My take: The new V9s are not cruisers

[Lcarlson]

Although real world experience with these new models is not really in, I think the widespread characterization of the V9s as cruisers is wrong. It's true that the Roamer, in particular, appears raked back a bit by virtue of the larger front wheel, giving it (probably intentionally) something of a cruiserish look. But the engine appears to be set in line with the frame, as with the V7ii.  More important, the photographs indicate that the rider can stand up on the pegs on both models if needed.  While the definition af a cruiser is not precise, a common characteristic of the breed is that while your legs have a comfortable relaxed bend, you won't be able to lift your weight off the seat. By this measure neither of the V9s is really a cruiser. That said, some extra room and less bend at the knees could be a good thing.

[Kev m]

I would generally share your rejection of them as Cruisers, as I would generally would with Sportsters too.

To me they are both naked standards, with albeit a vintage feel.

[HardAspie]

I would generally share your rejection of them as Cruisers, add I would generally would with Sportsters too.

To me they are both naked standards, with albeit a vintage feel.

I think you are right.

[chuck peterson]

Guzzi, on their website, says the new V9s are a new version of the Nevada...

Google "moto guzzi Nevada photos"... Just raise the seat, punch the small Block to 850, and a bigger tank...but most important, it's a progression on the small block frame and motor all grown up after like 30 years of development

[rocker59]

Guzzi, on their website, says the new V9s are a new version of the Nevada

That doesn't change the fact that the V9 falls squarely in the retro standard niche, along with the V7, Triumph Bonneville, YamaBolt, et al.

Now if the V9 had 32+ degree fork rake and gyno stirrup forward controls, yeah I could call it a cruiser...  But it doesn't.

[menzies]

I agree retro standard, I am waiting with great anticipation for this bike.

[steven c]

Also they don't weigh 700lb's.

[ohiorider]

I agree, the V9 is far from being a cruiser.  I'd like to see one more variation of the V9 Roamer ....... front forks level instead of raised, with tank from the V7 Series.  Keep the Roamer color schemes ... rather attractive, IMO.  I am attracted to the Roamer, the Bobber not so much.

[Triple Jim]

I did a little searching to learn more about the V9 bikes and found this site (note the spelling):

http://www.motorcycleist.com/2016-moto-guzzi-v9-bobber-top-speed-price/

There are some interesting "facts" there, to be sure, particularly horsepower and top speed.

[Kev m]

I did a little searching to learn more about the V9 bikes and found this site (note the spelling):

http://www.motorcycleist.com/2016-moto-guzzi-v9-bobber-top-speed-price/

There are some interesting "facts" there, to be sure, particularly horsepower and top speed.

That is a very odd piece from a strange blog.

[Triple Jim]

That is a very odd piece from a strange blog.

I guess that sums it up pretty well.  I guess it probably does take 230 hp to get to 70 KPMH though.

[Cool Runnings]

I would generally share your rejection of them as Cruisers, as I would generally would with Sportsters too.

To me they are both naked standards, with albeit a vintage feel.

Looked at a new one yesterday when the Norge was brought in for it's first service.

Proper Bike

[cruzziguzzi]

I think reading the thread topic is the first time V-9 has crossed the path of the word "cruiser" in my head.

Now, if that concept had been taken faithfully out to V-14... "Bruiser" would well fit for me.


Todd.

[rboe]

A lot of folks call the Griso a cruiser. I don't get it. Either for the Griso or the V9.

[not-fishing]

Cruiser = feet below or in front of knees.

Body lean doesn't come into play unless you're talking clip-ons.





Griso foot position is way behind knees.



I'd be looking at rearsets for the V9 because I tend to crouch over bumps. 

[normzone]

Looked at a new one yesterday when the Norge was brought in for it's first service.

Proper Bike

Funny - I look at that bike and the first thing that comes to mind is my first bike, a '72 Honda CL 350.

[rocker59]

Funny - I look at that bike and the first thing that comes to mind is my first bike, a '72 Honda CL 350.

Really?

[Kev m]

Cruiser = feet below or in front of knees.

Nah that's too broad. By that qualification alone a given bike might or might not be a cruiser just based on the size of the rider, and nearly every "tour" bike might be a cruiser.

I use a much narrower, but maybe more amorphous definition.

To me it's a bike that gives up most function for form.

