Piaggio Group’s exotic motorcycle brand Moto Guzzi is renowned for its beautifully designed and crafted bikes, and the manufacturer has presence in India for a few years. Now, the company has introduced three new bikes in the Indian market which includes a pair of models based on their smaller capacity V9 platform and their extremely striking bagger, the MGX-21.
V9 Roamer and Bobber
The V9 Roamer and Bobber form the mid-capacity offerings and are powered by an 853cc V-twin motor mounted in the company’s distinct transverse style with cylinder heads sticking out from each side of the bike. With 55hp of peak power and 62Nm of maximum torque on demand, the V9s have been designed to be lighter, more accessible models in the company’s range.
The Roamer, the more cruiser-like of the two bikes, is the spiritual successor to the company’s Nevada line of mid-size cruisers, and gets taller handlebars, a bigger 19-inch front wheel as well as a large rear fender. And true to cruiser styling, the Roamer also gets lots of chrome finish all across the bike. The Bobber, with its skinnier fenders, and chunky 16-inch wheels at both ends, is representative of the style of stripped-down motorcycles (called bobbers) for use on dirt tracks that became popular in the United States following the World War II. Thanks to lowered handlebars, the Bobber also has a slightly sportier riding position as compared to the Roamer, and gets dollops of matte-black paint in place of all the chrome. Both bikes get a variety of modern features such as ABS, adjustable traction control, engine immobiliser and a USB port.
Both the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer and Bobber are available at the company’s MotoPlex dealerships across the country at a price of Rs 13.60 lakh (ex-showroom Pune).
MGX-21
The MGX-21 was introduced at last year’s Milan motorcycle show (EICMA) and holds the distinction of being Moto Guzzi’s first ever bagger motorcycle. This exceptionally designed motorcycle is gets a powerful transverse-mounted 1,380cc 90-degree V-twin motor that’s good for 96.9hp and makes a peak torque figure of 121Nm. The incredible black styling of the bike is complemented by a liberal use of carbonfibre for various panels and gets contrasting red paint on the cylinder heads for the engine as well as on the Brembo brake calipers. The striking front fairing houses a fairly comprehensive twin-pod instrument cluster along with a high-end entertainment system. Other high-tech features include ABS, adjustable traction control which can also be disabled, a ride-by-wire throttle and cruise control.
Nicknamed ‘the Flying Fortress’ for its distinctive looks, the MGX-21 will be available in India on order only and will set you back a cool Rs 27.78 lakh (ex-showroom Pune) for the privilege of owning one.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
