Anyone have any experience of the Moto Guzzi V85TT?

Anyone have any experience of the Moto Guzzi V85TT?

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Discussion

ColonelKurtz

Original Poster:

89 posts

208 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Hi All.

Does anyone have any experience of the Moto Guzzi V85TT? I am sorely tempted to get one but don't have a lot of experience of the brand or bikes in general.

I finally scratched a 20 year itch and passed my full bike licence last September. Not knowing what kind of bike I really wanted, I bought a 2001 triumph TT600 with 7k miles from Bulldog Triumph to get more experience riding. It is a fantastic, if flawed, bike but not really for me as I just want to go very fast on it and it isn't really suited for 2 up riding. So, it's now time to change to something else. I plan to trade-in the Triumph as I only have room for one bike in the garage.

So here is where I'd appreciate your thoughts and assistance. I want a bike my other half can comfortably ride pillion on for a day or so (she's never been on a bike before), that I can potter about on with friends during weekend rides, but that also can be fun when I want to ride more aggressively. I am leaning towards the Guzzi as it is shaft driven, I think it looks cool, and I love the aircooled engine. Also, at 5'8" with a 32" inside leg, I need something I can get my foot down on; I've ridden the Guzzi and it is easy to flat foot on it.


I've also been recommended a GS1200 (the lowered one) and a Multistrada 950 but I think they might be too much for my needs.

Thoughts?

Bob_Defly

3,989 posts

237 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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It will do everything apart from the 'fast' bit.

CoreyDog

755 posts

96 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Are you set in an adventure style as sounds like your looking for more of a tourer style?


SmokeyB

10 posts

43 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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I've had the V85TT Travel since October 2020 & although I've not had a pillion I can say that it's comfortable for a 5.5hr run, good for around 250-280 miles per tank and nice and light/manoeuvrable. Sports bike it aint though.

airsafari87

2,818 posts

188 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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Michael Mann did a decent review for Bennetts from what I remember? (It's been quite some time since I watched it)

A proper nice bloke and one of the few bike reviewers that I'd listen to and take notice of.

https://youtu.be/4ofZikl626o

cannedheat

952 posts

281 months

Monday 1st November 2021
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I have a V85 TT (yellow) which I bought last May. I tested the 850GS, 1250GS, 800 & 900 Tiger plus the 950 Multistrada and settled on the V85TT as it was ‘fast enough’ but more importantly it was the most fun especially when riding slowly (pottering around the countryside and city).

In short I’m very happy with the bike, the handling is good, it’s comfortable for long days in the saddle, it gets lots of positive attention and whilst the performance is ‘adequate’ it means I can use 100% of it, especially on the mountain passes.

ColonelKurtz

Original Poster:

89 posts

208 months

Monday 1st November 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for the feedback. I’m not definitely set on an adventure; I’ve just not seen a tourer I thought affordable and I thought looked good. But I’m open to suggestions.

Good to hear the Guzzi is well regarded. I am going to get another test ride this weekend along with a GS.

Hungrymc

6,833 posts

143 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
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They look like Lovely bikes, I ruled one out only because I wanted a bit more performance. I think as a more relaxed bike to travel on, they look great.

pcn1

1,241 posts

225 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
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I test rode one before the pandemic started, but went with the Multidsrada because:

A) I'm a Ducati fan biggrin
B) I wanted 1 stupidly expensive, complicated and fast bike in my biking life !

However I can see me going to something like the Guzzi in a few years as I get towards my 60th. I thought it had a lot to offer, character, ease of maintenance and looks. Needs a better screen, and make sure you get one with heated grips !

Pothole

34,367 posts

288 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
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Or wait for the V100...

pcn1

1,241 posts

225 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
quotequote all
Pothole said:
Or wait for the V100...


Just googled it.... wish they'd put a bigger engine in the TT, I'm sure it would attract more buyers

Edited by pcn1 on Tuesday 2nd November 11:46


Edited by pcn1 on Tuesday 2nd November 11:47

Pothole

34,367 posts

288 months

Tuesday 2nd November 2021
quotequote all
pcn1 said:
Pothole said:
Or wait for the V100...


Just googled it.... wish they'd put a bigger engine in the TT, I'm sure it would attract more buyers

Edited by pcn1 on Tuesday 2nd November 11:46


Edited by pcn1 on Tuesday 2nd November 11:47
This new watercooled engine hasn't been developed at great cost to be consigned and limited to a single bike. Expect a whole family over the next few years, starting when the planned new factory is production ready.

ColonelKurtz

Original Poster:

89 posts

208 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2021
quotequote all
Pothole said:
Or wait for the V100...
Yes, that is a good point. I believe it is being revealed properly at Eicma in late November.

Pothole

34,367 posts

288 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2021
quotequote all
ColonelKurtz said:
Pothole said:
Or wait for the V100...
Yes, that is a good point. I believe it is being revealed properly at Eicma in late November.
Correct. Piaggio are not coming to the NEC, irritatingly.