have a spin on it when you visit mate, bring the sun though 😁

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@HippoDrones Hurray! Haha I'll do my best, I'm not known for having the sun follow me around 😂

[@HippoDrones]

@@TheGorillaBiker the world would be in a GorillaBiker eclipse if you did 🤪

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@HippoDrones 😂😂😂😂

[@OldManTony]

I was about to press the button on some Pilot Road 5 Trails, and then someone strongly recommended the Avon Trailriders! I’ll have to make a decision soon though, my MOT is well overdue, and I’m missing the bike 😂😂

[@HippoDrones]

Phil480 has the Road 5 Trails fitted to his Triumph, he seems to love them! :-)

[@paullee6663]

@OMT I've not ridden on either of these tyres, but if I was choosing between the manufacturers I'd pick the Michelins every time. (my experiences from the car trade)

[@dynamotightstar3472]

Worry not bro, confidence comes and goes. Mine went a little while ago but it’s back now. Went over the bars pretty much on Thursday but it didn’t effect me. That’s how I know the confidence came back. It was gone for a good few months though for some strange reason. Keep safe 👍

[@HippoDrones]

Am sure you are right DT... hope you not too bashed up from the acrobatics? :D

[@dynamotightstar3472]

@@HippoDrones I'm always right some of the time mate 😃😆 Yeah, just a few bruises from the horn! Makes the vid so much more funny 😆😆

[@HippoDrones]

@@dynamotightstar3472 if you get bruises from the horn, maybe you are gripping too hard! 🤪🤣

[@dynamotightstar3472]

@@HippoDrones pahahahha! 😆😆😆😆 I should said on my thigh! 😆😆😆

[@HippoDrones]

@@dynamotightstar3472 :D hahaha

[@LordBilious]

I'm still trying to build up my bottle from crashing at Oulton a few years ago- still having great fun on a track day, just slower than I'd like to be.

[@HippoDrones]

I imagine that would knock your confidence a tad! :-)

[@dylancasewhite]

When you swapped your OEM dash for the mini one did you have any issues with it?

[@HippoDrones]

Hi Dylan, I got mine from BAAK Motorcyclettes with their loom. Initially I had an issue with it not keeping it's memory but BAAK did an updated loom and replaced mine, it was then plug and play after calibrating the speedo and setting the mileage 🙂 If you make your own loom, you may have some issues, but the dash from MotoGadget does come with wiring instructions that don't look overly complicated

[@thedonnybrookghost8394]

Yes more brands love that track !! Well it's fun on games lol I'd love to ride it

[@HippoDrones]

Is a cracking track for sure. I hope to get up to Cadwell Park again soon too 🙂

[@NooBiker]

Nice to hear the Guzzi again. I'm sure you'll get your mojo back in due course as memory of the busted wrist recedes.

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, was ace to get out on it as it doesn't get much use through winter. Am sure it will mate, and my wrist is still giving me some issues annoyingly... maybe I should have gone to the hospital with it, but too late for that now.

[@NooBiker]

@@HippoDrones not too late, go to your GP, ask to be referred for physio. Then wait 6 months. Or just go to a private physio...

[@HippoDrones]

@@NooBiker I think it is the bone that is in the wrong place, rather than muscle stuff, I'll get used to it, and eventually won't even notice it.... my ankles, pelvis, back are all fubar anyway, what's another limb! :D

[@christopherdevries1969]

I like the Michelin road 4 . Give me a lot of confidence. I was kinda hoping if somebody had an opinion on the Avon tires.

[@HippoDrones]

I have the Road 5's on my Triumph and love them. Sadly they don't do them or the 4's in V7 sizes though

[@christopherdevries1969]

Hippo-Drones That’s so weird as they are really good tires. You would think they make them for every size 🤔

[@HippoDrones]

@@christopherdevries1969 aye, the V7 doesn't have a huge choice. The Phantom rear i fitted is not the reccomended size, is a 150, standard is a 130

[@christopherdevries1969]

Hippo-Drones different rims ? Or is that impossible?

[@timhicks2154]

I use Avons - great all-round tyres, no pun intended. Good enough for me to do Mallory track sessions, too, on my 750 Moto-Guzzi Monza that was a 500. Wet grip good too. Seldom if ever let go.

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

New rear tyre day for me soon. I was wondering why you didn't take this bike to Dartmoor but as its not your wet bike, I understand

[@HippoDrones]

Aye, it has no rear subframe so no mudguard, the seat stops around the middle of the tyre, so even just damp roads leave a trail of road grime up my back! :-)

[@derusc]

very interesting video, which size did you actually mounted on the v7? can't find 100/90/18 130/80/17 for mine.. thank you

[@HippoDrones]

Thanks. I fitted a 150 to the rear. It is a tight fit to get past the cush drive, but once in there are no clearance issues! :-)

[@derusc]

@@HippoDrones Amazing! thank you

[@HippoDrones]

