Well then 12 of us now, though I lean more to the unserious side. I bought a 22 V85TT with under 6k from Adam at Studio Cycle in July. Has some extended warranty left, centre stand, heated grips, and a full set of metal cases which are excellent but heavy. I removed the top case because I HATE them.Interesting. I didn't realize all 11 of you do that.
- An unserious Guzzi owner
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Kind of over losing half the riding season waiting for parts from europe thing
No doubt they`re a beautiful bike, are they reliable or "Italian reliable"?
Well then 12 of us now, though I lean more to the unserious side. I bought a 22 V85TT with under 6k from Adam at Studio Cycle in July. Has some extended warranty left, centre stand, heated grips, and a full set of metal cases which are excellent but heavy. I removed the top case because I HATE them.
It's a really nice bike to ride. Comfy, right from the start, old fashioned in its feel and execution - which works for me, quite stable and smooth, not particularly fast or responsive like my KTM was, but well beyond adequate for all road use and exceptional for two-lane cruising. It's not a pretend dirtbike, just a capable gravel road and similar explorer.
Yeah, I'm quite taken with it. Beautifully finished and a real treat to ride. Though heavy, the side cases are really useful as they are top loaded. If I were to go on an extended trip I'd (grudgingly) put the top case back on. It doesn't interfere with getting on too much, but dismounting can be awkward as I tend to swing my leg over as opposed to lift and point. Old habits die hard.Yep, I get that, BP. I've been fortunate, though; in six years I've never been down waiting for parts. If you crash and break some shiny bits, you'll be waiting. Availability is never a concern for the usual consumable stuff. If you're lucky enough to own more than one bike, this is even less of a problem.
As stated earlier, I've found the Guzzi to be no less reliable than any other bike. Guzzi ownership requires a bit more of a hands on approach, though, particularly when brand new. Unbelievably, it's common for stuff to simply fall off, and this applies to all models, not just the V85. Customers pay for a proper PDI, but in many cases don't receive it. A thorough nut and bolt check is required on any new Guzzi. The factory is stingy with the grease, too much loctite here, not enough there. This isn't a problem, however, for any conscientious owner who doesn't mind turning their own wrenches.
I'm not keen on the top box, either, and rarely use it.
This is an accurate, honest description of the V85. While it'll cruise the interstates all day, it's not the best choice; you'll arrive worn out. As Joel said, it really shines on the two lane stuff, a real treat. Perfect for gravel travel, fire roads, etc. Stay away from single track and the woods, though.