V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[Bpreynolds2]

Much appreciate all the input here on my post.  Am still giving it some thought. 

[kidsmoke]

My 2022 V85 was almost the same with the gearbox at new.  After a few thousand K it' loosened up a lot-a LOT.
Over 70 per on the highway the indicated mpg does drop a noticeable bit-at over 80 it's in the low to mid 20's.  At 70 to 75 mid 40's or so.

I'm not sorry I have it-it's my 4th Guzzi and they've all been great.  Only one left in the fleet as we massively downsized to an impossibly small garage with house and only room for one now, or I'd still have them ALL!

I've been wondering how you were getting along with the V85 KOF. That's good to hear. 70 MPG!! as someone who fully apreciated the Jackal, your opinion is relevant in convos like these.

BP.

I think that particular bike must have had an issue with the shifting. Hopefully just adjustment.  I am often surprised at how some dealers let the bikes out for test rides, out of adjustment, tire pressure off.  So many things that are unforced errors that cost sales.

First V85 I test rode a couple years ago fell in this category. I may have written off the bike entirely based on that experience. Since then I've ridden a couple others and found them fantastic. Shame we can't all have a Cadre/Hamlin closeby...that is, a dedicated Guzzi dealer who knows/gives a sh*t about the bikes. The multi brand dealers I think probably give the Guzzi's less effort.

[Bulldog9]

Since getting my V85TT I've never even thought of the Norge I sold to get it.

That says a LOT. The Norge is hard to beat as a sport / touring bike.

The new Blue with Red Frame is my favorite yet. Even the beak is growing on me

[egschade]

Wheels are cleaned and double sealed with marine sealant and 3M tape. yes, I waited for th sealant to fully cure before taping.

Waiting for the correct valve stems to arrive - damn 8mm rim holes. Will spoon on the Pirellis once they arrive and see if it holds air.

[pressureangle]

Kid has them on his Husqvarna Viltpilen. They're great on pavement, as stated they're soft. In the dirt, they are hooligan-level on dirt roads, adequate on trails and manageable in shallow sand. Of course, they haven't been tested in mud, deep sand, or streams.

[kingoffleece]

kid,
I should have been more clear.  At 70 per meant mph, not mpg.  I wish!  But at 70mph my mpg is mid 40's.
Sorry for any confusion.

And, I miss the HECK out of my Jackal.  If you recall, I bought it from the original owner.  He bought it back! And I told him if it's ever for sale again just ring me up and I'm right over to get it.  THAT bike was perfect.  And I'd have kept it if I had room at the new home in AZ.  As it is, I'll figure out a way to store it come hell or high water-that's how much I thought of that particular bike.

[Moparnut72]

....I have to admit I like the support shown on this forum.  One of the worries of owning an uncommon bike is help when you need it.  Just a few days on this forum and it's apparent there is an MG community out there.  I see those suggesting sharing trip routes in the event of trouble along the way so a member can help.  I see forum members that appear to know each other well.  I like it.

MGNOC, Moto Guzzi National Owners Club, maintains a database of owners who are available to help and what they can provide. I belong as well as a lot of others here.  MGNOC.com
kk

[Moparnut72]

I rode my new Triumph T120 home, 90 miles. I thought the handling was a bit heavy. Checked tire pressure the next day, 20 lbs front and rear. Wonder why the steering was heavy and the ride so smooth.
kk

[9fingers]

Wheels are cleaned and double sealed with marine sealant and 3M tape. yes, I waited for th sealant to fully cure before taping.

Waiting for the correct valve stems to arrive - damn 8mm rim holes. Will spoon on the Pirellis once they arrive and see if it holds air.

Looks good, as do the tires! I just got a Metzler Tourance for the rear of my V Strom 650...waiting for the front. More 80/20 than the ones you got, 60/40? 50/50? We will need to head up north a bit and hit some dirt roads and trails!
Scott

[kidsmoke]

kid,
I should have been more clear.  At 70 per meant mph, not mpg.  I wish!  But at 70mph my mpg is mid 40's.
Sorry for any confusion.

And, I miss the HECK out of my Jackal.  If you recall, I bought it from the original owner.  he bought it back! and I told him if it's ever for sale again just ring me up and I'm right over to get it.  THAT bike was perfect.  And I'd have kept it if I had room at the new home in AZ.  As it is, I'll figure out a way to store it come hell or high water-that's how much I thought of that particular bike.

Re-reading your initial post, you were clear, I’m the problem. Speed reading while working is not my friend.

You seemed to have really dialed that Jackal in. Hamlin voodoo and all. You and the other owner are like Harrison and Clapton with Pattie Boyd…
Maybe she’ll come back someday.

[kingoffleece]

 

[Cam3512]

That says a LOT. The Norge is hard to beat as a sport / touring bike.

The new Blue with Red Frame is my favorite yet. Even the beak is growing on me

Don’t think of it as a “beak”, is is in fact a high mounted fender.  The typical ADV bike beak is usually integrated into other plastic bodywork.   Ride one!

[Tusayan]

Ride one!

With 60.5 inch wheelbase and 19 inch front wheel the V85TT handles a lot like a bevel drive Ducati which is no bad thing.  However unlike a bevel drive Ducati it has wide handlebars, reducing steering effort, and very tight steering lock.

