Finally rode a V9, and actually bought one!

[kirkemon]

ok, I haven't ridden one, but I don't think I'll like the pegs being forward, and I don't like the look off the long forks - I like the V7.
Had they brought over the 850 version of the Griso, I'd be an owner.
Patiently waiting for the V7III.

[bad Chad]

They have moved the pegs back several inches for this years v9s.  If you want to know how I know, try Google.

[Kev m]

They have moved the pegs back several inches for this years v9s.  If you want to know how I know, try Google.

SEVERAL?

[bad Chad]

Ok, perhaps several is a bit much.  As I recall from memory I think it was 2.9 inches.

[LowRyter]

They have moved the pegs back several inches for this years v9s.  If you want to know how I know, try Google.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2016/november/moto-guzzi-v9-revamp-2017-eicma-milan/

The Roamer now has a slightly different riding position, with the footpegs mounted 100mm farther back, and 35mm higher, changing the rider positioning for better control, and creating a little more room for taller riders.

[Nic in Western NYS]

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

IT getting all Cretaceous on the group. No synthetic oil for him.

[Huzo]

Had they brought over the 850 version of the Griso, I'd be an owner.

Yeah they look very nice with that gargantuan cancerous looking radiator gone off the side. Shit surely it could have gone up under the steering head, and with Norge style headers I reckon would be beautiful if coupled to higher mufflers like the style of a VFR Honda 800 (dare I say)!

[Devildog]

How about a V9 SP?

[johnr]

That ridge along the side of the tank, does it become uncomfortable against the legs after a while?

[Kev m]

That ridge along the side of the tank, does it become uncomfortable against the legs after a while?

Do you actually grip the tank with your knees the WHOLE TIME you ride?

[mjptexas]

Well,

I went back to AF1 and actually bought one:


Initially didn't like the yellow, but it looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures.

I'd hoped to put some serious miles on it today, but of all things it was too foggy to really ride in the country, so I only have about 150 miles on it.  I was going to wait until I had several hundred miles on it before admitting to buying one, but what the hell...

The V7 Special is gone.  I put a little over 3,000 miles on it during the year I owned it, with about 600 coming in December.  There were a whole lot of things I liked about the V7, but in the end there was something about the handling that I just didn't like.  The best way to describe my concern is that the V7 just didn't feel planted.   I've owned enough bikes over the years and have made enough suspension tweaks that I've learned when it's unlikely that I'll be able to fix a handling issue I don't like.  I decided that I didn't care to spend money to try and fix a problem that I may not be able to fix.  So moving on...

Styling aside, my initial reaction is that the V9 Roamer is better in every way than the V7.  Most notable are the power, the roominess and the handling.  I'll post more observations after I've had a chance to do a serious ride.  I'm hoping that will happen next Saturday, assuming the weatherman isn't lying.

[Bulldog9]

Congrats! Look forward to hearing more about it.  I havent ridden a V9 yet, but have a V7 and it just felt insubstantial to me.

Well,

I went back to AF1 and actually bought one:


Initially didn't like the yellow, but it looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures.

I'd hoped to put some serious miles on it today, but of all things it was too foggy to really ride in the country, so I only have about 150 miles on it.  I was going to wait until I had several hundred miles on it before admitting to buying one, but what the hell...

The V7 Special is gone.  I put a little over 3,000 miles on it during the year I owned it, with about 600 coming in December.  There were a whole lot of things I liked about the V7, but in the end there was something about the handling that I just didn't like.  The best way to describe my concern is that the V7 just didn't feel planted.   I've owned enough bikes over the years and have made enough suspension tweaks that I've learned when it's unlikely that I'll be able to fix a handling issue I don't like.  I decided that I didn't care to spend money to try and fix a problem that I may not be able to fix.  So moving on...

Styling aside, my initial reaction is that the V9 Roamer is better in every way than the V7.  Most notable are the power, the roominess and the handling.  I'll post more observations after I've had a chance to do a serious ride.  I'm hoping that will happen next Saturday, assuming the weatherman isn't lying.

[DaSwami]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2016/november/moto-guzzi-v9-revamp-2017-eicma-milan/

The Roamer now has a slightly different riding position, with the footpegs mounted 100mm farther back, and 35mm higher, changing the rider positioning for better control, and creating a little more room for taller riders.

That IS good news, now I have to go check them out again...

[twowings]

Very nice! What kind of farkles are you planning?

[mjptexas]

Very nice! What kind of farkles are you planning?

Waiting for the factory windscreen & luggage rack to come in - part of the deal.  I'll defer decisions on other changes until I get a couple of thousand miles on it.

[Lcarlson]

Very nice -- and I've liked the yellow/gold color from the start. Will be interested in your further impressions as available.

[Kev m]

Well,

I went back to AF1 and actually bought one:


Initially didn't like the yellow, but it looks a lot better in person than it does in pictures.

I'd hoped to put some serious miles on it today, but of all things it was too foggy to really ride in the country, so I only have about 150 miles on it.  I was going to wait until I had several hundred miles on it before admitting to buying one, but what the hell...

The V7 Special is gone.  I put a little over 3,000 miles on it during the year I owned it, with about 600 coming in December.  There were a whole lot of things I liked about the V7, but in the end there was something about the handling that I just didn't like.  The best way to describe my concern is that the V7 just didn't feel planted.   I've owned enough bikes over the years and have made enough suspension tweaks that I've learned when it's unlikely that I'll be able to fix a handling issue I don't like.  I decided that I didn't care to spend money to try and fix a problem that I may not be able to fix.  So moving on...

