V85TT Cherry Popped.

[Nick Marshall]

The Harley dealers in Wolverhampton now sell Moto Guzzi and Aprilia so today I thought I would pop in and have a look. The showroom has had a major rework with a large stock of Vespa, Aprilia and Moto Guzzi taking up the space of the previous Harley clothing section.

They had a very good selection and several demo bikes. After a brief chat I was out for a spin on a very attractive Red/white V85TT.

I have never ever ridden the V85TT. Always attracted to them, but the engine size and 80bhp has always put me slightly off. However, owning a 34bhp scooter with 88 mph and 90 mpg and now being what some folk consider one foot in the grave. It was time to have a go.

First off. It’s no competition for my previously owned R1250 GS. R or R/S. However. It did have its own charm.

I struggled to start the bike. Thought it might be due to the side stand being down. But the bike had no centre stand. Turns out I was pressing the hazard warning red button that’s just below the start button. Infact it caught me again after I had stopped in a car park just outside Bridgnorth.

Once rolling I found the indicator switch a bit floppy, cable clutch very light and gear change a bit stiff. The demo bike had only done 200 miles, so guess the gearbox should free up a bit.

Handling and brakes was excellent. The V85 looks so right. Perhaps a little bit gutless compared with the R1250’s as it’s about 50 bhp less. I would soon get used to that if I owned one. I don’t really need to get anywhere that quickly. I would be more than happy to open my garage door and see one of these behind it.

On the move, I felt at home. I have owned about 10 Guzzi’s previously, but the last one was about 10 years ago. Had 30 bikes since then. So it was a bit like putting on an old pair of shoes that you hadn’t worn for a couple of years. The engine had character. Not particularly fast. But quicker than my scooter. It sounded like a real motorcycle. Seat was a little hard. But probably comfortable for the longer journeys. Firm seats seem to work that way.
Not sure about the modes. Needed a bit longer to test. Tried Sport and Road. They seemed very similar. Low fuel light came on with two bars showing on the gauge.

I didn’t go far as I didn’t expect to be riding a Guzzi today. Woke up with the intention of testing a Honda X Adv 750. Maybe tomorrow.
Being retired, I have 7 days off a week. So no great hurry.

Price of the bike is a little over £11,000. There is some offer on at the moment. Something like about £800 more for your px. Not sure what happens with no px. Availability sounds like it’s about 5 weeks. Not sure on that one. If I wanted one, I wouldn’t want to wait. But don’t think I would want it in another colour. But maybe the other one with V85 on the tank would work. Not keen on the flat black, that had mag wheels.

The red/white just pops.

I think the Guzzi V85TT with the new style TFT dash is a nice alternative to what I currently own, which is a BMW R1250GS TE Adventure and a C400X scooter. I’m not sure what bike I would sell to get a V85. Maybe both.

I also looked at the other larger Guzzi’s. But I don’t think they have the charm of the 85.

Sycamore Moto Guzzi were friendly. Not at all pushy. Really nice to have a Guzzi dealer back in Wolverhampton. Previous Guzzi dealer in Kingswinford has always been a shop that I avoid like the plague.

Took a few picture to share.

 

[JJH]

I love mine. JJH

 

[wessie]

Dropped mine off for the first service this afternoon at A&D. They want it stone cold to service the valves. A Z650RS is sitting on the drive this evening. Going to Spain on it on 21 May.

Modes: I use sport and road. The latter is better for tight stuff like hairpins as sport mode can be a little jerky at low revs. You can notice the difference on fast roads with overtakes. The pickup in sport mode is a little more urgent when you whack open the throttle.
Gears: seemingly smoother with miles but more likely me recalibrating, especially getting used to using the clutch to downshift after 9 years of an autoblipper with slipper clutch.
Seat: it is quite comfy. The heated version on the TT is lovely.

My only gripe is that the bike seemingly connects to my phone by bluetooth but the app on the phone is not talking to the bike. The navigation worked for one trip then refused to guide me back home. I have a Garmin but the MG App would be a back up if it worked. I'll see if the reset or update something in the service and have another play.

As for stock, A&D have shifted everything and the board says June is the earliest delivery available. The have a Strada version as a demo bike which is for sale. In March this year, my V85TT Travel was discounted to £12k from £13450 RRP and they gave me a grand more for the R1200RS than Sally offered in the summer of 2024.

 

[Clifton]

I love mine. JJH

Same here, it's really a comfortable, nice all around motorcycle to live with.

I mostly use road mode which I think they call "Strada". On gravel and dirt roads "off road" is nice because it turns off traction control. I believe it remains on the mode last on when restarted which is nice.

I like the red one you rode (mine is the original red) but the gray colour has been growing on me. Centre stand is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

If you're interested what about buying the demo you rode at a savings? Dealers sell demos at additional discount once they reach 200 miles (at least that's Guzzi's requirement here).

 

[leadfarmer]

Looks good

 

[Wrinkly]

They're a cracking bike. Could even be my favourite bike of all time.

 

[richh]

I need one. Always liked the look of em.

