Well, it’s got me good and proper. After having the Bellagio for 8 months, I am thinking of getting another MG.
The Bella is a bike that I love to ride and it gives such great feedback and thrills, but the director doesn’t get on well with being on the back. I put some fugly rear peg extenders which help, but overall the feeling is that this is definitely a rider only bike.
So obvious thing is buy another bike … lol.
I have a BMW F900XR which is currently for sale as I haven’t ridden it since having the Bella and TBF she hated being on the back of that even more.
So do I look at trading in against a V85TT or go more old school and get a California. Both have pro’s and con’s in my mind, but what is the general consensus out there for 2 up. Mostly day rides and the director is 5 foot spit and reasonably light.
The best bike previously for 2 up for us was my old GS850 G with a king and queen seat. Super smooth, quick and comfy.
Ahh, your dilemma is familiar.
I got my V7 hoping it would be a suitable pillion tool, but, for me at least, it simply does not have the space, or the sumptuous ride of my Suzuki Vstrom.
The little 650 Vstrom may only have 67 horses, but it’s still the most ‘competent’ motorcycle I’ve owned almost 40 years of riding.
The only issue I have with it is now the missus and are are more ‘mature and experienced’, we find clambering on and off a pain for short rides.
So like you, I’m considering options..
Thought about a V85.. and have always loved the California but honestly, I don’t need any more oil up my nails, and reading the forum I fear that applies to most other Guzzi’s.
Tried a BMW R1250r.. (the bike 99% of GS owners should have bought) nah, not for me.
Your GS860G.. now that’s was a proper ‘real world’ bike, just a bit long in the tooth now.
Maybe another VFR.?
Had two already, great bikes, they simply ‘work’.. and are bloody cheap now too.
I’m really struggling to find something low, comfy, reliable, frugal.. and don’t fancy a cruiser.
Like you Richie.. ideas on a postcard please 
Hard to beat an 1100/1200 Breva or 1200 Sport for all round comfort for everyone and plenty of fun too.
I have a bmw f800st too and while its dull to ride the Trouble found it great on the back.
I swapped my 1100 Sport for a Spada III when she found the pillion too uncomfortable for touring (Netherlands in the snow!) The Spada seat was comfy but two short for the two of us and Mrs Chris is only a slim lady, (must have been my large bulk on the front!) I swapped that for a Stelvio which kept her very happy on the back, we went to the Med and back through Italy via the factory.
It is the best two up bike I have ever had, but then I am 6’ 2" so I’m not sure it fits your low requirement. My 750S replica is very, very low and I have a dual seat from a 1970’s V7 Sport that fits it…
V85 is good for pillion, as long as you get the suspension set up right. after 4 or 5 hours there might be some complaining depending on pillion’s tolerance and bum size, so an air cushion or similar might help.
i’ve done 27k on mine and probably at least 50% of that is with a pillion and maybe 25% with all the luggage on & pillion.
longest solo trip in a day was about 560 miles, i certainly wanted to get off the bike after that but i was fine to ride again the next day.
really the only way to find out if pillion likes it is try one, we got a test ride at the dealer, it met with pillion approval so i bought one.
Oh definitely will be trying one. Got a test ride booked in for Monday. There won’t be any 4-5hr journeys, maybe 2-3 at most. Big part of the debate is cost. If I go for a Cali, I could probably keep the Bella and run them both. Spending more on a V85, might mean the Bella has to go 
. But hey ho, 1st world problems.
I have a t3 cali and its great! but to be honest in your position id consider a grisso easy cruising all day long two up, and a bit of a hooligan on yer own when you feel like it!.
I’ve had my V85 from new in 2019. 90% of 35,000 miles is done with MrsA on the pillion. I’d echo what Sidthedid says - suspension needs tuning especially if you are heavy like we were (we’ve both lost a ton of weight). A cool cover mesh seat is probably the best upgrade I’ve given the bike. It’s super comfy for us both - the wife can go longer on it than I can. I’ve also added SW Motech lowered pegs as I’m tall plus the high seat means the riding position is very open. I like it a lot. And it still scrubs up really nicely.
We’ve done some long multi-week trips on it in the UK and to Europe fully loaded with camping gear, albeit super lightweight and minimal stuff. In fact we are off on Wednesday to Sardinia/Corsica via Spain on it for 5 weeks.
