New V9 Moto Guzzi Roamer love/hate fest

[rocker59]

Agree...and I wish Guzzi would do something in that 1200 gap to revamp the Griso.  I feel like they've given up on it.

Take a Bellagio frame, add Ohlins USD forks and rear shock, add a 1200 8V engine, add Guzzi-styled retro bodywork, and it would be a home-run.  Definitely something that would grab my attention.

It could fill the gap being left by Griso, and also be attractive to the retro hipsters (like me, I guess).

I don't believe Guzzi has abandoned the 1100/1200 cc segment.  Something tells me we'll see them shown next year as 2017s, meeting the new Euro emissions.

[jas67]

Take a Bellagio frame, add Ohlins USD forks and rear shock, add a 1200 8V engine, add Guzzi-styled retro bodywork, and it would be a home-run.  Definitely something that would grab my attention.

It could fill the gap being left by Griso, and also be attractive to the retro hipsters (like me, I guess).

 :1:

I don't believe Guzzi has abandoned the 1100/1200 cc segment.  Something tells me we'll see them shown next year as 2017s, meeting the new Euro emissions.

I hope you are right.

[Kev m]

Sounds like problems to me. The exhaust is in the way of moving the foot controls aft. And.. just what's up with that brake lever?? Do you have to take your foot off the peg to use it? I know my ankle doesn't bend like that.. I *really* dislike those controls.
Color me unimpressed.

Oh, I'm saying I probably wouldn't want/need to make any changes, as the new ergos are probably even more comfortable for me (not that the V7 is bad).

And Rocker, really? Hmmm, never had any problem with the brake pedal position on the V7.

[Kev m]

There are a lot of hipsters out there. 

A lot of people keep calling out these supposed Hipsters.

1. Are there really THAT many of them. Maybe we frequent different places. I don't spend much time on college campuses or college bars anymore. We did seem to run into some last time we went drinking and carousing in Philly, but it's not like they were over-running the place like ants. I've run into a handful in a couple of shops. I dunno.

But even so

2. Why do people keep using the term like it is a bad thing. Like Okies... different doesn't have to be bad.

[Kev m]

There seem to be three distinct groups of Guzzisti these days; those that want Guzzi to stay in the 80s and 90s, those that want Guzzi to get back into racing,  and those that want a little modern trend edge to their Guzzi (ironically with a retro twist).  The first group simply can't stand anything that doesn't look enough like a Cal Vin or Nevada.  The second is starting to realize they probably will need to go look at Aprilia for Piaggio's sporty offerings.  The third is pretty happy with the direction Guzzi is going.

I fall somewhere between groups 2 and 3.

I think I'm mostly in Group 3... but can understand group 2 even if I'd never buy anything else from Aprilia because it's too insectoid.

[oldbike54]

But even so

2. Why do people keep using the term like it is a bad thing. Like Okies... different doesn't have to be bad.

 Hey , what's wrong with Okies ?

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Hey , what's wrong with Okies ?

  Dusty

I see what you did there... 

[PeteS]

My first impression of the Roamer was it wasn't very good looking. Then I saw the Boomer and realized it was the fenders that don't work on the Roamer. Give the Roamer the bobbed rear fender and a front fender that fits the larger diameter front tire and you have a start. Right now it appears the Roamer has the fender off the Boomer which doesn't follow the tire profile.
That would cover the cosmetics for me. Now just add a second front disk, port injection for both cylinders and another 20 HP and I could get interested again.

Pete

[Kev m]

Now just add a second front disk, port injection for both cylinders and another 20 HP and I could get interested again.

Pete

Put me down for the second disc.

But for the record, they HAVE port injection on both cylinders right now.

The Single Throttle body for air management is only that, for AIR management. No one (that I'm aware of) has used throttle body injection since, jeez, the 80s (maybe 90s)?

For the record, I'm working on big Yamahas right now (200-350 hp outboards) that have all gone from multiple throttle bodies (that need to be synched) to a single throttle body in the past decade.

[rocker59]

And Rocker, really? Hmmm, never had any problem with the brake pedal position on the V7.

Remember that I come from bikes with rearsets and adjustable levers.

And, it may have to do with limited range of motion in my ankle.  I can rotate my foot down a long way, but not up too much.

[ritratto]

Good god!   You guys really are the problem.  75 grumpy fucs arm chair quarter backing about how Piaggio,(the only reason Guzzi exists in 2015) screwed the pooch!

It's gonna be a long winter for a lot of you.

Why would it be a long winter for us "grumpy fucs"? I have three great bikes and warm southern winter weather.
I would rather see Guzzi build something truly Italian and sexy than some Harley clone and this makes me grumpy?

[oldbike54]

Why would it be a long winter for us "grumpy fucs"? I have three great bikes and warm southern winter weather.
I would rather see Guzzi build something truly Italian and sexy than some Harley clone and this makes me grumpy?