 

[steve hughes]

Nick the Vespa Aprilla Guzzi are all Piaggio. Piaggio are buggers for targetted discounts. My local dealer A&D in Denbigh ( just up the road from you) were selling Guzzi V100’s at £11999 when the list was £14K plus. My Vespa scoot was discounted £800 less than two months after buying it .

Ive certainly seen four figure discounts on V85’s whilst Ive been back and forth to A& D so they might be worth a call , even if its only to leverage a better deal locally with your guys. Ask for Paul Beech he’s the sales guy. In fact, Im sure Wessy of this parish bought his V85 from there.

Lastly I agree on the the red colour it certainly pops and is by far my favourite colourway.

 

[wessie]

Ive certainly seen four figure discounts on V85’s whilst Ive been back and forth to A& D so they might be worth a call , even if its only to leverage a better deal locally with your guys. Ask for Paul Beech he’s the sales guy. In fact, Im sure Wessy of this parish bought his V85 from there.

See my post above, no V85 stock at A&D yesterday. Guzzi have an offer with £900 off until end of May but no bikes until next month! They will probably end the offer for summer.

 

[Udders]

Nice looking bikes.
How are they weight wise?

 

[Clifton]

How are they weight wise?

Same as an airhead R100GS, just over 500#. Or around 60# less than an R1250GS.

 

[wessie]

Nice looking bikes.
How are they weight wise?

228kg without luggage which is 10kg less then my R1200RS it replaced

 

[OnHellas]

I’ve only had the one Guzzi and like the OP I wasn’t overwhelmed by it on the initial test ride.
Floppy indicator switch, pillion footrest hangers slightly in the way and something else I’ve forgotten.

Anyway, I bought one and I absolutely love it. Superbly comfortable, great fuel economy and plenty of performance for my liking. The ‘lack’ of power encourages forward planning, like being on the right gear, for overtakes. Perfect for an involving ride.

Great tank range too. Bradford to Whitstable non stop. Can’t be bad.

 

[EVskiy]

A write up in today’s RIDE magazine issue.

 

[Nick Marshall]

After me being dead keen last week for a V85TT all three dealers went into radio silence.

I guess two of them, when they became aware that I wasn’t going to let them steal my R1250GSA or my C400X scooter.
They lost interest.

So it’s another BMW for now.
Maybe next time.

 

[paddy]

Nick
Don’t go that route, not a bad wee bike the TT, but ponderous compared to the 1250, did it a few years ago and 6 months later back on a BM. Okay as a third bike for a Sunday ride. IMHO. But to cover distance it’s a 1250 boxer every time.

 

[FatAl]

Nick
Don’t go that route, not a bad wee bike the TT, but ponderous compared to the 1250, did it a few years ago and 6 months later back on a BM. Okay as a third bike for a Sunday ride. IMHO. But to cover distance it’s a 1250 boxer every time.

until I read this I didn't realise that I should be struggling so much to enjoy decent handling and performance, let alone covering hundreds of miles in a day in comfort.

 

[Wrinkly]

As many

Nick
Don’t go that route, not a bad wee bike the TT, but ponderous compared to the 1250, did it a few years ago and 6 months later back on a BM. Okay as a third bike for a Sunday ride. IMHO. But to cover distance it’s a 1250 boxer every time.

As many will know I've had several V85's. I was the exact opposite, traded a V85 for a KTM 1290 adventure S. 5 months and it was back to a V85 for me. Too much BHP makes riding them much less fun. As the old saying goes 'Less is often more'

 

[ChasF]

Nick
Don’t go that route, not a bad wee bike the TT, but ponderous compared to the 1250, did it a few years ago and 6 months later back on a BM. Okay as a third bike for a Sunday ride. IMHO. But to cover distance it’s a 1250 boxer every time.

Ponderous is a pretty meaningless term. If you want a 1250 then go for it but, in terms of usability, the 850 is plenty fast enough for the real world- some would say a 450 will do everything you need but not for everyone. It’s about time someone made a midsize bike with a bit more space for a pillion, a couple of tall people should be able to enjoy a bit of comfort on a sub 1000cc bike.

 

[AustinW]

Ponderous is a pretty meaningless term. If you want a 1250 then go for it but, in terms of usability, the 850 is plenty fast enough for the real world- some would say a 450 will do everything you need but not for everyone. It’s about time someone made a midsize bike with a bit more space for a pillion, a couple of tall people should be able to enjoy a bit of comfort on a sub 1000cc bike.

The V85 has plenty of room for two large people. We both find ours very roomy and comfortable. More so than any other bike I’ve got or ever had. It is brilliant for what we mostly do which is mooching about the dales, the Lake District and that big secret area called Bowland.

What it does lack is a bit of go when two-up + boxes + luggage n stuff. I am working the engine hard all the time especially on motorways and duals where just holding the speed limit feels hard work - you are always on the throttle and fuel consumption takes a massive dive - and lazy quick overtakes on the open road just aren't going to happen unless you have momentum on your side - drop a gear (or two) and razz up to the redline is needed for a quick pass mostly. Which is why I also now have a Stelvio 1200. That’s a torque monster is that one.