Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: pocphil on May 05, 2016, 09:18:01 AM
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Yesterday at Cleveland Moto we had the pleasure of unboxing, prepping and taking the V9 Bobber and Roamer out for a initial shakedown ride.
Lets start with the Video...It's 5 minutes long and it's in HD, so, you may want to be sure you're on Wifi to try to watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBTlSslJ_dU
Here are my initial reports:
Wow, the fit and finish on these bikes is fantastic, the paint is excellent, especially the Gold metallic on the Roamer.
The front tire on the Bobber is a 130, which is the same size that came on the BACK of Honda CB750's...it looks plenty beefy.
The clock / aka speedo / aka data center : Holy crap, initially I was really bummed that it didn't have a tach...but I'm beginning to see what they did here...
Here is a list of the information provided in this one instrument:
-Speed (duh) in Mph and Kph on a white faced gage with black numbers, the MPh is not hard to read.
-Gear Indicator N-1-2-3-4-5-6 are presented in the LCD window as you go along. There is also a green neutral light.
-Time
-Temperature
-Odometer and 2 trip meters
-Trip Timer
-Fuel Reserve light (switches tripmeter to temporarily start at 0)
-Ice warning
-Service reminder
-Oil Pressure warning
-Oil Temperature warning
-Average Speed
-Average Mileage
-Current fuel consumption
-Security Code (5 digit code you can enter yourself)
-MGCT traction control 1 (normal) and traction control 2 (Slippery) and OFF (Hooligan)
-A high and a low shift light.
There is a USB port under the seat that is switched and has a 1 amp max.
Yes, there is no tach...they've gone with shift lights instead, here's how it works:
You can set your own shift lights, one is called Gear Shift L and the Other is Gear Shift H - from the factory the bike comes with the Low shift light set at 4500 rpm for break in. When you accelerate beyond 4500 rpm the words GEAR SHIFT appears on the display and the General Alarm indicator light will flash. The factory setting for the High shift light is at 8000 rpm if you exceed that the word GEAR SHIFT will be seen on the dash and the General Alarm indicator light will remain constant. If you exceed the HIGH shift warning you will eventually run into the rev limiter.
Shift lights instead of a tach ---- i'm totally ok with it. I've not once in my life looked down at a tachometer to decide when to shift. After riding the bike around for a while I can tell you that I don't miss the tach. The abundance of information they've provided you with seems nearly impossible from 1 device on the handlebars.
The differences between the bikes:
The front end - yep the bobber has a 130/90-16 and the roamer has 100/90-19 front tire.
Both of them run a 150/80-16 in back. Pirelli Sport Demons on the Roamer and Continental Conti Milestones on the Bobber.
The Roamer has a traditional standard handlebar like you've seen on every other V7 Stone, Classic or Special.
The Bobber uses the perches / risers from the Griso-California and a very wide, pull-back "sons of anarchy" style straight bar.
As much as I really didn't think I would like the Bobber handlebars, they did feel very natural once headed down the road. Despite these wide feeling handlebars, the Bobber is actually 1" narrower than the Roamer.
I didn't feel any handling differences between the bikes, the Bobber felt more planted, but seriously that could all be down to the "attack" riding position of those handlebars and knowing that cement roller was out front. Both of them launched equally well and felt completely intuitive.
Seating, the seats on both are beautiful, not leather or vinyl, but a grippy upholstery that is even embroidered with the company name on the back. The roamer has the obligatory white piping and looks a bit taller, but I'm not certain. The Bobber seat definitely looks like a custom home-built cafe seat.
Both claim an under 31" saddle height. Both are either filled with gel or a very high density foam. People always complain about seats anyway, I'm sure this won't be an exception.
Gas tanks : Yep, they're the same, 4 gallons with 1 gallon of that being reserve. It seems impossible, but on my test ride yesterday I averaged 60 mpg according to the onboard meter, and I was definitely having some fun. I should remind folks that I know of a lot of scooters that don't get 60 mpg. Recommended fuel octane is 95 RON / 85 MON so, that equals 89 RM/2 at my gas station.
The Service Schedule - This bike has a VERY long service interval, your first service is at 900 miles followed by one at 6200 miles, then every 6200 after that.
Transmission oil is only to be changed at the first service and at 37,300 miles.
Final drive oil is only every 18,600 miles
My wrap up:
"I would have bought a V7, but I wanted more power, but a Griso was too much" Ok, if you're playing "Goldilocks and the 3 bears" and haven't bought a Guzzi yet, this is it.
I'm 6'1 and 200 lbs. This bike feels like it was cut for me. My 34" inseam knees don't hit the intakes, but that nice angle on the gas tank gives me something to clench when transitioning.
I can't wait until this bike is broken in and I'm going to do everything in my power to get our demo bike there as soon as possible. Right now, it's a hoot and I think the 850 motor is an excellent bridge between the 750 and the 1200. Way more friendly than the Griso / 1200 sport etc. I've heard it called the Spaghetti Sportster and that might not be a bad thing.
