I’d written in the V85TT thread:
Great torque down low and very smooth power to red line. With the height it is not as agile in the tight curves as the V85 but not far off, and still worlds better than the 1200s. The wind management is vastly better than on the V85TT but I do think I’d want a slightly bigger windshield. I liked that you could change the traction control and inhibit the ABS easily. Even so it is more biased toward roads and gravel than true hard core off road.
The two complaints I’ve seen on the Guzzi forums are (1) weight and top heaviness and (2) it’s almost too Japanese.
Yes, it is a bit tall and top heavy to push around but nothing like Super Ten, GS, or big Triumph. Starting out with just making little circles in the parking lot you could feel how much lighter and more maneuverable it is. So I’d say this is a characteristic and not an actual negative.
As for being “too Japanese,” yes it is very nicely finished and refined unlike the Guzzis of old times. The bike as a whole is well balanced. Power delivery is really smooth and linear. Turn off the traction control and the front wheel comes up any time you want. Plus not many Japanese bikes have top notch suspension parts.
The only downer was how the rear seat catches the tailbone, as I originally suspected it might. After 20 minutes it really does become a pain in the ass. What was shocking was how much better it was simply by popping off the rear seat. With just that I could’ve ridden all day. Since we tend to ride 2-up a lot an aftermarket seat will be in order.
Finally got a chance to take one out for a half hour plus in the twisted of Western Maryland and liked it so much I’m going to start looking for one to replace the V85. The bike does everything well, is really well balanced overall and what I wish Yam would do with the S10.
Great torque down low and very smooth power to red line. With the height it is not as agile in the tight curves as the V85 but not far off, and still worlds better than the 1200s. The wind management is vastly better than on the V85TT but I do think I’d want a slightly bigger windshield. I liked that you could change the traction control and inhibit the ABS easily. Even so it is more biased toward roads and gravel than true hard core off road.
The two complaints I’ve seen on the Guzzi forums are (1) weight and top heaviness and (2) it’s almost too Japanese.
Yes, it is a bit tall and top heavy to push around but nothing like Super Ten, GS, or big Triumph. Starting out with just making little circles in the parking lot you could feel how much lighter and more maneuverable it is. So I’d say this is a characteristic and not an actual negative.
As for being “too Japanese,” yes it is very nicely finished and refined unlike the Guzzis of old times. The bike as a whole is well balanced. Power delivery is really smooth and linear. Turn off the traction control and the front wheel comes up any time you want. Plus not many Japanese bikes have top notch suspension parts.
The only downer was how the rear seat catches the tailbone, as I originally suspected it might. After 20 minutes it really does become a pain in the ass. What was shocking was how much better it was simply by popping off the rear seat. With just that I could’ve ridden all day. Since we tend to ride 2-up a lot an aftermarket seat will be in order.
