V9 a sales failure?

[Paul Brooking]

 :1: :1: :1: :1: :1: :1: :1: :1:

Oh brother.    I’m checking out of this thread.  Guess I’m taking the bait here as I can’t stand it.  It would be enough if folks just blasted the V9 for styling or ergos since those seem about the most valid points in the thread though styling is entirely subjective and pegs can be moved.

No, it does not underperform in comparison to other bikes in its class, especially not the Triumph.  The V9 actually has more torque, more horsepower, and a flatter curve than the Street Twin.  No, the Triumph isn’t finished better with its top notch Kayaba forks and Nissin brakes.   

No, the small tank does not limit your touring range unless 180-200 miles per tank minimum is your baseline, Mr. Suspenders.  And if that’s the case, then I guess you can likely stick what, 85 percent of the motorcycle market in your range deal breaker category so smear the V9 if you want, but smear the vast majority of the motorcycle market with it. 

No, the V9 is not somehow “less authentic” than other Guzzis.  Less authentic how?  Less Harleyish than the 1400?  Please.  And the Stelvio.  Definitely authentic.  Guzzi wasn’t trying to copy the GS model or steal sales away from BMW at all.  And the Griso, took nothing from the trellis framed Monster.  Especially not that big, exposed silver frame bar up there on top.  No sir. 

I love the CARC bikes too, got one in the garage now, have had many others, but they are woefully deficient in their so called classes if you’re talking about performance - and that’s what folks here in this thread seem to keep harping upon.  The Stelvio, the Norge, and yes even the manly Griso all pale in numbers when compared bikes in their classes.  And yet, here you guys are saying they are badasses or perfect examples of what Guzzi should be doing.  Gimme a break.  What they are is bigger, louder, and more visceral than a V7 or a V9.  If that somehow qualifies them as badasses or more “authentically” Guzzi then I guess you got a point. 

So tell me the V9 is not your cup of tea stylistically or tell me you need 200 miles per tank minimum.  But everything else, pleeeeeeessssee.  Are you kidding me. 

[Litre1000]

I just saw a brand new V9 at the dealership. And it looked pretty decent to me in person. I sat on it and it felt really comfortable. And it looked pretty good from behind the bars. If it had more power I could see owning it. It was brand spanking new, so they were not offering a test drive. I guess they knew I was more interested in the Griso.


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[bpreynolds]

I just saw a brand new V9 at the dealership. And it looked pretty decent to me in person. I sat on it and it felt really comfortable. And it looked pretty good from behind the bars. If it had more power I could see owning it. It was brand spanking new, so they were not offering a test drive. I guess they knew I was more interested in the Griso.


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Purdy.

[bad Chad]

That's the thing about this, and maybe other boards.  So many say, I really like xyz Guzzi, if only it had...

More power or a better seat, or more leg room, or a bigger tank, or smaller wheels, or dual exhaust or ABS, or a better dealer network, or if it only came it red, more usable bags, or tube free tires, and on and on and on...

I have become cynical of much I read here, when it comes to new bike opinions.  Some folks make some good points, but others are obviously never going to buy a new bike, regardless of what gets put out by Guzzi.  Well that's the internet, old fat guys, siting in their underwear yelling, "Get of my yard!"

[fossil]

That's the thing about this, and maybe other boards.  So many say, I really like xyz Guzzi, if only it had...

More power or a better seat, or more leg room, or a bigger tank, or smaller wheels, or dual exhaust or ABS, or a better dealer network, or if it only came it red, more usable bags, or tube free tires, and on and on and on...

I have become cynical of much I read here, when it comes to new bike opinions.  Some folks make some good points, but others are obviously never going to buy a new bike, regardless of what gets put out by Guzzi.  Well that's the internet, old fat guys, siting in their underwear yelling, "Get of my yard!"

And I predict: when the V85 is here, people will start writing: "I would buy it, if it had 100 hp..."

[twowheeladdict]

Parking ? Towards or against curb?
Makes tipping  the jug an issue.
Left side to pour?

parking in the garage at the end of a ride.  A full tank keep condensation away.

[DaSwami]

That's the thing about this, and maybe other boards.  So many say, I really like xyz Guzzi, if only it had...

More power or a better seat, or more leg room, or a bigger tank, or smaller wheels, or dual exhaust or ABS, or a better dealer network, or if it only came it red, more usable bags, or tube free tires, and on and on and on...

I have become cynical of much I read here, when it comes to new bike opinions.  Some folks make some good points, but others are obviously never going to buy a new bike, regardless of what gets put out by Guzzi.  Well that's the internet, old fat guys, siting in their underwear yelling, "Get of my yard!"

I can't disagree at all. I would hate trying to market to this crowd. In the end, it's just all talk, no action. 

