Author Topic: Test rides tomorrow...any tips / advise (Read 5250 times)

spmoto · « **on:** May 28, 2020, 01:14:22 PM »

Well, I'm finally getting off the pot and making the trek over to Seacoast for test rides on the V85TT and V7III. I've been flipping like a flag on a pole for a good while and figure I need to give these two a real look. I've never seen either in person but have read and watched just about all I can stand.
I just need to get back on a Guzzi! They have a couple of '18 model year v7's at a good discount which may sway me but I like the V85 for it's suspension travel for gravel roads. I have no serious off road aspirations so the V7 may be fine. Any inputs from you folks will be greatly appreciated. Especially form those who have experienced both models.
Thanks,
Steve M

Scott of the Sahara · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2020, 01:16:37 PM »

You will know it when you ride it.

elvisboy77 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2020, 01:24:18 PM »

Quote from: spmoto on May 28, 2020, 01:14:22 PM

Well, I'm finally getting off the pot and making the trek over to Seacoast for test rides on the V85TT and V7III. I've been flipping like a flag on a pole for a good while and figure I need to give these two a real look. I've never seen either in person but have read and watched just about all I can stand.
I just need to get back on a Guzzi! They have a couple of '18 model year v7's at a good discount which may sway me but I like the V85 for it's suspension travel for gravel roads. I have no serious off road aspirations so the V7 may be fine. Any inputs from you folks will be greatly appreciated. Especially form those who have experienced both models.
Thanks,
Steve M

I have owned both, both great bikes, but as the other wise responder said, it comes down to how it fits and feels. Keep us posted, so exciting!

Dirk_S · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2020, 01:31:34 PM »

You should stop by my place in Dover, NH and share your thoughts after test-riding!

I’ve had a V7II since ‘17 and love it for the versatility, style, and weight. I’ve test-ridden the V85TT. It rides well, but despite the power gain, due to my personal preference for weight savings and height restriction (150lb, 5’8”), i don’t like owning a 500 lb machine. If I were presented with both to choose which to replace my V7II, I’d just go with the V7 upgrade. Although the new titanium bits are enticing—they just need to make a V7 IV with the same overhaul treatment!

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2020, 01:32:25 PM »

They are both great bikes, you can't go wrong.
V7iii decide if you need to have a tachometer
Tubeless wheels or spokes
I haven't owned a V85 so I can't speak to that one.

malik · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2020, 03:19:38 PM »

If you can manage it, be sure to test ride the V7 III Racer, with the Ohlins. If reasonably set up for you, simply amazing. Magic carpet stuff.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2020, 03:36:30 PM »

Don't know how tall you are, but see if they have a lower seat to swap out for the V85 test ride (if needed). I have one on my bike. It's a taller bike than I thought it would be, but very manageable. Guzzi also makes a taller "touring" windshield.

mhershon · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2020, 03:52:14 PM »

SPMOTO - If you buy a V7III, and you think you might want to travel, you might want to choose one with cast wheels rather than wire-spoked wheels. Wire-spoked wheels require tires with inner tubes in them, meaning you cannot fix a flat without removing the wheel from the motorcycle. Wheel removal is not easy. If you have cast wheels and tubeless tires, if you flat somewhere far from home, you can use a plug and co2 to fix the puncture and reinflate the tire. You can do that without removing the wheel from the motorcycle. If you prefer a model with wire-spoked wheels you might ask the dealer to switch the wheels with another model with cast wheels. If you do not choose a model with cast wheels, you may well later wish you had.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2020, 03:54:33 PM »

Have fun!

I have been avoiding riding the V85TT because I know I will want it, but I don't know how it will fit in my stable since I already have two gravel and off road exploring bikes.

ADV bikes fit me well, and fit my riding style of just going where the road takes me. Lighter is better when the going gets rough though. I have ridden mild gravel roads on the V7III and even at its weight I wouldn't want to get loose on it.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2020, 03:58:09 PM »

Quote from: mhershon on May 28, 2020, 03:52:14 PM

SPMOTO - If you buy a V7III, and you think you might want to travel, you might want to choose one with cast wheels rather than wire-spoked wheels. Wire-spoked wheels require tires with inner tubes in them, meaning you cannot fix a flat without removing the wheel from the motorcycle. Wheel removal is not easy. If you have cast wheels and tubeless tires, if you flat somewhere far from home, you can use a plug and co2 to fix the puncture and reinflate the tire. You can do that without removing the wheel from the motorcycle. If you prefer a model with wire-spoked wheels you might ask the dealer to switch the wheels with another model with cast wheels. If you do not choose a model with cast wheels, you may well later wish you had.

Yep, but when that flat tire is a slit, and you have a spare tube on the bike you can get rolling again where with tubeless you are calling the wrecker. I ended a 4000 mile trip 60 miles from home when that happened on my Concours 1400. Thankfully my towing insurance covered the 60 miles back to the house. If it had happened elsewhere it would have been a tow to the nearest motorcycle shop.

LowRyter · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:06:33 PM »

ride it like you stole it (?)

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #11 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:15:43 PM »

If you have the leg for the V85 I think you will really like it. I test rode one last summer and I liked it so much I was looking into ways to have my legs stretched 2 inches.

My son who is long legged loved the V85. Of course the V7 is one of my favorites, but if I had the right length legs for the V85....

