Year 1 of the V85 - dependable enough to buy?

[bpreynolds]

So understand I am not at all bashing Guzzi here.  In fact, all in all, Guzzis have easily been the most dependable motorcycles I've ever owned.  I lose count but I think I've had maybe 11 different ones in the last 15 years with at least 3 of those purchased as new.  I've probably covered 100k miles on Guzzis and even among the many different ones I've owned, not a single damn one of them has ever stranded me.  Only brand I can say that about.  Other people have their opinions and difficulties - I've had mine as well - with them but in my personal experience with regard to dependability, they tower above most all other brands I've had the luck to own and ride.  Having said all this, it is no big secret first year models from any manufacturer often have issues to sort.  I think of the recalls with my Cali Stones; I think of the flat tappets on the 8V, I think of other little niggles that needed working out.  Again, not bashing Guzzi, most other brands go through this as well, oftentimes worse. 

Would you buy a first year model of the bike? 

[bad Chad]

Yes

[Joliet Jim]

Hmmm, I think 2003 Hydro Calis and early 8 valves. If I did I'd make sure I had a good dealer for potential warranty work with a new motor.

[Cam3512]

That's what warranties are for.  I plan to buy from a reputable dealer.  If it breaks, he'll fix it.

[jas67]

I bought a first year V7III, but, took comfort in knowing that the new motor was largely the same as the V9 that came out two years earlier.

[bad Chad]

I do agree with Joliet, a competent dealer within range would be a real comfort.

[rdbandkab]

I would...but only knowing that the forums would be my security blanket.

I wouldn't count on a dealer being there to help.

[Devildog]

I am considering it, it's a great looking bike. And a good dealer is only 60 miles away in Richmond.
But, Guzzi needs to deliver on their hype, the motor needs good strong power.

[Roebling3]

I wouldn't buy a 1st year model car, truck or bike. My entire life driving, regardless of the vehicle, has had to be - Arrive on time with clean hands and clothing, period. The discipline is not a bad thing. I'm out of the northeast coast, - 3 pcs suit generation. (once I got past night school and bi-coastal trucking). 
My modified V7 III Racer was a choice years b4 its announcement. Whatever changes MG finally made (6 spd., hemi head, eng. oil flow, steering angle), up to the 2017 version were close enough.  I was willing to invest in the necessary upgrades to suit me. (cast wheels, frt. suspension, metal fuel filter, fork boots, Legnano bars. all pre-delivery). A following frt. brake upgrade was best of all.
I need to confess; as one is prone to do later in life: If Aprilia puts an RS660 on Jim Hamlin's show room floor, while I can still walk, Zooom!  A caveat? Will the kink in my neck come back? How soon?   Avoid grey days!  Good fortune,  R3~

[fossil]

Yes I would. I bought my V 7 Stone (first STB - model) when it was new in the market. And what happened? In my gearbox a spring broke two months ago. A part they use in this type of gearbox probably since 1977. Otherwise: no problems with the new type of cylinders, fuel injection, throttle body etc etc.

[usedtobefast]

If you want the bike, I would say "Sure!"  Buy it as soon as you can.   But not because I think it will be all sorted out and perfect.

Take the Griso 8V (ok, 4V per head) for example ... came out in 2009, significant and expensive issue with the flat tappets ... resolved in mid year 2012 ... so ~4 years for MG to sort it out.

So it isn't like MG is going to make dramatic changes in year 2 to resolve any and all issues that occur with their year 1 bike.

The 2nd year will probably be different color choices, and some more aftermarket support (bags, skid plates, crash bars, etc).

[Daleroso]

1st yr CX 500- wrong bearings in engine. 6 wks in shop.
1st yr CB 1000 Hurricane-cam chain tensioner. 4 wks in shop.
1st Mille GT-1)crack in crank shaft, 1mo in shop. 2)3 teeth broken off ring gear & 2 off pinion gear-6 weeks in shop. 3)Chrome chipping off fork sliders- importer ( Fran Contaldi in Lillington, NC bought bike back after wife threatened to write every bike mag after his reluctance to replace bike or buy back. Ruined my enthusiasm for MG for yrs.)
3 500 mile round trips. Warranties lose their luster when needed excessively.
Final R & D is the street.
I've never bought a 1st yr anything since

[Vagrant]

well I'm 71 so if I can touch the ground and it feels right I will and right now.
the 2015 V7 only needed a regulator and the 2017 V7 III has needed nothing. fingers crossed!!!
Doesn't matter who's you buy you are the test market! 

[lucian]

I would't think twice. One, life's too short to not ride the bike you want. Two, someone needs to be  first .  I had the same concerns when buying my 14 custom , first production year, and it has been  terrific for 20,000 miles.  I bet it will be an awesome bike and can't wait to test ride one this spring.

[rdbandkab]

As mentioned above (I think).   Some may want to give the first model year a pass, if only to let the forums catch up with fixes and preventative measures.

[Daleroso]

Vagrant & lucian, thanks for checking it out for the rest of us🤙😃 LOL

[s1120]

There might not be a year two....   I know I fell in love with the 1000S back in the day...  I didnt buy one then, and now try to find one...

[Cam3512]

“If you’re not the lead dog, the scenery never changes”.

More for us!

