Moto Guzzi V85TT Euro 5

[TIJ650]

I’ve been considering buying one of these, but wanted to know how much I’d REALLY have to spend to get the bike somewhere close to where I’d want it to be.
I’ve heard (like most Euro 5 bikes) that it runs lean and there’s a tremendous amount of heat generated in the CAT next to your feet. So lean in fact, that it pings at certain revs.
Anyway, if you have one or are considering buying, I’d highly recommend you watch the attached video. Yanks are very crass I know, and no idea why they simply didn’t remove the tank to access the O2 sensors properly, but the video definitely highlights the extent of the CAT honeycomb!! Poor bike is suffocated!! lol
The GPR full system and Up Map fuelling module does seem like a nice solution, but I’m sure there’s more?!
For me it’s not about weight savings or power, it’s more about the bike fuelling correctly and running at a moderate temperature (especially since air cooled).

 

[Jazbee]

Those two in that clip are idiots

I bought a Mistral big-bore de-cat system from Fluffmiester on here who was buying the Mandello V100S.
I also fitted a free flow air filter, Mistral V-Twin boost plug and added an Arrow can.
I have not bothered with a remap as the bike is more than acceptable after this improvement, Mistral also say its not needed. Breathing in and out much better probably in the way MG would have preferred if not for the strangling emissions forced on the manufacturers these days.

The stock exhaust is stupidly heavy when compared to the Mistral system which is very well made (close by the MG factory)

I find the bike runs cooler, is more responsive, probably around a 5hp gain and torque gain. I also was not looking for power gain but satisfying to have the bike performing as Guzzi would have liked

 

[AustinW]

Mine is an Euro4 bike and it used to pink badly when hot and at low revs, typically in traffic as you pulled away. I went for a full Mistral System: big bore headers, Decat Y pipe and a Mistral carbon end can, plus the V twin boost. Lots lots better but not a total cure for the pinking. Plus the bike sounded great (ish**). What cured pinking was a software update from MG which I thought also fixed the pinking on most of the E5 bikes whether modified or not - there’s still the odd report on the FB groups of pinking.

I’ve not gone for the Upmap option as I don’t feel I need it but might as I get reports from people riding behind me that my bike smells of petrol, ie running rich. Which is surprising, although I might go Mistral velocity stack and less restrictive air filter to get the intake side breathing more freely. Or maybe I should remove the V twin boost . The Upmap is locked to your bike once used so has resale value, whereas exhausts and stuff can be removed and sold on. You can also polish an exhaust. I can’t polish software.

**. Sound… I recently added those air deflectors to the tank which are fantastic and wind noise at speed is significantly reduced so much so that after having the full exhaust setup on the bike for about 3 years I’ve only just noticed how noisy it is. On a recent motorway run home ant the end of a long day in the north Pennines the drone from the exhaust was getting to me and wife on pillion. It’s not loud loud but it’s quite a harsh droning noise. The wind and tyre noise on the bike is bad enough without the added drone so I’ve just refitted the original silencer only. There’s not much to this as all the silencing is in the catalyst but it does now sound very nice - much deeper although not much quieter I don’t think. I’ve yet to ride it any distance so the jury is still out but a lot of people have gone for this setup on E4 and E5 bikes.

 

[TIJ650]

Those two in that clip are idiots

I bought a Mistral big-bore de-cat system from Fluffmiester on here who was buying the Mandello V100S.
I also fitted a free flow air filter, Mistral V-Twin boost plug and added an Arrow can.
I have not bothered with a remap as the bike is more than acceptable after this improvement, Mistral also say its not needed. Breathing in and out much better probably in the way MG would have preferred if not for the strangling emissions forced on the manufacturers these days.

The stock exhaust is stupidly heavy when compared to the Mistral system which is very well made (close by the MG factory)

I find the bike runs cooler, is more responsive, probably around a 5hp gain and torque gain. I also was not looking for power gain but satisfying to have the bike performing as Guzzi would have liked View attachment 340180View attachment 340181View attachment 340182View attachment 340183View attachment 340186View attachment 340184

Agreed about the boneheads, but I was only trying to highlight the honeycomb in the down pipes after they’d cut through! Lol
Also, agree that none of this was MG’s doing, but stringent Euro 5 bullshit. Doesn’t change fact bike fuels lean though

 

[TIJ650]

Mine is an Euro4 bike and it used to pink badly when hot and at low revs, typically in traffic as you pulled away. I went for a full Mistral System: big bore headers, Decat Y pipe and a Mistral carbon end can, plus the V twin boost. Lots lots better but not a total cure for the pinking. Plus the bike sounded great (ish**). What cured pinking was a software update from MG which I thought also fixed the pinking on most of the E5 bikes whether modified or not - there’s still the odd report on the FB groups of pinking.

