V9 Over V7?

[Cory]

Thoughts on the 2018 V9 Roamer over a V7 III Stone?  Seems to have a larger seat and both a host of minor internal improvements.
Thanks and I'm very almost there.

 

[slopokes]

Have a stornello now but I am waiting for the v85

[stonelover]

One of the reasons for my choice of the Stone was having a large fuel capacity.

[Cory]

One of the reasons for my choice of the Stone was having a large fuel capacity.

Very good point. 

[Kev m]

For ME the aesthetics and fuel capacity of the V7 would still probably trump the additional power and arguably even better for me riding position of the V9.

The V7 III is even more improved in both power and aesthetics (for my tastes) than my beloved 13 V7 Stone. So I'm sure I'd be happy with it.

[DaSwami]

I'm looking to buy both this upcoming year, but the priority is definitely the V7III Milano...

[JACoH]

Yeah, IF I would have had to wait for 2018 model, it would be the Milano. I preferred the shiny tank, chrome exhaust and alloy wheels, so got the v7 III Special and added the wheels. The v9 style is growing on me but prefer the classic style of the v7 and riding position.

[mjptexas]

I've said this several times - the V9 is a better bike than the V7 in every way, assuming you can get past the 'small tank', which is one quart short of 4 gallons.

[Adan]

Functionally, I think the V7 serves as a better long distance runner, while the V9 might have the edge in the city.  But these are shades of grey.  I think they're similar enough that you can just go with whichever one tickles your aesthetic fancy and live on without regrets.

[fossil]

"I've said this several times - the V9 is a better bike than the V7 in every way, assuming you can get past the 'small tank', which is one quart short of 4 gallons."

I have ridden both. Hard. So I can say with conviction: "No!"

[ramarren]

Thoughts on the 2018 V9 Roamer over a V7 III Stone?  Seems to have a larger seat and both a host of minor internal improvements.

The V7III and V9 are very nearly the same engine, and a major advance over the V7II engine. The V7III also has detail improvements throughout� frame, steering head, suspension units in some models, etc. The V9 styling did not appeal to me, the V7III Racer did, and the bigger fuel tank is a huge plus for my kind of riding.

[Strada]

Thoughts on the 2018 V9 Roamer over a V7 III Stone?  Seems to have a larger seat and both a host of minor internal improvements.
Thanks and I'm very almost there.

Heck. You could even get a V9 with V7 styling from he-who-must-not-be-named.

 


image album hosting

[TalbotMatra]

Te V9 engine has more torque, and you'll feel this! But nevertheless, you will only be able to find out if you do a test ride.

Best
Lars

[greer]

"I've said this several times - the V9 is a better bike than the V7 in every way, assuming you can get past the 'small tank', which is one quart short of 4 gallons."

I have ridden both. Hard. So I can say with conviction: "No!"

Fossil,

Could you share some of the experience and reasoning that brought you to that conviction, please?  I'm not trying to be confrontational in the least, just genuinely curious.  I've never ridden either bike, but the "sit test" put me much in favor of the V9.  Come to think of it though, that most likely was an earlier V7 model, rather than a III.

Sarah

[Adan]

I think it's more a case of pluses and minuses, rather than one being clearly better than the other.  The V9 probably has more torque (I haven't tried a V7III), but is it enough to matter?  I will say the V9 passes very nicely in the 30-50 mph range, something I appreciate when riding California Route 1 where slowpokes threaten to spoil your day.  But maybe the V7 III would handle that well enough.

[bpreynolds]

I owned a ‘15 Stone, now have around 5k miles on my Roamer, and I just got done test riding a V7III.  This was several weeks ago when delivering my Roamer to the dealer for what is hopefully a new tank after the stain debacle noted in my V9 thread.  Anyhow, as I also detail in that thread I have some serious disc damage in my lower back and that’s really kept me from enjoying the Roamer as much as I think someone can.  Though enjoy it I certaiinly have.  This being said, as soon as I get the new tank the Roamer will be put up for sale as the V7III just suits my picky back more.  As per comparison of both, I think Adan’s points are about as close to the truth as you can get.  It would be hard to say one is “better” than the other just that one suits someone more than the other.  I mean, yes, I like the V9 engine more than any other Guzzi I’ve owned and, contrary to most folks (I think) I actually prefer the Roamer’s looks when dressed up with additions





As per that engine, the V9 does feel considerably more torquey and have more roll-on power for sure than my ‘15 Stone, but I never felt that bike was underpowered.  My demo ride on the new V7III felt closer in power and feel to the V9 engine than the demo felt to my previous ‘15 Stone IMHO. 

