V9 Review Thread. Merged Threadfest

[bpreynolds]

I too have decided to sell or trade my fine Griso to go back to my formerly beloved V7.

[O]

I too have decided to sell or trade my fine Griso to go back to my formerly beloved V7.

Whoa!   Let me offer a pre-emptive welcome back to the small block fold.

[Beerman]

I too have decided to sell or trade my fine Griso to go back to my formerly beloved V7.

This is beginning to sound like a movement!

Beerman

[Dogwalker]

To date, several comparative tests between Triumph Street Twin and V9 had been done. On the bench, I've always seen the V9 to be a pair of hp short of the ST, but, on the bench of Moto Station, it went a little different, with not only the V9 being ahead of the ST in terms of power, but showing probably the torque curve with the best shape I've ever seen in a new Guzzi.



http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4c67ow_comparatif-neo-retro-2016-passage-au-banc_auto

http://www.moto-station.com/article109449-comparatif-neo-retro-2016-la-technique.html

[fossil]

Nice surprise! This explains why this thing "goes" so good. I love that engine!

[lucydad]

Nice to see the curves and comparison.  Torque is good, very good.

Maybe I missed it, but has anyone actually bought a V9 and given a review on this forum? 

[bad Chad]

I have not bought one, but I did take a Romer out for a ride.  I wrote it up on one of these threads.

I liked it a lot.  If I were smaller, i'm 6'6" 250b, I would like buy one.  But alas, it is still a small block frame, and just a bit to small for me.  But it did have very nice power delivery, super slick trans, and mucho fun to ride.  like other small blocks, the front end felt a little light to me, the semi forward pegs were very nice for my knees, not sure for me, if they would splay my knees over a long ride, might be a manifestion of my size?  I really liked it, and would buy one if it fit me.  So if  your in the size range, go for it, it's really nicely put together, and it pulls and sounds great!

[fossil]

I rode it, you can read the report in the beginning of this thread. My sentiments are very comparable to that of bad Chat.

[pete roper]

Press release of V9 in Oz over the last few days. Those knobs will of had a fine old time in the weather! Inspection this weekend for the privileged few in Shitney. Called up the importer, hope to go down soon for a test ride and see if I can pry any actual *information* out of anybody :roll eyes:

'Official', (Whatever that means?) news is CARC bikes are dead.

Pete

[Dogwalker]

If you refers to what Daniel reported in another thread, is hardly a news. No CARC bike had been produced for at least six months by now.

[pete roper]

Yes, but there were a host of people who were refusing to believe it until it came from an 'Official' source. I was simply throwing in to the ring that the Australian importer has confirmed what Daniel and I were saying. Is that *Official* enough? Or does everybody need to get a gilded envelope delivered by Mercury to their letterbox?

Pete

[Dogwalker]

One thing is the data, another is the significance one gives to it.
In Mandello there are two assembly lines, that are usually employed, one to produce all the small blocks and one the big blocks. The production is in "batches" of hundreds of samples, to reduce the dead time required to switch the production between different models. For several months, when the factory had to produce enough new V9s to fill the dealers' net, no V7 had been produced as well. That meant that the production of V7s had officially ended? No, that meant only that the assembly line was busy doing other things.
What's currently produced in Mandello is a picture of the present, not a guarantee for the future.
that said, the production of the current generation Griso and Stelvio will not be resumed, but, if form the Piaggio upper floors comes the order to begin the production of the next gen, it will be produced. It will have the CARC? Maybe, maybe not. The CARC is only a mechanical part that's not even produced in Mandello.

[pete roper]

Thanks for that marvellous insight.

[omega1987]

The production is in "batches" of hundreds of samples, to reduce the dead time required to switch the production between different models. For several months, when the factory had to produce enough new V9s to fill the dealers' net, no V7 had been produced as well. That meant that the production of V7s had officially ended? No, that meant only that the assembly line was busy doing other things.
What's

Do you think they will put the V7 back into production or do you think Guzzi will just start making the v7's replacement with the new 850cc small block mill?

