VVT V85 reports wanted

[inditx]

Ok Guzzi brain trusts, what say you on the “newer” V85 with the variable valve timing now that it’s been out a while?

Would like to hear from you and if any of you had the previous versions what longer term observations have you comparitively speaking?

Thanks in advance,
inditx

[bad Chad]

My 25 is fantastic!   Only 1600 miles, but they are dam fun miles.  The VVT system is super simple by design, I don't expect any issues.

[inditx]

How does the motor compare with your V9 bad Chad?
Thanks

[PeteS]

I am with Chad. About 2500 miles now. No issues with the motor. Mileage is about 56 mpg with cruising speeds around 65. Exhaust has been upgraded with a Mistral Head pipe and Leo Vince muffler and DB killer. I can now hear the motor.
I had not ridden previous V85s so can’t compare performance.
Pete

[bad Chad]

Motors are very different   I really like the v9 (first gen), locomotive like.   RPM limited to 6000 on v9, while 85 gets to 7000.  85 is faster, but also feels much different, I wish I could explain it, but they are both very fun motors.  I too, have not ridden a gen 1 v85.

[inditx]

Yeah I’ve always felt that the V9 motor in a V85 frame would be fun, something about that torque low down I guess.

[Vagrant]

Motors are very different   I really like the v9 (first gen), locomotive like.   RPM limited to 6000 on v9, while 85 gets to 7000.  85 is faster, but also feels much different, I wish I could explain it, but they are both very fun motors.  I too, have not ridden a gen 1 v85.

V85 hits 7600-7800 before rev limit.

[bad Chad]

You’re right, I should have said 6800 and 7800 respectively.

[twowheeladdict]

Ok Guzzi brain trusts, what say you on the “newer” V85 with the variable valve timing now that it’s been out a while?

Would like to hear from you and if any of you had the previous versions what longer term observations have you comparitively speaking?

Thanks in advance,
inditx

Finding torque curves for both bikes from the same source would be quantitative instead of qualitative opinions from riders. 

I had a Concours 1400 with VVT and the power delivery was very linear. 

If you have already owned a V85TT and parted with it, why would you buy another one?  It is not that different.   Go with the new Stelvio for something higher spec in every way. 

[nmroadrunner]

13,500 miles in and no problems whatsoever.  Averaging 50-54 MPG.  Did 3,000-mile trip recently and had a blast.

[Huzo]

Yeah I’ve always felt that the V9 motor in a V85 frame would be fun, something about that torque low down I guess.

That’s what I would have opted for if the two were side by side in the shop.
How is the variation in timing achieved ?

[Kiwi_Roy]

That’s what I would have opted for if the two were side by side in the shop.
How is the variation in timing achieved ?

I would like to know that also.

[kingoffleece]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2csP7PbI47c

This may help

[Huzo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2csP7PbI47c

This may help

It does a little bit. I guess I am pleased that it is not some system that is primarily controlled by a load of electronic data shoved up a wire into an ECU…
Like all this stuff, it’s fantastic….Until it isn’t.
I know y’all can say that if it wasn’t for technological “advancements”, we’d all be running around with Amal carbs and worn out contact breakers. Steering “dampers” that are steel plates with leather in between and a multitude of additions that look like something from a Fred Flinstone cartoon.
But here’s the thing…
When you get your torque boost earlier in the rev range, you’ll think it’s really beaut until that becomes passe’ and THEN when the whole lot takes a dump, you’ll lament the simplicity of your old Guzunthapede. When you get back on THAT, you’ll miss the power of your Guzzi.
We all want what we left behind…
VVT on a ditch pump is lipstick on a pig….
Just learn to love your pig and don’t hang a rock around your neck that you have to carry.
Here’s an honest question..
If you could buy a brand new VVT V85 TT
Or this brand new…


Which would you prefer ?
Go ahead, I can take it.
Oh and BTW, why is it deemed “better” if your peak torque comes in at a lower rpm, last time I looked there was a little lever near the engine just ahead of the left footpeg and if you give the little silver handle near the left handlebar grip a small squeeze and give the aforementioned lever a downward tap…
You’ll be rewarded with a power increase that you commanded all for yourself and your endorphin levels will rise accordingly.
Isn’t that what we all own a motorbicycle for..?

