Moto Guzzi v9 roamer 1000km review
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2018
- I've had my Moto Guzzi V9 roamer for 1000km and taking it into the dealer for it's first service. Some thoughts about what I like about my new bike and what I dislike. My 1000th km and me turning into the dealership to drop it off for service.
I have a Roamer. My pervious bike was a Honda CB1100ex. Beautiful bike, like a Swiss watch but so heavy. My Guzzi has more in common with a cement mixer. Noisy, solid old technology and 50Kg lighter. 70mpg (English) One of the best bike I have owned and I have been using Motor bikes since 1957. Easy and comfortable without stress, easy slow speed handling , unlike the Honda which felt heavy and ungainly. Air cooled, unstressed, comfortable, easy to maintain, looks good, handles almost automatically and should last me forever.. Would recommend to anyone but the street racing fraternity.
Have you ridden a V7? I’m looking at a Roamer and a V7.
@@stevemiller1203 No the V7 does not have the same classic looks and feeling for me.. I have ridden the 85tt and don't like it, top heavy. The beauty of the roamer it the comfort and ease of handling. No fuss, air cooled, shaft and easy maintenance, looks and behaves like a real bike. I have also had a BMW r nine t I kept it for 3 weeks and went back to a Roamer.
@@fredforsythe8310 thanks for the response. I’m 70, had bikes since the ‘60s, British, American, Japanese, but never a Guzzi. I just want a nice air cooled, easy to handle bike, yours looks good for me.
Moto Guzzi, own 1 and you will be riding all the time ;)
Have a 1989 Moto Guzzi Mille GT, over 51,000 miles and just purchased a MG 2013 Stone V7. Love them both. Have owned BSA, Triumph, Moto Morini, Ducati, Laverda, Kawakaki, Zundapp, Indian, Suzuki and will always stay with Moto Guzzi.
Super looking bike...love the colour! Enjoy and ride safe man!
Love the look of the bike and your reviews,have booked myself a test ride with my local dealer.
Good to hear I've been of some use. I hope your ride goes well and I'm interested to hear how you liked it.
Went to see the bike today the and put my order in the dealer said there would be no more Roamers not sure if that’s just in the uk he had to call Piaggio and they found one,but a still making the bobber Carnot wait for its arrival will let u know how things go.
I rode v7 and v9 first time and fell in ❤🥰 about month ago. Hopefully have funds to add one or both to my garage soon. Fantastic bikes.
At first I thought you were in the States, but when you mentioned Glenmore and Blackfoot, I knew you were in Calgary. Looks like you enjoy your bike. Cheers, Rob.
Thank you sir, safe travels enjoy that bike
It’s as if Steve Zahn did a review of the V9 Roamer, and I mean that in the best way. So laid back and informative. Glad you dig/dug this bike. I rode the “Bobber” and liked it except for the very thin and hard-edged seat. I ended up with an Indian FTR 1200 as my second bike, but these are still on my mind for a very casual get-around and laid back cruiser.
I still absolutely dig this bike. I also like the FTR 1200 and it's on my list of want to have bikes. I also liked the bobber, maybe a little more than the roamer but I just couldn't justify the extra cost for a few cosmetic differences.
Hi James yes I’ve just done 3000 as well, it’s running very sweet, have fun.
I have recently bought a V9 Bobber. After having heavy big cc bikes for the last 15 years or so I am really enjoying the 'lightness' of the Guzzi. Everything seems to be in harmony. Dont need more power really, as long as it will do 100mph that is plenty. So I am over that. I put Mistral shorts on it and it sounds wonderful. Its very well made and so far i am really very impressed.
Mistral shots? Can you throw some light on it plz. Did you install it by yourself?
@@paulchahal7545 Hi Paul. Yes installed myself. Very easy to do with basic tools. Have a look on the Mistral website, they have sound clips.
@@jfro5867 thanks for the reply.
I have a 2019 Bobber Sport, also with Mistral shorts in addition to a bunch of small mods (air filter, Mistral Velocity Stack, handlebars, levers, etc). I don't think I'll ever sell it. It's not the fastest, it doesn't lean like a supersport, and I can't go touring on it. But, frankly, everything else I try feels polished to the point of blandness and anonymity. The V9 feels like an actual living entity. You never forget that you're riding a machine made by people who love motorcycles, not just employees. I know that this is starting to sound maudlin but there's just something about Guzzis...
Beautiful bike ,beautiful colour .Take it from me as a British Triumph owner stick with the charming Guzzi .Go steady.
I love the colour too. I thought it was yellow till I parked next to some orange trees. And compared to my wifes yellow Magna it looks very orange.
