New V9 Moto Guzzi Roamer love/hate fest

[Penderic]

A version of this tee would be appropiate for some of us during the show.


Not me of course! cough cough.  I'm Sleepy. Good Nite!

[JeffOlson]

The Roamer is growing on me, especially with all the extra bits installed (including a passenger seat of some sort):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGAyFzuQgQ&feature=youtu.be

[Dogwalker]

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

That's true, but Ducati takes 10 years to go from 4000 to 40000 bikes produced in a year, in the period were the motorcycle market was reaching his peak (the '90s)and thanks to the success of the Monster.
Guzzi's production is growing much slower, but is growing, and in a period were the motorcycle market is at his bottom.

However, for me too is time for MG to offer something smaller than the V7. Possibly a lightweight single cylinder. Piaggio has plenty of know-how for that.

[JeffOlson]

Another concern about the V9:

Despite the presence of passenger foot pegs, the V9 does not look like it is intended for two-up riding. Not only does it lack a proper seat for all but the skinniest of Italian super-model passengers, but the position of the passenger foot pegs is wrong.

Even with the small pillion pillow seen in a few YouTube videos (which pillow does NOT appear in the new accessories catalogue), the passenger foot pegs are quite high, like on a sport bike. (The rider foot pegs are nice and low.) Isn't that a bit odd for a "cruiser"?

[rocker59]

Another concern about the V9:

Despite the presence of passenger foot pegs, the V9 does not look like it is intended for two-up riding. Not only does it lack a proper seat for all but the skinniest of Italian super-model passengers, but the position of the passenger foot pegs is wrong.

Even with the small pillion pillow seen in a few YouTube videos (which pillow does NOT appear in the new accessories catalogue), the passenger foot pegs are quite high, like on a sport bike. (The rider foot pegs are nice and low.) Isn't that a bit odd for a "cruiser"?

From what I've seen, there are pillion pads that will be available, if your SO can't manage the 1.5 seat.

V9 Roamer with touring accessories and pillion pad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QGAyFzuQgQ

And, from what I've seen, the passenger pegs are similarly placed to what they are on the V7s.  The Roamer's exhaust is lower, so it may be an optical illusion.  But looking at the pix below, they're close.

On the bikes in this video, the passenger peg brackets seem updated, with lower and farther forward foot placement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVlQfGG_WDg


And, I don't know why everyone is calling this little standard a "cruiser".

[ponti_33609]

From what I've seen, there are pillion pads that will be available, if your SO can't manage the 1.5 seat.

And, from what I've seen, the passenger pegs are similarly placed to what they are on the V7s.  The Roamer's exhaust is lower, so it may be an optical illusion.  But looking at the pix below, they're close.

On the bikes in this video, the passenger peg brackets seem updated, with lower and farther forward foot placement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVlQfGG_WDg


And, I don't know why everyone is calling this little standard a "cruiser".

hmmmm....too me with the Special and Roamer pics together it looks even more like a cruiser to me as well.

[rocker59]

hmmmm....too me with the Special and Roamer pics together it looks even more like a cruiser to me as well.

What is a "cruiser"?

[ponti_33609]

What is a "cruiser"?

For sure........everyon e's eye....too me one looks "flat" while the other looks tipped back.

Quickie google def - The riding position usually places the feet forward and the hands up, with the spine erect or leaning back slightly

[JeffOlson]

I don't know why everyone is calling this little standard a "cruiser".

I agree that it looks more like a standard. However, from MG's website: "The V9 Roamer and the V9 Bobber are Moto Guzzi's easy cruisers..." (What the heck is an "easy cruiser"?)

[JeffOlson]

How difficult would it be to make the top tube horizontal (the one that runs just below the tank and the seat)? Raise the back end and/or drop the front end somehow? The upward slope is bothering me...

[ponti_33609]

How difficult would it be to make the top tube horizontal (the one that runs just below the tank and the seat)? Raise the back end and/or drop the front end somehow? The upward slope is bothering me...

:>  Why it didn't look like a "standard" to my old-ish eyes.  In fact......maybe it's a chopper?



The Triumph looks "flatter" to me. 

[oldbike54]

 If a 1970 Triumph is a cruiser , then yes , the V9 is a cruiser .

  Dusty

[Adan]

I like the ad campaign on the MG website.  I mean, sure, like all ad campaigns, it's fundamentally BS -- "buy this motorcycle and you'll become more authentic like the carefully coiffed models in these pictures."  But in a world full of ad campaigns that just make you wretch, it's nice when you see one selling a message of returning to roots.

[canuguzzi]

If they dumped that teardrop tank that rake up front would look dazzling. As it is, it reminds me if a old  schwin bicycle.

I don't get this back to roots things. Buy an older Guzzi. Like some old girlfriends, they look great in old pictures, then you remember why you don't have them anymore.

[rocker59]

How difficult would it be to make the top tube horizontal (the one that runs just below the tank and the seat)? Raise the back end and/or drop the front end somehow? 

-Taller rear shocks.  (probably a mandatory addition, anyway)
-Drop the forks in the Triple Clamps, or get shorter tubes from a V7.
-Get rid of the 16/19 wheels in favor of the V7's 17/18 set.
-Just love it as-is.

[rocker59]

If they dumped that teardrop tank that rake up front would look dazzling. As it is, it reminds me if a old  schwin bicycle.

