V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[Vagrant]

Given that Mr. Arthur Itis is visiting both of my hands and not going anywhere soon I have to be very conscious of clutch effort.  The Stelvio was too much and my V7 III is pushing it.   Once someone gets their hands on one of these, please let us "old man hand types" know what clutch effort is like.

NC

That's the only reason i don't have money down on one.

[pauldaytona]

The V85 has a very light clutch

[Knuckle Dragger]

Given that Mr. Arthur Itis is visiting both of my hands and not going anywhere soon I have to be very conscious of clutch effort.  The Stelvio was too much and my V7 III is pushing it.   Once someone gets their hands on one of these, please let us "old man hand types" know what clutch effort is like.

NC

My first road bike's clutch had such a heavy action that I felt obliged to purchase one of those spring loaded hand exercisers for strengthening the appropriate muscle groups.  It helped (sort of).  That was some 40 years ago.  Recently found it when tidying.  I could barely move it!  Just goes to show, unlike some pathetically shameless braggarts on here, for me the older I get the better I once was....

I've fitted Magura hydraulic clutches to a couple of bikes for myself & my daughter.  Expensive, yes, but providing a lovely soft action with relatively effortless pull, progressive take-up zone & tactile feedback.  For me anyway, it's been a viable solution to stiff &/or heavy clutch actuation.

Reviewers have remarked favourably on the V85's light clutch action.

[Vagrant]

The V85 has a very light clutch

lite is in the hands of the ridder. the V7 III is OK for me on a full day of mountain passed but just barley. is it the same or a bit stronger. I'm hopping with the extra torque I might not need to shift as much as on the V7. 

[Paul Brooking]

I have no doubt there are plenty of members here who mistrust fuel injection and who won’t buy a bike unless it has points and carburetors.  For years I refused to buy a bike with ABS, riding modes or traction control.  I ride on gravel all the time and ABS isn’t great in that environment, imho.  However, I’ve come around in the last 3-4 years on electronics because after actually TRYING a bike with an electronics package, I found that it enhanced my control of the bike.  The performance envelope expanded.  Both those things were the exact opposite of my decades long, false assumptions. 

This stuff has been around since literbikes went over 130rwhp.    That was a long time ago.  At least 20 years.  Bikes are all about personal preference.  Ride whatever you like but educate yourself.  There’s nothing to be afraid of.

Well said

Two things:-

1) Working on my Stelvio's electronic fuel injection is ridiculously easy. Hex Keys, a Manometer and Guzzidiag, combined with the Pictorials on this blog has my bike burbling along.

2) ABS. I originally pooh poohed the Stelvio's ABS. "I've ridden track bikes, I can brake using two fingers on the front brake, I know what I am doing" ... all of the above until Joe Dingbat got halfway through an intersection and decided to slam the brakes on and turn across the traffic. Slight drizzly rain and slippery roads meant that all I could do was slam the (Front) brake on and hold my breath ....  ABS kicked in and I steered around the trouble and went my merry way. It was only until two intersections later that the adrenaline kicked in and I realized how close I had been to putting the bike down and potentially under ongoing traffic. ABS works !!!!!
Yes I switch it off if I am travelling at speed on gravel roads but I would not buy a bike without it for commuting.

[Trialsman]

Well this is a fine mess.  I got this in the mail today and I don't even own the bike yet.

[Smithy]

Whoa Smithy!

76 KTM Jackpiner?   Boss!

Not to highjack the thread but cheers..its a bit two dimensional at the moment as its getting a full birthday. A mate of mine who I would say has Australias largest vinatge KTM (Penton) and SWM collections is giving me a hand to freshen it up.

[Huzo]

Well this is a fine mess.  I got this in the mail today and I don't even own the bike yet.

That’s a bit self indulgent, isn’t it...?

[Trialsman]

Always said I like your style.

[janguzzi]

Here is my V85TT playlist with all relevant videos and reviews (Italian, German, English, French, Dutch, etc.):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3U2TKTfHX8a36xFKB6ZS5nBE_Xbv42m7

[DaSwami]

Here is a fairly lengthy review of the V85 TT

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-first-ride-motorcycle-review?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03/23/2019_CT&utm_term=Common%20Tread%20%7C%20Combined

[Lcarlson]

Here is a fairly lengthy review of the V85 TT

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-first-ride-motorcycle-review?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03/23/2019_CT&utm_term=Common%20Tread%20%7C%20Combined

I’d say that’s a pretty damn good review. Reliability is always something of an unknown with a new model, and no doubt there will be some things to sort out, but that review certainly wouldn’t discourage me from taking the plunge if I was in the market for another middleweight.