I'm going to ride it around a bit more and report back.
Phil Waters
www.clevelandmoto.c om
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBTlSslJ_dU
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Beautiful bikes...
Spud
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Great to see, thanks. I hope they do well.
Joe
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Very nice!!!
Thanks for sharing this.
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Lovely! Looks much nicer than the pictures.
Seat looks great but with the perforations it's be needing a B-150 seat cover for sure in the rain.
Wish I could have one of EACH in the garage!
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great post, thanks for putting us there
I'd say Guzzi has another winner, but will it sell...
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Fun stuff, unboxing new scooters..
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The new bikes look great. When the first pictures came out, I had kind of mixed feelings, but they have steadily grown on me. In fact (gasp), I think I now prefer them to the V7....
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Great video, thank you for posting.
Curious how much set up on these bike is required by the dealer before delivery to the customer?
These bike look like there practically ready to go right out of the box.
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Shift lights fine, I shift by ear anyway. we don't need no stinking tach
Durn you for posting, now I have V9 lust and will be day dreaming about a 2,500 mile Fly-N-Ride. my RKA bags would fit nicely with a "saddle blanket" to protect the finish
Ran when last parked?
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Man, I gotta say those are some very nice, very sharp motorcycles. This being said, do you really want Harvey Keitel or Christopher Walken in your movie? Seriously. You must know that every great scene or actor or script in your flick are all gonna be overshadowed by their scene stealing cameos or costar status. The Christopher Walken in this particular movie is clearly the Griso that appears momentarily in the background. :)
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They really do look much better in "person" :thumb: Would love to hear them run.... :laugh:
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Thanks for the detailed report. Well done.
I read somewhere that the new ecus can communicate info with a bluetooth device. If so, then a set of instruments that look traditional could be bluetooth displays for the bike.
:popcorn:
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Nice, very nice bikes! Smart move to build a mid-sized bike between the 750 and 1200. Every time I put my Norge I am reminded how big heavy it really is. As a result I've been spending more time on my BMW F650, but I'd prefer a V-Twin. These are fine looking offerings and I like the "standard bike" setup, with no radiator hiding behind the forks. Not looking for a mega-cruiser.
Now for a ride, but not a dealer within 500 miles, and probably farther. Nice new bikes, same old dealer problem. I look forward to the ride reports. I'll crack my Cycle World mag open tonight to read more.
Bill
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Very nice bikes. FIt and finish is getting much better with Guzzi's. Something I see getting a lot of attention on this board is service intervals. If the stated times above are true, that's forever and a day between oil changes for the transmission. I thought it was the same tranny as the current V7II? Is this your interval? Hmmmmm...
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Damn. They do look good!
I have used the tach to shift on numerous occasions. Mainly with the Quota. I'd be tooting down the road, look down and think, the r's really should be lower at this speed than they are. Typically means I forgot to shift up. Happens on the Griso less often. :)
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Holy cow Phil, that's the single best representation/presentation I've seen yet for those bikes.
Fine job and love the sincere enthusiasm.
Were it not for me being so happy with my skinny little, beautifully carbureted Sportster, it would be in serious peril. The v-7s never did it for me but these? A whole other story.
Todd.
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Thank you for the report and video.
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I read somewhere that the new ecus can communicate info with a bluetooth device. If so, then a set of instruments that look traditional could be bluetooth displays for the bike.
The Guzzi Multimedia Platform provides a nice set of infos.
(http://a3.mzstatic.com/eu/r30/Purple5/v4/5c/e2/48/5ce248e8-4063-bb9e-999d-fa372cd4ea8e/screen520x924.jpeg)
(http://a1.mzstatic.com/eu/r30/Purple5/v4/e1/07/df/e107dfe6-d06a-3eff-d532-60ea926018ce/screen520x924.jpeg)
(http://a4.mzstatic.com/eu/r30/Purple1/v4/63/80/50/638050ed-3e36-c87e-3aff-20761ead58db/screen520x924.jpeg)
(http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/medium_1x_/public/images/2015/05/motoguzzi-eldorado-044.jpg?itok=rnh0bx57)
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^ Nice!
Can it also display a tachometer?
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First and second picture "giri", or last picture "RPM".
You can see it working (on a V7) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFJ4-zPcCuY
Every info can be shown, apart from the small windows on the left, on the main one.
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Great report, and bikes look really good.
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great video, watched it a second time for fun :thumb:
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very cool and nice vid....
Mark
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great video, watched it a second time for fun :thumb:
hey,me too.
First time all I saw was the mighty Griso..
Going to look at these bad boys in person today.
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I'd love to see a baby Stelvio...
Spud
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The Guzzi Multimedia Platform provides a nice set of infos.