I’ve not gone for the Upmap option as I don’t feel I need it but might as I get reports from people riding behind me that my bike smells of petrol, ie running rich. Which is surprising, although I might go Mistral velocity stack and less restrictive air filter to get the intake side breathing more freely. Or maybe I should remove the V twin boost . The Upmap is locked to your bike once used so has resale value, whereas exhausts and stuff can be removed and sold on. You can also polish an exhaust. I can’t polish software.

**. Sound… I recently added those air deflectors to the tank which are fantastic and wind noise at speed is significantly reduced so much so that after having the full exhaust setup on the bike for about 3 years I’ve only just noticed how noisy it is. On a recent motorway run home ant the end of a long day in the north Pennines the drone from the exhaust was getting to me and wife on pillion. It’s not loud loud but it’s quite a harsh droning noise. The wind and tyre noise on the bike is bad enough without the added drone so I’ve just refitted the original silencer only. There’s not much to this as all the silencing is in the catalyst but it does now sound very nice - much deeper although not much quieter I don’t think. I’ve yet to ride it any distance so the jury is still out but a lot of people have gone for this setup on E4 and E5 bikes.

Heard about the buffeting too!
Another story, another day.
Still like the bike though

 

[Clifton]

I’ve been considering buying one of these, but wanted to know how much I’d REALLY have to spend to get the bike somewhere close to where I’d want it to be.
I’ve heard (like most Euro 5 bikes) that it runs lean and there’s a tremendous amount of heat generated in the CAT next to your feet. So lean in fact, that it pings at certain revs.

I'm only familiar with the Euro 5 V85's, I ride a 2021 and a friend has a 2023 which I've ridden and it's the same as mine. 2020 E4's have a different catalytic converter and exhaust (which puts out more heat), different ECU, and are mapped a little different putting out a bit more peak hp and slightly less at lower rpm. I've not seen a lot of complaints about engine heat but of the ones I have I think they've all been E4 bikes with stock exhaust. So some of them have replaced the cat with a Y pipe which necessitates either remapping or a booster device.

The only mod I did to mine was replace the stock slip-on silencer with one from Agostini and to be honest it's not much different than the stock pipe, you can see straight through both of them. 95% of the exhaust silencing comes from collector/cat. The Agostini is smaller and lighter but not by much, and with the db killer removed still sounds almost the same as the stock can so were I to do it over I wouldn't bother with it. I fill up with 89-93 octane (about 94-98 as rated in Euro) and have never experienced pinking.

The E5 collector/cat is different than the ones on earlier bikes and they must have built in additional shielding, double wall, or something, because heat isn't an issue at all, at least to me. No heat around my feet at all when moving and very little even when stopped in traffic. And I've had a few bikes where heat CAN be a problem such as the V100 Stelvio in 32c temperature and up, even while moving. So I wouldn't advise fooling with the exhaust or intake on an E5 V85 because they run so well stock.

 

[TIJ650]

I'm only familiar with the Euro 5 V85's, I ride a 2021 and a friend has a 2023 which I've ridden and it's the same as mine. 2020 E4's have a different catalytic converter and exhaust (which puts out more heat), different ECU, and are mapped a little different putting out a bit more peak hp and slightly less at lower rpm. I've not seen a lot of complaints about engine heat but of the ones I have I think they've all been E4 bikes with stock exhaust. So some of them have replaced the cat with a Y pipe which necessitates either remapping or a booster device.

The only mod I did to mine was replace the stock slip-on silencer with one from Agostini and to be honest it's not much different than the stock pipe, you can see straight through both of them. 95% of the exhaust silencing comes from collector/cat. The Agostini is smaller and lighter but not by much, and with the db killer removed still sounds almost the same as the stock can so were I to do it over I wouldn't bother with it. I fill up with 89-93 octane (about 94-98 as rated in Euro) and have never experienced pinking.

The E5 collector/cat is different than the ones on earlier bikes and they must have built in additional shielding, double wall, or something, because heat isn't an issue at all, at least to me. No heat around my feet at all when moving and very little even when stopped in traffic. And I've had a few bikes where heat CAN be a problem such as the V100 Stelvio in 32c temperature and up, even while moving. So I wouldn't advise fooling with the exhaust or intake on an E5 V85 because they run so well stock.

Sounds like you’re happy with your bike as is - which is fine and I wouldn’t mess with it in that case.
My main point was the amount of restriction (honeycomb) in the E5 down pipes (headers) illustrated in the video when the bonehead unnecessarily cut through them?! lol
Probably the reason MG have moved away from a y piece to a solid welded setup.

