V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[john fish]

I wonder if this explains what I thought was my difficulty in finding 1st gear from neutral?  From an Australian review:


The other annoyance is that while there is a gear position indicator, there is no gear position sensor on the gearbox. Instead the ECU works out what gear it is in via a combination of RPM and rear wheel speed. This means that when you are sandwiched between two trucks after lane-splitting to the front of the traffic lights the neutral light does not go out until you start rolling, which had me on tenterhooks when the lights went green as to whether I was actually in gear or not

https://www.mcnews.com.au/moto-guzzi-v85-tt-review-motorcycle-test/

I've been told by a friend that the gearbox does have a neutral switch. 

[pete roper]

Part#48



It's a neutral switch. Yes the gear selected is calculated by a road/engine speed comparison but the neutral light is still governed by a simple switch. My guess is if it isn't going out until the bike moves it's more likely to be an issue with the dogs not mating until the shafts spin and the pawl spring exerting force on the drum completes the engagement as the clutch is released and the drum turns enough to activate the switch.

If there is one thing Guzzi have got very good at in the last decade and a bit it's gearboxes. The only thing I find a bit odd is they've dropped the oil pump. I'll have to look a bit and see if they've reverted to needle rollers under the pinions, that would be nice.

[jacksonracingcomau]

Yeah but
Hedges mcnews test infers light comes on when already in gear then pulling clutch in to stop
Parts book makes that sound unlikely unless sender on his was Friday one (or 70’s leftover)
I’m doubting him

[pete roper]

He's a moto 'Journalist' which means he wouldn't know his arse from a hole in the ground.

[Glawster]

Neutral light seems to work normally to me!
One issue though is that the gear indicator goes out when the clutch is pulled in, so if you forget what gear you're in at a standstill you only find out when the clutch is engaged.
To be honest though, first gear is so low I'm preferring to set off in second.

[frans belgium]

Neutral light seems to work normally to me!
One issue though is that the gear indicator goes out when the clutch is pulled in, so if you forget what gear you're in at a standstill you only find out when the clutch is engaged.

Right, that is a bit annoying. 
None of my previous Guzzis had gear indicators, and I didn't miss them. 
My previous Bmw had an indicator that showed gears at all times, and I very quickly got used to that.
And now, I'm bothered from time to time that the V85 waits until the clutch is released to show the actual gear.
One gets very easily spoiled ;-)
And yes, first gear is low, but setting off in second ?  I wonder if that wouldn't kill the clutch in the long run? I won't do it.

[pauldaytona]

in 1977 I had a Suzuki GS550 that had a gear indicator that worked perfect. So what is new, on one side I don't need/want one, for the other part of the world who is happy with it, it should be there. ANd if it can work without some mechanical switch that can break, fine.

[keener]

 try covering the gear indicator with a bit of tape so you cant see it and  ride the motorcycle ...after a while  you probably wont miss it 

problem solved   

[Huzo]

Can I ask why you would EVER need it ?
If you need a different gear, will knowing which one you’re currently in, make any difference ?

[keener]

Can I ask why you would EVER need it ?
If you need a different gear, will knowing which one you’re currently in, make any difference ?

 

[Kiwi Dave]

Can I ask why you would EVER need it ?
If you need a different gear, will knowing which one you’re currently in, make any difference ?

The V85 is lower geared than my previous Guzzis.  I keep trying for 7th gear, the indicator is a beacon to stop trying.

[Muzz]

Can I ask why you would EVER need it ?
If you need a different gear, will knowing which one you’re currently in, make any difference ?

I ride by the "feel' of the engine, and actual speed by the rev counter.  My Breva came with mph/kph speedo, and it is BUSY.  We ride on the other side of the road from the States, the rev counter is on the right hand side of the dash and it is much easier to read the rev counter. (100kph = 4000rpm) Also, oncoming traffic comes at me from the RHS and a few too many tourists in their camper vans means that eyes focused up ahead is good.

I haave at times tried to change in to 6th gear though , when she is warmed up it does like that 5000rpm band.

[LowRyter]

Don from the local dealer was riding this one today.  Maybe I'll get a test ride on it? 

[sliphorn]

Don from the local dealer was riding this one today.  Maybe I'll get a test ride on it?

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I hope you get a chance to ride it. I found it to be perfect for me and probably the nicest motorcycle I've ever ridden.

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[Huzo]

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I hope you get a chance to ride it. I found it to be perfect for me and probably the nicest motorcycle I've ever ridden.

