V9 Review Thread. Merged Threadfest

[Adan]

V9 sits a bit lower and has a smaller fuel tank than the V7, so those are both reasons why, all else being equal (which it seems to be), the V9 might not feel any heavier while moving.  You'll probably only feel the extra weight while pushing it around.

[Kev m]

V9 sits a bit lower and has a smaller fuel tank than the V7, so those are both reasons why, all else being equal (which it seems to be), the V9 might not feel any heavier while moving.  You'll probably only feel the extra weight while pushing it around.

Well, NQ is coming off a Nevada, I don't have the spec for the Nevada seat height handy, but that might be closer to the Roamer/Bobber.

But regardless, 24# more weight on a Nevada is equal to 5% - seriously 5%. I can't imagine that matters pushing it around.

I mean, we're not talking bench-pressing here.

I can tell a difference between pushing around my Sporty and my Guzzi - but that's over 100# (and even THAT isn't all that big a difference). But between our Duc and Guzzi... NO WAY.

<shrugs>

[fossil]

Well, I did not feel much of a difference between the V9 and my V7 Stone. Both are fairly light bikes. This cannot be an important issue when to decide between the two bikes. The different seating position however is at least for me.

[Adan]

Neverquit says he's "old" (his words).  For seniors or petite women, 25 lbs might make all the difference.

For me, anything less than 475 lbs is A-OK.

[Kev m]

Neverquit says he's "old" (his words).  For seniors or petite women, 25 lbs might make all the difference.

Yeah, I wasn't ignoring that, but still.

I got a 50.something year old 4' 10" friend who rides a 550#+ Sportster and can "push that around" - granted it's REALLY low... but still.

Ok, she's recently run a 1/2 marathon (And at that height, that's like a full marathon really lol).

But still... I guess in the end only NQ can really decide for himself. We've given him some facts and some opinions, but at the end of the day his butt will decide.

[Beerman]

I'm waiting for my V711 Special to be delivered (next week I hope, subject to the effect of miserable weather on the cross-channel ferry). I am really looking forward to it, and have test ridden it...BUT: there is a small voice saying that I should have waited, the V9 is a better version of the same bike, it has a bit more power...

Any one else have this nagging doubt? The answer is, of course, who gives a stuff -  the V7 is a great machine, and whatever you have there's always a bigger boat. Of course it is. But still...

Beerman

[Adan]

I'm waiting for my V711 Special to be delivered (next week I hope, subject to the effect of miserable weather on the cross-channel ferry). I am really looking forward to it, and have test ridden it...BUT: there is a small voice saying that I should have waited, the V9 is a better version of the same bike, it has a bit more power...

Any one else have this nagging doubt? The answer is, of course, who gives a stuff -  the V7 is a great machine, and whatever you have there's always a bigger boat. Of course it is. But still...

Beerman

I'm anxious to test drive the V9, and it might be my next motorcycle purchase, but the V7 II is still very much in the running.  Did I want more power from my previous V7?  Only on rare occasions when I wanted to pass on the twisties.  And even then I have to ask, why was I in such a big damn hurry?  It's quite possible the V7 is still "just right" for me. 

[bpreynolds]

Just curious, anyone here skilled enough to do a mock up of the V9s with more of a deck seat?

[Kev m]

I'm waiting for my V711 Special to be delivered (next week I hope, subject to the effect of miserable weather on the cross-channel ferry). I am really looking forward to it, and have test ridden it...BUT: there is a small voice saying that I should have waited, the V9 is a better version of the same bike, it has a bit more power...

Any one else have this nagging doubt? The answer is, of course, who gives a stuff -  the V7 is a great machine, and whatever you have there's always a bigger boat. Of course it is. But still...

Beerman

Nah.

I mean, I expect the 850 motor to be great and I might want one someday. I might even prefer that motor, who knows.

But I'm so enamoured with my V7 I've no nagging doubts.

[oldbike54]

Just curious, anyone here skilled enough to do a mock up of the V9s with more of a deck seat?

 You mean like a folding chaise lounge ??? OK Pennie , get busy 

  Dusty

[bpreynolds]

You mean like a folding chaise lounge ??? OK Pennie , get busy 

  Dusty

Man, I bet a Russell Day Long would look sharp on that Roamer.   

  

[DaSwami]

While the V9 might push some buttons, the V7 II Stone pushes them all.  It's just dandy as is, will do the ton, handles great, I'm warming up to the ABS and traction control, looks great, it's pretty well sorted out.  I had had intentions of getting a V9 but went with the V7 II (again).

[Beerman]

You've put your finger on it there DaSwami; I have no desire to ride around doing the ton, and the V711 can do everything I need it to do, and do it well. There is something in human nature that always wants a bit more, a bit faster - and it's probably wise to knock that on the head as soon as it shows itself!

Beerman

[kevdog3019]

I'm not certain they designed the V9 for the ton specifically. I think it's more about keeping up in the race and some customers appreciating going from 30mph to 40mph a little quicker. Pull factor is greater. That said, the V7 is fine. This ton thing is over the top as none of these bikes is designed for this.

