V85 TT Demo - Test Ride - Road Test - Review merged threadfest

[Zoom Zoom]

Demo Test Rides are scheduled in Portland, OR for May 10th and 11th.

Am I correct in assuming that the V85tt does not use a keyless ignition?  If not, it still probably has a proximity chip in the key.

You stick a key in a slot and turn. (Like normal.)

I don't know if the key is chipped but I'll bet it is.

John Henry

[s1120]

If anybody is qualified to write about motorcycles it's Sir Alan.

Agree, and really.... you cant call that anything less then glowing.. 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Looks like Mistral will have a slip-on muffler available soon.




A preview of the new conical stainless steel exhaust specifically developed for the new Moto Guzzi V85TT.
The test bench response was excellent, the increase in power and torque is present at all RPM, especially at mid/low range!
Of course we also thought about SOUND, the voice of this new Guzzi engine is incredible!
It will be available soon in the homologated version, we are waiting for the bureaucratic completion by the Italian Ministry.

[Huzo]

Looks like Mistral will have a slip-on muffler available soon.





Of course we also thought about SOUND, the voice of this new Guzzi engine is incredible!

What’s the Italian translation for “sound” ?

[T4halo]

I hope that computer screen isn’t reading 47hp?

[Kiwi Dave]

I hope that computer screen isn’t reading 47hp?

Why not?  It's only at quarter throttle!   

[Huzo]

Why not?  It's only at quarter throttle!   

Yeah but hopefully not the last quarter..

[frans belgium]

Yeah but hopefully not the last quarter..

Want power beside looks??  Picky, picky 

[Huzo]

Want power beside looks??  Picky, picky 

We’ll discuss it over coffee together in a couple of weeks Franz.
What date do you envisage being home again ?

[janguzzi]

QD Exhaust
https://www.qdexhaust.it/en/catalogue-qd-exhaust/moto-guzzi-en/moto-guzzi-v-85tt-slip-on-titanio-tronco-cono/
https://www.qdexhaust.it/en/catalogue-qd-exhaust/moto-guzzi-en/moto-guzzi-v-85tt-decatalizzatore/

[frans belgium]

We’ll discuss it over coffee together in a couple of weeks Franz.
What date do you envisage being home again ?

Back home >16th May
And then off for Normandy > 29th May

[frans belgium]

We’ll discuss it over coffee together in a couple of weeks Franz.
What date do you envisage being home again ?

Over COFFEE?  In BELGIUM ????  The capital of beer ?

[Huzo]

Back home >16th May
And then off for Normandy > 29th May

When are you home from Normandy ? I can be there towards the end, say around 23 rd June.
Or I can come through Belgium. If you follow the thread, we can work together for a result, a bit like Mick (Peacemealadventurer) and I did, in 2017.

[Trialsman]

Well it is now official after many months of limbo. My V85TT deposit was put through Matthews Cycle in Charlotte when All Seasons in Wooster, OH was bought out. I have been in constant contact with Tee who was the sales manager at Matthews and now working at the new dealer. I could not say anything because the new dealer in place of Matthews has been in negotiations with Piaggio for a Guzzi dealership. Just this week they received their official Guzzi dealer number. We now have "another" dealer in the USA. By the end of next week I hope to have an ETA on my bike. Good news all around.   

[PJPR01]

Over COFFEE?  In BELGIUM ????  The capital of beer ?

Please take the time to enjoy some excellent Trappiste beer, like perhaps a good Blue or Red Chimay!    Coffee you can get anywhere, let me see...hhmm, maybe Italy?? 

:)

[frans belgium]

When are you home from Normandy ? I can be there towards the end, say around 23 rd June.
Or I can come through Belgium. If you follow the thread, we can work together for a result, a bit like Mick (Peacemel adventurer) and I did, in 2017.

Back 2nd of June.
23th of june we have a ride  across the border ( Holland ) with our local small group, most of which ride Guzzi.
I'm sure nobody would oppose if you'd join in.

[usedtobefast]

Spirit Motorcycles in San Jose, CA has the V85tt bikes around today & tomorrow (5/3 & 5/4).  Seems it was a bit last minute.

I went over this morning for a test ride.