I have had 4 Moto Guzzi’s since 1979. I have continuously owned one or the other Guzzi. until 2021 when I sold my 2007 Norge. Before that I had a V 11 sport-(The most uncomfortable motorcycle in the history of the universe)…, before that I had a V 50 ll, and my first Moto Guzzi was a 1979SP 1000..
they all have slow shifting- heavy, shifting transmissions. They can’t be rushed.
you said your motorcycle was dirty, you will find that the Moto Guzzi crowd are the ones that are the least likely to wash their motorcycles. I don’t know what it is. I was at the Moto Guzzi national rally in new Cumberland, West Virginia in 1987 when almost 600 moto Guzzi owners showed up that year… I never saw so many moto guzzis in, one place before or since, and it’s remarkable how dirty many of them were. Because guzzi ownersjust ride. They are not polishers. they are generally not into Chrome and glitter.. there is a difference between bikers and motorcyclists…
I have just under 300,000 miles total on my 4 moto guzzis.. they have never left me stranded. I have had little glitches like, the oil sending unit failed on three of my machines. That’s a little switched. It looks like a spark plug that detects oil pressure. That his heart stopping when that oil light comes on and you’re doing 80 miles an hour at night on the interstate by myself ..… that was the first time that ever happened to me, and I never suspected it was the oil sending unit. I thought I had an oil pump failure. I pulled over, and I even pulled the valve cover off at night in the dark, using a flashlight, and I started the bike to see if I had oil pressure. I saw that the rockers were getting oil and I buttoned it up and continued on my way home. another common part that fails on these machines is relays. They really need to switch suppliers. I’ll give you an example.
The start relay on the Norge is rated at 10 A. When you turn the key on, that switch/relay already has 8 Amps of draw on that circuit.. So when you hit the starter button, there’s not enough power left for the relay to pull the coil in to make good contact to activate the starter. I had the same issue with my 2004 V.11 sport.. you hit the start button and nothing happens a few times, you keep at it, and then it decides to engage the starter..
I had to replace a universal joint on my 1979 machine, it didn’t fail, i just that I saw a rust seemingly coming out of the caps on the u joint, so I just replaced it.
My 1979SP 1000, I pulled the cylinders and heads to check the lifters. The hard-facing on the lifters that rides on the camshaft were pitted., so I replaced the lifters at around 40,000 miles. I had to replace the steering head bearing in my V 50.
That’s about it other than oil and spark plugs and brakes and tires. they are slow steering surefooted machines. They feel very stable on a mountain road at night in the rain. They feel planted. I love a machine with a heavy flywheel. I’ve had dozens of other Japanese motorcycles at the same time that I owned my four moto guzzis.. I appreciate how simple they are. You don’t have to marry the dealer to service them. In fact, I’ve never taken any of my moto guzzis to the dealer for anything. It’s a 30 minute job to adjust the valves. You don’t even need any special tools.
they are great bikes that many people have never heard of. For that reason, they are very difficult to sell. It took me three years to find someone to buy my Norge that only had 16,000 miles on it when I sold it and it was never crashed, never painted, it was totally stock/red.
I have three videos here on CZcams of my norge on a favorite road of mine in three parts, Moto Guzzi, Norge to East Brady is the name of my three videos, one is part one, part two, then, part three, I made these three videos just before I sold the machine ..I don’t have any music, and I don’t talk. All you hear is the engine in my videos, and you don’t see me either. I’m not a narcissist…
I miss my Norge very much. No matter how much I loved it, the seating position was just not right for me. After a couple hours in the saddle, my legs would bother me because of the high foot pegs. I am used to high foot pegs because most of my bikes have been standards or sport bikes. And I road raced motorcycles for eight years, winning six championships, two time, national champion, on Yamahas..
I just found your video tonight here June 15 of 2023 because one of these machines exactly like the one in the video has showed up for sale here in Pennsylvania. I wanted to hear what owners have to say about them. They look like the foot pegs are a little too far forward for me.
my two motorcycles that I currently have now or a Yamaha royal star venture, and a Kawasaki, Z 400 that I tend to sprain the speed limit on. I have both of my machines in videos on CZcams, my Kawasaki, mainly because I have 22 changes that I have made for comfort on the machine like tall windshield, Corbin seat, bar risers, GSXR 600 shock, rubber, topped, foot, pegs, things like that, I never modify the engine, the airbox, or the exhaust on my machines. I learned decades ago that the factory knows more than I do, so I leave those things alone.
I enjoyed your video, and you’re down to earth approach to the motorcycle..
