V85 TT Top Speed

[Italian Redneck]

Been awhile since I’ve been on here.  Discovered this page after my purchase of a 2020 V7 III.  Traded that in recently for a 2021 V85 TT.  Currently have under 2k miles on it and love it.  I’ve had a couple of minor issues, none of which are deal breakers, more along the lines of me having to get used to not riding a “flawless” Japanese machine.  To that end just wanted to share my recent experience of checking out max speed in the event that there are other morons on here like me that are just stupid enough to inadvertently kill themselves.

I was able to get to 115mph, downhill, with the wind…NOT GOOD.  Developed a wobble above 105mph (which is Guzzi’s stated max speed, clearly for a reason) which got worse the higher the speed.  Just a warning in the event you were curious.  Obviously this motorcycle is not meant for speed although I’m continually surprised at the grunt and acceleration I get in the area of 4k rpm.  Great bike for touring with the wife, comfortable, all-day.

If you’re looking for speed you just need to add another pony to your stable.  😉

[Cam3512]

Why?  Were you on a drag strip?  Autobahn?  Salt flats?  Running from the police? 

[Sykestone8886]

Usually at that speed with front end wobble don’t have a good ending, slow down and smell the roses !!!

[Dirk_S]

Happy to be wrong, but I wouldn’t blame wobble at any speed on a bike in its whole. Rather—consider your tires, your wheels, your steering bearing, and how straight your alignment is (front forks straight?).

[twowheeladdict]

Interesting first post.  You have to keep in mind that many on this forum don't remember what it was like to test the limits on a secluded road in the middle of nowhere. 

That out of the way, everyone should watch the latest Fortnine video about riding to survive.

https://youtu.be/doSDfIo61r0

[twowheeladdict]

Happy to be wrong, but I wouldn’t blame wobble at any speed on a bike in its whole. Rather—consider your tires, your wheels, your steering bearing, and how straight your alignment is (front forks straight?).

Suspension settings. Longer travel suspension set too soft with a weight bias to the rear of the bike.

[PeteS]

Been awhile since I’ve been on here.  Discovered this page after my purchase of a 2020 V7 III.  Traded that in recently for a 2021 V85 TT.  Currently have under 2k miles on it and love it.  I’ve had a couple of minor issues, none of which are deal breakers, more along the lines of me having to get used to not riding a “flawless” Japanese machine.  To that end just wanted to share my recent experience of checking out max speed in the event that there are other morons on here like me that are just stupid enough to inadvertently kill themselves.

I was able to get to 115mph, downhill, with the wind…NOT GOOD.  Developed a wobble above 105mph (which is Guzzi’s stated max speed, clearly for a reason) which got worse the higher the speed.  Just a warning in the event you were curious.  Obviously this motorcycle is not meant for speed although I’m continually surprised at the grunt and acceleration I get in the area of 4k rpm.  Great bike for touring with the wife, comfortable, all-day.

If you’re looking for speed you just need to add another pony to your stable.  😉

Thank you for the post. I guess I am among the few who like to know the performance limits of what I ride. Top speed is what I might have expected. The speed wobble is not, especially for a Guzzi. Mine have all been dead stable right up to redline. Pretty sure my 850 LeMans will do well over 125, likely 130 and not a hint of wobble.

Pete

[Dave Swanson]

I don't do a max high speed runs often, but every bike I own gets its legs stretched out of curiosity.  From my 1935 GTS (scary at 50 mph  ) to my CBR 954RR (also scary but at 165 mph).  I've been doing that since I got my first motorcycle 50 years ago.    My new V85TT is no where near broken in, but I am sure one day it will have it's moment. 

[Gliderjohn]

Curiosity has gotten the better of me to see what the Guzzis will do. With a big bore kit and some other fairly modest mods on a remote western KS highway I have had the T-3 up to 115mph indicated so probably around 105-108 and that was double up with the wife and the top box on. Only ran for a bout a 1/2 mile or so and it was still pulling a bit and very solid feeling.
The Norge 8V I have run up to 140 (probably low 130s) indicated with side cases and top box on. This was on a 7,000ft private runway. Was also still pulling a bit when I ran out of room. Handling wise felt like I was doing 70.
GliderJohn

[blu guzz]

I have managed in the 105 range without any bad effects.  It feels like it will make about 110-115.  Keep in mind how optimistic the speedo is.  It is great from about 60 to 90 however.  Just like my 1984 BMW R100RS, which also started to get winded around the ton, but for different reasons, i.e. small valves, cv carbs, emissions tuning.  With the fairing it had, it could have gone as fast as the engine could have pushed it, all the while in the "cone of silence" produced by that magnificent fairing.  The only Beemer I miss although my wrists could no longer take the lean.

