Italian two-wheeler marquee, Moto Guzzi has presented its latest retro offering at the EICMA 2022. Dubbed the V9 Bobber Special Edition, the bike is built on the existing V9 platform but features a few changes. Let’s take a look at it.
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V9 Bobber key highlights | |
---|---|
Engine Capacity | 853 cc |
Transmission | 6 Speed Manual |
Kerb Weight | 199 kg |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 15 litres |
Seat Height | 808 mm |
Max Power | 53.4 bhp |
Good Things
Could be Better
We ride the second of the Moto Guzzi V9 twins, the Bobber, and come away confused.Â
Why I would buy the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber
To stand out in a crowd, because there will be so few of them. And... look at it!
Why I would avoid the Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber
CBU pricing means I can have a much larger capacity motorcycle with many more features at the price.
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This is the Bobber version of the V9 Roamer. Essentially it is a V9 that is slightly more suited to city riding duties than it’s Roamer counterpart, thanks to a smaller front rim that gives it better manoeuvrability. What you get is a quirky, elegant and non-flashy Italian product that you won’t see often, if at all.Â
The V9 Bobber has a twin cradle frame, so it’s a very conventional setup. Suspension is also conventional – traditional forks in the front, dual shock absorbers at the rear. The engine is mounted transversely (or longitudinally, the debate rages on, especially if you’re a car person) and drives the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive. There’s nothing fancy about the engine, either. It has got fuel injection for emissions reasons, and is cooled by air. It displaces 853cc from two cylinders but makes 55bhp and 62Nm. That peak torque is at a lowly 3000rpm, and the power peak at 6250rpm – this despite it being a short-stroke engine. The engine is happy enough to potter around at low revs. This isn’t the kind of engine that you wring all the way to the limiter; you surf the waves of torque down low, short shift, and repeat. The gearbox reinforces this behaviour with a false neutral every once in a while, along with a hard action. The shaft drive takes some getting used to, because of the clunks every time you engage the clutch from rest.Â
Despite it being a very conventional setup, the V9 is an ever-willing companion on twisty roads. Of course, it doesn’t have the cornering clearance of a streetbike, but the amount you can lean it over is quite commendable for a cruiser type of motorcycle. It also stays leaned over with confidence, although the wide front tyre doesn’t allow it to steer very quickly. The brakes, like the chassis and suspension, are ordinary – this is a 200kg machine, yet gets only a single 320mm front disc brake. It is adequate, nothing more. The instrument cluster displays the whole shebang, but only one parameter at a time can be displayed on the small digital part of the cluster.Â
There isn’t much room for a pillion, so it is best to think of the V9 Bobber as a solo machine. If you’re a tall rider, then it will be difficult to strap a tailbag on as well. The riding position itself is uncomfortable for tall riders – move too far back, and you’re going to find it difficult to use the rear brake. Move too far in front and you’re sure to bark your shins on the intake headers. That tank may look like a great supermodel with its thin structure, but it offers no purchase for your knees, putting your shins at risk every time you brake.Â
All Moto Guzzis are CBUs in our market, so their price is quite high compared to other products in their class. As such, they start off at a disadvantage. Couple that with a tiny dealer network, and owning one doesn’t give you the confidence that a bigger brand would. A small detail that undermines confidence in riders new to the brand is the transverse layout – what this means is that every time you blip the throttle, the motorcycle tips a little to the right. However, this doesn’t affect dynamics in any way; you merely have to trust the engineering that went into it.Â
The air cooling and shaft drive mean that the V9 is one of the few motorcycles that needs literally zero maintenance between services – all you need to do is to keep topping up the fuel and air in the tyres. That’s a luxury for most of us who have to clean and lubricate our drive chains and check the coolant level every few hundred kilometres.Â
That CBU pricing removes it from most people’s shopping list simply because it doesn’t remain value for money any way you try to spin it. However, that also means that should you get one, you’re almost certain to not see another one. Ever. There won’t be any Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber riding groups in India with this pricing, that’s for certain. Individuality is probably this product's greatest asset.Â
The Rs 13.2 lakh price tag ex-showroom, Mumbai puts it in some heavyweight company. The Indian Scout Sixty, Honda Africa Twin, Aprilia Mana 850, Ducati Multistrada 950, Kawasaki Versys 100, and Triumph Tiger XCA are all within striking distance of the V9 Bobber.
