V85 is hot

[Noguzznoglory]

https://www.rideapart.com/articles/363205/new-moto-guzzi-v85-selling-well/

[yogidozer]

Same type of riders that liked the BMW r100gs.
I think it will do well for MG

[lucian]

What great news.  Thank's for sharing

[Knuckle Dragger]

Hmmm.  I can't see those naughty Germans in their Munich fortress and Spandau factories liking this turn of events much.  I wonder what's in the pipeline from them in retaliation?

Maybe yet another R-Nine T scrambler air-cooled bare-bones stripper variant with a larger tank, longer suspension travel, vestigial fairing, long-range luggage capacity & semi-knobbies?

I wonder too if they can restrain their boffins from engineering the f*#k out of it until it lacks any soul/character/eccentricity.  I doubt they can match MG's killer price point either.

I put the MG's success down to simple but sound engineering, clever but frugal parts selection, and that quintessentially Guzzi dash of style & soul.  In other words, that special X-factor that's been missing from every BMW since that excellent aforementioned R100GS saw the light of day in the late 80s.

Given Guzzi's past track record, the V85's resounding success is possibly more down to fulfilling a lucky, serendipitous market niche that nobody else had recognised (or even knew existed) than any specific intent.  Who gives a rat's anyway?  The bike is extremely successful simply because many punters recognise in it a REAL bike of the type that hasn't been made for at least the past decade or more.

I want one badly.  I haven't felt that way about any bike since the ill-fated Swedish/German/Austrian/Italian Husqvarna Nuda suddenly blazed into glory like a supernova and then equally as abruptly faded into oblivion.

[Zinfan]

I was on a ride with the guy who bought my V7 and let him ride the V85 for 10 miles.  He also owns a GS700 and I asked him if the V85 felt any different to the GS and he said the GS was very bland compared to the V85 and if he had the cash he'd sell the GS to get the V85, no comparison according to him.  On the other hand he liked my (his now) V7 for it's louder exhaust note and looks. 

[Tusayan]

V85TT sales are already in the thousands.

[fotoguzzi]

I wonder if BMW even know if Guzzi is still in business? BMW probably generates more annual income from oil and air filter sales than Guzzi does company wide. I'm sure BMW see's Guzzi as an eminent threat especially with the world renowned Guzzi dealership network and Piaggio holding the purse strings.

Guzzi may or may not have a hit with the V85TT. Only time will tell. But even if it is hit it still only sell in the hundreds not the thousands or 10's of thousands.

sad but true

[Lumpy Idle]

Hmmm.  I can't see those naughty Germans in their Munich fortress and Spandau factories liking this turn of events much.  I wonder what's in the pipeline from them in retaliation?

Maybe yet another R-Nine T scrambler air-cooled bare-bones stripper variant with a larger tank, longer suspension travel, vestigial fairing, long-range luggage capacity & semi-knobbies?

I wonder too if they can restrain their boffins from engineering the f*#k out of it until it lacks any soul/character/eccentricity.  I doubt they can match MG's killer price point either.

I put the MG's success down to simple but sound engineering, clever but frugal parts selection, and that quintessentially Guzzi dash of style & soul.  In other words, that special X-factor that's been missing from every BMW since that excellent aforementioned R100GS saw the light of day in the late 80s.

Given Guzzi's past track record, the V85's resounding success is possibly more down to fulfilling a lucky, serendipitous market niche that nobody else had recognised (or even knew existed) than any specific intent.  Who gives a rat's anyway?  The bike is extremely successful simply because many punters recognise in it a REAL bike of the type that hasn't been made for at least the past decade or more.

I want one badly.  I haven't felt that way about any bike since the ill-fated Swedish/German/Austrian/Italian Husqvarna Nuda suddenly blazed into glory like a supernova and then equally as abruptly faded into oblivion.

nicely written post knuckle.

[Tusayan]

BMW in its current guise is not a valid target, they exist in a unique niche as a relatively small producer with their R&D funding effectively subsidized by the cars. KTM and Enfield are probably more representative of where Guzzi can go with the right product and business model, and both make more bikes than BMW.

