V85tt or V7 850

[sgl0226]

I have a 2021 goldwing tour dct which I love. I’ve had many many touring bikes and this is the best for me.  I’m looking for a second smaller bike to run around on but also one that I can occasionally do 8-10 hour days on. Love the looks of the V7 and expect the new 850 is smoother than my V7 III was.  But I’m 67 and not sure if an 8 hour day on the V7 would be manageable for me.  That’s why I’m also considering the V85tt.  And of course there’s always the new Mandelo but I prefer to stay under 15K.  Thoughts?

[kingoffleece]

Highway?  Secondary roads?  Just long day rides?  Weekends?

[sgl0226]

Most of my riding are on back roads.  Some short stints on highways are possible.  I might trailer the bike to the Carolina mountains, ride for3-4 days, then trailer home.  But riding days would be long.

[Huzo]

This is the road going version of the V85..


It’ll do both but is biased on road.

[Dave Swanson]

Not to get personal, but how's your inseam length?     I've seen plenty of smaller stature V85TT riders but for some this makes a difference in choice.

Out of the box the V85TT would probably win out over the V7 for long days in the saddle. 

[sgl0226]

Not to get personal, but how's your inseam length?     I've seen plenty of smaller stature V85TT riders but for some this makes a difference in choice.

Out of the box the V85TT would probably win out over the V7 for long days in the saddle.

I’m 6’ with 32” inseam so both bikes should fit.

[jackthebiker]

I’m 6’ with 32” inseam so both bikes should fit.

I am 69, also 6'0" 32 inch inseam. I had a 2018 Goldwing Tour but am now riding a 2021 Heritage Classic and a NC750X as a second bike. I had a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 as a second bike that I really liked. I want a new V7 850 but the dealers in my area are none. Closest is 200 miles. I wanted a 850 TT adventure but bought the Honda because of the dealer network. My NC750X has a high seat, and it is getting harder for me to get my leg up over that high seat. It is VERY comfortable for longer rides. But I would now like a bike with a lower seat.




I have my NC750x for sale.                                                                                    '

[dave1068]

Id suggest the V85TT. I'm 6'2 with a 34"" inseam and with the high seat, it should be plenty comfortable for you on longer trips. I also had a T100 as a second bike but sold it as my legs were too long on it. I assume comfort would be similar to the V7.

See if you can take both on test rides and judge for yourself. My guess is this spring, theyll be used ones up for sale. Good luck!

[Vagrant]

The 21 NC is much lower. Trade it for a new one.
The V85 wins every day when hard twistys turn to 200+ miles. Easy choice.

[sgl0226]

I am 69, also 6'0" 32 inch inseam. I had a 2018 Goldwing Tour but am now riding a 2021 Heritage Classic and a NC750X as a second bike. I had a 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 as a second bike that I really liked. I want a new V7 850 but the dealers in my area are none. Closest is 200 miles. I wanted a 850 TT adventure but bought the Honda because of the dealer network. My NC750X has a high seat, and it is getting harder for me to get my leg up over that high seat. It is VERY comfortable for longer rides. But I would now like a bike with a lower seat.




I have my NC750x for sale.                                                                                    '

I’m fortunate in that I’m only a couple of miles from a great dealership (Cadre Cycles in Cincinnati).

[kingoffleece]

Seat height matters?  Have it built up, or down, as required.
No issues riding my V7 500 per day for days-that would include some highway.  It's really hard to cover that many miles in the tight stuff in a day.

[twowheeladdict]

For me the main factor is going to be suspension.  Which bike provides the right level of control and comfort for how you want to ride. 

The V7 can easily approach the cost of the V85TT by the time you set it up for 500 mile days. 

[Huzo]

For me the main factor is going to be suspension.  Which bike provides the right level of control and comfort for how you want to ride. 

The V7 can easily approach the cost of the V85TT by the time you set it up for 500 mile days.

Just buy the V85 and go for a long ride. There’s no other way to find out.
That one in reply #3 has done 25,000 and it’s just darn good.

[egschade]

Try to test ride both. I went from a V7 III to the V85 and love the plusher suspension on rough roads. Haven't ridden an 850 but I suspect the dual shock configuration won't compare well to the modern V85 setup.

[Vagrant]

The V7 needs cash to make it rideable and to add bags. Your right it winds up being the same price as a V85 that only needs tweaking / fine tuning of the suspension.

[guzziart]

I have a 2021 goldwing tour dct which I love. I’ve had many many touring bikes and this is the best for me.  I’m looking for a second smaller bike to run around on but also one that I can occasionally do 8-10 hour days on. Love the looks of the V7 and expect the new 850 is smoother than my V7 III was.  But I’m 67 and not sure if an 8 hour day on the V7 would be manageable for me.  That’s why I’m also considering the V85tt.  And of course there’s always the new Mandelo but I prefer to stay under 15K.  Thoughts?

I'm 69, have an '08 wing and a '12 Wee Strom Adventure so my choice of your two options would be the V85tt because of greater front suspension travel (don't know about rear), bags and cruise control.  FWIW, I've taken several 6k mile trips w/8+ hour days on the Wee and feel doing that on a V85tt would be easier because of the cruise control.  My reason for taking the Wee on some long trips vs. Wing was because the rest of the group were riding GS's and doing a lot of dirt & gravel (Shafer Trail, Black Bear Pass, Tin Cup, Valley of the Gods, etc.).  I've been hoping for a Wee with factory cruise (for around $10k) but but will probably end up with a v85tt eventually for a few $K more.

