Opinions on 2022 V85TT please

[bobrebos1]

I’m looking at possibly purchasing one with 3000 miles on it.  I had someone tell me all the problems they had with theirs so I’m a little concerned.  Here is the list of problems they had………

I would like to share my experience with my 2022 Travel compared to the 2025 Travel. I just traded my 2022 Travel with 60K miles. I do all my own service work unless it is done under warranty.  I did maintenance per the manufacturer's recommendations at 6K miles intervals.
Serviceable items under warranty 2022 Travel
Leaking fork seal, replaced cracked windshield, faulty headlight, air and oil temp sensor. A 30A main fuse blew at 25K and never found the problem. Never had a problem after it was replaced.
Other service
Replaced front wheel bearings, steering head bearings. Rear disc.
I did get a leak coming from the driveshaft “weep” hole and replaced the cardan shaft seal, which was not the problem. I suspect it is from the transmission shaft seal. I never had the posted problems of overfill or inside cardan seal leaking. The front brake discs need to be replaced due to the loose bobbins.
…..

So could the riders of 2022 v85TT’s here give me your opinions on the bike.  Thank you

[inditx]

Had a 2023 but never could get the wind protection right
Other than that, it was a good bike albeit a little low on torque for my tastes
YMMV
inditx

[1wild1]

Air and oil sensor was a known defective part on early models that was redesigned, The rest just seem like normal wear and tear, couple bearings. The headlight and fuse are not common problems. The bobbins are known to be loose but these are floating rotors, which can be semi or full floating so I don't worry much about that. The weep hole leak is a known overfilling problem, wouldn't worry about that. I have a Madstad windscreen so no complaints there.  I bought my bike fully tuned so I can't compare it to a factory one but it feels plenty enough for me. Smooth power curve but isn't puling any wheelies. I'm at 23k, bout it used at 10k, I've changed both switch housing on the bars, that's been my only problem. This bike ain't going anywhere. Trails, gravel roads, creeks, twisties, 700 mile 12hr day in the saddle. I have no complaints.

[buck]

I bought a ‘22 new just about two years ago. Wonderful bike, just about to turn 20,000 miles. I did put a set of steering head bearings in it, but full disclosure I never adjusted or greased them at all.
I just replaced them with tapered roller bearings once I started detecting a notch in the steering.

Other than that it has been flawless. Very happy with it!

[azccj]

I own a 2022 V85tt Travel which I bought new 2 years ago. Currently have 15,000 miles on it. The original battery went bad about 2 weeks ago. I've replaced the fork seals because they were leaking last year after about 11,000 miles. Other than that, nothing has broke, leaked, come loose, or stopped working. Great bike so far, and a joy to work on.

[bobrebos1]

I bought a ‘22 new just about two years ago. Wonderful bike, just about to turn 20,000 miles. I did put a set of steering head bearings in it, but full disclosure I never adjusted or greased them at all.
I just replaced them with tapered roller bearings once I started detecting a notch in the steering.

Other than that it has been flawless. Very happy with it!

Thanks.  I’ve never replaced steering head bearings on a bike before.  Is it a complicated, big job to do? 

[buck]

That’s a difficult question to answer because it depends on the individual’s mechanical skills. I don’t think it’s a difficult job, but it does require some kind of tool to knock the outer races out of the headstock. I made a tool to do this, but later wound up buying a cheap race remover on Amazon.

If you use tapered bearings you cannot use the factory torque spec to adjust the bearings. Instead you have to adjust by feel, eliminating any free play without putting too much drag on the bearings.

[guzziart]

If you use tapered bearings you cannot use the factory torque spec to adjust the bearings. Instead you have to adjust by feel, eliminating any free play without putting too much drag on the bearings.

FWIW. When I've replaced head bearings with tapered rollers and no spec is available, I preload them to 3-5 lbs of pull with an inexpensive fish scale.   "Pull" meaning the amount of force required to get the fork assembly moving thoughout it's range (the actual preload at the bearing itself could be 20-30 lb/ft).  I place a tyrap around one of the fork legs, leave enough slack to place the scale hook through the tyrap and then pull while the front wheel is elevated off the gound.  I found this method in a Honda Goldwing 1800 shop manual 2 decades ago and use those specs on everything I've replaced head bearings on since.