[elvisboy77]

I recently read that 75 percent of V85TT buyers are first time Guzzi buyers, sounds about right.  Wait til they find out that "all" of the dealers are going under, LOL.

Seriously, I am Glad to see them doing so well.  They have been making great bikes since the 1400's came out.

I did read recently that the V85 engine is planned for a new street bike, should be interesting.

[Huzo]

I'm sure BMW see's Guzzi as an eminent threat

I’m not sure if they’re regarded as eminent, but they certainly are an imminent one.

[Huzo]

sad but true

There’s been 3,500 roll out the door reputedly and they cannot meet customer demand.
I do accept that Guzzi are still preaching to the choir a bit though.
It’ll be good if the urban myth that 70% of new owners are “converts”, or else once that niche’ is satisfied, they’ll gather dust in dealers..
Mine’ll gather dust in Northern Australia...

[NWrider]

Not sure how they are determining that a person who trades in a non-guzzi is necessarily a first time guzzi buyer unless they specifically ask and document it.   

[bigbikerrick]

That IS great news! I dont remember so much fanfare at the release of any other Guzzi model in the last 17 years or so that I have been riding Guzzis. I have never seen one in person, but the color combo like the one Cam in NJ. got, is stunning in photos, and we all know Italian bikes are much more impressive in person, where you can appreciate all the quality touches in detail.
  Guzzi needs to bring out another new model, to follow up the TT,  if they bring out a new Lemans, all of us fans of old Guzzis will love it, but it may not be as popular with the general public as an ADV bike, like the TT. Thats just a hot market segment these days.
Rick.

[Cam3512]

That IS great news! I dont remember so much fanfare at the release of any other Guzzi model in the last 17 years or so that I have been riding Guzzis. I have never seen one in person, but the color combo like the one Cam in NJ. got, is stunning in photos, and we all know Italian bikes are much more impressive in person, where you can appreciate all the quality touches in detail.
  Guzzi needs to bring out another new model, to follow up the TT,  if they bring out a new Lemans, all of us fans of old Guzzis will love it, but it may not be as popular with the general public as an ADV bike, like the TT. Thats just a hot market segment these days.
Rick.

You are correct Rick.  MUCH nicer in person.  Everything from the paint to the fit and finish is just spectacular!

[bad Chad]

Stop with the “v85 May or may BS!”  It is a hit, the numbers clearly confirm it. No other Guzzi in the past 20 years has had press like this , or sold like it has out of the box.

[TodkaVonic]

Speaking as someone with essentially zero interest in an adventure/touring motorcycle, and who kinda cringed when I saw the multi-colored Finding Nemo-like paint scheme of the v85TT, I have to admit, in person, it's a very nice looking bike.

Nate

[blackcat]

I went to the Brooklyn Guzzi dealer on Saturday and they have sold all of their bikes except for the yellow version. They are hoping to get another shipment and a demo model early next month, but their enthusiasm for the new bike is over the top.

[fossil]

I think the outcome can be different. Obviously a lot of non-Guzzisti are buying the V85 (and for example the German GS-forum confirms that - a lot of the GS - riders have bought that thing). And if it holds what the new owners and the tests promise this can kickoff an avalanche.

[steffen]

428 Moto Guzzi v85 tt has been sold In Germany from januar to june.

That's just outside the top 50.

https://www.motorradonline.de/ratgeber/motorrad-neuzulassungen-im-juni-2019-top-20-der-beliebtesten-modelle/#

Click on the little picture of the v85 to see the numbers.

[Cam3512]

When/if sales start to level off or slow for the TT - BAM!  Another model using the same engine.  Touring (think Breva/Norge) and/or Sporty (think LeMans/Griso).  This will hit an entirely different segment of customer. 

 It’s a small factory in Italy.  They’re being crushed now with demand for THIS bike. 

[rdbandkab]

I recently read that 75 percent of V85TT buyers are first time Guzzi buyers, sounds about right.  Wait til they find out that "all" of the dealers are going under, LOL.

"Nervous laugh...."

I did read recently that the V85 engine is planned for a new street bike, should be interesting.

I can't wait to see a "street version".   Maybe I'll be ready for another bike by the time the new "first timers" are ready to sell.

