The V85 is a new direction for Guzzi... And probably not for me.

[s1120]

I did not ride the V9 but from riding the V7... and sitting on the V9..  Its pretty close to the same... just felt a little bigger all around. a touch here, and touch there...   Maybe the pegs were a tiny more forward...  but not a ton.. 

[twowheeladdict]

The first year V9's had the pegs a few inches further forward.   Guzzi moved 'em back a bit for the 2nd and subsequent years.
The V9 Bobber Sport looks like the pegs are in the same position as the other 2017+ V9's with more rearward pegs.

Look at pics of the Bobber Sport and V7III, I'd say the ergos are likely very similar.

They felt about the same to me when I sat on the Bobber sport.  For me the V7III pegs feel a little too forward.  I mostly ride with my toes on the pegs once I am out on the country roads.

[Socalrob]

I totally get the functional appeal of adventure bikes (even when they don't leave the pavement) and I equally understand the appeal of dual-sports.

I'm ~5 miles from 100,000 acres of woods with tons of legal unpaved roads. The problem is much of it is deep sand and really more suited to small and fat tire bikes that probably aren't nearly as good on the street. I don't think the V85 would do well there, or the Stornello.

And everyone had to draw the line somewhere... For now that's my line.

That Bobber though. ...

Stiff steering damper for the sand.  Changes everything.

[Adk.IBO]

Really liked my Norge and have been enjoying this forum close to daily since 2008ish. The thought of the V85 was dismissed early for me because of seat height, at 5’3” 126lbs the Norge was getting to be to much (flopped it several times). I finally got my Roadster set up with a trailer hitch and Monday got back from 17 days on the road to Casper Wyoming and back with the Bushtec I towed with the  Norge. I felt the V7II/III would not quite cut it towing the trailer based on power and single disc front brakes. Sat on a Roamer a couple of years ago at the Montreal motorcycle show and liked it. Youse guys reviews of the Bobber Sport makes me want to look, but I kind of don’t want to build another hitch no one makes one for...



So Kev, have you given up on a Roadster?

[Adk.IBO]

Seems to me if you want a thread stalled or stopped just have me post in it...

[Zinfan]

Seems to me if you want a thread stalled or stopped just have me post in it...

To be fair the topic of this thread lists the V85 but most talk has shifted over to the V9 Bobber since that is what Kev likes more than the new Guzzi lump.  So I don't post much here as I like the V85 and am awaiting one to arrive and did not ride the Bobber when I had the chance to do so (took another trip on the V85 instead).  I'm sure Kev or the others who like that style of bike will be along shortly to opine on using a trailer with the Bobber.

[Kev m]

So Kev, have you given up on a Roadster?

In a word, NO.

But, for now, I still have a Sportster, and maybe more importantly I'm finding 5 bikes is a bridge too far.

So I not only don't know how/, when I'd get a CX Roadster, I'm not sure how/when I'd get a Bobber.

I honestly don't want to let any of the other bikes go (that it would be my choice to let go lol).

As impressed at I am with the Bobber, I can't see it being better for your usage.

[Litre1000]

If you could buy a brand new Stelvio for the same price as a new V85TT...which do you buy. Leave the short inseam, no strength reasons out of the decision making process.

[Kev m]

If you could buy a brand new Stelvio for the same price as a new V85TT...which do you buy. Leave the short inseam, no strength reasons out of the decision making process.

I hope you're not asking me. I'm not the right audience for either. I'm not an ADV style bike guy. I was more interested in the motor of the V85 to see what it was like if it finds its way into something more road going.

If you're asking me whether I'd buy a smallblock V85 Roadster VS say a Griso I'm not sure.

* On the one hand as fantastic as is the big block motor the Griso isn't the right ergos for me.

* And as much as say the current smallblock looks and ergos fit me, I'm not sure the new engine does.

EDIT-AND THERE'S THE CRUX OF THIS THREAD. I think a lot of people are gonna love the new motor. But it's not my bag. It feels more like our Ducati than our V7. And I choose the V7 over the Duc at least 9 out of every 10 times.


