Finally rode a V9, and actually bought one!

[Xlratr]

Well,

I went back to AF1 and actually bought one:

Congratulations! I'm a V9 fan and I'm pleased there's somebody here that has one. That's a nice looking motorbike.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[greer]

Congrats, Mike!  Looking forward to the next report.

Sarah

[redrider]

So a V9 has about the same power as my Mille? It is a sharp looking ride and congrats on the purchase. I have noticed over the last several years the reviews fail to note that the original V7 was not a small block and has no DNA in the new V7 or V9 range unless you count the V twin and Guzzi name as qualifiers. Even with the adoption of hemi heads, these bikes are more akin to the V35/50 bloodline. No Tonti/loop frame is also a clue. I understand the factory glossing over the details, but this is how lies and urban legends are born.

Back on the good coffee here too. Can you tell?

[Kev m]

So a V9 has about the same power as my Mille? It is a sharp looking ride and congrats on the purchase. I have noticed over the last several years the reviews fail to note that the original V7 was not a small block and has no DNA in the new V7 or V9 range unless you count the V twin and Guzzi name as qualifiers. Even with the adoption of hemi heads, these bikes are more akin to the V35/50 bloodline. No Tonti/loop frame is also a clue. I understand the factory glossing over the details, but this is how lies and urban legends are born.

Back on the good coffee here too. Can you tell?

But I thought the smallblock frame was also designed by Lino Tonti and bears some design similarities. Maybe that's loose, but suggests DNA.

[azguzzirep]

I rode the Roamer and liked it very much. But I also like my V11 and I only have room for one bike. (Unless I come across a Nuevo Falcone)

[kevdog3019]

So a V9 has about the same power as my Mille? It is a sharp looking ride and congrats on the purchase. I have noticed over the last several years the reviews fail to note that the original V7 was not a small block and has no DNA in the new V7 or V9 range unless you count the V twin and Guzzi name as qualifiers. Even with the adoption of hemi heads, these bikes are more akin to the V35/50 bloodline. No Tonti/loop frame is also a clue. I understand the factory glossing over the details, but this is how lies and urban legends are born.

Back on the good coffee here too. Can you tell?

You are correct; nothing is the same except for the size of some bolts perhaps. It's a SMALL Tonti frame but with changes to that of the bb. It's a stretch to compare them in the least.
My FJ truck is nothing like the original Toyota FJ except for some styling cues and off-road abilities. It really has no DNA.

[Kev m]

I think you guys might need to brush up on the concept of DNA.

Parts interchangeability is different than basic design/architecture.

One can (and I think should argue) that every Guzzi built since the first twin shares some DNA, more or less depending on the details of the platform.

[redrider]

Yes, I am being a Picker of Nits. In the grand scheme, the bikes are made by Guzzi. In my mind, the V7/9 family is not a direct evolution of the original V7. Based loosely on some design elements but not a big block descendant. Therein lies the rub with me when I read reviews and such. No offense intended toward others with differing views. If the badge is Guzzi, all is well.

[Adan]

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

I think the issue is shins banging against the head, especially when shifting.  With a 30" inseam, I didn't find it to be a significant issue.  Might be more so for the long-legged. 

[bad Chad]

So the pegs on the newest v9 are indeed several inches farther back, I thought it was 2.9", but turns out they a hairs with short of 4".  And raised 1.3"

Some guys will really like the more forward mid mount pegs of the first year v9, but when I road a Romer, they felt to far forward, and my knees tended to want to splay.  I suspect for a guy like me the more rear placed pegs will work better.

[kevdog3019]

I think you guys might need to brush up on the concept of DNA.

Parts interchangeability is different than basic design/architecture.

One can (and I think should argue) that every Guzzi built since the first twin shares some DNA, more or less depending on the details of the platform.

Well then, just call me Jesus. 

[rboe]

Hey Zeus!

 

[Huzo]

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.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.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.

So what would you think about a "scaled up" V7 racer with the V9 mill ? Triple discs and a tasteful fairing SS 900/750 Ducati style ? Could it get to a 1,000 or not ?

[mjptexas]

So what would you think about a "scaled up" V7 racer with the V9 mill ? Triple discs and a tasteful fairing SS 900/750 Ducati style ? Could it get to a 1,000 or not ?

