Actually laid eyes on a 'Roamer' today.

[pete roper]

Had to go down to Sydney to visit the cardiologist yesterday and today had to hang around waiting for one of Jude's workmates who was down there for a bone marrow biopsy to get out of hospital so I could drag her sorry carcass back up to Bungendore. At a loose end I dropped in to see John at Motocicolo to chew the fat and walk him and his offsider through Guzzidiag and 'Reader' and 'Writer'.

They had a Roamer on the floor. It's a queer looking beast. It sort of looks 'Empty' but 'Complicated' at the same time. I don't mind the tank to tell you the truth but the rest of it looks a bit odd. Bevelbox is monstrously over-engineered! There has to be a plan for something more powerful down the track! It's almost as big as the Cali Bevelbox! It's got to be heavier than a CARC bevelbox but isn't reactive???? What's that all about? Weird!

Anyway I didn't have riding gear to test it and it was raining cats and dogs so I wouldn't of wanted to but maybe next time I'm down I'll try it. So far he hasn't sold one. Several test rides, zero interest. Dull and uninspiring were the terms usually used and you have to realise John's shop is in the middle of 'Hipster Central'! If anyone was going to buy them it would be his customers! 

If anyone would like to try a Beetlemapped V7-II there is one as a demo at John's shop.

Pete

[DanD]

Our local dealer has one in yellow. I like it and the Stornello on his floor. I'd like to have seen a more rearward bias to the foot pegs on the Roamer and less rake at the front. Longer shocks out back and pulling the tubes up some in the front would probably address the rake issue but the peg placement looks a bit more challenging.

Right now the Stornello is out front by hair. If the Stornello platform had the 850 motor It'd be no contest.

[pete roper]

In all honesty I think I'd take the Starling. Proven package and less weight, (How do they make a bike that looks so Spartan weigh so much???) but I'll hang out for the 8V engine I guess is in the pipeline in a mini Stelvio. Until that happens my filthy lucre will remain in the bank. It'll grate if it's still a pushrod shitter but I'd swallow my pride on that but if they Hi-Cam it a bit of wee will probably escape!

Pete

[WitchCityGuzzi]

but I'll hang out for the 8V engine I guess is in the pipeline in a mini Stelvio.

Pete

Wait, what???

Is there a rumour of such a beast?

[pauldaytona]

Wait, what???

Is there a rumour of such a beast?

Yes has been spoken of by  Leo Mercanti, director of product marketing Piaggio Group. Not that it would be a 8V, but a 900cc. Can you guess what 900cc engine it would be?  Take the roamer, put longer suspension is, bigger tank, new sadle faring. ready.   

here:
http://www.motociclismo.it/articoli/view/nuove-moto-guzzi-v7-v9-california-stelvio-e-le-altre-novita-da-mandello-65548

translated important part:

Well the V9, but are neglecting an important area such as the big enduro. The successor of the Stelvio is expected in the next few programs, but we will do it our way. The V7 Stornello is not her acting because it caters to those who want a scrambler, not a endurona. Definitely we do not want to throw in a competition that sees BMW GS, KTM Adventure and even Honda Africa Twin. This market is very complicated, there are enduro for more than 20,000 euro and the arrival of the Africa Twin has created a new sub-segment. If Guzzi want to compete in this world has to do with a bike that does not have anything to do with what is now for sale. Never say never, even for someone Guzzi? Scooters Guzzi is a brand that is improving his health and took a precise way; it would be wrong to give misleading messages to our customers. Probably one Guzzi scooters would be attractive to the turnover, but today we talk about a brand with clear values, a sense of belonging of our guzzisti. The scooter does not interest us. What is the next leap into the future? Guzzi has already done everything in the past, but today build an engine that makes you distinctive from others is virtually impossible. We already have a single engine in its architecture and the future will revolve around him. However, we have some other idea, which could revive some model that we have seen in the past. Maybe come for our 100 years. 2021 is not that far away.

 


 

[pete roper]

Paul? If they aren't planning to 8V it in some way why have they cast a bloody great plug tunnel in the middle of the rocker carriers? No space for a central plug in a Hemi head 2V.

Pete

[pauldaytona]

Paul? If they aren't planning to 8V it in some way why have they cast a bloody great plug tunnel in the middle of the rocker carriers? No space for a central plug in a Hemi head 2V.

Pete

 who knows, I can point on other useless parts on older types too.
 But there was spoken about a much greater power then the roamer has now in another article, so maybe another head, and then pushrods?

 

[Kiwi_Roy]

Someone told me they were designed in California, I don't know if that's correct.
I saw the one on display at John Day, I guess I'm just not Hip enough.
What's the tank capacity, looks like you would be struggling to make it to the next gas stop in parts of the country.

[Kev m]

Do I remember correctly that the tank is 4.0 g like the V7C was?

With mileage reportedly in the 50's that should assure a range like the Tonti Cali's (150ish) even if some the capacity cannot be used.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't mind the tank to tell you the truth but the rest of it looks a bit odd.

I don't mind the *looks* of the tank, but the way it is shaped keeps you from getting a grip with your knees. My knees couldn't even touch it, and that just feels weird, not to mention there's no way to get your weight forward for handling. You just kind of sit there, disconnected instead of being one with the machine. Blech.

[chuck peterson]

Guzzis have always been "beefy" to me...v9s look thin, a little empty where there used to be heft...