[Dogwalker]

The V7s had been put back in production as soon as spring arrived. Hundreds of those are sold every month, so they can't go ahead only with those stored for a year or so. For the next year, they seems convinced to keep the V7 line at 750cc, but, for the rest (heron heads, hemi heads...) the details will probably not be revealed until EICMA.

[lucydad]

Here's a question on the V9 Bobber vs Roamer.  Bobber has bigger front tire.  How does the bigger tire affect handling?  Roamer seems more typical like a current V7.  Experts?  Those that have ridden both?

[bad Chad]

Go find a dealer and ride them.  Its all better in the flesh.

[Adan]

I've been pondering the same question, as I'm close to deciding to get a V9 (when they finally come to CA).  Extrapolating from the various reviews referenced in this thread, it seems like the rake lends itself to quick turning, enough so that the intertia of the fat tire of the Bobber might actually be a useful opposing force.  This is probably not how one would set out to design a performance motorcycle, but most of the reviewers seemed to think it worked to a reasonable degree.  At the same time, most reviews seemed to indicate the difference between the two to be fairly subtle.
Due to my young chilluns, my next bike is going to be more of a toy than a real go-places bike.  The bobber just seems more entertaining for a 20-mile ride to a piano gig.  But that's just me.

[Dave Swanson]

Good picture on the official website.

[bad Chad]

I guess Motorcyclist  must REALLY love the Triumph Street Twin, as they ended their review of the v9 Roamer with the following sentences.
"Happiness after the sale requires one sacrifice: Don't ride your friend's new Street Twin.  Ever."

[pikipiki]

Am I in a minority of one on this one:
This retro chic is not such a hard game,

Take that bobber, get rid of that stupid tank, replace it with something very similar to a V50 tank only even so slightly more blimplike retaining and emphosising those beautiful lines, paint it an aluminium silver, call it a V9 Zeppelin, Airship Italia, even V-9 Norge,

jobs a good-un,

I'd buy one


ps why am i so wordy, where do I get a v50 tank and where will the fuel pump go?

[sliphorn]

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I looked at a Roamer and Bobber today.......very nice looking motorcycles. I'm gonna test ride them tomorrow and then decide which one I want.

For the last eight years I've been riding a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 and I need to slow down. I love my Sprint but it's getting heavy for me (aging), and as I said, I need to slow down. The 1050 brings my inner hooligan out of me. Not such a good thing anymore, not that it ever was.

I'm also gonna take the Triumph Street Twin for a test ride to compare. After seeing the two V9's and the Street Twin up close, the pair of Italians has the Britbike beat in the fit and finish department, but the test ride will be the determining factor. I'll let you know how it goes.

The dealer is in St Charles, IL and is a H-D, Triumph, and Piaggio group dealer, so that makes it really convenient.

-------

[Kev m]

The dealer is in St Charles, IL and is a H-D, Triumph, and Piaggio group dealer, so that makes it really convenient.

That sounds perfect to me!

[lucydad]

slipper of horns,

Please, please write up your test ride impressions.   I know the inner hooligan, that is why I ride a Triumph STRX--going to get a romp today.
Every once in a while I need to really feel that scream.  V7R is very tame by comparison.

I think I like the Roamer style better than the Bobber.  Need to see both.  Plans for that will occur late June to early July at AF1 in Austin.

Before I make a final decision I also want to ride a Bonnie, probably the T120 though, although the weight is getting on the high side for me.
T120 performance is pretty impressive from videos comparing to a 675 Triple on low end. 

[bpreynolds]

I had to go up to C&D yesterday to pick up my Triumph Turnip project.  While there I first gazed upon the new Geese in the flesh.  Very nice as expected; yet, one thing I wasn't expecting when sitting on them and trading off with the V7 right beside them is how much legroom there is - seemingly more even than the V7 though the pegs are forward.  I expected the pegs to be forward but up annoying high.  Each time I jumped on the Roamer for comparison I kept expecting to find the pegs up higher.  I can't remotely buy one right now but it does bode well for my 32" inseam. 

