Motorcycle specifications Moto-Guzzi 850 V9 Bobber 2017 The mechanics of the heart..

historically, Moto Guzzi is a daring brand! You only have to visit the museum in the heart of the authentic factory on the shores of Lake Como, in Mandelo del Lario, Italy, to realize this. Born almost a century ago - in 1921 - the famous Italian brand, whose emblem is an eagle spreading its wings in mid-flight (a tribute to L'Aquila, the emblem of the squadron of aviators Giorgio Parodi and Carlo Guzzi, who were at the origin of the brand), has tried and invented everything!

from the very first motorcycle it produced, Moto Guzzi made bold technical choices that were terribly modern for the time, since the 499 cm3 four-stroke single-cylinder powering this pioneer was a horizontally-placed engine block with four valves, driven by an overhead camshaft, and equipped with dual ignition!

a century later, the "overhead camshaft and four-valve" technology is still the most widespread in motorcycle production. From hypersports bikes packed with horsepower to Chinese bikes that imitate tried-and-tested Japanese technology, everyone uses it.

in terms of engine architecture, Guzzi went from a 4-valve single to a four-cylinder compressor in the 1930s, via three-cylinders, a host of twins and a four-stroke V8 created for competition in the early 1950s. The ever-innovative Italian brand placed its cylinders horizontally, in-line, V-shaped, longitudinally or laterally. For over 60 years, Moto Guzzi was one of the world's leading motorcycle brands.

then , starting with the launch of the V7 in 1968, Moto Guzzi concentrated on the mechanical architecture that has made its reputation today: the road-facing V-twin. More than just an engine, this twin represents an integral part of motorcycle culture. Just as you need to have tried a Harley V-twin at least once in your life, you need to have tried a Guzzi twin at least once to understand what engine character means.

whatever the displacement, the Guzzi DNA is definitely present. The reversing torque that swings the bike from left to right with every twist of the throttle is a sensation you'll never forget. Open at 90°, this transverse twin represents the soul of the bike. So when Moto Guzzi introduces a new twin, it's always an event. The V9 Roamer and Bobber inaugurated this pleasure in 2016.

the V7 engine already in the range, initially based on the V65 twin, had reached maximum bore dimensions, so Moto Guzzi decided to create an all-new twin of exactly 853 cm3 (84 x 77 mm). Called the V9, this twin is rated at 55 hp at 6,250 rpm and 62 Nm at 3,000 rpm (65 hp and 73 Nm since 2021), and is the heart of this atypical Bobber.

with its 1960s-inspired lines, this V9 Bobber relies on a strong sense of nostalgia to seduce. With its large handlebars and low, ultra-flat seat, it offers a very special riding position and ergonomics, somewhere between custom and roadster. While fiercely reminiscent of the Harley Sportster, it offers a more forward-leaning riding position thanks to its flat handlebars. Whatever your size, the transverse twin also means you have to lean back in the saddle to keep your knees from hitting the cylinders. In 2017, Moto-Guzzi rectified this situation by installing new footpegs, allowing the shoes to sit 10 cm further back and 3.5 cm higher. The saddle has been lengthened and made more comfortable.

almost rustic, naturally rebellious, the V9 is not forgotten by digital technology. It features two-stage (+off) MGCT traction control, dual-channel ABS and a USB socket, plus the optional Moto Guzzi Multimedia Platform system, which allows the bike to communicate with a smartphone and a specific application.
Minimalist in appearance, its dashboard is a simple round meter with a small digital window. As is comfort, which was clearly not part of the specification. The poorly padded seat doesn't compensate for the dryness of the suspension. As a result, while handling may seem easy at first glance, it requires a certain amount of vigilance. All the more so as the large 16-inch balloon front tire, which alone justifies the name Bobber, doesn't help with precise steering or a truly natural feel. On the contrary, it weighs down the steering and demands a bit of commitment from the rider.

for all that, this Bobber remains an atypical motorcycle in the motorcycle production and has real arguments to seduce. Pragmatists will appreciate the final drive by cardan shaft, which avoids the need for regular chain tensioning and lubrication. Enthusiasts, on the other hand, will revel in the full-fledged character of this big twin, which delivers its share of good vibrations and propels the V9 Bobber forcefully from one bend to the next, thanks to its generous torque. This big-tired Guzzi is a living, breathing motorcycle. You don't buy it for its qualities on paper, you fall for it because its faults don't match the pleasure it provides. Or when the heart has its reasons that reason ignores...

Michaël Levivier - Manufacturer's photos