V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[Perazzimx14]

A. It's a huge logical failure to assume the ECU, ABS, or some electronic component that's unique to a modern bike WILL fail and that if it does it will be somehow more difficult to repair than it's older design counterpart. The assumption is mostly made by those who don't understand the modern systems or don't work on them.

B. There's a huge difference in what it takes to service most shim/bucket valves or even to access things like valves or spark plugs on many machines. It's largely dependent on engine and bodywork design.

"But, I can buy an MG with modern features that I can still work on myself "

Just trying to figure out what work the shade tree mechanic can be performed on "modern features" Guzzi that can't be done on BMW.

[blackcat]

"The assumption is mostly made by those who don't understand the modern systems or don't work on them."

This.

[F-22]

Hey, the Ducati Scrambler 1100 barely makes more power anyway (86hp straight from their webside). The 1200 Bonnie makes 80hp according to their website, despite having a water cooled 8 valve parallel twin engine and about 50% more capacity. 100hp/litre is decent for this kind of a bike. The 650 V-storm makes 66hp (around 100hp/litre). It's obviously not a sportbike.



About the clutch - I recall the Honda CX had a clutch up front. It meant the generator was at the back. Ironically, they were plagued with generator problems, so the easier clutch replacement wasn't really that big of an advantage (and the engine was fairly complex - e.g. the pistons are the last thing you can get out of it, so replacing the rings is practically a complete teardown). The clutch generally does not wear out very fast anyway. Another advantage of the layout Guzzi uses is that the engine oil is separate from the clutch and the gearbox, and stays cleaner, while the gearbox runs in gearbox-specific oil. Also, for any gearbox problems (although uncommon), you do not need to split the engine in half, you just open up the gearbox. The modern BMWs may seem nicer on paper, but there's no doubt a Guzzi is considerably more pleasant to work on/repair if something goes wrong. The water cooled boxers are very expensive for repairs - for example if you have any problem that could damage the cylinder (e.g. broken piston rings, valves, whatever...), you need to replace the whole engine block (cylinders are not separate). Also very commonly, if you crash, the front suspension has a mounting point on the engine block, which is some alloy that is not easy to weld, so you often need a new engine block if you crash. They're not bad bikes to ride, and decently reliable, but I prefer bikes that are easier/pleasant to maintain. Most modern bikes are just really annoying to work on (and are often even intentionally designed to be like that,  besides the planned obsolence and similar crap).

[tris]

I sat on one last weekend and here are my brief thoughts

a) Looks like its going to have a seat height about the same as my B11 - so workable for those of us with short legs

b) The rear peg hangers look a bit "exposed" shall we say.
    Its a big casting bolted to the casting for the front pegs secured with 2 cap head screws.
    I hope that the MG testers have dropped it on them a bunch of times to see if it busts/bends as its going to be an expensive component to replace

c) The key hole for the seat is at the back above the rear wheel. Its not a sealed lock so I see the potential for it to get full of mud/water and cease working

Would I have one?

YES but I think I'll wait a year because:-
a) I don't feel inclined to do MGs development work unless they have done significantly better than in days of yore
b) I'm enjoying my B11 too much at the moment - provided it doesn't play me up again 

[TimmyTheHog]

SOOOO to revive this thread...

so V85TT was in the Vancouver motorcycle show this year, and I had a lucky moment where I literally hogged the bike for a good 30 mins with a single salesman who was answering/providing information about the bike...lol...

To start, I am 5'9.5" with 29~" inseam, I was wearing a thick sole boots (roughly the same as my Alpinestar riding boots). I was able to flatfoot one side without shifting my butt and issue...so so happy when I did LOL...







Fits me like gloves!!

my knee wasn't too far bent up, and feel still got room to come up further for longer leg riders.

overall the bikes is pretty good built...quality seems there, from the outside anyway. Can't common on the guts until someone actually rip into it.

Couple things that kind of get me:

1. The skid guard for the pipes ARE bolted to the pipes only and they don't really protect the O2 senors which is kind of mind boggling...