 

[JJH]

Got to say I’m happy with mine. They seem to go to great lengths and expense for questionable gain. The sound after modification is not nice. Sounds like an exhaust valve is going to escape down the pipe. My bike is standard and I like it that way. I’ve a few bits done hugger front mudguard alarm but the engine pulls and sounds lovely. JJH

 

[Clifton]

Yes the catalytic converter does have honeycomb which will induce some restriction. But exhausts need some restriction to work well and the silencer itself has essentially none. I would imagine if I changed my collector to a Y pipe I'd have all sorts of popping and poor running to try and sort, same as my damn Sportster with V&H pipes!

All I'm saying is ride an E5 V85TT with the latest map update (I think it came in 2022) and preferably one with 1,500-2,000+ miles. I would be very surprised if you feel it runs hot, or feels choked like the exhaust needs opened up.

I'm anxious to hear how the new 2025 runs, especially after broken in, and if it has any heat issue?

 

[TIJ650]

Despite your positive sentiments I still think (like most Euro 5 bikes, if not all) they run lean. Clifton, you seem to be very concerned about the heat issue, but I don’t see that as any really problem (especially in Scotland!! lol).
From what little I know about the bike, I’d still recommend some type of reversible plug in fuelling modification. Like the Mistrel one (attached). If you don’t appreciate smoother fuelling and running slightly cooler - then easy to reverse back. I’m sure you could sell the device for minimal losses too.
Just one opinion here, mine
PS. Think Gutsibits is your go to place in the UK. Probably loads in States too.

Gutsibits Moto Guzzi Spares & Accessories - Home

 

[TIJ650]

……….basically an echo of what Jazbee said minus the exhaust. I’m old fashioned and don’t like restrictive exhausts in any way, but concede it’s an expensive upgrade for minimal gain. And might offend your delicate ears?!

 

[Clifton]

I’ve heard (like most Euro 5 bikes) that it runs lean and there’s a tremendous amount of heat generated in the CAT next to your feet. So lean in fact, that it pings at certain revs.

Despite your positive sentiments I still think (like most Euro 5 bikes, if not all) they run lean. Clifton, you seem to be very concerned about the heat issue, but I don’t see that as any really problem (especially in Scotland!! lol).
From what little I know about the bike, I’d still recommend some type of reversible plug in fuelling modification. Like the Mistrel one (attached).

OK sorry I thought you were concerned about a lot of heat emitting from the cat making it uncomfortable to ride. And I DID wonder why you in Scotland would be that concerned about engine heat?

If the bike pings something is wrong, like too low octane fuel, an air leak, carbon build up in the combustion chamber, etc.

I'm not a believer in plug-in spoofers but that's a different topic. Stock, these bikes run absolutely fine with no popping and deliver good fuel economy. But if you change to a free flowing collector and or open up the air box, it'll need remapped to run right. As far as going through all that just to save weight with a lighter exhaust I'm not sure you'd notice, I know I wouldn't. The aftermarket slip-on I put on was maybe 1-2 pounds lighter. Changing the heavier collector with cat to a Y pipe will save more weight than that but all that weight is down low under the motor. I actually put additional weight down there in the form of a centre stand and couldn't tell any difference.

 

[JJH]

My standard bike has just given 62 mpg on its last fill. 4000 kms. About 2500 miles. Mixed use motorways at 75/80 about 40% of the time. JJH

 

[Jazbee]

My standard bike has just given 62 mpg on its last fill. 4000 kms. About 2500 miles. Mixed use motorways at 75/80 about 40% of the time. JJH

Little mini trip of 285 miles.....

 

[JJH]

How many liters did it take to fill? JJH

 

[Jazbee]

How many liters did it take to fill? JJH

Can't remember JJH, I just reset the trip A before setting off and checked on return after 285 miles round trip. A,B roads and some fast dual carriageway.
After nearly a week of much business with family stuff I'm getting out today for a well deserved run, probably head down the coast and over the bridge at Dundee for Fife.....lunch in St Andrews maybe
its a great bike.....

 

[JJH]

I love mine. The reason I ask about how many litres is that my screen said 55 mpg but the maths said 62. It’s my third fill. I bought it as a dealer demo. JJH

 

[Keith Chapman]

I love mine. The reason I ask about how many litres is that my screen said 55 mpg but the maths said 62. It’s my third fill. I bought it as a dealer demo. JJH

Just a thought, is the on board computer set to US or imperial gallons? I think there is a setting you can change in the menus.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Just a thought, is the on board computer set to US or imperial gallons? I think there is a setting you can change in the menus.

Yep, pretty sure my 1200 Sport's computer assumes US gallons - so there can indeed be confusion between different markets.

 

[JJH]

At 62 mpg and not exactly riding for economy I’m happy. If Jazbe is getting 62 US that’s brilliant. JJH