2020 vs 2026 V85TT Power Delivery

[adri]

A 2020 V85TT is up for sale locally, low mileage, pretty fair price. Having only ridden a handful of V7s, never a V85, I decided to go Studio Cycle, the local Moto Guzzi dealer in Toronto, to test ride their 2026 demo bike.

I found the 2026 kind of underwhelming. Until I switched ride modes from Strada to Sport, the V85 felt like I was riding someone's grandpa's bike. Once in Sport, power delivery was in line with what I expected of the bike.

When I asked the seller about his 2020, he said it did not have a Sport mode.

I understand the appeal of this motorcycle isn't it's power, but, that doesn't mean I don't want to learn about it anyway. So my question is, without a Sport mode, is the 2020 V85 going to feel like the 2026 in Strada mode?

[DenverSteve]

You will find out how you like it when you test ride it.  It has the same HP so I would think it would  be similar.  Honestly, I find little to no difference between my Street, Sport or Custom modes.

[adri]

Yep. Seller is a good three hour round trip so I'm hoping to get any info I can before investing the time and gas in my truck.

[Vagrant]

Impossible question to answer. The 25/26 in sport is instant response. The road / strata mode just slows the response to the throttle twist. The 2020 runs great.  There is also the slim possibility it could have the bad rings. If it uses 3-4 ounces per 1000 miles I'd be wary. The first owner might not have a clue about this.

[Tusayan]

The 2020 runs great and has a mode you can create just for you but it won't feel like a 26.

The 2020 doesn’t have the custom mode.

None of the modes are vastly different in my experience.

[Grabcon]

2020 has 3 modes, atleast the USA medium. Road, Rain and Off road. I find little difference between Road and Rain. Off Road disables the rear ABS and to me has quicker throttle response.

[DenverSteve]

...I find little difference between Road and Rain. Off Road disables the rear ABS and to me has quicker throttle response.

You really won't find difference unless you begin to get squirrely because it mainly increases traction control.

[adri]

Could it also be possible that the 2026 felt slow because it only has a couple hundred km on it and isn't broken in / received first service/oil change yet?

[Vagrant]

I revised my post about the 2020 modes. Old memory. It must have been the 22 that had it. But, you can put a Beetle map on it!
The rain mode in the 26 v7-850 sport is like throwing out an anchor. Significant difference in my 25 v85 also. In the mountains I ride them all in sport. Rare highway or city I might use road.

[Vagrant]

Could it also be possible that the 2026 felt slow because it only has a couple hundred km on it and isn't broken in / received first service/oil change yet?

It still takes a long time to fully break them in but there is little difference any more. Since I'd say 2022 or so. I think the throttle by wire has made a big difference and a dealer was told that also by a factory engineer.

[yrunvs]

A 2020 V85TT is up for sale locally, low mileage, pretty fair price. Having only ridden a handful of V7s, never a V85, I decided to go Studio Cycle, the local Moto Guzzi dealer in Toronto, to test ride their 2026 demo bike.

I found the 2026 kind of underwhelming. Until I switched ride modes from Strada to Sport, the V85 felt like I was riding someone's grandpa's bike. Once in Sport, power delivery was in line with what I expected of the bike.

When I asked the seller about his 2020, he said it did not have a Sport mode.

I understand the appeal of this motorcycle isn't it's power, but, that doesn't mean I don't want to learn about it anyway. So my question is, without a Sport mode, is the 2020 V85 going to feel like the 2026 in Strada mode?

Well, to be honest most of us here are someone's grandpa.

[PeteS]

You might want to take a look at this link on Mistral’s site. It shows stock torque and horsepower curves as well as after installing their mufflers. Note the difference between the different generations of V85s. The variable valve E5+ are considerably different than the earlier models.

https://www.mistralspecialparts.it/en/product/x-trail-exhaus-moto-guzzi-v85tt/

Pete

[Tusayan]

The rain mode in the 26 v7-850 sport is like throwing out an anchor. Significant difference in my 25 v85 also. In the mountains I ride them all in sport. Rare highway or city I might use road.

The only difference in Rain Mode on a V85TT is in throttle sensitivity at small to moderate throttle openings.  There is no difference is power output.  On my 2020 bike I preferred riding it in rain mode all the time because the throttle sensitivity at lower power settings in Road Mode was annoying to me, and the throttle twist needed to develop full power was the same.

[guzziart]

Yeah, demo ride and decide.  I know that I wouldn't want a tube tire version because of the type of riding I do, for me it's plug n' go then worry about it once I'm home. Wouldn't want one that has been "converted" to run tubeless unless tubeless wheels were installed.   And, as others have mentioned, high oil consumption, possible ring issues, etc. would make me steer clear of those early years.  As for power, I don't care about ride modes, I know how to work a twist grip, clutch lever & foot shifter so any bike I ride has enough power for what I intend to do with it.  What was important to me though prior to buying my '23 Travel was affordability.  While I desired a v85 since they 1st came on the seen, I could not, in my mind, justify the cost of a new one because of my age and the miles I put on my bikes these days.  In my case, I was fortunate enough to obtain mine when it was less than a year old and around 1.5k miles on the clock for half the price the OP paid for it.  The latest version v85 with variable cam timing, slightly better aerodynamics, etc. sounds like something that would appeal to me but not enough to spend several thousands more for those items.  IMHO, there are plenty of gently used v85's for sale (more guzzi content) for exceptionally reasonable prices.  However, if you've got plenty of disposable income, pull the trigger on a brand new one with warranty, etc. or spend half for a well cared for used one.  Good luck whichever way you proceed!

[blu guzz]

I looked at the Mistral chart and if you are seeking horsepower and torque, seems a marginal gain at best. Lower weight is always good but its only a few lbs of sprung weight so very little impact. I think the money would be better spent on an upgraded shock.
If my legs were just an inch longer, I would still have my V85. It was just such a great machine.
As for oil burning, some of us can remember when a car losing a quart of oil every 1,000 miles was considered acceptable. Not saying we should expect that today so don't jump on me about it, but just illustrates how times and expectations change.

[PeteS]

The point of posting the dyno charts was to show the difference between a 2020 and 2025, not to show the benefit of their exhausts which I agree is marginal. Note some dealers are offering 2025s now at under $10k. I would post names but not sure thats allowed here.

Pete

[Vagrant]

Unless you here different please post them. That's how I found out about Cadre selling v85 Guardian of the Oreo's cheap and how I got my v7 sport this spring.
A smart dealer will get rid of excess inventory when a new year is coming. Much better to retail than to pay interest or by birthday cakes for his bikes. There are still 23-24 v7's sitting near me.

[PeteS]

Some deals on new Guzzis here. I have dealt with them and very satisfied plus they deliver some distance. About 450 miles in my case.

https://seacoastsport.com/collections/new-motorcycles?sort_by=sale-descending&gf_86329=Moto%20Guzzi

Pete