The Roamer has the smaller tank but does it really matter?  It does and it doesn’t, I believe.  When touring with the Roamer I can manage about 180 miles a tank easily (currently averaging 49mpg in daily riding and more than that when touring).  But only because I’ve owned a V7 before, yes, I do miss the larger tank but it has nothing to do with practicality per se.  I have to stop anyhow on any bike I own after about 130-150 miles; I just like with the V7 you don’t even think about gas much.  Period. 

And, the V7’s ergos just suit me and my back more and my riding style more and, at the end of the day, due to some very subjective reasons, I would still say that ‘15 Stone was my favorite Guzzi in sum than any other of the many I’ve owned.  I can only imagine a V7III would offer maybe more of the same.  Even said, I can easily imagine many of the V9’s charms would suit a different rider more.  And it’s still better looking 

[darkstar1269]

Functionally, I think the V7 serves as a better long distance runner, while the V9 might have the edge in the city.  But these are shades of grey.  I think they're similar enough that you can just go with whichever one tickles your aesthetic fancy and live on without regrets.

Agree!

[fossil]

Sarah,

I will gladly explain why I think the V7 III is in no way inferior to the V9. I ride a V7 Stone from 2013 myself since - yes - 2013 and I love the bike. My dealer (who also has Aprilia, Ducati, Vespa, Suzuki and several other) invites to a test day each year in spring. The first part always is on back roads (my "own" roads that I love to ride on all the time), the second part here: https://fsz-hansa.de/ . You can imagine that here you can get a very good impression how well a bike rides. We even have a moist roundabout. As I have reported both rides here (I was the first in the forum riding the V9 Roamer and the first riding the V7 III  ) I will only give a short impression.

The engine of the V9 in not much stronger than that of my bike but it feels much stronger. More direct, more modern than that of my bike (which I rode "back to back" after both test rides). But so does the engine of the V7 III! It even seems to be a bit more "free-revving", even more spontaneous. The biggest difference between the bikes is the seating position. But please consider that the V9 I rode had the more forward - orientated pegs. But anyway - on the V9 I feel decoupled from the front wheel. The V7 III to the contrary feels much more connected to the road. The bike wants to be ridden actively, it asks for it! Even the abysmal Pirelli tyres work! My own Stone (with the much better Dunlop Streetsmart and the higher Comfort Gel saddle) somehow sits in between the newer bikes.

The worst thing about the V9: the side stand touches the ground in fast left turns rather dangerously. I had the pegs of the V7 III on the ground several times but it was harmless. And the tank of the V9 has not a good form for active riding.

So no, the V9 is not a bike I would prefer to the V7 III. Especially not to bikes like the Milano. But gorgeous to look at are both! They both are second to no other bike in that regard.

[Kev m]

Fossil,

If I remember correctly you said the fit and finish on the V9 was much better than our early V7 Stones.

Would you say the same of the V7III?

[jas67]

For ME the aesthetics and fuel capacity of the V7 would still probably trump the additional power and arguably even better for me riding position of the V9.

The V7 III is even more improved in both power and aesthetics (for my tastes) than my beloved 13 V7 Stone. So I'm sure I'd be happy with it.

V7 III hands down for me.   The only benefit of the V9 is more power, but the aesthetics, fuel capacity, AND riding position all win for me.

That said, as Kev points out, the V9 riding position is better for some people, and the V7 better for others.

The best thing you can do is ride both, and buy the one you like better.    It is much more than just the numbers (power, fuel capacity, etc).   Buy what calls to you.   I think the answer will be obvious after you ride them.

[jas67]

Heck. You could even get a V9 with V7 styling from he-who-must-not-be-named.

[bpreynolds]

The engine of the V9 in not much stronger than that of my bike but it feels much stronger. More direct, more modern than that of my bike (which I rode "back to back" after both test rides). But so does the engine of the V7 III! It even seems to be a bit more "free-revving", even more spontaneous.

 :1: And my memory could be lying but this is what I was getting at in my post when it almost seems to me the V7III is closer in feel to my V9 than it is to its ‘15 V7 Stone sister I had.  As stated, however, that Stone was the best Guzzi for me I’ve owned so nothing lacking there for sure.  But that is why I’ll likely opt for the iii once I sell the Roamer, just to get that sweet engine.  But I am being honest when I say here that aside from that blue Special, I prefer the looks of the ii or even my ‘15 V7.  I have not warmed up to the blacked out exhaust that seems 8 feet long    Still a gorgeous bike, of course.

[Strada]

Oh no! You almost said it...

