We tested one about 3 years ago and it seemed a bit cramped. Might have another look - the Stelvio looks nice but I don’t need such a big bike these days.
V85TT Cherry Popped.
- Thread starter Nick Marshall
- Start date
I can see where a V7 or V85 will be a little below what many today feel is "ample power" for two up, with luggage, touring, especially at higher speeds and altitude. If this is where and how you ride, and you want a new Guzzi, choose a V100 Stelvio or Mandello.
I don't ride two-up much, and never 2-up on long rides loaded down, but Barb and I would do just fine touring on my V85. There's plenty of room, she doesn't enjoy riding aggressive or going very fast, and we'd be almost entirely on 2-lane 50-60 mph roads anyway.
Almost 55 years ago I was just getting into motorcycles and although I was saving for a new Honda 250 I was envious of what "real riders" passing through were riding like Harley Shovelhead dressers. There were riders who had been touring all over the country, many 2-up, with gear, on 30hp R60/2s and R75/5's. I loved visiting the BMW shop and recall talking with a couple who had traded up to an R90, they said "these have all the power anyone could ever use". I dreamed of owning that motorcycle but they were so big and selling for almost $3,000 back in 1973 it wasn't realistic to even dream about it, heck I was working hard to save $850 for the new XL250.
It's just interesting thinking a V85TT has about the same power as an R90, maybe a bit more, but some consider them "nice motorcycles just a little under powered". An R90 or V85 can run 2-up on 70-75 mph Interstate Highways with traffic that is moving at 80-85 mph but that's about it, without much in reserve, and it's not where it's happy. If you do this type of riding there are many better choices.
I don't ride two-up much, and never 2-up on long rides loaded down, but Barb and I would do just fine touring on my V85. There's plenty of room, she doesn't enjoy riding aggressive or going very fast, and we'd be almost entirely on 2-lane 50-60 mph roads anyway.
Almost 55 years ago I was just getting into motorcycles and although I was saving for a new Honda 250 I was envious of what "real riders" passing through were riding like Harley Shovelhead dressers. There were riders who had been touring all over the country, many 2-up, with gear, on 30hp R60/2s and R75/5's. I loved visiting the BMW shop and recall talking with a couple who had traded up to an R90, they said "these have all the power anyone could ever use". I dreamed of owning that motorcycle but they were so big and selling for almost $3,000 back in 1973 it wasn't realistic to even dream about it, heck I was working hard to save $850 for the new XL250.
It's just interesting thinking a V85TT has about the same power as an R90, maybe a bit more, but some consider them "nice motorcycles just a little under powered". An R90 or V85 can run 2-up on 70-75 mph Interstate Highways with traffic that is moving at 80-85 mph but that's about it, without much in reserve, and it's not where it's happy. If you do this type of riding there are many better choices.
Exactly that Clifton. Exactly how we find ours. Well put.
We’ve done some long trips on ours, the longest being to Greece and the Balkan countries two years ago. About 8,000 miles and 10 weeks. We managed to stay off highways and fast roads for the most part on these trips although this year we did 350ish miles from the ferry port back home in an afternoon/evening nearly all on motorways. It wasn’t the best experience as we also seemed to have a headwind all the way too. Fuel consumption was in the low 40s and I rode mostly in 4th or 5th at 65 mph ish. It was hard work for me and the bike looking at the fuel consumption
Do you really mean ponderous ? I have ridden loads of TTs and never has that word come into my head
I followed my mate Dave on our run over the Pyrenees a couple of years ago on his and Ponderous certainly wasnt what I was thinking
the are fantastically fluid handling bikes that can be punted up a twisty road to great effect Maybe lacking in punch compared to a 1250 GS but never ponderous
I’ve just traded my guarda donore in after two happy years of ownership. Went from a nt1100. Thoughts? Well put together. Good design. Needs a few bits like a windshield extender. Fuel gauge about 100 km pessimistic. Paintwork deep and high quality. I found it a bit under powerd for motorway riding. Very good tank range. Downside? Trade in value. They’re a niche market especially in Ireland. Dealer very good otherwise. Megabikes. Moved back to bmw. R1250R. Love it. Would I buy another guzzy? Not unless there was a mass uptake in ownership of them. The market for them is too small in Ireland so there isn’t a q of people trying to bite your arm off. I’ve enjoyed my time with it. Never let me down. JJH
I'm near Fishguard. I'm 68. I have a 2007 R1200 GSA. I've had it nearly 20yrs from new. Touratech type BMW ali panniers and top box. I'm finding it progressively more of a heavy handful being of slight-ish build. It does everything I want or need but time is marching on and it's beginning to cost money to keep; like a new fuel pump yesterday, for instance. Ahem £'s. I would look at an R1250GSA if it wasn't for the eye watering cost and that it has water cooled heads. The whole point of keeping the 1200 is that its air cooled albeit with an oil cooler.
Reading this prompts me to re-evaluate somewhat. Has any owner on here had experience of the M-G hard ali luggage? The Beemer's luggage is capacious and robust.
I've looked up A&D but not been there. That might change. The "modern" Guzzi's leave me a bit cold but the V85TT is of definite interest but there's not much info on luggage except for soft or hard case options.
I'm not a M-G newby. Back in the day I had a 750 S3, a 1000S (I'd have that back in a blink.) and currently have an 1100 Sport in the garage for 30 yrs, on the road and ridden.
