New Guzzi V85 looks good.
- Thread starter Rob Farmer
- Start date
nathanthepostman
Registered user
Thanks for the heads up on the deal PeepingTom. Got a red one coming in January.
excellent yes I did see you on Facebook mention it. I was very tempted myself but I have 3 bikes already and not ready to part with the Africa twin just yet. i agree with you that they just feel very good just sitting on them. it will be great for your usa trip I expect . its a very manageable size and still long legged. hope you enjoy it
nathanthepostman
Registered user
excellent yes I did see you on Facebook mention it. I was very tempted myself but I have 3 bikes already and not ready to part with the Africa twin just yet. i agree with you that they just feel very good just sitting on them. it will be great for your usa trip I expect . its a very manageable size and still long legged. hope you enjoy it
Yeah I'm a bit overstretched bike wise as well but I didn't really have anything for the US trip - the Himalayan was a touch slow for taking a group last time - and just thought with the discount that I couldn't really go wrong with it. They seem a nice bunch over at Colchester as well. Best to you mate.
heated grips on max and M & S thermals on
GREAT to be in the mountains with snow about as long as roads clear
Been there in June, great roads & so many..
Most go back sometime soon....
My Capanord Rallye mudguard finally arrived (fits directly onto the V85) Took the long gnarly way round from Beverley to Thirsk to pick it up. This bike is just a joy to ride, so much better than the specs would suggest.
I see no reason why it shouldn't be as reliable as any other modern bike. There have been a couple of early problems which appear to have been resolved. I've actually had a new clutch in mine, which is an engine out job, it was down to a slightly warped clutch plate which was put in during assembly. This I believe was a 'one off' as I've seen no reports of this happening elsewhere. It was all sorted very quickly by my dealer. The only big failing for me is the fact that the bike comes with tubed tyres. These can be converted professionally for around £400, I did my own, cost around £60 and 3kmls later still appears all OK.
One careful owner.....!
Check out GuzziTech, Todd does a custom muffler or full system for this model looks fantastic in my opinion. I have visited his shop and seen his bespoke builds and guzzi products in person. I have his full fuelling kit fitted to my Eldorado and what a transformation, highly recommended.
. 
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2015
- Messages
- 13,004
- Reaction score
- 4,934
Johnnydrama
Registered user
Well TT owners!
I have a T7 about 6 months and 9000kms. For whatever reason ive fallen head over heels for a V85TT in a local dealers. The full blown yellow, red and white one.
No test until Feb though....am I mad?!
Ive had Ducatis and GS's so I can get over some inconveniences.
I think in the days of advancing electric bikes being pushed on us id like to enjoy an air cooled bike styled as this for a bit...
Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk
I have a T7 about 6 months and 9000kms. For whatever reason ive fallen head over heels for a V85TT in a local dealers. The full blown yellow, red and white one.
No test until Feb though....am I mad?!
Ive had Ducatis and GS's so I can get over some inconveniences.
I think in the days of advancing electric bikes being pushed on us id like to enjoy an air cooled bike styled as this for a bit...
Sent from my SM-A310F using Tapatalk
Well Johnny!
I've had a lot of bikes, and I mean a lot, in my 50yrs of riding. The V85 is amongst my favourite bikes, if not my favourite. Let us know how your test ride goes. Hope you enjoy.
I've had a lot of bikes, and I mean a lot, in my 50yrs of riding. The V85 is amongst my favourite bikes, if not my favourite. Let us know how your test ride goes. Hope you enjoy.
I like mine a lot.
I also still have my 2011 GSA. Here’s the main differences:
First off, they are not really comparable. Although both large capacity adventure style bikes they are in reality chalk and cheese. Nevertheless....
V85 is light and narrow so easy to handle at very low speed or push about.
You have a feeling of sitting on the V85 rather than in on the GSA.