[Moparnut72]

I wonder if the "dual purpose" tires on this model may bear some of the responsibility for the instability at these elevated speeds. Not the ideal footwear for these speeds. The only bikes I have had at the ton were both very stable. One was my R90/6 which was pretty well maxed out even though the speedometer read quite a bit higher. My Audace was still in 5th and pulling hard in a passing situation, cut it back so I wouldn't become a resident in the county jail.
kk

[guzzisteve]

I just come back from my Sun morn jaunt, passed the ton in 3rd w/speedo moving like the tach. Lucked out, did it after I saw 2 Counties in SUV's. If curves & hills ain't exciting then you go faster till they are!!
THIS is why I ride a BB, period. The HD guys here could hear me this morning.

[Road Rocket]

Leaning forward can often stop a high speed weave......What PeteS says, I also ran a 850 Lemans as fast as it would it go and the bike was steady...My 73 Ducati GT only went about 110 mph but it was so stable ,like the bike never moved, it sucked the earth towards it....

[PeteS]

“ Some people will tell you that slow is good—and it may be, on some days—but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I've always believed this, in spite of the trouble it's caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba…”

Hunter S Thompson

[Caffeineo]

Scrolling through the dash menu on my 2022 V85, with 5 miles on the odometer, I saw the max speed was 104. 
Maybe why they did not go for more?

[rocker59]

My money says you were stiff-arming the handlebars and inputting the weave yourself due to the wind on your shoulders.

Loosen your grip on the bars and I'll bet the weave goes away.

[Vagrant]

Some of us have dropped the forks about 1/2". There are handy lines on the tubes and #3 is where mine is. I could care less about top speed anymore, but hit the 90"s on a GPS often passing and mines dead stable. With 6 miles of range on radar guns, it's not worth the cost anymore.

[Huzo]

Some of us have dropped the forks about 1/2". There are handy lines on the tubes and #3 is where mine is. I could care less about top speed anymore, but hit the 90"s on a GPS often passing and mines dead stable. With 6 miles of range on radar guns, it's not worth the cost anymore.

Yep..
Here in Oz, if you habitually speed you WILL lose your licence. The plain unmarked cars are absolutely indistinguishable from everyday vehicles. You pass a line of cars now at more than 20 k’s over the posted limit and you are just hoping…plain and simple, that one of them was not a cop.
I just lost 3 points and $469 in Sydney in the double for a (relatively) minor infraction (not speed related), that’s a quarter of my licence. One day later would have been Good Friday with double demerit points so that would have been half of my licence…
No licence..?
No truck.
No truck…?
No money.
No money…?
No Europe….
These days it’s not a calculated risk, it’s a risk and you CANNOT win.
Also, you can just receive the notice in the mail. It’s quite conceivable that you could lose your licence in one day and not know for a week..(or more).
I just don’t do it any more, especially getting close to Europe.

[Italian Redneck]

I don't do a max high speed runs often, but every bike I own gets its legs stretched out of curiosity.  From my 1935 GTS (scary at 50 mph  ) to my CBR 954RR (also scary but at 165 mph).  I've been doing that since I got my first motorcycle 50 years ago.    My new V85TT is no where near broken in, but I am sure one day it will have it's moment.

I’m the same way…I do it once on every bike I own, usually never to be repeated.  I do like to “smell the roses” as one other poster shared.  I guess some of us have a little bit of Burt Munro in us.  I’ll take that any day of the week!

[Italian Redneck]

Thanks for everybody sharing their points of view.  I’m sure it was the dual purpose tires, not tucking, and the fact that these machines were meant for so much more than speed.  As far as any death grip, I’m a true believer in loosy-goosy.  Also, the bike was set up at Cadre Cycle where I bought it by Enzo so I have faith it was done correctly.  Y’all be safe and keep the rubber on the road!

Ciao

[Kiwi_Roy]

I’m the same way…I do it once on every bike I own, usually never to be repeated.  I do like to “smell the roses” as one other poster shared.  I guess some of us have a little bit of Burt Munro in us.  I’ll take that any day of the week!

Welcome to the forum, its quite ok to try your bike out, just don't do it in heavy traffic, slow down and let a fast rabbit take care of any cops up ahead then try her out.
I would be very surprised at any Guzzi being unstable at speed, its one thing they take care of better than most manufacturers, as others said its probably the tires.
My V7III is good for over 100, a VII Sport I had was scary fast, well over 140 with an accurate after market speedo, I sold that because it was far too easy to wind up.

[buck]

120 (indicated) on a V7-850 with a topcase (no side cases), was still creeping upwards when I let off. Rock solid. I know, different bike and different tires, but weave and wobble can usually be remedied.

