Scud

Glad you are stoked. I think I prefer the OEM spec 180 (vs the narrower 170) on my Scura. But like you, I am quite happy to apply steering effort. Just as a technical matter... doesn't the 160 have a 60 sidewall, rather than a 55? If so, then the overall tire height is quite similar. 160x0.6=96 mm sidewall vs 170x.055=93.5mm sidewall.

That was GREAT. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Other than the architecture, it felt a little like riding in Mexico. Come to think of it... the majority of the world's motorcyclists probably have conditions like that every day - rather than the well-paved infrastructure that we are used to in Japan, USA, and other "developed" nations. They use small bikes for transportation, not big bikes for pleasure rides.

@ScuRoo - I think we are pretty much on the same page. The HP and weight numbers give us only a clue. And from that clue, along with the design of the V85, I am guessing that it will be a good ADV bike, though probably not as aggressively dirt-oriented as the others I compared to. We still need to see where the torque is and how well the suspension works. But it's fun to speculate until then. ^^ that's a good video. It would fun to go on a ride with that guy. When you do go offroad, the weight of the bike is one of the biggest factors - and the main reason I like my 701 Enduro so much better than the 950 Adventure I had. I can pick it up by myself - or get out from under it - even if it falls in an awkward spot.

So that's 80HP and 440 pounds. My Husky 701 is 70HP and 320 pounds. My KTM 950 Adventure was 100HP and 450 pounds. I know there's a lot more to the story... but the above numbers suggest a bike is slightly more tame than the Husky or KTM. It's an interesting in-between spot and I think I really good one for less-aggressive ADV bike. There's been a lot of build-up, so long waiting lists... and that means list price until the wait-lists go away. Good for Moto Guzzi.

I just use the standard silver stuff on everything (including as exhaust assembly lube) - don't have any copper.

Good idea having a tire available... but you know Amazon will ship for free to the hotel.

^ what docc said... plus a little anti-seize at the joints helps things move and settle in nicely. Smells good when the anti-sieze burns off.

Well... that didn't take long. Congratulations to both.

I've only bought three new bikes in my life. I seriously thought about waiting for the V85 - then I got my Husky 701, which I love. But I could imagine having one of these with a proper set of luggage.

I do believe we overlooked an important band. Who? Glad you asked:

I have had the privilege of a ride on this lovely machine. It is truly impeccable. She's so pretty that my Ducati actually fainted in her presence and needed her ECU re-booted. And the CF rear fender is a nice one-off - you should post a pic showing how that is mounted. Any identifying numbers on the 3-step touch-up paint? Those would come in handy. I know the frame paint is Halford's toolbox red.

Glad you are pleased with the handling now. The Ohlins shocks were 10mm longer than the standard Sachs. Getting the suspension set correctly (starting with sag) transformed my Scura, although for pure handling, my ST3 surpasses it - as did your Aprilia.

I think I have a spare bolt for the same reason.

This one was stripped to bare metal, then painted with rattle-can Primer, then Nu-Cast Aluminum Engine Case Paint and clear coat (all by VHT). 3 coats of each.

That looks like what I used. It comes in lots of sizes.

A CF alternator cover... that would have to save at least 3 ounces compared to the stock part. I have the 3M clear stuff on the leading edge my Scura's carbon fiber belly pan (aka chin spoiler). It still looks great (except for the damage I did in the first two weeks without the protective tape).

Drops weight Looks cooler Easier access to stator and a few other bits in that general area Eliminates a somewhat common risk of cracking at the crossover weld Seems to run the same with or without crossover I had an 03 LeMans with the crossover. First I just had the crossover holes welded, then I replaced them with clean pipes from a 2002 bike.

Docc - I thought that cut-out was your idea. I have not seen it done. However, looking at the damaged rear (final drive) collar, it seems to have contained the fractured casting. A relief cut on the front might provide a place for a broken part to catch - causing shrapnel. The front collar seems potentially longer than needed. Maybe you could just shave off a few millimeters to get access - or resign yourself to not being able to lube that front U-joint without major effort.

I assume that a big half-circle at the rear-face at the top position would do the trick. Since you have to take it all off anyway, just keep your grease gun handy. You can keep cutting until you have access. I have a spare front collar you could experiment with, but Footgoose probably has one too.

That's over 100,000 miles on that driveshaft before fatigue, right? Good that you already have a replacement on the way. Off with the swingarm... and this is a good time to put a relief in the front collar for easy access with grease gun. Or did you already do that?

I think that is the same fender as I put on my Scura. The part is meant to fit the Ohlins forks. More details at this post in the encyclopedia of compatible parts. https://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19514&p=215632 And here is the Scura with fender installed:

Here's another Husky post... I had some business near San Francisco and the timing was right to make it a family road trip. The 701 is light enough to take on a hitch carrier. This picture taken at Pinnacles National Park - the Eastern side, which is on the most excellent CA Route 25 (and I did ride quite a bit of that road). Pinnacles was protected in 1908, and is currently best-known as a reintroduction site for California Condors, which became extinct in the wild in the 1980s. We didn't see any Condors, but we did see a huge Golden Eagle. While I was working in San Ramon, the family had the truck and I commuted on the bike. On my last day of work, they went ahead into San Francisco and I did the 45-mile, evening-traffic lane-split into the city on the bike (this bike is an incredible lane splitter, because it is so narrow and tall). Rewarded by another trip to Caffe Sport, a Sicilian restaurant in the North Beach district. Next day, I got to ride over the Golden Gate bridge with one of my daughters, then with another for a ride around Panoramic Highway, which circles Muir Woods National Monument. I did a couple little solo excursions on the bike, including the poorly paved, steep and narrow Bolinas Road that went through some redwood forest. We spent quite a bit of time at Point Reyes National Seashore, which has great hikes and abundant wildlife. As for the National Parks we visited, I think the highlight was Muir Woods National Monument (obviously no riding in there). It's basically impossible to take a satisfactory picture of the old-growth Redwood trees, which can be 2,000 years old and 350 feet tall. But here's one shot that will give you a sense of walking among them. And on the bike... this was not really traditional "adventure bike" usage, but it sure added some convenience and fun to the trip. I think my daughters will always remember riding through the Redwoods (outside the park). Therefore it was an adventure.

Haha - well, I am down to three functioning bikes now. But there are always interesting options out there.

The wheels are painted - if it was powdercoat, the chips would be much deeper, since the powder is thicker than paint. But doesn't the Coppa Italia have the same brown-ish wheels as the Cafe Sport? The rest of the V11s have dark grey wheels. Powdercoating looks great, it's not terribly expensive, and it is super-easy to keep clean. But you have to remove the bearings - so new bearings could add to the expense. If you've just got chips on the edges, you could brush on touch-up paint.

Yes. I just sent you a message.