2017 V9 Roamer vs 2015 MT-07 ABS (FZ-07 in USA)

[faffi]

Today, I took my son's Yamaha out for a 250 mile ride along with a mate riding his 2024 Tracer 9+. But I am going to compare those, I am going to compare the MT-07 to my current Roamer. Just because. I do not expect many to find such a comparo interesting, but for me it was a revelation.

I bought said MT for me back in the early spring of 2017, but after I destroyed my son's CB400SF at the end of that year, the MT went to him. I recall the Yamaha had a seat made for buttburn, pegs a two inches too far forward and one inch too high, but otherwise quite nice. Well, after I sorted the horrible stock suspension with DDC valves in the fork and a Nitron fully adjustable race shock to replace the useless stock unit that was oversprung and very underdamped.

Riding the bike today, after 3 years with the Roamer, the seating position on the MT was like heaven. Yes, the pegs are still not in the perfect position, but compared to those on the Roamer they are splendid. The slight forward lean to the almost straight handlebars really could not be better. The tiny sceen actually reduce wind hitting the torso, and together with the lower bars and pegs placed where they can offer support riding into headwinds is pleasant. On the Roamer, the same thing is very tiring.

The seat on the MT, while not overly comfortable, feels like your favorite armchair, unlike church bench feel given by the Roamer seat. After a couple of hours, a hint of butt burn set in, but it is so easy to stand up when riding that the burn can be shaken out quickly. Stand-up riding on the Roamer is possible, but very exhausting. In total I spend seven and a half hour in the seat of the MT today without serious discomfort. I have done that and more on the Roamer, but only with serious pains and aches. Neither bikes is suitable for carrying a passenger unless both rider and passenger are petite. If you can find enough room, the Roamer offer a more relaxed pillion resort than the MT.

The suspension on the MT is firm compared to that of the Roamer, yet not harsh like the Roamer is over sharp bumps. When the Roamer gets upset, the MT stay composed.

Cornering clearance is worlds apart on the two bikes. The Roamer will scrape its peg feelers when barely off vertical, while nothing got close to touching down on the MT, despite much higher cornering speeds. When I used to own the MT, I frequently touched down my boots and sometimes the kick-stand, but I am older and slower now, also influenced by the low limits of the Roamer. Not sure if the much greater sporting abilities of the MT is a plus for me, though, because I do not care for adding another crash to my resume

Brakes are not that different, both front brakes demand effort for rapid stops, both have indifferent rear brakes. The clutch on the MT is a switch, with a very narrow band of engagement. Combined with little rotating mass, it is very easy to kill the engine when taking off, especially for someone as poorly coordinated as I. But once rolling, the slicker gearbox and the short friction zone of the clutch make rapid upshifts much smoother, virtually seamless. Downshifts, though, are easer to do on the Roamer.

The Guzzi engine vibrate a noticeably more than the MT, but the Honda NT650V vibrated far more than the Guzzi, so it is all about context. But for all practical purposes, the MT is free from vibrations, although beyond 8000rpm some harshness can be detected. There was never a reason to try that today, so that is from memory.

Not only is the MT 66 lbs lighter than the Roamer, it also make about 20 more hp. Compared to the Roamer, the MT is very fast. Compared to the 9+ it is slow. Still, throttle response is immediate and always deliver a kick in the butt, regardless of speed and gear. My son's MT is fitted with a performance exhaust and EJK tuner, but I do not think it has improved performance, just noise. It is supposedly EU-legal, but on the throttle it is LOUD. In a good way. Despite having the same firing order due to the MT's 270 degree crank, the two engines sound very different.

Fuelling on the MT is flawless. It feels totally analog, like a set of perfectly tuned carbs. Very unlike the Roamer, which is very abrupt at lower rpm and in lower gears. For city riding, the creamy power delivery under all conditions of the MT is a real blessing, the Roamer a source of irritation.

Fuel consumption is very similar, but the Roamer as a little more range because it hold 1 liter more fuel in theory, 1.5 in reality.