[Tusayan]

I think the Revzilla write up is spot on at pointing out the main issues with the V85TT, both positive and negative.

[Huzo]

The mode button thing got me a bit, but I’ll select “road” and never alter it anyway.
Also I think I’ve changed my mind to this one.




can you have 2 car insurance policies

(Will go nicely with the plate..)

[grame99]

I expect the mode button operates similarly to the V9 and V7iii in that you have to keep it pressed to switch modes - i guess it prevents accidental switches.

[kingoffleece]

I donno, but I thought the RevZilla reviewer was trying way too hard to be clever, but then again I feel that way about almost every reviewer except Sir Alan and Jenny Smith.

Reading RevZilla made me wish Dave Searle was still heading MCN.

[Sheepdog]

Yes, the Revzilla review was a bit prejudiced against Guzzis and he didn't seem to realize that both the V85 and V9 engines are smallblock derivitives, but he seemed to like it a great deal. Both the gray and the red/white versions are real lookers. I expect the DRL will be absent from US-versions as it is a Euro requirement.

[usedtobefast]

Here is a fairly lengthy review of the V85 TT

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/2020-moto-guzzi-v85-tt-first-ride-motorcycle-review?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03/23/2019_CT&utm_term=Common%20Tread%20%7C%20Combined

He quotes The Princess Bride?  Huh? 
He mentions the press ride was follow by a mechanic ... did any of those mechanics need to fix anything on the 7 hour ride on any bike? 
He can't figure out how to press the starter button properly to get into different ride modes?

This guy should not be allowed to ride a Moto Guzzi!      He should only ride Hondas. 

[Huzo]

He quotes The Princess Bride?  Huh? 
He mentions the press ride was follow by a mechanic ... did any of those mechanics need to fix anything on the 7 hour ride on any bike? 
He can't figure out how to press the starter button properly to get into different ride modes?

This guy should not be allowed to ride a Moto Guzzi!      He should only ride Hondas.

I don’t care if he can’t figure it out, as long as I can..!
Do love the sound when working a bit and it looks comfortable.
I’m looking forward to trying to wear it out.

[twowheeladdict]

I don’t care if he can’t figure it out, as long as I can..!
Do love the sound when working a bit and it looks comfortable.
I’m looking forward to trying to wear it out.

 

[pmillar]

...Reading RevZilla made me wish Dave Searle was still heading MCN.

You and me both.  I am letting my subscription expire after 29 years. The recent MCN issue with contributions from former writers/editors got my hopes up, but it's since regressed back to the post Dave Searle mediocrity.

[kingoffleece]

I agree 100%  Hindengorf or whatever his name is has ruined MCN.  I have several years left so I'll keep it but I almost only read Glen Keer.
The reviews for bikes are rubbish.

[Huzo]

I’m the same with Penthouse
I only buy it for the articles...

[Ironman]

Keeping us waiting for the V85TT...I feel like a kid in November.

[tris]

My stepson is VERY keen that I get a V85 so that I can go up in the hills with him on his KTM 300

So much so that he "suggested" that my wife take me on a day trip to see one at our local dealer

The bad news was that we passed it on the way as it went out on a test ride so I didn't get to see it!

Watch this space - the Big Breva might be moved along at some point

[twowheeladdict]

Keeping us waiting for the V85TT...I feel like a kid in November.

Welcome.  You looking to buy from Sloans in Murfreesboro?  Bought my V7III Carbon their this past summer.

[Moz]

http://www.guzzistelvio.net/V85ttdoc/v85TTdescr.pdf

Seems to be an internal Piaggio marketing document 

these parts are interesting..



Seems to fit right in the 'Goldilocks' range - at least fer me 

[Moz]

And not a suspender in sight?!?   



translation:

Anyone with a V85TT wants to be noticed. He is a motorcyclist who has a story to tell and he does it through a bike that, at first glance, evokes the pleasure of adventure, travel, and the desire to explore. This type of vehicle is designed to meet the needs of two different types of customers:

• One is the mature motorcyclist who is looking for a motorcycle with modern technological contents but which stylistically wants a vehicle that invokes the classic Enduro of the 80s.
• A young and eager adventurer who wants a simple and easy-to-ride motorcycle but is not willing to give up on style. Distinguishing and identifying oneself through the original and authentic style of one's motorcycle is fundamental for this type of customer.

For both it is essential to have a bike that is easy to drive on city routes and on outings, a practice that should be noted for its style. A journey made of passion, for a bike as unique as the personality of the person who chooses it and the guide.