Downsides, there’s something about the design of the front of the bike that makes them buffety and noisy. I’ve found a very small screen is the best solution but others go down the big screen route. Tbh ear plugs are essential for anything more than nipping to the shop or something.
Otherwise in 6 years of ownership until 2 weeks ago it had never let me down. 2 weeks ago the fly by wire throttle got water in and failed. Expensive but very easy replacement once diagnosed with a diagnostic reader.
If you ride mostly 2 up watch the wheel bearings. Both wheels have needed new ones and I reckon the rear wheel will need another set when we get back from Sardinia.
If buying secondhand the second generation (euro5 bikes) get tubeless wheels and are in a slightly different state of tune meaning more torque lower down at the expense of a smidge less power at the top end. There’s a few other changes too but those are the main benefits. The latest bikes (E5+) have variable valve timing meaning a further small boost in power characteristics as well as host of other electronic and cosmetic changes which I believe addresses the buffeting and noise to some extent.
They are great bikes.
Thanks Austin, that’s some interesting stuff. I hope that you have a lovely time in Sardinia. Would be interesting to hear how it all goes.
Well I took the V85 out for a test ride fully expecting to get a ludicrous PX value for the BMW, but fall in love with the bike and do a deal anyway. As it happens I got offered a great deal (the honda centre had had it in the showroom for 18months or so)… but the bike didn’t feel right to me. So I’m getting WBAB in to get rid of the BMW and will be considering other options. Maybe a Cali as a Sunday bike or maybe even another Vespa again and keep the italian theme running. Either way the Bella is staying in my garage, Just will be solo only.
My V-Strom 1050DE (2023 and new to me) is a sublimely comfortable motorcycle. I traded my baby Strom 650 in for it because I was offered £5k which was a lot more than others offered. The cruise control and other stuff completes the bike although I added Denali lights, air horn, boat load of bars, and now it’s a comfortable, capable machine.
Thanks Justin, looks like a great touring set up. What’s it like for pillion comfort. The Director’s comfort is the only reason I’m looking at anything else now. I love the Bella and would like to be keeping it, so really just thinking of a Sunday bike. I come from being a suzuki fan boy, gs and gsx’s of varying capacity have been under my backside, but have definitely fallen for the Italian eagle. Probably wouldn’t go for an adventure bike, just not my bag. Also the transformer styling of a lot of newer bikes has lost its shine for me now. Old age?? But horses for courses.
How about a Breva or a Norge?
If we are judging bikes on pillion comfort, I would suggest the older 1200 Stelvio from the Guzzi range is hard to beat. This takes into account seat comfort, leg space, wind protection and suspension cushioning. No doubt there are other bikes that excel in some areas but as a general all-rounder, the Stelvio 1200 is a great mix of rider involvement/handling, luggage capacity and pillion friendliness.
Having sung its praises, I PX’d my Stelvio for a V85TT last year and enjoy it more for solo riding on my local roads. I’ve not taken a pillion or done any long distances but most owners suggest it fares well for both. Personally, I think the Stelvio is a hard act to follow IF you are mainly 2-up with luggage, though.
Jon
Jon I agree fully, My 2011 (registered) older Stelvio is very comfortable on distance work, either solo or with a pillion, Karen and I have done some considerable distance on it and it ticks all of the boxes. However, Richie B has ruled out an adventurer style bike, so maybe that excludes the V85TT as well. Hence my suggestion of either a Breva or a Norge, trying to keep options in the Moto Guzzi marque. 
Hi Chris. I have ruled out the V85TT as I didn’t particularly like it when I went for a test ride. After 2 hours in sunshine and torrential rain, I got back to the dealers not feeling what I expected from reviews and videos I had seen.
The more i look at reviews and videos of the Stelvio, the more it seems to fit with what i want from a bike for getting out and about 2 up, to the point where I now have this idea in my head of 2 MG’s in the garage, the Bella for a bit of solo fun and a Stelvio for general use. Just need to try and find one that I can try out, just to see.
Where in the Country are you Richie?
Hi Chris. Shrewsbury, Shropshire
I am on the other side of the country in Essex, so a test ride would be a long day!
There is one for sale in Welwyn Garden City
2009 MOTO GUZZI NTX 1200 STELVIO MOT TO OCT 25 PART EXCHANGE TO CLEAR | eBay UK
Seen that an put a cheeky bid in which probably won’t come to anything, but if it does and I don’t like it, then it’s something to tart up and sell on.