Celebrating 95 years for a company is a big thing and to have survived against all the odds was a mountainous task for Moto Guzzi. Paying tribute to this past effort of custom motorcyclists, MG headed to a major revival plan and launched the new range of V9 platform a couple of years ago that angles towards the cruiser style rather than the V7’s roadster theme.

The first offerings were in the form of the mainstream-custom “Roamer,” and the more sinister “Bobber” that was launched a couple of years ago. For 2019, the Lario eagle moniker is getting a sporty new variant of the Bobber to show its mean and racing side of its character. Called the “V9 Bobber Sport”, is has been inspired from the ‘bobbed’ flat track racers from the ‘50s America.

STYLING

Although designed by the futuristic thinkers of the Centro Stile Piaggio Group with input from the Piaggio Advanced Design Centre (PADC), the ’70s-era styling made into the V9s’ rather effortlessly, and it suits the MG’s heritage impression really well.

The Bobber always seems to be more of a masculine silhouette with a traditional darker and sportier nemesis. The black theme is seen everywhere including the flat drag-style handlebar mounted on the lovely aluminum bar, mirrors, powertrain and the exhaust with a new end cap. For 2019, even the engine cooling fins, aluminum billet fuel cap, headlight ring and the instrumentation graphics carry on the matte black finish.

Complimenting that solo saddle is the new low drag bar supported by lower risers that lead to a more accentuated “low ride”, compact and sporty position the “Bobber Sport” is all about. The blacked out springer shocks now give way to Ohlins unit with a gas reservoir at the rear which contrasts the new special dedicated color scheme - a brand new and gritty orange that covers the fuel tank, new shorter front fenders and also extends to the new aluminum side panels.

All of it mixes will with the all matte black underbelly and finishing off in style is the Moto Guzzi Larian eagle now done in a particular burnished finish. Giving in to the Bobber feel is the chopped rear fender which will now come with a new lowered single-seat steed finished in Alcantara. At the front, the lowered headlight is framed by a tight black aluminum top fairing to give the Bobber a grittier and muscular presence.

What makes this Bobber run is also the same thing that makes it aggressively hot – chubby 130/90 and 150/80 – 16-inch tires that distinguish it from its stablemate. For 2019, Moto Guzzi will continue with the thin spoked alloys that mimic the spoked wheel look. Last, but not least, the fork tubes are protected by classic dust boots.

Overall Dimension

POWERTRAIN

You cannot miss the longitudinally-mounted 90-degree twin in the first ever glimpse even in these blacked out versions, it’s the signature layout of the brand. Guzzi’s in-the-wind, fire-breathing knee guards are unmistakable, and this new Bobber Sport is no exception.

When launched a couple of years ago, close to 90 percent of this V-twin mill was new, and the displacement was up from 744cc in the V7 to 853cc. Underwhelming is the motor’s 55 hp that comes at 6,250 rpm, and the 46 lb-ft of twisting force creeps in at as low as 3000 rpm, which is more than sufficient for the town. A single plate clutch transmits this to the rear through a 6-speed gearbox and a shaft type final drive.

Traditional air cooling and 2 valves per head stay in this motor, but the added oil cooling complies with the regulations. The Marelli electronic-fuel injection has a single shared throttle body. At idle, like all Moto Guzzi engines, this V9 has a pleasant side-to-side beat. Yet, once the rpms are at riding speed, the beat smooths right out, and there is no distracting vibration.

The street-legal slip-on exhaust pipes enhance the unmistakable sound of the Moto Guzzi 850 V-twin painted matte black and with an aluminum bottom, characterized at the end by a sleek, oblique shape. It comes with a three-way catalytic converter and twin Lambda probes.

Engine Specification

RIDE AND HANDLING

Ride on V9 Bobber had a cruiser attitude, but with a drag style handlebar and thin narrow saddle with mid-mount footpegs, it showcased a more aggressive, forward-leaning riding position which cannot be called comfortable but looks meaner around the short bursts in town.

The 2019 Bobber Sport, however, shifts from a cruiser attitude to a rather dynamic and admitting riding position with the new lower drag bar and rear-set pegs to give the rider a sporty appeal. And with that new lowered single-seat saddle, supported by lower risers, leads to a more accentuated “low ride”, compact and sporty position.

The Bobber weighed in at 463 lbs makes it nimble and easy to toss it back and forth or side to side. Saying that does not mean that one could lean considerably. Doing that will scrape the footpegs since they are positioned low. Overall, the bike does not disappoint.

Riding pleasure and easy handling are enhanced by the Öhlins shock absorbers, adjustable in spring preload and hydraulic compression and rebound to ensure better bump dampening capacity and at the same time more control in fast riding. The front, however, is the same basic and standard non-adjustable forks with 5.1-inch travel.

Pair of Brembo 4-pot 320mm disc and 2-pot 260mm disc carried over from the standard Bobber provide predictable stopping power at a peg-scraping pace. Electronic rider aids include dual channel ABS by Continental and standard Moto Guzzi traction control (MGTC) having two modes, “1 – dry” and “2 – wet,” which can be turned off if you think you are a pro.

Chassis Specifications

PRICE

Coming in just a skosh higher in the V9 category was the Bobber at $10,490. So expect this Bobber Sport to carry a price tag of around $11,000 when it comes on the showroom floors. The Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber Sports is scheduled to hit the market in October, but the price is not yet known.

The new V9 Bobber Sport a can also be widely customized from the vast range of genuine Moto Guzzi accessories. Moto Guzzi will let you dress your machine with the closet full of accessories including soft bags, luggage racks, billet things, fenders, red valve covers, café-style seats, number-plate side covers (in metal) and even the missing tachometer.

COMPETITION

Triumph Street Cup

This Triumph is modern, but make no doubt about its ability to be classy. The blokes at Triumph have managed to set just the right setup for a fun and practical way to hit the streets. As one would expect, this Street Cup is loaded with a lot more urban panache and flamboyancy due to its cleaner styling cues and commendable ergonomics. The contemporary urban styling cues are boldly shown with those clean looking lines and minimal bodywork.

Boasting a ‘high torque’ 900cc motor this Street Cup is capable of 54 hp @5900 rpm. Not much one would say but is enough to wind around in the urban city more comfortably, and the torque figures are in the range of 59 lb-ft. Rider aids such as ride-by-wire, ABS and switchable traction control adorns the newbies and experienced riders alike.

The steering angle is steeper to accommodate a more neutral and predictable handling. For suspension, KYB twin shocks with adjustable preload have been used. ABS is a standard for giving more confidence to the rider. To have an effortless urban commute, both shocks give a pretty impressive 120 mm travel and stopping this Bonneville is with the help of Nissin 2-piston floating calipers. You might as well say that this no-compromise setup is just the right formula to go get colorful on your city streets.

VERDICT

Moto Guzzi always makes it a point to keep both retro and the modern fumbled into the same machine. This V9 Bobber Sport is no different. It both amuse and bemuse with a thrilling and willing engine to carry it forward. The charming machine is carefully handcrafted in the historic Mandello factory which is both fun to look and ride. Easy to ride, this Bobber excels in usability, reliability and gets the job done with the character.

This Bobber Sport is a different high which gives you immense fun on these short bursts of city escapes and a little bit of show off. The specially dedicated color scheme, sportier riding stance, Öhlins shock absorbers, and aluminum components give this Bobber Sport authentic “racing” origin.

Moto Guzzi is back my friends; back with a BANG.