Styling aside, my initial reaction is that the V9 Roamer is better in every way than the V7.  Most notable are the power, the roominess and the handling.  I'll post more observations after I've had a chance to do a serious ride.  I'm hoping that will happen next Saturday, assuming the weatherman isn't lying.

Ha ha, awesome. Love that you chase your bliss.

It's really funny but the handling reminds me of one of the differences between the V7 and Sportster, and why I like each for their own characteristics.

I'm guessing from that description that you find the V9 feels (in that way) more like the Sporty than the V7?

[Adk.IBO]

If I may request a comparison of the V9 and your Roadster please. Curious as to what I may have missed. Thanks

[mjptexas]

I'm guessing from that description that you find the V9 feels (in that way) more like the Sporty than the V7?

Good question.  I haven't been on the Sporty for a couple weeks so I'll need to take a quick ride to compare.  The Sporty is very planted.  The Roadster's suspension, especially the USD forks makes it feel unlike any stock Sportster you've probably ridden.

Hard to articulate the issue I had with the V7, but I can say that it felt the least planted of all the bikes I ride.

[mjptexas]

I think this whole "V9 is a cruiser" thing is completely over exaggerated. I've not ridden one, but I have sat on one. To me it looks and feels like a "standard" motorcycle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep.  Foot peg placement is similar to Harley's 'mid-control' placement, and very close to the last generation Triumph Bonneville. 

[mjptexas]

That ridge along the side of the tank, does it become uncomfortable against the legs after a while?

Unless your inseam is more than 34 inches I doubt if your legs will hit the ridge.  In the short time I've been riding the Roamer I've not even noticed my knees touching the tank.

[mjptexas]

...I want to inquire as to the expected availability of the V7III - was told by my 'other local' dealer that the V7III probably won't show up til late this year and that it will be a 2018 model...

The guys at AF1 say the V7 IIIs are supposed to show up in April or May.

[mjptexas]

If I may request a comparison of the V9 and your Roadster please. Curious as to what I may have missed. Thanks

Salient points:

Roadster suspension is much better than the V9.  I suspect it would take $1,000, or more, to get the V9 to the same level.

V9 is a hundred pounds lighter.  You feel the difference.

I believe the performance will be similar (still breaking the V9 in).  The weight difference offsets the horsepower difference.  Both will run down the highway at 80 mph for as long as you want.

Riding position is completely different.  V9 is more relaxed, with more room for your legs.  The Roadster's riding position is more aggressive.

I think the V9 will have more corning clearance.  I've been down my local twisty road on the V9 & didn't drag anything.  I regularly touch the foot peg feelers down on the Roadster.  I have yet to do that with the V9.

Fit & finish on both is top shelf.  In my opinion, Moto Guzzi has really up their game.  Attention to deal is very good.

Guess it comes down to what kind of ride you want.  I really like both bikes.

[Kev m]

  The Roadster's suspension, especially the USD forks makes it feel unlike any stock Sportster you've probably ridden.

Ha ha, don't assume too much, as I rode XR1200 as soon as it was released. [emoji6]

[mjptexas]

Ha ha, don't assume too much, as I rode XR1200 as soon as it was released. [emoji6]

Forgot about the XR1200.  Probably comparable. 

[LowRyter]

congrats on the new bike Mike.   

[Adan]

Good for you.  I think the naysayers regarding the V9  . . . 95% of them haven't ridden one.  I've only done a half-assed test ride, not enough to really know the bike, but liked it quite a bit.  Its performance is middlin', which makes it easy to criticize, but character distinguishes it from so much else on the market today. 

Like the V7, but moreso.

I imagine $400 replacement shocks would make a critical difference, but I'd probably end up spending $1,200 or so for good shocks and fork internals.

Did you debate Bobber v. Roamer?

[leafman60]

I think this whole "V9 is a cruiser" thing is completely over exaggerated. I've not ridden one, but I have sat on one. To me it looks and feels like a "standard" motorcycle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree.

A standard with a nod to the cruiser guys.

[mjptexas]

Good for you.  I think the naysayers regarding the V9  . . . 95% of them haven't ridden one.  I've only done a half-assed test ride, not enough to really know the bike, but liked it quite a bit.  Its performance is middlin', which makes it easy to criticize, but character distinguishes it from so much else on the market today. 

Like the V7, but more so.

Certainly middle of the road performance, but appreciably better than the V7.

Like I commented earlier: the Roamer is a Triumph Bonneville with an Italian attitude.

I imagine $400 replacement shocks would make a critical difference, but I'd probably end up spending $1,200 or so for good shocks and fork internals.

Not sure you can get there  for $1,200 by the time you do decent shocks (Ohlins or equivalent) and a fork cartridge conversion.   I'll defer that decision until I get some miles on the bike.

Did you debate Bobber v. Roamer?

Didn't give much consideration to the Bobber.  My initial reaction to the Bobber was that it's a Sportster 48 wannabe, and I didn't need another 'Sportster'.   But having thought about it, I believe the Bobber is really a two wheel equivalent of an old school American hot rod.   

[Cam3512]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2016/november/moto-guzzi-v9-revamp-2017-eicma-milan/

The Roamer now has a slightly different riding position, with the footpegs mounted 100mm farther back, and 35mm higher, changing the rider positioning for better control, and creating a little more room for taller riders.

So how would moving the pegs back and up create MORE room for taller riders?  Makes zero sense.