[rdbandkab]

*revision:

I'll let you know...after I see one of the other new V85 scoots.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

I think it really depends upon How Many New Parts it has. Is it totally new with a ton of new parts and complicated systems that haven't been tested or is very similar to the previous model and it is utilizing many existing parts and systems? JMHO

[bigbikerrick]

1st yr CX 500- wrong bearings in engine. 6 wks in shop.
1st yr CB 1000 Hurricane-cam chain tensioner. 4 wks in shop.
1st Mille GT-1)crack in crank shaft, 1mo in shop. 2)3 teeth broken off ring gear & 2 off pinion gear-6 weeks in shop. 3)Chrome chipping off fork sliders- importer ( Fran Contaldi in Lillington, NC bought bike back after wife threatened to write every bike mag after his reluctance to replace bike or buy back. Ruined my enthusiasm for MG for yrs.)
3 500 mile round trips. Warranties lose their luster when needed excessively.
Final R & D is the street.
I've never bought a 1st yr anything since

Thats a bummer about all the problems you had with your Mille GT. It would have soured me on Guzzis as well. In your case, I dont think that waiting for the second or third year after release would have made  a  big difference, since the drive train is very similar to the previous  years.
  Thats just bad quality control/mettalurgy issues with the gears, and crank.
I would hope that these kinds of issues are a thing of the past, and I think they are.
  To me a Guzzi warranty is almost like a catastrophic care medical insurance policy. I would still try to take care of the niggling little things myself, and only use the warranty if things really go south, like on the Mille.
  Sad, to think of our beloved marque that way, but to me its still worth the risk. Life is too short to ride a soul less bike because it requires very little rider "involvement".
Rick.

[bigbikerrick]

I think it really depends upon How Many New Parts it has. Is it totally new with a ton of new parts and complicated systems that haven't been tested or is very similar to the previous model and it is utilizing many existing parts and systems? JMHO

This brings to mind, some years back, when I bought a new Yamaha R1 with the crossplane crankshaft, aka "The Growler". Yamaha advertised that it was a totally new bike that only shared a grand total of 3-4 parts from the previous R1.
  I was a bit hesitant at first, to buy a bike that was basically built from a clean sheet of paper, but it was 100% bullet proof for me.
  If Yamaha can do it, there is no reason Guzzi cant.To me, the days of Luigi having too much grappa at lunch, and forgetting to apply grease to swingarm, and steering head bearings that afternoon, has no place in this day and age of manufacturing quality control.
Rick.

[Chuck in Indiana]

My Magic 8 ball says, "Cannot predict now.." 

[Guzzistajohn]

If I were you, I'd jump on it A.S.A.P.! Let us know how it works out for you!

[Huzo]

Most of the stuf worth reading here is a product of rider involvement.
Sorting issues, farkling, taking off on a bike with just enough uncertainty to add spice to the journey.
I didn't have the guts to take my Norge to Nordkapp the first time and took my GS BMW. It was like kissing your sister, really easy but no spice.

Don't stand around with quivering knees and sweaty palms waiting for the first guy to pull the trigger, if you want a "guarantee" buy a toaster.
You get the same guarantee with the V85 as with life, jump in and learn to swim...
Point is..
If every bugger stands around like stale bottles of piss waiting to see how everyone else's V 85 stacks up, the whole shooting match'll crash, 'cos there'll be none on the road by which to gain an informed opinion.
Just do it...!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

1st yr CX 500- wrong bearings in engine. 6 wks in shop.
1st yr CB 1000 Hurricane-cam chain tensioner. 4 wks in shop.
1st Mille GT-1)crack in crank shaft, 1mo in shop. 2)3 teeth broken off ring gear & 2 off pinion gear-6 weeks in shop. 3)Chrome chipping off fork sliders- importer ( Fran Contaldi in Lillington, NC bought bike back after wife threatened to write every bike mag after his reluctance to replace bike or buy back. Ruined my enthusiasm for MG for yrs.)
3 500 mile round trips. Warranties lose their luster when needed excessively.
Final R & D is the street.
I've never bought a 1st yr anything since

I too had a first year Mille GT - the only thing on your list that I experienced was the flaking chrome on the fork tubes. Caused by dust wipers that didn't fit the tubes (looked like they were meant for '38 mm forks), so moisture collected and flaked the chrome. Otherwise it was flawless for the 12k miles I owned it.

[Daleroso]

Riding is rider involvment.
Bigbikerick, you're right🤙

[jas67]

If every bugger stands around like stale bottles of piss waiting to see how everyone else's V 85 stacks up, the whole shooting match'll crash, 'cos there'll be none on the road by which to form an informed opinion.
Just do it...!

OK, Huzo -- we're all counting on you to be the beta tester of the V85TT!

[lucian]

I am considering it, it's a great looking bike. And a good dealer is only 60 miles away in Richmond.
But, Guzzi needs to deliver on their hype, the motor needs good strong power.

I just got off the phone with my friend at Seacoast  Sport Cycle.  They will have 2 V85 variants sometime in June of 2019.
The first is the v85 tt with a msrp of 11,990
The second a v85 tt adventure with a msrp of 12,990 which comes with hard cases.
He was lucky enough to see it in the flesh last spring in Europe and talk with the factory reps. and sit on it ect. but no test ride.  I asked about the ergo's and he said it was very generous ,room wise, for rider and passenger yet more compact and lower than the Multistrada.
When asked about the power claims he said it was rated very conservatively and actual numbers are closer to 90 hp.
They are taking pre orders and have already recieved five.  There first shipment is six units and they will hopefully be able to retain one for a demo, but buyers come first obviously.
 I am seriously thinking about trading my 2016 tv4f for one of these. But not before a test spin. I'm on a growing list.  Great bunch over there.

[Huzo]

OK, Huzo -- we're all counting on you to be the beta tester of the V85TT!

You might struggle mate.
It’s unlike me to draw attention...!