Choosing between a V9 and a V7II

[rob-mg]

Why would someone buy a V9, especially a Roamer, rather than a V7ii? Or vice versa?

While the full V9 specs aren't out yet, which may be important, right now it looks like the difference is mostly about seating position.

Obviously, Moto Guzzi thinks that the two bikes have different markets.

So what *is* the difference?

[oldbike54]

 What most believe is the V9 will supersede the V7 series by 2017 due to emission regs , so the target market is about the same .
  Dusty

[Kev m]

Obviously just guessing, but my swag:

V9 = tad more power, more relaxed ergos, less fuel range

V7 = tad less power, more sporting riding position, more fuel range

But at the end of the day, it probably boils down to cosmetics and cost.

Like a Bonnie SE vs. T100 vs. Scrambler vs. Speedmaster.

Vs. Thruxton if you want to include the Racer.

[Adan]

It's hard for me to believe that the marginal extra power of the V9, on the one hand, or the better handling and range of the V7 on the other, is going to make a difference in many people's buying decision.  I think it's going to be a style-driven decision.  Which means logic and stats will not have much to do with it.

I'm contemplating one or the other as my next Guzzi, but that's a year or so down the road.

We still need to see some ride reports on the V9 before beginning to pass judgment.

[JeffOlson]

I don't know much about the V9, but I am warming up to the Roamer variant. (I do not like the look of the Bobber.) The V9 looks a bit larger than the V7, which would be good for my larger-than-Italian body. It seems to have a little more power (and weight) than the V7.

The Roamer is looking better and better to my old eyes, but I think I still like the look of the V7 better (is that because I am not yet used to seeing the V9?):



My next motorcycle is going to be more of a toy than a long-distance tourer, so the poorer range of the V9 doesn't bother me. I would stop for a cappuccino long before I ran out of gas!

[H-E-ROSS]

Why not just buy a nice clean T3? I doubt the V9 will be any less trouble than a properly sorted vintage cycle and I don't see any real improvements with this "retro Bike".

[Perazzimx14]

Why not just buy a nice clean T3? I doubt the V9 will be any less trouble than a properly sorted vintage cycle and I don't see any real improvements with this "retro Bike".

While the Guzzi dealer network is limited it is far better than the extremely small group of quality shops the work on vintage Guzzi's. So unless you perform your own work or are lucky enough too live with a reasonable distance from one of the select few shops I see where folks want new verses used.

[Aaron D.]

If you have a T3 that runs right, sure, it would be nice and a viable alternative to a V9.

But if you don't, then a V9 is a much easier way to getting to ride a nice motorcycle-without having to screw around. Hell, the T3 will be near 40 years old-assuming no hand grenade feature in the V9, it will be a better ride for most of the world. By far.

[Kev m]

Why not just buy a nice clean T3? I doubt the V9 will be any less trouble than a properly sorted vintage cycle and I don't see any real improvements with this "retro Bike".

No way.

We've been through this a thousand times. Every single source shows that modern vehicles last longer and require fewer repairs on average.

And not even talking about repairs, just looking at regular maintenance:

No carburetors to gum up.
No dual throttle bodies to balance

Hell what's the ignition like on a T?
How easy is air cleaner access?

Hell, just the fact that everything on at is pre-aged should mean more likely failures.

No you buy and ride a vintage bike for the love of it. But it's not more practical.

[not-fishing]

No way.

We've been through this a thousand times. Every single source shows that modern vehicles last longer and require fewer repairs on average.

And not even talking about repairs, just looking at regular maintenance:

No carburetors to gum up.
No dual throttle bodies to balance

Hell what's the ignition like on a T?
How easy is air cleaner access?

Depends on who's buying it and how many miles, miles per year.

With the new fuels and actually running the bike you shouldn't gum up the carbs for a decade. 
Points can be changed to breaker-less like I was doing back in the '70s.
Since I don't ride in dusty conditions my air cleaners last a very long time.  then again I run a K & N on my caddie
The real costs that I see in an old bike is the teardown & rebuild of suspension, brakes, clutch & electrical that takes a pretty big effort but not that big of a cost.

The big thing with a V9 is going to be the $12,000 out the door (here in California) vs $ 6,000 or so for a T3 with parts.  True you can buy a new V7 if your not picky for $8,000 right now (in California) to save yourself some trouble but most of us will spend another $1,500 or so on "upgrades"

It really depends on if you do your own work and how you want to spend your money.  not beating the dead horse

[Kev m]

Depends on who's buying it and how many miles, miles per year.

With the new fuels and actually running the bike you shouldn't gum up the carbs for a decade. 
Points can be changed to breaker-less like I was doing back in the '70s.
Since I don't ride in dusty conditions my air cleaners last a very long time.  then again I run a K & N on my caddie
The real costs that I see in an old bike is the teardown & rebuild of suspension, brakes, clutch & electrical that takes a pretty big effort but not that big of a cost.

The big thing with a V9 is going to be the $12,000 out the door (here in California) vs $ 6,000 or so for a T3 with parts.  True you can buy a new V7 if your not picky for $8,000 right now (in California) to save yourself some trouble but most of us will spend another $1,500 or so on "upgrades"

It really depends on if you do your own work and how you want to spend your money.  not beating the dead horse

Actually I'm not arguing that you couldn't save $6k on the vintage and then spend it on repairs and therefore you're equal.

That may be an economic argument that COULD be made. But that doesn't take into account down time, the effort of fixing it or getting it fixed.

As for "new fuels" there's nothing about them that prevent evaporation and subsequent gumming IN A CARBURETOR, or non-sealed fuel system. Advantage modern bike - an EFI system is sealed, that fuel isn't going to evaporate and gum. Maybe that's why you're under the impression fuels are better. But let fuel sit in that carburetor and it's a different story.

Don't ride in dusty conditions? That's stretching the argument to the point of ridiculousness.

But really the issue was the logical fallacy that claimed a V9 (or any modern bike) would not be less trouble than a sorted vintage. No, that's just not true.

 

[Perazzimx14]

I'd argue all day long that my vintage Guzzi's are just a reliable as any modern Guzzi. Ever try to bump start a bike with a low battery and an ECU?

[Kev m]

I'd argue all day long that my vintage Guzzi's are just a reliable as any modern Guzzi. Ever try to bump start a bike with a low battery and an ECU?

The one has nothing to do with the other.

That said, I've bump started a bike with an ECU. As long as the battery can prime the fuel lines (and unless it's stone dead that's likely) it's no harder.

Actually it can be much easier if the carb bike is a hard cold start (I'm remembering a night near freezing, repeatedly pushing an R65 up a hill).

[tazio]

The one has nothing to do with the other.

That said, I've bump started a bike with an ECU. As long as the battery can prime the fuel lines (and unless it's stone dead that's likely) it's no harder.

Actually it can be much easier if the carb bike is a hard cold start (I'm remembering a night near freezing, repeatedly pushing an R65 up a hill).

insanity

[oldbike54]

insanity

 Yeah , was wondering why our boy didn't once go downhill 

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Yeah , was wondering why our boy didn't once go downhill 

  Dusty

Did I mention it was a hard starter below freezing... I went downhill, to the bottom, multiple times.

Did get it going... EVENTUALLY... UGH

[oldbike54]

Did I mention it was a hard starter below freezing... I went downhill, to the bottom, multiple times.

Did get it going... EVENTUALLY... UGH

 Just be glad it wasn't an Electra Glide 

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Just be glad it wasn't an Electra Glide 

  Dusty

I'd never let the battery run down on one of those bitches...