Moto Guzzi V85 2024 - New variations around their selling flagship! Italian but English subtitled.

[audiomick]

21 minutes ago, PJPR01 said:

 I don't think the production numbers were particularly large, right?

They weren't, but I don't think that was the plan.

[theoneandonly]

Quota , a little quirky , get 'em sorted and they're fine . i've got 2 . , 2 mates in Italy have some . odd parts ...you just have to work eBay a bit. 

there were no more than 40 imported into the UK. 

[Gmc28]

On 1/7/2024 at 3:22 PM, p6x said:

I have not; now ride testing a V85 will most likely be less challenging than tracking a Quota, or so it seems. I can easily go to AF1 in Austin and check out a V85TT in less than two shakes of the lamb's tail.

I have ridden "Trail bikes" before. Honda dominator, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki while I was in Sicily. My bike was an Harley Davidson at the time, but my colleagues liked to ride on the beaches.

I have been drawn to the Quota because of its oddity. I also like that the engine is very similar to our V11s. I had the opportunity to see a Quota up close and personal last year in Boise, and I liked it. If the seller had not tempered with the clutch and brake levers by removing the balled ends, I probably would have gone ahead and purchased it, despite not really liking the color.

 

I assume Austin will be easier, but if by chance you’re going to the John Day Oregon event in June, I’ll have my V85 a few hours from there if u want to go for a spin.  I’ll have the Lemans in John Day, but half a state away will the V85.  Might even have the foolishly expensive new exhaust and other doo-dad tomfoolery installed by then…

i rented the V85tt in Mandello, as the consolation prize because the new Stelvio had just been taken/rented by someone else.  But ended up really enjoying the V85, much more than I had anticipated.  Of course lake Como area in the sun, pasta, wine, and amazing back roads in the mountains above/behind Varenna does tend to put one into a less demanding state of mind, so hopefully i won’t regret my leap into the V85 here at home. 

[Gmc28]

For what it’s worth, not regretting the v85tt, which is now my official opinion.  Mine is a 2022 (bought it used), not the 2024 from the thread title, but today was the unintended test to settle things.  Left Denver (Longmont) in unforecast light drizzle and wet snow, and being the child that i am i headed out and upward in elevation.  Forecast was for 39 degrees at the coldest, but Apple weather was garbage as always and it dropped to 29 (f), in wet snow.  Pavement was fine, but the moisture made it painfully cold, even with the electric gear.  Sigh.  But in rain mode (pioggia) to assist, she handled smooth, and then when we finally broke out into balmy 38 degree weather and dry air/road, she picked up the pace and danced along beautifully.  

Then on the highway slog later in the day, something i didn’t test in Italy on the rental v85, i locked cruise control at 85 and she was smooth and steady even in the blustery wind.  Only complaint is I thought I had heated grips… but I don’t.  Just the button.  Cruel Italian. 

So have had her now in the Italian mountain twisties, nasty cold & wet in CO, and open highway at high speed in WY, and she’s checking all the boxes.  Now to waste more hard earned cash on guzzitechs mods to juice up the HP and exhaust, something she does NOT need, but the child in me will keep the upper hand, and money shall be well wasted.

[p6x]

On 4/14/2024 at 9:28 PM, Gmc28 said:

I assume Austin will be easier, but if by chance you’re going to the John Day Oregon event in June, I’ll have my V85 a few hours from there if u want to go for a spin.  I’ll have the Lemans in John Day, but half a state away will the V85.  Might even have the foolishly expensive new exhaust and other doo-dad tomfoolery installed by then…

i rented the V85tt in Mandello, as the consolation prize because the new Stelvio had just been taken/rented by someone else.  But ended up really enjoying the V85, much more than I had anticipated.  Of course lake Como area in the sun, pasta, wine, and amazing back roads in the mountains above/behind Varenna does tend to put one into a less demanding state of mind, so hopefully i won’t regret my leap into the V85 here at home. 

If I was to succumb to the modern bike temptation, the V85 would most likely be the one. Not the V100s. I have no rationale explanation, but I think it resides with the cooling fins look of the older blocks.

Thanks for the offer!

I no longer drive test anything. I did not test drive the Quota, I just bought it. My philosophy about test drives is they don't tell you much more than what you can get from the numerous videos and reviews floating on the web. This was not true for the Quota though, but for that, I did not care as it was purely a subjective desire. I was going to like it, one way or the other.

As for that part of Italy, it is surely "enchanteresque". I worked 10 years in Italy, North to South, East to West, but there was never any job close to the Como Lake. I was based in Milan for some of the years, but spent my time in the shanty places rather than the idyllic ones ;-)

[p6x]

@Gmc28 riding in the cold on a motorbike is never going to be comfortable, whatever the crutches you use to improve the experience.

I have never tried riding in the cold using heated grips, heated gloves, heated underwear, what not. My motto always was: rise to the occasion and take it like a man. I don't know if I would still be able to do it.

