V9 Review Thread. Merged Threadfest

[steven c]

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2016/03/15/2016-moto-guzzi-v9-review-10-quick-facts/

[oldbike54]

 Finally  Thanks Steven .

 Dusty

[lucydad]

Steven,

Thanks for the find.  Subsequent reviews will be interesting.  I wonder if Houston, TEXAS will ever see a V9?
Sucks that I would have to go to Dallas or Austin to see one. 

[steven c]

 Not very informative, but it's something.

[swordds]

Must be comparing the clutch to the V7 and not the V7II?  I wouldn't mind the higher handlebars on my V7II but they might need longer cables?

[DaSwami]

What strikes me is the squat, knees up riding position, and how the knees extend over the sharp lines of the tank.  Not sure how comfy that would be...

[Dogwalker]

Thanks!

Some clip:
Around the lake with the V9 Bobber (Italian).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsT3tzsNV_Y

Around the bike and the engine (French).
http://www.moto-station.com/article107302-essai-moto-guzzi-v9-bobber-roamer-en-direct.html

[bpreynolds]

What strikes me is the squat, knees up riding position, and how the knees extend over the sharp lines of the tank.  Not sure how comfy that would be...

Of course, each rider's inseam is different but eVery picture I've seen with someone aboard a Bob or Roamer, then comparing it to pictures of folks aboard the V7, it is clear to be more of a cruiser with, yes, knees in a different position.  Importantly, however, is that it doesn't appear knees are higher than hips, or at least from what I've seen.

As with almost all Guzzis - I can't say this about a great many other brands - but the bike on the video is sharper in person than in pictures even.  Very nice.

[Kev m]

What strikes me is the squat, knees up riding position, and how the knees extend over the sharp lines of the tank.  Not sure how comfy that would be...

For all intents and purposes is the riding position really all that different from the other current smallblocks?

V9 Roamer



V7 Stone

[Dogwalker]

It seems that the riding position essentially depends from how far from the tank you decide to seat.

[Groover]

Looks tiny. Is it smaller than an 850-T3?

[BRIO]

That classic Guzzi tank on the V7 is much better looking.

[LowRyter]

sounds like a nice bike and an upgrade to the V7.

[v65tt]

i see the bobber comes with a 16" front wheel.... is that to show remind us how bad the 850-t5 was 

[rocker59]

i see the bobber comes with a 16" front wheel.... is that to show remind us how bad the 850-t5 was 

Different thang, altogether.  The Bobber has the Harley/Cruiser 130/90-16 front.  Pretty common in the cruiser world, and not an oddball like the 16s from the 1980s.

Bobber and Roamer both are running 16s in the back, too.   

[Dogwalker]

i see the bobber comes with a 16" front wheel.... is that to show remind us how bad the 850-t5 was 

It's more appropriate to remember the Lario and how the 16" front on it wasn't bad at all.

[Arizona Wayne]

Part of how a 16" front tire feels is the profile of the tire.   My LM IV had a 120/80-16 front tire which was kind of twitchy, so I put on a 110/90 and it was fine.  My CX100 had a 100/90-18 front tire and I liked the 16" front on the LM IV so much I put a 110/90-16 on the CX and liked it better(quicker turn in).  I like 16" tires, front or rear. 

[steven c]

 My Ducati 750 Paso had 16's front and rear, handled fine.

[bad Chad]

The wheel base and length of the bikes are slightly longer than their 750 cousins.

[Dogwalker]

It's thanks to the slightly longer swingharm.

[cruzziguzzi]

Nice little bullet-statement style of review.

I like this in an initial observation rather than getting caught up in the two things which wear my literary behind out in product reviews for all things guy.

1. Form: Trying to hit on any of the most recent tech-speak whether it applies or not and filling the review with clumsily inserted cleverness.

2. Function: Telling the reader what the product is not in continual comparisons, solicited by the manufacturer or not.


This one gave me one man's sense of the bike much in the manner of us talking over a gas pump, This, rather than him writing a sample for his next résumé or pumping a pet product which is not actually being reviewed in straw-man comparisons.


Thanks for the link and I got a lot out of it. Spurtster's in further peril for it.


Todd.

[DaSwami]

Yeah...the prediction on cycle ergos website was that it would be a more relaxed hip angle but I don't see that at all.  Put the chick on the bottom photo on the V9 and see what we see.  Her hip angle is quite relaxed on the V7.

For all intents and purposes is the riding position really all that different from the other current smallblocks?

V9 Roamer



V7 Stone

[rocker59]

   Put the chick on the bottom photo on the V9 and see what we see.  Her hip angle is quite relaxed on the V7.

She's also about 4'-10"...



Here's me on mine.  5'-10"

[wymple]

Looks like I would be fine at 5'8" (generous measurement)

[Lcarlson]

Yeah...the prediction on cycle ergos website was that it would be a more relaxed hip angle but I don't see that at all.  Put the chick on the bottom photo on the V9 and see what we see.  Her hip angle is quite relaxed on the V7.

FWIW:
Cycle ergo : V7ii: 82 degrees; V9: 86 degrees.

[Adan]

Visordown weighs in:


http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-moto-guzzi-v9-review/31001.html

Interesting picture starts to form of handling that perhaps not that of a canyon carver.  Not a surprise.  But this review hints a something a little dysfunctional in the design.  They seem to love the motor, though.

[oldlegs]

Must be comparing the clutch to the V7 and not the V7II?  I wouldn't mind the higher handlebars on my V7II but they might need longer cables?

Me too, are the scramblers some shops build fitted with higher bars if so maybe the cables would work. I'm not too worried about control cables but would be reluctant to mess with electrical cables to switches. Steve.

[rocker59]

Interesting picture starts to form of handling that perhaps not that of a canyon carver.   

no kidding...

[Adan]

Like I said, no surprise.  What's more concerning is the accumulation of reports that there's something funny (queer, not ha ha), about the overall handling.

[rocker59]

Like I said, no surprise.  What's more concerning is the accumulation of reports that there's something funny (queer, not ha ha), about the overall handling.

These testers are stepping off of modern sporty bikes and riding these basic retros, then finding the handling odd and lacking.

No surprise there.

I find the same thing with my V7 Special's handling.  It's shite compared to my Sport 1100, and SHITE compared to a modern naked or sporty bike.

But, ridden within its envelope, it's very enjoyable.  The other night I had to stop by my office for something.  I chose to hop on the V7 Special and run surface streets the 15 miles up to the office, and back.  Lovely evening ride at suburban speeds of 35-50.  My Sport 1100 would've been a chore on the same ride.

I don't really think there is a "problem" with the V9's handling, so much as there is an expectations and perception problem from the lackeys who are "reporting".