Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer: the custom created for touring too [ROAD TEST]

Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer – In a market like the two-wheel market, which is increasingly crowded (and fortunately recovering), there are few brands that can also bring to the table the value that only history, tradition and the almost artisanal care of a product can give. Moto Guzzi has always been a brand that goes beyond the concept of a motorcycle. Guzzi is passion, identity, belonging. The 9 V2018 Roamer that we tested for you does not deviate from the concepts listed so far and demonstrates how a truly fascinating motorbike can span the years and generations, thanks to its own style. In summary, Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer is not just fashion or appearance, but substance and personality, all as long as you accept some small compromises. We'll explain why later. With the 2018 version the Roamer is updated, together with its sister Bobber, giving it styles and connotations that differentiate them more. The V9 Roamer we tested aims more in the direction of touring and is now equipped with a new protective fairing, as well as new shock absorbers at the rear, designed to improve comfort, for the driver, but also for traveling as a couple.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Stylish as only a Guzzi can be

To say beautiful is an understatement. The Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer is fascinating, bold, even though it is naked and essential. There is an abundance of chrome and gives it a very "manly" touch, especially in combination with the military green of the tank (alternatively you can have grey). The large front light is simple, without too many frills, in perfect minimal style and combined on the Roamer with the new fairing, which does not ruin the style of the bike, but offers suitable protection to do some touring in a more comfortable way.

The front fork is beautiful, as are the two new rear shock absorbers, calibrated to give a feeling of immediate comfort. Everything revolves, even in style, especially around the 850 cc transverse "V" twin-cylinder engine. A trademark that is a magnet for the eye, while the choice of refined materials and finishes, such as for the aluminum driver's footrests, or the play of colors between black and chrome, gives a feeling of high quality and refinement.

The rims are 19" at the front and 16" at the rear and are painted in matt black and treated with a diamond finish. As mentioned, the screen is not excessively large and is a discreet presence in a line that, by its nature, does not require anything more than what it already has. For those who want even more, the V9 Roamer can be customized with a long series of accessories dedicated to tourism, such as the set of leather side bags and the single bag to be installed on the dedicated chrome luggage rack.

Engine and performance:

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Endless couple

The Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer is a motorcycle that makes cleanliness and essentiality its distinctive features. Chrome, leather, that vintage look and a clearly visible engine. As per tradition, this is where the work of the masters of Mandello del Lario is concentrated. Powering the Roamer is an 850cc transversal V-twin engine, 4-stroke, 2 valves per cylinder, air and oil cooled, Euro 4 approved and capable of expressing a maximum power of 55 horsepower at 6.250 rpm and a torque of 62 Nm at just 3.000 rpm.

Anyone who has had the opportunity to drive a Guzzi knows what it means to turn it on and enjoy an unmistakable sound. The sound of the engine is full, full-bodied, it makes you want to immediately put it in first gear and set off. In this case the Roamer offers a lot of torque and, after the first bursts of throttle, you understand that you can have fun. The power arrives immediately, there is no need to pull the gears and increase the revs too much to take advantage of an engine that gives its best in the medium range, where the generous back allows you to use the gearbox very little, having an excellent starting point available for overtaking or simply to enjoy the V2 in all its progression, and then slow down before the next corner. Also well geared for motorway driving, the 6-speed gearbox has decisive and "sonic" shifts, but precise and with limited effort on the clutch lever (with a single 170 mm diameter dry disc). During the first part of our test we started from the center of Monza and reached Castione della Presolana, in the province of Bergamo, crossing city streets, provincial roads, motorways and also a nice stretch of hairpin bends. The motorway is the stretch where he seems to be least comfortable, despite the better protection from the air, guaranteed by the new plexy. Better to enjoy a more dynamic route, where you can have more fun, also thanks to the beautiful engine, always full and full-bodied in its delivery, while between the curves you just need to play a little with the gearbox and clutch, to have the pleasant sensation of have a motorbike between our legs ready to accommodate our riding style, even the most sporty, if necessary.

Ride and handling:

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Suitable for medium-length trips, not just solo

Among the first things that strike you about the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer is the riding position. The bike is relatively low, you can rest your feet firmly on the ground at traffic lights and your legs are always in the correct position. The arms are at the right height and, together with the shoulders, do not get tired, even after many kilometres. The only unknown is represented by the air. The protection that the small screen offers, in fact, is limited, but we are on a naked and minimal motorbike, with which to enjoy a journey at tourist pace, avoiding moving quickly from point A to point B, rather looking for an excuse to get out of the highway looking for the right curves. The weight of this V9 Roamer, which remains just under 200 kg (199 to be precise), never becomes demanding, thanks to the low center of gravity and the good distribution of the masses, while the V9 proves to be fairly agile, even around curves of a winding mountain road. It's all about becoming familiar with your driving position, but you won't need much to do so.

The clutch, as mentioned, does not become heavy even in city use. The gears enter well, without any effort, and when opening and closing the accelerator there are never any irregularity problems and the on-off is kept to a minimum. The first and second gears are short, to give the right liveliness, making all the torque immediately available to the rider, while third and fourth aim to exploit the pleasant elasticity of the V2. As soon as the pace increases, you almost forget about the gearbox. With fifth and sixth gear the engine never suffers. The three riding modes, then, are a gem in a motorcycle that is a true example of "custom 2.0", where the retro style combines with very modern solutions, such as traction control (MGCT - Moto Guzzi Traction Control) and , of course, ABS.

Price and consumption:

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A good dose of modern and comfortable technology, which blends with the Guzzi style

The price of the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer is 10.040 euros and is available in two colours, both with a glossy finish: Verde Nobile and Grigio Eleganza, with the front and rear mudguards offered in glossy black. The list of original accessories available is very long, demonstrating the fact that the V9 Roamer can also be a palette on which to paint your own picture, making your motorbike unique, based on the style you appreciate most. Already technological in its own right, with mixed analogue-digital instrumentation and a convenient USB socket, it can veer even further in this direction by choosing the Moto Guzzi Multimedia Platform, a multimedia system capable of connecting the motorbike to the smartphone and consequently to the Internet.

The tank has a capacity of 15 liters (4 liters reserve) and the company declares a consumption in the WMTC cycle of 4,99 liters of fuel per 100 km, not far from the 5.5 that we detected at the end of the test. The values ​​do not differ much even with a more sporty driving style. The Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer has proven to be a motorbike that can also be a valid travel companion, and it is no coincidence that its name means nomad.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Look and attention to detail, easy and pleasant, excellent basis for customizations
We do not like it:
It has a lot of torque, but a little more horsepower…

Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:

Gloves, gloves, trousers and shoes: Dainese
Helmet: Scorpion EXO-3000 Air