My Moto Guzzi V85TT
Discussion
A couple of you said you'd be interested in a thread on my Guzzi which I've had since the end of August....and it would do me no harm to keep a sort of Diary.
It's absolutely stunning. The finish is top notch, it feels like a real quality product. Buyers who got early 2019 bikes did report issues with loose bolts in a few places but this has been resolved for the 2020 bike like mine.
I love the mix of ultra modern bike with that prehistoric engine. It's a pushrod V twin with 850cc developed I think from the V7 lump. It's only around 80bhp and with the shaft drive I'm sure a fair chunk of that goes missing on its way to the rear wheel. However the bike isn't as big or heavy as you'd think so it goes well enough. It's not going to set the world on fire but there is enough torque there so it never feels like it's struggling - also I'm still running the bike in - first service is around 900 miles and I'm 200 shy of that thanks to weather and work. But it means I haven't ventured too high up the rev range yet, it might have more to give.
I've ridden half the miles with a pillion and it copes fine. You only really notice the lack of power when you go for an overtake. Coming from a firestorm with its big lump of mid range drive I've had to reassess what a safe overtake looks like!
Kit wise it shares the TFT dash with the Rsv4 (with different graphics) so this means shift lights etc....it has cruise as standard - I wrote this off as a gimmick but use it every time I'm on the bike especially through 30mph limits. It's got rider modes for normal use / rain / off road. I did use rain mode with a pillion in a downpour and it did seem to dull the throttle but tbh the bike only has 80bhp so is it needed?......off road apparently turns off the ABS on the rear wheel and some owners say it's nicer to ride in this mode on road but I'm yet to try that.
You can get OEM heated grips fitted at over £200......seems expensive but they change the entire fly by wire throttle unit. Plenty of luggage options too, and an optional Bluetooth module which costs around £250 fitted. This lets you use the menu buttons on the switchgear to control your headset, displays turn based navigation on the screen (powered by the Moto guzzi MIA app) and lets you download ride data from the bike. Apparently not worth the money but I've seen the module for sale online for £130, and it's supposed to be plug and play so might look into one...
The only extra I bought was a set of OEM engine bars. At £150 fitted it was a no brainer, especially with the engine configuration meaning a drop is sure to wreck those lovely rocker covers.
I've also fitted a quadlock mount to the bars......and then ordered and fitted the quadlock anti vibration mount as the bars do shake quite a bit at idle. They are perfectly smooth when riding, all part of the character.
The standard exhaust doesn't sound too bad but is quiet as you'd expect a modern bike to be. Still the odd pop on the overrun but most of the noise comes from the airbox growl under load.
A number of exhaust options are available, there are Y pipes that do away with the cat but I didn't want to go down that road as there don't appear to be too many people who have managed to remap the ECU yet.....and that would probably void the warranty.
I looked at slip on exhausts which range from the OEM optional Arrow end can at an eye watering £1000 fitted to the likes of Agostino and Remus. Again all in the £400 to £600 range for a link pipe and end can.
I then found a sub brand of MIVV called STORM exhausts who offered a link pipe and end can for £180 delivered through Omnia Racing.
I placed my order, then googled some terrible reviews of Omnia Racing and started to worry........unfounded as it turned out when a box arrived at my door a few days later
Standard exhaust:
And the STORM exhaust:
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/7cS5Pxcy.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/YcbPFUHZ" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/YcbPFUHZ.jpg)
I even done a YouTube video of the resultant noise because I'm down with the kids:
https://youtu.be/qLkf9VqpSjU
If it ever stops raining I'll strap a GoPro on and get a decent video of it being used in anger. It's not stupid loud like my firestorm was even without the baffle, I imagine the cat does a lot of the silencing anyway.
This bike has bags of character and the additional bass from the new can really suits it.
It's absolutely stunning. The finish is top notch, it feels like a real quality product. Buyers who got early 2019 bikes did report issues with loose bolts in a few places but this has been resolved for the 2020 bike like mine.
I love the mix of ultra modern bike with that prehistoric engine. It's a pushrod V twin with 850cc developed I think from the V7 lump. It's only around 80bhp and with the shaft drive I'm sure a fair chunk of that goes missing on its way to the rear wheel. However the bike isn't as big or heavy as you'd think so it goes well enough. It's not going to set the world on fire but there is enough torque there so it never feels like it's struggling - also I'm still running the bike in - first service is around 900 miles and I'm 200 shy of that thanks to weather and work. But it means I haven't ventured too high up the rev range yet, it might have more to give.
I've ridden half the miles with a pillion and it copes fine. You only really notice the lack of power when you go for an overtake. Coming from a firestorm with its big lump of mid range drive I've had to reassess what a safe overtake looks like!