Now if there was a big block V7 roadster that might win over both.

But absent that, the V7 and V9 are fine.... For me.

[Zinfan]

If you could buy a brand new Stelvio for the same price as a new V85TT...which do you buy. Leave the short inseam, no strength reasons out of the decision making process.

My first reaction would be the Stelvio but it depends on so many factors.  I have ridden my Stelvio for thousands of miles including some time in Baja Mexico and it is a very nice bike for long distance trips here out West.  I can say that compared to my current V7 it is so much more comfortable that I have ridden it from San Felipe Baja to my home in one day and I'd never try that on the V7.  Now that is only about 550 miles but it includes a border crossing and some beat up Mx roads.  I have only ridden the V85tt for two twenty minute sessions but it feels like it could be a great bike for the rough roads like the Stelvio but without the weight of the Stelvio.  I bring up the weight not as a strength issue but it can be a handful after gassing up or moving around in tight spaces, I think the V85 would be better if that is the type of thing to concern you.  There aren't many new features on the V85 that mark it out from the Stelvio with cruise control probably being the biggest one in my mind and I believe if you find a new Stelvio is would list for thousands less than a V85 Adventure making it a great deal in comparison.  I plan on keeping my Stelvio alongside the V85 so maybe once I get miles on the new bike I can better respond to the question.   

[Litre1000]

The two bikes are SO different from one another, yet, intended for the same category. So, comparing the two only seems natural. Having never ridden either, it seems like the Stelvio is/would be the better bike. Just asking because I know some have ridden both, and it would make for good reading for those of us that haven’t had the valuable opportunity.

[Kev m]

They are, surprisingly different.

I say surprisingly because my smallblocks and my bigblocks have always felt more similar than not, the bigblocks just feeling "more" in general.

And that's where the V85 is an interesting development to me. It's more divergent, a bit of branching out.

But, as usual, I'm an optimist.

[Zinfan]

The two bikes are SO different from one another, yet, intended for the same category. So, comparing the two only seems natural. Having never ridden either, it seems like the Stelvio is/would be the better bike. Just asking because I know some have ridden both, and it would make for good reading for those of us that haven’t had the valuable opportunity.

I'm not sure why the Stelvio would automatically be the better bike, many riders who have ridden the 1000cc and 650cc VStroms like the small bike more.  If a rider only had a short test ride on both bikes I think the V85tt would probably win most times since I found it handles better than the Stelvio and you need to stretch the legs of the bigger bike to get a sense of it.  I have read a few reports of riders who have done just that, take the Stelvio out for a normal short test ride and come away unimpressed but when given a chance to ride it more thoroughly rave about it. 

Your initial post disqualifies two of the things that make the V85 an attractive proposition, lighter weight and lower seat height.  I can see myself using the V85 for more short local rides than the Stelvio since it would be a better around town bike due to those two things.  I'd say if your riding is more long trips with occasional short rides the Stelvio would make good sense but if you have a few long trips and more local riding (assuming only one bike here) than the V85 is the one.  All this of course is my thinking and I'm sure others have a completely different take.   

[Kev m]

Zin,

You raise an interesting question in my mind.

What makes an around town vs distance bike?

Is it engine, chassis, both?

If a lighter and more nimble bike has the longer legs of a distance motor is it both?

I kinda feel like the V85 could be both.

It might come down to comfort and stability of the chassis. But if it can be both light and nimble around town while comfortable and stable in the highway, then why not and it would seem advantage V85.

[Zinfan]

One reason I feel the V85 might put up a good contest vs the Stelvio in long distance riding would be that neither provide much in the way of wind protection versus say a Norge sport tourer so if both can haul your stuff and the V85 has cruise control to rest the right wrist at times the choice is close.  The V85 was fun to ride around town in L.A. whereas the Stelvio I rode down was more of a chore on the surface streets and when I got caught in traffic and was unable to split lanes it took more concentration to make sure I knew where my foot was going to set down. 

