V85 vs v100 which is the more practical commuter???

[Clifton]

Since I am more comfortable with a slightly forward lean when riding unless I have a rider backrest, I would go for the V100 for the commute you describe.  I just rode 600 miles on the V85TT this past weekend and am going to have to change the ergonomics some.  Gets me between the shoulders.

Is the bump still on your seat? I removed it and while the seat was pretty nice before I find it even more comfortable now because it allows me to move back an inch or so.

[LowRyter]

Most motorcycle riders on the planet.

You're saying motorcycle are "practical"?  really? 

I see that this was already talked up. 

[LowRyter]

You’ll get pissed when those aerodynamic auto-adjusting fins decide to stop working or break off one day, lol. Save yourself the feels.

Seriously though, both bikes are eye-catching. The V100 will be able to overtake on the freeway more easily.

my guess is that you'll never notice those wings one way or another.

[Beowulf]

You're saying motorcycle are "practical"?  really?

Ok preparing to burned at the stake for this….. I have found for my situation motorcycles have indeed been a practical mostly reliable transportation tool.

I passionately love motorcycles so I’m no doubt biased. But the amount of initial investment is cheaper than most trucks and cars. For cost to performance a motorcycle works out to be a better deal for me.

I work and maintain my own stuff and that helps the cost considerably. In comparison to my mini Cooper the Moto Guzzi has cost far less to maintain.

Mini Cooper
Timing chain 300
Turbo 1500
Valve cover 250
2 sets of tires 1800
Brakes 250
Calalytic converter 300
Clutch 300
No labor costs I do it myself

I understand frequency is a thing so I will state this over a two year period.

Moto Guzzi
250 tires
Brake pads 75
Oil 250 ish?
Filter 50

Much easier to fix. Note I know this an unusual example, car tires last longer etc etc. but honestly despite the ecu hiccup the motorcycle works well for me.

To be fair my 88 blazer has been relatively cheap
1200 tires
100 oil
350 various fix it’s
150 brakes

Cost aside I would and will continue to ride motorcycles because I love them. No other practical reason. But a machine that I can maintain, fix and overall bond with is speaking to me. Guzzi fits that bill.

Leaning towards a v85. Looking at a different commute due to change in jobs. Will know more in a month. Appreciate all the points.

[LowRyter]

I'll concede that bikes are more practical when parking is difficult and the rider needs to bypass congested traffic.  So far as dollars and cents and flexibility, weather and the like, not so much.

[Kev m]

Ok preparing to burned at the stake for this….. I have found for my situation motorcycles have indeed been a practical mostly reliable transportation tool.

I passionately love motorcycles so I’m no doubt biased. But the amount of initial investment is cheaper than most trucks and cars. For cost to performance a motorcycle works out to be a better deal for me.

I work and maintain my own stuff and that helps the cost considerably. In comparison to my mini Cooper the Moto Guzzi has cost far less to maintain.

Mini Cooper
Timing chain 300
Turbo 1500
Valve cover 250
2 sets of tires 1800
Brakes 250
Calalytic converter 300
Clutch 300
No labor costs I do it myself

I understand frequency is a thing so I will state this over a two year period.

Moto Guzzi
250 tires
Brake pads 75
Oil 250 ish?
Filter 50

Much easier to fix. Note I know this an unusual example, car tires last longer etc etc. but honestly despite the ecu hiccup the motorcycle works well for me.

To be fair my 88 blazer has been relatively cheap
1200 tires
100 oil
350 various fix it’s
150 brakes

Cost aside I would and will continue to ride motorcycles because I love them. No other practical reason. But a machine that I can maintain, fix and overall bond with is speaking to me. Guzzi fits that bill.

Leaning towards a v85. Looking at a different commute due to change in jobs. Will know more in a month. Appreciate all the points.

Meh, you're cherry picking and fooling yourself. Which is fine. Do what makes you feel good.

But if you're looking at total costs - initial, wearable items, service, GEAR etc. Motorcycles are about passion not practicality.

You could get a cheap sedan new or almost new, and not do anything but change oil for 60-80k miles. Maybe eventually spend a few hundred dollars on brakes and tires.

In that same initial 60-80k miles your bike requires thousands in gear, 6-8 SETS of tires at $200-400 a set, more in accessories if you want to do things like carry stuff. And bottom line it will move at most 2 people at a time, so if you ever want/need to move 3 or more people, you double all your MC costs.

It's a losing proposition.

Sure you can justify it as an alternative to a car to offset a piece of the costs. But it'll never add up.