Kit wise it shares the TFT dash with the Rsv4 (with different graphics) so this means shift lights etc....it has cruise as standard - I wrote this off as a gimmick but use it every time I'm on the bike especially through 30mph limits. It's got rider modes for normal use / rain / off road. I did use rain mode with a pillion in a downpour and it did seem to dull the throttle but tbh the bike only has 80bhp so is it needed?......off road apparently turns off the ABS on the rear wheel and some owners say it's nicer to ride in this mode on road but I'm yet to try that.
You can get OEM heated grips fitted at over £200......seems expensive but they change the entire fly by wire throttle unit. Plenty of luggage options too, and an optional Bluetooth module which costs around £250 fitted. This lets you use the menu buttons on the switchgear to control your headset, displays turn based navigation on the screen (powered by the Moto guzzi MIA app) and lets you download ride data from the bike. Apparently not worth the money but I've seen the module for sale online for £130, and it's supposed to be plug and play so might look into one...
The only extra I bought was a set of OEM engine bars. At £150 fitted it was a no brainer, especially with the engine configuration meaning a drop is sure to wreck those lovely rocker covers.
I've also fitted a quadlock mount to the bars......and then ordered and fitted the quadlock anti vibration mount as the bars do shake quite a bit at idle. They are perfectly smooth when riding, all part of the character.
The standard exhaust doesn't sound too bad but is quiet as you'd expect a modern bike to be. Still the odd pop on the overrun but most of the noise comes from the airbox growl under load.
A number of exhaust options are available, there are Y pipes that do away with the cat but I didn't want to go down that road as there don't appear to be too many people who have managed to remap the ECU yet.....and that would probably void the warranty.
I looked at slip on exhausts which range from the OEM optional Arrow end can at an eye watering £1000 fitted to the likes of Agostino and Remus. Again all in the £400 to £600 range for a link pipe and end can.
I then found a sub brand of MIVV called STORM exhausts who offered a link pipe and end can for £180 delivered through Omnia Racing.
I placed my order, then googled some terrible reviews of Omnia Racing and started to worry........unfounded as it turned out when a box arrived at my door a few days later
Standard exhaust:
And the STORM exhaust:
I even done a YouTube video of the resultant noise because I'm down with the kids:
https://youtu.be/qLkf9VqpSjU
If it ever stops raining I'll strap a GoPro on and get a decent video of it being used in anger. It's not stupid loud like my firestorm was even without the baffle, I imagine the cat does a lot of the silencing anyway.
This bike has bags of character and the additional bass from the new can really suits it.
There is certainly something special about them, Guzzis in general. Very mechanical bikes.
Mine isn't really the greatest at anything, many other better bikes on paper but they have a certain charm and character.
I took a run out at lunchtime, working from home isn't all bad. The new exhaust is spot on, not too loud - I want to do a bit of touring and longer runs where a really loud pipe would get tiresome. This is loud enough to add a bit of presence and let some of the character of the engine be heard. I'm very happy.
My firestorm basically had open pipes - it was biblically loud and hilarious on a Sunday run up the coast but a bit much for everything else.
I'm not that old yet (kids say different) but I've had a beard since before they were fashionable so......
Mine isn't really the greatest at anything, many other better bikes on paper but they have a certain charm and character.
I took a run out at lunchtime, working from home isn't all bad. The new exhaust is spot on, not too loud - I want to do a bit of touring and longer runs where a really loud pipe would get tiresome. This is loud enough to add a bit of presence and let some of the character of the engine be heard. I'm very happy.
My firestorm basically had open pipes - it was biblically loud and hilarious on a Sunday run up the coast but a bit much for everything else.
I'm not that old yet (kids say different) but I've had a beard since before they were fashionable so......
I took one of these for a test in the summer. After the initial learning curve of the engine character I did enjoy it. The bike has a lot too offer, and is good value.
However at this stage, I'm not looking for a Adventure tourer, as I cant see me straying too far from the pavement.
I've just come from a Multistrada 1100 so I'm going to stick with a Multistrada 950 (sensible), or the 1200DVT, silly power but why not once in your life
Maybe in a few years I'll want something like this to tour on.
However at this stage, I'm not looking for a Adventure tourer, as I cant see me straying too far from the pavement.
I've just come from a Multistrada 1100 so I'm going to stick with a Multistrada 950 (sensible), or the 1200DVT, silly power but why not once in your life
Maybe in a few years I'll want something like this to tour on.
SteelerSE said:
LFB531 said:
Looks good! I've got a V12 Sport, almost a beard and am most certainly almost old. A theme building here?
Mine has a GPR exhaust, with the baffle out it's highly anti social!
What do you think of the bike? Is it a decent riding position or a bit too sporty?Mine has a GPR exhaust, with the baffle out it's highly anti social!
Easy to live with, loads of torque and quite quick enough for my needs. Range about 200 miles.
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