Moto Guzzi 850 V9 Bobber Open House 2017 — Specifications

Fifty years. That was the age the V7 was celebrating when Moto Guzzi decided to open the doors of its Mandello del Lario factory, in early September 2017, to mark the anniversary of the model that changed everything for the brand. And to commemorate the occasion, the Italians unveiled this V9 Bobber Open House Special Edition — a variant that speaks volumes about their approach to celebration: no extra chrome, no golden flourishes. Black. Nothing but black.

The Total Black treatment covers every visible surface, every metal component, every detail that might have gleamed in another life. The tank bears a commemorative logo designed specifically for the occasion. Bar End mirrors mount at the handlebar tips, billet-machined aluminium cylinder head covers complete the package, and a stylized flyscreen sets the final tone. It's coherent, it's deliberate, and it gives this limited edition a sharper identity than the standard Bobber — which was hardly shy to begin with.

Beneath that dark shell beats the 853 cc transverse V-twin, producing 55 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and, more importantly, 62.8 Nm of torque available from 3,000 rpm. The power figures don't inspire on paper, but the Guzzi V-twin has never operated according to that logic. This engine is experienced, not read. It pulls, it growls at low revs, it communicates through vibrations and the surges of its shaft drive — that same shaft drive that sets the Mandello marque apart from every Japanese or German competitor in this segment. At 199 kg dry, the machine remains manageable, and its 780 mm seat height makes it accessible to a wide range of riders.

Against a Triumph Bonneville Bobber or a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500, the Guzzi plays in a different register: it's more expensive, more exclusive, and fully owns its transalpine character. Technology isn't absent, however. Traction control operates across two modes, ABS is standard, a USB port features on the dashboard, and the MG-MP multimedia platform remains available as an option. Handlebar controls, six-speed gearbox — everything is in place for the rider to focus on the road rather than the menus.

This Open House targets a specific buyer: someone who knows Guzzi, who accepts the €10,500 asking price for a 55-horsepower motorcycle, and who sees in this commemorative rarity something beyond mere marketing dressing. It's a machine for the converted, not the curious. For everyone else, the Roamer remains a gentler entry point into the family. But for those who want the least accommodating version, the most raw, the one that still carries the scent of the Mandello workshop, the choice is quickly made.