What are your thoughts?
And, whilst I think about it, anybody out there get together for an M-G themed ride/meet up? I've lost touch with the MGOCUK.
Thanks in advance.
Reading this prompts me to re-evaluate somewhat. Has any owner on here had experience of the M-G hard ali luggage? The Beemer's luggage is capacious and robust.
I've looked up A&D but not been there. That might change. The "modern" Guzzi's leave me a bit cold but the V85TT is of definite interest but there's not much info on luggage except for soft or hard case options.
I'm not a M-G newby. Back in the day I had a 750 S3, a 1000S (I'd have that back in a blink.) and currently have an 1100 Sport in the garage for 30 yrs, on the road and ridden.
What are your thoughts?
And, whilst I think about it, anybody out there get together for an M-G themed ride/meet up? I've lost touch with the MGOCUK.
Thanks in advance.
The standard luggage on the tt travel is plastic. It is as good as any plastic luggage out there. Well made and fits the bike well. Obviously not nearly as sturdy al metal but lighter. JJH
We had a sort of Moto Guzzi meet at Dent a couple of years ago. We had a good time, but there was only about a dozen of us. We consider ourselves a breakaway movement
UKMGer
I've traded my V85tt in after three years of wonderful trouble free ownership, I know I'll miss it. I'm now waiting delivery of a new Guzzi V7 Sport. My arthritic hips and knees are making getting on and off the V85tt a bit of a palaver. I needed something lower and a little lighter. The V7 fills that spot nicely.
PS, my V85tt came supplied with the plastic cases which were good enough for the trips I did. They will be up for sale with the fitting kit as soon as I can find some boxes to fit them in.We had a sort of Moto Guzzi meet at Dent a couple of years ago. We had a good time, but there was only about a dozen of us. We consider ourselves a breakaway movement
UKMGer
I've traded my V85tt in after three years of wonderful trouble free ownership, I know I'll miss it. I'm now waiting delivery of a new Guzzi V7 Sport. My arthritic hips and knees are making getting on and off the V85tt a bit of a palaver. I needed something lower and a little lighter. The V7 fills that spot nicely.
I have the V85TT Travel so it has Moto Guzzi Luggage "made in Italy". I like the bike but is is pretty heavy with the shaft drive, 300 miles of fuel on board and luggage.
I have completed a trip to Spain and a couple to France since buying it last year, around 8000 miles. The cases have metal trim but are plastic. They are good. Waterproof. Larger one takes a helmet. Smaller one on the exhaust side takes my CPAP briefcase sized bag.
Use the same key as the ignition. One lock disassembled as they have a very short screw. They have separate sprung latches that make the waterproof seal so there was no risk of the case coming open, lust not locked until I fixed it. They are easy to put on an off between trips.
I have also added a Givi topbox plate.
I am in Mid Wales in Welshpool so could meet up somewhere if you want a chat about the bike. Crossgates Cafe maybe?
I bought from A&D and they are fine. I can also recommend Frasers in Gloucester (used to work near their shop). They are both a similar distance from you.
Yes
My 2021 V85 came with all three aluminium boxes. I immediately took the rear box and mount plate off (it hasn't been on since) but use the panniers fairly often. I find top loaders far nicer to use than side loading ones. The only think I didn't like about them was the locks hold the key until re-locked meaning you can't just leave them unlocked. I turned the lock around to defeat that. I believe Guzzi no longer offers the top load aluminium panniers. Were I buying a new V85 I'd forgo the plastic side loaders and install aftermarket aluminium ones. I like SW-Motech because in addition to the panniers being removable the mounts are quick remove as well.
I also have a 1300GS and TBH I prefer my V85 overall. It's noticeably lighter to push around with a better seat, more leg room, less reach to the bars., just more comfortable overall. The display offers everything I need w/o having to toggle through menus like the GS. It also shifts better, handles and rides just as well, and puts out less heat. It's not nearly as powerful but unless you're riding 2-up, loaded with gear, and wanting to ride 80+ mph and still have plenty of power for overtaking, it's more than adequate. The V85 can go 300 miles on a tank while the GS is lucky to make 200.
The original metal boxes were Guzzi branded MyTech boxes. I bought these with my 2019 bike in 2019 as they were the only option. Since then, as the bike has been a huge success across Europe, all the main after market accessory makers offer stuff for the V85. I replaced my Guzzi/MyTech boxes with boxes from Bumot. But Givi, SwMotech, H&B and more all have options. But, afaik none are as humungeos as the 40/45litre boxes on a GSA if that’s what the guy asking is after. If you are solo you need a good think about packing if you need panniers and top box that big.
I had my V85 for nearly 7 years and nearly 40,000 miles. Very few issues and no breakdowns except punctures - early bikes had tubed wheels so no slow easy to manage /fix punctures. I only sold it as it took me 6 years to realise it wasn’t quite man enough for the long two up trips we did a lot off.
I had my V85 for nearly 7 years and nearly 40,000 miles. Very few issues and no breakdowns except punctures - early bikes had tubed wheels so no slow easy to manage /fix punctures. I only sold it as it took me 6 years to realise it wasn’t quite man enough for the long two up trips we did a lot off.
Look out for an event we’ll be organising in the autumn in the Northern Cotswolds, at a site called The Gate Hangs High.
Here you go -
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