Thanks for watching and a big thanks for commenting. I really enjoyed hearing your experiences. I am anxious now to check out your videos.
I find I ride mine more than I wash it. It bothers my dad who polishes his gold wing endlessly but I enjoy the ride more. I hav almost 15k on this bike now and she has not let me down yet. In the city or on the highway it is my bike of choice. The gas tank is a little small so never pass a gas station.
@@wingsonbikes4351
The machine I had before my Yamaha royal star venture was a GL 1800 Goldwing. Your dad may be interested in my Owner comparison video what it’s like owning a GL 1800 compared to earning a Yamaha royal star venture. That video is extremely popular. I have over 53,000 views in a little over a year of that video..
in a couple of my other videos, I point out that I have not washed a motorcycle in well over 30 years. I only use the spray Honda detailer that comes in a large spray can. That is the only thing I use on my motorcycles for the windshield, the paint, just about everything except for the seat… that Honda spray detailer is Honda’s most sold item. That’s single item outsells even spark plugs in the Honda sales every year worldwide. I buy it by the case.
I recommend pulling up behind a vehicle at a stop light to one side or the other and staying in first in case you have to get out of the way quickly. Too many people texting, putting on makeup etc. slamming into the rear of cars sitting at a light.
I was always taught the left of center position. That way you are directly in front of a driver and they will see you better when aproching.
I rode the V7 and V85tt. Enjoyed both. Would love to try also this one. A cool machine in my opinion. I enjoyed your video bro. Got my like. Drop by to check my content when you can. Cheers. Take care.
You mean that when you parked your V9 front to the garage for the one thousand km, it had right one thousand km 😳
Impressive !
Congrats for such a nice bike
yes I rolled it in with exactly 1000km on it. they were shocked as well. I didn't plan it that way it just turned out like that, so I can't take credit but it was pretty awesome.
Wings On Bikes
Guys on the garage : « with such a sharp customer service will have to be perfect »
Your bike is shaft drive so for smooth shifting will require judgement in timing & revs. The bike is about simplicity & functionality so hence the headlight in keeping with a retro bike is a retro headlight. You could go to a +100% bulb to improve performance.
A few comments about gutting the pipes, yes it does sound better but even better with Agostinis. What ever you do remap the ECU if you mess with the exhaust.
I’ve put the black round Moto Guzzi mirrors and changed the seat to the solo seat, There is nothing I don’t like about this bike it oozes with character.
I'm going to test ride one tomorrow , the gear change on my Jackal which I love is at least agricultural so I think this will be ok . I realy want a guzzi which is light weight I'm thinking this is the bike for me . I'll find out tomorrow anyway .
About the headlight: I had a mt09 with leds headlamp and it was the worst experience ever. Now I understand why the new fjr1300 has extra leds that light up in sequence on corners, in proportion to your lean angle. I can explain: because of the way leds make a very high definition and distinctive light line in the road ( it’s a light/dark radical line) , in the straightaways it’s fantastic. The problem is when you lean the bike. Then that “line” goes “down” exactly where you need light, inside the curves. There’s absolutely no light where you’re heading! Place a pencil in front of you, horizontal, and lean it like you were riding in a bike....I prefer h4 no doubt whatsoever. I seriously feared for my life in a trip I went on with my mt09 18’ where I had to ride in a mountain all night long! The plain old h4 on my MG V7 stone is much, much, much, better!
Very good points. Thanks for that education. Bikes are different than cars where that lean doesn't come into play the same way. Good information.
Excelente comentario
The break in oil on my bonnie looked like diesel fuel. A couple of good rides and change that stuff out.
Interesting how different we all are , for me a smooth gearbox would be absolutely vital. Triumph boxes are
spot on as are all Japanese bikes, and although I like the idea of a Guzzi the clunky agricultural box would
be a deal breaker for me.
I understand. I test drove a Suzuki and the gears were so thight and smooth it almost shifted themselves. But there was sonething about this bike that makes me overlook the gears. I wouldn't say clunky but less seamless than the Suzuki and triumph for sure. The triumph bobber was a bleasure to ride but out of my price range for this go around. Maybe next time.
Try a current model Guzzi. I heard somewhere that they had changed the internal workings and now they are as smooth as a Japanese bike. I can confirm this is the case on my new V9.
@@gasgas2689 yes I have heard they improved it.. I will try and get a test ride though demo bikes are hard to find.
@@WyreForestBiker I know one thing, and this goes to their design and engineering. That is the fact that the trans. is plugged into the back of the engine and pulls loose, independent in it's own case. Instead of having to yank the engine to fix anything in the gear box. I can only hope and pray they have worked some recent magic but it's not like i am enjoying that on my daily. It's an old Yamaha XS1100. Not very refined or precise feeling itself.
