Finally rode a V9, and actually bought one!

[mjptexas]

I took a V9 Roamer for a 30 minute ride today.  I have to say I was impressed with the bike.  The extra oomph vs. the V7 is very noticeable.  Fit & finish is terrific.  Hardly any plastic on the bike - even the side panels are metal.

The ergonomics worked for me.  Not a lot different than my Cali Custom.  Foot peg placement is very similar to the mid control placement on a Harley Sportster.

The Roamer seemed to be very similar to the 2011 Triumph Bonneville I used to own, and it seems to address the shortcomings I've found in my V7.  Don't know if there is one in my future or not....

[oldbike54]

 Thanks Mike .

 Dusty

[Huzo]

I don't know much about other Guzzis but is it possible that the V9 power/drive train could go into an enlarged V7 ? Just the whole "cruiser" thing looks a bit lame to me.

[Rick4003]

I don't know much about other Guzzis but is it possible that the V9 power/drive train could go into an enlarged V7 ? Just the whole "cruiser" thing looks a bit lame to me.

V7III?

[greer]

Thanks, Mike.  I haven't ridden one, but the Roamer sure did sit just about perfect, in my opinion.  Roomier than our Sportster, to me, and weighs well over a 100lbs less.

Sarah

[Zoom Zoom]

Yes. I took one for a while last summer, and posted about it. I have to completely agree with your assessment. Plenty of power to merge onto a highway and some left over to speed up from there. I was very impressed with the bike.

John Henry

[Kev m]

I took a V9 Roamer for a 30 minute ride today.  I have to say I was impressed with the bike.  The extra oomph vs. the V7 is very noticeable.  Fit & finish is terrific.  Hardly any plastic on the bike - even the side panels are metal.

The ergonomics worked for me.  Not a lot different than my Cali Custom.  Foot peg placement is very similar to the mid control placement on a Harley Sportster.

The Roamer seemed to be very similar to the 2011 Triumph Bonneville I used to own, and it seems to address the shortcomings I've found in my V7.  Don't know if there is one in my future or not....

Encouraging report - thanks.

[slowmover]

Let's all go get one!

[MiLD GRiSO]

I'll take a red one if they come to the U. S.

[mjptexas]

I don't know much about other Guzzis but is it possible that the V9 power/drive train could go into an enlarged V7 ? Just the whole "cruiser" thing looks a bit lame to me.

Huzo, the Bobber certainly falls in the cruiser group.  It seems to be a Harley wannabe.  I wouldn't call the Roamer a cruiser.  I suspect if you park one right next to the older generation Triumph T100 Bonneville you'll see more similarities than differences.

[kidsmoke]

Nice write up. Simple, touched on some key issues, and as a Cali owner, nice frame of reference.

and

I'll take a red one if they come to the U. S.

yummmmm   

[Adan]

V9 is rated at 55 hp, weighs 460ish or more curb.  V7 III 51 hp, probably 440ish or less curb.  Just looking at power-to-weight, it will be interesting to see if the V7 III remains all that much slower than a V9.  Torque curve of course will distinguish them regardless.

[kevdog3019]

... or you could convert your V7 into 4 valve heads and get about 55-60hp and keep the design and weight. This is what I would do. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

... or you could convert your V7 into 4 valve heads and get about 55-60hp and keep the design and weight. This is what I would do. 

[kevdog3019]

CHuck has the memory of an elephant.  Don't let the mouse scare you again Chuckie; the factory screwed the pooch.   

[neverquit]

I want one, especially the red one.  I've sat on them several times and for my body they are a perfect fit.  I usually modify my bikes, move the pegs or make a new seat, whatever to get the seating position the way I want it.  But the Roamer is perfect the way it is.  Unfortunately I am getting old and a lighter bike is what I need.

[Kev m]

V9 is rated at 55 hp, weighs 460ish or more curb.  V7 III 51 hp, probably 440ish or less curb.  Just looking at power-to-weight, it will be interesting to see if the V7 III remains all that much slower than a V9.  Torque curve of course will distinguish them regardless.

I'd be careful comparing supposed OEM ratings.

Here's what we think we know from dynos.

Most V7's the last few years have be showing about 40 RWHP.

The V9 supposedly showed Motorcycle.com about 51 RWHP.

I'm not sure I expect the V7III to jump that gap.

If I had to take a guess I'd say I think MG might actually be UNDER-rating the V9.