[kingoffleece]

+1

[bad Chad]

The vet is butt simple on a Guzzi.  When the rpm reaches a certain point centrifugal force builds to enough to allow the cam to move, thus increasing efficiency for a given rpm range.

I would take VVT TT any day over Huzo’s “ditch pump “. 

[nmroadrunner]

If you have only ridden the first gen V85TT, please ride the new iteration before you judge prematurely.

[bad Chad]

Out riding again in November, got to love it!   For me, the 25 v86TT is fantastic.  It handles amazing well, goes fast when I want it to, stops great blah blah blah.   

Different strokes for..., but I found my stork!

[inditx]

It does a little bit. I guess I am pleased that it is not some system that is primarily controlled by a load of electronic data shoved up a wire into an ECU…
Like all this stuff, it’s fantastic….Until it isn’t.
I know y’all can say that if it wasn’t for technological “advancements”, we’d all be running around with Amal carbs and worn out contact breakers. Steering “dampers” that are steel plates with leather in between and a multitude of additions that look like something from a Fred Flinstone cartoon.
But here’s the thing…
When you get your torque boost earlier in the rev range, you’ll think it’s really beaut until that becomes passe’ and THEN when the whole lot takes a dump, you’ll lament the simplicity of your old Guzunthapede. When you get back on THAT, you’ll miss the power of your Guzzi.
We all want what we left behind…
VVT on a ditch pump is lipstick on a pig….
Just learn to love your pig and don’t hang a rock around your neck that you have to carry.
Here’s an honest question..
If you could buy a brand new VVT V85 TT
Or this brand new…


Which would you prefer ?
Go ahead, I can take it.
Oh and BTW, why is it deemed “better” if your peak torque comes in at a lower rpm, last time I looked there was a little lever near the engine just ahead of the left footpeg and if you give the little silver handle near the left handlebar grip a small squeeze and give the aforementioned lever a downward tap…
You’ll be rewarded with a power increase that you commanded all for yourself and your endorphin levels will rise accordingly.
Isn’t that what we all own a motorbicycle for..?

I have always loved what you did with your bike Huzo.
I had a 23 and put mods on it and licked it well enough but honestly I was hoping the motor was like the first gen V9 motor. I can’t explain why, I just like that particular motor that much.
So now, I’m faced with buying a 2025 V85 or a new Stelvio. First world problems I know and it’s great to have choices.
Your points, or lack thereof, see what I did there referring to old school ignition lol,…..are well made though.
inditx

[PeteS]

I have always loved what you did with your bike Huzo.
I had a 23 and put mods on it and licked it well enough but honestly I was hoping the motor was like the first gen V9 motor. I can’t explain why, I just like that particular motor that much.
So now, I’m faced with buying a 2025 V85 or a new Stelvio. First world problems I know and it’s great to have choices.
Your points, or lack thereof, see what I did there referring to old school ignition lol,…..are well made though.
inditx

The first step is to sit on both. Even on the showroom floor they feel very different. I have never ridden a V9 but after looking up its performance numbers its slower in every way than my 55 year old 750 Norton. 0-60, 1/4er mile times, and top speed. The 2025 V85 feels just as quick as the Norton. It could actually use a quick shifter, it runs through the first three gears so quickly. Its not lacking for torque, unlike my ‘76 LeMans which is pretty gutless below 4000 RPM. No doubt the Stelvio has a stronger motor. I have a V100 so am familiar with it but riding is more that just straight line speed.


Pete

[bad Chad]

Inditx,  the obvious thing to do is to find a dealer and take a back to back ride, that should tell you all you need to know.