[John A]

I’d go with the V100 unless I was going to be doing fire roads and light off road on a regular basis. The authority of a larger engine and heavier drive components is attractive to me. That is if I still had fully functional legs. If you can still handle a larger machine, do it while you can.

[Bulldog9]

my guess is that you'll never notice those wings one way or another.

Were it not for the Goofy Orange background, I might agree 

[Frenchfrog]

The goofy orange background to the wings is a nod to the dayglow headlight surround on the Le Mans.I have to say that I don't like it either but...

[bad Chad]

On an Italian bike it's pronounced Daygo, not Dayglow.   Sorry, bad joke, but easy.

[blackcat]

I believe the wings can be turned off.

When it comes to commuting on a bike, new vs. used is also a consideration depending on your location and road congestion but because the author is giving these two options, I'd pick the v100.  I commuted on my CX in NYC for 25+ years and never considered using my other bikes for any length of time due to road conditions, aggressive drivers and the possibility of the bike being knocked over due to braille parkers in the city.  And it was very easy to split lanes on that bike.  I did use the Norge for awhile but splitting lanes was difficult with the bags, removing one bag helped but I'd rather have both bags in case the bike was tipped over. 

[Huzo]

Were it not for the Goofy Orange background, I might agree 

Disable them…

[twowheeladdict]

Is the bump still on your seat? I removed it and while the seat was pretty nice before I find it even more comfortable now because it allows me to move back an inch or so.

I use it to hold down the sheepskin pelt I'm shaping and shaving over time.  I haven't ridden without the bump.



.


When it is on the bike is more comfortable but also higher for my legs. 

[LowRyter]

Were it not for the Goofy Orange background, I might agree 

my meaning, it's out of your line of sight riding it, you have to look down to notice.  They can be turned off and don't come on in Sports mode.

[twowheeladdict]

Meh, you're cherry picking and fooling yourself. Which is fine. Do what makes you feel good.

But if you're looking at total costs - initial, wearable items, service, GEAR etc. Motorcycles are about passion not practicality.

You could get a cheap sedan new or almost new, and not do anything but change oil for 60-80k miles. Maybe eventually spend a few hundred dollars on brakes and tires.

In that same initial 60-80k miles your bike requires thousands in gear, 6-8 SETS of tires at $200-400 a set, more in accessories if you want to do things like carry stuff. And bottom line it will move at most 2 people at a time, so if you ever want/need to move 3 or more people, you double all your MC costs.

It's a losing proposition.

Sure you can justify it as an alternative to a car to offset a piece of the costs. But it'll never add up.

my next door neighbor came to that conclusion after riding 160,000 miles back and forth 50 miles one way on two different bikes. Ended up buying a used Corolla and no more bikes.  He never rode for pleasure,  just slogged to work rain or shine year round. 
He said the main reason was the anger he was feeling at all the drivers out to kill him.  Which is why 2 bikes.  Teenager on cell phone pulled out on him and over the hood he went.  Goodbye bike number 1 at 85,000 miles. 

[Dirk_S]

my next door neighbor came to that conclusion after riding 160,000 miles back and forth 50 miles one way on two different bikes. Ended up buying a used Corolla and no more bikes.  He never rode for pleasure,  just slogged to work rain or shine year round. 
He said the main reason was the anger he was feeling at all the drivers out to kill him.  Which is why 2 bikes.  Teenager on cell phone pulled out on him and over the hood he went.  Goodbye bike number 1 at 85,000 miles.

Ironically, the American car culture is one of the reasons I’m experimenting not owning a car for a full year and sticking with the Guzzi and Beemer. I find myself loathing nearly every car these days— driving through red lights, not taking turns or letting people merge, not using turn signals, looking at their phones, etc—that I just don’t want to be a part of it anymore…(or so he says only 5 days into the experiment). Way, way too much entitlement out there, and not enough safety mindset in this privileged society.

[Kev m]

Ironically, the American car culture is one of the reasons I’m experimenting not owning a car for a full year and sticking with the Guzzi and Beemer. I find myself loathing nearly every car these days— driving through red lights, not taking turns or letting people merge, not using turn signals, looking at their phones, etc—that I just don’t want to be a part of it anymore…(or so he says only 5 days into the experiment). Way, way too much wntitlement out there, and not enough safety mindset in this world.

Anecdote inbound.

When I was in my 20's and just starting out in life I had just started working for Chilton Book Co.

I had a high mileage, beat-up Chevy Blazer (and a payment on it). I also had a 1.5 hour commute each way from just outside Lancaster County PA to the Radnor PA on the main line close to Philly.

