Moto-Guzzi V85TT Review

[flying_hun]

Definitely not knocking the engine at all, I also liked the feel of it. In terms of fueling I started in Rain and then went to Road pretty quickly. To be fair I'm not very calibrated with throttle-by-wire and have disliked all of them I've used compared to older school cable throttles. I don't like the lightness of electronic throttles at all.

Fair enough. What you like and don't like is based on what works for you. It's true that the throttle is very light, maybe too light. I've heard this complaint about other ride by wire throttles. This is my second ride by wire bike, and it is a little lighter than the first one, but it hasn't been a problem for me. We're both right. That's why it's so nice to get an extended test ride by renting a bike.

 

[flying_hun]

Milestone today. A little less than a year of ownership. Apparently, I like riding it.

 

[Queeg5000]

Milestone today. A little less than a year of ownership. Apparently, I like riding it.

Have you had any mechanical or electrical issues during your ownership? I'm eyeing the V100 Mandello, but I've heard some horror stories about Moto Guzzis. I'm wondering if modern Guzzis live up to their predecessors' reputation for reliability (or lack thereof).

 

[flying_hun]

Have you had any mechanical or electrical issues during your ownership? I'm eyeing the V100 Mandello, but I've heard some horror stories about Moto Guzzis. I'm wondering if modern Guzzis live up to their predecessors' reputation for reliability (or lack thereof).

The only electrical related issue I've experienced is one I don't think is electrical at all. Before the first service I noticed that when I was in first gear that the indicator would often show I was in sixth or some other gear. The dealer replaced the sensor. The problem persists. I will take it back to the dealer before 24K to give them another shot. In the meantime, I suspect the problem is with how it's installed and set up, not with the sensor itself.

Other than that, it's been just fine. 20K miles in 11.5 months, 8K of that in a three week span. It's run like a top the whole time. Everything else works as designed.

 

[usedtobefast]

Have you had any mechanical or electrical issues during your ownership? I'm eyeing the V100 Mandello, but I've heard some horror stories about Moto Guzzis. I'm wondering if modern Guzzis live up to their predecessors' reputation for reliability (or lack thereof).

I've owned 4 Moto Guzzi's, and to buy the V100 first year, I think, would be a risky thing to do. They have messed up stuff as simple as going from a 2 valve head to a 4 valve head. The V100 has many new things they have not done before (by MG).

But, if you come from the KTM or Ducati world, and the V100 would be another fun bike in your fleet, and you are OK taking bikes back to the dealer multiple times for them to sort things out, and wait on parts ... then you might have the correct mindset.

2 of the Moto Guzzi's I owned were 2017 models, that I bought new, and had been around a while (no new tech or major changes) ... and both were as reliable as a Suzuki v-strom. And worlds easier to work on than a Suzuki or Honda. (Like valve check/adjustments are super easy on the MG bikes). Zero issues at all with them.

But Moto Guzzi still does goofy stuff ... like bikes coming with too much oil in the final drive so then the seal leaks ... into the dealer, new seal, proper oil level put in, all good.

Or machining that is a bit too rough and seals gets worn and leaks.

Or a transmission with no way to check the oil level ... it has a drain bolt and a fill bolt ... some bikes came with too low of oil level in the transmission ... if you bought a new one and was worried about that, well, you gotta drain the oil out and refill with the proper amount. Not hard to do, not expensive, but kind of silly to have to worry about these kinds of things.

 

[Queeg5000]

The only electrical related issue I've experienced is one I don't think is electrical at all. Before the first service I noticed that when I was in first gear that the indicator would often show I was in sixth or some other gear. The dealer replaced the sensor. The problem persists. I will take it back to the dealer before 24K to give them another shot. In the meantime, I suspect the problem is with how it's installed and set up, not with the sensor itself.

Other than that, it's been just fine. 20K miles in 11.5 months, 8K of that in a three week span. It's run like a top the whole time. Everything else works as designed.

Wow 8k in 3 weeks! Certainly a test of the bike's reliability. I'm glad to hear that at least some new Guzzis can be reliable.

 

[Queeg5000]

I've owned 4 Moto Guzzi's, and to buy the V100 first year, I think, would be a risky thing to do. They have messed up stuff as simple as going from a 2 valve head to a 4 valve head. The V100 has many new things they have not done before (by MG).

But, if you come from the KTM or Ducati world, and the V100 would be another fun bike in your fleet, and you are OK taking bikes back to the dealer multiple times for them to sort things out, and wait on parts ... then you might have the correct mindset.

2 of the Moto Guzzi's I owned were 2017 models, that I bought new, and had been around a while (no new tech or major changes) ... and both were as reliable as a Suzuki v-strom. And worlds easier to work on than a Suzuki or Honda. (Like valve check/adjustments are super easy on the MG bikes). Zero issues at all with them.

But Moto Guzzi still does goofy stuff ... like bikes coming with too much oil in the final drive so then the seal leaks ... into the dealer, new seal, proper oil level put in, all good.

Or machining that is a bit too rough and seals gets worn and leaks.

Or a transmission with no way to check the oil level ... it has a drain bolt and a fill bolt ... some bikes came with too low of oil level in the transmission ... if you bought a new one and was worried about that, well, you gotta drain the oil out and refill with the proper amount. Not hard to do, not expensive, but kind of silly to have to worry about these kinds of things.

All the new technology on the bike is something I had not considered adequately I think... I had only been thinking of general brand reliability. Teething problems seem a definite possibility what with a new engine and those fiddly aero bits. But it does look oh so sexy... Maybe the best strategy would be to wait a while to see if any of the "goofy" issues show up.

 

[Dogfeathers]

Also nice to look at a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle, not some angled transformer nuclear alien insect looking thing. I wanna give that Moto Guzzi a hug!

 

[Queeg5000]

Also nice to look at a motorcycle that looks like motorcycle, not some angled transformer nuclear alien insect looking thing. I wanna give that bike a hug!

Agreed. Almost guaranteed to age gracefully, unlike others (lookin at you MT-10!)

 

[InsuranceGuy]

Next time someone asks me what I ride I will say, an angled transformer nuclear alien insect looking thing. I bet they will say, So how do you like your KTM.

 

[Queeg5000]

Lol. I honestly give KTM a pass because they've always looked that way

 

[flying_hun]

Also nice to look at a motorcycle that looks like a motorcycle, not some angled transformer nuclear alien insect looking thing. I wanna give that Moto Guzzi a hug!

Agreed. Almost guaranteed to age gracefully, unlike others (lookin at you MT-10!)

Next time someone asks me what I ride I will say, an angled transformer nuclear alien insect looking thing. I bet they will say, So how do you like your KTM.

 

[LowerRPMs]

Thank you for taking the time to explain your observations. I’ve wanted a Moto Guzzi for years and it looks like the V100 Mandello S might fit the bill.

Thanks again

Same here. The V85TT is on my short list, but the the first time I laid eyes on that V100, it jumped to the top of my - seemingly ever changing - short list.

 

[flying_hun]

Same here. The V85TT is on my short list, but the the first time I laid eyes on that V100, it jumped to the top of my - seemingly ever changing - short list.

Yeah, that V100 looks amazing!