Yeah, still got the V85. 21,000 miles now and getting better. Scrubs up like new apart from a small area on the alternator cover (front of engine) where some paint has peeled in the last few weeks. Generally though the paint, fasteners and the overall finish is much better than any other bike I’ve owned since an airhead bmw. Factory/dealer build wasn’t brill when I first got it with several loose fasteners and common issues, such as final drives leaking. All sorted under warranty and I don’t hear of these issues at all with the later bikes.
Performance wise, solo it’s brill for what it is, faster than I am a rider. It’s got a lot of low down torque yet loves to be revved. Despite that two-up though is a bit soggy: time for the slow lane and a more leisurely ride. The V100 is very tempting albeit an expensive bike. The V100 Stelvio is going to be even harder to ignore although I suspect that one is still a year or two away.
The V85’s big downsid is that it’s a noisy bike (wind noise) and some also report turbulence (not me, just NOISE). There’s dozens of aftermarket screens out there some of which do make things a little better, but it seems the worst of the noise, and some turbulence comes from the cut outs in the tank for the forks and yokes. I think it’s personal and depends on you, your helmet, jacket, how you sit and more variables. Nevertheless I have a Calsci screen bought secondhand which is much taller than standard and little wider and does cut down the noise a lot but I still most definitely need ear plugs for anything over a 3-4 miles. I would say test ride one for a decent distance and at speed before committing.
Mines a E4 compliant bike. From 2021 they are E5. Main changes are colours, tubeless wheels, and in the ECU/fuel map giving the E5 bikes a bit more torque at lower revs at the expense of a bit less Hp at the top end plus more ride modes (changes in throttle response and abs/TC settings not torque or hp). The E5 is apparently the better ride. The exhaust and catalyst has changed making it a life a bit more difficult for the aftermarket guys. The very latest models also get tyre pressure monitors. Otherwise the two versions are pretty much the same.
I’ve made loads of changes to my bike so it’s suits me/us:
High seat plus cool cover.
+2” Wilbers rear shock.
Additional front mudguard (essential)
Crud catcher rear mudguard (unnecessary really)
Heated grips
Bumot panniers and took case
Moto Guzzi top box
Riding lamps
Calsci screen
Full Mistral exhaust: big bore headers, decat collector box and carbon can. It sounds like a proper MGuzzi now.
Tubeless wheels.
There should be some good used bikes coming on the market soon as it seems that loads of people are exchanging for the V100. I’d be looking for one with exhaust mods, decat if nothing else and the Caponord front mudguard with fenda extender fitted. Luggage always a bonus but all the usuals makers have options for luggage. Don’t bother about the “MIA” bluetooth module. It’s not worth it unless it’s free. Check the front of the engine for damage from stones, salt etc. check all recalls done. Otherwise there doesn’t seem to be particular issues to check.
Happy to help. Anything specific?
