V9 Roamer, or T 120...wonder how they compare

[lucydad]

All,

So yesterday I was swanning around on the Hot Rod (aka Mary Anne, aka Triumph STRX 675 triple).  Having a good time, nice day, a bit hot so I decided to do a fast run down the freeway to my local Triumph dealer.  Good guys, but erratic on sales.  They had both a black Bonnie T120 on the floor and a silver new Bonnie twin.  The T120 design caught my eye, but not the murdered black.  Bet it is damn pretty in red though. 

Wanted to sit on it, but nobody in sight.  So I kicked tires.  The look got me interested enough that I may ask their sales manager for a test ride.  That could be threatening to my checkbook though, as it could prompt ordering a T120 in the right color?  Dunno.  But pondering after reading and watching some Youtube video reviews.  Torque monster with all the technology.

Then there is the V9 Roamer.  Will never be for sale in Houston, would have to do a special Austin trip.  Air cooled, but also has the ABS, a bit lighter, and pretty good reviews.

How would a V9 Roamer compare to a T120 Trumpet I wonder?  Good question there. 

And so ends another week of retirement.  Alzheimer's clinic is open, caring for FIL.  It is an exercise in patience, flexibility and patience.

Dang I hope we get some more settled weather.  Two days in a row with pop up, chaotic and very intense super cells and torrential rain and wind and lightning.  Want to get the V7R out for a run.  It has been a wet winter, Spring and now summer is shaping up to be tropical and rainy. 

[Adan]

You can bet there are journalistic comparisons on the way.  But do you slot the V9 against the Street Twin or the T120.  Street Twin is the more appropriate comparison. 

I think there's little doubt the T120 is better by most objective standards than the V9.  Also about 50 lbs heavier.  But from all I've read, the new Triumphs are an ultra-smooth modern engine in a retro chassis.  That's a stark contrast to Guzzi, for which the character of the engine is an end unto itself.

[Kev m]

On paper it looks like the new V9 is a nice match to the new Street Twin.

Likewise it looks like the new T120 literally murderers the V9, like a Griso would murder a V7.

[Zoom Zoom]

I stopped by my dealer a couple days ago. Looked at the V9's in person. Nice bikes. As I didn't have my riding gear, I didn't take either for a spin. I hope to do that soon.

John Henry

[grebmrof]

...no experience on the V7s or V9s, but have a T120, quite an impressive machine.  Not worth 2x the value of a good used T100, but very nice nevertheless.

[Kev m]

...no experience on the V7s or V9s, but have a T120, quite an impressive machine.  Not worth 2x the value of a good used T100, but very nice nevertheless.

Ooohh. Would love to hear more about the T120!

[grebmrof]

KevM, you should go on the TRat site for the new water cooled Triumph twins, you'd get your fill of things about the new bike.  Not sure anyone here much wants to hear about Triumphs.  The T120 is impressive, lots of standard features that were extra in earlier models or non existent, but not a cheap bike in my book.  I have typically only bought used bikes over my lifetime, with only a handful as new.  This may be my last new bike, if not my last bike, so I sprung for it.

[lucydad]

greb,

Been reading T120 reviews on Triumph Rat.  Most seem very positive.  Have you reviewed your bike?  Regrets?  Happy?  Ecstatic?

Curious minds want to know....

[rboe]

I saw and sat on a new Thruxton R yesterday. Oooooh my.  The Bonnies no longer move me since I got the CB1100. But that R has me thinking of cheating on the Griso. 

[Scud]

My wife bought a Triumph T-shirt. I interpret that as permission to buy one... I think the used T100s are good value for the money.

[Matteo]

The V9 won't burst into flames.

[mjptexas]

My wife bought a Triumph T-shirt. I interpret that as permission to buy one... I think the used T100s are good value for the money.

T100s are solid bikes, but boring as hell when compared to most Guzzis.  (Had one for several years).

[Kev m]

KevM, you should go on the TRat site for the new water cooled Triumph twins, you'd get your fill of things about the new bike.  Not sure anyone here much wants to hear about Triumphs. 

Yeah I know I could, but I have no experience with that website where I know and trust many peeps here..

And I think there are quite a number of ambi-bike-terous Guzzi owners who appreciate other brands like (and often specifically) Triumph.

[oldbike54]

 


                                     Poly single track vehicle enthusiasts ?
                           
 Dusty

[JProdun]

Rode a '14 Thruxton last week for the first time. While a little more power over my V7, it's not something I'd consider buying. Didn't feel exciting and felt significantly heavier.

BTW, had Hagon shocks and felt adequate on the broken down streets.

[Kev m]

Rode a '14 Thruxton last week for the first time. While a little more power over my V7, it's not something I'd consider buying. Didn't feel exciting and felt significantly heavier.

BTW, had Hagon shocks and felt adequate on the broken down streets.

Yeah, but the air-cooled Thruxtons like you rode were only in the ballpark of 69 hp (crank) / 53 ft. lbs. (though yeah, they weight about 50# more than a V7).

But the NEW 2016 Thruxton is 96 hp (crank) / 83 ft. lbs. (and basically remains at about that same weight) - but that's about a 40% increase in hp and 57% increase in torque. That SHOULD make it a whole different bike.

I love my V7 and wouldn't trade it for a Thruxton, but that's effectively DOUBLE the hp and torque with only a small weight penalty (which, when you add the rider's weight in really sorta goes away statistically).

The also shortened the wheelbase up a hair, and I don't have the steering head angles handy, but it wouldn't surprise me if they got more aggressive too, so you might not even feel the weight differences as much.

[JeffOlson]

Yeah I know I could, but I have no experience with that website where I know and trust many peeps here..

And I think there are quite a number of ambi-bike-terous Guzzi owners who appreciate other brands like (and often specifically) Triumph.

Lannis is there!

[Idontwantapickle]

How would a V9 Roamer compare to a T120 Trumpet I wonder?  Good question there. 

You might be cool on a T120
But you'll never be lucydad on a V9 Roamer cool

[Shorty]

It's a no brainer for me in both bikes' current offerings. Triumph wins by virtue of bigger tank, seat, liquid cooling, appearance, dealer network, newer tech,  and just because.  But then I may be a tad prejudiced.

   

[Dogwalker]

How would a V9 Roamer compare to a T120 Trumpet I wonder?  Good question there. 

different beasts. Between the V9 and the T120 there is a 350cc difference in displacement. A motorcycle engine in itself.

The V9 is only slightly smaller than the Street Twin, and I'm sure there will be many comparative tests in the magazines from now on.

[Adan]

It's always been one of the draws of Guzzi for me that you don't see your bike coming and going 20 times a day.  Here in the Bay Area, it's more like 40.

The advantage of Guzzi over some other brand is often and intangible, sometimes an unexpressable one for which there is no predetermined category in the journalists comparison chart.  Owning a Guzzi is a way of saying "my motorcycle stands out from the crowd because I stand out from the crowd."

 

My toddler always insists that I put a police car in any post he sees me typing.