V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest

[kingoffleece]

Nice report.
Any competent seat maker should be able to fix the seating issue, and if pillion is not an issue you can gain a bit of fore/aft room.

[blu guzz]

I have hit the age where I will want/need a lighter bike than Blu in a few years.  I am super stoked about where this engine will find new applications.  They could build a family around this.  We need a new Norge-style version next.  If it comes in around 525lbs, it would be a real possibility for me.

[Darren Williams]

Mike, thanks for the extensive test ride report. You were in a great area to test the new bike!

I got to ride one last Sunday, for a short ride compared to yours, and feel you have done a really good service to the community conveying your impressions. I do have one question for you. Having experienced a lot of bikes, how did you perceive the "feel" of the V85 motor compared to non-Guzzi V twins and parallel twins? Then how about to the other big block and small block Guzzi's you've ridden?

[mjptexas]

Mike, thanks for the extensive test ride report. You were in a great area to test the new bike!

.....Having experienced a lot of bikes, how did you perceive the "feel" of the V85 motor compared to non-Guzzi V twins and parallel twins? Then how about to the other big block and small block Guzzi's you've ridden?

The motor is very smooth but still feels like a Guzzi.  Not quite as smooth as a Boxer engine, but still not bad.  Power delivery similar to the Triumph T100, just more of it.  Overall manners are much better than my 821 Monster (doesn't have the noticeable power jump at high revs).  About as different from a Sportster engine as an air-cooled V twin could be (which begs the question - why won't Harley sell a Sportster with similar power?).

It feels a lot like other small block Guzzis, with the exception of the added power.  Performance is closer to a big block, but not as visceral.  I would be interested in a comparison from someone who is familiar with the older 850 big blocks, since I've never ridden one.

[PJPR01]

Sounds like a very fulfilling day on the new bike!  I'm guessing you took it out over the Twisted Sisters for a bit of fun too!

NIce write up indeed.

[bad Chad]

Did the big block 850 make as much power?

[Cam3512]

Did the big block 850 make as much power?

No.

[kingoffleece]

Really sad how far that magazine has fallen since the staff change.
Guzzi fan or not their comments are almost as laughable as the Flying Fortress review when the editor mentioned he struggled to get that bike off the side stand.  Hit the gym, punk!

[Rough Edge racing]

 MCN review of the V85TT seemed reasonable, theis comment was in summary...
 

That said, the V85 TT boasts looks that the GS and KTM could only hope to achieve, capturing 80s retro charm, alongside superb build quality. Everywhere you look, the Guzzi feels like a quality product and there are no panel gaps or cheap plastics to contend with.

What’s more the tubular steel frame and tubing that surrounds the clock housing make the bike feel rugged and capable and you can’t help but feel special when you ride it.

  most readers consider it a bad review if it doesn't agree with own opinions...

[bad Chad]

Mcn does not give Guzzi a fair shake. I’ve been a subscriber on and off again for over 20 years.   They ripped almost every Guzzi they tried in that time.  I’m not a Pollyanna, but neither am I a hack, unfortunately mcn has an axe to grind when it comes to Guzzi, which is weird because I’m certain an inordinate number of subscribers own Guzzi.

[kingoffleece]

Motorcycle  Consumer News-not MCN web site

[kingoffleece]

And I get what you're saying about if a review coincides with one's personal feelings-but it's simply not possible to get with the new Motorcycle Consumer news crew and reviews.  They ALL read like crap.  YMMV, as always.

[Huzo]

Mcn does not give Guzzi a fair shake. I’ve been a subscriber on and off again for over 20 years.   They ripped almost every Guzzi they tried in that time.  I’m not a Pollyanna, but neither am I a hack, unfortunately mcn has an axe to grind when it comes to Guzzi, which is weird because I’m certain an inordinate number of subscribers own Guzzi.

You shouldn’t really grind an axe by rights..

[blu guzz]

Look at the bio's of the reviewers.  Ex - racers.  Probably 40ish or less.  So, not surprising they did not find the bike's performance inspiring but loved the KTM in the next article.   If they want to be more reflective of their readership, they should have at least a person in their mid 50s or up also ride and review.  If you cut through and read between the lines, in my opinion only, I think they hit on a lot of the points they consider negatives that make the bike great for me personally.  Too soft springing - most reviews I have seen on this site and a few professional ones say the opposite and I find it firm, but like it as is.  I don't want a twitchy mostly dirt oriented bike.  I want a mostly street bike that I can ride on a gravel road a few times a year.  I see shaft drive as an advantage where they see it as adding extra weight and making the handling less than it could be. 
It's only a matter of perspective.  I used to admire MCN, but have not subscribed for years.  This was the first article I had seen in probably 10 years and it reads closer to an 80s version of Cycle World where dyno numbers and quarter mile times were the be all and end all.

[s1120]

I pretty much stopped reading all the mags when it got to the point they were just telling you what new wizbang thing a bike didn't have...  Don't tell me its a crappy bike just because of some new tech that another bike has... 

[steven c]

By Abhi on Bike-urious Daily Digest,
https://www.bike-urious.com/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-day-1/

[oldbike54]

 

 Dusty

[TalbotMatra]

News from Germany:
Oil loss on the rear axle transmission on various customer motorcycles has now prompted Piaggio to initiate a voluntary recall of the Enduro V85 TT.

Best
Lars