V 85 TT owner reviews

[Dave Swanson]

All this V85 talk has me thinking about changing out my 901 lb Harley Limited bagger for one.  The V85 is certainly no lightweight at 571 lbs (wet) but that is a 330 lb drop in weight!.   As I inch closer to the 70 mark is has me thinking. 

[Solorider73]

All this V85 talk has me thinking about changing out my 901 lb Harley Limited bagger for one.  The V85 is certainly no lightweight at 571 lbs (wet) but that is a 330 lb drop in weight!.   As I inch closer to the 70 mark is has me thinking.

Never hurts to always be researching your next bike purchase.

From the looks of your signature you have a gap in the 2020s. You really need to fix that. 

[egschade]

All this V85 talk has me thinking about changing out my 901 lb Harley Limited bagger for one.  The V85 is certainly no lightweight at 571 lbs (wet) but that is a 330 lb drop in weight!.   As I inch closer to the 70 mark is has me thinking.

I read everywhere that the Curb (wet) weight 505 lbs. Where did you see 571?

[Dave Swanson]

I read everywhere that the Curb (wet) weight 505 lbs. Where did you see 571?

I forget what search got me there.  The last search I found 456 dry, 505 curb.

Ah, here it is.  Rider Magazine "as tested".  Must be with full tank and gear?

[egschade]

I forget what search got me there.  The last search I found 456 dry, 505 curb.

Ah, here it is.  Rider Magazine "as tested".  Must be with full tank and gear?

And maybe with the side and top luggage full of beer 

[egschade]

Who can offer a review of other than stock windshields? In particular, anyone try the Ermax?

[v85kris]

Who can offer a review of other than stock windshields? In particular, anyone try the Ermax?

I tried the Ermax and wasn’t much better than stock.  The only solution that worked for me was to put on the Oem tall windshield with a little adjustable spoiler I picked up on eBay for about $15.00.  So far this has been the only way to keep the wind from beating me up, but I’m not fond of the looks.

[DTNZ]

Who can offer a review of other than stock windshields? In particular, anyone try the Ermax?

I've tried the Givi Airflow. Hated it. I'm 5'7" & just couldn't get away from some sort of buffeting, well it wasn't too bad at full height but this just confirmed that I don't like looking through a screen! I even tried adding the Givi S180T, with the full Airflow & with just the bottom half - nope & nope  I drilled holes (carefully) so I could drop the top half, but still no good. Currently back to the standard screen with the S180T tilted as far back as possible. That leaves my head pretty much in clean air but I still get some slight vibrations. So I think my preference is to go even shorter. I'm getting a screen from Eagle Screens in Aussie, which I can trim progressively.

[fotoguzzi]

I wonder if Madstad has anything that might work? It worked awesome on my Buell.

https://madstad.com/

[tommy2cyl]

I think I just read somewhere that Mad Stadt is coming with one.  Maybe saw it on Advrider V 85 thread.  Can't remember.  Maybe I am making it up.

[jrt]

I think I just read somewhere that Mad Stadt is coming with one.  Maybe saw it on Advrider V 85 thread.  Can't remember.  Maybe I am making it up.

Nah, I read the same thing.  Someone was taking a bike in to have it prototyped or something like that. 
I have a CalSci and I think it works fine, but it is a bit stodgy looking. 

[Zinfan]

All this V85 talk has me thinking about changing out my 901 lb Harley Limited bagger for one.  The V85 is certainly no lightweight at 571 lbs (wet) but that is a 330 lb drop in weight!.   As I inch closer to the 70 mark is has me thinking.

I moved from a Stelvio to the V85 and it was a drop of about 70 pounds I think.  I love the lighter weight and it seems much lighter than the Stelvio moving it around the garage, once the Stelvio got moving it felt fine but for parking lot movement the V85 is much nicer.  Also when I was in Mexico I encountered many parking lots with very poor conditions (dirt, oil, potholes etc..) and I had much more confidence on the
V85.

[redhawk47]

I forget what search got me there.  The last search I found 456 dry, 505 curb.