It must have a combination of most of the following:

* very low ride height/limited cornering ability
* very limited or hard tail suspension
* significant front rake
* fat rear and tall skinny front tire
* forward controls (not floorboards and heel-to-toe shifter that leaves your feet parallel with the ground but true forwards where your toes point up and heel points down and your feet are far in front of your knees which are almost straight)
* apes, or drags, or some other extreme bar configuration
* small fuel supply/limited range
* little or no luggage or carrying capacity

But at the end of the day it's all semantics anyway.

[Roebling3]

I agree with the statements comparing the Roamer to nearly any 250 - 500cc, plain vanilla, chuff about town bike. Thought the Roamer version might win me over. The bobber is just plain 2 G's ugly. It hurts to look @ that sumbitch.  The more I see and learn of MG's latest, the less impressed I am. Fortunately, @ my age, the bikes I still have are big fun and easy to look at.  R3~   

[Red Dog]

Nah that's too broad. By that qualification alone a given bike might or might not be a cruiser just based on the size of the rider, and nearly every "tour" bike might be a cruiser.

I use a much narrower, but maybe more amorphous definition.

To me it's a bike that gives up most function for form.

It must have a combination of most of the following:

* very low ride height/limited cornering ability
* very limited or hard tail suspension
* significant front rake
* fat rear and tall skinny front tire
* forward controls (not floorboards and heel-to-toe shifter that leaves your feet parallel with the ground but true forwards where your toes point up and heel points down and your feet are far in front of your knees which are almost straight)
* apes, or drags, or some other extreme bar configuration
* small fuel supply/limited range
* little or no luggage or carrying capacity

But at the end of the day it's all semantics anyway.

Kev. How do you classify a Victory Cross Country Tour? or the Vision?

Just askin cause I'd like to know what I'm ridin...... LOL

[fossil]

I agree with the statements comparing the Roamer to nearly any 250 - 500cc, plain vanilla, chuff about town bike. Thought the Roamer version might win me over. The bobber is just plain 2 G's ugly. It hurts to look @ that sumbitch.  The more I see and learn of MG's latest, the less impressed I am. Fortunately, @ my age, the bikes I still have are big fun and easy to look at.  R3~

Oh je! (as we say in German)
The bopper, seen in naturam, is a beautiful, well made, small bike. Ugly it is not. Of course it resembles old Hondas. It has an engine, two wheels, a seat, a tank, nice colours, harmonic proportions, .....

[rocker59]

Kev. How do you classify a Victory Cross Country Tour? or the Vision?

Just askin cause I'd like to know what I'm ridin...... LOL

"Touring Cruiser", just like Electra Glide, Chief Roadmaster, Kwaka Voyager, et al.

[oldbike54]

 Does anyone build "just a motorcycle" anymore ?

 Dusty

[rocker59]

Does anyone build "just a motorcycle" anymore ?

 Dusty

Yes.  This is a thread about a "just a motorcycle" !!!

LOL!

[oldbike54]

Yes.  This is a thread about a "just a motorcycle" !!!

LOL!

  Thought it was a "Notta Cruiser" 

  Dusty

[rocker59]

  Thought it was a "Notta Cruiser" 

  Dusty

V9 Roamer seems about as close to "just a motorcycle" as V11 Jackal was.

Traditional standard all around motorcycles.  People want everything to fit into some category/niche these days, so have trouble when a motorcycle is just a motorcycle.

[oldbike54]

V9 Roamer seems about as close to "just a motorcycle" as V11 Jackal was.

Traditional standard all around motorcycles.  People want everything to fit into some category/niche these days, so have trouble when a motorcycle is just a motorcycle.

 Yeah , over the years this conversation has occurred ," So what is that ?" "It's a BMW" "Yeah but what is it? " "It's a motorcycle" "Yeah , but is it a cruiser?" 

 Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Why try to pigeon hole what the bike or isn't? All that does is invite comparisons to other bikes that might not be really what the V9s are all about.

If you take a bike out and cruise with it, who cares what class the bike is in, you're cruising with it.

A bike is what you do with it, not what someone else says it is designed for. Really, they don't know any more than you do. Just because the foot rests are this way or that or the seat is just so and the handlebars are an inch higher or backward?

It's a Guzzi, do you really need to define it according to what other bikes are? So much for being different.

[RANDM]

I'm with Kev as a definition of a Cruiser - that's what defined
them originally. You can't redefine something by changing one
feature like Wow it's got a fat front tire - it must be a cruiser,
or oh it's got a bikini fairing it must be a Cafe - takes more
that.

Maurie.

[Kev m]

Kev. How do you classify a Victory Cross Country Tour? or the Vision?

Just askin cause I'd like to know what I'm ridin...... LOL

I thought I answered that. A touring bike.