[Canuck750]

I agree it’s nice to know what the top speed is of what I am riding but it’s pretty rare now to bury the needle, all the police have laser detectors and 30 mph over is a mandatory court appearance. 50mph over and your licence is suspended. The only places I know where the roads are dead straight with no one in sight is the middle of Wyoming or the high desert of California.
I used to have a top quality radar detector with a red led in my visor that tripped when radar was detected, R1150RT.  I used to think it was invincible until a State Trooper came flying out of a hidden drive in the middle of nowhere Northern California near the Nevada border. Not a car or town within fifty miles. The trooper was really pissed when he got out of his cruiser. I was caught doing 95+ mph in a 60 zone and to make things worse I didn’t have my current registration on me. He was going to impound the bike but after a long apology he let me off with under 30mph over and a $500 ticket and a long lecture on the dangers of speeding. I was probably in my late 40’s at the time and the Trooper would have been close to 60, I felt like a little kid. Only time I buried the needle on my K1600 was on the Autobahn near Berlin, and got passed by a Porsche. Once was enough.

I once rode with a guy in NewMexico he had a 1400 Concorse, got pulled over three times in one day, serious expensive trip for him, slow learner!!

[jacksonracingcomau]

Yep..
I just lost 3 points and $469 in Sydney in the double for a (relatively) minor infraction (not speed related), that’s a quarter of my licence. One day later would have been Good Friday with double demerit points so that would have been half of my licence…

I just don’t do it any more, especially getting close to Europe.

Best thing I’ve read for ages
Usually it’s speed or intoxicated, I’ve even read in papers, with neither a crash is just an accident
There are other road rules, very few follow but they are more important than simple speed
Lovely that cops interfere, I didn’t know they did.
Tell us what you did

[egschade]

Happy to be wrong, but I wouldn’t blame wobble at any speed on a bike in its whole. Rather—consider your tires, your wheels, your steering bearing, and how straight your alignment is (front forks straight?).

Agreed. Also need to check the loading of bags and top box as well as possible drag affect of those items (and/or the windshield). Weight biased towards the rear or less than perfectly aligned bodywork can cause high speed problems.

[Tkelly]

I would like the opinions from the guy who really knows,from experience,how fast Guzzis really go.How about it Mike?

[Redrider]

There is an excellent vid on 'tube. Dunlop Tire wobble and weave with a lot of our favorite models from years past all afflicted with it and some solutions. Yes, my Cafe Sport did it on Michelin tires. Steady as a rock at top end with Avon. Hit 150 on the Spot with no issues. 175 for the Benelli with 1000rpm to spare (traffic on the horizon), again with Avon, solid and stable. The Mille could use a beefier fork but still, good to 100+.

[bad Chad]

Not ringing out your bike is a clear manifestation of aging.

It’s only recently, now in my mid 50s that I have begun to slow down just a bit.  I’m a little more judicious when it comes to serious speed.  That being said I have topped out every bike I ever had, most of them many times!

I’ve seen 124 mph on my Breva, 108 on my v9, and 68 on my csc tt250!  None of which was sanctioned by the law, but most all were done on deserted open roads.

[pressureangle]

Why?  Were you on a drag strip?  Autobahn?  Salt flats?  Running from the police?

Here's something few know.

High speed wobble is most often a consequence of your input to the bars. The wind tends to make you pull them to you, which destabilizes the fork. Try consciously leaning into and pushing on both bars at speed and see if it doesn't straighten right up.

[Bulldog9]

My money says you were stiff-arming the handlebars and inputting the weave yourself due to the wind on your shoulders.

Loosen your grip on the bars and I'll bet the weave goes away.

I agree, loosen grip, and lean forward a bit always settles the weave/wobble down for me. If not, making sure the rear shock preload is correct/firm, tire pressure, and as others have said dropping the forks in the TT helps.

As I experimented with adding bags to the Stornello TT, the first round had just 30l side cases and a Dart screen. The bike had a terrible weave at speeds above 70. Not front end wobble, but whole bike weave. Adding a topcase helped, but the front end was light and would wobble at 90, so firming up preload, and dropping the forks 5mm helped. In the end, adding a large windscreen (adapted Norge Large screen) and swapping the left case balanced the side cases so they stuck out the same on both sides. The Stornello is rock solid at any speed up to my highest measured 101mph (GPS). Only took about 3 minutes 

I don't often run triple digits, only when passing, or trying to shrink the miles to the next set of twisties and doing so on super slab. Easy to do on the Norge, 1200 Sport or Griso.  Fastest bike I have owned was the FJR 1300 which could effortlessly gobble miles at 130mph and was rock solid and dare I say boring......

Stornello TT final state.





30L bags on each side still had a little side to side weave.




Swapping the Left bag to a 40L eliminated the weave at speed and is now rock solid. Next is to remove the Side Stand and have it extended 1.5-2" to eliminate the extreme lean. Is hard to get off side stand when loaded.