A bunch of my co-workers were all motorcycle obsessed. I learned to ride, bought a cheap bike, then quickly decided I wanted a nice bike.

I bought my first new motor vehicle ever - a 1993 Harley 1200 Sporty.

I couldn't afford IT AND my Blazer. So I sold the Blazer and decided I'd go bike only.

Made it like 2-3 years.

Got caught in a snow storm and it took me hours to ride home one day.

Bought a cheap Yamaha 650 Special as my "winter beater bike" and rode that when there was too much ice on the roads.

I had a snow mobile suit, tried every possible method to keep my face shields from fogging (and they all failed), bought Widder electric gloves, still froze at times.

That last year I dropped the 650 like 3 separate times on black ice, one time just trying to get down my driveway.

Said, screw it, life is too short for this crap. Ran out and bought a cheap used Geo Tracker... kept the Harley.... hell, bought another shortly thereafter.

I have no need to try life without a car again.

Anyway, as to your disdain for cars. Sure, riding changed my driving for the better. But let's be real, I'm not going to avoid something that makes my life better just because some idiots use it. If I really tried to avoid that I'd be left with nothing.

[Dirk_S]

Anecdote inbound…

…That last year I dropped the 650 like 3 separate times on black ice, one time just trying to get down my driveway.

Said, screw it, life is too short for this crap. Ran out and bought a cheap used Geo Tracker... kept the Harley.... hell, bought another shortly thereafter.

I have no need to try life without a car again.

Anyway, as to your disdain for cars. Sure, riding changed my driving for the better. But let's be real, I'm not going to avoid something that makes my life better just because some idiots use it. If I really tried to avoid that I'd be left with nothing.

For sure it’ll be less convenient and at times downright miserable—and I very well may get completely fed up with the idea by this time next year—but I have a few things going at the moment: sidecar for winter use, extra bike for backup, working from home while living downtown and near a train station (no commuting), and a desire to occasionally challenge the norm—I once went an entire month without talking (likely to everyone’s relief). My life is already veering from the typical American status quo, so why not unleash more of the perceived restraints. Anyway…we’ll see. Back to that topic about the air-cooled Guzzi vs the liquid-cooled Guzzi with the breakable gills.

[Kev m]

My life is already veering from the typical American status quo, so why not unleash more of the perceived restraints.

Tilt away honorable caballero andante from La Mancha, tilt away...

[brother dave]

I have no need to try life without a car again.

Anyway, as to your disdain for cars. Sure, riding changed my driving for the better. But let's be real, I'm not going to avoid something that makes my life better just because some idiots use it. If I really tried to avoid that I'd be left with nothing.

I thought about that for a minute. My idea was I would have more money to spend on more motorcycles. I chickened out….  So I sold my car, bought my wife a new car, took her old car and now I have enough good Will banked that she can’t complain when I buy another bike. It didn’t save any $$$.  It cost a lot of $$$ actually. But it’s still not a bad plan.

[Moparnut72]

I thought about that for a minute. My idea was I would have more money to spend on more motorcycles. I chickened out….  So I sold my car, bought my wife a new car, took her old car and now I have enough good Will banked that she can’t complain when I buy another bike. It didn’t save any $$$.  It cost a lot of $$$ actually. But it’s still not a bad plan.

That's the best plan I have heard in years. 
kk

[twowheeladdict]

Ironically, the American car culture is one of the reasons I’m experimenting not owning a car for a full year and sticking with the Guzzi and Beemer. I find myself loathing nearly every car these days— driving through red lights, not taking turns or letting people merge, not using turn signals, looking at their phones, etc—that I just don’t want to be a part of it anymore…(or so he says only 5 days into the experiment). Way, way too much entitlement out there, and not enough safety mindset in this privileged society.

when I was 19 I had a $1600 motorcycle, and a $100 car.  The car only got used when needed. 

[egschade]

When I landed a job at Verizon about < 8 miles away I ditched the 2nd car and rode my motorcycle to work. When Verizon moved even closer to my house it was all the easier and I even walked on nice days. We had the primary people/kid hauler and my wife would give me a ride in really bad weather. Did that for better part of 7 years.

When I changed jobs and wound up in Newark, NJ the first thing I did was buy a commuter car. NO WAY was I going to ride in NYC bound Interstate commuter traffic, then through possibly some of the worst neighborhoods in the state.

Bottom line - be realistic with the risks and challenges of using a motorcycle as your only mode of transport. As Kev noted - snow and ice suck.

