Moto Guzzi V85TT
Discussion
Just popped a deposit down on a 2020 model "Travel" in the rather fetching(?!) beige.
It'll be replacing my RE Himalayan 411 after a 2 month wait for a replacement throttle body under warranty made me seriously consider my long term ownership of that bike.
The V85 feels like the big brother to the Himi - retro style adventure bike with quirky looks and a bit of character. Reviews seem to be favourable, with the main criticisms being lack of power and unconventional switch gear. Coming from 25bhp and practically no switchgear,I don't think that'll be an issue for me.
Looking forward to it. Not sure whether to keep the Himi for light duties, or move it on. I like the little bugger more than I should!
It'll be replacing my RE Himalayan 411 after a 2 month wait for a replacement throttle body under warranty made me seriously consider my long term ownership of that bike.
The V85 feels like the big brother to the Himi - retro style adventure bike with quirky looks and a bit of character. Reviews seem to be favourable, with the main criticisms being lack of power and unconventional switch gear. Coming from 25bhp and practically no switchgear,I don't think that'll be an issue for me.
Looking forward to it. Not sure whether to keep the Himi for light duties, or move it on. I like the little bugger more than I should!
I could, but in the last 6 months it's needed a fuel pump, starter motor, new battery, various relays, and still has intermittent starting issues and has left me stranded on multiple occasions. While it's under warranty I'm letting RE deal with it, but it feels very much like a Friday Afternoon bike, and I'm rapidly losing faith in it.
Love mine! First "adventure" bike from decades of sports bikes and nakeds. Loved the looks and idea of the engine and shaft drive.
I was hesitant at the perceived lower power but its not an issue at all on the road, engine is a peach! Good torque and wants to rev so you can potter around or wring it out if you want to make progress, surprisingly smooth at higher revs as well so cruising at normal motorway speeds is pleasant. Ive added a rapid bike to sort the fuelling as its bit snatchy at lower throttle openings.
The stock the suspension is supple and clearly tuned for road riding, it still surprises me how nicely it turns into corners and holds a line.
Switchgear isn't that difficult TBH, cruise control takes a bit of getting used to but works well. Only "weird" thing is you use the start button to change engine modes when you are moving then have to roll off the throttle for the mode to activate (makes sense when you try it)
Not sure what you use your RE for, but the V85 isn't the most comfortable off-road, its fine on gravel tracks and dry lanes, but anything more I struggle with. Although I'm not a great off road rider so others may have more success! (Tempted to stick some different tyres on and try again!)
I was hesitant at the perceived lower power but its not an issue at all on the road, engine is a peach! Good torque and wants to rev so you can potter around or wring it out if you want to make progress, surprisingly smooth at higher revs as well so cruising at normal motorway speeds is pleasant. Ive added a rapid bike to sort the fuelling as its bit snatchy at lower throttle openings.
The stock the suspension is supple and clearly tuned for road riding, it still surprises me how nicely it turns into corners and holds a line.
Switchgear isn't that difficult TBH, cruise control takes a bit of getting used to but works well. Only "weird" thing is you use the start button to change engine modes when you are moving then have to roll off the throttle for the mode to activate (makes sense when you try it)
Not sure what you use your RE for, but the V85 isn't the most comfortable off-road, its fine on gravel tracks and dry lanes, but anything more I struggle with. Although I'm not a great off road rider so others may have more success! (Tempted to stick some different tyres on and try again!)
acricha3 said:
Love mine! First "adventure" bike from decades of sports bikes and nakeds. Loved the looks and idea of the engine and shaft drive.
I was hesitant at the perceived lower power but its not an issue at all on the road, engine is a peach! Good torque and wants to rev so you can potter around or wring it out if you want to make progress, surprisingly smooth at higher revs as well so cruising at normal motorway speeds is pleasant. Ive added a rapid bike to sort the fuelling as its bit snatchy at lower throttle openings.
The stock the suspension is supple and clearly tuned for road riding, it still surprises me how nicely it turns into corners and holds a line.
Switchgear isn't that difficult TBH, cruise control takes a bit of getting used to but works well. Only "weird" thing is you use the start button to change engine modes when you are moving then have to roll off the throttle for the mode to activate (makes sense when you try it)
Not sure what you use your RE for, but the V85 isn't the most comfortable off-road, its fine on gravel tracks and dry lanes, but anything more I struggle with. Although I'm not a great off road rider so others may have more success! (Tempted to stick some different tyres on and try again!)
Nice write up, thanks. I'm not an off roader by any means, but I live in rural Lincolnshire and the fen roads are often rutted and deteriorating. The RE proved to be a hugely confidence inspiring bit of kit, to the extent that I did seek out (and enjoyed) a few gravel tracks/green lanes. I was hesitant at the perceived lower power but its not an issue at all on the road, engine is a peach! Good torque and wants to rev so you can potter around or wring it out if you want to make progress, surprisingly smooth at higher revs as well so cruising at normal motorway speeds is pleasant. Ive added a rapid bike to sort the fuelling as its bit snatchy at lower throttle openings.
The stock the suspension is supple and clearly tuned for road riding, it still surprises me how nicely it turns into corners and holds a line.
Switchgear isn't that difficult TBH, cruise control takes a bit of getting used to but works well. Only "weird" thing is you use the start button to change engine modes when you are moving then have to roll off the throttle for the mode to activate (makes sense when you try it)
Not sure what you use your RE for, but the V85 isn't the most comfortable off-road, its fine on gravel tracks and dry lanes, but anything more I struggle with. Although I'm not a great off road rider so others may have more success! (Tempted to stick some different tyres on and try again!)
90% of my riding will be commuting on a reasonable surfaced A road, but I do a bit of 2-up that the Himi unsurprisingly struggles with over distance.
On paper the V85 ticks all my boxes and feels very much like a big brother to the Himi. If I'd not had the reliability issues with the RE I'm not sure I'd be looking to replace, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a slightly more powerful bike for the roads, without getting too silly. I may keep hold of the Himi for a bit and see which of them I reach for the keys for first!
Moto Guzzi Chalon-sur-Saône this afternoon lent me a V85TT while my V7 Special is having its first service.
It is essentially the same engine as the V7, even with a bit more power, it steers a lot more quickly and chassis/suspension feels a lot more compliant.
However, the fly-by-wire throttle and/or FI implementation makes it a bit stumbly/jerky when trickling through town at slow speeds. Perhaps it’s just this particular bike, but it’s difficult to keep a totally constant throttle as every little bump in the road affects it as it’s so overly sensitive.
The early FI KTM990 Adventures suffered in the same way compared to the carb 950 version, so much that 3rd cams were fitted by many riders to give some ‘slack’ or at least render the reaction less immediate to the slightest movement.
It is essentially the same engine as the V7, even with a bit more power, it steers a lot more quickly and chassis/suspension feels a lot more compliant.
However, the fly-by-wire throttle and/or FI implementation makes it a bit stumbly/jerky when trickling through town at slow speeds. Perhaps it’s just this particular bike, but it’s difficult to keep a totally constant throttle as every little bump in the road affects it as it’s so overly sensitive.
The early FI KTM990 Adventures suffered in the same way compared to the carb 950 version, so much that 3rd cams were fitted by many riders to give some ‘slack’ or at least render the reaction less immediate to the slightest movement.
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