Back in the early 2000s as the wild custom chopper mania was beginning to wane with the public, a unique custom bike subculture was beginning to emerge. Instead of raked-out front ends and expensive paint jobs (and only Harleys), this movement leaned more toward a minimalist look, with most of the extraneous parts removed and no flashy parts. Some manufacturers tried to tap into this popularity, with Moto Guzzi’s V9 Bobber that was originally released in 2017 a prime example.
The 853cc air/oil-cooled 90-degree transverse V-twin has some differences to the V2 engines used in bikes like the V85 TT. The Bobber’s engine doesn’t have the VVT that was installed in the V85′s engine in ‘21, with engine tuning that is biased more toward low-end torque negating the need for it. The peak power numbers reflect that difference, with 64 hp at 6,800 rpm, and max torque of 53.8 lb.-ft. at 5,000 rpm (versus the V85′s 80 hp at 7,750 rpm and 61.2 lb.-ft. at 5,100 rpm) showing that the V9 Bobber is intended for less strenuous riding. The engine, dual exhausts, and transmission are all painted black, with the 3.9-gallon teardrop tank leading to a flat one-piece seat that sits at 31.1 inches tall. The handlebar is also a straight, drag-style flat bend, forcing a bit of a reach from the seat.
The steel tube frame has relaxed steering geometry specs in keeping with the cruiser idiom, with 26.4 degrees of rake and 4.6 inches of trail ensuring major stability. The Bobber look mandates fat tires, so the V9 rides on 16-inch cast spoke-type wheels front and rear, with a 130/90-16 bias-ply tire up front and 150/80-16 in the rear. The 40mm nonadjustable conventional fork sporting 5.1 inches of travel has gaiter covers to maintain the look, and the twin rear shocks are preload adjustable with 3.1 inches of travel. An LED headlight incorporates the Moto Guzzi eagle wings logo as a daytime running light at its center. The V9 Bobber also features new digital instrumentation that acts as an interface for the multimedia system, connecting the rider’s smartphone to the bike’s electronic suite and infotainment system.
The 2024 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber is available in Nero Essenziale for $10,490. The V9 Bobber Centenario is available in Centenario (black) for $10,690. And the V9 Bobber Special Edition is available in Workshop Twin Tone for $10,790.
