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To buy or not to buy.

blacktruck

Just got it firing!
Joined
Feb 27, 2013
Messages
13
Location
Texarkana, TX
Okay, time for a confession. I have not been on here for a long time. I sold my Norge a few years ago to do some other types of riding. Did that. Two bikes and some 50K miles later and then I saw the V85 pictures. I had convinced myself mostly that the Triumph would be my last new bike. Now I am thinking I was a bit hasty in my decision. I have for long years wanted an adventure type of bike. Even when I had my Norge, it was in the back of my mind to get a KLR or some other farm tractor like motorcycle for some light off road adventures. I got a little hot when HD announced the Pan America a few years ago. I saw the pics and wanted one but as we all know, things happen. Now the HD people say this year maybe. And at HD prices too I might add. In a rare moment of clarity I decided that wasn't the bike for me. I wanted another Guzzi. The V85 seems to be that bike. I rode one at the local dealer and really enjoyed it. My caveat is this was a short ride. Putting about 20K a year or so is normal for me. For those of you who have one, how do you like it when covering some longer miles? How much range do you get on a tank of fuel? I am looking for a bike that I will keep for a long time (famous last words I know) and use for touring and commuting until I retire next year. After that, who knows where it will take me?
 
I've not finished running mine in yet, but I did work out that with the way I was riding it on it's first tank of fuel, had I pushed the limits, it would have gotten me 390 miles. You are looking at a minimum 250 miles I imagine even if pushing on.
I have just got rid of my car and will be commuting on the bike and doing my weekly shop, loads of luggage space and really nice to ride. Lazy engine, but very pleasant to push through some country lanes! :)
 
I sold my 1200 Sport and a Kawasaki Versys-X to purchase my V85, so far it is all that I hoped it would be.
I bought mine last January from AF1 and then rode it home to Tucson over a few days. Since then I haven't had the opportunity to put tons of miles on due to COVID but have managed a few weekend getaways.
At secondary street speeds I get an easy mid to upper 50mpg (US) but this falls dramatically when out on the expressway. If you're riding that 80mph stretch of highway in Texas then I'd expect to see the mileage drop down into the 30s, at least by the display.
Here's a pic from the way home last year:


When I bought mine, AF1 had a special going on the grey ones, they knocked $800 off the price and threw in the 3 pieces of luggage from the Adventure model for free. At the time I wasn't too keen on the grey as I liked the red/white model but since then my tastes have changed and I find I much prefer the toned-down look.

I've left the bike mostly stock as it works very well for me as-is. I swapped out the front turn signals for the Euro ones, as standard the US signals come with these long spacers which made the signals sort of droop and wobble. It was going to be a pain to get the spacers out anyway so I felt my money was well spent on some better looking items while I was up there. I added some crash bars with auxiliary lights mounted to them for better visibility, a front fender from Pyramid to keep stuff from getting kicked up on the front of the engine, and one of those mesh seat covers that seem to be very popular (they are so inexpensive!) I did get peer pressured into popping for a tubeless rear wheel, I didn't get the set because I think the front is so much less likely to suffer a puncture and money is not that easy to come by.

For me it makes the right amount of power, some people want more. The seat height is right where I like it and the riding position is what I've been looking for. The engine runs out well and, after dealing with my Versys-X, I appreciate the air cooling and easy maintenance. I used to make fun of my buddy who put cruise on everything he had, including his KLR, but now I completely get it and love the cruise for highway riding.

Downsides for me, the headlight looks amazing but doesn't throw a ton of light down the road. This is my first small block Guzzi, I don't mind the oil filter but am disappointed that it's only available from Guzzi, and it is not inexpensive. The stupid maintenance reminder light which has to go to the dealer to be reset. I know some people can ignore it but I cannot. I guess I'm lucky that I have a local dealer who I can support with $50 to turn it off every 6000 miles. And that's about it.

Once more picture from a more recent trip out to the Cochise Stronghold, just a day ride to get out of the house a couple of months ago:

 
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