Good luck!

Art

[Clifton]

I recently bought a V85TT Adventure and had been looking at a Wee Adventure. In comparison the Wee lists at about $11,200 with destination and the V85 Adventure is $13,200. Both come with nice aluminum panniers but the V85 also includes a top box which is probably $800. It also has cruise control that's probably $500 value that I don't believe the Wee comes with. Then there's shaft drive. So all in all I think a V85 Adventure prices out very competitively to Suzuki's Wee Adventure.
 I will say the Wee is a very good and reliable motorcycle.

[Phil/TX]

I’m 5’9”, and 77 years old,the v85 tt is a great bike with great standard suspension, I did a 450 mile ride in October. Sure I was tired, but let’s go back, I’m 77 the V85 is my favorite of all my bikes.

[blu guzz]

Phil:

Looking at all the other choices you have in the garage, it says a lot about the 85TT  that it's your favorite.  I have had mine since Summer 19 and still can't think of anything I would replace it with.  I brief spring ride early in the week lit the spark all over again.

[sgl0226]

Finally had the chance to test ride the V7 850 and V85tt.  While the new V7 definitely felt like an improvement over my previous V7, I loved the V85tt.   It just fits me perfectly and is exactly what I’m looking for.  Mine should be here in a month.  Thanks to Enzo for the test rides.  I’m lucky to live so close to Cadre!

[Dave Swanson]

Finally had the chance to test ride the V7 850 and V85tt.  While the new V7 definitely felt like an improvement over my previous V7, I loved the V85tt.   It just fits me perfectly and is exactly what I’m looking for.  Mine should be here in a month.  Thanks to Enzo for the test rides.  I’m lucky to live so close to Cadre!

Excellent news! 

[JJ]

My quick read on the request:

* If you are tall, and have an 35" inseam or longer, go with the V85TT...

* If you have an inseam of 30"-32" (like me...) go with V7 850...

[DesertPilot]

V85TT is great for long rides on back roads straight out of the box.  The V7 might be a bit more of a day ride bike.  Or then again, it might be perfect.  It's going to be entirely a matter of personal taste -- i.e. which one you're more likely to sneak out to have a look at in the garage late at night 

[blu guzz]

I am sure that you will enjoy your new TT.  I only did the following tweeks which cost little or nothing: I took off the butt stop and added an alaska sheepskin to the seat making it great for longer trips.  I find the grips too narrow on modern non-Harley's so if you do to, go to the bike store and buy handlebar tape, use as much or as little as you want to get a good feel on the grips.  I have used a windscreen deflector through my past 3 bikes.
Costing a little money:
I bought the butt ugly but very functional Cal-Sci windscreen for cold rides. I bought the center stand and had Cadre install it and had them install the Y-pipe while they were in there.
I find that it really needs nothing more but to ride it.  I regularly get 50 mpg.  The cruise is heaven.  Nothing not to love.

[Vagrant]

By the time you add saddle bags, decent shocks, fork work, windshield to the V7 you have the price of the V85 in it and still no cruise control.

[9fingers]

By the time you add saddle bags, decent shocks, fork work, windshield to the V7 you have the price of the V85 in it and still no cruise control.

This is it in summary. Though I am not sure the fork work is really necessary. And I also don't see why the 850 engine would be smoother than the V7III, which I find plenty smooth after around 3.500 rpm.
Scott

[inditx]

My quick read on the request:

* If you are tall, and have an 35" inseam or longer, go with the V85TT...

* If you have an inseam of 30"-32" (like me...) go with V7 850...

This.
inditx

[buck]

Faced with the same choice I bought a V7 850 Stone. After too many adventure bikes I’m tired of tall seats and wide bars. I never worried much about whether or not the V7 would cost as much as a V85 TT once I was done modifying it. I installed a Givi rack, top box and windshield, agostini exhaust, and some lowering pegs - which was the only thing I had to do comfort wise. Yes, lost a bit of cornering clearance but I enjoy so many other things about the bike it doesn’t matter.

As for long days, I’m sure the V85 is a better long distance bike, but I’ve done a 500 mile day on the V7 and my only complaint was the lack of leg room (hence the lowering pegs). For me, the seat on the V7 is better than the V85 seat. In fact, I did a 3-up (rider, passenger and dog) ride across part of FL today. 325 miles and we’re tired but otherwise fine.

After too many large barges - gold wings, k1200 Lt’s, and many other sport touring and sport bikes I’ve figured out my touring bike is the bike I tour on. To that end, buy the one that quickens your pulse. If you don’t, no amount of comfort will make you spend more time on it.

[egschade]

I went from a V7 III to the V85TT for the better suspension, more open/upright riding position and overall newer technology like ride modes and cruise control. The V7 was fine for tooling around on smooth roads but was lacking on longer trips or if the road gets rough. Overall, the V85TT is a more versatile machine.

[DoubleThumper]

This is the road going version of the V85..


It’ll do both but is biased on road.

Hello Huzo:

Is that your wonderful work?

I would like to perhaps adopt some of those ideas and learn where to source some of the mods.

Please confirm?

Thank you -
DT