For me, I currently have a V7 iii Racer and a Griso.  I also have a BMW F800GT and KTM 990 SMT.  And on the East Coast I have a V-Strom 650 for when I visit my relatives out there.

I'm just not clicking with the F800GT.  That is supposed to be my multi day trip bike, but I don't find it that comfortable and the motor just sounds terrible between 4500-6500 rpms.  So I will sell this one.

The KTM 990 SMT is a ton of fun to ride ... but it is also demanding ... like it requires a lot of attention ... it works best when you get on the throttle and get on the brakes, repeat over and over.  Just trying to go on a casual ride is difficult.  So it is exciting to ride, but I don't find it that great for multi day trips ... maybe I just need to drink more coffee.   

So the V85tt ... I found the suspension to be wonderful!  Surprisingly good, well, great, almost excellent.  The front brake is excellent, very strong, but not too crazy.  Clutch pull is surprisingly light.  Shifting is very nice, much better than my two other MGs, not as slick as the V-Strom.  I really liked the power characteristics.  Revs quickly, has very good power, very easy to ride slow (like city driving or parking lots) and also fun on backroads.  It did feel a bit "clogged", and I would call it kind of mellow.  The Griso is a beast-O.  My 990 bolts out of turns.  The V85 is a lot of fun, has to me the right amount of power, but I could see some power hungry guys not being happy enough. 

I really like the large gas capacity, and excellent fuel mileage, so a very long range ... and the bike is very narrow at the tank/seat junction.  Feels slim for this kind of bike.  Handling is great ... very happily drops into turns, almost a bit too easily.  I did look at the bottom of the footpegs on both of the demo bikes, and there were no scrapes ... as I had read about all the peg dragging during the press day ... none of these had ever touched the ground.  I did not push it that hard in corners.

The bags look a lot smaller than pics I've seen ... which is a great thing for me ... I didn't want GSA 1200 size luggage.  Let's see ... seating position is great, seat is great but with a ~20 demo ride you don't really know.  Wind protection ... the airflow is very nice ... I can see the stock shield being my summer time shield ... I'm a bit of a wimp, so I would want to add a larger screen for cooler weather riding ... hopefully Givi will make one of their AirFlow models and are adjustable.

So all-in-all, I loved the bike!  I put down a deposit on the Rosso Kalahari.  I will sell the F800GT.  Then I'm debating on selling the KTM 990 or the Racer ... hummm ... maybe the Racer, I'll still have 2 Moto Guzzis if I go that route. 

Oh, I'm not looking for an offroad adventure bike ... most I would do is ride down dirt roads to camp grounds (which on the West Coast could be several miles to reach).  This would be more of my travel bike, multi day solo (no passenger) trips. 

Availability ... dealership said "June", that's good enough for me. 

So if someone said ... what's stood out, what surprised you?
#1 - awesome suspension!
#2 - very narrow at the tank/seat, amazing for such gas capacity
#3 - super light clutch pull
#4 - overall the bike is just a wonderful blend, like all the parts work so well together, so easy to ride, so fun to ride.  Feels like a V-Strom 650 with more power, more character, and shaft drive (all great things)

[spmoto]

Thanks for sharing usedtobefast!!!

Has anyone seen or heard reference to two-up ergo's / passenger comfort? We had a Stelvio which was my brides favorite but the bike was just too tall and heavy ultimately. Can't wait for Seacoast Sport here in the northeast to have the demo tour truck visit.

Thanks, SM

[Glawster]

Thanks for your review Usedtobefast.  That pretty much reflects my thoughts after a demo ride.   I put my order in and sold my Tiger 800 and T3 Cali after reflecting on a positive test ride so I hope I”m doing the right thing!  I’m told mid May arrival for my plain red bike.  Let’s hope it’s not end of September...

[PJPR01]

Nice review...very informative.  So far, this V85 is batting 100% for those that are riding it...quite a positive initial response here!

[spmoto]

Any two-up reviews / impressions??

