V100 Standard Vs S

[eldointheweeds]

Now that the V100 Mandello has been out a while, what are your thoughts on getting the base model vs the S? Are those Olins really that great? Are they going to last a long time? Will the average dealer know how to fix them when the time comes?

(Mostly I wonder about the Olins, but what about the other added features? Does the TPMS work well? How is the heated seat and grips?)

[Dave Swanson]

Now that the V100 Mandello has been out a while, what are your thoughts on getting the base model vs the S? Are those Olins really that great? Are they going to last a long time? Will the average dealer know how to fix them when the time comes?

(Mostly I wonder about the Olins, but what about the other added features? Does the TPMS work well? How is the heated seat and grips?)

Although you can never go wrong with Ohlins on a bike, most of us don't ride at a level that we really need high zoot suspension.  The heroes out there that can ride like the devil will be able to tell the difference I would assume.  The rest of us - not so much.

Ohlins are very reliable, and should last you a long long time,  but when the time does come that they need service, very few Guzzi dealers (possibly 0) would be certified to overhaul Ohlins units.  They should be returned to an Ohlins service center.   I just did that last year with the rear Ohlins shock on my Ducati 916 and was very satisfied with this service.

Heated grips are always a nicety, but wont last forever on any bike.  TPMS is ubiquitous on bikes nowadays and is reliable. 

I can say for this average hack the Ohlins semi active suspension on my S is excellent, but I am sure I would be very satisfied with a base model.  I have plenty of fun on my old bikes with archaic suspension.  I have surprised many riding friends just how swift a pace you can maintain with my 1956 Harley FLH which has NO rear suspension. 

One of my favorite YT channels is the Lemon Drizzle Gang.  They have a couple of well done V100 videos.

https://youtu.be/pOb64_piGqM?si=YzZyMlXQtpjz1auu

https://youtu.be/lkPQua22Shc?si=SXMlbrnohBd-D9jQ

[PeteS]

I test rode the standard V100. Seemed OK but given it was an escorted ride we didn’t go particularly fast and the road was fairly smooth. I ended up buying a Wind Tunnel which falls between the standard and S model. It has the full Ohlins but no heated seat or grips which is Ok by me. Its less expensive having Guzzi do the suspension upgrade than doing it yourself after the fact if you find the standard setup not to your liking.

Pete

[Dave Swanson]

I test rode the standard V100. Seemed OK but given it was an escorted ride we didn’t go particularly fast and the road was fairly smooth. I ended up buying a Wind Tunnel which falls between the standard and S model. It has the full Ohlins but no heated seat or grips which is Ok by me. Its less expensive having Guzzi do the suspension upgrade than doing it yourself after the fact if you find the standard setup not to your liking.

Pete

Yes, I forgot to mention that.  The S with Ohlins is a relative bargain if you tally up what you get for the difference. 

[LowRyter]

Road the standard bike when it came out.  Rips.  Seems like a nice ride to me.   Either model should be fine.  I think you'll need to have a maintainer to keep it serviced, not really a DIY bike.