I'd like to see Guzzi do something similar with the V9 platform that BMW did with the R nine T.  I think there are now 5 variants of the R nine T.

The foot pegs could easily be moved back another 3-4 inches: maybe not as far as typical rear sets, but definitely to a more sporting position so a sporty version would be possible.  It would be a bit of a poser just like the V7 Racer is because of the power.

I think they could do a sport touring variant similar to the BMW r1200 RS - some plastic, but not too much, and a little bigger tank, although the current tank is jus 1/3 of a pint short of 4 gallons.  Based on the initial mileage I'm seeing that will safely get me 150-180 miles/tank.

[jas67]

So a V9 has about the same power as my Mille? It is a sharp looking ride and congrats on the purchase. I have noticed over the last several years the reviews fail to note that the original V7 was not a small block and has no DNA in the new V7 or V9 range unless you count the V twin and Guzzi name as qualifiers. Even with the adoption of hemi heads, these bikes are more akin to the V35/50 bloodline. No Tonti/loop frame is also a clue. I understand the factory glossing over the details, but this is how lies and urban legends are born.

700ish cc Longitudinal (crank shaft orientation) V-twin, shaft drive.    Aside from the WWII Indian 841, and a few other obscure bikes from the 50's, and early 60's (Marusho Lilac , Victoria Bergmeister), the drivetrain layout is unique to Moto Guzzi.

So, yes, the DNA is certainly there.

The current V7 has just as much in common with the original as a current Corvette or Mustang does with the originals of those models.

[chuck peterson]

Yes, I am being a Picker of Nits. In the grand scheme, the bikes are made by Guzzi. In my mind, the V7/9 family is not a direct evolution of the original V7. Based loosely on some design elements but not a big block descendant. Therein lies the rub with me when I read reviews and such. No offense intended toward others with differing views. If the badge is Guzzi, all is well.

Red rider...when the v9 came out, guzzi themselves in their press release called it a descendant of the v35/50/65/75...but more like a Nevada...basically the arse end doesn't have the huge subframe, losing 150 lbs in the process

I wonder what the power to weight ratio is between a 550 lb t3/G5/sp and a new on a diet fuel injected v9

[rboe]

Some would say Moto Guzzi is an obscure marque......

Well good on the OP for buying a V9. I'm very keen on a ride report once they get some seat time. I've only talked to one owner (he was happy, especially when I talked to him it seemed to be well into the break in phase and was starting to come alive - this was at the Very Large Array outside Datil New Mexico).

[Daleroso]

The rear reflector looks like a dinglegerry I felt once.

[Muzz]

One of those would do me. Just a bit more snot than the Breva. Would I spend the extra dosh? Nope, not at this stage.

[Steph]

700ish cc Longitudinal (crank shaft orientation) V-twin, shaft drive.    Aside from the WWII Indian 841, and a few other obscure bikes from the 50's, and early 60's (Marusho Lilac , Victoria Bergmeister), the drivetrain layout is unique to Moto Guzzi.

So, yes, the DNA is certainly there.

The current V7 has just as much in common with the original as a current Corvette or Mustang does with the originals of those models.

I don't get that personally.
Confusing historical lineage of the motor by journos  & now DNA. 
Under that logic, yes, the V9 has DNA and so does the Honda CX500 that came out at the same time as the small block V50 in the 1970s!

The Calvin is barely out of production and that was straight lineage to the early V7. Let's not change history.

[Kev m]

I don't get that personally.
Confusing historical lineage of the motor by journos  & now DNA. 
Under that logic, yes, the V9 has DNA and so those the Honda CX500 that came out at the same time as the small block V50 in the 1970s!

The Calvin is barely out of production and that was straight lineage to the early V7. Let's not change history.

Maybe I'm just being a stickler for biology, but the presence of DNA has absolutely nothing to do with a straight line. It's a jagged ever changing line that often results in just a trace of ancestry.

Some of you seem to be prioritizing the sharing of actual parts as the only way to mean lineage, while others are saying that sharing of the fundamental key design elements, along with things like designers, factory, brand, all add up to lineage.

