Author Topic: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest  (Read 29840 times)

Offline OldMojo

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Got an email today that the MG preview truck will be at Cadre showing off the new lineup, including the V85.

Since it doesn't call it the "demo truck", I'm guessing no rides.

This is Wednesday and Thursday, the 24th and 25th. Hours aren't mentioned, so presumably shop hours, 9-6.
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Offline vintagehoarder

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elvisboy77

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2019, 08:14:03 PM »
How exciting! They've hit the states!

Offline Joliet Jim

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2019, 09:16:35 PM »
they'll be at windy city triumph this weekend in St Charles Illinois. Having a heart procedure tomorrow so doubt I'll make it out there.
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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2019, 09:16:35 PM »

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2019, 07:40:46 AM »
they'll be at windy city triumph this weekend in St Charles Illinois. Having a heart procedure tomorrow so doubt I'll make it out there.

Well, Jim.. I wouldn't let a little thing like that keep me away..  :evil:
Seriously, all the best to you..
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline vintagehoarder

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2019, 08:11:38 AM »
I'm taking a a vacation day to hang out on the 24th, so say hi if you come by!
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Offline blu guzz

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2019, 09:12:21 AM »
Well, I was going to come by that day, but since you warned me that you would be there, it will have to be the other day.  OK, just joking.  Should be a fun time.  How often do they introduce a truly new bike that isn't just another V7 clone?

Blue Guzz

Offline John Ulrich

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2019, 09:50:00 AM »
Having a heart procedure tomorrow so doubt I'll make it out there.

All the best Dude!!!!   We'll be waiting for a report on your "tuneup"!
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Offline bad Chad

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2019, 09:57:15 AM »
Thumbs up Jimmy!
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Offline guzzimatic

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2019, 10:43:53 AM »
Well crap,I am bringing my Norge over on the 23rd for some TLC,wasn't planning on staying overnight...
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Offline Joliet Jim

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2019, 03:28:43 PM »
Turned out the CT was a false alarm. Angio showed no new blockages. Trying to convince Cheryl to drive me out there but I'm not sure I can throw the leg over a bike. If you ever have the choice between an angio through the wrist instead of the leg take it. A lot less painful and less restrictions.
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twowings

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2019, 05:23:10 PM »
So, the pipes are clean, eh? Good! Better cut back on pie, though, just to be safe... :grin:

Offline inditx

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2019, 05:26:28 PM »
I’ll miss it by a day!  :violent1:
inditx

This is the day.....

Offline Joliet Jim

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2019, 05:26:56 PM »
So, the pipes are clean, eh? Good! Better cut back on pie, though, just to be safe... :grin:

I keep trying to clean them out with good Bourbon
1975 T160 Triumph Trident "Spot"
2002 Cali Stone "Moby Dick"
1998 Centauro "Psycho Chicken"
2003 Buell Blast "Pegasus"

Offline Huzo

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2019, 05:27:11 PM »
they'll be at windy city triumph this weekend in St Charles Illinois. Having a heart procedure tomorrow so doubt I'll make it out there.
Is your heart a 2V or a 4V ?

Offline Joliet Jim

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #15 on: April 18, 2019, 05:30:18 PM »
Is your heart a 2V or a 4V ?

Good question, the 2V Cali stole my heart, but the 4V Centauro races it.
1975 T160 Triumph Trident "Spot"
2002 Cali Stone "Moby Dick"
1998 Centauro "Psycho Chicken"
2003 Buell Blast "Pegasus"

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2019, 07:18:09 AM »
I keep trying to clean them out with good Bourbon

That seems like a good plan.. good for you!  :thumb:
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline timonbik

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2019, 06:14:20 PM »
So they got a few bikes on the show circuit.  When are the dealers going to get stock to sell.  They are sure dragging this out.  Starting to wonder if they are creating predelivery hype because what they got isn't that great????  Like a bad movie.  Lots of hype before its released because if it doesn't make money the opening weekend it never will  because once word gets around how bad it is, no one else will go.
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Offline Tusayan

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2019, 07:53:53 PM »
Very often the US gets new models from European manufacturers dead last...  because US prices are the lowest worldwide and because US consumer protection law is the most intolerant of flaws that can be fixed elsewhere at lower cost to Piaggio, and more cost to the buyer.  Nothing good comes without issues  :grin:
« Last Edit: April 19, 2019, 07:57:23 PM by Tusayan »

Offline OldMojo

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #19 on: April 20, 2019, 10:28:22 AM »
I'd never heard of there being a "Preview Truck" before. I know they've sporadically done demo trucks at big national shows and events, but never at dealerships.

Of course, it's only been the last few years that there's been a dealer close enough to me for it to matter.
"When you hit third gear, you'll forget everything she said"

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Offline bad Chad

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #20 on: April 20, 2019, 11:17:16 AM »
According to the dealers who are showing the bikes, bikes should be on the floor in late May.
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Offline sliphorn

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #21 on: April 20, 2019, 03:00:08 PM »
---

I went to Windy City Triumph today and test rode the V85. I was told by the Guzzi rep that the two he had on display were pre-production models, and that there is only three in the U.S. at this time. Both were the yellow-white-red paint scheme, one with luggage and the other without. Only the one without luggage was available for a test ride.

