2015 EICMA: Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber and Roamer

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

Moto Guzzi unveiled two new mid-sized cruisers powered by a new 850cc V-Twin engine. The new V9 Roamer is the spiritual successor to the Moto Guzzi Nevada while the V9 Bobber adds a blacked-out bobbed cruiser to lineup. both V9s will be available in the U.S. as 2015 models but we’ll have to wait a little while for MSRPs.

We saw both new V9 models earlier this year in spy photographs, assuming they were using the V7 II line’s 744cc Twin. Now we know the V9 uses an air and oil-cooled 850cc V-Twin with an 84mm bore and 77mm stroke. Moto Guzzi claims a peak output of 55 hp at 6250 rpm with torque peaking at 45.7 lb-ft at just 3000 rpm.

The engine has a new aluminum crankcase, a new oil pan design and an inertia-calibrated crankshaft. Each cylinder has two pushrod-actuated valves set at an incline to the cylinder head (as opposed to parallel as in the V7 II engine). A brand new ECU moderates the fuel injection system while a new exhaust system with a three-way catalytic converter and double oxygen sensors help the engine meet the more stringent Euro4 emission standards.

The engine is paired with a new six-speed transmission with a 179mm single dry plate clutch, delivering power to the rear wheel via a double-jointed drive shaft.

The two V9s share a new steel twin-tube cradle frame designed to optimize the weight distribution in front and behind the engine. The front wheel is suspended by a 40 mm fork offering 130mm of travel while twin spring preload-adjustable shocks handles rear suspension duties.

Braking performance is provided by a Brembo four-piston caliper with 320mm disc on the front wheel and a two-piston caliper with 260mm rotor on the rear wheel. ABS is standard, as is a two-level traction control system.

V9 Roamer

The Roamer has a 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheel, both painted matt black and treated with a diamond-cut finish. The chrome handlebar is raised higher than on the Bobber and the seat rests 30.5 inches from the ground.

V9 Bobber

The Bobber has a thinner seat, reducing the seat height slightly to 30.3 inches. At 16 inches, the front wheel is smaller than on the Roamer but it sports a fatter 130/90 tire than the Roamer’s 100/90. The rear tire is an identical 150/80 but it sits below a shorter rear fender.

Moto Guzzi gave the Bobber a blacked-out look while adding some color with graphics in yellow or matt red.

Follow the rest of our 2015 EICMA Show coverage for more information on new 2016 motorcycle announcements.

Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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  • Johnbutnotforgotten Johnbutnotforgotten on Nov 23, 2015

    I've had two 850T's, an Eldorado, a V50 Monza, V65SP, 1000SP, 750 Breva, V7 Classic and a California Special sport.
    I still have the California and the 1000Sp (106,000 miles and still going strong)
    the V9's are definitely the ugliest Moto Guzzis i've seen since the Nevada (and who is going to want to sit on that seat) but glad they updated the engine because the V7 had about reached the limit of the small block crank and the Heron heads.
    And moving away from the Heron heads should have made i possible to get more power out of an 850 (although torque is more important in the real world than peak power).
    Also glad all the new ones have ABS (as i'm getting old and am no longer as good as i used to think i was)

  • Terry Ruddy Terry Ruddy on Dec 18, 2015

    This motor is updated? A quick comparo to the Ducati Scrambler with 50 fewer CC's gives you about 5 more lbs-ft of torque (and 20 more horse), oh and the Duc is over 15 pounds lighter and probably the same price. Apples to oranges? Maybe, all I know is that I would love a Guzzi but not the ones they're selling at the moment.

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