(http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/sites/motorcyclistonline.com/files/styles/medium_1x_/public/images/2015/05/motoguzzi-eldorado-044.jpg?itok=rnh0bx57)
Very cute, but why not just give us a permanently installed data center screen with that info?
Maybe the Millennials get a kick out of plugging their smart phones into a car or motorcycle, but I'm not sure I "get it".
If there are things I can adjust,change, or track on the motorcycle by plugging in my phone, then I can see it. If it's just a display, then I'd rather have the OEM give me something permanent on the dash...
But I'm getting old... And cranky...
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Wonder if the V7 tank would fit on the V9? Just not that fond of the V9 tank.
Dean
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Very cute, but why not just give us a permanently installed data center screen with that info?
1) Cause, if they'll do that, someone will complain about all the electronic crap attached to motorcycles today and how much better it was when riders were able to drive their bike without a clinometer installed.
2) Cause, if they'll do that, they have to guarantee the permanently installed data center screen too. If' it's your phone that you choose to leave linked to the bike into the flood, it's your problem what happens to it.
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Wonder if the V7 tank would fit on the V9?
Pretty much sure it fits. :wink:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/Tg0AAOSw95lXFPQ8/$/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/PXoAAOSw1DtXFPSj/$/$_57.JPG)
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Pretty much sure it fits. :wink:
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/Tg0AAOSw95lXFPQ8/$/$_57.JPG)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/PXoAAOSw1DtXFPSj/$/$_57.JPG)
That is a damn fine looking ride.
Dean
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Had the base been the Bobber, with the shorter rear fender and the lower handlebar, the result would probably have been even better.
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That is a damn fine looking ride.
Dean
Yep!
:drool:
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2) Cause, if they'll do that, they have to guarantee the permanently installed data center screen too. If' it's your phone that you choose to leave linked to the bike into the flood, it's your problem what happens to it.
Yes. I totally understand this one. A nice, expensive, high quality display that is the responsibility of the owner to provide.
1) cost savings at production.
2) cost savings in Warranty.
3) cost savings in replacement parts inventory.
4) no data center screen to go bad in ten years, causing a headache for the owner long after warranty and parts inventory are out of date.
:thumb:
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The absolute BEST video of a new product introduction that I've ever seen. GREAT job!
The bikes look better than I thought that they would.
My only negative is the lack of a tach. I wear ear plugs and they work great; so great that when I'm riding in the mountain twisties, I tend to ride the V7 in the lower gears; and it's easy to rev the bike beyond where it should be pushed. Since I can't hear the engine well (due to the ear plugs), I keep one eye on the tach in these situations. Over 50% of the riding that I do on this bike is under those circumstances so I would be extremely uncomfortable without a tach.
Everything else, I like........a lot.
*It appears in the video that the sump is deeper than the sumps on the V7's. Is that the case or is it just my imagination?
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Phil,
Superb job, much thanks! Love the bikes. I think MG has winners here, and these will sell. Now I am even more disappointed Houston no longer has a Guzzi dealer. Only negative to me is lack of tach. Not sure if the Bobber black does it for me. The gold Roamer is very pretty.
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Phil,
Superb job, much thanks! Love the bikes. I think MG has winners here, and these will sell. Now I am even more disappointed Houston no longer has a Guzzi dealer. Only negative to me is lack of tach. Not sure if the Bobber black does it for me. The gold Roamer is very pretty.
Not having a dealer next door shouldn't exclude you from buying a new Guzzi. Most of us don't. Pick one of the most reputable, and drive there or have it shipped.
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The absolute BEST video of a new product introduction that I've ever seen. GREAT job!
The bikes look better than I thought that they would.
My only negative is the lack of a tach. I wear ear plugs and they work great; so great that when I'm riding in the mountain twisties, I tend to ride the V7 in the lower gears; and it's easy to rev the bike beyond where it should be pushed. Since I can't hear the engine well (due to the ear plugs), I keep one eye on the tach in these situations. Over 50% of the riding that I do on this bike is under those circumstances so I would be extremely uncomfortable without a tach.
Everything else, I like........a lot.
*It appears in the video that the sump is deeper than the sumps on the V7's. Is that the case or is it just my imagination?
The rev limiter won't let you push it too hard under acceleration. Downshifting, well that can be a problem.
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Tool kit?
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/Penderic/Penderic001/toolkit_zpsiiasfwur.jpg)
I'm interested in what goes in the stock tool kit. :huh:
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Rode by Phil's today and got a look at both bikes. They are lovely machines. As much as I thought I wouldn't like the looks of the fuel tanks on the V9 bikes, they are growing on me. I sat on the Roamer, and found that (at least sitting stationary in the shop) that the foot controls didn't feel all that much forward. Everything seemed to fall into place, grips, foot pegs, etc.
55hp? Probably more than enough. I still spend lot of time on my 25 year old R100GS, with its thundering 58hp, and it's a fun old machine.
I maaaay take a hard look at the Roamer once I recover from valve replacement surgery.