@@derusc no probs Daniele 🙂

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

Great to hear you're loving the tyres mate. What was the size difference? (Sorry if I missed it). Losing the mojo is a weird thing, I've had it happen after just a 5 minute break in a touring day - then after the next break it comes back... no idea why. Age is a factor though, you're getting to be the "elder" who watches the young guns go off to battle or hunt and knows that the ones who come back actually learned something you learned years ago and there's no need to go through it again. Of course not so drastic on track days as that but maybe just enough to keep the rubber side down ;-)

[@HippoDrones]

So far so good :-) The rear is a 150 whereas the standard tyre is a 130, so was worried it would slow down the turn, but it seems to feel like it was meant to be and the bike feels lovely to ride. Am still struggling with the clip-on bars a little.... but that is due to my fat belly rather than anything else! :D I am sure it will come back, this year has been odd for saddle time to say the least! haha I def look at some younger riders now and think to myself, I used to do that, and yup, it will hurt when it goes wrong! :D

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@HippoDrones It's interesting - I know bugger all about this stuff really but have also experienced trying different tyre sizes/profiles and found some that just feel better than reg. :)

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger I get why they put an 18" rim on the front on the V7, it is to make it look more retro, but I very much wish they had done a version with 17" front/rear and a width that would allow for proper sporty rubber to be fitted :-)

[@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger]

@@HippoDrones Ahh yes, sounds very familiar! I have the opposite wish, for a bigger front wheel which would open up the ADV tyre choices immensely! But I love how the X handles the road a lot! We need bigger garages and a lottery win... each ;-)

[@HippoDrones]

@@CaptainCrankyMotovlogger 100% 🙂

[@warp65]

Well that made up my mind, been thinking of trying phantoms on my mk5 le mans, Cheers

[@HippoDrones]

Awesome, just be mindful if your bike isn't designed to take a 150 rear it might be a squeeze to fit

[@warp65]

@@HippoDrones No worries there, being an older Guzzi,120/90/18 out the back, It does fit a 130 , just, but I want to try the correct sizes for a change. I'm loving what the V7 is doing to Guzzi, yours looks cool, they are everywhere here in NZ, roll on another 100 yrs. Cheers

[@HippoDrones]

@@warp65 here is hoping. Ta mate, I have a vid coming out on Thursday about the bikes possible future changes :-)

[@warp65]

@@HippoDrones Look forward to that, Subscribed👍

[@HippoDrones]

@@warp65 :D nice one, ty :-)

[@revguzzi]

What are your thoughts after 2 years? Isn't 150 rear a bit too much? Would you pick Road Attack 3 or Sportscomp now? Cheers!

[@HippoDrones]

Hi 🙂 The tyres are great, not had any issues with them at all, I only ride the bike on nice days though, so couldn't comment on wet grip. The 150 is quite wide, yes, but it hasn't negatively effected the handling. If I were to replace them today, I honestly don't know what I would go for. I don't have experience with either tyre you mentioned though, sorry.

[@gremlin2288]

Is this the queue for the Guzzi ride ? ;-)....................👍

[@HippoDrones]

Haha 🤣

[@paulbudford]

Get in the queue

[@HippoDrones]

@@paulbudford :D hahaha :D

[@MarkOneMoto]

Well if you're offering people a shot on the guzzi?.. We'll form a queue ha ha!..and I'm sure you'll get your confidence back mate, just takes time, mind how you go, Mark

[@HippoDrones]

Haha, cheers Mark, I think the queue is growing 😅 I'm sure it will come back, been an odd year to say the least 🤪

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

Glad you like the new tyres. If the sizes are not specified do you have to notify the insurance? They will do anything to get out of paying out! Always good when somebody else likes your bike. A mate rode my Duke not long after I had it and hated it lol! Dukes are that sort of bike! Sorry your bottle has gone AWOL, although you'd never know from looking at your videos.

[@HippoDrones]

My insurance company told me all the mods are fine, once you get to a certain point on a custom bike, it is pretty much fully loaded anyway lol 😁 Ahh thanks for saying mate, it def feels like it has been nurfed though... am sure some saddle time will help get it back though 🙂

[@anthonydonnelly8419]

@@HippoDrones I am sure it will. My general biking Mojo has been known to wane over the years, but it never completely goes

[@HippoDrones]

@@anthonydonnelly8419 🙂

[@timhicks2154]

I like Avon RoadRiders

[@HippoDrones]

Ahh Christopher was asking about Avon tyres in another comment on here, am sure he'd appreciate your feedback on them! 🙂

[@timhicks2154]

@@HippoDrones - Great all round tyres. Good enough for my Mallory antics too! My front tyre went blue at the edges and all peely. Is that a proper word? Wear is good, wet & dry grip good.,

[@HippoDrones]

@@timhicks2154 I think it should be a word if it isn't already 🤪😁

[@Zedhead_]

Tyres, the black black art of choosing the right ones. As the keyboard warriors prime their fingers to pick you up on any misplaced word. 😂 An off does set you back, you will reconnect with the bike soon enough, not feeling confident is a sign you are not quite ready. Tomorrow is another day brother, ride safe. Zed. 👍👊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@HippoDrones]

Hahahaha...aye... and be judged for thinking different to another's favourite choice of rubber! :D hahaha The off was on the Beta, not this one and I was on my Triumph on the trackday... so it looks like I need to reconnect with all of them! :D hahaha Confidence on the road will return, but I wonder if my track pace will though.