[rider33]

the V9 actually feels a bit more comfortable to me (6'2") but I never could quite get past that tank.  I always liked the V7's but the rider triangle always felt like it was sized for somebody about 5" shorter than I am.  I finally had a chance to try the V7iii, 'much better fit.  Not only that, but the anniversary variation is just drop dead gorgeous IMHO.  So, after circling Guzzi's for years I finally bought one.  Only a few hundred miles thus far but this thing is all that and a bag of chips: lovely engine, very nice clutch feel and transmission,  spools up nicely, handles quite well & feels about 50+ pounds lighter than my prior 865 Bonnie.  I likely will still lower the pegs and raise the bars but out of the box this thing is very, very nice.

I'm a serial retro buyer: W650, Bonnie, Vespa, Patrol, King, etc.  Typically modern versions of classicly styled bikes give up either function or soul.  So far I'd say this once manages to walk the line rather nicely, 'very engaging yet this quite up to date.  It also looks exactly like what a proper roadster should look like to me.  Oh, and did I mention that it is drop dead gorgeous?

[fossil]

Fossil,

If I remember correctly you said the fit and finish on the V9 was much better than our early V7 Stones.

Would you say the same of the V7III?

Kev, definitely! The details all are gorgeous. Even when I admit I am not smitten with the matte and black finish of the new stone (mine is the same colour as yours) the details are great. I would say our model should be compared to the new Milano. But parts like the new exhaust system, the new pegs and brake - and gear levers and a lot of little details are even better than at the new Bonneville - series. And I was able to compare directly.

Obviously Moto Guzzi has learned a lesson. As I love my bike I fear I have to delve deep into the Garage Moto Guzzi - program...

And I have not even started to brag about the Anniversary.

[WHY]

I've been riding my V7 racer .5 since 2011. tried a V9 last year during a demo day. the engine on the V9 is smoother, a bit more powerful and overall a better engine then mine but I cant get use the to riding position. another factor is the V9 is in a higher insurance class in my town because its over 750cc.

[Cory]

Thanks all.  With all of the great bikes out there I've been having a very tough time agonizing over what to get.  My list went from a lot down to a final three (within the past few days) of a V7, V-Strom 650 or CB1100EX.  I know, but whatever.
I think that, with your help, all fingers are pointing to the V7; for a few reasons (or, all three at some point, but starting with the V7).
In yellow, of course - to match the helmet I already got.

  :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[rider33]

for what it's worth I owned a DL650 for a bit, the shortest time I've ever owned a new bike actually, less than a year.  It was very capable and uber reliable but just painfully boring IMHO.  I also looked at the new CB1100, Guzzi-like tank but still small and not exactly pulse quickening.  In car terms the DL was an Elantra and the CB was an Accord, fine in cars but not exactly what I am looking for in a bike.  The V7iii,  on the other hand, is like the more respectable and responsible sister of an Alfa, not quite as needy maybe but you don't need to press her too hard to notice the lacy bits.  An let's be honest, bikes are all about the lacy bits...

[Cory]

for what it's worth I owned a DL650 for a bit, the shortest time I've ever owned a new bike actually, less than a year.  It was very capable and uber reliable but just painfully boring IMHO.  I also looked at the new CB1100, Guzzi-like tank but still small and not exactly pulse quickening.  In car terms the DL was an Elantra and the CB was an Accord, fine in cars but not exactly what I am looking for in a bike.  The V7iii,  on the other hand, is like the more respectable and responsible sister of an Alfa, not quite as needy maybe but you don't need to press her too hard to notice the lacy bits.  An let's be honest, bikes are all about the lacy bits...

Thanks.  That's my experience even though I don't really know what I'm doing.  Was at the Suzuki shop the other day trying to "take in" the V-Strom and I kept trying and trying.  The CB1100 seemed to be closer to what I was after, but then I guess the V7 is what I'm after.  It's the only bike I sat on that says "I do think this is it.", but I keep looking for excuses because of no very local dealer.  But maintenance seems really easy so shouldn't be a big deal; including valve adjustments. 
And the yellow tank matches my helmet.

[grame99]

As a red Roamer owner I am really enjoying this discussion. There are times when I think seriously about the new V7iii. Maybe in a year or two when I've paid this one off. For the moment I am hugely enjoying the V9. They seem very under-appreciated and are therefore very rare - in five months of daily riding in London I have seen none on the roads. So it's nice to have such an exotic bike. I sat on a V7 Stone and it felt strangely small and insubstantial - somehow the V9 feels more solid and planted. I like also the fact that it's a cross between a Bonneville and a Harley, although I sort of feel less enamoured of the cruiser element the more experience I get of bikes. At the moment the V9 can be had very cheaply in the UK so it's rather a bargain. A sort of secret treat not many people know about. I test rode a T100 which felt unutterably bland and drab by comparison.