[twowheeladdict]

I rode my new Triumph T120 home, 90 miles. I thought the handling was a bit heavy. Checked tire pressure the next day, 20 lbs front and rear. Wonder why the steering was heavy and the ride so smooth.
kk

I did a fly and buy in 2012 for a new Concours 1400.  The guy looked at me sideways when I asked him to set the tire pressure for my ride home.

[VStarRider]

Watching more videos - one said the 85TT may be cramped for taller riders - I am 6'1" - can those of similar stature comment on that?

[Tom]

I like 6' seating.  It feels cramp for me.  I'm 5'9".  I like the ability to move around in the seat instead of being locked into one seating position.

[kidsmoke]

Watching more videos - one said the 85TT may be cramped for taller riders - I am 6'1" - can those of similar stature comment on that?

Not an owner. Simply a veteran of several spirited 20 mile test rides and one splendid 96 miler in north central Kentucky aboard a V85. 6’ tall with a 34” inseam and 35 “ sleeve length. I did not find it even close to feeling cramped.

[egschade]

Watching more videos - one said the 85TT may be cramped for taller riders - I am 6'1" - can those of similar stature comment on that?

Not cramped at all and depending on your inseam you can get low, std and tall saddles. I'm 5-11 but with short legs and wingspan. A tall saddle makes it almost too roomy. Setting the correct preload is important for larger riders so the bike doesn't sink down too much.

[Tusayan]

A tall saddle makes it almost too roomy.

At 6’2” with the tall saddle on mine I would agree.  Cramped is the last thing it is, and the standard saddle was fine too for leg room.  I got the tail saddle for extra padding, not extra room.

[Huzo]

Yeah, what a crock…!

[SirIzak]

6'3" here with a 34" inseam, no problems here with the stock seat and bars. Knees get a little uncomfortable after a couple hours or so, but I think that's more to do with old injuries and needing to stretch in general than the bike being cramped.

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  It's easy to get the adjustments to make a bike more or less fit.  Taller or shorter seat, inch bar raisers, drop the pegs a bit.  Not hard to do and makes it right for the rider.
It's unreasonable to expect the ergos to be perfect for all but a few small changes and it's all good.  Most certainly not a decision maker when it comes to motorcycles-make a few simple mods and go.

[Clifton]

Speaking of seats, any interest in one from Seat Concepts for our V85? If so email Mable Morales at info@seatconcepts.com
I inquired and she said they keep track of requests and will log mine but they've not had many for the V85TT yet. For those not familiar, what Seat Concepts does is furnish re-shaped foam along with a cover, you simply remove the stock foam and cover and fit the new one on the stock pan. Total cost is typically $220. I've put them on quite a number of my bikes, current ones include an XT250 and Tenere' 700 and they make a big improvement.
IMO the stock V85TT seat is not bad but it could be better. To appeal to most riders I'd leave it about the same height but move the riders bucket back just a bit by eliminating the bumper. Also widen the rear of the riders bucket just a bit keeping it nice a d flat. Having a new black cover to replace the thin, suede textured stock one would be nice too.
 

[egschade]

I bought this used Corbin on eBay. This was a custom job using the OEM base. As you can see it's quite a bit taller, esp near the tank. It's very comfortable when riding but a little challenging at stops. I will look at lowering/narrowing the front portion so I can slide forward and get my feet down a bit better.

[Clifton]

That Corbin looks nice! I just checked their site and unfortunately they don't offer a complete seat yet.

[VStarRider]

Thanks for the replies about the bike not being cramped.  I find my Gold Wing cramped - more specifically - my hips are at less than a 90 degree angle so I am get the feeling like I am squatting a little.  My Himalayan was a little cramped too - but the Seat Concepts Tall seat corrected that.  Factory seat height is 31" but the Seat Concepts adds 1.5", so 32.5". The V85 is higher than that but seat height doesn't account for pegs mounted too high, which is why I asked the question of those long of leg. 

Seat Concepts - big fan - will send that email!

[Tusayan]

My feeling after first riding the V85TT was that the pegs were too LOW.  They drag in cornering a bit too easily (as mentioned by most testers) and the leg room is more than other bikes, making my knees a bit low in relation to my hips.  I got used to it and more so after fitting the tall seat to get more padding but again lack of leg room is the last thing I’d say about the V85TT, with 34 or 35 inch inseam.

I was BTW able to increase the cornering clearance to an acceptable level by increasing shock preload, and it didn’t see to have any negative effect for solo riding.

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  I built my seat up an inch and a half. More knee room-but I have a bionic knee.  Helps keep the pegs off the ground but it's still easy to do.

[dave1068]

At 6'2 and also a 34" inseam, I have the stock seat and a gel pad which may add 1/2 and inch or less and its fine. I think watching videos are fine but use your best judgment once you ride the bike. I had an Indian FTR1200 and was extremely cramped, the V85tt stock seat is fine. If I could find a sargent/corbin/rdl I may try it out of curiosity.

I rode my prior v85tt about 11k in 1 yr and had riding concerns, peg scraping or other issues as listed

Ride and enjoy it and also the minimal maintainence it requires!

[dave1068]

I bought this used Corbin on eBay. This was a custom job using the OEM base. As you can see it's quite a bit taller, esp near the tank. It's very comfortable when riding but a little challenging at stops. I will look at lowering/narrowing the front portion so I can slide forward and get my feet down a bit better.

That corbin looks good but as another poster listed, our model isnt listed on their site yet. I wonder how much for them to make another one?