I went from a 2011 GSA to a V85 in 2019.
I kept the GSA for over a year but sold it as I’d only done about 500miles on it. A new shiny thing to play with mainly as I still liked it. But It was a high mileage bike with 86,000 on it and starting to look a bit scruffy. Bills were looming. I sold it to Bobster who did all the restoration it needed - clutch, gearbox, just about everything powder coated or painted, screen polished, seats refurbed, etc etc.
So, yes a brand new bike with warranty is an attractive thing but here are fine thoughts /pros /cons of each bike:
These are things the GSA has the V85 doesn’t: ample power for almost every occasion solo or with pillion, great road presence and a general feeling of awesomeness. Huuuge fuel range. A truly vast range of farkles and add ones to customise the bike to your liking. A bmw dealer in every decent sized town. Handling that flatters you and seems to flatten the road as you ride it (could be the Wilbers I had).
This is what the V85 has the gsa doesn’t: it’s NOT a BMW. You’ll be be lucky to see another on the road. I feel as cool as on mine and proud to say what bike I’m on. Buy new and get two years warranty which can be extended. It’s noticeably lighter in every respect but especially for manual manoeuvres. The seat is comfier and roomier for two - seriously it is. Much better general build quality - better paint and better fitting panels for sure. Better display/clocks and electronics than the hexhead bmws. Cruise control is great together with riding modes, switchable abs and a couple of other configurable items. The headlight is ok but waaay better than the absolute shite on the gsa. Switching the bike always makes me smile - the eagle riding light comes on in stages and the display swirls into life. Finally The tail lights are just the best.
Downsides of the v85: it is “only” 80bhp and 80 torques in one measure I’ve seen. Fine for about 80% of the time but if you want a quick overtake in a small gap at higher speeds forget it. It took me a while to get used to the drop in power but now I don’t really miss it as it makes for a calmer more relaxed ride rather than looking for the smallest overtaking opportunity. But It’ll cruise all day above the speed limits and still give high 50s or 60+mpg.
The standard screen is noisy and some say causes a lot of buffeting - I just find it noisy. The screen doesn’t offer anywhere near the coverage of the gsa.
The suspension is too soft, certainly for two-up - stands, pegs and boots on the ground far too easily on bumpy corners. It’s a quiet bike in terms of exhaust and engine so lacks some emotional pull - easy if expensive to fix with loads of exhaust options available now. When I got mine either PDI or factory build could have been better with some loose fastenings. There’s a few known issues and recalls. Parts though take forever to come from Italy if they will ever come (I’m still waiting on some).
I really enjoy mine: just owning it and looking at it gives me pleasure, every time I get off it I say to the wife that was fantastic I love that bike. I have slowed down though and ride at a far more leisurely pace - which was partly why I got it - although it’s not a slow bike by any means.
I’ve spent a fortune on options and upgrades:
Full Mistral Exhaust system
Wilbers rear shock +30mm ride height
Full Guzzi hard luggage
MG Heated grips
Riding lamps
Crashbars
High seat
Plus more. It’s all quite expensive being mainly Italian stuff and fairly limited choices.
Finally finally there’s not many mg dealers about. Mine is a 180 mile round trip.
Please ask questions.