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They are nice, but whatever you do don’t buy that colour mate..
It looks like Bulgarian Army surplus !
Also that bash plate will be coming off mine in the first 5 minutes.

[Darren Williams]

Don from the local dealer was riding this one today.  Maybe I'll get a test ride on it?

Saw him ride in on it at Pops. He let me take it for a spin (out to Luther and back). I was pretty impressed with the bike. Guzzi has done a nice job on the bike. If there are no "new design" big issues with it, could be as popular as the V7 series.

[LowRyter]

well doggon it, Darren.  I rode to Pop's yesterday.

How's it compare to your Stel?

[Devildog]

Is the skid plate at all functional? It looks too light in pics.


This one on my dirt bike isn't pretty but it works.

[Darren Williams]

well doggon it, Darren.  I rode to Pop's yesterday.

How's it compare to your Stel?

Much lighter, very neutral and stable handling, and smooth power. The Stelvio is much heavier and more raw power, with a lot more vibration. The power seemed pretty linear and adequate but not over the top that gives a rush. The throttle was just a little bit snatchy at 3000 RPM (I repeated to make sure what I was feeling) but at 4000 RPM was very good. It revs very freely and 0 to 70 was just churn through the gears, going pretty quick. I was only able to run it up to 85 but up there it's power starts to show a little lacking compared to other middle weight bikes. Even with the extra weight, the Stelvio felt like it would go 60 to 100 MPH much quicker.

I was riding the GS so comparing it to that was similar ergos with less weight and less power. I couldn't help trying to compare it with my FJ09, softer suspension maybe a bit more stable, not as crisp handling and about the same amount of power if the V85 in sportiest mode and the FJ09 in rain mode "B".  That said the FJ09 is kind of "frantic" power wise, it likes to go and go quickly.

All that said, I think the V85TT hits the mark dead on for what it was designed for. It's not a hooligan bike, but a very capable do anything bike. Maybe when I get older and more mature.

[LowRyter]

I am probably not old enough for the intended customer. 

[Darren Williams]

I am probably not old enough for the intended customer.

It won't have that "rush" you want when you twist the throttle.   

For those type of bike ergos, you would probably want a Multistrada 1200, to go with the Ducati shirts you have. I would recommend the Pikes Peak model.   

[LowRyter]

It won't have that "rush" you want when you twist the throttle.   

For those type of bike ergos, you would probably want a Multistrada 1200, to go with the Ducati shirts you have. I would recommend the Pikes Peak model.   

If you haven't guessed, I not particularly fond of Adventure style bikes. I have a friend with a GS and he's been trying to get rid of it for years- that's gotta tell ya something.  But yeah, I'd probably prefer the one described over the others.  But I like a bike with a little bit of tuck ....... 

[Darren Williams]

If you haven't guessed, I not particularly fond of Adventure style bikes. I have a friend with a GS and he's been trying to get rid of it for years- that's gotta tell ya something.  But yeah, I'd probably prefer the one described over the others.  But I like a bike with a little bit of tuck .......

That's only because of the "BMW" cost to repair part, not the riding.

[Huzo]

Bugger you Derek (Glawster)
I just set myself back 8 weeks in my quest to own a V85.
I had first dibs on a red/white one but relinquished that opportunity to wait for one of the TWO red ones to come to Oz in October... 
Rosso Volcano apparently.
Still, what else was a bloke to do ?












It’ll go nicely with this..

[Huzo]

Is the skid plate at all functional? It looks too light in pics.


This one on my dirt bike isn't pretty but it works.

It’s garbage..

[sliphorn]

They are nice, but whatever you do don’t buy that colour mate..
It looks like Bulgarian Army surplus !
Also that bash plate will be coming off mine in the first 5 minutes.

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I hear ya! That was the color I rode and I agree. Looks like a Bulgarian Makarov. Will you replace the bash late with something in the aftermarket?

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[Huzo]

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I hear ya! That was the color I rode and I agree. Looks like a Bulgarian Makarov. Will you replace the bash late with something in the aftermarket?

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Yes mate.
There’s a fiendish plan afoot as we speak..!

[Huzo]

It’s garbage..

Sorry mate.
The standard V85 one, not yours.

[bad Chad]

Are v85s on the sales floor in the USA?

[Zinfan]

Are v85s on the sales floor in the USA?

Over at Advrider there are a couple of guys who have picked up their bikes, I'm still waiting to hear word on mine showing up here in California.  Af1 Racing has a grey one listed as in stock on their webpage.