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My long term review and thoughts of my V85TT

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Hippo-Drones View Drop Down
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    Posted: 30 Dec 2021 at 17:33
If of interest, here is a video review of my thoughts over the time I have owned the lovely V85TT


This is me: www.youtube.com/c/HippoDrones
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Andyb View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Andyb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2021 at 18:36
If the V7 850 had been available when you bought your TT, would you have bought that instead?

Just seems like it gives a lot of on road advantages, a lower seat height and is £3k cheaper.  And if you wanted to run it off road on green lanes you could change the handlebars / tyres quite cheaply.

The only problem I find using my 2014 V7 on light tracks is that I would like a lower first gear - I think the later 6 speed box had this.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Doug Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2021 at 20:16
Enjoyed your review. 

It was me that bought the low seat off you and even though I'm quite tall I've found it to be much more comfortable than the standard. Still using it to this day, your help was much appreciated.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hippo-Drones Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Dec 2021 at 23:07
Originally posted by Andyb Andyb wrote:

If the V7 850 had been available when you bought your TT, would you have bought that instead?

Just seems like it gives a lot of on road advantages, a lower seat height and is £3k cheaper.  And if you wanted to run it off road on green lanes you could change the handlebars / tyres quite cheaply.

The only problem I find using my 2014 V7 on light tracks is that I would like a lower first gear - I think the later 6 speed box had this.

Andyb
Hey Andy, no I'd not.... I have a V7 already which I very much love... maybe I should have customised it to be a scrambler, but I wanted it to be more of a trackday-troll bike, so went for tarmac performance on that bike.
I very much dislike the clutch on my V7, but am assuming on the 850 V7 it is a similar clutch to the V85 so would be a lot better, but I think the V85 will struggle in super snotty mud with it's clutch too as it is a road bike set up and not designed to be slipped as much as a dirtbike would.

Originally posted by Doug Doug wrote:

Enjoyed your review. 

It was me that bought the low seat off you and even though I'm quite tall I've found it to be much more comfortable than the standard. Still using it to this day, your help was much appreciated.
Ahh Doug, that is interesting to hear, I assumed you'd completely gutted it and reshaped it. Do you not find the stitching to be quite stiff though? :-)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Doug Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 08:32
My intention was indeed to take the pan along to the local specialist and have them make a new seat, Saddlecraft's place is only about 2 miles away. 
I thought it might be an idea to try it first so I did a couple of longish rides including a trip from Tyneside across to Keswick, down through the Lakes and ending up in N.Yorks and found it to be much better than the original, didn't even notice the stitching, so it's remained on the bike since.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote johnno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 10:24
Very good thank youThumbs Up for me your bike is the number one color .Thumbs Up
1100 sport corsa , Yam R1, guzzi 650tt rider
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote V85MP Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 11:19
Good review, I do understand your opinion of the way the V85TT feels with its unique charm. (But I like it !)
I do agree that the light switch (RH switchgear) is in an awkward position, but once it's on it is on.  If you need to switch the headlight or fog lights on when moving, set the cruise control and that frees the right hand.
The handlebar muffs I personally don't like, I fitted the Givi Handguard extensions, keeps the rain and wind off those fingers, and with the heated grips and winter gloves, I'm more than comfortable.  (they look better too!)
The Travel Michelin Anakee Tyres I find excellent for road and single track lanes, just make sure the pressures are at the recommended setting. Slightly less and then you can feel the difference.
Also, riding two up the V85 is more than adequate.
Saying all that, a great and honest view of the Moto Guzzi V85TT. 


Edited by V85MP - 31 Dec 2021 at 13:56
Suzuki GT185
...
Triumph Bonneville T100
MG V85TT
Ride in front of the ride
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote BrianR2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 13:12
An excellent, intelligent and balanced review for real-world riders.  Such a pleasant change from the various You-Tube Triumph shopping channels and superannuated boy racers.

Like you, I suffer from shortness of leg.  My solution, as a dedicated non-off roader, is the v7 850, which delights me as much as your Guzzi delights you.

Well done Hippo-Drones.
Brian
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hippo-Drones Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2021 at 16:10
Originally posted by Doug Doug wrote:

My intention was indeed to take the pan along to the local specialist and have them make a new seat, Saddlecraft's place is only about 2 miles away. 
I thought it might be an idea to try it first so I did a couple of longish rides including a trip from Tyneside across to Keswick, down through the Lakes and ending up in N.Yorks and found it to be much better than the original, didn't even notice the stitching, so it's remained on the bike since.
It might be because your legs are longer, so have a better angle along the stitching than I had with mine, we are all different shapes and sizes! :-)

Originally posted by johnno johnno wrote:

Very good thank youThumbs Up for me your bike is the number one color .Thumbs Up
Ahh very kind of you Johnno, thank you :-)

Originally posted by V85MP V85MP wrote:

Good review, I do understand your opinion of the way the V85TT feels with its unique charm. (But I like it !)
I do agree that the light switch (RH switchgear) is in an awkward position, but once it's on it is on.  If you need to switch the headlight or fog lights on when moving, set the cruise control and that frees the right hand.
The handlebar muffs I personally don't like, I fitted the Givi Handguard extensions, keeps the rain and wind off those fingers, and with the heated grips and winter gloves, I'm more than comfortable.  (they look better too!)
The Travel Michelin Anakee Tyres I find excellent for road and single track lanes, just make sure the pressures are at the recommended setting. Slightly less and then you can feel the difference.
Also, riding two up the V85 is more than adequate.
Saying all that, a great and honest view of the Moto Guzzi V85TT. 
Aye, like you say, once on, it is on and like the heated grips, can be left alone until the end of the journey.
Hahaha, the muffs are amazing... but super ugly lol, my vanity can cope with the looks for our short-ish winters, but they are not pretty :D
I guess having an enduro bike with full on knobbly tyres has spoilt me, as I find the Anakee tyres pretty sketchy on the wet mud and dry sand, fine on gravel or dry mud though.
I have not taken a passenger on mine, not taken a passenger on a bike for around 13+ years I don't think, but the rear seat does look spacious, and with the top box fitted would give them something to lean against! :-)
Thank you for your comments and feedback V85MP :-)

Originally posted by BrianR2 BrianR2 wrote:

An excellent, intelligent and balanced review for real-world riders.  Such a pleasant change from the various You-Tube Triumph shopping channels and superannuated boy racers.

Like you, I suffer from shortness of leg.  My solution, as a dedicated non-off roader, is the v7 850, which delights me as much as your Guzzi delights you.

Well done Hippo-Drones.
Thank you muchly Brian, aye my V7 and Gixer are both very accessible to my leg length, I had my Beta 390RR lowered 2" to help, and that, although still very tall (890mm seat height, was 940mm) is very easy for me to manage as it is so skinny.

Ta all :-)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fastlaners Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2022 at 03:06
Hello; I have a 2021 V7 850 Special and I really like it; I just added a 2022 V85TT and although it is a bit larger and top heavier feeling and heavier to move around; once you are riding it it feels light, balanced and nimble and it is more confidence inspiring and planted feeling than riding the V7; but I like them both and they offer a somewhat different riding experience. Thanks John
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote fastlaners Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Nov 2022 at 03:13
Owning both the 2021 V7 and the 2022 V85TT the V7 has a lower seating position and being only 5’7” I asked the dealer to install a 1 inch hyperpro suspension lowering kit and remove the rubber bungs under the seat to lower seat height of the V 85TT; it’s almost the same as the V7 now close to flat footed! Thanks John
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