2. The swingarm pivot points have no easy access to it...So far they are covered up by the silver plate that the passenger foot peg is currently bolted to. I can't seem to find a way to get to it if ever required services except taking the silver plate off...

The silver plate also seems to bolt to the frame/engine...so...curious...









3. maybe no so much for Aussy and Europe, but for North America, freaking DOT strikes again...

They changed the turn signal to the lovely lollipop style. Instead of the LED that is currently showing everywhere of the world and website.

That bugs me and according to my dealer, they can't change it nor install for us UNLESS the bike has left the shop and COME BACK as an used bike so they may work on it without voiding the initial warranty...







4. maybe it is a personal thing, but I do find the area behind the cylinder heads and in front of the rear wheel well a bit busy...

It is supposed also house the crash guard? hmmm...





5. more of like a report...I bugged the Piaggio guy (not the dealer but actual the guy who travels WITH the bike) about the tube tires & accessories...

He is still trying hard to sell me on the tube tires, but I mentioned Stelvio's rims and he was kind of quiet after that...lol...oops.. .

But as for the rest, so far there are no pricing list for the additional parts yet so stay toon...

ANYWAY, the thought of putting a deposit down is HIGH as I do want to test ride the bike to see how it feels and so far putting down a deposit seems to be the only way for me to gain a spot or the rest of the bikes will go to other owners first.

Anyway, my mini report :P...overall, the bike does look quite promising 

Edit: fixed a few photo placements...

[twowheeladdict]

Thanks for the detailed photos.  For me this is the most interesting "adventure" bike I have come across and I have been riding as many as I can get my hands on.  I love how the paint scheme looks like a bird's beak!  LOL!

[tazio]

Yes, thank you for photos and observations!
Have we decided whether the gas tank is plastic cover over metal
or a true metal tank or ..... ??

[TimmyTheHog]

Yes, thank you for photos and observations!
Have we decided whether the gas tank is plastic cover over metal
or a true metal tank or ..... ??

I tapped on the tank, and those def are painted plastic panels.

As for actual tank, I was told it's steel but I couldn't see and feel the actual tank...*shrug*

[tazio]

 

[tasdisr]

Not sure if this has been posted, but I see the V85 is available for pre order on the Guzzi site.

[TimmyTheHog]

Not sure if this has been posted, but I see the V85 is available for pre order on the Guzzi site.

Saw this...was excited UNTIL I saw the fact it is NON-REFUNDABLE after 30 days...but we won't even see the bike after 120 days!...

[Devildog]

Our dealer here, MotoRichmond, says MG has confirmed delivery May/June, a red one and a gray one, but no mention of the Dakar paint. Thanks Timmy for the update. We will wait and see.
I guess this color scheme was a styling exercise?

[bpreynolds]

Absolutely, positively not wanting to get into a debate here about shipping, handling, nor prep charges, just asking a question.  So what do you guys figure will be the on the road cost for the bike?  The basic is 11,999 and 12,999 with boxes and such?  Tax, prep, all that jazz, whatcha think you’re looking at in terms of out the door? 

[Gustavo]

There is no answer to that question.  It depends where you live, the dealer, your relationship with said dealer, etc. etc.  FWIW, I have never paid full MSRP for any bike or car I bought.  That is, the total out the door price was below the listed MSRP.  But, I live in Oregon and we do not pay sales taxes, which in some states can be significant to the overall cost.


Gustavo

[TimmyTheHog]

Absolutely, positively not wanting to get into a debate here about shipping, handling, nor prep charges, just asking a question.  So what do you guys figure will be the on the road cost for the bike?  The basic is 11,999 and 12,999 with boxes and such?  Tax, prep, all that jazz, whatcha think you’re looking at in terms of out the door?

Well, I was told whatever I saw in the show is 14,990 Canadian as mentioned above...can't remember if heated grip was included but it sure is wired for it.

Personally I like to have a center stand & crash guard for it...if I contributed those in with the lovely BC 12% tax & dealer prep/PDI, I am betting ~18,500 to 19,500 Canadian...but that is a guess from me...

