V9 a sales failure?

[Jackr]

I've posted here previously about my 2016 V9 Roamer that I bought new. As a grocery getter, canyon carver, and touring machine, I'm pushing 30k now, probably will get there next week when I ride to Datil (I live in Colorado). The bike has had one factory recall (clutch cable issue), and one warranty issue (replace faulty stator). Other than that it has been a fun and reliable workhorse. I like it now and look forward to liking it when it gets broken in. I find this Guzzi attractive as, to my eye, the design highlights the frame and motor, showing the simple, basic approach to motorcycle design; include only what is required and not much else. As for sales figures, I have no idea, but I enjoy riding something out of the ordinary (this is my 4th Guzzi), and the V9 fits that bill. Even most Guzzi folks don't care for this thing, adding great value (emotional, personal, spiritual, certainly not financial) for me. As long as I can get parts, I'm all for Guzzi abandoning this model to the few weird birds who like it.

[Strada]

Went for a ride today out to Writewood by the back way then came home on the Angeles Crest Highway. I stopped my Griso for a drink of water and to get rid of some water and saw a Stone, V9 and a Roamer whoosh past. First time I have ever seen so many Guzzis on the road at one time. They were moving along at a good clip too. Made my day...

That was us! (http://www.guzzitech.com/forums/threads/v7-v9-ride-sun-06-03-angeles-crest-hwy.18489/)
Wish we would have seen you.

[Lexiyntax]

Loving my V9 Roamer, have over 4k on it since November, but that's mainly due to winter and having other bikes I also like to ride.

Rode it ~500 miles one way to the VA Guzzi Rally and loved it on a long trip, light so I never got tired, bench seat allowed me to keep changing my seating position. I really liked how it handles the freeway well but twisties are still great as it is so light and manuverable versus my HD dyna, but is more comfortable with better luggage options for long trips than my Triumph street triple. I find it has quite amazing handling for a cruiser, nearly matching my Honda rebel 250 in maneuverability, but stable on the freeway; the V9 is now my preferred distance bike.

I suspect those who think it doesn't handle great didn't try different seating positions. I sit farther forward in the seat in twisties, with some bend in my arms the bike is almost twitchy and ridiculously easy to maneuver, and it's easy to hang off the bike in the curves. On the freeway I sit back in the seat, with my arms stretched out and the wider seat towards the rear the bike becomes more stable. The large surfboard seat allows the rider to change characteristics depending on seating position, which I find to be one of the most fun features of this bike. I suspect thought this causes some bad reviews as the bike changes so much depending on rider position, a tester who doesn't try this won't unlock the nature of this beast.

Been looking at these 'modern classic' type bikes for a while, first time I sat on one it was with the original controls and my legs rubbed the engine. Sat on it a year later though, the dealer had installed the factory peg relocation kit and took it for a test ride. The noticeable left/right shake which gives the sensation of a propeller plane, the crazy good handling when in the gentlemanly upright position towards the front of the bike, and there's this sweet spot when in the right gear going the right speed where the suspension feels like gliding on air with a put-put-put from the engine nudging forward; I bought it that day.

I had ridden a California, and honestly though it was boring; too smooth, not enough character, the V9 was just what I was looking for. It's definitely a weird bike with characteristics I've never experienced before. After this bike I was anxious to buy more Guzzi's in the future and try more of the line, and then our local dealer closed.

At least I'll enjoy the heck out of this one until the wheels fall off. My only gripe is the fuel capacity, for me the light comes on at 140 so I tend to start seeking fuel at 120 since I tend to be in the middle of nowhere and this bike needs premium, which can be hard to find in the sticks. But honestly I'm rather used to this since the rebel mileage is the same (although the rebel doesn't need me to seek out premium) and these two bikes in my stable are the best for picking random questionable roads and seeing where they end up.

This isn't exclusive to Guzzi but this trend towards premium fuel is obnoxious, it's pushing me towards Triumph in general since all their bikes take normal gas which I can get anywhere.

[kidsmoke]

Rode it ~500 miles one way to the VA Guzzi Rally and loved it on a long trip, light so I never got tired, bench seat allowed me to keep changing my seating position. I really liked how it handles the freeway well but twisties are still great as it is so light and manuverable versus my HD dyna, but is more comfortable with better luggage options for long trips than my Triumph street triple. I find it has quite amazing handling for a cruiser, nearly matching my Honda rebel 250 in maneuverability, but stable on the freeway; the V9 is now my preferred distance bike.

500 miles with no wind screen? Were you keeping off the slab?? nice testimony

[Lexiyntax]

500 miles with no wind screen? Were you keeping off the slab?? nice testimony

I do generally minimize freeways, but I have spent plenty of miles at 80mph on the V9 (trying to go the speed limit on some PA freeways would be suicide). I avoid freeways because I find them horribly boring, but I don't hesitate to use them when I need to get somewhere fast. I've never understood why anyone wants windscreens when the temperatures are above 50F, I've been up over 100 on my Triumph which also has no windscreen, it's just no problem. Maybe it's because I wear full gear and a full face helmet, or maybe because I ride every day generally a minimum of 100 miles a day, but I've never had the wind bother me. I just relax and go with it.

Windscreens are for winter rides, in general when it's cold I'm on my Concours 14 for any longer trips, which is an awesome winter bike, although I summerize it in the spring and it sits until winter.

[twowheeladdict]

I do generally minimize freeways, but I have spent plenty of miles at 80mph on the V9 (trying to go the speed limit on some PA freeways would be suicide). I avoid freeways because I find them horribly boring, but I don't hesitate to use them when I need to get somewhere fast. I've never understood why anyone wants windscreens when the temperatures are above 50F, I've been up over 100 on my Triumph which also has no windscreen, it's just no problem. Maybe it's because I wear full gear and a full face helmet, or maybe because I ride every day generally a minimum of 100 miles a day, but I've never had the wind bother me. I just relax and go with it.

Windscreens are for winter rides, in general when it's cold I'm on my Concours 14 for any longer trips, which is an awesome winter bike, although I summerize it in the spring and it sits until winter.

I see from your signature that you share the love for variety in motorcycles.  I put 30000 miles on a Concours 14 and 60000 miles on a Voyager 1700.   

[Kiwi_Roy]

Well said

They  (V9s) seem to answer a question that was not asked.....

Weren’t they designed in California, I seem to recall someone on here knowing the designer.



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[jas67]

One thought on the popularity, or lack thereof, of the V9 is that, while many who've voiced a negative opinion of it (myself included), are the US, this is a world bike, intended to replace the Nevada, which, if my memory serves me correctly, was still available in other parts of the world until not long before the V9 was introduced.    That to me says that the rest of the world likes (and buys) a middleweight Italian cruiser more more so than the US.

If that is the case, I wouldn't say that the end is near for the V9, just that Guzzi my stop offering it in the US.

What I cam anxious to see  is if they V85 motor eventually replaces the V9 and V7 motors on their respective chassis.

[aschem]

After much going back and forth on what MG to buy to replace my CALVIN, I am seriously considering a black Bobber. The dealer in Sturgis made me a very good price for a low-miles demo. I like the overall appearance of the Bobber.