V85 TT Merged Threadfest

[PJPR01]

I think you've just discovered that touring can be done well on either bike.  One can take a long trip in the Range Rover with a different level of comfort than the 911 or other vehicle of choice.

Both can be done, both are different experiences, both have their pluses and very few minuses, and both engage the driver in a different way.

I just think you have two different plates of pasta with two different sauces...but both equally delicious and enjoyable.

Ride on!!

[nmroadrunner]

Thanks for that evaluation!

I love my Norge for all time, but there are so many unpaved roads where I live now that I need something a little more cobby* to explore this beautiful area.

*check your old UK or American motorcycle magazine reviews 

[tommy2cyl]

I have owned mine 2 1/2 years and just shy of 12,000 miles.  I have done two long trips and been through 11 states.  This is my appraisal.  I like to hit the road by 9:00 am in the morning and I want off the bike by 4:00.  I like to camp 2 days in a row and get a hotel room on the 3rd day.  The bike has enough of a presence that it is very comfortable and stable on the interstates.  It handles cross winds  & air wash off of semi's very well.  I use the cruise control 85% of the time on long hauls and I am not fatigued at the end of the day.  For me, this is one of a few bikes I have ever owned that the OEM seat is fine.  I carry about 60 lbs of gear.  I prefer soft luggage so I rarely use the OEM aluminum panniers and top case and save about 26 pounds.  I do have a small lockable Harbor Freight rear top case that works great for stuff that needs to be locked away.  Use Hepco Becker tank bag that attaches via magnet to the bracket.
Once you get into the twisties the bike is nimble and flickable with plenty of motor ride the torque curve and provide endless grins.  Then, when the road surface turns to gravel and fire roads the bike is more than willing and capable to take you on the path less traveled.  Honestly, what more can you ask for?  I owned a Honda ST 1100 for 20 years and it was a wonderful high speed mile munching touring machine.  But it weighed 650 pounds and was heavy on the curvey roads and not the right tool for the gravel roads.  I owned the first year 2002 Suzuki VStrom 1100 for 18 years /60 K miles, and it was a wonderful machine and responsible for the next chapter and choice of the V 85.  The versatility of this machine is very hard to beat.   

 

[Trialsman]

I have ridden across country to Colorado on both the Norge and two different V85s.  Although the Norge is more comfortable on the Flat stretch between PA and CO, the V85 has the cruise control and it is pretty comfortable.  My days out and back were between 500 and 600mi.  The biggest difference and the V85 goes for the win here..........when you get to the mountains and you want to do a rocky mountain pass road, the V85 is at home.  The Norge is terrifying in any off road conditions.  I loved the Norge but the V85 is here to stay.  It is almost as if they built it for my specifications.  Another comparison was the Tail of the Dragon.  I have done it on many bikes including the Norge and the two V85s.  The quicker handling and rock solid feel through the tight turns make the V85 much quicker over the 318 turns in its 11 miles.  Although I hated to do it, I did sell my Norge in favor of the V85 platform.

[twowheeladdict]

Nice review.  I think every bike has a niche where it truly shines, but there is a lot of overlap between bikes and it is more the rider than the bike considering the level of comfort and weather protection they are going for.

I did a 7000 mile tour on a prepared Kawasaki Versys 650 with the only complaint being chain maintenance.

If I had owned the V7III back then I'm sure it would have handled the same tour when prepared for touring.

Sure, the tours on the Kawasaki Concours 1400 and Triumph Trophy SE were more mellow and more main roads, but other than the relaxed state of the engines they didn't bring too much more to the table with the exception of the cruise control and electronically adjustable suspension on the Triumph.

The Vulcan Voyager 1700 and the Road Glide are mile eaters, but when the roads get really twisty and/or less than perfectly smooth the pace slows down quite a bit.

I think any bike can be used to tour, depending on what and where the tour is, and how many miles you hope to cover in a day. 

If I had the time and the money for hotels and restaurants I could ride the KLX300SM or the Van Van 200 around the US. 

[LowRyter]

Interesting comparisons.  I've ridden both bikes.  I did feel the front on the 85 was tad soft and felt a little squirrely making turns.  I'm guess it's a matter of getting the feel for it and once the rider builds confidence it works pretty well?