One service manager of a dealer near me said there's nothing like Guzzista. A weird bunch.  "Some" of those here do nothing to dispel that notion. 

Regardless, I still enjoy this board.

[elvisboy77]

I can't disagree at all. I would hate trying to market to this crowd. In the end, it's just all talk, no action. 

One service manager of a dealer near me said there's nothing like Guzzista. A weird bunch.  "Some" of those here do nothing to dispel that notion. 

Regardless, I still enjoy this board.

LOL Me three.  Lots of folks harsh on the new stuff, I just don't get it.  Meanwhile they probably drive modern cars that "you can't work on" LMAO.

[Aaron D.]

Funny thread. Just got back from a 'round US trip including following the Scooter Cannonball in which my friend participated.

Saw 2 Guzzis in the wild, both V7s. One Stelvio on a trailer.

Vespa 300 is enough to drop most riders on the twisties.. All the time he rode the rally he wished he had his Roamer. It's a nice bike!

[BoatDoc]

I test rode the V9 Bobber at Americade last week and was quite impressed with the ergonomics, handling and power! I wish I could put that engine in my V7ii!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Could a contributing factor be that motorcycle sales in general are declining?  Apparently younger folks just aren't interested.

I keep hearing say this but between my dozens of millenial & generation Y employees, my son's huge friend circle, my fiance's work crew.... I interact with tons of them day-to-day.  I would say 'young people' have tons of interest in motorcycles (and scooters), probably moreso than cars...  the problem is that they can't afford a new one.  With the trend running toward bobbers, scramblers, and cafe racers... These kids want an old bike that looks the part and won't break the bank.

Most of these kids believe they will never own a home, pay off their student loans, or retire.... a brand new motorcycle isn't exactly in the cards.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

The V85 motor will likely end up in a V7-styled bike -- hopefully 

This is my hope. I don't have anything against the v9..  I just cant go for the styling & riding position. I bet if they had a v9 powertrain in v7 configuration (Tank, bar & bar &peg placement, passenger accommodation)... they couldnt keep them in stock.

[twowheeladdict]

Most of these kids believe they will never own a home, pay off their student loans, or retire.... a brand new motorcycle isn't exactly in the cards.

What did they get their degrees in and what schools did they attend?  All the millennials I know drive tuner or muscle cars and have so much cash that the receptionist sends out an email for found money at least twice weekly. 

[NC Steve]

I keep hearing say this but between my dozens of millenial & generation Y employees, my son's huge friend circle, my fiance's work crew.... I interact with tons of them day-to-day.  I would say 'young people' have tons of interest in motorcycles (and scooters), probably moreso than cars...  the problem is that they can't afford a new one.  With the trend running toward bobbers, scramblers, and cafe racers... These kids want an old bike that looks the part and won't break the bank.

Most of these kids believe they will never own a home, pay off their student loans, or retire.... a brand new motorcycle isn't exactly in the cards.

 :1:  :1:

[bpreynolds]

I keep hearing say this but between my dozens of millenial & generation Y employees, my son's huge friend circle, my fiance's work crew.... I interact with tons of them day-to-day.  I would say 'young people' have tons of interest in motorcycles (and scooters), probably moreso than cars...  the problem is that they can't afford a new one.  With the trend running toward bobbers, scramblers, and cafe racers... These kids want an old bike that looks the part and won't break the bank.

Most of these kids believe they will never own a home, pay off their student loans, or retire.... a brand new motorcycle isn't exactly in the cards.

 :1: :1: :1: :1: :1: :1:

[Roamer853]

Well I just love v9 Roamer.
Yes quirky and my shins can get warm and I have changed the seat to the latest edition and the shocks are stiff but I just love the thing.

[Huzo]

And I predict: when the V85 is here, people will start writing: "I would buy it, if it had 100 hp..."

I'll buy it if it's only got 65 Hp.
But not in Ronald Mc Donald livery.
That's the ONLY thing...

[Muzz]

I am not in the market for another bike, but would be more than happy with one. I would dearly like it to have a bigger tank though.

[kingoffleece]

This has been way more entertaining than a Penn and Teller show............... ............

[blu guzz]

If there is no such thing as "bad publicitY", then the V9 is a hit, at least with this board.  My dealer lets you test ride each model so I really should try one so I can be better informed.  As to the tank range, like many here, I had a Sportster back in the day of the 2.5 gallon peanut tank.  At about 85 miles, you had better be pretty close to a gas station.  How many of those did they sell?  Unless you are in the desert, the smallish tank should not be of consequence to most riders.

[twowheeladdict]

I recently did a 4000 mile drive in my truck towing a trailer.  I stopped between 50 and 130 miles and topped off.  My range was 200 miles before the low fuel llight came on. 