Try adjusting the angle on the headlight. I had to do it on mine and now works great. Also better H4 bulbs makes a difference too. I like to use PIAA bulbs.
They adjusted the headlight at my first service and it is much better.
@@wingsonbikes4351 I just took mine on a night ride and adjusted while in an area with no street lights. Took about half a dozen tries to get it just right.
Gut those pipes
Thanks for sharing. Great video. You still like the bike? How tall are you? I'm thinking about getting this bike in the near future, just hope I'm not to big for it. Still haven't seen one in person to sit on it, etc.. I absolutely love the looks of this machine!! I've never owned a Guzzi before, but I think it's time for a real bike lol
Hey thanks for watching. Yes I still love the bike in a out 2000km now. I'm aboit 5'8" and it fits me good. There is an extension and a shortener available for the footpegs. So there is an option to change that foot position. Also the bobber version has a little different handlebar so that can feel a little different to when you jump on it.
I hope to see your video when you get your new bike.
They grow on you. Pretty rapidly unless you demand a complicated sophisticated horse power bloated tire fryer. I appreciate Moto Guzzi's quality and simplicity. Plus the drive shaft. The weight and handling and the ease of servicing a Moto Guzzi.
A lot of the LED headlamps throw a very poor beam for illuminating the road. A super-bright H4 bulb is usually better. My V7II takes a H4 bulb so I'm guessing the V9 does too. Having a good beam makes a lot of difference riding at night.
I'll try that thanks. It is a lot better than is was after they set it at the tune up. Tolerable now but not great.
I don't know where you are but here in England we have various super-bright 472 H4 bulbs available, road legal. The highest I've found lately is +150% brighter. They also change the colour-temperature or whiteness. The whitest (blue-white) ones are not the best in rain, a slightly lower temperature, more yellow beam is better, 3300K +120% rather than 3700K +130% or +150%. These are more than double the normal light output but the same power (watts). They have a UV-cut to protect the plastic lens.
Jeff Slade I have a V9 Roamer and I have swapped my headlight out for the retro styled led one from JW Speaker and it’s a world of difference riding at night. Inadequate is an understatement for the standard item.
Night riding is just fine, except for the fact that everything on the speedo including the speed is illegible. Whoever chose the colours needs to go to colour school.
Hi. I'm watching your video as I'm thinking about getting a Roamer in the near future. I'd be interested to find out if you still owned it, or if you'd changed it out, and, if so, what you'd replaced it with. The other bikes I'm interested in are the Street Twin and Speed Twin.
I'm guessing you live near/in Blackfoot, Canada, as you're talking in KPH and not MPH.
Yes I still have it and I love it. I drive it primarily as a commuter in the city but i have taken it on road trips and hopefully another this winter, check out my other videos. As it happens i am also a big fan of triumph and the street twin is a nice alternative to the v9. I prefer the thruxton but its larger and probably in a different class. I would also look at the ducatti cafe racer. In any case its a hard decision. I had never been on a guzzi until i got my v9 and after driving it for about 10000km I found there is a character to them that just can't be quantified and you don't understand until you have one. You are on the edge of a great but hard decision, post me some pics of what you decide. Or make a video and link it here i want to see how you do.
Yes I'm in Canada near Calgary.
Hi mine didn’t smooth out until I had done 2000 miles now it runs sweet.
Dennis Done 3000 miles on my Guzzi in 5 months and the engine is just getting smoother and smoother ,talking with other Guzzi riders and they say they just get better with every mile.ride safe bros 😀🇬🇧🏍
Hello. I've been thinking about getting a Moto Guzzi for a while myself. I may get a Roamer or a V85TT. I'm not sure yet, but there is a new 2017 Roamer for about $8500Cdn at the dealer. Decisions, decisions. Cheers, Rob.@@jamesbatten6609
@@zambam3 did you end up getting the bike? There is one within 100 miles from me for $6k I think that's a steal
@@mariuss.6607 Hello, nope, I didn't get a Guzzi yet. I think I'm leaning towards the V85TT, but who knows. I will probably get something in a year or two. I don't think they sell the bobbers or roamers in Canada anymore. Cheers, Rob.
@@zambam3 gotcha. That roamer for $6k is very tempting tho
Thanks for this. Sorry if you said this and I missed it, but what kind of gas mileage do you get? I'm a bit concerned about the smaller tank on this vs. the V7 which has a big 5+ gallon tank. Any intel? Thanks!