I miss the extra grunt of the GSA. Real world speed is not really compromised but overtaking definitely needs more planning. And an impromptu wheelie off a crest just doesn’t happen on the V85. (Oh ok, not really a wheelie but a decent lift of the front wheel in 3rd or 4th). The lack of grunt especially noticeable when two-up (obvs but worth a mention).
Standard screen is very airy and noisy. To the extent that I really do need to do something about it. Airy is good when it’s warm as I do find the GSA very hot to ride when it’s very warm. Conversely the V85 is a very cold bike to ride in winter - heated jacket almost on max on the V85 compared to no more than half on the GSA.
The GSA definitely handles a lot better than the V85. My gsa does have Wilbers & ESA so is particularly good in that regard but the standard V85 rear shock is manual preload and rebound adjustable only. It is easily overwhelmed when two-up plus a bit of luggage with pegs, stands and even pillion’s heels dragging far too easily and dangerously so if a corner has a suspension chomping dip on the apex. There’s a few alternative shocks and front springs out there mainly from the Italian manufacturers.
The V85 will sound a lot lot better with a slightly more open exhaust system. It’s on my shopping list. My GSA with standard can but no flappy valve sounds just about right imho.
So far I haven’t found many solutions to over-packing the bike for a two-up camping trip. I have the standard aluminium luggage which is fine for a solo trip or a non camping two up trip. All the bike specific tank bags I have seen are rather small, I have yet to see anything like crash bar bags or other ways of getting some storage up front. No little pannier frame mounted tool boxes and the like available (yet).
Build quality on the V85 looks to really good. Better than the BMW and especially better than the newer ones. Switchgear on the V85 is a bit odd though and lacks feedback in use.
Which do I prefer? I like/dislike each bike for different reasons so it’s not a case which one I prefer it’s a case of the right tool for the job and how much you are prepared to compromise when the V85 isn’t quite right but is sooo much better in other areas.
I also still have my 2011 GSA. Here’s the main differences:
First off, they are not really comparable. Although both large capacity adventure style bikes they are in reality chalk and cheese. Nevertheless....
V85 is light and narrow so easy to handle at very low speed or push about.
You have a feeling of sitting on the V85 rather than in on the GSA.
I miss the extra grunt of the GSA. Real world speed is not really compromised but overtaking definitely needs more planning. And an impromptu wheelie off a crest just doesn’t happen on the V85. (Oh ok, not really a wheelie but a decent lift of the front wheel in 3rd or 4th). The lack of grunt especially noticeable when two-up (obvs but worth a mention).
Standard screen is very airy and noisy. To the extent that I really do need to do something about it. Airy is good when it’s warm as I do find the GSA very hot to ride when it’s very warm. Conversely the V85 is a very cold bike to ride in winter - heated jacket almost on max on the V85 compared to no more than half on the GSA.
The GSA definitely handles a lot better than the V85. My gsa does have Wilbers & ESA so is particularly good in that regard but the standard V85 rear shock is manual preload and rebound adjustable only. It is easily overwhelmed when two-up plus a bit of luggage with pegs, stands and even pillion’s heels dragging far too easily and dangerously so if a corner has a suspension chomping dip on the apex. There’s a few alternative shocks and front springs out there mainly from the Italian manufacturers.
The V85 will sound a lot lot better with a slightly more open exhaust system. It’s on my shopping list. My GSA with standard can but no flappy valve sounds just about right imho.
So far I haven’t found many solutions to over-packing the bike for a two-up camping trip. I have the standard aluminium luggage which is fine for a solo trip or a non camping two up trip. All the bike specific tank bags I have seen are rather small, I have yet to see anything like crash bar bags or other ways of getting some storage up front. No little pannier frame mounted tool boxes and the like available (yet).
Build quality on the V85 looks to really good. Better than the BMW and especially better than the newer ones. Switchgear on the V85 is a bit odd though and lacks feedback in use.
Which do I prefer? I like/dislike each bike for different reasons so it’s not a case which one I prefer it’s a case of the right tool for the job and how much you are prepared to compromise when the V85 isn’t quite right but is sooo much better in other areas.
Similar threads