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #12 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:19:41 PM »

I think the best order to do the test will be the V7III first. I am sure you will like it and come back thinking that could be the one! Then take off on the V85 and see if it ticks more boxes for you. I think it just may. It will be interesting to hear back from you!

blu guzz · « **Reply #13 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:23:58 PM »

if you ride the V7 and like it, stop. do not ride the V85. with the deals on leftover V7's it will be 1/2 the price of the V85. If you do ride the v85, get ready for some real mental gymnastics if you try to rationalize not buying it to yourself.

usedtobefast · « **Reply #14 on:** May 28, 2020, 04:46:59 PM »

On the test rides, be sure and ride over some sharp bumps, like bridge expansion joins or pavement that has been pushed up by tree roots. The V85 is worlds better on that than the V7 iii bikes on those kinds of bumps.

The price difference will probably be significant ... as you mention, left over V7 iii bikes (cheap) and then the hot seller V85 (not cheap). Could be a $6000 - $7000 price difference!

I really loved the V85 when I test drove it, but in CA, and it being the hot selling Moto Guzzi, OTD prices were like $16,200 - $16,500. Too much for me. I already have a V7 iii Racer (which I was going to keep anyway) and instead of the V85 I bought a 20 year old Quota for $3000.

So I saved over $13,000 I tell my wife.

Have fun riding the bikes and trying to figure this one out!

giusto · « **Reply #15 on:** May 28, 2020, 06:18:38 PM »

Test rides are interesting....hasn't anyone test rode a bike...or rode a friends bike and at first ride didn't like it at all, but then after you ride on several different occasions decided...."wait I like this"...so I'm not a firm believer in making a decision over a 20 minute test ride.
That said, with the two bikes being considered, I think the more important factor is what type of riding do you really want to do on "this bike"...and do you have another bike that serves a particular purpose...these are very different machines.

2 cents :)

kingoffleece · « **Reply #16 on:** May 28, 2020, 07:00:36 PM »

If you like the V7 it's not all that dear to upgrade the suspension.
Oh, and no tubes for me.

stonelover · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2020, 07:45:57 PM »

The V7 is a good fit for my 29-30 inch inseam. A great all round bike.

spmoto · « **Reply #18 on:** May 28, 2020, 07:54:32 PM »

Thanks for all the perspectives and the pearls of wisdom. I'm really nor sure how this is going to go as I can't remember ever going to a dealer to test an compare bikes. Usually I am emotionally "invested" in a particular bike and the test ride is merely an affirmation of sorts, which has not always panned out. A perfect example was our Stelvio. I knew I wanted this bike and as it turned out after throwing a bunch of cash at it was just too tall, heavy and simply uncomfortable for me (my wife actually loved it). Ultimately we let it go. So, since I have no particular emotional attraction to either bike, aside from being Guzzi's of course, the result will hopefully be different. Who knows, I may not end up buying either bike, and I'm fine with that.
Thanks again guys.
Steve M

Dirk_S · « **Reply #19 on:** May 28, 2020, 08:08:45 PM »

Is it wrong of me to mention there is a small Royal Enfield/Ural dealer on the way, giving you the opportunity to also test ride one of their Interceptors?

LowRyter · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2020, 08:14:40 PM »

The first Guzzi I rode I revved it so hard that one of the cylinders cut out.

twowheeladdict · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2020, 05:42:33 AM »

Quote from: Dirk_S on May 28, 2020, 08:08:45 PM

Is it wrong of me to mention there is a small Royal Enfield/Ural dealer on the way, giving you the opportunity to also test ride one of their Interceptors?

Nah. The interceptor is nice, but it is no V7III, especially with leftover discounted pricing on the V7s.

blu guzz · « **Reply #22 on:** May 29, 2020, 06:01:00 AM »

as long as it is a fact that there is a dealer there, it's a free country. a potential buyer might find that information useful.

spmoto · « **Reply #23 on:** May 29, 2020, 06:26:26 AM »

Sorry but I won't have time to look at the Enfields. Besides I have Guzzi in my blood since the early eighties.

Dirk_S · « **Reply #24 on:** May 29, 2020, 06:43:56 AM »

Quote from: spmoto on May 29, 2020, 06:26:26 AM

Sorry but I won't have time to look at the Enfields. Besides I have Guzzi in my blood since the early eighties.

Don’t be sorry—I test rode the Interceptor a couple months ago and would still rather have the V7 myself. The Goose is a hair lighter, comparable in power, probably does a tad better on highway due to the rake, shaft drive and ease of head access... and, of course, it’s prettier...

...but not cheaper.

Go fly them Geese.

greer · « **Reply #25 on:** May 30, 2020, 05:16:35 AM »

Alright Steve, how did it go?

Sarah

usedtobefast · « **Reply #26 on:** June 03, 2020, 10:51:01 AM »

What happened? Which bike worked best?

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #27 on:** June 03, 2020, 01:04:36 PM »

Quote from: usedtobefast on June 03, 2020, 10:51:01 AM

What happened? Which bike worked best?

Sorry, You'l just have to wait for the first service, he's busy riding the wheels off it.

bad Chad · « **Reply #28 on:** June 03, 2020, 06:42:16 PM »

BS! It's been 5 days since the claimed test ride, time to belly up.

LowRyter · « **Reply #29 on:** June 03, 2020, 06:53:33 PM »

He rode it and stole it.

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Author Topic: Test rides tomorrow...any tips / advise (Read 5250 times)

elvisboy77