 Any chance "grumpy" just come naturally 

  Dusty

[rboe]

GM seems to have turned Cadillac around from a grumpy old fart car to a well healed hipster car (intentionally trolling there  ) so it would be cool for many of the old guard to see Piaggio take Moto Guzzi down the same road and bring back some of the old excitement MG use to bring to the road.

Hey, if Piaggio hooks enough young folks that want to upgrade to sportier Moto Guzzi and not one of the other brands Piaggio has, making a sportier MG would be the way to go. In the mean time, hopefully they will excite enough of the younger crowd that that could be an option in the future.

The best option for us old farts will be to stay in good enough shape to ride and avoid the four wheeled electric scooters so we can upgrade to a cool Guzzi when it comes out.

[jas67]

Remember that I come from bikes with rearsets and adjustable levers.

And, it may have to do with limited range of motion in my ankle.  I can rotate my foot down a long way, but not up too much.

Maybe you need a set of V7 Racer or aftermarket rear sets.

Your V7 Special is a great base -- make it yours.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Maybe you need a set of V7 Racer or aftermarket rear sets.

Your V7 Special is a great base -- make it yours.

I agree, but Kev was saying to do that with the V9, too.. and it doesn't look practical to me. 

[Kev m]

I agree, but Kev was saying to do that with the V9, too.. and it doesn't look practical to me.

LOL, no actually you misread me.

JAY was saying to do that to deal with the "problems" of the ergonomics on the V9.

I was saying the ergonomics of the V9 don't pose me any problems in the first place.

I wasn't saying (as you read) that it "wasn't a problem to make those changes", I was saying "I don't need/want those changes".

[rocker59]

I think the lower and more forward pegs on the Roamer will be nice.

 

[kirkemon]

I was saying the ergonomics of the V9 don't pose me any problems in the first place.

By looking at it, I would agree, but until I ride it, not so sure.
The seat looks a bit thin - not certain if that is part of the ergonomics.

[Kev m]

By looking at it, I would agree, but until I ride it, not so sure.
The seat looks a bit thin - not certain if that is part of the ergonomics.

Good point. I was more referring to seat-to-peg and reach to bars, but obviously the seat can effect that. And more importantly I rarely like the OEM seat from a long distance comfort standpoint.

[rboe]

Seats are much easier (and cheaper) to correct than most suspension bits. It has gotten to the point where the factory seat is assumed to be crap and that I'll be upgrading it.

So crappy seats are no longer a consideration in buying a bike for me.

In fact, this one looks like such a crappy seat that I'm sure I don't even have to pretend to like it.

[rocker59]

Don't know if this has been posted:


ENGINE
Type 90° V-twin, 4-stroke, 2-valves per cylinder
Cooling air and oil
Engine capacity 853 cm³
Bore and stroke 84 x 77 mm
Compression ratio 10.5: 1
Maximum power 40,44 kW (55 HP) at 6,250 rpm
Torque 62 Nm at 3,000 rpm
Fuel system Marelli MIU single-body electronic injection, integrated management of traction control on 2 levels
Starter electric
Exhaust system stainless steel, 2-in-2 type, three-way catalytic converter with double lambda probe
Emissions compliance Euro 4

TRANSMISSION
Gearbox 6 speeds with final overdrive
Gear ratio values 1st 16/39 = 1: 2,437
2nd 18/32 = 1: 1,778
3rd 21/28 = 1: 1,333
4th 24/26 = 1: 1,083
5th 25/24 = 1: 0,96
6th 28/24 = 1: 0,857
Primary drive with helical teeth, ratio 21/25 = 1: 1.190)
Final drive double universal joint and double bevel gear units (8/33 ratio = 1: 4,125)
Clutch Ø 170 mm single disc with integrated flexible couplings

CHASSIS
Chassis ALS steel twin tube cradle frame
Wheelbase 1480 mm
Trail 125.1 mm (116.1 mm)
Headstock angle 26.4°
Steering angle 38°
Front suspension traditional fork, Ø 40 mm
Front wheel travel 130 mm
Rear suspension swingarm with double shock absorber with adjustable spring preload.
Rear wheel travel 97 mm
Front brake stainless steel floating disc, Ø 320 mm Brembo opposed four-piston callipers
Rear brake stainless steel floating disc, Ø 260 mm Brembo opposed two-piston callipers
Wheels Aluminium alloy
Front wheel rim 2.50” x 19” (3,50” x 16”)
Rear wheel rim 4.00” x 16”
Front tyre 100/90 R 19” (130/90 R 16”)
Rear tyre 150/80 R 16”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
System voltage 12 V
Battery 12V – 18 Ah

DIMENSIONS
Length 2134 mm (2124 mm)
Width 722,4 mm (892,3 mm)
Height 1110 mm
Saddle height 775 mm (770 mm)
Kerb weight  ± 200 Kg

Fuel tank capacity 15 litres
Reserve 4 litres

[Turin]