The only reason I like the tank on the V7 is that I can ride and fill up with pure gas at the station near my house bbefore I put the bike away.

[Shorty]

Guzzi V9 gets a little praise with these moto journalists:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy7o4m6RfQw

[Rhodan]

FWIW I owned one (V7) and test rode the other (V9 roamer).
I really wanted to like the V9 but didn't.  It was purely personal preference.  The fit-n-finish was excellent, everything worked well, and the engine was sweet.  I really like the looks of the V9 Roamer that Jack posted earlier in this thread.  I think he (or someone) had posted that much earlier in a different thread.  It was that picture that led me to test-ride the bike.

What didn't I like?  Based on my one-year old memory...
My feet were in a farther-forward position than I liked.  I know there was a fix for that but it wasn't on the bike I test rode.  Thinking about it later, I don't believe moving the controls back would have been the answer (for me).  The seat already felt low-ish.  Moving my feet under me would have made longer rides pretty cramped. 
Because my feet were forward and based on where the bars were, I ended up riding in a C shape (more core workouts?) that was somewhat uncomfortable for me by the time I took the bike back.  I thought it would be an issue long term.
I didn't like the tank shape.  I normally grip the tank as I ride; that didn't work for me on this bike.  I would also have preferred a tank which held more fuel but it wasn't a deal breaker for me.
My memory is that it wasn't as agile as the V7 (I also test rode a v7iii around the same time).  It wasn't ponderous but it didn't dart about as well as the v7iii.

So I kept my V7.

Ultimately I don't think I was the audience Guzzi was trying to appeal to and that's fair.  It was a good bike, just not a good bike for me.

[TN Mark]

I saw one recently at AF1 Racing in Texas. The salesman, who was wonderful by the way, we chatted for about 40 minutes on different things relating to Moto Guzzi. ANyway, when we got to the V9 he said it has been test ridden and exactly like Pete Roper posted earlier, people come back on it and don't really like it. He said way too many people hit their knees on the heads which is a major turn off right away. It certainly wouldn't fit me nor did not fit him. He was about 5'11" and I'd guess he weighs in at about 170 pounds. He said some people want to like it but by the time you add up changing what needs to be changed just to make it 'fit' it's then way out of line price wise.

[bad Chad]

I don't get it?   I rode a 16 Romer, I found it quite fun for the type of bike it is.  The part I don't get is people would be hitting their knees on the cylinder heads?  You would have to be shorter than 5" to have knees that would hit the heads, maybe you could hit your shins, but you can do that on most Guzzi.  Since I rode, Guzzi has moved the pegs back, to a more neutral position, making hitting anything even less likely.   I found it two small for my 6 and a 1/2 foot frame, but any normal sized person I would think would it well.  I didn't really like the forwardish foot controls, but I guess Guzzi listened to me and moved that back!

[TalbotMatra]

Every minute riding on my V9 Bobber makes me feel happy. If Guzzi wouldn‘t offer this bike I wouldn‘t drive a Guzzi at all. For my needs the V9 is the best motorcycle I‘ve ever owned and in my view, engine, handling and style are really outstanding.

Best
Lars

[Devildog]

So having reviewed this long thread, no one has posed the question:  "What is the future of the V9?"
Tweek it, Revise, remodel, revamp, or drop it?  There is little sense in building bikes that aren't selling on a good day at 90% of msrp.

[PasoDuc88]

I purchased a Roamer because I always wanted a cruiser but I didn't want to sacrifice handling/performance - I "grew up" on sport/performance oriented bikes. 

The V9 Roamer's looks (in person) initially grabbed me and a test ride was all it took after that.  The bike has a great motor (never mind the 55 or whatever HP rating, it's plenty fast for the real world) and handles incredibly well off the showroom floor for what it is.  It definitely hits the mark as far as I'm concerned - I enjoy riding it every bit as much as any bike I've owned, maybe more.  I've tried both peg positions and actually like them both; the rear being a bit better for sportier riding but the standard position great for cruising (I'm 5'11 and just need to slide slightly rearward on the seat to avoid contact with the cylinders - it's really a shame people aren't figuring this out).

However, I'm clearly in the minority and I suspect the end is near for the V9.  But I'm sure looking forward to the V85 in as many iterations as Guzzi gives us!     

[TalbotMatra]

So having reviewed this long thread, no one has posed the question:  "What is the future of the V9?"
Tweek it, Revise, remodel, revamp, or drop it?  There is little sense in building bikes that aren't selling on a good day at 90% of msrp.

Does anyone here know the real sales figures? If not all this is just speculation

[bad Chad]

It's all speculation,  Guzzi does not release sales numbers of any kind in NA.  They never have as far as I know.