[sliphorn]

slipper of horns,

Please, please write up your test ride impressions.   I know the inner hooligan, that is why I ride a Triumph STRX--going to get a romp today.
Every once in a while I need to really feel that scream.  V7R is very tame by comparison.

I think I like the Roamer style better than the Bobber.  Need to see both.  Plans for that will occur late June to early July at AF1 in Austin.

Before I make a final decision I also want to ride a Bonnie, probably the T120 though, although the weight is getting on the high side for me.
T120 performance is pretty impressive from videos comparing to a 675 Triple on low end.

----------

Hi Guys,

I just got back from my test ride. I ended up riding the V9 Roamer and a V7 Stone back to back. I did not ride the Triumph Street Twin because the one they had was no longer there. They are apparently selling like hotcakes. That's ok, because the V9's are a finely polished jewel compared to the Brit twin. I love Triumph's, but man, these V9's are gorgeous in every way.

Ok........The V9 performs WAY better than the spec sheet numbers would suggest. Power was immediate and linear with just a hint of that wonderful Guzzi vibe. I found that it liked to rev, and when I did so, the shifts were smooth and positive. Short shift it and it protests a wee bit. I really like the fact that it likes to rev. It's plenty quick!

The clutch pull was very smooth and light, and I found the mid mount pegs to be quite comfortable. Remember, I'm coming off a Sprint! So I simply rode the Roamer with my toes on the pegs (perfect for me), and move my feet forward when I needed to operate either the brake pedal or shift lever; same drill as my Sprint, just in a different position.

I found the V9 Roamer to be much nicer in every way than the Indian Scout that I test rode once. No comparison as far as I am concerned. I also found the V9 to be nicer than the V7. Frankly, the V7 felt weak in comparison. The V9 is just better, simple as that. I appreciated the extra leg room of the V9 Roamer too. Nice!

The seat on the Roamer is softer than the plank-hard one found on the Bobber. I decided not to ride the Bobber even though the Italian salesman said it handled a little better. There was just something about the gorgeous golden/yellow paint job on the Roamer that drew me in. I also found the handlebars on the Roamer to be more to my liking. No matter which V9 you would choose, the seat will have to be re-worked if you want to do any serious seat time. No biggie, I've had to do that with every bike I've ever owned.

I guess that's about it. Oh yeah, there was considerable wind blast at 50-55mph, which is to be expected, so I'd invest in some sort of shield if I buy one.

I guess that's about it

Ciao.........

======

[JeffOlson]

^ Nice review! I have been visualizing having a Roamer in my stable someday soon...

[Triple Jim]

I guess Motorcyclist  must REALLY love the Triumph Street Twin, as they ended their review of the v9 Roamer with the following sentences.
"Happiness after the sale requires one sacrifice: Don't ride your friend's new Street Twin.  Ever."

I don't know how much they had to love the Triumph to say that, since they sure weren't very happy with the V9.

[sliphorn]

--------

I forgot to talk about general handling characteristics. There were no surprises in any way, and that's a good thing. Look through the turn, boom, done. The suspension was also free of surprises, though admittedly the roads were smooth and in good shape. I'm 5'10" and go 225 in all my gear; helmet, gloves, jacket, overpants, and boots.

It'd be easy enough to upgrade springs and shocks if one so desired, but there was nothing glaring at me that said, "this sucks". Nothing! Damn fine motorcycle in stock trim.

=====

[lucydad]

sliphorn,

Grazie!  Thanks for a meaningful review.  I am willing to bet the V9 engine breaks in and gains some high end and smoothness with miles.  Comments I have read on the 6-speed transmission seem to indicate less clunky than the V7s?  Who knows maybe Guzzi will make a gel seat for these bikes? 

Can't wait to test one.  Agree that the yellow Roamer is the looker, although white might be ok.  I can imagine these bikes in the famed Tenni Green...


veloce!