It definitely looks better with some color on it. Still not my cup o scotch, but I don't hate it. I see a lot more '70s brit bike influence than HD. Anyone else notice a lot more small bikes running around these days?. I see lots of little ninja and cbr 250s buzzing around. Maybe there's a niche and the V9 will sell like hotcakes! I hope so. http://static.panorama-auto.it/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media-library/o/moto-guzzi-v9-roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-eicma-2015/14762584-1/Moto-Guzzi-V9-Roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-EICMA-2015_horizontal_lancio_sezione_grande_doppio.jpg

[professor]

Help me figure this out. The current V7 is posted at 395 pounds, but wet comes in at 435 in road test. V9 is posted at 200kg or 445 Dry?? So, wet would be 475?? So, would that negate the modest bump in HP? Seems performance would be about the same. Right? Or is the lower torque peak going to give it some seat of the pants boost?

[oldbike54]

It definitely looks better with some color on it. Still not my cup o scotch, but I don't hate it. I see a lot more '70s brit bike influence than HD. Anyone else notice a lot more small bikes running around these days?. I see lots of little ninja and cbr 250s buzzing around. Maybe there's a niche and the V9 will sell like hotcakes! I hope so. http://static.panorama-auto.it/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media-library/o/moto-guzzi-v9-roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-eicma-2015/14762584-1/Moto-Guzzi-V9-Roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-EICMA-2015_horizontal_lancio_sezione_grande_doppio.jpg

 Had the same thought .

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Help me figure this out. The current V7 is posted at 395 pounds, but wet comes in at 435 in road test. V9 is posted at 200kg or 445 Dry?? So, wet would be 475?? So, would that negate the modest bump in HP? Seems performance would be about the same. Right? Or is the lower torque peak going to give it some seat of the pants boost?

I'm reading kerb weight as wet weight. I could be wrong, but it's looking like the EU manufacturers have embraced reporting (maybe been required to do so) the wet weight.

Considering the similar dimensions and the smaller tank I expect nearly identical wet weights, maybe the slightly smaller fuel capacity offsetting the steel fenders.

[professor]

I would hope it does not weigh much more, if at all. That is the appeal of a V7 to me and the feel of the engine.  I had a Bonneville and it was bulletproof, but it was heavy.

[rocker59]

I'm reading kerb weight as wet weight. I could be wrong, but it's looking like the EU manufacturers have embraced reporting (maybe been required to do so) the wet weight.
 

Yep.  Kerb Weight is a bike at the curb, ready to ride.

[canuguzzi]

It definitely looks better with some color on it. Still not my cup o scotch, but I don't hate it. I see a lot more '70s brit bike influence than HD. Anyone else notice a lot more small bikes running around these days?. I see lots of little ninja and cbr 250s buzzing around. Maybe there's a niche and the V9 will sell like hotcakes! I hope so. http://static.panorama-auto.it/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media-library/o/moto-guzzi-v9-roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-eicma-2015/14762584-1/Moto-Guzzi-V9-Roamer-tre-quarti-posteriore-2-EICMA-2015_horizontal_lancio_sezione_grande_doppio.jpg

Buyers of the Ninja 250 and the offerings from the other big names in the up to 400cc models aren't going to be interested in the Roamer just like they aren't interested in the V7 series. They are completely different model types.

I'm seeing fewer and fewer cruiser types. It does seem like the gals like the cruiser types a bit more but up and comer guys don't really want to be seen on a middle weight cruiser anything unless it is a sleeper with a motor that allows them to blast away from a sport bike.

It is probably hard for any of us to believe that there are only a few thousand other people who want a Moto Guzzi but it is a fact, sakes figures say so. It might be nice to think a Roamer or other MG model will set the market on its ear but that is very unlikely to happen.

Overall, Ducati sells more than 5 times as many bikes a year as MG and they are hardly a sales leader.

[Kev m]

Buyers of the Ninja 250 and the offerings from the other big names in the up to 400cc models aren't going to be interested in the Roamer just like they aren't interested in the V7 series. They are completely different model types.

I'm seeing fewer and fewer cruiser types. It does seem like the gals like the cruiser types a bit more but up and comer guys don't really want to be seen on a middle weight cruiser anything unless it is a sleeper with a motor that allows them to blast away from a sport bike.

Where do you come up with this stuff?

Don't we have at least one board member who just went from a ninja 250 to a V7 Stone? Where's the stretch to the Roamer?

Similarly I've seen people go from a Monster to a Scrambler.

You're seeing fewer and fewer cruiser guys? Really? While the whole market is shrinking the growth area for Harley is in youth who are buying Sportsters (and Harley is still enjoying the popularity of baggers).

Seriously, Guzzi seems in touch with the MARKET, and you seem in touch with your preferences (which isn't wrong unless you're trying to predict the market).

[oldbike54]

 Blue , no red , no wait blue 

  Dusty