V9 Roamer

[sidecarnutz]

Saw my first Roamer in the wild today. My buddy brought one home yesterday and stopped by today to allow me to admire it. I gotta admit, I was impressed. Really good ergonomics IMO. (If you're a short guy like me.) Puts your feet about the same way as my old Cali with floorboards. Bars feel perfect. He had a small shield/deflector on it to take pressure off your chest at speed. Seemed just right IMO. I think Guzzi really got this one right. I would strongly consider one for my next bike. The smallish tank was the only down side I saw to it. Of course I would look at adapting a bigger tank to it if I had one. The more I see the small block frame, the more I like them.
It sounded great too!
I told him about my favorite 100 mile loop thru the countryside and he took off to try it and rack up some more break in miles on it. Perfect day today. Mid 60s and sunny! Great day to have to work on breaking in a new bike. 

[Muzz]

The smallish tank was the only down side I saw to it. Of course I would look at adapting a bigger tank to it if I had one.

That to me was the biggest downside when I saw it.  We have some rather large gaps in between gas stops in places.

[kballowe]

Mine has Griso risers on it.  Raises the handlebars up and back

[Tomas0365]

I've just recently moved from a V7 classic to a roamer and have put v7 tank and seat on it.  The thing to be mindful of is that you can't use the roamer seat and v7 tank so the ergos get changed if you change stuff.

I was astonished the difference in power between the v9 and v7c.  They allegedly have similar power on paper but not really.
I just did a 1000 km ride and got 5 Litres per 100km.  Even with the small tank that means 3ookm/180mi range.  Pretty good. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

The tank seems a bit on the small size but then it is real stingy on gas, I did  a fairly long trip next to my Brothers on a 1200 Sport, it only used 2/3 of the gas at the same speed.

[Muzz]

I've just recently moved from a V7 classic to a roamer and have put v7 tank and seat on it. 

Don't know why Guzzi didn't do that.  It was the standard naked Breva and V7 series that has held Guzzi together.  Just aim at the same market but for those who want a bit more hp.

[greer]

We just bought one too, a low, low mileage yellow one popped up on CL in Virginia so last weekend away we went.  Finally had a chance to ride it over the last couple of days and we'll agree, at 5'5" and 5'7" with 29" inseams it fits us perfectly.  The engine offers plenty of punch as far as we're concerned, and that 6th gear feels like it will just eat the miles.  Doug is headed to Sloan's later this week for the brake line recall, and we've asked the service tech to make note of our concern regarding the potential for final drive leaks since this bike was built in April 2016.  It's a couple of months out of warranty though, so we may be screwed there.  Another thing, the previous owner lost the spare key in a recent move, so we are guarding our lone original with our lives.  The local locksmith was able to order a couple of the Ilco blanks (X270 TMC1) and they work perfectly, except we have to enter the user code into the dash each time.   We figure there's surely a way to make the dash retain the code, but it has us stumped, as is usual with anything the least bit tech-related.  Anybody know??  Offer a guess??  Thanks!   

Sarah   

[Kev m]

I was astonished the difference in power between the v9 and v7c.  They allegedly have similar power on paper but not really.

Actually if you get past the official "crankshaft ratings" I would say they're not really all that similar on paper. Dyno charts show that even the V7III has something like 20%+ more power at the rear wheel than the 2TB V7C and almost as much as the V9.

Or maybe you're assuming the V7C was more similar than not to the V7III.

[KiwiKev]

We just bought one too, a low, low mileage yellow one popped up on CL in Virginia so last weekend away we went.  Finally had a chance to ride it over the last couple of days and we'll agree, at 5'5" and 5'7" with 29" inseams it fits us perfectly.  The engine offers plenty of punch as far as we're concerned, and that 6th gear feels like it will just eat the miles.  Doug is headed to Sloan's later this week for the brake line recall, and we've asked the service tech to make note of our concern regarding the potential for final drive leaks since this bike was built in April 2016.  It's a couple of months out of warranty though, so we may be screwed there.  Another thing, the previous owner lost the spare key in a recent move, so we are guarding our lone original with our lives.  The local locksmith was able to order a couple of the Ilco blanks (X270 TMC1) and they work perfectly, except we have to enter the user code into the dash each time.   We figure there's surely a way to make the dash retain the code, but it has us stumped, as is usual with anything the least bit tech-related.  Anybody know??  Offer a guess??  Thanks!   

Sarah

Are the new keys chipped ? Sounds likely they are not and that's the problem. Take them back and get your money back if that's the case 😛

As far as tank size goes I find mine ok but the low fuel light comes on when there's more than half a tank left.

What are the factory recalls some one mentioned ??

My 2016 model was purchased in Nov last year so still under warranty.

Kev

[greer]

Well, dang!  The tech at Sloan's told us the keys weren't chipped, but would require a locksmith who could make reverse-cut keys.  We got the 2 spares as specified bought and cut for all of 8 bucks so certainly can't complain to Freddy the locksmith.  Chipped keys, you say??