[Ncdan]

Nice review.  I think every bike has a niche where it truly shines, but there is a lot of overlap between bikes and it is more the rider than the bike considering the level of comfort and weather protection they are going for.

I did a 7000 mile tour on a prepared Kawasaki Versys 650 with the only complaint being chain maintenance.

If I had owned the V7III back then I'm sure it would have handled the same tour when prepared for touring.

Sure, the tours on the Kawasaki Concours 1400 and Triumph Trophy SE were more mellow and more main roads, but other than the relaxed state of the engines they didn't bring too much more to the table with the exception of the cruise control and electronically adjustable suspension on the Triumph.

The Vulcan Voyager 1700 and the Road Glide are mile eaters, but when the roads get really twisty and/or less than perfectly smooth the pace slows down quite a bit.

I think any bike can be used to tour, depending on what and where the tour is, and how many miles you hope to cover in a day. 

If I had the time and the money for hotels and restaurants I could ride the KLX300SM or the Van Van 200 around the US.

Yep, after following Huzo across the continent of Down Under on his little Honda Pop Cycle, there’s no doubt that one can tour on most anything if they have the determination and the physical ability 👍

[Huzo]

Every post following mine seems spot on to me. Some people brought up different points and I’m bound to admit they’re accurate.
I didn’t mention, although it was obvious in the photo’s, that I am running Michelin Pilot 5’s.
I have never ridden the bike anywhere meaningful on anything else and never will. I wonder if some of the squirrely feeling experienced by some, could be a function of the blocky tread pattern of the off road tyres.
I will say that you’ve to keep a nice light grip on the ‘bars and loose in the arms. If you do not, any bump or undulation will result in a movement in your arms and that translates through to the ‘bars.
Keep nice and loose and it tracks like a knife.

[Huzo]

Great riding up there eh...!
Cheers Guzzler

Yes Guzz.

[Trialsman]

As I have often said, the V85 does nothing 100%.........but it does do everything 90-95% !!!

[inditx]

Thanks mate! 
Now I have to go and ride a V85 again!  (my test ride 2 up did not fair well with us)
You are so right as no test/demo ride can tell you what a bike is really like. You need to put many miles on her on many different roads.
inditx

[egschade]

Interesting comparisons.  I've ridden both bikes.  I did feel the front on the 85 was tad soft and felt a little squirrely making turns.  I'm guess it's a matter of getting the feel for it and once the rider builds confidence it works pretty well?

Getting the preload, damping and tire pressure tuned to your riding style will help. Hamlin's set mine up prior to pickup and I haven't touched their settings other than to increase preload a touch in the front and 2 notches on the rear. Front tire pressure is 35 PSI and rear 40. The other possibility is with wider bars than other Guzzis (at least that I've owned), I had to adjust my steering inputs to be lighter than before.

[Trialsman]

I set my sag right away, then changed the front fluid to 5wt instead of 7.5wt for better compression damping.  The rear is the Ohlins unit.  My bars are a touch higher and I put "CR High" off road style at about 1" shorter on each side.  Finally the pegs were dropped about 1-1/2"( BMW stainless pegs from Touratech).

[Kiwi_Roy]

This guy gave the V85TT a very good review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roU9iF8B-z0

[Matteo]

Huzo I hear ya. I have decided to keep the 85 and make the rest available for sale. I added heated grips and Givi hand guard extensions. None of the others fit as well or feel so simpatico. Although I might  hang on to the 65.

[jacksonracingcomau]

Well I’ve long been of the opinion that I’ll never find another bike that I like as much as my Norge for what I do and fthe smallest of bumps in the road will have the front wheel elevate

Wow, mm. Inches or feet ?
I found v85 pretty compliant, guess you can provoke, lucky you’re allowed to
TC must be kind
Some kill wheelies

[Huzo]

Wow, mm. Inches or feet ?
I found v85 pretty compliant, guess you can provoke, lucky you’re allowed to
TC must be kind
Some kill wheelies

There’s no way I would expect the TC to allow a proper wheelie due to the reasons you allude to.
The whole point was/is, that the drive available is healthy it pulls surprisingly and satisfyingly hard, from the low end of the rev range.
I would think that a full and sustained wheelie, would result in the front wheel beginning to slow down, resulting in a condition where the rear wheel rpm was exceeding the front by more than the allowable amount, the system would sense a rear wheel spin up and the TC would activate.

