Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer review

Moto Guzzi has been adding large chunks of refinement into its motorcycles for a while now, with the magnificent California 1400 Touring a prime example. It’s a beautiful piece of long-distance kit, with that rubber-mounted engine a pure gem.

The California 1400 has managed to keep its Moto Guzzi ‘uniqueness’ while simultaneously appealing to a wider audience, and the V9 Roamer has a similar narrative.

MORE: Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring review

First released in 2015 alongside the V9 Bobber, the retro twin may not have the sheer bulk, presence and jaw-dropping chutzpah of the California 1400, but it moves in the same orbit insofar as mainstream appeal is concerned.

Bikesales took Moto Guzzi’s self-declared “cosmopolitan custom” for a spin during the massive hot spell in January, which probably wasn’t the best time to spend any length of time with knees anywhere near those big, air-cooled, 90-degree V-twin cylinders.

It was hot, yes, but certainly not excruciating – and those pots were more of a concern when a pillion was on board as my knees kept pushing against them. That’s a function of a low 775mm seat height, too.

The engine configuration is part of Moto Guzzi legend, and the 853cc two-valve unit in the shaft-driven V9 Roamer has plenty of punch – although it does sometimes take a few pokes of the starter button to get it settled into idle. Mind you, there are now far less coughs than the old carby days.

The Euro 4-compliant powerplant (a job well done despite the lack of liquid cooling) has a single throttle body for the Marelli EFI and a single-plate dry clutch. Not super high-tech – but it doesn’t pretend to be as it concentrates on one thing. Torque production.

Peak torque is 62Nm at a tasty 3000rpm, and the graph doesn’t dip below 50Nm from 2000-7000rpm. That’s the satisfying part of the Roamer equation, as there’s nothing remotely satisfying in trying to rev the ginger off it. If you do want to indulge you’ll hit a 55hp (40.5kW) peak at 6250rpm.

Otherwise, it’s all about gliding along in a smooth and no-fuss manner. But if you want to keep a track of revs, there’s no tacho on the LCD inset but you can access all that information on an App.

The first gear on the Roamer is quite short, but then the ratios open up – completely in sync with that wide spread of torque. To really appreciate sixth gear, though, you’ll have to be punching out about 120 clicks. Less than that and you’ll be up against it for clean acceleration.

The gearbox is a really impressive part of the drivetrain; not only bulletproof but with really slick and positive shift patterns.

The Roamer has traction control and anti-lock braking, but you’d have to question whether the former is really necessary on such a mild-mannered machine. Still, it’s there, switchable and with two separate settings, the highest very sensitive. ABS is a two-channel (ie front and back) setup, and the brakes are by Brembo – the front more than capable and the rear very weak.

I found the $15,190 (plus on-road costs) Roamer a much more enjoyable proposition for gentle country cruises than pushing through town – where you can feel the bike rocking from side to side as the engine beats away, and those wide set footrests can give the shins a hard time.

Weighing in at less than 200kg fully fuelled, the Roamer is really a cinch to flick from side to side which makes for a surprisingly nimble experience. It’s also rock-solid mid-corner, which is what you’d expect from a motorcycle in this genre. And it can all be done in comfort with a great seat and upright bars, and all in a quiet package. Even the dry clutch doesn’t make a lot of clatter.

Compared to the V9 Bobber, the Roamer is not only narrower but has a 19-inch front wheel. I like the balance that promotes: still more than robust enough but with plenty of the aforementioned nimbleness to keep those Pirelli Sport Demon tyres on their toes. Ground clearance is decent, too.

The rear suspension, comprising twin preload-adjustable shocks, is compliant but – unsurprisingly – is quite soft, which you have to take into consideration when you’re about to welcome an ‘expansive’ pillion aboard, for example. That’s where the Moto Guzzi accessories catalogue can help out. The front suspension is non-adjustable, but is the stronger part of the boinger equation.

The trip computer on the V9 Roamer is comprehensive, but the red backlit instrumentation is hard to see at night.

Visually, the V9 Roamer gets more than a pass mark, especially the multi-spoke wheels and the fuel tank with those wide flanks and neat coachlines.

The V9 Roamer is a more impressive motorcycle than we were expecting. It’s got a rock of an engine that is supremely useable with plenty of purr and torque, and the skinny front wheel produces free and easy steering. The Roamer’s all about Italian passion with a real livability factor, and that equates with plenty of fun.

Sure, you may want to spice up some parts of the equation to add a little more practicality into the equation, but at least the Roamer’s based on robust and solid underpinnings – and that’s what really matters.

SPECS: MOTO GUZZI V9 ROAMER

ENGINE
Type: Air/oil-cooled, four-valve, four-stroke, 90-degree V-twin
Capacity: 853cc
Bore x stroke: 84mm x 77mm
Compression ratio: 10.5: 1
Fuel system: Marelli electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro 4

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 55hp (40.4kW) at 6250rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 62Nm at 3000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Shaft
Clutch: Dry, single plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Tubular steel double cradle
Front suspension: 40mm conventional fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: 320mm disc with four-piston Brembo caliper
Rear brakes: 260mm disc with twin-piston Brembo caliper
Wheels: Alloy, front 2.5in x 19in, rear 4.0in x 16in
Tyres: Front 100/90R19, rear 150/80R16

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 26.4 degrees
Trail: 125mm
Wet weight: 200kg
Seat height: 775mm
Wheelbase: 1465mm
Fuel capacity: 15 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $15,190 plus on-road costs
Colours: Yellow, white or red
Bike Supplied by: Moto Guzzi Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres