Coming to the bikes itself, as mentioned earlier, the new V9 range comprises of two motorcycles - the Bobber and the Roamer. The bikes were first seen in India at the 2016 Auto Expo, where the company announced its plan to launch the bikes in India in the second half of 2016. Like other Moto Guzzi's both the models will arrive in India taking the CBU route. The bikes are essentially city cruisers that are light, agile and well-built. Though essentially they are the same bikes under the skin, both have different characters. According to Moto Guzzi, "the Roamer takes the baton handed off by the Nevada from Moto Guzzi and comes on the scene as an elegant and universal custom whereas the Bobber represents the darker and sporty soul of Moto Guzzi with its total black look."
Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber
The bikes are built on the same platform and thus use the same chassis and engine, which is a transversely mounted 850cc twin cylinder euro 4 engine churns out a maximum of 54bhp and develops a peak torque of 61Nm. Power is sent to a rear wheel via a shaft, while the transmission duties are handled by a 6-speed gearbox as standard.
The Moto Guzzi MGX 21, on the other hand, has all the character of a classic bagger motorcycle. Known by its nickname 'Flying Fortress,' the MGX-21 is the newest offering from the iconic brand and marks Moto Guzzi's entry into the Bagger segment of the market that currently hold brands like the Indian and Harley-Davidson. The bike comes in an all-black shade with a carbon fibre-like finish on the tank and fenders. The MGX-21 also comes with a large well-sculpted alien-like head along with double curve windshield.
Moto Guzzi MGX-21
Powering this massive beast is a 90-degree transverse-mounted V-Twin from the California 1400. The 1380cc engine churns out a maximum of 96bhp and develops a peak torque of 120Nm. The bike is also equipped with a host of electronics that includes - ABS, adjustable traction control which can also be disabled, the Ride-by-Wire accelerator and cruise control.
Stefano Pelle, Managing Director and CEO Piaggio India said, "It is a proud moment for us at the Piaggio Group as we bring to India these exclusive bikes from Moto Guzzi. These bikes are an epitome of Italian heritage and their launch in India coincides with the 95th anniversary of the brand. Motorcycle lovers will now be able to experience the luxurious feel of these superbikes on Indian terrain. We aim to reach out to patrons in India across all segments with our diverse product range from Vespa, Aprilia and now Moto Guzzi at varied price points. These bikes from Moto Guzzi offer a unique way of looking at a bike trip - one filled with adventure, discovery and freedom."
