2023 Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Special Edition First Look

In baseball, nobody hits a home run every time at bat; of course, the same is true in motorcycling. Still, since Moto Guzzi was acquired by Piaggio, their styling department has had a pretty good batting average. Their sequence of V7 models has progressively grown in elegance and refinement while keeping a firm grip on the brand’s reputation for classic forms; if you need proof, take a look at the totally new V85TT enduro, or the new V100 Mandello.

But every now and then they’ve managed to run a bike through a mud puddle. When Guzzi attempted to grab a piece of the custom-bike pie with their V9 Bobber, the results were mixed at best. On the plus side, the model contributed the 850cc version of Guzzi’s lovely 90-degree transverse twin. Yet compared to the V7 models, the first V9 Bobber was a swing and a miss; indeed, the fat tires might have made it a foul tip that into the stands.

In an attempt to correct this situation, Moto Guzzi introduced their new Bobber Special Edition at EICMA 2022. While the basic bike is unchanged, the new graphics show a positive attempt to iron out the previous model’s styling faults. The drop-shaped tank gets a two-tone gray/black treatment with a thin separation along the tank’s crease. Matte black is dominant in all components, starting with the complete exhaust system, including the pipes and large, megaphone-shaped silencers. The multi-spoke cast-aluminum wheels are also black, and mounted with 130/90-16 front and 150/80-16 rear tires.

The V9 Bobber Special Edition is powered by the new “standard” version of the air-cooled 853cc Guzzi 90-degree twin, generating 65 horsepower. It’s a massive bike for its displacement, with a 57.7-inch wheelbase and a dry weight of 427.7 pounds. The chassis is a classic bolted double-cradle steel frame. Twin rear shocks are adjustable for preload, and the front suspension uses a 40mm telefork with rubber gaiters. Steering geometry is moderate for a custom-oriented bike, with 26.4 degrees of rake and 4.6 inches of trail; seat height is 31 inches.

It’s certainly an improvement.