I rode a V85 and have questions!

Technical V85tt
1

Today I test rode a 2024 V85 Strada. Mostly I really liked it but I have some questions.

When accelerating hard, a red light would start flashing on the dash. Is this normal?

When the road got twisty, I moved my foot back on the pegs as I normally found and found that the rear peg bracket pushed my foot out. Is this something you adapt to after a while?

I’ve read conflicting things about reliability, have you had any issues?

I really liked the engine despite it being 40hp down on my bike. I was really surprised how good it is through the corners, it feels lighter than my Tracer although its not.

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Don’t know about your other queries but is it possible the red light is a ‘shift light’? How high were you revving? Just athought.

3

I have a V7 and from memory it’s to remind you to change gear during running in. It gets taken off during the first service

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4

That makes sense. It was. At around 5500rpm it started.

On the V7, were you able to do 60 - 70mph during running in? Ive never had a new bike so never had to run anything in.

5

the shfft lights are set to 4500 during run in (you can easily change them whenever you want in the menus), so they begin with solid yellow, increasing to solid red, then flashing.

I have mine set higher, so they dont light up for me at all if I’m riding gently, only if I hang on to the gears, riding it hard. in 6th if the lights come on its my warning I’m going too fast because they start to light up about 80 and would be flashing at 100+

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6

There weren’t any yellow shift lights. Just a single, small red light.

7

there is a small flashing red light in the top left, which is the immobiliser light and flashes when igniton off and key out, I’ve never seen it flash when riding but my bike is an older version with a different dash

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8

forgot to add, I found the same with feet feeling pushed out when I got mine, and my boots have rubbed the paint off. I don’t notice the difference anymore because my other bikes are off the road and I’ve done so many miles on the v85 now it feels totally natural.

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9

Had my V85tt E5 for 22k miles and except for a failed LED in one indicator was perfectly reliable and used one oil

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10

Steve hi i am back in the country - if you still want a test sit on a v85tt with pillion etc please PM me

11

Thanks for the offer but we managed to get in to Fowlers at the weekend for the wife to sit on the back of one. She likes it and thinks it’ll be as comfortable as the Tracer 9. We tried sitting on the V100 as well and she didn’t like that at all but looking on the bright side, it saves me a few grand! We’re going up to Frazers tomorrow for a second test ride and possibly pay a deposit on a new one. I just need to get past the fear that I might not be happy dropping 40hp. I really enjoyed the V85 I rode last weekend so I should be fine.

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12

they are not happy at high rpm but you can sit in 6th pretty much all day, uphill or down, from 50mph to 90ish without any stress. even up to about 100 it feels ok but over that the engine feels like its going to shake its heads off (mine will do 116 before it complelty runs out of puff)

for on road riding this is fine, I’ve done plenty of trips with pillion and lots of luggage and it coped with whatever I could carry, full panniers, top box, and then stuff strapped on top of those as well.

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13

Just had a check - 5000rpm gives you 70mph in 4th, 75 in 5th, and 80 in top.

That’s on my V7 850.

Hope it helps

14

The lights on the dash can be adjusted

They start early with an amber and move up to red

You may have noticed this was still around 1000-1500 rpm shy of the red band

It is merely and indicator to let you know it’s about time to concider a gear change

They will however rec into the red band anyway - another 2000 rpm

Guzzi say just don’t stop too long in the red band

There is also a rev limiter if you get really over enthusiastic but few reach it as the red light you experienced brings people’s attention to the fact they are revving a little higher

And of course the torque cuts in so much lower at 3.5-4000

Reliability - mines done 23000+ with two continental tours under its belt. And the only issue has been a puncture so my mind is made up don’t know of yours. I’ve heard some people have issues but not ride halting - things like handlebar switches sticking or not working (heated grips - menu button)

I love mine and I have to say so far it has beaten my might GS1250 on reliability (in defence of GS it was. Flat battery half way through a ride but none the less a resulting of needing roadside solution - oh and had a puncture in that too​:winking_face_with_tongue:) if you decide v85tt I’m sure you won’t be dissapointed

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15

I had another ride on a V85 today. I realised that because the dealer messed me about, making me wait two hours after the arranged time and then only giving me a very short test, I was in a bad mood and rushing so didn’t give it a fair chance. Fowlers gave me a test ride today, I planned a good hour long loop, nice mix of roads and I really enjoyed it. Its a comfortable, mile munching cruiser but great fun on twisty b roads where it felt light, nimble and punchy. The march £900 off deal has ended but there may be a new deal in April, if there is, ill be ordering a new V85TT in fuji rosso plus optional center stand.

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