Again, really don't know until the price list of the accessories is out...

[Rhodan]

Timmy, saw your write up.  Nice pics, good observations and it fits!  My memory is that heated grips are factory standerd.

For price US, as several have said "it depends".  Around $1000 in dealer ship/prep fees.  In Washington state, I'd pay 10% for sales tax plus a few hundred per year to license it (guessing around 300).  All told probably a bit under 16k to bring home the version with the bags.

[Huzo]

Our dealer here, MotoRichmond, says MG has confirmed delivery May/June, a red one and a gray one, but no mention of the Dakar paint. Thanks Timmy for the update. We will wait and see.
I guess this color scheme was a styling exercise?

Jeez, I hope so..

[TimmyTheHog]

Our dealer here, MotoRichmond, says MG has confirmed delivery May/June, a red one and a gray one, but no mention of the Dakar paint. Thanks Timmy for the update. We will wait and see.
I guess this color scheme was a styling exercise?

well, with the side covers are plastic over the supposed steel tank, I start to wonder how easy would it be to mix/match color   

[guzzipete]

 In Washington state, I'd pay 10% for sales tax plus a few hundred per year to license it (guessing around 300).  All told probably a bit under 16k to bring home the version with the bags.

Rhodan, you must live in the Seattle area. I have heard that the registration fees are quite high up there. I live in Washington also. The annual registration fee for a motorcycle where I live is $63. I opt out of all of the optional fees. One time title cost would add a few more dollars, bringing the total cost to around $100.

[bad Chad]

If you do pre order you get $250 towards accessories, not much, but it better than a stick in the eye!

[twowings]

There a at least two dealers in the California area who are taking deposits for spring delivery...check cycletrader.com

[LowRyter]

You're not the only one. 

If this new ADVbike has only 15 liters of fuel, I'll know Guzzi has jumped the shark.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

4 gallons @ 50 mpg. Safe for 180 miles.  How far we goin'?  None of my 3 bikes will do 150.

[LowRyter]

There a at least two dealers in the California area who are taking deposits for spring delivery...check cycletrader.com

Guzzi just sent me an e-mail saying I could get on the delivery list. 

[jdgretz]

4 gallons @ 50 mpg. Safe for 180 miles.  How far we goin'?  None of my 3 bikes will do 150.

150 miles?  That will almost get me to a Saturday lunch meet.  200 miles is normally my bottom line, well, the scooter is an exception to that, but this will not be a big mileage eater for me, so 180 is OK.

jdg

[Kiwi_Roy]

Sorry, I should have posted my pictures here



It looks as though the aluminum casting the passenger pegs are mounted on goes up and down with the swing arm
but examining the picture TimmyTheHog posted you can see it doesn't.













I'm about 5'10' and found it very comfortable unlike the Stelvio which is just too tall for me.

[twowheeladdict]

Absolutely, positively not wanting to get into a debate here about shipping, handling, nor prep charges, just asking a question.  So what do you guys figure will be the on the road cost for the bike?  The basic is 11,999 and 12,999 with boxes and such?  Tax, prep, all that jazz, whatcha think you’re looking at in terms of out the door?

$10,000 OTD.  Or I ain't buying one.   

[Kiwi Dave]

$10,000 OTD.  Or I ain't buying one.   

Just wait about five years.  Then there might be a well used one available for your wallet.

[Rhodan]

Rhodan, you must live in the Seattle area. I have heard that the registration fees are quite high up there. I live in Washington also. The annual registration fee for a motorcycle where I live is $63. I opt out of all of the optional fees. One time title cost would add a few more dollars, bringing the total cost to around $100.

Yeah, various taxes added on; a lot of it is transit related.  With the traffic around here, I understand why it's needed though I'm not especially keen to fork it over.

[bad Chad]

$10,000 OTD.  Or I ain't buying one.   

Oo tough guy!

[twowheeladdict]

Just wait about five years.  Then there might be a well used one available for your wallet.

New leftover bikes, and used ones with 1000 miles or less.