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No tricycle! That would be suicide on these Tennessee hills . . .

Branding in image only doesn’t work. VW recently invested billions into Rivian, then basically restyled their SUV & Trucks to mimick the mighty Scout. My grandfather worked and retired at IH Louisville stamping factory. I have a deep appreciation for IH Scout and would like to buy a refurbished Scout one day. But not a badge engineered styling exercise derivative of Rivian.

My first "real" (serious) tractor was a (somewhat) refurb'd IH. Pulled a five foot "BushHog" (flail-blade mower) and a five foot box blade. Lifted a boom. Tried to kill me several times and taught me to hate (hate) groundhogs for the holes they hid for the front tire to drop in (to try and kill me. several times). I got even with them, eventually . . . I have a really good buddy whose entire family came from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and deep traditions with IH, Scout, and TravelAll. VeeWee wants to hold up this electric "Scout". Something about as International Harvester as my toaster oven. I ain't feelin' it. Jus' sayin" . . .

sucks IH was a favorite brand. Grampa had a Farmall and a high school buddy drove his dad's Travelall. Nope don't like it. "Get'em Up Scout"

I wish I could take credit but alas, I can't.

I'd be very suprised if they weren't. Owning a successful soccer team, for instance, brings in quite a bit. The air races, too. Cost a lot to stage them, but earn a lot selling TV rignts etc. .

A good friend of mine had a Fiat Dino that he restored from junk. It was a great car when he was done, very pretty to look at and huge fun to drive. His was a convertible.

We've been at this SSR business for "a while" now. . . . SSR III/ 2007 . . .

"Heh - pretty sure we're all outliers here . . . " Sorry , I guess I am the real "outlier" here ( I guess I am here?)....I love my 2025 e-5+. V-85 I did around 3k miles on my friends 2020 V-85 with full bags in about 14 days this summer mostly in the Alps, , Stelvio, Timmelsjoch, and all over the Dolomites, Switzerland, Austria..St Moritz to Mandello and back down to Milano, to and then down to Rimini ..The days in the Alps I was riding with with a couple of guys from Rome , long time riders who who can ride their Ass off..one on a new 2024 1300 BMW and the other on a new 2024 1300 Ducati...Sure they could blast away from me on long straights..but in the Alps switchbacks they had nothing on the V-85. Milano to Rimini we rode 145-150 kph most of the way on the expressway in 35+ C heat and it never missed a beat..and was comfortable..400 km per tank. All you gotta do is stay busy with the shifter and keep it in the 4000..5500 rpm range. No complaints from me.

Touche. The 1st gen V85tt's had issues that caused concern for some. They've improved a bit since, but ultimately what they've improved likely won't matter much if it's not the style a guy likes. I've noted before on this forum in a couple postings here and there how I had little if any interest in the V85tt, till i was "forced" to rent it when Agostini's sent out the V100 I had set up to demo just before i got there, despite saying they'd hold it... cheeky. Anyway, ended up on a truly ugly v85 (well, its my least favorite color, but to each his own) for a few days, riding the great roads to the north and east of Mandello. Perhaps in part because I figured i'd hate it, and I can be a bit of annoying contrarian, I ended up really liking it. so I bought one. Oh, and didn't hurt that a guy was desparate to unload one in my preferred coloring and with almost no miles when i checked last winter. From my angle its not a bike that I can break down into why I like it, I just do. My oldest guzzi friends, the ones deep into guzzi for decades, they both have a V85 as their go-to bike. It's probably a little bit of laziness. for instance, I'll admit that I was looking forward to riding one of the V11's to John Day this year, but as the day got closer I gradually gave in to the dark side, yielding to my laziness: the V85 has big hard cases, great wind screen, great fuel econ + long range, and despite some pretty mediocre (at best) suspension it handles surprisingly well, and i'll say "enjoyably"... whatever that means in the way of suspension. Felt guilty leaving the V11's at home, but damn that V85 is nice for touring, with the bonus being that it also allows for some gravel/dirt road touring.

Heh - pretty sure we're all outliers here . . . Let's ask the other inmates on the ward if a hairy-chested V11 SpineFrame (that the rider keeps a voltmeter in his pocket and a spare shift spring in his boot) is the best of worlds . . .

That is well framed. Piaggio has branded Moto Guzzi "travel " (thank goodness IMHO ) As such, nothing less than the 700-850-1000 will do (not in The States, certainly). If the matter is "commuting", Piaggio has designated the Piaggio line as "urban/commuting " and the Vespa line as "lifestyle " (Aprilia as "sport/racing "). As such, I don't see the need for a small (smaller than "mid capacity"/ 600-850) for Moto Guzzi. I might feel differently if I lived in Europe or Asia. Otherwise, I feel the various V7/V9/V85 models have addressed the "mid capacity" segment(s) rather admirably As this matter is regarding capacities less than 600cc, I wonder if the topic title might better read: Does Moto Guzzi need a small capacity model, like almost every other major has, or is the V7 successfully fulfills this segment?

Getting back to the video, why is a place with "Vintage Motorcycles" written in big letters on the wall selling new bikes? Just asking.... Apart from that, I've read any number of posts from owners of various V85 models. all of whom where and are very happy with their bikes. I reckon they must be good. If you like chook chasers, which I don't. I'd like to see that motor in a "retro sport" chassis, including clip-ons and a bikini fairing.

I'm w/ya brother ! I am a believer and I don't jump on people about it or w/it . I know what I've got and if you're interested I will tell you what I know . If not we're cool . Also , if it escalates , I'm out , I'm not gonna argue about it.

Nothing wrong with the door Bill and as I said it may not be the same bloke. His faith is no concern of mine either, BUT! I am always deeply distrustful though of people who wield their religious beliefs like a cudgel and try to somehow imply they are ‘Better’ or more trustworthy/meritorious than others because of them. I don’t bang on about my beliefs or lack of them because they are of no relevance to anyone but me. I know you are deeply devout and my criticism was not aimed at people of faith, any faith, just those who seek kudos by wearing their proffered belief as a cloak of virtue.