I don't get this back to roots things. Buy an older Guzzi. Like some old girlfriends, they look great in old pictures, then you remember why you don't have them anymore.

As usual, you don't "get it".

Some of us want the convenience and reliability of a new motorcycle, combined with classic good looks.

Sofia Vergara, not Gina Lollobrigida.

[WitchCityGuzzi]

I have to admit, that like the Cali 1400, it's growing on me. I find the yellow version to be not terrible. I'd like to ride it to see what the new motor is like.

Maybe not my cup of tea, but I hope they sell a ton of em so they can perhaps expand the line to another sport bike  like the LeMans.

[rocker59]

[Kev m]

If a 1970 Triumph is a cruiser , then yes , the V9 is a cruiser .

  Dusty

But it's not so they're not.

Cruisers are longer, lower, probably have forwards controls or at least floorboards, they have more rake, less ground clearance, dinner turn as well, often don't have passenger seats or passenger pegs. They're a stylistic extreme just shy of the chopper which is basically just an extra less functional cruiser.

[canuguzzi]

As usual, you don't "get it".

Some of us want the convenience and reliability of a new motorcycle, combined with classic good looks.

Sofia Vergara, not Gina Lollobrigida.

More than the few need to " get it". Read the another bites the dust thread, sell to the least common denominator and eventually no one will get it.

Classic good looks is like the new Camaro and Challengers and new Mustangs. Updated, brand new and much better engines, updated everything but with a harkening to timeless design. Performance in all aspects greater and better than the old classic. Reliability to boot.

Is that what you see in the Roamer? Tributes to classics are fine, if they sell like crazy. Classic for classic sake doesn't mean much.

Let's see how many of those liking the Roamer get in the waiting list to buy one.

[Adan]

Like some old girlfriends, they look great in old pictures, then you remember why you don't have them anymore.

The relevance of this metaphor totally escapes me.

And, actually, not that it's relevant to anything, but I would have done pretty well if I'd stuck with some of my old girlfriends.

[oldbike54]

 Actually I am already saving my pennies towards a Roamer , and I have no interest at all in new Camaros , Mustangs, or Challengers . In fact , I would bet money that a large majority of potential buyers of the new V9 line also have no interest in those cars . Different markets , hipster types of any generation tend towards weird and not mainstream products . Beatniks rode old beemers and other Euro brands like Guzzi and Triumph . The hippie generation drove VW buses and beetles , with the occasional station wagon in the mix , not Z28's or
Trans Ams .


 Dusty 

[Guzzirider]

Sat on both of these machines on Wednesday- ergonomics are a personal thing and I found the riding position of the Roamer to be too upright which would be tiring on long trips. The bars on the Bobber felt a little lower- not sure how it will handle on those fat tyres though.

The bikes look better in the flesh than in photographs, especially the fuel tanks which look good, especially from behind. Neither machines are my personal cup of tea but I am sure they will have their fans and hope they do well for Guzzi.

Got the feeling these bikes had only just been finished prior to EICMA and there were no brochures or prices available at the time.

[Adan]

Different markets , hipster types of any generation tend towards weird and not mainstream products .

 Dusty

That's exactly the point I would make.  Is the teardrop tank is a little weird, a little offbeat, maybe a little too much of a nod to the past?  Arguably, yes.  But how many motorcycle companies are doing anything that's aesthetically interesting?  If everyone liked Guzzi's, then they wouldn't be the motorcycles I covet.  So, somewhat perversely, I want the company to do well, but not too well.

[mjptexas]

....not sure how it will handle on those fat tyres though.....

Surprisingly the FAT tires actually are ok from a handling perspective - at least they are on my Sportster with it's limited lean angle.  I doubt that they'll work for a knee dragger but again my experience with the fat 16 inchers has been pretty good.

[jas67]

If everyone liked Guzzi's, then they wouldn't be the motorcycles I covet.  So, somewhat perversely, I want the company to do well, but not too well.

One of the reasons that I like Guzzis, is that they're someone uncommon oddballs.   I like that I don't see one just like mine going the other way.    I like that they are different.

Seeing another Guzzi while I'm riding is an event!

[F650RIDER]

Roamer. Maybe they could play the B52s as background music and have some good lookers with beehive hairdoos dancing around.

I'd watch.

Or Metallica's "Where ever I may roam"

But from this thread, maybe it should be....

"Where ever I may wander"

Or the B52's

"Travel if you want to, Travel around the world"

Catchy   

[F650RIDER]

Or Metallica's "Where ever I may roam"

But from this thread, maybe it should be....

"Where ever I may wander"

Or the B52's

"Travel if you want to, Travel around the world"

Catchy   

Nevermind.... The jokes kind of lost when there actually is a line in the song that goes:

Where ever I may wander, wander, wander   

[Penderic]

The headlight on the Roamer is set higher than the 1970 Triumph Bonniville. It and the smaller seat makes the Guzzi appear to be a smaller bike .... to my bateye.


"Salt and corrosion. The infamous old enemies of the crime fighter"

[Dogwalker]

The Triumph looks "flatter" to me.

The Triumph is on the centerstand, the rear shocks are completely extended and the rear tyre is not touching the ground.

However the lowering of the rear end is what the designers wanted. Galluzzi himself confirmed it at EICMA to a guy of the "Anima Guzzista" forum.

As already said, if someone prefer the bike to be more horizontal (and I'm one), is not difficult to obtain. The new two-joints swingarm makes the operation even risk-free for the transmission.