[bpreynolds]

What always surprised me about my former V7 was that the top speed on the bike was maybe only a bit over 100 but parked at 80 on the highway the bike was smooth as silk to me. 

Craig at C&D said he expected the V9s to get to our shores by the end of this month.  Any word on their arrival in the States yet? 

Also, though the V9 series have been reviewed up much, I can't seem to find much data as per mpg nor tank range?  I recall maybe the Cycle World review saying at one time he was maybe reading 50ish but I think he might have been (?) looking at the real time calculations?

[rocker59]

What always surprised me about my former V7 was that the top speed on the bike was maybe only a bit over 100 but parked at 80 on the highway the bike was smooth as silk to me. 

Craig at C&D said he expected the V9s to get to our shores by the end of this month.  Any word on their arrival in the States yet? 

Also, though the V9 series have been reviewed up much, I can't seem to find much data as per mpg nor tank range?  I recall maybe the Cycle World review saying at one time he was maybe reading 50ish but I think he might have been (?) looking at the real time calculations?

3.9 gallon tank. 

So, if you ran through 3.5 gallons and returned 45 mpg, that's 157 miles.

If you ran through 3.0 gallons at 50 mpg, that's 150 miles.

I'm going to say it's a 150 mile bike, under normal conditions...

[JeffOlson]

^ So, the range of the V9 will be about that of my Vespa Scooter, which I need to fill up every second or third day if I am riding it to and from work.

V9 owners may want to take a page from Vespa riders tired of filing up every other day and strap a fuel bottle somewhere to the bike...

Still, my Triumph Thruxton fared no better. 150 miles or so and the tank was empty!

[rocker59]

One of the nice things about my 2014 V7 Special is range.  Last weekend on the way to Cedar Vale, I ran it to 208 miles and only added about 4.2 gallons.  Still had a gallon useable left in the tank! 

Though, for its intended mission, 150 miles is plenty for the V9. 

[vstevens]

Got a left over bargain V7.  Then the V7II came out.  Thought about the leg room and smoother tranny.  Now the V9.  My favorite Star Trek quote comes to mind:
"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.  It is not logical but it is true" Spock

[rocker59]

"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.  It is not logical but it is true." Spock

I like that quote !!!

I'd like more legroom, and I think the V9s are pretty cool.  I'd also like one of those leftover blue Cal 14 Customs...

Will the madness never end ???

[Chuck in Indiana]

Spock had it going on there.  I've often wondered where the fun of living would be if you could have everything you ever thought you wanted..

[Xlratr]

I like the Spock quote 

On the other hand, like Oscar Wilde said...  "Too much of a good thing is wonderful".   

[Beerman]

^ So, the range of the V9 will be about that of my Vespa Scooter, which I need to fill up every second or third day if I am riding it to and from work.

V9 owners may want to take a page from Vespa riders tired of filing up every other day and strap a fuel bottle somewhere to the bike...

Still, my Triumph Thruxton fared no better. 150 miles or so and the tank was empty!

My Vespa claims 110mpg. That is with (I am sure) an 8 stone Italian female on it. I am not Italian, am not female, and I am not 8 stone. I do not get 110mpg.

Beerman

[jas67]

"After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.  It is not logical but it is true" Spock

That is perfect!    I'll remind myself of this whenever I'm wanting a Thruxton R.

I'm sure I'd get bored with it anyway.   I find running the V7R up to the ton to be more fun than a quick run up to 125 on the VFR800 that I sold last year.   For one thing, the run up to the ton on the V7R takes longer, and feels like you're going faster.

[zedXmick]

I want to see if the v7  gas tank will swap over to the v9.... Then some 17 inch rims from the V11 spine frames....then we are on to something.    yeah it never ends when it comes to motorcycles...or we'd all be on our first ride yet...what is the fun in that?

[Yan]

I find running the V7R up to the ton to be more fun than a quick run up to 125 on the VFR800 that I sold last year.

That reminds me of another good quote: "It is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow".   

[Adan]

That reminds me of another good quote: "It is more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow".   

Little known fact: Albert Einstein was trying to express this exact sentiment, but his mumblings were misinterpreted as "E=MCsquared."

The rest, as we know, is history.

[DaSwami]

This ton thing is over the top as none of these bikes is designed for this.

My point was the V7 II is fast enough....nothing the V9 does will make me want to change steeds.

[oldbike54]

Little known fact: Albert Einstein was trying to express this exact sentiment, but his mumblings were misinterpreted as "E=MCsquared."

The rest, as we know, is history.

 Actually that makes perfect sense 

 Dusty

[fossil]

My point was the V7 II is fast enough....nothing the V9 does will make me want to change steeds.

After having ridden the V9 Roamer and immediadetly after that my V7 Stone on the same lanes this is exactly my sentiment. The wonderful Hemi - engine nonwithstanding.