[alanp]

OK, this sounds great.  I really haven't read or heard of ANYTHING about this bike that sounds remotely concerning.  I am having a hard time believing that it is a Guzzi.  Seriously, how did they come up with this thing?  What changed at Piaggio?  I mean, I really like my V7, but the stock suspension pretty much sucks, the seat is not great, and most of them needed some sort of map upgrade to run right, not to mention the thrust washer debacle, lack of power, etc.  In other words, V7's are great little bikes, but they are Guzzi's and it has taken about a decade for Piaggio to get them sorted. 
So how did they manage to get virtually EVERYRTHING right on the brand new V85?  It is so unlike Guzzi to be able to pull this off.  I am having a hard time believing it, and hopefully they don't start blowing up after a couple of thousand miles.   

 

[Kev m]

OK, this sounds great.  I really haven't read or heard of ANYTHING about this bike that sounds remotely concerning.  I am having a hard time believing that it is a Guzzi.  Seriously, how did they come up with this thing?  What changed at Piaggio?  I mean, I really like my V7, but the stock suspension pretty much sucks, the seat is not great, and most of them needed some sort of map upgrade to run right, not to mention the thrust washer debacle, lack of power, etc.  In other words, V7's are great little bikes, but they are Guzzi's and it has taken about a decade for Piaggio to get them sorted. 
So how did they manage to get virtually EVERYRTHING right on the brand new V85?  It is so unlike Guzzi to be able to pull this off.  I am having a hard time believing it, and hopefully they don't start blowing up after a couple of thousand miles.   

I think you over-state it.

My 2013 V7 Stone (first model year 1TB V7) runs fine (once it has warmed). Yeah the voltage regulator sucked, but that's about it.

That's better than my B11 was.... Which was better than my Jackal was.

I think they've been getting better and better

That said the stupid thrust washer debacle was unforgivable as was the hydraulic lifters bullshit and the flat tappet bullshit.

So sadly we don't know for sure that one/some of these might not screw the pooch. But you pays your money and takes your chances.

At least they SEEM to be getting better and better.

I wasn't too scared to buy a V7III, I'd buy this too or a future road going version. 

You only live once!

[alanp]

Kev, yeah my comments are at least partly tongue-in-cheek.  I have a V7II and it has been great (once I upgraded the suspension and added a Beetle map), but honestly the issues on the stock bike were minor and I agree they have been getting better.
But on the other hand, I have been riding and reading about Guzzis since the 1990's and have never seen a Guzzi get this kind press and totally positive feedback.  It just doesn't seem like a Guzzi in that respect, but in a good way.  A Guzzi without the caveats? Can it really be?  Just doesn't seem right somehow, but I hope it is!

[Kev m]

Kev, yeah my comments are at least partly tongue-in-cheek.  I have a V7II and it has been great (once I upgraded the suspension and added a Beetle map), but honestly the issues on the stock bike were only minor and I agree they have been getting better.
But on the other hand, I have been riding and reading about Guzzis since the 1990's and have never seen a Guzzi get this kind press and totally positive feedback.  It just doesn't seem like a Guzzi in that respect, but in a good way.  A Guzzi without the caveats.  Can it really be?  Just doesn't seem right somehow, but I hope it is!

.
You're absolutely right....I hope so too!

[Huzo]

Please take the time to enjoy some excellent Trappiste beer, like perhaps a good Blue or Red Chimay!    Coffee you can get anywhere, let me see...hhmm, maybe Italy?? 

:)

This place is a bit of a fave..

[PJPR01]

This place is a bit of a fave..

Trieste perhaps?  Always good Gelato there!!

[Tusayan]

Como, about 45 minutes from Mandello 

[PJPR01]

Como, about 45 minutes from Mandello 

Nice...a short hop to Lecco or Bellagio on the way to Mandello then!

[Huzo]

Nice...a short hop to Lecco or Bellagio on the way to Mandello then!

I’d like to take a V85 from Mandello del Lario to Bellagio this time, but I’ll wait ‘till there’s a red and white one like Frans Belgium’s..
For me it HAS to be Red/White...really.
I know I’ll like it, but it has some mighty big shoes to fill if it has pretentions of sleeping with my favourite one..
She’s a little bit choosey, (I think my Norge is prettier.)
And she stills smells nice...
These are some of the views on that section from 2017...



The old mafia guy in shot#1, made me an ”awwfer I couldn’t refuse..!”