V85 various

[tris]

Primarily due to the atrocious roads around where I live im thinking of moving from the V9 to a V85, and have a couple of questions

1) I have short legs and come in at about 90Kg/200lb in my gear.
I've seen words that the bike can be lowered by winding the rear preload off and pushing the forks further up.
Does anyone see that as an issue at my weight and how low would the seat go?
2) Does the V85 suffer from the horrible low speed throttle response the the V9 does?

Cheers

[Vagrant]

I was at 240 for the last couple of years with a 28" inseam and needed the second step with no load and the third with full LD touring weight. The lowest setting should be fine for you. If not for about $500 you can get a shortned shock from Shock Factory that is a better unit by far even though the stocker is damm good.
The forks can be raised to the fourth line, about 1" and no need to shorten the CS but you do need to  pay attention in parking lots with a slope to your right. Level is fine.
Handeling is better this way IMHO.
Throttle response is great in all three modes and very strong from a torque standpoint.

[Vagrant]

I also forgot you can pull the four rubber bumpers from the bottom of the drivers seat. That will give you about 3/8" more reach.

[tris]

Thanks V
I'm at 29" inseam, and slightly lighter so sounds doable
Are you able to flat foot at that?
Also what year is your bike?

Cheers
Tris

[Vagrant]

Yes to the flat foot. I have a 22 and a 23. One for each house.

[Xander]

1) I have short legs and come in at about 90Kg/200lb in my gear.
I've seen words that the bike can be lowered by winding the rear preload off and pushing the forks further up.
Does anyone see that as an issue at my weight and how low would the seat go?

I've just bought a '21 V85TT and I too prefer a lower bike.  I'm right at 200lbs w/o gear (still shopping).  I got her with the rubber bumpers already out of the seat, I've lowered the forks "4 bars", and taken the preload down to minimum on both front and rear.  It's much better height-wise, and she still rides great.  At this point, I already want to shorten the side stand for more stable parking, and I may want to lower her a bit further with a custom shock in the back.  I started a thread about it over here: https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=121250.0

2) Does the V85 suffer from the horrible low speed throttle response the the V9 does?

I've not ridden the V9, but I do find the V85TT's throttle to be a bit twitchy in "sport" mode, but I think that's partly 'cuz of the Guzzi v-twin torques.  I had a Honda transverse v-twin and it was kinda the same.  My bike has ride modes that include a throttle map for "Rain" and a custom one, and I like it just fine on "soft".

All in all, I do recommend the V85TT.  I'm on the balls of my feet now and it's mostly OK, except for the stand.  She is an Adventure bike after all.

[tris]

Thanks X

My research seems to show that even if the bike is too tall for me there are a number of options
PLUS the V85 doesn't seem to have any skeletons in the closet that should scare me off!!

Just got to find one now!

[Xander]

Just got to find one now!

I do love her.  She makes my heart go pitter-pat!     Yes, the wife does too, even without a head.  Best of luck!

I recommend a '21 or later for the E5 tech updates.  The "Travel" version has all the goodies.  Mine is a '21 Adventure Centenario for Moto Guzzi's 100th birthday, which has the lovely colors and I think some add-ons included.  I lucked into her at a dealer right around the corner from me.