Back on a Guzzi

[Bubb]

I did own a Stelvio years ago, but never really loved it as I never thought it fuelled right, and I never got it sorted.

had many GS’ s since, but sold my 1250.
Just collected a new to me V85TT with 3.5k miles on it , but you wouldnt know it’s mileage by looking at its condition. It’s obviously been loved and looked after by it’s previous owner.
has a few extras that I think are worthwhile: touring screen , and the original too.
hand guard extenders, rear hugger, front wheel thingy that stops some of the cr*p hitting the front of the engine. Heated grips
top box. aux spotlights
now just need to add sat nav and pannier racks to I can use my Kriega bags.

ridden home approx 150 miles, loving it so far

 

[retroman]

What a stunning bike, best colour too.

I am sorely tempted by one of these as my next bike for Euro tours.

 

[theoneandonly]

needs the low mudguard.

and then lend it to me for a week .

 

[FatAl]

Fabulous bike, I'm loving mine despite the fact I've read it's underpowered and not fast enough for some of the riding gods on this forum

 

[Santa-2512]

I tried one - fecking skinny compared to the GS - but still under the it has to be 9 billion mm high banner to be a GS slaaaayer ..

So with no lowering,

Now we dont have a guzzi dealer any more that dont help either

 

[Oldrat]

Cracking looking machine, great choice sir

 

[The Other PaulG]

That looks great, enjoy it.

 

[Jazbee]

They are great all rounders, plenty real world power and....... sooooo comfortable for long days
I've just put Fluff's ex Mistral De-Cat system on mine.

 

[OnHellas]

Good choice I reckon….I seem to be enjoying mine more and more each time I ride it.

 

[barak666]

Great looking bike - enjoy! Still loving mine after 12k miles.

 

[Bubb]

Jazbee

loving the Guardian d’onore…..
I’ve just been looking at the mistral headers etc on Gutsibits…. Lots of dosh just to get rid of the cat when you add in the booster plug.
maybe one day…… I need to fit engine bars and a centre stand first.

health to enjoy yours.

 

[Wrinkly]

I P/ex'd my V85 for the Mandello s, which is an absolute fabulous bike. After 2months I realised that I missed the V85 a lot. My dealer informed me that they had another Guardia d'onore coming. A bit of pondering as, I didn't have enough in my bike fund after buying the Mandello. So for the first time in my life I bought a bike on finance, with the intention of paying it off ASAP.
The V85 is a cracking bike and a joy to ride.
I'm a lucky lad, I believe I now have the 2 best bikes Guzzi have ever produced. If the new Stelvio is going to be some homologation of the V85 and the Mandello S it's going to be some bike.

Enjoy your new bike Bubb.

 

[Bubb]

Thanks Wrinklyowlie

enjoy your two new bikes !
I don’t think I want to ride the new Stelvio when it arrives as I might have to part ex the TT…….can’t have both.

 

[Bubb]

Had a few days away in the Peak District with the misses on the back, in company of some old friends. bike went well, and she says she is comfy on the back, so the v85tt is a keeper.

got soaked on way home on Tuesday, but bike didn’t miss a beat.
washed it today as it was filthy….. came up well.

 

[longdog]

I have just ridden the Route Napoleon and I came across a V85TT being ridden “enthusiastically” 2-up but with no luggage. Anyone who says these Guzzis “are gutless“ or “need more power” are sadly deluded or simply don’t have the talent to use what they have got, because this V85TT was flying!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I have just ridden the Route Napoleon and I came across a V85TT being ridden “enthusiastically” 2-up but with no luggage. Anyone who says these Guzzis “are gutless“ or “need more power” are sadly deluded or simply don’t have the talent to use what they have got, because this V85TT was flying!

It’s always the rider & never the bike
I had a ride this week with a chap who is now approaching 80 and rides a CB500X
He was flying and and an ex racer - so it’s down to the rider and not the bike

 

[Morety]

Performance should be taken in context. Many bikes will easily crack a 120mph, so a bike whizzing past two up at 90mph tells you nothing about it's acceleration or ability to lug pillion and luggage under loads such as steep inclines without thrashing it. What many mean when they insinuate that the 85TT "is gutless" (which it isn't) is compared with what they ride, under acceleration. Personally whilst I never buy a bike for its ability to get away from the lights quicker than anything else, I must admit in these days of madcap tesla drivers insisting they show the odd bike a clean pair of heals when part way through an overtake, occasionally it's be nice top blast past them rapidly but the safest bet is to let them go. There's a lot to be said for a relatively softly tuned economical Vee twin. Some of my most memorable tours and bike ownership have been on bikes like that (V50Mk3, Ducati 900 Darmah Desmo, Ducati 600SS and now the second bike for my current stable, a Vstrom 650). I just prefer the character of these types of bikes, of their gentler riding experience and and generally easier to live with. Would have bought a V85 in a heartbeat as my 2nd bike but alas none at that price point yet. A to B, on the right "gutless" bike, I can guarantee that a good rider will get there every bit as rapidly as an average Joe on a sportsbike. When I first started my advanced training I was left gobsmacked how effortlessly a bunch of retirees on older machines made riding fast but within the law seem so effortless. It was an effort keeping up! Now I've been through it, I enjoy my riding much better and it doesn't really matter what I'm riding.

The V85 I consider a modern Classic. Hope to have one some day.

 

[Oldrat]

 

[Vulpine2]

View attachment 283174

True.
Had a day out on the Mandello last week whilst my v85tt was being serviced. What a lovely thing.
Just as well I've run out of money and space...

 

[The Other PaulG]

View attachment 283174

That's funny. I love my Sport, yet every week I google 'California Vintage'..!