The beard:
"I would like a bike that is simple to drive, practical, that satisfies my desire for adventure both in the city and on trips out of town. With an authentic look that stands out in the motorcycle scene. I want a bike that expresses authenticity of the history and tradition of the brand through its lines.
It must have modern technological contents with the evocative style of the classic 80's enduro."

The dude:
"I would like a bike that is the perfect travel companion for use in the city or outside the city, that meets my desire for adventure and that immediately stands out for its style. A classic / vintage look that communicates authenticity, a symbol of my personality and of what I want. It must have a refined style that does not go unnoticed associated with functionality and practicality, simple to drive and comfortable."

[Knuckle Dragger]

I thing Piaggio marketing hasn't profiled me at all.  But it's just marketing speak, I suppose.  What they say, and what they actually mean, can be often diametrically opposed.  It's a great, simple, uncomplicated tourer.  It has a smattering of safety-oriented acceptably modern tech without going over the top.  It's pleasantly and in this day and age quite rarely simple & uncomplicated too.  Just how I like it.  It has some pretty good bits, plus a few extra essentials too.  Accessories seem to cover a wide range of lifestyle and user roles too.  One might call it crude, I call it simple.  You could reasonably describe it as primitive too.  It's a Guzzi.  What else would you expect?  It's the very antithesis of highly strung.  More raw & a mite uncouth.  Fantastic.

The V85 is for me the most appealing bike they've made for a long, long time.  The big 'uns are for me just too big (read heavy).  Even for a Guzzi, one of the few bike designs that remains capable of 'hiding' a substantial proportion of perceived mass through the longitudinal Vee layout.  From my experience Guzzis tend to feel lighter than they are in reality.  Except the Stelvio.  Fantastic bike, but just too big, heavy and when laden for tour possibly terrifyingly top-heavy too for my old bones.  Only ever ridden one unladen, but it still gives me that impression.  By all means convince me otherwise.

I too believe the new one hits a particularly appealing sweet spot.  (Relatively) light, but sufficiently 'big' to be comfortable.  This is becoming of vital importance for me as I age.  Also sufficiently large and of sufficient, but not excessive weight to capably & comfortably tour well-laden.  Great touring range too (450 safe Km).  The most disappointing aspects of the bike; its tubed tyres and lack of power, are in the 1st. inst. easily & inexpensively remedied, and in the 2nd. in the main I suspect compensated by a particularly flat torque curve, and the pressing reality that I'm now so far removed from my irresponsible teenage years and the realisation that mortality is now an inevitability rather than a far-off eventuality best ignored.  Time for a more reasonable & sedate lifestyle befitting my seniority and responsibilities as both parent & pending grandfather.  Boring?  Maybe.  Sensible; in a bad way, probably.  So what?  Naff off.  It's my life anyway.  I just want to enjoy what remains with my less mature desires for hedonistic enjoyment tempered by the more pressing requirements of longevity & health considerations.

OK.  The V85 is ugly.  In some iterations downright gaudy too.  In the 5 colour & 4 colour 'rainbow flag' versions that visually & almost viscerally assault my innate aesthetic conservatism almost hideous, in fact.  The more I see of that Big MacDonalds Yellow-base one especially the more jarring the discordance of colour becomes.  Thank God there's some toned-down versions too.  3 tone Steel Blue/Black/Silver & the bright but far less jarring or contrasty Red/Black/Silver, in a particularly (slightly unsure here as I've only seen electronic representations of the colour) pretty redder-than-Red-but-not Pillarbox-, Ferrari- or Fire Engine- either.  Then there's the conservative, boring but to my sensibilities classy Grey on Black with Silver.  Just lovely.  I suspect a keeper, in fact.  Probably one of the most attractively ugly bikes available since the demise of the Nuda.  Which is incidentally another benchmark of motorcycle grotesquery.  More than compensated for, it must be said, by being the most fun short-distance ride I've yet to experience away from a full-on big-arse powerful dirt machine.

Ugly is a good thing anyway.  A original, proper Audi Quattro Coupe is ugly.  An English (proper) Bull Terrier is ugly.  Modernist, and especially Brutalist building styles are unashamedly & innately ugly too.  Yet at the same time possessed of a fairly timeless intrinsic beauty that seems to improve with age.  In fact, the exact opposite of me!  It's ugly, but good.  I'm ugly & occasionally pretty useful (but never, ever usefully pretty) too.  Serendipity.  It's a match made in heaven!

[usedtobefast]

So I assume when the fancy TFT display goes kaput the bike will not run, that correct? 

So 10 years from now, TFT goes kaput, you buy a new one?  15 years from now?  20? 

Be interesting to see the list price of that.