New Adventure V85?

the grey one is a much much more attractive option!!

Some members of the German forum "[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] who have visited the Intermot reported that the bike seems to be too small for drivers larger than 1,80/1,85 m but it looks great and the built quality seems to be very good.

I think it looks terrible, like something made out of technical Lego blocks. Even without the super ugly beak and double headlight I cannot see myself ever riding this after my beautiful GRiSO. Unless it comes with the girl

bahamazoo wrote:

the grey one is a much much more attractive option!!

Funny isn't is, but i prefer the yellow and white :-)

As usual, I swim against the tide - I quite like it. If the finance manager sees fit, I might actually get one, next year - all depends of $ one way or the other. Then I can go that back road to the rally...

Keeping the Sport though...

Mark, if this happens, you will get to "borrow" it as a test mule for "proper" mapping.

It pays to think positively - I just need to start my new job on embarrassing money, win lotto, and reap the rewards of working hard all my life, with little reward - time to turn things around, I say!

Sounds like you might be a good person to get to know, Tony.

Hasn't come together as of yet, Mal. You will be one of the first to know...

Tony, with the recent alterations in import regulations, would getting one in from the US be an option??

-although well before the changes, mine was less than half price, including shipping...

Still not a Le-Mans replacement..... maybe i should keep looking for a good V11 just to keep until its old enough for vintage plates..


cya
Scot.

Do we know yet whether the maintenance on the V85 (valve adjustments, throttle body synch, etc.) will be similar to the procedures on the GRiSO?  Given that the closest dealer with a good reputation is over 1000 miles away, simple routine maintenance would be a definite plus.

The V85 uses the 7SM controller and single 52mm throttlebody as the Cali 1400. No throttlebodies to balance. Valve adjustments are the same as any other Guzzi built in our lifetimes. Screw and locknut adjustment but only 2 valves per cylinder and the retrograde step of returning to a pushrod operated OHV system. Hopefully more valves and Hi-Cams will be along in a couple of years unless Piaggio have decided that the Moto Guzzi name should only be associated with uninspiring little shitters.

I want one. I want one of the “uninspiring little shitters” too Would look nice next to my GRiSO.

Thanks, Pete. I figured you would know the technical details.

I saw a brand new V85 at a New York dealer last a couple of weeks ago.  It came with Metzeler road tires, but no other difference to the original V85 with Michelin Anakee that I could determine, except the paint job which was a boring flat black.

Interestingly, the high front fender was the same.

There were three McDonalds V85's at the Ragged Fringe. I had a close look at one (owner is John Addis). I was honestly not impressed. All the puerile fawning posts on FriendFace & elsewhere I've read where peeps are waxing lyrical of how beautiful and lovely it is, well, not. Should've gone to Specsavers. It's a very ordinary thing in the flesh. A rather bland motorcycle. There are better looking BMW's.

I have nothing against the looks of it really and was honestly surprised when I rode it as it isn't as snivellingly gutless as I expected it to be and actually has I nice induction honk. It doesn't have anywhere near the punch of an 8V, or even a V11 Sport though. The suspension, thet a lot of people are raving about, is really horrid bargain basement rubbish though.

Thing is that this seems to be what people want! A bland, smooth, gadget-festooned conveyance that they can 'Accessorise' out of a catalog completely devoid of charm and character. Look, all power to them and I hope they sell them by the container load but after my ride, (On that very same bike of John Addis's) I just felt that it was a 'Built down to a very low price' motorbike for very, very old men who didn't want any excitement in their lives any more!

I'm all for less weight! I'm no spring chicken myself! But sadly I'll be looking elsewhere when I feel the Stelvio is too much of a handful. Perhaps if the Hi-Cam it and 8V it it will be better? If this is all they've got though they've lost me.

Pete

I don't doubt it's functionality, but it's no different to any other adventure style bike.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Pete Roper wrote:

The V85 uses the 7SM controller and single 52mm throttlebody as the Cali 1400. No throttlebodies to balance. Valve adjustments are the same as any other Guzzi built in our lifetimes. Screw and locknut adjustment but only 2 valves per cylinder and the retrograde step of returning to a pushrod operated OHV system. Hopefully more valves and Hi-Cams will be along in a couple of years unless Piaggio have decided that the Moto Guzzi name should only be associated with uninspiring little shitters.

Having now owned and ridden one for 2k mls I can assure you Pete, it's anything but uninspiring. In my book it's the perfect stablemate for my 2015 GRiSO 1200 SE.

beetle wrote:

It's a very ordinary thing in the flesh. A rather bland motorcycle. There are better looking BMW's.

The ultimate insult!!!    

wrinkley wrote:

Having now owned and ridden one for 2k mls I can assure you Pete, it's anything but uninspiring. In my book it's the perfect stablemate for my 2015 GRiSO 1200 SE.

With the greatest of respect don't try and tell me what my opinions should be.

I'm very glad you're happy with your new purchase, many others seem to be too. It would seem that we have very different expectations for what is both inspiring and exciting. That's fine. I still find it terribly disappointing.

Pete

If everyone thought GRiSO's were the ultimate bike, they wouldn't be very special. As many bikes as I've owned, the lowly KLR was one of the most fun.

Enjoy that V85.

It begins. More power! Revs quicker!

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I'm sure it now produces 100HP and 120 ft/lbs of torque too!

I want one. I bought an 1100 GRiSO in preference to a 1200. I've found the power of the 1100 to be plenty and ride it faster than other bikes I've had with more power, it seems to encourage being treated that way, also I like the simplicity.
I have thought about getting a Stelvio but I used to have a GS1150 and don't want all that weight again. My ageing body prefers the comfort of my Buell Ulysses lately so I think I would get a lot of use out of a V85. I like OHV engines and hope to own a V85 one day, happy with the GRiSO and Uly at the moment though.