Moto Guzzi V85TT First Ride Review
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2024
- Thanks to my friends @frasersmotorcycles7550 I've taken out the V85TT for a little spin. Hopefully I can redeem myself in the eyes of Moto Guzzi owners after the mixed reception of my previous V7 Stone video!
This video is cut a little short due to filming issues but I think you'll get the general gist of my feelings about the bike. It's available from Frasers to take out for a ride! This model (V85TT Evocative Graphics spec) is currently discounted to £10800 at time of publishing
A couple of things I didn't mention in the video... firstly just a passing comment that I found the indicator and cruise control switches feel a little vague and indistinct (I've seen this mentioned elsewhere and so I thought I'd say that I noticed the same thing.
The other thing is that this video is the first of little three-episode adventure bike review party!! 😁 The next bike to come is the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE and after that is the BMW F850GS. So if you like your Adventure Bikes please subscribe and press the notification bell button so you know when those videos are published!
Timestamps:
0:00 First review ride of 2023!
0:32 Neutral and easy to throw around
1:19 Bike-Curious
1:52 Redemption ride?
3:22 Slow stuff
4:25 Riding modes
5:20 A twist of the wrist, including 5:50 nice seat
6:55 Speed up! Handling and performance
9:21 Good front Brembos
9:41 Riding position
10:45 If only I were taller!
11:07 Walkaround and specs - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Your reviews are superb Ricky. Down to earth and credible.
Thank you as always Malcolm! 😊
Riding a V85 for over 6 months now. Glad you liked it!
Love the comfort and the chunky tank as you mentioned (will actually do 500km between refills if you ride it calmly). On the not so bright side, the gearbox in my opinion is very meh (feel and ratios), the clutch is stiff and gets tiring fast in traffic, and the bike *does* get very heavy once you start dressing it up: Engine guard (a must), centre stand, top box and panniers, and you’re well into 250kg. The touring and OEM windshields are better with wind but still pretty noisy. Finally, the air-cooled engine does NOT like hot climates and your legs might get a little toasty during summer on this bike.
That being said, very fun to ride long distances with. Did a 900km trip over a day and a half not long ago and the kilometers flew by.
I agree with everything that you mentioned. The only thing... to me it felt light in the corners. Only moving around the parking it was a bit heavy and it felt quite awkward. I also found some other smaller downsides. Can check my test ride for that. :)
I did mean to include commets about the gearbox but my GoPro stopped recording and I losttah part of the ride! My take on the gearbox is that generally, it does not like to be rushed. It works well enough but isn't up to modern standards. Again I guess it's something to be expected with this generation of Guzzi. I'll be very interested to see if the Mandello feels any more modern in the transmission.
Another thing that the Mandello might do better is avoid roasting your legs 😁 But yes I had a enjoyable time on the V85TT and I'm sure there is still a way to go before I truly start to appreciate the finer points of Guzzi riding and ownership!
Nice review. Always love a Guzzi. It's not perfect but bags of character & style.
Exactly that, you have apprecaite it's strengths and not have unrealistic expectations 👍
Owned the 22 model for half a year. Overall the best bike I think. For me the perfect size, power, luggage, shaft drive and pricing. Unfortunately I did not manage to reduce the buffeting, regardless of which windshield, spoiler or helmet used. I have that problem on pretty much all windshielded bikes so I had to switch to a naked eventually. If you don’t have buffeting problem this is a fine Allrounder.
I seem to have exactly the same issue with windscreens! I've told myself that the next time I find buffeting on a test ride, DO NOT expect that I can just solve it with a change of screen!!
what does it look like when a second person rides in the back including two suitcases? is the power too low or does it not make much difference with a second person?
Thank you for the review Ricky! Do you have plans to take out the V100? As a fellow BMW R rider I'm tempted to eventually switch to something with a bit more wind protection and less cramped legroom and the V100 seems like it would fit the bill.
Thanks Matt 😊 I certainly plan to take the V100 out for a spin and I'm looking forward to it... but I need to book time off work to do it and that's the tricky part! As much as I love my R, the wind blast is starting to get on my nerves a bit haha! I already know the only solution to that is a "barn door" screen which I don't to put on the bike! I'm hoping that the next generation GS has lost some weight over the current model... that will get me interested 😉
I bought one of these without a test ride, the first ride was over 200miles. I am still running the engine in, the gearbox is clunky, the fuel range is a welcome change from most other motorcycles. The only down side so far is the light switch, when on lights and spots it has the slide space open to the elements. I was surprised that it has a plug under the seat for the Oxford optimiser as part of the wiring loom.
I think the Guzzi will take a while to first acclimatise to and then fall in love with! I think these bikes generally get smoother as the miles mount up.
This one looks pretty good to me Rikky although this colour scheme doesn't work for me but the other options are all good good review and an interesting bike if a bit on the heavy side I think the front mudguard would be a waste of time where it is but looks good though 😉 👍 cheers
Thanks Mal! Sorry for the slow reply, I have a lot of catching up to do in the comments :)
Cool bike. It felt very nimble and easy to ride when I test rode it. All interested can check my test ride. Got my like Rikky. The season for doing test rides has just began. :)
Yes RRR I can't wait to get riding again 😊
I'm not quite sure if you mentioned the model year. Is it a MY22 or MY23 ?
And are there subtle differences/updates between the years of production?
Maybe you or another viewer can comment.
Thank you
This is a MY23 bike to the best of my knowledge, although I am not aware of any material differences in this model since 2021
Creosote smells good too 😂
Love creosote, but only in small doses lmao
Is it only a 4 speed😆