Super Tenere vs Moto Guzzi V85 TT ?

Checkswrecks

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Hey Jon,
Just saw this post. I am still enjoing my V85 very much. I do miss the Tenere' sometimes but no regrets in the switch. If youare considering one definitely go for the 2021 model. The improvements are noteworthy and the tubeless rims are a big plus.

So far mine has been very reliable only requiring regular service intervals. My main reason for switching was pretty much all the points you made in your post. Lighter weight, simple to service, and just really fun to ride. V85 handles great and that motor really does have it's own character. While being down on power compared to the Tenere', It still has plenty of power for my usage. I never find it lacking on highway speeds until you get near the century mark which I rarely get to anyway. It has a much different power delivery feel comparitively. Ergonimcs are a good fit for me at 6'1", 32" inseam. I can ride it all day very comfortably although like all bikes, I did make some improvements to seat, windscreen, etc.... that really made the difference.

While I don't use mine for everyday highway commuting, It is more than capable of doing that, however, The Tenere' is a better tool for that job for sure. I mostly ride secondary and rural roads with some gravel and easy offroad so the lighter weight and easier handling is a big plus for the V. I

I am very pleased with the Guzzi. I would definitely do it again.

Steve
Long time no hear from you!
Hope life is going well.

Being where you are, I'm guessing you bought from La Moto. Anything you can share about the dealer?

Bob
 

Vespa

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Hey Jon,
Just saw this post. I am still enjoing my V85 very much. I do miss the Tenere' sometimes but no regrets in the switch. If youare considering one definitely go for the 2021 model. The improvements are noteworthy and the tubeless rims are a big plus.

So far mine has been very reliable only requiring regular service intervals. My main reason for switching was pretty much all the points you made in your post. Lighter weight, simple to service, and just really fun to ride. V85 handles great and that motor really does have it's own character. While being down on power compared to the Tenere', It still has plenty of power for my usage. I never find it lacking on highway speeds until you get near the century mark which I rarely get to anyway. It has a much different power delivery feel comparitively. Ergonimcs are a good fit for me at 6'1", 32" inseam. I can ride it all day very comfortably although like all bikes, I did make some improvements to seat, windscreen, etc.... that really made the difference.

While I don't use mine for everyday highway commuting, It is more than capable of doing that, however, The Tenere' is a better tool for that job for sure. I mostly ride secondary and rural roads with some gravel and easy offroad so the lighter weight and easier handling is a big plus for the V. I

I am very pleased with the Guzzi. I would definitely do it again.

Steve
Steve,
Thanks for taking the time to provide an update and perspective - really appreciate it and really helps me out with the decision I'll be taking. I'll keep you posted on what way I go.

Ride safe,
Jon
 

Vespa

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Long time no hear from you!
Hope life is going well.

Being where you are, I'm guessing you bought from La Moto. Anything you can share about the dealer?

Bob
Bob,
I still stalk this forum occassionally (just a lot of members who make great/interesting posts), but just don't personally post too often.

I have not yet bought a Guzzi, because LaMoto doesn't have any fo the 2021 V85 bikes in yet (they just received the 2021 V7s on Monday). I did swing by LaMoto a few months ago to just sit on a 2020 v85 tt, and found the stock seat to be very comfortable, and the overall ergo good for my height and inseam. I spoke to the salesman (who was possibly the owner or dealer manager) quite a bit about Italian bikes (I used to have an Aprilia) and the Super Tenere. I found him to be a very knowledgeable motorcyclist who knew the Guzzi and Aprilia models very well (unlike most other dealerships that sell other brands).

Once La Moto gets a 2021 V85 TT in the door, I plan to test ride and decide if I'll pull the trigger or not.

Jon
 

Checkswrecks

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Ironically I was a few blocks from La Moto yesterday so had a chance to sit on their gray V85 and make vroom vroom noises while it drizzled outside. Definitely want to go back for a test ride as the bike is very comfy. I would need to change the windshield and seat, but that's pretty common for me to do and the Guzzi sites show a lot of others do the same.

