Looking at first Moto Guzzi bike

[Adam]

 Hi everyone - Love the look of the V85TT and absolutely fell in love with the ease of maintenance I have been seeing on You tube with the exception of not being able to reset the maintenance light ourselves. Being a soon to retire autotech of 40+ years I will be doing all my own maintenance and living with the light on like so many do from what I have read. Its an 8+ hr rt drive to the nearest dealer if traffic is not to heavy. So my question coming from a life time of riding Japanese bikes with this engine being what I could call transverse to what I am used to how are the vibrations while riding? I have not seen any reviews that mentions it at all so am I to take that as a sign its as smooth as silk and that is why its not mentioned? 
Another question as one of my desires in changing bikes is to get a more spirited stock bike. It would be nice to be able to get the front tire off the ground without having to throw all your weight to the back when you are off roading.

[Dirk_S]

I test ride a V85TT when they came out and found it disappointingly smooth. Doesn’t quite have the noise and clunky character that older Guzzi lovers adore. Not a bad bike at all—just less of that Guzzi “feel”.

[tommy2cyl]

If you want a bike to loft the front wheel, look elsewhere.  Not really it's mission statement.
Make arrangement somehow to ride one.  Only way to know if it pushes your buttons.  Other people's reviews and opinions can
only take you so far.  I own a first year and will probably be buried with it.

[usedtobefast]

Vibration level and smoothness is oddly very subjective.  I've seen guys complaining about vibrations on a suzuki v-strom and I just don't understand that.

I find inline 4 engines too buzzy for trips but I find twins just fine.  Other flip that around and talk about the smoothness of an inline 4.

So ... you gotta ride one to be sure. 

As for the wheel lofting, nope.  For that you should probably look to a KTM 790 or 890 Adventure bike. 

[Dave Swanson]

It's great that you are looking at the V85TT for your first Guzzi, and I would love to see you enter the fold.  I would usually say that you will certainly love it, but in this case I don't believe the V85 will have the off road prowess you are looking for.  A lighter bike with more horsepower seems to be what you need. 

The V85 engine is very smooth.  No worries there.

[twowheeladdict]

It will certainly loft the front tire.
https://youtu.be/Aa5OjDKXMsg?si=O7zPishKBN-QTNiW

And with the right tires and skillful rider go wherever you want to go.

https://youtu.be/WpHlNvhw06A?si=uImi5lCvX_uqqZgZ

Are there better bikes for off-road use?  Sure, but every bike is a compromise.

If I were doing mostly off-road, but needed to carry soft luggage I would probably choose the Tenere 700 or Aprilia 660 because I am not skilled or strong enough to manhandle the V85TT in harsh conditions.

[kingoffleece]

There's always more talented riders who can do what most won't attempt.  I recall when back in WNY we sold a Victory Vision to a 79 year old vet so he could ride it from NY to AK (Artic Circle) to have lunch with an old army buddy.  No issues.  We also delivered a Vespa 50 (yes, a 50!) to another guy who also rode it to lower Alaska.  So anything is possible, or so it seems.
Looking to wheelie?  I wouldn't choose a Guzzi, but anything is possible.  Horses for courses comes to mind, though.

[Adam]

Thanks for all the replies! To clarify I was not looking to ride along on one tire just cus. I was more referring to the few times I might go off road and want to raise the front wheel for a pot hole full of mud or possible the small log across the gravel road. My intended use for this bike will be 80% road and 20% gravel road.
A couple of more questions sure with the mfg site had better info. Does the 2023 V85TT models offer heated grips std on all the models or is it just the travel model. Also is there a factory power outlet included as std? 

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks for all the replies! To clarify I was not looking to ride along on one tire just cus. I was more referring to the few times I might go off road and want to raise the front wheel for a pot hole full of mud or possible the small log across the gravel road. My intended use for this bike will be 80% road and 20% gravel road.
A couple of more questions sure with the mfg site had better info. Does the 2023 V85TT models offer heated grips std on all the models or is it just the travel model. Also is there a factory power outlet included as std?

I haven't researched the 2023 models but the Travel was the only model that included them from the factory.  You can negotiate a set into your purchase like I did when I bought my 2022.  There is a USB outlet on the left side of the dash. 

[9fingers]

Vibration level and smoothness is oddly very subjective.  I've seen guys complaining about vibrations on a suzuki v-strom and I just don't understand that.

I find inline 4 engines too buzzy for trips but I find twins just fine.  Other flip that around and talk about the smoothness of an inline 4.

So ... you gotta ride one to be sure. 

As for the wheel lofting, nope.  For that you should probably look to a KTM 790 or 890 Adventure bike.

I have a V Strom and was looking to jump to the V85, and really enjoyed riding it, power, handling......reall y nice bike. But not better than the Strom for my multi day tours. But if I were riding dirt roads and more trails, with small logs and rock gardens, I would go for the V85 in a heartbeat. Regarding vibrations, the V85 vibrates much more than a V STrom, but it is a pleasant vibration.........a ll you Guzzi owners know what I mean. The V Strom has a harsh, nasty vibration at 4,500 to 5,200, which unfortunately is right where I tend to ride on road trips. I end up downshifting to 5th to raise the rev range to a smoother zone. Sorry to go off topic a tad.