I mostly got around 5 to 5.5 liters per 100 km. Range about 180km
@@wingsonbikes4351 yikes that's not good. Not even 120 miles to a tank is a deal breaker. Thanks!
It is a small tank. But on my road trip we stoped ever 150km and it wasn't any problem. Unless you plan on going some place remote.
Triumph lovely clutch ,lovely smooth engine , terrible electrics , not great after sales service in my opinion.
È uguale alla mia!
Nice review, but is it just me or is this guy waiting too long to slow down at stop lights? Maybe I'm ridiculous but I slow down like semi trucks slow down....way before the light. I ride with confidence and don't worry about accidents when I ride(or "drive" like this guy says, very clever and more appropriate really) but I do worry that someone behind me might not stop in time when I come to a stop.
I know you said you like the bike but I feel like, based on some of your dislikes, that you may not fully understand the point of the Guzzi…you were talking about fast shifting and stuff and I feel like this isn’t a bike for those in a hurry. That “movement” you were talking about is usually described as a rocking or tug from the engine that you get on startup…just a characteristic of the transverse V-Twin. I mean no disrespect but trying to compare a Guzzi to other bikes is difficult because they’re usually either bikes people get or some just don’t get it. I’m looking at a very lightly preowned 2017…600ish miles on it…might just bring it home…we’ll see…still kicking around the new V7 special, since they have the 850 now too.
I do like this bike. I find the movement characteristic and actually comforting. I just wanted to make some comparisons is all. The v9s were never really that popular the v7 has a cult following. I am glad i got the v9 though i like it more every time i ride it
I love my Roamer you have to understand the charatistics of this bike, you cannot compare this bike with any other especially a Japanese bike, you have to enjoy its individually and the traditional way it is manufactured.
I love mine as well and that is a big reason why I got it, "It's completely unlike anything else I've ridden." It is a very unique bike, especially in my area where there aren't many Guzzis around, I feel like the only one on the road.
Absolutely,you get a unique ride with a Guzzi ,had a V9 for 5 months and after 3000 miles the engines running smoother with every mile and 56 hp doesn’t sound a lot but it’s ample power for everyday use and has plenty of low down torque and will get you up to motorway speeds with no trouble ,love it . Ride safe 😀🇬🇧🏍
The Guzzi gearbox is a bit different. It does not notch. You have to push/pull the lever all the way until it stops. Its position can be easily adjusted on an expanding bolt to suit your foot. You should be able to go clutchless smoothly up from 4 to 5 to 6, but not from 3rd. 6 is something of an overdrive, with the torque so low down it can easily poodle along in top. With the power band so long I often find myself changing two gears at a time on the V7II, it can be like it has too many gears too close together..
How did it go after the first service? They should have taken the training wheels off the engine management then, moved the rev limiter up and so on.
Thats good advice about the gear adjustment. I will defenitly give that a try. I dont think they did much other than change the oil and adjust the valves. I may have to get in there and set some of that myself. I did feel better about opening it up a little after though. It is defenitly a fun bike to ride fast.
They should have released the rev limiter to whatever it is on the V9 (7200-ish on the V7II) and changed the map. Do not be in a hurry to use full throttle a lot, it still needs further running-in. It will gradually loosen up and go better.
How is the Roamer doing now? Still like it?
I love it. Its been snowing here so I haven't had more ride time but every time I pass it in the garage it makes me happy. I'll have more videos in the spring.
What averge speed you can keep on motorway riding?
Any big issues ? Such as electrics.
She runs like a top every day. Never had an issue at all. In getting close to 10k so ill probably do a 10k review this summer.
what kind of helmet are you wearing ? thanks, rj
I think in this video it's a Shoei. It was old and I got a new one but it doesn't fit nearly as well as the old one
Sorry. That would be a full face. I have a small skull cap but once you get over 60km there's too much wind on my eyes and I find it uncomfortable. I need the protection my eyes are sensetive
NO OIL LEAKS?
none so far and I am almost 10KM now
Guzzis clunk when shifting because they have heavy 4 prong shifter forks, but should not grind.
No I haven't had any grinding issues. 15000km now.
Not driving but riding a bike
Gas tank cap by fisher-price.
I have no idea why they wouldn't put a proper locking gas cap like every other bike ever.
One doesn't DRIVE a motorcycle, one RIDES a motorcycle. One DRIVES a car.
True. Thank you for the correction
@@wingsonbikes4351 First time I've ever heard that argued! Most insist that you DRIVE a motorcycle. I don't really care which word you use.
Thank you maam
Uncork that exhaust