Does the Roamer have any pros over the MT? Well, yes. The instument is far more pleasing on the Guzzi, and toggling is also much easier since the toggle buttons are place on the actual instrument of the MT. Also, I strongly dislike digital displays, and the bar graph rev counter on the Yamaha is next to useless. And the headlight on the Roamer is far superior to the meager MT unit. Also, the Guzzi looks much nicer in my view. Finally, the stock fenders on the Roamer are better at keeping spray off the rider.

I know I have been bitching about getting to the valves for adjustment on the Roamer, but compared to those of the MT it is like cutting flowers vs cutting trees. With only a knife as a tool. Just getting to the valves of the MT means hours of swearing. And if the need adjustment, you must remove the not so easy to access cam chain tensioner, then the cams, then the cups that hold the shims, then the shims, then buy a replacement shim, then fit everything back. Spark plugs require nearly as much time and work to get at as the valves. Very frustrating indeed.

Removing the MT front wheel is also a tedious task, especially compared to the simple as chips wheel on the Roamer. Removing the two calipers and ABS sensor is not so bad, but the fender must come off, and it must be taken apart like LEGO. Frustrating. Rear wheel is easier to get off and on on the MT, but not by much. And then you have the chain to attend to.

If I could get the suspension and seating position (along with a proper seat) of the MT on the Roamer, the Roamer would be the best choice, even with the terrible fuel injection. But that will simply cost too much compared to what the bike is worth - it is much easier to just buy a bike that is sorted to fit me already. Because I am not that fond of the Roamer. It is nice enough, but it is not THE bike.

Tomorrow, I will clean the Roamer and make is spotless, get pictures taken and offer it up for sale.

[Guzzidad]

    Faffi, your experience with the Roamer is quite different than my analysis of the 17 Bobber. I bought it about 9 months ago. It came with both the stock seat and the Guzzi comfort seat. Yes, the stock seat is horrible. The comfort seat is quite comfortable. The suspension is budget for sure, but not horrible. Fueling is great. And it's got the lightest clutch I've ever had. I also love the transmission. Sure feels like it's got a lot more power than my 2020 V7 Racer. The Racer is a prettier bike for sure but it's up for sale now. The Bobber is just more age appropriate for me at 73 years old.

[Tkelly]

Am I the only one who has no clue what model numbers mean on non Guzzis,I guess I don’t read enough magazines.I like reading about 50 year old Japanese bikes because I owned some but current models ,borrring.

[kingoffleece]

Maybe the rider can't see the yami when on it but everyone else can................ .

[Vagrant]

So you fix all the uncomfortable things on the MT and then compare it to a bike you haven't fixed? The V7 is a completely different bike than the Roamer. Try one.

[DoubleGuzzi]

The V7 is a completely different bike than the Roamer. Try one.

The III and later versions have the same style sticky-out footpegs as the Roamer/Bobber - yuk! For my anatomy, I reckon the V7 Racer with Classic/standard 'bars, along with Racer 'peg position would be near ideal. Can't tell just visually, however.
I need to travel further on the Classic, to really compare with the Breva and any contrast with the III.
Different anatomy, different experience.

[blu guzz]

I haven't ridden a Japanese bike in decades, but I did just take my first ride of about 15 miles on my new to me 17 Roamer. My leg is still healing, so I stopped while I was ahead.  However, this Roamer is a ringer because the previous owner (thanks Craig) had the front end upgraded by Hamlin and upgraded rear shocks. My last frame of reference 3 months ago almost to the day was my 1400 Eldorado that I totaled that day.  It is very different from that of course starting with 10 inches less wheelbase and 250 less lbs. What I can say about the bike is that it feels like a very balanced standard bike. I like the seating position and the controls are light and logical in their layout.  The engine on this one is different from the current V7 series in that it was based of the then standard 750 engine but with a heavier flywheel than that bike and of course an extra 100 cc.  It pulls in much the same way that the 1400 did, but there is more vibration in the bars so I found that running it at a higher RPM works wonders say 50 mph in 4th gear instead of 5th and then it is smooth but not sewing machine smooth, you still know you are on a machine.  I am reminded of my first Sportster from 1992 except that the vibration is not debilitating as it was on that bike.
I think this will be a fine come back bike for me and unfortunately, I don't think there are any more 700+ lbs bikes in my future.
There are a fair number of these around for reasonable money and I think they are a great buy for the money.