Even though it was a typically busy Saturday, no one was looking at Guzzi's :sad: The rep didn't seem to care how long I took the bike out for, so away I went on an unaccompanied ride through the back roads of Kane and DeKalb counties. I know the roads there quite well and there are some decent ones considering it is northern Illinois. The bike has a very solid, planted feel to it and was very easy to ride in the twisties. Plenty of get up and go with a light clutch pull and smooth gear box. I kept the rpm's up and lemme tell ya, this bike will rip pretty good. I kept it in "road" mode the entire time. The seat? Very comfy for me. It felt like a seat that I could put some serious time on, and I found the leg room to be plentiful with excellent overall ergonomics for my 5' 9" frame with 29" inseam.

It goes good, stops good, and handles good. I see it as a solo mount and maybe not so much for two up riding. But that's just me. I didn't care for the TFT display because it was hard for me to see the rev counter as well as I would have liked, and it just looks like something that is gonna screw up sooner or later. I like old fashion gauges! Also when I would blip the throttle to raise engine revs for a seamless downshift, the revs would not rise quickly. In fact it was reluctant to do so and would stumble a bit. The same when pulling away from a standstill, though not as bad. Maybe this bike was not set up properly. Dunno. But all in all a very nice motorcycle.

---

Offline bad Chad

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #22 on: April 20, 2019, 03:59:45 PM »
Wow that’s really cool from what I read I had no idea they were going to allow test rides!  I was in Windy city couple weeks back and they had about 11 Guzzi on the floor.   I wish they were a little more prominently displayed, And I don’t understand why Guzzi doesn’t have them carry some swag they’ve got tons of Triumph  swag but not a drop of Guzzi. 
Sliphorn, do you ever make the Guzzi breakfast in DeKalb?
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Offline sliphorn

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2019, 04:32:01 PM »
Wow that’s really cool from what I read I had no idea they were going to allow test rides!  I was in Windy city couple weeks back and they had about 11 Guzzi on the floor.   I wish they were a little more prominently displayed, And I don’t understand why Guzzi doesn’t have them carry some swag they’ve got tons of Triumph  swag but not a drop of Guzzi. 
Sliphorn, do you ever make the Guzzi breakfast in DeKalb?
------

I am not a Guzzi owner and have only ridden them on various test rides over the years, so no, I have never been to the Guzzi breakfast in DeKalb. I've been threatening myself for years that someday I'll buy a Guzzi. But so far....meh. After test riding a variety of them over the years they just don't tug at my heartstrings in the way that a lot of other bikes do. Though to be honest, this V85 was very nice even with the minor throttle glitch. I suspect the glitch is not present in the production models because I have not heard it mentioned in the many ride reviews of the past month or so.

------

Offline T4halo

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #24 on: April 20, 2019, 06:49:03 PM »
I haven’t read to many bad things about this bike from those who have actually taken it for a test ride. I said I will never buy a new bike again, but if they put the V85 motor in this bike with the high pipes I might have to sell a few guns out of my collection and get one.



« Last Edit: April 20, 2019, 06:49:56 PM by T4halo »
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Offline bad Chad

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #25 on: April 20, 2019, 09:28:50 PM »
No need to ride a GUZZI to come to the breakfast.  Lots of bmw, triumph and every other brand x.  Come on by, you’ll be happy you did.
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Offline blackbuell

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #26 on: April 24, 2019, 04:56:54 PM »
Rode up to Cadre Cycle today on the Norge to check out the V85TT; the Moto Guzzi New Model Preview truck brought 3 of the bikes to the dealership in Cincinnati. Didn't expect to get to ride one, but the person in charge urged me to do so. The ride included me and one other rider following a leader; lasted 15-20 minutes and covered a variety of roads, some with a few tight turns.

Verdict: excellent fit-and-finish, wonderful motor with plenty of torque throughout the RPM range, no bad vibes, was surprised at how readily it accelerated. Suspension quite supple, handles turns like a champ. Comfortable riding position. Price: quoted as $11,999 for street model, $12,999 for adventure model (includes utilitarian side-cases and trunk, plus a few other items to aid off-road experience).

I was very impressed. One down side for me: seat height is what you would expect for an adventure bike; I was on my tip-toes; shouldn't be a problem for the majority of riders. If they came out with a modified version with a center stand, heated grips, tubeless tires, and better wind protection, I would buy one today.





Jon
Bikes: 2007 Norge, YAM RD250, 2017 Indian Scout. 2021 V7 850 Special

I've been from Tucson to Tucumcari, Tehachapi to Tonopah

twowings

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #27 on: April 24, 2019, 05:11:05 PM »
What did you think of the 'smart phone' instrumentation? That the only thing I dislike about it...

Offline lucian

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #28 on: April 24, 2019, 05:12:32 PM »
Sweet!   Thank's for sharing , can't wait to get a spin on one .

Offline Diploman

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Re: V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest
« Reply #29 on: April 24, 2019, 05:16:56 PM »
 Nice review, thanks.

A V85 center stand will undoubtedly be available soon, either as an option or aftermarket;  Heated grips are a readily-available aftermarket mod, easy to fit, lots of choice; spoked rims can be made tubeless without any exotic procedures - many examples and threads on WildGuzzi already; I have read that a taller windscreen, with better wind protection, is already a V85 option.

It seems like a great bike that, with a little work, can meet all of your requirements.  What can hold you back?
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