[Tusayan]

My life is already veering from the typical American status quo, so why not unleash more of the perceived restraints. Anyway…we’ll see. Back to that topic about the air-cooled Guzzi vs the liquid-cooled Guzzi with the breakable gills.

My advice for either in this case would be to check the amount you'll be able to tilt away from the constraint of visiting your Guzzi dealer, on his schedule and at his location, and offering him your credit card.  Its a shame to me but these bikes are designed to tie you to the mother ship.  I have a V85TT that really hasn't satisfied me so far due to this factor and also due to its scooterish lack of Italian bike feel. 

The V85TT would be a pretty good commuter bike, but expect it to feel like a commuter bike and understand that its electronics, dealer only service light reset, chipped key and all the rest won't allow you Guzzi-style off the grid independence. I've ridden the V100 but come to the conclusion that for me it’s more of the same. My ST4 is more to my liking for the same job and cost a fraction as much.

[Beowulf]

My advice for either in this case would be to check the amount you'll be able to tilt away from the constraint of visiting your Guzzi dealer, on his schedule and at his location, and offering him your credit card.  Its a shame to me but these bikes are designed to tie you to the mother ship.  I have a V85TT that really hasn't satisfied me so far due to this factor and also due to its scooterish lack of Italian bike feel. 
Appreciate the insight. I’m still in love with what Guzzi is producing and understand the frustration of not being able to reset the wrench icon. But I find nothing else really gets me going the same way.
The V85TT would be a pretty good commuter bike, but expect it to feel like a commuter bike and understand that its electronics, dealer only service light reset, chipped key and all the rest won't allow you Guzzi-style off the grid independence. I've ridden the V100 but come to the conclusion that for me it more of the same. My ST4 is more to my liking for the same job and cost a fraction as much.

[twowheeladdict]

My advice for either in this case would be to check the amount you'll be able to tilt away from the constraint of visiting your Guzzi dealer, on his schedule and at his location, and offering him your credit card.  Its a shame to me but these bikes are designed to tie you to the mother ship.  I have a V85TT that really hasn't satisfied me so far due to this factor and also due to its scooterish lack of Italian bike feel. 

The V85TT would be a pretty good commuter bike, but expect it to feel like a commuter bike and understand that its electronics, dealer only service light reset, chipped key and all the rest won't allow you Guzzi-style off the grid independence. I've ridden the V100 but come to the conclusion that for me it more of the same. My ST4 is more to my liking for the same job and cost a fraction as much.

What happens if you don't turn off the service light?

[Mr Revhead]

Wet clutch and water cooling means it's not even a question. V100 hands down.
Dry clutch and air cooling are not made for traffic

[Tusayan]

What happens if you don't turn off the service light?

What happens is nothing until you want to sell the bike and a prospective buyer uses it as a bargaining point and you have to try and convince him of the facts, putting you on the defensive in negotiation.  He leaves anyway, dissatisfied.

So then you make an appointment and go to the dealer (nothing available on the weekend and you’ll have to drop the bike off, sorry) and the young and annoying ‘service advisor’ will be “unsure” about whether they can turn the light off without doing an evaluation of the bikes service history.  But he’ll get back to you later to tell you that “good news”, Piaggio says it’s OK because you had the records (you did save the oil and parts receipts, right?) and he’ll also get you that extra ignition key you need because the first owner threw the previous spare away after trading in the bike on the spur of the moment. He’s ordered the key (more “good news” they’re still available for now, for $100 despite being made in India) and it’ll be here in a week.”Then we’ll have to get it cut at the locksmith ($100 labor) before coding it to the bike ($120 labor)”.

And so on, the sum total of which is nothing to do with my attraction to motorcycles versus late model cars.

I think Piaggio is tone deaf.  Meanwhile the US Japanese motorcycle importers are generally smart enough to know that US buyers do not want or need chipped keys, they have secure garages not outside parking in Milano, and they want to be able to turn off their own service light because they do their own service and repairs in that garage/workshop too.

[Beowulf]

Wet clutch and water cooling means it's not even a question. V100 hands down.
Dry clutch and air cooling are not made for traffic

Most of the time I don’t get caught in traffic. However it is definitely a valid point. My commute is between 40-60 minutes. 60-70 miles an hour. I have just pulled over in the past in extreme situations and let the engine cool. Water cooled would be nice.

[Frenchfrog]

Water cooling is a very good point...I would have put my money on the V 85 simply because of size and power ....but the cooling factor would almost be crucial here in summer stuck in traffic in town.