Getting back on "Opinions".  I bought a used '23 Travel last Sept with 1k miles, it now has 4200 miles on it.  I installed a Calsci screen, winglets and Debuyl deflectors on the tank to eliminate wind noise & helmet buffeting, it is now tolerable for me.  I'm hearing grumbling the noise & buffeting still exists on new v85's, idk, I wore a half helmet on the one I test rode and never got over 50mph. My tpms light won't go out so I unplugged the module and plan on getting it to the dealer (600 mi round trip) when weather permits.  The "Travel" bags are too small & cheaply made imo, definitely not like HB 30's or 40's.  I modified the clam shell bag locks so the key can be removed when unlocked.  As for power, I'm ok with it, I have no problem using the gears to do what I need the bike to do.  I did ride a '25 and thought the low end torque was noticably better but not enough so that I'd run out to spend many thousands of dollars more for just more low end torque.  I'm seeing pre '24/25 bikes with very low miles going for around $7k and nos going for a bit more.  Whats a new '25 going for out the door...$15K+ ??!!

Anyway, good luck with your pursuit Bob!

Art

[yrunvs]

FWIW. When I've replaced head bearings with tapered rollers and no spec is available, I preload them to 3-5 lbs of pull with an inexpensive fish scale.   "Pull" meaning the amount of force required to get the fork assembly moving thoughout it's range (the actual preload at the bearing itself could be 20-30 lb/ft).  I place a tyrap around one of the fork legs, leave enough slack to place the scale hook through the tyrap and then pull. I found this method in a Honda Goldwing 1800 shop manual 2 decades ago and use those specs on everything I've replaced head bearings on since.

Getting back on "Opinions".  I bought a used '23 Travel last Sept with 1k miles, it now has 4200 miles on it.  I installed a Calsci screen, winglets and Debuyl deflectors on the tank to eliminate wind noise & helmet buffeting, it is now tolerable for me.  I'm hearing grumbling the noise & buffeting still exists on new v85's, idk, I wore a half helmet on the one I test rode and never got over 50mph. My tpms light won't go out so I unplugged the module and plan on getting it to the dealer (600 mi round trip) when weather permits.  The "Travel" bags are too small & cheaply made imo, definitely not like HB 30's or 40's.  I modified the clam shell bag locks so the key can be removed when unlocked.  As for power, I'm ok with it, I have no problem using the gears to do what I need the bike to do.  I did ride a '25 and thought the low end torque was noticably better but not enough so that I'd run out to spend many thousands of dollars more for just more low end torque.  I'm seeing pre '24/25 bikes with very low miles going for around $7k and nos going for a bit more.  Whats a new '25 going for out the door...$15K+ ??!!

Anyway, good luck with your pursuit Bob!

Art

What are these winglets you speak about?

[PeteS]

20K for steering head bearings is a bit disappointing. As far as torquing them I was told one method is lift the front wheel just off the ground. Set the bars for straight ahead and then tap one side and they should fall to the side you tapped.
Tightened so they don’t drop then back off until they do.

Pete

[bobrebos1]

Steering head bearings, fork seals, rear end weep hole leaks.  Hmmm?  Maybe a different bike is in the cards for me.  Thanks everyone.

[guzziart]

What are these winglets you speak about?

The clear plastic thing just behind the turn signal....winglet or whatever you want to call it.  Also, in the pic is the Debuyl defector (black) on the front of the tank at the top most portion of the tank relief for the fork.

[guzziart]

Steering head bearings, fork seals, rear end weep hole leaks.  Hmmm?  Maybe a different bike is in the cards for me.  Thanks everyone.

Yeah, I shoulda probably bought another wee strom but I guess I like headaches & complaining ...only thing I can reasonably figure.

[Cam3512]

I bought a new ‘20, one of the first ones off the (delayed) boat.  It’s been flawless.  Jim Hamlin's done all the basic services, and lowered the bike 1” with a new shock.   Don’t over think it because of a few issues on the internet.  It IS a taller, top heavy bike that’s very nimble.  Super stable on the slab. I have no buffeting issues with the larger Guzzi screen, but that’s rider dependent.  I’m going on 6 years of ownership this summer.  Longest I’ve had a “new” Guzzi.

Cam

[yrunvs]

The clear plastic thing just behind the turn signal....winglet or whatever you want to call it.  Also, in the pic is the Debuyl defector (black) on the front of the tank at the top most portion of the tank relief for the fork.

If you have a '23 then they should fit my '22, right? Where did you get yours?

[blu guzz]

I bought one of the first 20's available and it was perfect through 25,000 miles.  I ran into the buyer at a rally and it now has 40+k miles and no problems.

[Vagrant]

Bob, I hate problems and things breaking.
I bought a 2020 and traded it at 22000 miles for a 22. I only have 10000 on it because of health issues that year, and then I bought an extra 23 when they were giving them away last spring. It has 12000 on it and now resides at my S. Az. home with a V7II. I will be riding the 23 here in Ga. along with the 17 V7III.
0 issues with the 22 and the 23. If you overfill any Guzzi it will leak. I would bet the steering head bearings and fork seals are from off road use or a total failure to clean the bike occasionally.
 Don't be afraid to buy it, especially if the deal is right!