[Tkelly]

Great review of v9 BG,I will try your suggestion to run at higher rpm to smooth it out.I have been running regular gas in mine and it seems ok but  not great so I’ll try mid grade and higher rpm’s.

[faffi]

So you fix all the uncomfortable things on the MT and then compare it to a bike you haven't fixed? The V7 is a completely different bike than the Roamer. Try one.

Stock suspension performance on the MT is about on par with the stock suspension of the Roamer overall. Even stock, the MT offer superior comfort and handling to the Roamer, but the gap would be smaller. Biggest issue with the Roamer is that the pegs should be somewhere on top of the mufflers, which in real life would require a new exhaust system. Basically, it does not make sense to me to alter the Roamer to fit me.

One important note: I am not dissing the Roamer. It is well made and if you are fine with the suspension, seating position and lack of cornering clearance, there are lots of reason to enjoy the machine.

[faffi]

Here is the ad, if anyone is interested to see how it looks after a good clean https://www.finn.no/mobility/item/466272128

[jhem68]

My personal observation is that 4000 to 4200 RPM in any of the three top gears is the sweet spot on every Guzzi that I have ever owned. Pick the correct gear for the MPH you wish to travel, and the motor is very happy and feels relaxed and responsive.
My v7lll never sees 6th unless at interstate speeds. Often on county backroads I'm using 4th gear.

When trolling through town with light demands on the motor 3000RPM works fine.

Oh, and if you prefer the racer peg position to standard look to Sato Racing rear sets and then for good measure throw in a Breva 750 handlebar which is about 2 inches narrower than the stock V7 bar width.



YMMV and probably will.

John H

[blu guzz]

TKelly:  I always used regular in the 1400 and never had a problem and gassed up with regular today in the Roamer and did not experience any issues and it was about 80 deg. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Well, I've looked at the Bobber/Roamer for a while now and kept wondering if a Roamer might suit me, so this thread has been useful. The wheel sizes and the remote chance of cheaper rubber skewed me to the Roamer.
I wish you well with your sale, @faffi and that's a fine set of pics for a very clean machine. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Oh, and if you prefer the racer peg position to standard look to Sato Racing rear sets and then for good measure throw in a Breva 750 handlebar which is about 2 inches narrower than the stock V7 bar width

Those Sato options look fabulous and unsurprisingly costly (to my limited finances), however the lack of rubber inserts on the 'pegs would be my main concern. That's one line of defense from getting buzzy feet gone. 
Good call on the Breva 'bars - that never occurred to me and I have a slightly scabby example of that 'bar somewhere in my garage. I might just give that one a try.

[Guzzidad]

    Faffi, are you sure you want to give up that all important feature of the Roamer/Bobber? The self cancelling turn signals. 

[TN Mark]

Here is the ad, if anyone is interested to see how it looks after a good clean https://www.finn.no/mobility/item/466272128

The bike looks excellent, congratulations on keeping it still looking like new. Excellent quality photos as well. Well done, well done indeed.

[faffi]

    Faffi, are you sure you want to give up that all important feature of the Roamer/Bobber? The self cancelling turn signals. 

Yikes, how could I forget about them Must cancel the sale before the indicator cancel themselves 

On a serious note, the indicator switch on the MT is a big frustration and almost worth a topic on its own.

[faffi]

The bike looks excellent, congratulations on keeping still looking like new. Excellent quality photos as well. Well done, well done indeed.

Thank you!