[Sye]

I don't know what tyres are fitted for the US market but mine came with Dunlop Trailsmart's. I've never used them before but have found them to be fantastic. Excellent grip wet or dry and tracks as if on rails. No experience of any squirming or tracking at all.

It did take me a while to find the optimal settings for my weight (190lbs) but once set up it's perfect. A slight nudge on the inside bar sees the bike drop like a second rate boxer and it holds and changes line beautifully. Oh, I found the stock 36 - 42psi a touch too much and settled on 34 - 40psi. Sometimes a small change makes a big difference. Very happy teddy. 

[blu guzz]

I bought one of the first ones.  My only issue was a small heat shield vibrated off and replaced under warranty.  I have taken a dozen mid-range trips on it (400-800 miles).
Modifications: Y-pipe, center stand, removed butt stop, Cal-sci tall screen, wind wing for top of screen.
Complaints:  seat is not perfect for me, it's good but I am ready to get off after 400 miles.  sheepskin helps. 
It will get pushed around on our interstates - it will go any speed I want up to the ton, but I solve this one by not being in a hurry, setting the cc for 65mph and cruise along in the right lane and of course avoiding the interstate whenever there is a good alternative route.
The height is a bother, not fatal for me yet, but a little uncomfortable when fully packed.
That's all really.
I second all the rest of the good things previously mentioned.  The best all arounder I have ever ridden.

[KiowaEagle]

I just purchased a 2021 V85TT Adventure and I'm loving it. I'm an inline 4 guy so this is a completely different animal for me.

I'm trying to figure out what octane fuel is recommended though. I've searched the manual and online and can't find anything other than not more than 10% ethanol. I live in the US in the northeast corridor so non ethanol fuel isn't easy to find although it is available sporadically. So what octane should I be using?

[dave1068]

Welcome to the V85TT world, I have over 9000 miles on mine and I only use 87 and no problems. I avg about 52mpg.

Enjoy!

[9fingers]

I only use 93 in my V7III. I don't care if lower octane will work. The dealer told me to use premium.
Enjoy the new bike!
Scott

[Tusayan]

It’s not in V85TT owners manual that I could find, but it is on a sticker someplace on the bike.  I’ve forgotten exactly where, but it’s somewhere obscure like in the saddlebags (?).  The recommendation is for something with higher octane than regular - the usual interpretation and head scratching is required depending on what octane scale was spec’d by Piaggio.  I’ve been using 89 US pump octane after noticing some pinging with regular but as with any bike I’d use the lowest octane that doesn’t ping.

[Dirk_S]

Welcome.

The Technical Data section in the owners manual shows 95 RON, which is equivalent to about 91 Octane in the US unit





PS - I’m originally from York County. Always nice to see another southeastern or -central Pennsylvanian on here :)

[KiowaEagle]

Thanks everyone for your input. It almost seems like I posted an oil thread from the range of opinions!

Tusayan, I like your philosophy, use the lowest octane that doesn’t ping. It makes sense. I don't want to have to be using premium if I don't have to. Especially at today's prices.

[Cam3512]

I was on a multi day trip a few weeks ago, and filled up with 89 a couple times thinking it would have more turnover than the expensive stuff.  I usually fill all my bikes with high octane.  The V85 was a bit loaded, and it was HOT (95f).  I was getting some pinging on heavy throttle on takeoff.


  Back to the good stuff for me.

[Tkelly]

FWIW I have been using 87 in my Stelvio for the past year and notice no difference from premium.Probably around 10000 miles out of the 72000 on the bike.

[egschade]

At least in NJ the cost difference between plus and premium is much less than between regular and plus. For me it's not worth it to run anything less than premium (91) octane.

[Huzo]

Thanks everyone for your input. It almost seems like I posted an oil thread from the range of opinions!

Tusayan, I like your philosophy

No surprises there…

[raulnor]

If any of you guys live in the US near a Circle-K station, on Thursdays they automatically take $.20 off at the pump per gallon of premium fuel. I just top up each week, the .20 off is enough to nearly match the price of 89 octane, but I am getting 91/93 depending on the station!