Let's be clear the current V7 line is an homage to the original V7 and I believe Piaggio has said as much. As such they've SAID it's NOT the same platform/chassis as the original but inspired by the original. That said it sharing so much in form and design it's very much like a descendant whose DNA has intermingled with (incestuously if we insist on the analogy) of the Guzzi line and resulted in a new off-spring that looks very much like the great great grandfather.

The fact that there was a relic bike called the California with arguably a more direct lineage doesn't preclude the lineage of the V7.

Not that any of this matters in the slightest to pretty much anyone, even those debating it, but especially to the Moto Journalists who would not give a crap about Guzzi if it weren't for the fact that someone told them to write about one. So one can forgive them not spending an inordinate amount of time researching the connection.

[Steph]

Maybe I'm just being a stickler for biology, but the presence of DNA has absolutely nothing to do with a straight line. It's a jagged ever changing line that often results in just a trace of ancestry.

Some of you seem to be prioritizing the sharing of actual parts as the only way to mean lineage, while others are saying that sharing of the fundamental key design elements, along with things like designers, factory, brand, all add up to lineage.

Let's be clear the current V7 line is an homage to the original V7 and I believe Piaggio has said as much. As such they've SAID it's NOT the same platform/chassis as the original but inspired by the original. That said it sharing so much in form and design it's very much like a descendant whose DNA has intermingled with (incestuously if we insist on the analogy) of the Guzzi line and resulted in a new off-spring that looks very much like the great great grandfather.

The fact that there was a relic bike called the California with arguably a more direct lineage doesn't preclude the lineage of the V7.

Not that any of this matters in the slightest to pretty much anyone, even those debating it, but especially to the Moto Journalists who would not give a crap about Guzzi if it weren't for the fact that someone told them to write about one. So one can forgive them not spending an inordinate amount of time researching the connection.

The way I look at it, IMHO:
The Ford Capri or Probe may have Mustang DNA.
The new Mustang has lineage with the old Mustang.

If the Ford Probe had been called 'the New Mustang' it would have had DNA but not lineage.


In your lingo  how would you feel if the latest Sportster 883 was rebadged Road King?

[Kev m]

The way I look at it, IMHO:
The Ford Capri or Probe may have Mustang DNA.
The new Mustang has lineage with the old Mustang.

If the Ford Probe had been called 'the New Mustang' it would have had DNA but not lineage.


In your lingo  how would you feel if the latest Sportster 883 was rebadged Road King?

Your mustang analogy largely misses because the mustang was a V6/V8 RWD car while the Capri and Probe were L4/V6 fwd cars. So much arguably a trace of DNA but not much, certainly too different to be rebadged Mustang without significant changes or at least performance enhancements.

The RK/883 analogy also misses the mark because the RK is currently in production. But, at least they share much more commonality in terms of overall engine design (if we ignore the separate transmission and primary of the BT vs. the unitized engine of the Sportster).

Now following that logic, for your analogy to be accurate you'd have to at least come up with a scenario where after the RK name has been out of production and around the time the FLH chassis is permanently retired for some other replacement IF Harley was to release a 1340cc Sportster that abandoned the unitized engine, put Far Bob tanks on it with a quick detach windshield and saddlebags and then advertised it as Road King which pays homage to the original (1994 Evo RK) O WOULD MOST CERTAINLY AGREE IT HAS THE DNA and continues something of the tradition.

Hell, if things keep going the way they are the Sportster might even weigh as much as the original RK by then. [emoji28]


In the meantime the V7 shares much more commonality in terms of basic engine and drive layout, displacement, similar output, similar tank design, with modern EFI and brakes all in a slightly smaller lighter package... Not bad DNA.

[kevdog3019]

Ford Probes were Mazda MX6 chassis and a Mazda engine. I owned one of the 24 valve V6 GT's. Fun car. It was a Ford badged Mazda. This is why I purchased it because it was essentially a Mazda. No lineage or DNA to a Mustang.
The small blocks and big blocks are such different creatures that I can't think along the lines of DNA or lineage. You could put almost any motor in a Guzzi and say there's DNA since they've had so many at one time or another; someone could argue it. Some will argue we are all brothers and sisters so the argument here is a mute point. Guzzi is the mother of both engines regardless.