[@thumper2140]

Yarp how the devil are you Pete. How come you got 63 comments and I was 40th like so 23 of them didn't bother to like your vlog thay all have to just press the 👍button yes I know it not blue. Sorry to rant on great vlog hippo-drones anyway you take care and ride safe TTFN

[@HippoDrones]

Hey Thumper :-) hahaha.... 63 comments include my replies... so basically just over 30 actual comments :D But yeah.... it would be nice if more of the 300+ viewers gave some kind of interaction :D hahaha

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Regarding the review on your bike, if it is whom I assume it would be, i hope it works out. It would be interesting for sure. Come on now you aren’t old. Just grip n rip it next time🤪.

[@HippoDrones]

If he is able to do it, it will be well worth the view as he does some very awesome reviews of the more classic styled bikes :-) Hahaha... I'm def old enough to know I should have calmed down by now! :D

[@BigDaveTALKS]

Hippo-Drones ..🤣 “old enough to know better, still to young to care”. My dad always said that. Now i know what he means.

[@HippoDrones]

@@BigDaveTALKS 😁

[@paullee6663]

Is this a prize giveaway for when you get to 3K subs? Ride my MG? Add me to the queue! Just the opposite for me, I ditched my Dunlop Arrowmax's for some Bridgestone B45's and hate them with a vengeance. The set I took off is better than the set I put on! Don't you just hate that? The 'mojo' thing is in your head, but you already know that....plant a seed and it wants to grow..... maybe some training next year? Check out LCR's last video....strip it back and start again??

[@HippoDrones]

Hahaha... it would seem the list would be quite long! :D Ahh that is annoying, but at least you now know that you liked what you had fitted prior! :-) Although, many people seem to hugely rate the BT45's on the V7... I've never tried them myself. That is very true... I need more saddle time for sure, and yes... doing the CSS like Chops did would be a great idea... I hope to get some instruction next year on track if this covid stuff allows! :-) LCR's vid was ace, I really enjoyed that :-)

[@paullee6663]

@@HippoDrones Yes, I must admit, I'm not normally a 'track' video lover, but enjoy your stuff, LCR and the 44t stuff. I have always fitted the Dunlop Arrowmaxes since the OE tyres gave up the ghost...but they have changed the speed rating to a 'V' rated tyre (was H rated previously) (no idea what they fit as they are 18" rims and pretty skinny ???) The price has basically more than doubled which means I would be paying as much or more than the price of a set for a R1 or a Fireblade for my (very) old Honda 500 which hacked me off more than a bit....so I thought as the B45's got good press I'd give them a go..... I'm a pretty sedate rider, but those things track something rotten! I also had the front 'let go' riding through an innocuous looking run off stream in Spain on 90' right hander..... I've never had that before and never want to experence it again! I'll just pay up next time.......Dunlop front over £110 .... Bridgestone ... £44......forget the Bridgestone rear price (say £60 ) but the Dunlop was £140 I think.....or near as.... 18" tubeless .... I understand economy of scale and all that but bloody hell....what else do they fit 100/90x18 front.... 110/90x18 rear... ..Banditmanuk replaced the tyres on his MT-10 for about £250 I seem to remember..... It would have cost me more than that as it's a rear drum on my old Honda....

[@HippoDrones]

@@paullee6663 i think a lot of Moto Guzzi owners, (not all of them), ride their bikes a little differently to you and I which may explain why they like one tyre over another. As for streams though... they can be so slimy, no tyre would grip. Have seen folk bin in a straight line in some Ford crossings 🙂

[@paullee6663]

@@HippoDrones I'm not sure I trust 'many peoples' opinion any more. I asked MCN's opinion twice on the suggested tyre for my Honda....with many years between my requests......both times they came back with the Dunlops.... I have to admit I was more than a little surprised on the last one......as they had a kind of 'resident' Bridgstone guy answering lots of queries on the site. I was quite surprised when one of their 'long standing' senior journalists whose name I recognised from 'back in the day' replied to my query..... he recommended the Dunlops again, even though their tread pattern has changed considerably in that time. Lesson learnt.....don't break your own rules...stick with what you know to be the truth. Oddly Bridgstone recommend a tyre pressure 12 psi higher than the Hondas for the rear? I''ll stick to what Honda recommends thanks.....

[@paullee6663]

@@HippoDrones Holy Moly! You replied before I finished wording my reply. I'm pretty sure you can't compare the way I pootle along on my old Honda to the way you ride your MG! I have to conceed I have had a few scary moments in over 40 years (on and off) of riding...but that front wheel giving way is right up the top of the list....which is saying something,as I've been lying on the black stuff a couple of times when the ice has been on the ground.....both low speed at the same T junction...trying to get off our estate on to proper salted roads....Oh how I'd love to meet that guy who was papping his horn, while both I and my bike were lying on the ground.....I'm not an aggresive or in any way a violent kind of guy...but I feel sure I could change that in his case.....

[@Kianarevision]

Nice upload! I believe you'd enjoy my content too. Keep up the great work! 💖💛

[@HippoDrones]

Please go spam elsewhere.