Either that or there's a problem with that Dyno report.... or it's some miracle of minimal frictional losses between the crank and rear wheel.

[Devildog]

Why would they NOT offer the red one here? Gorgeous. Not keen on the yellow or white. Neverquit is right, tweak it if necessary.

[kevdog3019]

I'd be careful comparing supposed OEM ratings.

Here's what we think we know from dynos.

Most V7's the last few years have be showing about 40 RWHP.

The V9 supposedly showed Motorcycle.com about 51 RWHP.

I'm not sure I expect the V7III to jump that gap.

If I had to take a guess I'd say I think MG might actually be UNDER-rating the V9.

Either that or there's a problem with that Dyno report.... or it's some miracle of minimal frictional losses between the crank and rear wheel.

V7III to jump a power gap?  Are there rumors of engine tweaks to the V7?  Since they've gained a net 2hp in 13 or so years, I'm betting the farm you're not going to see a difference. I'm waiting for the day they dump the 7 mill. Once they pump the well dry with this styling exercise that's done them well, I think it's over for this lump.

[bad Chad]

Kev may be on to something.  I rode the v9, its noticeably stronger than the current v7 to be sure.  Like he said its rated at 55 crank hp.  But at least two published dynos I have seen have put the rear wheel hp at 51hp!  A loss of only 4hp from crank to pavement on a Guzzi???

The v7III might with its very similar heads might be similar, we shall see.

[kevdog3019]

Kev may be on to something.  I rode the v9, its noticeably stronger than the current v7 to be sure.  Like he said its rated at 55 crank hp.  But at least two published dynos I have seen have put the rear wheel hp at 51hp!  A loss of only 4hp from crank to pavement on a Guzzi???

The v7III might with its very similar heads might be similar, we shall see.

Do tell what's going on with the V7III?  New heads??  51 RW usually converts to 61 at the crank with simple Guzzi math.

[Arizona Wayne]

Kev may be on to something.  I rode the v9, its noticeably stronger than the current v7 to be sure.  Like he said its rated at 55 crank hp.  But at least two published dynos I have seen have put the rear wheel hp at 51hp!  A loss of only 4hp from crank to pavement on a Guzzi???

The v7III might with its very similar heads might be similar, we shall see.



Different dyno readings doesn't mean they are both calibrated the same.    If 2 different bikes are tested on the same dyno, then you can honestly compare their hp ratings.

[kevdog3019]

Dyno's are like shrinks; they tell you what you want to hear. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

For sure, all dynos are not created equal. 

[Kev m]

V7III to jump a power gap?  Are there rumors of engine tweaks to the V7?  Since they've gained a net 2hp in 13 or so years, I'm betting the farm you're not going to see a difference. I'm waiting for the day they dump the 7 mill. Once they pump the well dry with this styling exercise that's done them well, I think it's over for this lump.

Well the V7III dumps the heron head for the V9 hemi head so yes there are tweaks. What that means remains to be seen, but as mentioned the V9 seems to be more than the sum of the parts so far.

As for dynos when you have multiple dynos on different bikes give similar numbers you have some reason to believe. When that's coupled with multiple long time posters here saying they feel the difference then you have even more. That's where we stand with the V9, and we'll have to see about the V7III.

[ITSec]

For sure, all dynos are not created equal. 

You said a mouthful - for example, compare a velociraptor to a hadrosaur!

[Moz]

appreciate the review - I really should take one out..

Well the V7III dumps the heron head for the V9 hemi head so yes there are tweaks. What that means remains to be seen, but as mentioned the V9 seems to be more than the sum of the parts so far.

.. and we'll have to see about the V7III.

what have I missed about the V7 III ??? i.e. is this official stuff? linky?

[yackee]

How does the V9 feel cruising on U.S. highways, esp. compared to the older bikes of similar displacement? I've always been impressed at how well my T3 feels on the highway, even up into the 70 or even (indicated) 80s mphs, in terms of stability and smoothness and, with a windshield, reasonable comfort. I you start from the notion that a T3 is a more-than-adequate US-highway cruiser, how does the V9 compare? Slightly more adequate, slightly less?

Jason
Madison, WI (but currently Bangkok)

[smdl]

appreciate the review - I really should take one out..

what have I missed about the V7 III ??? i.e. is this official stuff? linky?

V7 III gets the new heads:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/moto-guzzi/moto-guzzi-v7.html

[Moz]