What year v85tt should I look for?

[prairie dog]

I'm considering a 2020, 2021, 2022 v85tt to save a little cash (over new), anything in particular you all recommend aiming for (or staying away from)? I know there are many subtle changes made to the v85tt over the years... software updates, different ECUs, different engine tunes, other stuff? Your thoughts? Are they all essentially the same?

 

[GerryAZ]

2021 and later have tubeless tires. 2019 and 2020 did not have wheels suitable for tubeless, but some may have been converted.

 

[Bill Hagan]

Good morning, @prairie dog.

I am -- regrettably, but predictably -- of little help with respect to any substantive issues involving the engine.

I also do not know what year the V85 range went to tubeless tires/wheels. [Edited to thank @GerryAZ for saying 2021!]

Yet that is THE dealbreaker for me.

I seem to have more than my fair share of flats -- there was actually a point when I lived in Atlanta when Guzzisti called those "Hagans." I much prefer being able to repair tubeless punctures, as I have done literally countless times to the "wait for a tow-truck" option. There are folks who think nothing of pulling off a tubed tire/rear wheel at the side of the road and repairing same. I am not among them; it's one of the reasons I belong to AMA!

Yes, one can buy later-model wheels or try to seal the rims, but the former is expensive, and the latter -- at least for the likes of me -- problematic in execution and performance.

I originally found the V85 of no interest, then, a flat on my V7 III in Kentucky last year led to this tow to a dealer ...

... where I fell for this puppy in the window for the worst of reasons: I liked the Carabinieri/Corazzieri livery.

OTOH, having won a month's worth of beer money on a token bet at Keeneland (many) years ago for liking the nag's name, I am partial to such whimsy.

Anyway, I should add that whatever year V85 you end up straddling, I sure you hope you find it as fine a choice I have mine. In fact, while certainly no master of all trades or even any one, it's a darn fine jack of all.

My V85 is -- by far -- the most comfortable all-around motorcycle I have owned or ridden since when I started riding in (gasp! ) 1965.

Bill

 

[Vagrant]

There are deals out there on new 22-23. Most likely you can find a 21 somewhere at a deal.

 

[Donkey Haute]

If you want to be able to add an exhaust on a budget, the 2019-2020 bikes are easier because you can add a y-pipe to replace the cat. I understand they may also be more receptive to tuning because they are set up to comply with the older "E4" European emissions standard. 2021 and newer are E5, and I believe they are more locked down in terms of modifications. There's lots of discussions on this forum about the merits of different mods for each.

It's up to you whether this matters to you more than the tubeless wheels, which are one of the main benefits of the newer models.

 

[prairie dog]

Good morning, @prairie dog.

I am -- regrettably, but predictably -- of little help with respect to any substantive issues involving the engine.

I also do not know what year the V85 range went to tubeless tires/wheels. [Edited to thank @GerryAZ for saying 2021!]

Yet that is THE dealbreaker for me.

I seem to have more than my fair share of flats -- there was actually a point when I lived in Atlanta when Guzzisti called those "Hagans." I much prefer being able to repair tubeless punctures, as I have done literally countless times to the "wait for a tow-truck" option. There are folks who think nothing of pulling off a tubed tire/rear wheel at the side of the road and repairing same. I am not among them; it's one of the reasons I belong to AMA!

Yes, one can buy later-model wheels or try to seal the rims, but the former is expensive, and the latter -- at least for the likes of me -- problematic in execution and performance.

I originally found the V85 of no interest, then, a flat on my V7 III in Kentucky last year led to this tow to a dealer ...

... where I fell for this puppy in the window for the worst of reasons: I liked the Carabinieri/Corazzieri livery.

OTOH, having won a month's worth of beer money on a token bet at Keeneland (many) years ago for liking the nag's name, I am partial to such whimsy.

Anyway, I should add that whatever year V85 you end up straddling, I sure you hope you find it as fine a choice I have mine. In fact, while certainly no master of all trades or even any one, it's a darn fine jack of all.

My V85 is -- by far -- the most comfortable all-around motorcycle I have owned or ridden since when I started riding in (gasp! ) 1965.

Bill

Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts, it's an awesome read. The pictures are great too. That gloss black is...wow.

 

[Micksan]

I'm considering a 2020, 2021, 2022 v85tt to save a little cash (over new), anything in particular you all recommend aiming for (or staying away from)? I know there are many subtle changes made to the v85tt over the years... software updates, different ECUs, different engine tunes, other stuff? Your thoughts? Are they all essentially the same?

I have a 2022 V85TT. I have been very happy with it. I use it to run around town with. great in traffic. Gas mileage is great. Very nimble in traffic. Put locktite on ALL nuts & bolts. (Applies to all bikes) . I did find it a bit tall, I am 6ft 3. I Dropped the triple tree 24mm. Helped out a lot. No problems in the past 18 months. No problem with cross winds here in Oklahoma. In other words I am very happy with the bike.

 

[prairie dog]

Sounds like a newer model is preferred. Kinda what I was thinking too, but wanted to hear from people who ride them. Thanks for your feedback!