[Adam]

Thanks for the info. I figure next is to go ride one. I found you can rent them for the day in Las Vega for just over $100 which I think would be a great way to really feel out the bike. Was not expecting the 4hr flight to cost almost $1300 for me and the misses and that is before a room and food! Been a really long time since we have flown and did not realize how much it cost nowadays. I requested a brochure from the mfg website and got a reply but no brochure attached just a link to schedule a test ride.  Never done this before for those of you who have what can I expect as in how long of a ride can you do? If you decide not to buy how upset do they get?

[blu guzz]

I bought one of the first V85s available in the summer of 2019.  Until I traded it at 25,000 miles a few months ago, it had been completely reliable with only maintenance and tires.  One thing going for this bike that is hard to find with its competitors is cruise control.  You will find that you cannot live without it once you have had it.  The bike is an outstanding trip bike provided your trips are more backroad and less interstate.  It will cruise at 85 mph if you like, but that is not the happy zone.  65 mph on a 2 lane is where it comes into its own.  Power is perfect at that pace, smooth and relaxed just waiting to do your bidding.  The bike is incredibly well balanced and neutral feeling, probably due to the engine configuration.  The peg-seat-bar ratio is nearly perfect.  Just a few of the great points of the bike.  Your idea of renting one is probably the best way to really get to know it.  Good luck.

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks for the info. I figure next is to go ride one. I found you can rent them for the day in Las Vega for just over $100 which I think would be a great way to really feel out the bike. Was not expecting the 4hr flight to cost almost $1300 for me and the misses and that is before a room and food! Been a really long time since we have flown and did not realize how much it cost nowadays. I requested a brochure from the mfg website and got a reply but no brochure attached just a link to schedule a test ride.  Never done this before for those of you who have what can I expect as in how long of a ride can you do? If you decide not to buy how upset do they get?

Regarding test rides, it really depends on the dealer and their assessment of you.  It probably ranges from no test rides, to 3 right turns with a guide, to a short ride with a guide, to "please keep it to around 20 miles', to " this is a dedicated demo bike so go have a little fun." 

Upset?  I have never had a dealer get upset if I did not buy, but have had some ask me what I didn't like, or didn't buy because we couldn't come to an agreement on price.

[kingoffleece]

Kinda amusing to think about vibs on the V85.  My first impression,. and still valid now after buying a V85, is that it has so few vibs compared to other Guzzi bikes I've had that it almost felt like it came from  Japan, Inc.  I've grown fond of the bike but it feels much more modern than even to V100 in terms of "smoothness".

[Perazzimx14]

Would this be your only bike or do you have others?

While I am not opposed to buying bikes knowing I will not rely on a dealership to perform routine maintenance/work and actually do it quite often, what I am buying is used and out of or near the end of any warranty period. I would be hard pressed to buy a new bike (assuming you are looking at new) knowing that if there is a problem I am SOL or spending at least 16 hours on the road dropping off and picking up my bike. Really the only advantage of buying new is the warranty safety net. If you are going to go it alone why pay for a warranty that will be an extreme PITA to use if needed. Buy used and more than likely you get some good farkles and save a bundle.

[Adam]

Would this be your only bike or do you have others?

I have 3 other bikes.

2011 KLR650
2013 WR250R
1980 Harley Sportster 1000

[Dave Swanson]

I found you can rent them for the day in Las Vega for just over $100 which I think would be a great way to really feel out the bike.  Never done this before for those of you who have what can I expect as in how long of a ride can you do? If you decide not to buy how upset do they get?

A rental would have no obligation to buy attached what so ever. 

As long as you are flying to ride why not head out to Cadre in Cincinnati. and talk to Enzo.  He has 2023 V85TT Guardia d'Onores available for $12000.  Cadre is rated as one of the best dealers in the country and their price on the 2023 Guardia is one of the best you will find also.  The Guardia model comes fully equipped with all hard luggage and center stand. 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/957785725427507/

[Dirk_S]

Concerning flights, be mindful that how close you book to departure, as well as the day you choose. has an immense impact on pricing. I’m surprised a flight to Vegas isn’t much cheaper. Usually they rope you in with cheap transportation and hotel so that you spend a ton at the casinos. In addition, I think your IP can be tracked by the ticket sellers so that next time you check, the ticket price has risen. I usually do private browsing when looking for prices, and I use Skyscanner.com to check for cheap flights.

[Moparnut72]

Idaho Motorcycle Company has 3 V85TTs in stock. They are in Idaho Falls. They are mainly an Indian Dealer but they are now carrying MG. I have heard good things about them. A lot closer to you.
kk
Edit: 4 in stock
s=New&SelectedMakeDivisio ns=Moto%20Guzzi" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.eaglerockindianmotorcycle.com/Vehicle/Inventory?SortBy=0&SortOrder=0&pageNum=1&SelectedVehicleType s=New&SelectedMakeDivisio ns=Moto%20Guzzi