Some info on the brake line recall:

https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-news/piaggio-recall-on-2016-2017-moto-guzzi-v7-iii-and-v9-models-ar176911.html

Sarah

[Kev m]

Actually if you get past the official "crankshaft ratings" I would say they're not really all that similar on paper. Dyno charts show that even the V7III has something like 20%+ more power at the rear wheel than the 2TB V7C and almost as much as the V9.

Or maybe you're assuming the V7C was more similar than not to the V7III.

OK, I'm out of bed - here's amassed data from the spreadsheet - the battle of Titans (if Titans were really small):

V7C: Claimed 48 hp @6800 rpm/40 ft. lbs. @ 3600 rpm - Dyno 39 rwhp / 38 ft. lbs.
V7 I: Claimed 50 hp @6200 rpm/43 ft. lbs. @ 5000* rpm - Dyno 40 rwhp / 41 ft. lbs.
V7 II: Claimed 48 hp @6200 rpm/44 ft. lbs. @ 2800 rpm - Dyno 42 rwhp / 40 ft. lbs.
V7 III: Claimed 52 hp @6200 rpm/49 ft. lbs. @ 2800 rpm - Dyno 48 rwhp / 44 ft. lbs.
V9: Claimed 55 hp @6250 rpm/46 ft. lbs. @ 3000 rpm - Dyno 51 rwhp / 46 ft. lbs.

The real difference here are the Hemi head bikes.

V7III - 23% more hp & 16% more torque than the V7C (8 more hp, 3 more ft. lbs.)
V9 - 31% more hp & 21% more torque than the V7C (12 more hp, 8 more ft. lbs.)


* Note - looks like bad data other sources suggest 2800 or 3000 rpm.

[Huzo]

Are they Hemi or Heron heads ?

[Kev m]

Are they Hemi or Heron heads ?

V7C ---through V7II are all Heron heads.

V7III and V9 are Hemi heads.

[oilhed]

I kinda like the Roamer. Wish the tank was shaped like a Sportster, tall not wide. If they had colors that I really loved I may have been drawn to it. Just plain red!

I never saw this color, or seat before.

[Tomas0365]

Actually if you get past the official "crankshaft ratings" I would say they're not really all that similar on paper. Dyno charts show that even the V7III has something like 20%+ more power at the rear wheel than the 2TB V7C and almost as much as the V9.

Or maybe you're assuming the V7C was more similar than not to the V7III.

Yeah that's right.  I was confusing the figures of v7II and v7III.

That data you gave explains well why there is a big difference in feel.  I didn't think there was such a big jump from the heron head bikes to the hemi heads, but that is a significant power increase. 

In any event I'm very happy.

[s1120]

I kinda like the Roamer. Wish the tank was shaped like a Sportster, tall not wide. If they had colors that I really loved I may have been drawn to it. Just plain red!

I never saw this color, or seat before.

I do like that seat so much better!

[KiwiKev]

Well, dang!  The tech at Sloan's told us the keys weren't chipped, but would require a locksmith who could make reverse-cut keys.  We got the 2 spares as specified bought and cut for all of 8 bucks so certainly can't complain to Freddy the locksmith.  Chipped keys, you say??

Some info on the brake line recall:

https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-news/piaggio-recall-on-2016-2017-moto-guzzi-v7-iii-and-v9-models-ar176911.html

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the brake line info,pretty sure my bike is ok but will check again tomorrow.

My spare key has a tag with the code punched on it .

Cheers
Kev

[menzies]

I bought a Stelvio with one key, I spoke with an individual at Moto International about it, he stated a locksmith down the street from then could make one. I called the guy and then mailed the key and within an 8 day time frame had a spare key for about $50 too include post there and back, he even sent a spare chip for future reference. I was nervous about sending the only key so posted registered inured.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I got a spare pair of keys for the Griso, I had trouble finding a locksmith who could cut the reverse pattern but once done I was able to duplicate the chip on the bike as per Pete Roper's instructions.

[jacksonracingcomau]

or put the key with chip inside headlight, spare if ever needed and immobiliser is beaten, unchipped key will work.
why they think thieves ride bikes beyond me,  vans and utes are the worry, hard to get to real locks far better then electronic nonsense. They confuse car tech with bikes perhaps

[greer]

Thanks for the key information, everybody.  We never thought of hiding the original in the headlight; we did try holding it up next to the ignition while trying a spare key, but that was still a no-go.  AF1 lists $97.92 for the blank, Holy Crap.  We'll study on this a while longer.

Sarah 

[jacksonracingcomau]

Thanks for the key information, everybody.  We never thought of hiding the original in the headlight; we did try holding it up next to the ignition while trying a spare key, but that was still a no-go.  AF1 lists $97.92 for the blank, Holy Crap.  We'll study on this a while longer.

Sarah

that is a bummer
showing original key to our Scrambler works, ignition key can be screwdriver, immobiliser only needs chip in sight.
hope you beat without paying