Ah, here it is.  Rider Magazine "as tested".  Must be with full tank and gear?

My guess is 505 lbs is for the V85TT, without panniers and racks.
And the 571 lbs is for the V85TT Adventure with three cases and racks.

Dan

[egschade]

66 pounds for the cases and hardware seems quite high but maybe...

[Huzo]

66 pounds for the cases and hardware seems quite high but maybe...

That is totally believable.
They are very stout.

[DesmoDog]

I traded a 2015 Ducati MOnster 1200S in on mine. Aside from an Aprilia RSV-R track bike that I very rarely ride, the V85 is my first non-Ducati since 1995. I'm 5' 10" with a 30" inseam. So that's where I'm coming from.

I got the red/white version (USA Model) so it's got the shorter screen and aluminum cases. The cases were taken off as soon as I got home from the dealer and have been on a shelf on the basement ever since. I may use them this summer if I go on a tour after I retire, we'll see.

The seat isn't too high compared to other bikes of the sort. I'll agree it could be narrower though. You can lower the stock seat by replacing the bumpers under it with something shorter. That will get you around 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. You can also buy a "comfort" seat from Guzzi that is lower, the same, or taller than the stock seat.

The windshield sucks. For every person who says it's fine there are five who hate it. I hated it, but rather than go taller or add on more crap I bought another short stock screen and cut 75mm off of it. Big improvement. The deafening (literally) roar is gone. Now the wind noise is maybe a little more than naked bikes I've ridden, like my Monster for instance. I wear earplus under a Shoei GT Air helmet and the noise with the stock set up was truly horrible, enough that it had to change or I would have sold the bike. And yes, I laid the screen back as far as it would go. That helped but not nearly enough. I may make some bushings to lay it back even farther with the cut down screen, or not. It's not unbearable anymore.

The V85 is my first Guzzi. Aside from feeling like I was falling over whenever I revved the engine at a stop (that still catches me out sometimes), my first riding impression was the brakes were defective. However, the bike I traded in was probably the best braking bike I've ever ridden. When it was new, it was the fastest stopping (?) street bike Ducati sold, it would outbrake even the Superbikes. So I had a pretty high bar. It was also pointed out to me that having massively powerful brakes probably isn't the best idea for a bike used off pavement. I've gotten used to them since then but seriously, on that first ride I scared myself when I tried to stop the first time.

Power. A 1200cc four valve Ducati outpowers it. No surprise there. It is what it is. In my first season on it there was only one time I missed the Monster's power, that was when a jerk car driver took offense to being passed. I still got by ok but didn't have that "F YOU" launch to make him look like a total idiot.

The low fuel light comes on with 80 miles left. I've had bikes that go 80 miles before you need to start looking for gas, so that still cracks me up.

The bike feels very heavy to me, and top heavy at that, but only when I'm rolling it around the garage. Once underway, no issues. Again, my frame of reference is slightly warped, in 30+ years I've never owned a bike that weighed over 500 lbs before. I had a Hypermotard that was probably just as tall, but not as heavy.

I like the bike. It hasn't made me swear off Ducatis, I have a feeling it will be more of an adopted orphan and future bikes will be from Bologna. But I don't regret my decision, and I liked that Monster a LOT. The Guzzi fits in better for the type of riding I hope to do once I retire and is a lot less needy. Shaft drive, easy to adjust valves? Air cooling? Sign me up. But yeah, that is a water cooled desmo it's parked next too, and it's not going anywhere any time soon.

[Paultergeist]

It is interesting to hear the previous poster talk about a windshield noise issue.  I realized that some didn't like the stock windshield, but I had not heard about it being due to noise.  I confess I have not noticed this issue myself, but i don't have a lot to compare against.

[DesmoDog]

It is interesting to hear the previous poster talk about a windshield noise issue.  I realized that some didn't like the stock windshield, but I had not heard about it being due to noise.  I confess I have not noticed this issue myself, but i don't have a lot to compare against.

Above about 60mph the noise was literally painful to me, even with earplugs in and wearing what is considered a relatively quiet helmet.