[Cam3512]

This is a MOTO GUZZI  forum, isn’t it? 

[mechanicsavant]

My steering head bearing experience is with a V7/850 . The dealer showed me a bearing that looked as though it had been I salt water. He said it was from a V7/850 with low miles ! So I got the wrenches out & had a look @ mine . No visible grease! No rust either. Loaded up the bearings with a needle greaser & heavy lithium grease carefully reassembled everything & 25 k Mi. So far no issues ! I suspect the bean counters found another Lira to be saved by not greasing the bearings

[PeteS]

When I had my ‘84 BMW airhead the dealer suggested drilling the head stock for a zerk fitting and filling the headstock with grease until it came out of the lower bearing. Later I did the same thing to my EV after I swapped out those bearings. Will have to check that out on my V85tt.

Pete

[twowheeladdict]

Steering head bearings, fork seals, rear end weep hole leaks.  Hmmm?  Maybe a different bike is in the cards for me.  Thanks everyone.

Sounds like you should buy a Honda.   The transalp 750 adventure bike appears to be very reliable and boring.  Of course then you have to deal with chaon maintenance.   No cruise.control either.

[kingoffleece]

So, my friend Richard has 63K on his V85 and Bob in VA must be closing in on 35K.  Both have had ZERO issues.

[azccj]

I like my Hondas because they are well built and reliable. The problem with them comes when it's time to check/adjust the valves or change the air filters. I would much rather adjust the valves 100 times on my v85tt, rather than doing it just once on my Africa Twin. The V85 is simple to work on just like bikes were in the past, plus it has the benefits of fuel injection. And it comes with all the extras I want in a bike nowadays, cruise control. ABS, TPMS and traction control.

[azccj]

Scott Oiler and a chain drive is almost as easy to care for as a shaft drive bike. Top up the reservoir ever 1000 miles or so with a few ounces of ATF and ride. Chain self cleanes and is always coated with a thin film of protectice oil. Adjustments are also few and far inbetween and the chain lasts many 10's of 1000's of miles.

I never really liked chain drive bikes until I discovered their advantages, simplicity, cheap to maintain and easy to change final drive ratios. I run Scottoilers on all 3 of my chain drive bikes. My Africa Twin has about 25,000 on it and I've adjusted the chain maybe once. I just replaced the sprockets and chain on my Vstrom 650, which was less than $200 total using a high quality D.I.D. chain. My only advice is to always buy good quality chains, and not the $39 Amazon ones. When it comes to motorcycle chains you get what you pay for.

[PeteS]

My Norton came with an “automatic” chain oiler. Never had to adjust the chain on my first 8500 mile cross country trip. My brother on his 1969 750 Honda was adjusting his chain every night.

Pete

[1wild1]

Do not overlook the fact the person you are using as a criticism of the brand reliability traded the bike in on the same bike, newer model.  usually when a biker trades bikes it is not for the newer model but trying something new. This bike is the goldilocks, plain and simple.  going over to adventure rider most of the other adv bikes have a "problems" thread.

[buck]

My steering head bearing experience is with a V7/850 . The dealer showed me a bearing that looked as though it had been I salt water. He said it was from a V7/850 with low miles ! So I got the wrenches out & had a look @ mine . No visible grease! No rust either. Loaded up the bearings with a needle greaser & heavy lithium grease carefully reassembled everything & 25 k Mi. So far no issues ! I suspect the bean counters found another Lira to be saved by not greasing the bearings

That’s what the bearings looked like in my ‘21 V7. As with my V85 I just converted them to a set of tapered rollers, properly greased.

If I’d bothered to check, adjust, and/or grease them st the first service I probably wouldn’t have had to replace them.

[bobrebos1]

I liked it.  I bought it.  No room for whining or complaining.  I’m a happy camper!

[guzziart]

I liked it.  I bought it.  No room for whining or complaining.  I’m a happy camper!

Yeah, kinda sorta the same here.

If you have a '23 then they should fit my '22, right? Where did you get yours?

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807896881697.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.7aa3aR6XaR6XOS&algo_pvid=3f9671e5-0027-4d28-8413-e0a8c56f97a6&algo_exp_id=3f9671e5-0027-4d28-8413-e0a8c56f97a6-0&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%224%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%7D&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%2143.45%2126.07%21%21%21316.45%21189.87%21%40210337bc17444559486237629eb2cc%2112000043609265123%21sea%21US%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=nXeNDw0WPDaN&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

[yrunvs]

Steering head bearings, fork seals, rear end weep hole leaks.  Hmmm?  Maybe a different bike is in the cards for me.  Thanks everyone.

And you still bought it after hearing all this. It's not unlike the Seinfeld episode with the portrait of Kramer......."it sickens me, but I can't look away".