The owner is Stewart and I didn't catch his wife's name - nice folks working to get by. He said they barely sell one a month, as the heart of the city where they are located is all about scooters and mopeds, not adventure bikes. He expects the 2021s with the tubeless tires to start arriving mid-June and will mark down the couple of V85s he may have left at that point. It's a small family place with a very skinny profit margin so probably won't be too much of a mark down.
 

Madhatter

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good morning everyone .... its Friday...
one of my buddies 'superman ' traded his 1200 triumph for a v85 ..... his reasons are lighter simpler , not stated , he has owned Guzzis before. he takes delivery this Saturday , and I have to admit I find the bike to be interesting . I like the looks and sitting on it it feels good . the price is right and comes with boxes as part of the deal . he bought a yellow white bike .... I like the red . and im not as happy with the Tenere as I should be (re-flash soon to see if that changes my heart ) . im not sure im ready for less power ( I ride slow this is true , but I know how to use the power when needed ) . so I will be able to get first hand second hand information about this bike . it sure is pretty . I really do not want to trade my Tenere ....
 

Longdog Cymru

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Very Nice bike Steve. Are the rims tubeless?
I believe that one of the updates for 2021 is dedicated tubeless rims, see the link below.

 

gunner

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I did a test ride on a V85 at AF1 Racing in Austin a while back and I didn't think it had sufficent power for that displacement.
 

Streethawk

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good morning everyone .... its Friday...
one of my buddies 'superman ' traded his 1200 triumph for a v85 ..... his reasons are lighter simpler , not stated , he has owned Guzzis before. he takes delivery this Saturday , and I have to admit I find the bike to be interesting . I like the looks and sitting on it it feels good . the price is right and comes with boxes as part of the deal . he bought a yellow white bike .... I like the red . and im not as happy with the Tenere as I should be (re-flash soon to see if that changes my heart ) . im not sure im ready for less power ( I ride slow this is true , but I know how to use the power when needed ) . so I will be able to get first hand second hand information about this bike . it sure is pretty . I really do not want to trade my Tenere ....
I've ridden the V85 TT. Awesome super-mid, shaft driven ADV bike! Lots of character in that engine too! Did not miss the lower displacement (was too busy grinning under the helmet). Would I choose it over the Tenere? Yes, IF:

1) I no longer had the ability or inclination to handle the Tenere's weight.

2) For any other reason, I wanted a lighter ADV bike (the TT is 79 lbs lighter than the ES model).

3) The Tenere's seat height was too high (and I wanted to flatfoot for safety and/or convenience)

4) I could maintain/repair most of the areas/items myself OR have adequate and practical dealership support.

For me, item 1 may apply in the future; as I typically prefer the lighter bike option. The TT definitely fills a unique void (imo).
 

Madhatter

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I can pretty much flat foot any bike ,so height has not been an issue for me .... I've always liked Guzzis from afar , but the v85 just looks right . and on my visits to the dealer have been very positive . AF1 Racing in Austin is a class act ..... feel right at home there . but I want to like my Tenere , so I will do a re-flash to see if it makes it more better as a long term ride . hell it is paid for with less than 5k miles and will take a big hit if I trade . but I like the looks of the Guzzi. what I noticed about the v85 is new foot pegs with some bite would be on the Farkle list if I bought one .
 

maverick2076

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I got the chance to ride one this weekend at MotoGP. The Aprilia demo guy was nice enough to let me take his V85TT out on one of the demo bikes. It’s a beautiful bike. The ergos were good, and the transmission was super smooth. But I felt the power was lacking, and it was definitely buzzy under acceleration. All in all, I really liked it, but I prefer my S10.

I did learn something interesting for you potential buyers. Apparently Guzzi puts on a few 4 day adventure tours every year in places like Yellowstone or the Ozarks. You can sign up on their website. It’s $2500, which pays for bike rental, fuel, lodging, food, etc. The kicker is that, if you buy a bike after the tour, they deduct the $2500 from the price of the bike.
 
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