[Huzo]

The stupid point at which the fuel light comes on is an easy fix.

[egschade]

That is totally believable.
They are very stout.

Rider.com says the wet weight (full tank?) of the Travel (no top box) is 557 lbs. Math says the box weights 14 lbs IF everything else was the same...

[DesmoDog]

Rider.com says the wet weight (full tank?) of the Travel (no top box) is 557 lbs. Math says the box weights 14 lbs IF everything else was the same...

I'd say that's a pretty good estimation (though this is the aluminum box from an Adventure model)

[SemperVee]

 I too am currently looking at aNother adventure bike after 2 Vstrom 1000's and I keep coming back to the V85 with the issue of nearest dealer is 2 hours of Seattle traffic away in case of warranty issues. Glad to see this has been a problem free mount for many and surprise it weighs MORE than my 1200 CC 07 Norge!

[PeteS]

 I too am currently looking at aNother adventure bike after 2 Vstrom 1000's and I keep coming back to the V85 with the issue of nearest dealer is 2 hours of Seattle traffic away in case of warranty issues. Glad to see this has been a problem free mount for many and surprise it weighs MORE than my 1200 CC 07 Norge!

Something very wrong with 571 lb wet weight. Its waaaaaay lighter than a Norge. My Triumph 800Xc (for sale) is 474lbs and the V85 feels much lighter.

Pete

[Beowulf]

This may be a bit late…..I’ve owned a few bikes over a ten year period since I’ve started riding. Suffice to say the v85 is hands down My favorite. A crotch rocket it is not. Plenty of power yes…I love this bike is an understatement. It handles well. Doesn’t feel heavy. Friendly steering. Takes curves like it’s nothing. Stable, reliable and easy to understand. Maintenance has been easy. I ride it commuting to work.

I have taken extended trips. I would ride this anywhere. I have ridden a lot of different makes.. still my favorite. I currently have 10000 mine. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Have had several v7’s loved them. Have had Harley’s, Kawasaki, Honda and ride triumphs. Still stuck on this bike. 100000 plus on motorcycles so far and by no means a lot compared to other riders but I give the v85 two big thumbs up. For what’s it’s worth

[adventurelounger]

I love my 2023 Guardia d’Onore, and just finished riding it 4000 miles from CT to CA. I’ve had several other ADV bikes (Super Ténéré, BMW F800GS) and the V85 is my favorite by far. Comfortwise, it’s hard to beat. I rode 300-400 miles per day with only a sheepskin, and my butt never complained. Knees and shoulders also felt good and I never had a stiff back, shoulders, knees or hips. The riding position (for me at least, at 6’1”) is just about perfect with zero mods. Great carrying capacity with the two OEM panniers and an over-seat waterproof duffel (I have a Giant Loop). Wind protection is about as good as you’ll get provided you add an extender, like the Xcreen spoiler I have on mine. Good range. Good gas mileage. Excellent cruise control. Stable, comfortable and predictable. Fun in the twisties. For slab work, happy at 75-82 MPH, but a stretch after that. IMHO having a slower or modestly powered bike is a feature, not a bug. Keeps you riding at sane and safer speeds. Not a single hiccup crossing the continent, in thundershowers, 95 degree temps with 40 mph winds, and everything in between. Finally, it’s just so damned good looking, and has a lovely exhaust note when you twist the throttle. 10/10 would recommend.

[Kiwi_Roy]

 I too am currently looking at aNother adventure bike after 2 Vstrom 1000's and I keep coming back to the V85 with the issue of nearest dealer is 2 hours of Seattle traffic away in case of warranty issues. Glad to see this has been a problem free mount for many and surprise it weighs MORE than my 1200 CC 07 Norge!

It's amazing what the starters can do when they are not restricted by the cheap (wimpy) factory wiring.
I measured the improvement on my Griso using an oscilloscope. If you are a CARC bike owner try this.
Take a 3 foot length of 16 AWG and a f/m crimp lug, connect it to the solenoid trigger terminal now touch the end to battery positive
that's how the starter was designed to work., cranking in milliseconds.