Moto Guzzi V9 bought and great service from Churchill Motorcycles

29/08/2026

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber bought and great service from Churchill Motorcycles

I had been browsing around on the web recently when I spotted a very decent looking low mileage Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber. The bike was located at Churchill Motorcycles in Towcester near Northampton.

The showroom pictures looked superb and seemed to match the sales description. This 2021 model looked to be in stunning condition and with less than 1,000 miles on the clock!

Just the previous week my wife and I had called down to Robinson’s Motorcycles in Rochdale to look at a similar V9 (2020 model). The 2020 model in Robinson’s was nice enough but the 2021 model brought some pretty significant changes over the 2016/2020 models.

Model changes

The headline change was in moving from Euro 4 compliance to Euro 5 compliance. This brought with it an increase in both power (55hp to 65hp) and a 17% increase in torque. Other modifications included reinforcing the headstock for increased stability, rubber covered foot pegs for reduced vibrations, slimmer seat, different side panels and a shorter front mudguard. There was also a shift to full LED lighting and adjustable traction control became a standard feature.

Whilst no one buys a Moto Guzzi V9 for all out power, I felt the increased BHP and other improvements in the Euro 5 model made that the model to look out for.

Picture set one – showroom images

The pictures in this set are from the advertisement on Churchill Motorcycles web site

But was the bike really this good or was it a trick of the light and did I really get great service at Churchill Motorcycles? Have a look at these pictures then close the gallery and read on.

Click any image to open the picture set and click/scroll through

Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber at Churchill Motorcycles

It’s not my first Moto Guzzi

Regular readers may well know I have owned a Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic since new (2012) – you can read about (and see pictures of it at this link).

I’ll stick to the purchase of the new bike in this post and come back in a week or two to write a little more about Moto Guzzi in general and the evolution of the V7 and V9. But in advance of that piece, it’s fair to say that whilst the V7 is an essential part of Moto Guzzi history, the V9 is less so. That’s reflected in sales figures and the longevity of the models – the V7 being produced in a number of variants since the production of the V7 703 cc 90° V twin in 1967. The V9 was produced between 2016 and 2024 and only a few hundred of the post 2021 model were ever sold in the UK

Calling to Churchill Motorcycles

I phoned the dealers to check the bike was still available and spoke to Ian the owner. He told me a little about the bike and confirmed it was in the showroom and available for sale.

Although I could have completed the purchase online I really did want to see and feel the bike before making a decision.

From home to the showroom in Towcester was to be around a 300 mile return trip. The following day we were away after breakfast and my wife and I, along with our nephew arrived at the showroom around 11:30.

As described

The bike was absolutely as described, complete with new tyres (Bridgestone H50s) new battery, fresh oil and fluids since it was last ridden.

Not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’

For a variety of reasons Moto Guzzi’s are not everybody’s ‘cup of tea’. Maybe that’s part of their appeal. They have their own quirks: a transverse V-twin engine, shaft drive, distinctive looks and a riding experience that can often feel quite different than the polished and predictable character of many modern bikes. If it’s absolute performance you are looking for or the latest super high tech’ sophistication then it’s probably the wrong brand.

Moto Guzzi V7 Cafe Classic and Moto Guzzi V9 Bobber (the authors bikes) — The author’s V7 & V9

Hard to describe

But a Moto Guzzi does have ‘character’ and something that’s quite difficult to describe or to quantify on a specification sheet.

Maybe you either appreciate that old-school charm and mechanical feel, or you just wonder why anyone would put up with it. But for those who like that slightly odd and different nature I think it’s part of what makes a Moto Guzzi special.

It looked right and it felt good

The V9 at Churchill Motorcycles looked immaculate and felt good when I sat on it. Even with the gentlest twist of the throttle, that familiar Guzzi lurch was there. That lurch happens as the longitudinally mounted crankshaft spins up, its reaction torque tries to rotate the engine in the opposite direction which in turn sends that unmistakable little movement through the frame.

I decided I would have the bike. Although the price was at the higher end for a V9 from 2021 – the remarkable low mileage and the virtually ‘as new’ condition made it worthwhile. The new tyres, battery, oils, fluid and service check added value and I agreed with Ian (who owns the business with his wife) that delivery to my home would be included. But importantly I felt pretty happy with the set up at Churchill and I was confident to do the deal.

Why buy from Churchill Motorcycles rather than a main dealer or bigger national chain

The bike I wanted wasn’t available in a main dealer and buying from a national chain isn’t risk free. The recent disastrous debacle with the Superbike Factory collapse illustrates pretty clearly that a big organisation with a big turnover doesn’t always guarantee a safe and reliable sale. Superbike factory were moving about 15,000 bikes and turning over £80m a year but went into receivership recently and left hundreds of bikers in a difficult and still unresolved financial situation.

A reputation built on experience

Unlike Superbike Factory, Churchill Motorcycles, are a small independent dealership at Potterspury in Northamptonshire and is run by Ian and Carley Churchill.

I gather they have more than three decades of motorcycle experience behind the business, and have built a reputation that seems quite different from larger, volume-driven dealerships.

The impression I got from looking online and from my visit was that there is a real emphasis on selling carefully selected used bikes using accurate descriptions and (judging from online reviews) the experiences of their customers.

All in all it seemed like a refreshingly personal approach.

Reassuringly straightforward

My own experience completely reinforced that impression. The Guzzi V9 was exactly as described, maybe if anything, better. It was immaculate, with new Bridgestone tyres, battery, oils and brake fluid, and had clearly been cared for rather than simply prepared for sale. To be honest dealing with both Ian and Carley felt reassuringly straightforward.

Having seen what happened to many Superbike customers I asked Ian how would I know I wouldn’t risk losing my money in between me paying for the bike and it being delivered. The answer he gave was ideal and perfectly reassuring. I was to pay a £500 deposit and then nothing until the bike was safely delivered … and that is exactly what happened.

Picture set two – visit to look at the bike

Have a look at the picture set to see a series of images from the showroom – there’s some nice bikes in there and all prepared to an incredibly high level. And check out the Phil Read replica … there were only about 150 built and I think less than 40 have survived! Click any image to open the picture gallery and click or scroll through.

Would I recommend Churchill Motorcycles?

I suppose the clue was in the title to this blog post. In practice there was no hard and pushy sales patter from Ian and the sorting out of the sale and associated paperwork with Carley was professional, relaxed and easy. The bike I bought was as described and was safely delivered to me a week later by Terry (who I met when I was there).

Ian and Carley did exactly what they said they would do and when they said they would do it.

If you’re looking for a used bike I’d say check them out. And If they have what your looking for give Ian or Carley a call, I doubt you will be disappointed.

Marmite in the garage

So I bought a bike and the V9 is in the garage next to the V7 and the CMX 1100. The sales experience with Ian and Carley was as good if not better than any I have ever had.

As far as the bikes go – I’ve had my share of bikes over the years, but what I have in the garage right now feels pretty right for what I want from biking.

I know for many folk Moto Guzzi’s can be a bit like Marmite but the thing is, if I had a bigger garage I have even more marmite!

And finally a visit to the Super Sausage

Just down the road from Churchill Motorbikes is a terrific bikers cafe – it’s less than half a mile away and has the magnificent name of Super Sausage Cafe. It’s been around for more than 70 years and is full of biking memorabilia.

If you’re down that way it’s well worth a stop – here’s a few pictures from when we called in before heading home after buying the Guzzi V9 at Churchill Motorcycles

Click any picture to open the picture set and then click or scroll through