Author Topic: 2025 V85 (Read 1292 times)

Vagrant · « **on:** July 06, 2025, 07:50:30 AM »

After "the Bear incident," I decided to not wait for parts to fix the 22 V85 up. I worked out a fair trade with the owner and salesman of 129 Motorsports in Blairsville on a new 25. Red and white, of course. I was told to expect a big improvement in midrange power by another Kentucky 25 owner. After his description, I thought he was blowing a bit of bluegrasssmoke. Wrong! At 4000 RPM in road mode, this thing has more snap than the 22 had in sport and one gear lower. Bottom and mid-range is fantastic! At about the 300 mile mark, I had to pass two cars at one time. I dropped the hammer in fourth in sport (at about 45MPH) I hit 83MPH by the time I passed them both in what felt like 1/3 less time than my old 22 or 23 would have done. I'd swear they put a stroker kit in this thing.
They fixed the fiddly cruise control. They also fixed the mode button that didn't need fixing! I am getting used to it, but it's a bit of a PITA to change ride modes now.
My only real complaint is the screen has tiny type. Very hard to read it.
I just turned 400 miles for a day and 1/2. Very satisified.

Tkelly · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2025, 08:30:47 AM »

Painful way to make lemonade out of lemons but great to hear your are back in the saddle,improved performance icing on the cake.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2025, 09:23:19 AM »

Glad to see you've bounced back on so many fronts! Great report on the 2025. I feel like throwing rocks at my old one now. Thanks a lot!

PeteS · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2025, 10:14:29 AM »

I am luvin’ mine. I thought nothing would be better than my LeMans but the V85 does most everything better.
Interesting yours has the earlier luggage rack steel tube setup. I thought all the 2025s had the cast aluminum rack mount.

Pete

Tkelly · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2025, 01:12:18 PM »

Quote from: Dave Swanson on July 06, 2025, 09:23:19 AM

Glad to see you've bounced back on so many fronts! Great report on the 2025. I feel like throwing rocks at my old one now. Thanks a lot!

If I am still riding next year you can sell it to me and get a new one.

Vagrant · « **Reply #5 on:** July 07, 2025, 07:38:52 AM »

I kept the three aluminum cans and racks from the 22TT. They swap right over.

tazio · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2025, 08:48:07 AM »

THAT is a very attractive bike Steve !!
And good on you to "get back on that horse" straight away!

Frulk · « **Reply #7 on:** July 08, 2025, 09:16:09 AM »

I actually prefer the red rack over to Cast aluminum one.

‘It really ties that bike together’….Kind of like what a rug does for my living room.

yrunvs · « **Reply #8 on:** July 08, 2025, 09:53:57 AM »

The tubular rack makes the v85tt unique without it the bike starts to look like the rest of the crowd.

PeteS · « **Reply #9 on:** July 08, 2025, 10:13:03 AM »

The other advantage of the tubular rack is many more choices for luggage. Many vendors still don’t have racks for the 2025s.

Pete

bad Chad · « **Reply #10 on:** July 08, 2025, 04:39:38 PM »

Nice bike for sure!

I prefer the looks of the aluminum, but to each his own.

Kildareman · « **Reply #11 on:** July 09, 2025, 11:48:50 AM »

Welcome to the speedy '25 V85 club. The Strada is obviously the best but we can't all be right

Vagrant · « **Reply #12 on:** July 09, 2025, 03:36:37 PM »

On the also fixed note. The gas gauge actually works right now. The big orange gas pump comes on at 100 miles to empty. The bar gauge has one gallon left when it goes into the last zone that ir red. They also fixed the filler. You can fill it right to the very top without the pump shutting off ten times. FYI, I'm really liking my Cheap, Chinese imitation RS660 no key gas cap.

Buddy Shagmore · « **Reply #13 on:** July 09, 2025, 06:16:52 PM »

That's a beaut! Congrats.
What is that seat cover?

bad Chad · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2025, 08:19:59 PM »

I have had some time on a 2025 TT, and it is impressive. The ride by wire is different, and takes a bit to get the feel, but then it works fabulously. It handles much better than I expected…

bobrebos1 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2025, 11:27:56 PM »

Congratulations on the new bike! It looks great!!

JHBettsSr · « **Reply #16 on:** July 10, 2025, 09:41:30 PM »

Quote from: Vagrant on July 07, 2025, 07:38:52 AM

I kept the three aluminum cans and racks from the 22TT. They swap right over.

I have the same bike but with the plastic luggage rack. Are you saying that I could buy a ‘22 red steel rack from the dealer and it would bolt on in place of my plastic luggage rack? Thanks

Vagrant · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2025, 07:02:42 AM »

Yes, on the side case rack. I believe the top case rack is a separate item. They've been around long enough that you might find used.

JHBettsSr · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2025, 02:20:15 PM »

Quote from: Vagrant on July 11, 2025, 07:02:42 AM

Yes, on the side case rack. I believe the top case rack is a separate item. They've been around long enough that you might find used.

Thanks very much! If anybody reading this thread has a used red tubular luggage rack I'd be interested in it.

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Author Topic: 2025 V85 (Read 1292 times)