[Steph]

Your mustang analogy largely misses because the mustang was a V6/V8 RWD car while the Capri and Probe were L4/V6 fwd cars. So much arguably a trace of DNA but not much, certainly too different to be rebadged Mustang without significant changes or at least performance enhancements.

The RK/883 analogy also misses the mark because the RK is currently in production. But, at least they share much more commonality in terms of overall engine design (if we ignore the separate transmission and primary of the BT vs. the unitized engine of the Sportster).

Now following that logic, for your analogy to be accurate you'd have to at least come up with a scenario where after the RK name has been out of production and around the time the FLH chassis is permanently retired for some other replacement IF Harley was to release a 1340cc Sportster that abandoned the unitized engine, put Far Bob tanks on it with a quick detach windshield and saddlebags and then advertised it as Road King which pays homage to the original (1994 Evo RK) O WOULD MOST CERTAINLY AGREE IT HAS THE DNA and continues something of the tradition.

Hell, if things keep going the way they are the Sportster might even weigh as much as the original RK by then. [emoji28]


In the meantime the V7 shares much more commonality in terms of basic engine and drive layout, displacement, similar output, similar tank design, with modern EFI and brakes all in a slightly smaller lighter package... Not bad DNA.

The Ford/Mercury Capri was a rear wheel drive -not front wheel drive, a 'Baby' Mustang with 4 and 6 cylinders.
Mustangs did come in, amongst other things, 4 cylinders forms in the 70s / 80s -at least in Canada.
There's no DNA here except on the marketing brochures. That's my point.

The original small block V50 was an economically built motorcycle.
Different animals to the big blocks. I owned a V50II and it was nasty...
Those who have owned early small block would get it.

[Steph]

Ford Probes were Mazda MX6 chassis and a Mazda engine. I owned one of the 24 valve V6 GT's. Fun car. It was a Ford badged Mazda. This is why I purchased it because it was essentially a Mazda. No lineage or DNA to a Mustang.
The small blocks and big blocks are such different creatures that I can't think along the lines of DNA or lineage. You could put almost any motor in a Guzzi and say there's DNA since they've had so many at one time or another; someone could argue it. Some will argue we are all brothers and sisters so the argument here is a mute point. Guzzi is the mother of both engines regardless.

 :1:

[Kev m]

The small blocks and big blocks are such different creatures that I can't think along the lines of DNA or lineage. You could put almost any motor in a Guzzi and say there's DNA since they've had so many at one time or another; someone could argue it.

I would say my Jackal and V7 are certainly more alike than dislike. Certainly they are more similar to each other than to most any other bikes I've ever owned or ridden.

[gsp0702]

If we are using DNA as an analogy for relationship between models of motorcycle, then every motorcycle shares DNA as they evolved from a common ancestor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildebrand_%26_Wolfm%C3%BCller).

Without the big block V7 there would have been no small block V5 to begat the current V7/V9, they are like species of Dragonflies related and share DNA but still different in colour and size etc.

That's my tuppence/2 cents worth.

Test rode a roamer a few month's ago nice bike and one I could live with quite easily, unfortunately for Guzzi money and the fact I am happy with my V11 means at the moment I am not in the market, congrats to the OP on his new bike though, I hope to hear more on the new bike.

[Kev m]

The Ford/Mercury Capri was a rear wheel drive -not front wheel drive, a 'Baby' Mustang with 4 and 6 cylinders.
There's no DNA here except on the marketing brochures. That's my point.

The original small block V50 was an economically built motorcycle.
Different animals to the big blocks. I owned a V50II and it was nasty...
Those who have owned early small block would get it.

Oops, was looking at the late export Capri. Your analogy still doesn't hold.

Yes the smallblock has humble origins, but it has certainly developed well.

One might look at the original V7 and say it was much more basic than what it became in the Cal-Vin but no one argues against the DNA because of a note obvious/direct lineage.

[Kev m]

If we are using DNA as an analogy for relationship between models of motorcycle, then every motorcycle shares DNA as they evolved from a common ancestor (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildebrand_%26_Wolfm%C3%BCller).

Without the big block V7 there would have been no small block V5 to begat the current V7/V9, they are like species of Dragonflies related and share DNA but still different in colour and size etc.

That's my tuppence/2 cents worth.

Egg-xactly!