Since I have a 2013 V7 I know that I prefer to take it out of the garage for a short trip instead of rolling the big girl around.  It gets confusing when you are talking about having two bikes to ride vs just one but if I had to have just one.....I can't say, not enough time on the V85 but after a test ride it sure seems like a good candidate for the role of solo bike. I would take my Stelvio over my V7 though if I had to have just one.

[s1120]

If you could buy a brand new Stelvio for the same price as a new V85TT...which do you buy. Leave the short inseam, no strength reasons out of the decision making process.

Well being totally shallow, and superficial, I would take the v85... and I make that choice only of looks. IMHO its just a better looking bike. Ive not ridden and Stelvio, and Im sure the motor would be awesome in that platform, but frankly Im pretty happy with the output of the V85, and not sure its leaving much on the table.

[Adk.IBO]

In a word, NO.



As impressed at I am with the Bobber, I can't see it being better for your usage.

I’m happy to see it ( the Roadster) is still on your ‘list’. After an excessive number of changes I’m mostly happy. Over the winter I will send my windshield out for a mostly taller screen with a vent to be made. Over 19K miles so far...

On the Guzzi topic, I met Hamlin at a small Guzzi rally in (way) upstate NY 3 yrs ago, great guy, and told him he would meet any of my future Guzzi needs. I need to get down there to see the V85 and the Bobber Sport in the flesh. Ohlins already installed ...,single disc front . So yeah, for now I think my needs are better met where I’m at.

[twowheeladdict]

If you could buy a brand new Stelvio for the same price as a new V85TT...which do you buy. Leave the short inseam, no strength reasons out of the decision making process.

From a looks standpoint, the V85 hands down.

From a practicality standpoint it would be a hard decision with a lot of weighing the options.  Tube tires/tubeless tires is a big one.  I would have to ride both and see which one moves me the most. 

When I bought the Himalayan I was actually going to the dealer to test ride the Versys 300X.  After talking with the salesman he convinced me to also try the Himalayan.  I just connected with the Himalayan so much more than with the Versys 300X. 

[Darren Williams]

I got a Griso because of the way the motor feels, as there are plenty of choices out there that will handle better and have similar ergos. I rides very different from the other bikes in the garage.  Kev's point of the new V85TT motor feeling more like a Ducati than a traditional Guzzi has me a) wanting to ride one to see for myself, and b) wondering why I would want one when the "Guzziness" is not there.

There's so many good bikes out there to choose from, isn't it grand!

[Kev m]

I got a Griso because of the way the motor feels, as there are plenty of choices out there that will handle better and have similar ergos. I rides very different from the other bikes in the garage.  Kev's point of the new V85TT motor feeling more like a Ducati than a traditional Guzzi has me a) wanting to ride one to see for myself, and b) wondering why I would want one when the "Guzziness" is not there.

There's so many good bikes out there to choose from, isn't it grand!

I should clarify that there's still some Guzziness.

But if the smallblock doesn't have as much of the freight train feel of the heavy flywheel on the big blocks (and that is part of the Guzziness), then the V85 takes that lightness feel of the smallblock to another level.

It feels freer to rev and run at higher rpm more effortlessly. This, I suspect, will be a good thing to a lot of people, just not me, cause I'm an odd DUCk. 

But yes that makes this V85 much different from a Stelvio, never MIND a Griso.

Oh, I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I also thought the V85, though nimble still, was more uh, stable, than the other smallblocks. Which made it feel less nimble in some ways. Back-to-back with the Bobber (Cam and I literally pulled over and switched bikes on the first ride) I thought the Bobber actually felt MORE nimble.  Go figure.

[frans belgium]

I should clarify that there's still some Guzziness.

But if the smallblock doesn't have as much of the freight train feel of the heavy flywheel on the big blocks (and that is part of the Guzziness), then the V85 takes that lightness feel of the smallblock to another level.

It feels freer to rev and run at higher rpm more effortlessly. This, I suspect, will be a good thing to a lot of people, just not me, cause I'm an odd DUCk. 

But yes that makes this V85 much different from a Stelvio, never MIND a Griso.