[turboguzzi]

not the latest, but cant hurt as a baseline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZk3KwN4WkM

[inditx]

Agreed, riding them is the only way to know as long as it’s not a 5 minute putt aroiund a neighborhood.
initx

[Tusayan]

BTW, why is it deemed “better” if your peak torque comes in at a lower rpm, last time I looked there was a little lever near the wengine just ahead of the left footpeg and if you give the little silver handle near the left handlebar grip a small squeeze and give the aforementioned lever a downward tap…
You’ll be rewarded with a power increase that you commanded all for yourself and your endorphin levels will rise accordingly.

When the torque peak occurs at midrange rpm, the engine has more constant power across the RPM range, meaning you can open the throttle over a broader range of RPM and the bike just goes…. a very good thing.  Constantly shifting is not much fun over a long ride, which is I suppose one reason why Honda didn’t choose a two stroke V4 to power the Gold Wing.

I’d be interested in whether the variable cam timing setup can be installed on a 2020 V85TT.  I prefer the earlier bike’s steel subframes over die cast aluminum, also the smaller instrument panel, and I already have tubeless wheels but more torque would be appreciated.  Shifting endlessly on what otherwise appears to be a utilitarian adventure tourer does not add to the experience, it makes me feel like somebody installed the wrong engine.

I think a lot of the issues with the V85TT are the result of it being an Aprilia design.  Aprilia’s DNA just doesn’t mesh well with Moto Guzzi.  They try hard but end up building an Aprilia regardless.  An obvious example is the weird color schemes that first came out on the V11 Sport, right after Aprilia took over in 2002. The earlier Guzzi color schemes were so much classier.  Building a Guzzi adventure tourer with a sport bike power curve is another example, eighteen years later.  It then took them five years to address the issue, but if mechanical VVT works I think it’s a good thing.

[kingoffleece]

I've never found my 2022 V85 lacking for torque or power in our wonderful twisty mountain roads all over the southwest.  Never feel like I have to shift so much as to get annoyed.  But then again, I just ride 'em.  The fun outweighs any other consideration.  Easy to please, perhaps?

[bad Chad]

Just to be clear, the alum racks are not actually subframes, at least not what I would consider a subframe.   They can be easily interchanged with the original steel tubing if one so prefers, and vice versa.

[bad Chad]

I can add this, now that I have it decently broke in, I have had it up to 113mph, still had plenty more to go, but I ran out of road.

And to my surprise, it wheelies, it even wheelies when I was not trying to make it do so!!   Let me give context, I barley have any grasp of how to wheelie, I have never "road one out' on a motorcycle.  That being said, when given full beans, and a lean/pull on the bars, up from the ground came the front wheel, I didn't realize it was up until it came back down, so I'm thinking it was only a number of inches off the tarmac, but off none the less.   It's actually much quicker than I expected, spoils up very quickly (for a Guzzi).   I was never able to get any of my other Guzzi to wheelie, and I tried!

The only mods I have done, is the cat delete and put Agostine headers and crossover, where the cat used to be.   I don't know how much difference it makes, but it sounds better (still stock muffler) and almost 10lbs less weight!

[guzziart]

I bought a slightly used '23 Travel in Sept 24 and demo'd a v85 vvt at Barberfest a month later.  Imho, the vvt had a lot more low end.  However, I have no problem choosing a lower gear if I need a little more get up & go and I really don't let the engine loaf along a majority of the time.  So, I personally cannot justify getting rid of my pre vvt for just more low end.  There are plenty of used pre vvt  for sale for very reasonable prices versus buying a brand new vvt unit.  What I was not able to do on my demo ride was ascertain if the new v85 vvt had better aerodynamics... less wind noise & buffeting.  Oh well.  Yeah, if you ride a pre vvt and then hop on a vvt if you don't immediately notice the difference, I'd say you're a little numb.
Art

[turboguzzi]

2 cents from the Anima Guzzista forum:

this could be a welcome mod considering how little oil these motors hold

https://gpiu.de/oelwannenzwischenring-20mm-v9-v85tt-set.html

just one case reported of "banging balls" noise (sounds kinky but it's not) in the VVT mech, balls changed under warranty, so more of an isolated an isolated case but FYI.