[Diploman]

I can't wait to see the road-oriented models, especially the "Nuovo LeMans".  Retro/modern is an appealing concept nowadays.  I believe the V85 engine is going to keep Guzzi solidly in business for a while, not just hanging on by a thread as in some recent years.

Re the comparison with BMW:  Some might be surprised to know that KTM, not BMW, is now Europe's biggest Moto manufacturer, (even though much of KTM's current production comes from India). 

[fossil]

428 Moto Guzzi v85 tt has been sold In Germany from januar to june.

That's just outside the top 50.

https://www.motorradonline.de/ratgeber/motorrad-neuzulassungen-im-juni-2019-top-20-der-beliebtesten-modelle/#

Click on the little picture of the v85 to see the numbers.

Well, perhaps in summarum, it comes twentieth in June alone.

[Huzo]

What are these numbers and what are they confirming?

It will be interesting to see how sales are going this time next year. After 2 or 3 years of anticiaption of this bike coming to market there is a bit of a feeding frenzy going on. After the initial wave of buyers are satified I think you will find that sales will slow way down or even stagnate.

Most of the predictions about this bike have been arse up, including whether we would ever see a production one at all.
No bastard has any idea really, so we may as well stop guessing.
Just buy one or don’t, but most of the armchair market gurus have retreated red facedly.

[steffen]

Well, perhaps in summarum, it comes twentieth in June alone.

Yes! And that's the first time I have seen a Guzzi in the top 20 for any month.

And I'm a regular reader of the stats of sold motorcycles. I like to see what's popular, and often wondering 'why is this bike popular at all...'

[canuck750]

That is fantastic news! 

Two friends are waiting to get one, one has placed his order, he has several Guzzi's including a Quota and Breva and is really excited about the new bike, the other guy has never owned a Guzzi but has owned a KTM 690, KLR 650 amongst many other bikes and always does a heck of a lot of research / comparisons before he pulls the trigger, he is sold as well.

I can seriously see it being a candidate to replace my KLR as I realize my dirt road riding is getting to be less and less as I get older and the V85 offers the hp the KLR is missing.

[JohninVT]

I was at a dealer Saturday that maybe sells a dozen Guzzi's a year.  They're a small shop in Mass that sells BMW and Guzzi.  They ordered 3 in the first shipment and every one was sold before they arrived.  They ordered another 4 that'll be delivered in September and two are already sold.  Out of the 5 sold the owner told me 3 were sold to riders switching from BMW.  In effect, the V85TT has nearly doubled their annual sales of Moto Guzzi's.   

The V85TT is a really nice bike for all the reasons everyone has already mentioned in reviews and on forums.  I didn't care for how high the pegs are but I could live with it.  My fingers are crossed they introduce a roadster version next year.  I believe the initial shine of the V85 is going to wear off by next June so it'll be important for Guzzi to get another version out between now and then to continue the momentum.  I think if you're a Guzzi dealer who has received some V85's you're a fairly happy camper this year.   

[twowheeladdict]

Sloan's still has a '17 Roamer, '17 Griso, a bunch of '18 V7s and the two V85s that came in didn't stay around long enough for me to go check out.  The sales person called me while I was riding in the mountains and by the time I got back they were sold.  Not sure if they are getting anymore in this year. 

[Kent in Upstate NY]

I was at a dealer Saturday that maybe sells a dozen Guzzi's a year.  They're a small shop in Mass that sells BMW and Guzzi.  They ordered 3 in the first shipment and every one was sold before they arrived.  They ordered another 4 that'll be delivered in September and two are already sold.  Out of the 5 sold the owner told me 3 were sold to riders switching from BMW.  In effect, the V85TT has nearly doubled their annual sales of Moto Guzzi's.   

The V85TT is a really nice bike for all the reasons everyone has already mentioned in reviews and on forums.  I didn't care for how high the pegs are but I could live with it.  My fingers are crossed they introduce a roadster version next year.  I believe the initial shine of the V85 is going to wear off by next June so it'll be important for Guzzi to get another version out between now and then to continue the momentum.  I think if you're a Guzzi dealer who has received some V85's you're a fairly happy camper this year.   

AJ Cycle, right? I was there Saturday as well. He seems to have a good relationship with Guzzi.