Oh, I'm not sure I mentioned it, but I also thought the V85, though nimble still, was more uh, stable, than the other smallblocks. Which made it feel less nimble in some ways. Back-to-back with the Bobber (Cam and I literally pulled over and switched bikes on the first ride) I thought the Bobber actually felt MORE nimble.  Go figure.

I ride Guzzi's since 20 years, mostly big blocks, but some small ones too. (see my profile).
I own a V85 since the end of april and now have 3000 km's (been in Africa for 2 bikeless weeks, so not much time to ride)
The V85, though not having the same low end grunt as the big blocks, is pulling quite hard and linear from 3000 rpm's on.
The biggest surprise though, is the combination of the V85 being extremely nimble in turns AND very stable in the straight.
I don't understand what Piaggio did to the chassis, but they did very well.

[kingoffleece]

I've learned not to make anything other than an "it's absolutely NOT for me" judgement on any motorcycle until I've spent 1000 miles ( or some serious amount of time) on the bike.  We adapt to the machine.  Our styles adapt.  Exceptions change.  Ergos can be modified, seats changed, screens changed.

Case in point.  First time on a Can-Am Spyder most test ride reports (I did dozens of demo days as staff) the majority will report the bike "wanders" and they did not "like" it.  Turns out we all make minute corrections on our two track vehicles all the time without being aware of it.  1000 miles on a Spyder and the owner "unlearns" this behavior, adapts, and reports back that "yes, you were right, it doesn't do that anymore".

Working Americade two years ago at the Guzzi demo tent I heard from PLENTY of (mostly) Harley riders that the 1400's were not to their liking.  After a short conversation I learned they were riding them at 2K like their H-D motorcycles.  The ones who would listen to my suggestion they spin them up a bit to change the experience were in agreement that a few more revs made the experience much more enjoyable.

I ride my V7 and Jackal back and forth to Hamlin's every year.  405 miles each way.  Both those machines have a RPM range where they are 100% "happy."  That's the "guzziness" IMO.  I interact with the machine and together we find the sweet spot.  Now, the same journey on the Norge is different.  The Norge has a MUCH wider range where it's perfectly happy to operate.  The others are not narrow but compared the Norge is greater in it's range of happy places.

One of the things I found out about my former Street Triple after owning it for the first year was that it's happy place didn't appear (to me) until 100mph.  While the test ride was a total blast and I ripped it up, and HAD to have it, after 3 years the bike had 2700 miles and I sold it.  Like kevm said, when I opened up the garage I almost never too the Triumph Street, but the Bonneville.  Short tests can be deceiving.  I hope not to make that particular mistake a second time.

[Kev m]

Well, I did say "probably".

But if we're being honest, I have owned a number of bikes that I spent years and thousands (or tens of thousands) of miles trying to bond with only to realize they weren't for me.

I didn't think going into this the V85 WOULD BE, but I thought perhaps the motor in another aesthetic and ergonomic bike that better fit my tastes could. And it's that which now comes into question.

Though who am I kidding, I never learn these things and if they come out with the right one I might throw caution to the wind yet again.

Meanwhile looks like I'm in for a damp ride today to take another look. Fingers crossed on the weather.

[twowheeladdict]

I ride my V7 and Jackal back and forth to Hamlin's every year.  405 miles each way.  Both those machines have a RPM range where they are 100% "happy."  That's the "guzziness" IMO.  I interact with the machine and together we find the sweet spot.  Now, the same journey on the Norge is different.  The Norge has a MUCH wider range where it's perfectly happy to operate.  The others are not narrow but compared the Norge is greater in it's range of happy places.

One of the things I found out about my former Street Triple after owning it for the first year was that it's happy place didn't appear (to me) until 100mph.  While the test ride was a total blast and I ripped it up, and HAD to have it, after 3 years the bike had 2700 miles and I sold it.  Like kevm said, when I opened up the garage I almost never too the Triumph Street, but the Bonneville.  Short tests can be deceiving.  I hope not to make that particular mistake a second time.

