2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer And V9 Bobber

2017 MOTO GUZZI V9 ROAMER AND V9 BOBBER

IGNITION

CW FIRST RIDE

Is it Guzzi time?

Peter Jones

It is an odd occurrence that one of the most fun, distinctive, reliable, efficient, and just plain great motorcycle brands has been all but ignored in the US for 95 years. Moto Guzzi has survived to be the third-oldest continuously manufactured motorcycle company in the world, making it the European equivalent of Harley-Davidson.

Maybe the Vg is the bike to deliver Moto Guzzi to the consciousness of a new generation of American motorcyclists. The all-new model is exceptionally user friendly, with an engine spec’d specifically for rideability. If you can ride a motorcycle, you will feel instantly at home on this bike.

The Vg comes in two distinct personalities, Roamer and Bobber, and has a mostly new 90-degree, transverse-mounted (of course) 853CC V-twin that maintains two valves per head and air-/oil-cooling.

The Marelli electronic fuel injection has a single shared throttle body. Horsepower is rated at a claimed 55 at 6,250 rpm, with 46 pound-feet of peak torque coming at 3,000 rpm. From 2,000 to the 7,000-rpm redline, torque never drops below 37 pound-feet. The engine never complains at any combination of engine speed and throttle opening. Incorporated into the EFI system is twolevel Moto Guzzi Traction Control (MGTC)—one setting for dry conditions and one for wet. Other rider aids include two-channel antilock brakes and the Moto Guzzi Media Platform (MGMP), which lets a smartphone interface with the electronic management system to display many options, including a tachometer.

Drive to the six-speed transmission is through a single-plate dry clutch. For interstate speeds fourth or fifth gear is preferred, as sixth only feels right above 75 mph.

The V9’s two-sided castaluminum swingarm houses the driveshaft and supports the bike on twin shocks with spring preload adjustability. The wheelbase is 57.7 inches, and claimed curb weight (wet without fuel) is 438 pounds. The Roamer and Bobber both have black wheels. Many other items on the Roamer are chromed while on the Bobber they’re painted black, such as the exhaust system, handlebars, mirror stalks, and shock springs. The signature difference between the two versions is front wheel sizes; the Roamer has a 100/90-19 Pirelli and the Bobber has a 130/90-16 Continental. Both have 150/80-16 rears.

The other main difference is the handlebars, with the Roamer having bars that sweep up and back for a relaxed arm position and the Bobber having low, flat bars for a more aggressive stance. Other differences include the shape of the rear fender, and the Bobber paint is non-glossy in Nero Massiccio (black) or Grigio Sport (silvery charcoal), while the Roamer comes in Blanco Classic (white) and Giallo Solare (yellow).

Both bikes are all metal, including fenders and side covers, and have a steel doublecradle frame with right-side-up fork legs. In fact, other than the switchgear, there might be no other plastic anywhere on these two bikes.

The riding position on each is relaxed and sit-up on a damncomfortable one-piece seat that puts the passenger at the same level as the rider. The seat is slightly narrower on the Bobber, which is more of a styling choice than an ergonomic feature.

At idle, like all Guzzis, the V9 has a pleasant side-to-side beat. Yet, once at riding speed, the beat smooths right out and there is no distracting vibration at any rpm. The EFI is as smoothly responsive, providing predictable acceleration at all settings and throughout modulations of the throttle; it’s smooth in and out of curves and in on, off, and back on throttle.

Although the V9S have only a single 320mm front disc and a four-piston caliper, braking is far better than adequate and easy to modulate, providing predictable feedback. And while the V9S are tuned for a soft ride, neither ever bottomed out the rear shocks, even on the harshest potholes. One limit of performance is a lack of cornering clearance.

There are a couple of substantive differences on how the Roamer and Bobber perform, just because of their bars and differing tire sizes. While rake is the same, trail is different: 4.9 inches for the Roamer and 4.6 inches for the Bobber. The Roamer is superlight steering, helped by its wide bars, while the Bobber has a more planted feel.

Overall, the 2017 Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer ($9,990), and V9 Bobber ($10,490) are fine motorcycles worth considering if you’re looking for a friendly, comfortable, all-around fun bike. After riding both, one has to wonder why so few of us own Moto Guzzis.

DASHING FEATURES The instrument gauge is a simple single classic round-faced design that has an analog speedometer with a small digital display for functions such as odometer, twin tripmeters, fuel consumption, miles until fuel is needed, clock, ambient temperature, average speed, gear position, traction-control setting, and a few lights for things such as low fuel, neutral, and blinkers. There is no tachometer, but that’s not a draw for this bike’s demographics.

TAILORED WARDROBE Because so many riders enjoy dressing up or modifying their motorcycles, Moto Guzzi has already created a closet full of accessories for the Roamer and Bobber. Items include soft bags, luggage racks, billet things, fenders, small retro-like windscreens, fully adjustable shocks, red valve covers, caféstyle seats, numberplate side covers (in metal), and more.

2017 MOTO GUZZI V9 ROAMER & V9 BOBBER

ENGINE TYPE OHV V-twin

DISPLACEMENT 853CC

SEAT HEIGHT 29.5/29.3 in.

FUEL CAPACITY 4.0 gal.

CLAIMED CURB WT. 438 lb.

PRICE $9,990/$10,490