Bring on the Bobber?

[vf84pc]

I was at Kissed in PA and they have V9 Bobber Sport with the Olins suspension. I threw a leg over it and was quite impressed I know the engine is slightly de-tuned compared to the V85 but no big g deal. What is everyone's thought? Is it worth sending the Stornello down the road and getting a Bobber?

[Dirk_S]

I just came here to say I’m a fan of that dealer, assuming you meant Kissell Motorsports?

[Bulldog9]

I was at Kissed in PA and they have V9 Bobber Sport with the Olins suspension. I threw a leg over it and was quite impressed I know the engine is slightly de-tuned compared to the V85 but no big g deal. What is everyone's thought? Is it worth sending the Stornello down the road and getting a Bobber?

Best of the V9 line IMO. If I didn't already have a Griso to fill this style of riding I would have bought one in a second.

However, I think the Stornello is a better all-around / more flexible motor bike. I'd not trade, I'd add.

Here's my reasoning. If you have room for one you have room for two. And you only ride them one at a time so your costs for oil change intervals tires and other consumables like brakes etc will remain the same. The only real edition is purchase price and insurance/registration. I use Hagerty for my insurance, average $85 to 115 a year for each motorcycle with full replacement coverage and roadside.

[vf84pc]

Yes Kissel Motorsports in Altoona PA

[Kev m]

I was at Kissed in PA and they have V9 Bobber Sport with the Olins suspension. I threw a leg over it and was quite impressed I know the engine is slightly de-tuned compared to the V85 but no big g deal. What is everyone's thought? Is it worth sending the Stornello down the road and getting a Bobber?

Do it.

That motor punches above its specs.

It's the smallblock that feels closest to a big block I've ever felt.

[bad Chad]

Yes!

[twowheeladdict]

I was at Kissed in PA and they have V9 Bobber Sport with the Olins suspension. I threw a leg over it and was quite impressed I know the engine is slightly de-tuned compared to the V85 but no big g deal. What is everyone's thought? Is it worth sending the Stornello down the road and getting a Bobber?

For the right price I would buy a Bobber Sport. 

[Dirk_S]

Mild tangent but related enough IMO, are there threads or other resources posted here/elsewhere, or otherwise personal experiences comparing the E4 and E5 V9s? On paper there’s nearly 10 hp missing between the two versions if I recall, and I’m curious if it’s significantly felt. Does the E4 V9 feel lacking compared to the E5, or does the E5 come across as more hp with the E4 leaning more toward torque?

[Kev m]

Mild tangent but related enough IMO, are there threads or other resources posted here/elsewhere, or otherwise personal experiences comparing the E4 and E5 V9s? On paper there’s nearly 10 hp missing between the two versions if I recall, and I’m curious if it’s significantly felt. Does the E4 V9 feel lacking compared to the E5, or does the E5 come across as more hp with the E4 leaning more toward torque?

It is my understanding that the second generation of V9 motors was identical to the first generation of V7 850 motors.

I can only offer that I was not impressed with my test rides on the first gen V7 850 models as I was on my test rides on a first gen V9 Bonnet Sport.

[Bulldog9]

Mild tangent but related enough IMO, are there threads or other resources posted here/elsewhere, or otherwise personal experiences comparing the E4 and E5 V9s? On paper there’s nearly 10 hp missing between the two versions if I recall, and I’m curious if it’s significantly felt. Does the E4 V9 feel lacking compared to the E5, or does the E5 come across as more hp with the E4 leaning more toward torque?

My impression is I think what you will find is that the E-5 motors are smoother, more refined, etc. The E-5 may have more power, but less character. This is ANECDOTAL assumption based on the difference between the V7ii and V7iii/850, the Griso 1100 4V / 1200 Sport 4V and the 1200 8V motors. LESS character. As the V9 Bobber has the older version of the 850, I think it will have more character and be more fun overall.

Not slighting the newer motors, but IMHO, the more they refine and develop these motors, the less character they have. Thankfully the V100 motor has that old school 'feel'.  Of all my motorcycles and ones I've RIdden, the V7ii Stornello and 1100 Griso are the most satisfying.....

Another big plus for the Older V9 is the ability to load maps, use Guzzi Diag, no TBW etc.

[faffi]

I only know the first gen v9 personally, but I find the power surprisingly satisfying. Reading various Dyno charts,  the actual power difference seems to be less than 5hp at the wheel, but with noticeably better power below 4k rpm on the early V9. Doubly so if compared to the tt85.