Exactly how I feel about all the bikes I have ridden and owned.  My riding wants have evolved over the years necessitating me to part with certain bikes and add others to the stable because the bikes just didn't fit in with what I was wanting to do at the time, because I was not riding within their sweet spot.

I am never one to replace an exhaust on a bike, but I have bought a few with aftermarket exhaust where the owner still had the OEM exhaust to provide as well.  I definitely noticed that sound affected where I perceived the sweet spot on some bikes. 

My '01 Voyager XII came with Cobra pipes and at 4000 RPMs to the 6500 RPM red line it was quite loud so I found myself shifting at 4000 most of the time.  When I decided it was time to part with the bike I put the OEM pipes on and sold the coveted Cobra pipes separate.  When I went for a ride with the OEM pipes it was an entirely different ride that I actually enjoyed more because I could get the bike up into the power band without feeling like I should be shifting.  I almost regretted having it up for sale. 

[blu guzz]

great discussion.  as to the feel of the motor, there was just no way that guzzi could make a bike with an engine the same size as the roamer/bobber and get 25 more h.p. without the lighter flywheel and higher rev. range.  it just has to be. now what would be interesting would be a v100 engine with all of the tech of the v85, but a slightly heavier flywheel and a similar horsepower rating in a more street friendly/norge chassis.  could be the best of both worlds.  unfortunately, as happened with bmw when they changed to the hexhead motors, a pretty stiff price increase should be expected too.

[Darren Williams]

I've had that same experience of taking quite a while to understand and bond with several bikes. My first Guzzi was that way. Had the 1200 Sport shipped to me and the first time I rode it I literal thought to myself "what have you done!". I had been primarily on in-line fours and V4s at the time and the Guzzi big block CARC was a completely different animal. Looking back it is one of my favorite bikes of all time.  I also felt the same about the R1200GS I now have. Took me a while to understand and appreciate the boxer motor and tele-lever front end, but after some time I have grown quite fond of that bike's feel and capabilities.

Fortunate enough to have several bikes in the garage, all are quite different from each other and none really are getting neglected. Of course I have had a few that every time I rode them I was wishing I was on a different bike after 15 minutes. I tried to like them but they got traded off pretty quick.

[kingoffleece]

Quality discussion here, gents.  Wish it was at one of the nation's wonderful brew pubs with a nice pint!

[s1120]

I've learned not to make anything other than an "it's absolutely NOT for me" judgement on any motorcycle until I've spent 1000 miles ( or some serious amount of time) on the bike.  We adapt to the machine.  Our styles adapt.  Exceptions change.  Ergos can be modified, seats changed, screens changed.



Working Americade two years ago at the Guzzi demo tent I heard from PLENTY of (mostly) Harley riders that the 1400's were not to their liking.  After a short conversation I learned they were riding them at 2K like their H-D motorcycles.  The ones who would listen to my suggestion they spin them up a bit to change the experience were in agreement that a few more revs made the experience much more enjoyable.

I

Some good points, and I agree. Man my first day on my stone Im saying to my self... "MAN this is a lot of work!" But you know... as miles rack up, its becoming a part of me..  Plus you know... all the bikes that feel great, and perfect when you first ride them...  they tend to bore me. I like something that...  you need to work a little for. Heck I daily rode a old RD 400 for years!! It was a blast..

[blu guzz]

me again.  my first airhead, an 84 R100RS bought in 1997 after a number of Japanese bikes and a Harley was a definite challenge.  air head riders know this.  jacking shaft drive, diving front end on braking, agrarian transmission, wooden brakes, the list goes on and on.  it took about 10,000 miles to really become friends.  eventually, i could really move the thing along on twisty roads so long as the turns weren't super tight.  at 70 mph on the highway, it was smooth as glass and would devour the miles.  i understood when i bought it that it would be different and was prepared, but a really did come to love it and if you can say only one thing- it was not boring. i traded it for the oilhead 1100rs and that was a totally different bike, better in all performance respects, but nowhere near the personality.

[Litre1000]

I’ve never ridden a Guzzi...but I can see myself owning this...