As for ride modes, I never had any, and I always assumed the control I have of my right hand would suffice.

I know that I should not be repulsed by technology, but I feel I don't need it, don't want it. Maybe I am stubborn, and it is very possible.

But I always found riding in the cold exhilarating! I was in Alaska a few years ago, to see the Norther lights, and I was wondering how it would feel like riding my Guzzi in that kind of environment. At the time, I only had the V11. I am sure the Quota would not mind...

[Gmc28]

2 minutes ago, p6x said:

If I was to succumb to the modern bike temptation, the V85 would most likely be the one. Not the V100s. I have no rationale explanation, but I think it resides with the cooling fins look of the older blocks.

Thanks for the offer!

I no longer drive test anything. I did not test drive the Quota, I just bought it. My philosophy about test drives is they don't tell you much more than what you can get from the numerous videos and reviews floating on the web. This was not true for the Quota though, but for that, I did not care as it was purely a subjective desire. I was going to like it, one way or the other.

As for that part of Italy, it is surely "enchanteresque". I worked 10 years in Italy, North to South, East to West, but there was never any job close to the Como Lake. I was based in Milan for some of the years, but spent my time in the shanty places rather than the idyllic ones ;-)

All very good.  Sounds like you pulled trigger on the Quota, so that should be fun.  Might you ride that to John Day?

I should have started my opining above about the v85 by confirming that i think such opinions are nearly useless, albeit potentially entertaining, as they are so subjective, and serve mainly to either reinforce others love of the machine, or in some cases perhaps to help someone interested avoid a trait they very much want to avoid.  I know that various versions of my younger self over the years would not have loved the bike as much as I do now.  I used to scoff at my good friend who first had a V11 Lemans back when I had my ST4… friendly competition.  Now the V11 is my favorite. 

The V85 so far is doing everything well, but doesn’t necessarily win “best of class” in any category.  As a total package, it needs no excuses despite some areas where it could in fact be improved, and is consistently bringing a smile. 

 

[Gmc28]

On 4/20/2024 at 6:51 AM, p6x said:

@Gmc28 riding in the cold on a motorbike is never going to be comfortable, whatever the crutches you use to improve the experience.

I have never tried riding in the cold using heated grips, heated gloves, heated underwear, what not. My motto always was: rise to the occasion and take it like a man. I don't know if I would still be able to do it.

As for ride modes, I never had any, and I always assumed the control I have of my right hand would suffice.

I know that I should not be repulsed by technology, but I feel I don't need it, don't want it. Maybe I am stubborn, and it is very possible.

But I always found riding in the cold exhilarating! I was in Alaska a few years ago, to see the Norther lights, and I was wondering how it would feel like riding my Guzzi in that kind of environment. At the time, I only had the V11. I am sure the Quota would not mind...

Well, not to get too far off thread topic, but will indulge in a quick offshoot… cold riding.  Partly in defense of my childish behavior yesterday on the v85 :->

i lived in alaska for a good number of years, and have mostly TomChri’s type blood in me, Norwegian, so maybe thats whey the cold is not as bothersome 😉.  Used to ride year round (on a BMW RT), but In truth, I have only very rarely in the last couple decades decided to man-up and purposely ride into very cold weather, choosing instead to re-schedule whatever i had planned when the weather gods were smiling more.  Last month I had planned to go get the V85 from Denver, and the weather looked good, right up until i was about to leave, then went downhill fast (dumped snow). Cancel.

This time forecast was decent, a lot warmer on the western end of the ride (today… supposed to be mid 60’s in Boise later), and nothing forecasted worse than brief periods down around 42 and dry on the east/denver end.  But as often happens, crappy apple weather app forecasts and spiteful weather gods conspire and i end up needing to “man up” as you alluded.  Oh well… so be it.  Riding for an hour or so through nasty cold, snowy conditions is what it turned into, so thats ok.

You riding the Quota to John Day?

[p6x]

On 4/20/2024 at 9:13 AM, Gmc28 said:

ou riding the Quota to John Day?

I am still waiting for it.

I gave it to MPH Cycles for a baseline after I purchased it. Then I decided to fix the Tachometer and refresh both Tachometer and Speedometer at Casa di Moto in Germany. That took the complete month of March and some, because of an issue with customs. The instruments were imported permanently in Germany instead of temporarily, and FedEx was trying to make us pay for it when the customs declaration was a clear "repair and return".

I recently went to check and Davey is swimming in motorcycles to get ready for the riding season. As long as I have the V11 to roam around, I am fine. Besides, I never quite understood how he manages his work. I thought he followed FIFO, but it is not evident that he does. The first time I went there, I was informed the turn around time is about six weeks. Now that I have a little experience with them, I'd say six weeks are optimistic. I only make use of their services for what I can't do myself.