1. Arai Astro-IQ Pro Shade Second in the Arai street models hierarchy, the Astro-IQ is a comfortable, stable helmet at any speed. The Pro Shade visor gives you the flexibility of riding in the day or at night with a single visor. Price: ₹ 58,000Â
2. Scorpion Hat Trick Mesh/Textile jacket Although not on sale for a while now, the Hat Trick is a jacket that is protective yet allows decent airflow. The fleece liner keeps you warm enough, and the waterproof liner makes it truly impermeable, even in a Mumbai monsoon. Drying it out takes a while, though. Price: ₹ 15600 (Scorpion Phalanx)Â
3. Royal Enfield Spiti riding gloves Made for comfortable touring, these short-cuff gloves offer a lot of comfort right from the first ride. Price: ₹ 3200
4. Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 pants Mesh is a wonderful thing in our heat, and the Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh pants manage an ideal combination of protection via the removable armour and airflow. Price: ₹ 9600 (Phoenix Ion)
5. Royal Enfield long riding boots With a little inspiration from both off-road boots and touring boots, the RE long riding boots are comfortable and yet protective. Price: ₹ 11,000
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Photos: Kapil Angane
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Fuel Type Petrol
Max Power 53.4 bhp @ 6,250 rpm
Max Torque 62 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
Cooling System Air and Oil-Cooled
Transmission 6 Speed Manual
Transmission Type Chain Drive
Emission Standard BS-IV
Displacement 853 cc
Cylinders 2
Bore 84 mm
Stroke 77 mm
Valves Per Cylinder 2
Compression Ratio 10.5: 1
Ignition --
Spark Plugs 2 Per Cylinder
Gear Shifting Pattern --
Clutch --
Fuel Delivery System --
Fuel Tank Capacity 15 litres
Reserve Fuel Capacity 4 litres
Riding Range --
Mileage - ARAI --
Mileage - Owner Reported --
Top Speed --
Braking System Dual Channel ABS
Front Brake Type Disc
Front Brake Size 320 mm
Rear Tyre Size 150/80 B 16
Tyre Type Tubeless
Radial Tyres Yes
Rear Brake Type Disc
Rear Brake Size 260 mm
Calliper Type Front-4-Piston , Rear-2 Piston Calliper
Wheel Type Alloy
Front Wheel Size 16 inch
Rear Wheel Size 16 inch
Front Tyre Size 130/90 - 16
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider) --
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider) --
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --
Front Suspension standard fork, Ø 40 mm
Rear Suspension Swingarm with Double Shock Absorber
Kerb Weight 199 kg
Overall Length 2,185 mm
Overall Width 840 mm
Wheelbase 1,465 mm
Ground Clearance --
Seat Height 808 mm
Overall Height 1,160 mm
Chassis Type ALS steel twin tube cradle frame
Standard Warranty (Year) --
Standard Warranty (Kilometers) --
Odometer Digital
DRLs (Daytime running lights) --
Mobile App Connectivity --
Low Oil IndicatorNo
Low Battery IndicatorYes
Pillion BackrestNo
GPS & Navigation --
USB charging port --
Front storage box --
Under seat storage --
AHO (Automatic Headlight On) --
Speedometer Analogue
Fuel Guage Yes
Digital Fuel Guage Yes
Tachometer --
Stand Alarm No
Stepped Seat No
No. of Tripmeters 2
Tripmeter Type Digital
Low Fuel Indicator Yes
Pillion GrabrailYes
Pillion SeatYes
Pillion FootrestYes
Start TypeElectric Start
Shift LightYes
KillswitchYes
ClockYes
Battery12V - 18 Ah
Headlight Type--
Brake/Tail Light--
Turn Signal--
Pass LightYes
Additional features--
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Italian two-wheeler marquee, Moto Guzzi has presented its latest retro offering at the EICMA 2022. Dubbed the V9 Bobber Special Edition, the bike is built on the existing V9 platform but features a few changes. Let’s take a look at it.
Italian two-wheeler brand, Moto Guzzi has revealed the 2021 iteration of its V9 series. The range comprises of two variants – V9 Roamer and V9 Bobber.
The V85 adapts a classic enduro styling but comes with modern features. It goes up against the Triumph Tiger 800, Ducati Multistrada 950 and BMW F850 GS in the country.
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