[Bulldog9]

I only know the first gen v9 personally, but I find the power surprisingly satisfying. Reading various Dyno charts,  the actual power difference seems to be less than 5hp at the wheel, but with noticeably better power below 4k rpm on the early V9. Doubly so if compared to the tt85.

Yeah, but you don't rev that beauty out, so your opinion doesn't matter ;-) ;-) ;-)

You know I'm kidding........... But it is true, you don't like to flog your guzzi as it was designed to be ;-)

[faffi]

Yeah, but you don't rev that beauty out, so your opinion doesn't matter ;-) ;-) ;-)

You know I'm kidding........... But it is true, you don't like to flog your guzzi as it was designed to be ;-)

Fair enough. But it has hit the limiter quite often due to lack of tacho and that there is no sign of the engine letting up when the limiter kicks in.

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

2021 V9 Bobber Centenario owner here, and I second the "add to....rather than replace" advice. I picked it up in August with only 578 miles on it, and find it a blast to ride!
I also own a 2023 V7 850 Special which I feel has a smoother ride.  On the V7 I don't feel like throwing it into corners, but the Bobber really seem to respond to a more aggressive style, especially with the new Michelins i put on it!

All-in-all, the Bobber is noticeably smaller and lighter than the V7 and superb for around town riding and even several 250 + mile days, my only criticism is that when I put on saddlebags and a tailbag, it's a bit cramped for longer distances. 

I don't know why but I love the look that fat front tire!

[MotoG5]

I have never regretted picking up my 17' V9 Bobber. Its my ride into the sunset bike. It feels like my 850 big blocks from back in the day. Custom exhaust gave it the sound and a a solo saddle and replacement rear shocks the ride.

[Zimmermichaels1ea]

MotoG5,
What shocks did you choose?  I would like to put a better set of shocks on my Bobber, but I've gotten so much conflicting advice, and I don't live near a suspension specialist shop to ask advice.

[MotoG5]

MotoG5,
What shocks did you choose?  I would like to put a better set of shocks on my Bobber, but I've gotten so much conflicting advice, and I don't live near a suspension specialist shop to ask advice.

I went with the Icon 7610-1684. They work for me on the lowest setting and are a major improvement over the stock units. Note that I run a solo seat so I don't ever carry a passenger.

[Tkelly]

One of my Ikons leaks but I am having both rebuilt by the factory in PA.The bike doesn’t have a center stand and if I remove both shocks do I need to worry about the rear end somehow collapsing?Should I make some kind of support to install until I get the shocks back?

[Dirk_S]

One of my Ikons leaks but I am having both rebuilt by the factory in PA.The bike doesn’t have a center stand and if I remove both shocks do I need to worry about the rear end somehow collapsing?Should I make some kind of support to install until I get the shocks back?

Rear shocks hold the rear of the bike up. Removing one shock, the other shock will still hold up the rear, but when you remove that first bolt of the second shock, the back of the bike will smack down onto the rear tire, so you need to have someone or something hold the rear up when you remove the final shock. can’t recall that it would cause any damage when it’s completely lowered. Just gotta make sure the spring isn’t compressed when pulling off and ease it down.

[twowheeladdict]

One of my Ikons leaks but I am having both rebuilt by the factory in PA.The bike doesn’t have a center stand and if I remove both shocks do I need to worry about the rear end somehow collapsing?Should I make some kind of support to install until I get the shocks back?

Let go of some cash and get a centerstand or a cheap Amazon scissor jack support. 

[Kev m]

One of my Ikons leaks but I am having both rebuilt by the factory in PA.The bike doesn’t have a center stand and if I remove both shocks do I need to worry about the rear end somehow collapsing?Should I make some kind of support to install until I get the shocks back?

* Install an old shock on one side temporarily.
* Make a strut from flat stock drilled at both ends
* Park under a step ladder and use ratcheting straps to support top rear of frame

There are lots of cheap solutions.

[Tkelly]

Thanks Dirk,so I can just ease the rear end down on the tire and leave it until I get the shocks back?Dont understand what good a center stand or scissor jack would do.

[Tkelly]

Thanks Kev ,no old shock but flat stock sounds like a solution.

[Dirk_S]

* Install an old shock on one side temporarily.
* Make a strut from flat stock drilled at both ends
* Park under a step ladder and use ratcheting straps to support top rear of frame

There are lots of cheap solutions.

When God made slotted steel angle iron, it was specifically for this purpose.

[Moparnut72]

Laughed out loud on that one. Great sense of humor. Good way to start the day. 
kk