Had mine for about 3 years as well, never suffered any pinking, bog standard apart from a slightly less restrictive silencer (I wanted to keep the cat)? Are you sure yours is properly tuned Austin? There's absolutely no reason why a modern, injected air cooled bike should pink, even when set up for emissions, which yours isn't and few if any reports of it with the v85 that I've seen? Mine's lovely in town, MUCH niocer than say, a Stelvio, which are a bit of a barge.
On the wider question, I've owned about 10 Guzzis, from Tonti era (1970s) through the Spine frame (1990s-00s) and the CARC era (1900s - 10s) and I agree the V85 is the "best" in terms of build quality and handling. I really like the fact it can be hooned down a twisty lane using most of the engine performance, as opposed to modern big trailies, which like almost everything else out there, are license losers if you actually use what they have. It will leave an 1150GS for dead down said lane (I've owned 3), mostly due to the lower weight (and better brakes as you'd expect after 20 odd years development) but feels similar performance wise in a straight line.
But that's just me, I hate pootling around on 1/3 throttle all the time, so most faster bikes hold little appeal. Get a long test ride as has been said. Nobody called an 1150GS slow, but here we are in more congested and policed times, and some people think you're brave heading off with "only" 80bhp.
I would also say it's the least "characterful" of all my Guzzis, yes it has more than a Tiger 800 which sound like whiney sewing machines, but compared to even a CARC era Guzzi from 10 years ago, it's a bit more sterile? That might be a good thing, depends what you want of course, a V11 from 2004 is like a trip back in time, and I don't mean 18 year!!
Also agree on the build quality compared to BMW, Guzzi have been very nicely built for last 15-ish years (since Aprilia and then Piaggio buy outs). People still think you're "brave" buying one though ...