I’ve got a little V50 which will be a toy for sunny day rides around Somerset when it’s back on the road (spring hopefully) but it’s coming up to time to replace my 2022 Yamaha Tracer 9GT which get’s used for big days out and the odd weekend away. The replacement needs to be good for 8,000 miles a year, 250+ mile days out, 2 up comfort and lively on twisty roads for a bit of fun and up to £12k used (less is nice). Yamaha level reliability would be nice. Yamaha level corrosion, not so nice.
Would the V100 be the only Guzzi option to fit this description? Or is there something else I should consider as well?
For the first time ever, nothing Japanese is appealing to me and there;s something about the V50 that makes me want another Guzzi even though I’ve never ridden one
They all do that Sir! Once you have one then the garage will slowly fill with Guzzis!
I have a 2011 Stelvio NTX and have crossed the Stelvio pass on it, they don’t get any twistier than that! Two up very comfortable with loads of luggage. The new V100s seem to have continued and improved the experience, but I am not going to update my bike, not yet.
There are a lot of posts on here about the V100 series so search the forum and definitely get a long test ride from a dealer before you buy.
Not the adrenaline power of the Tracer but capable 2 up and loaded and more satisfying imho.
It has a strong reputation as a long distance runner - I do about 10k per annum mostly on 150-250 mile day runs with friends plus 2 up weekends with wife.
Consumption (ridden enthusiastically) 58mpg on e10 & 61mpg on e5.
if you have a inside leg over 30 inch it is very easy to handle if less it needs a lower shock. Apparently comfortable up to 6’4” (i wouldn’t know lol).
Corrosion - body and frame paint are very good. Some nuts and bolts are only Yamaha/Triumph quality (i replace with A4-80grade stainless steel) and some people get corrosion where the polished fin edges meet the valve covers. Nb Even BMW have corrosion nowadays
Thanks. It’s certainly worth a test ride on a V85. I might notice the 40hp difference but hopefully the Guzzi will have more low down punch than the Yamaha triple. I rarely use the top end power of the Yamaha. I did try a Ducati Desert X which I’d imagined would be similar and didn’t like that because the suspension was too soft, I think it was too off road biased.
I ran a Stelvio for a while mainly two up but also used for spirited rides. Massively underrated bike fast comfortable and all day capable. But I found it was getting a bit to heavy to push around. So I got a test ride on a very used V85tt.
Myself and the wife weren’t to hopeful.Smaller less power less topend speed. But was i wrong. I got a new one as I was impressed with the overall quality. The theory was trade it back in if we don’t get on.
Two years later still got it love it. Not as fast as some would like but I found we use more b roads and twisty a roads. Absolutely perfect for the Peak District which is my preferred riding area. But its sound on the motorway too.
Isle of Wight ferry port to Nottingham in less than 3 hours. No aches no pains and more importantly didn’t need to fill up.
The only faults I would say are its a little tight two up. But that’s compared to the Stelvio. The screen is absolutely rubbish for me 6ft. I am waiting to try my latest purchase to see if it helps.
I tried the new Stelvio last summer with a view to trading in V85tt. Not for me.
My advice would be to try and get one for the day. Oh and dont arrange to pick up a new bike on your wives birthday. Apparently its a bad idea.
I’ve done 550 miles a day with luggage on a v85 and several long trips two up as well.
my average milage is 8k per year, you’ll find very good condition used V85s for much less than 12k (base model was less than this new when I got mine).
I had the guzzi touring screen and added a cheap Chinese blade/spoiler off ebay, that worked ok, recently I swapped for a puig screen I got second hand from a member, tried that with a puig spoiler and ended up taking it off, doesnt need it, works really well just with the screen.
the guzzi touring screen is too short without a spoiler and causes bad buffeting.
mine has had to have an expensive service once, the 18k one after riding in salt in winter which caused a caliper to seize, and a wheel bearing failed and damaged the hub spacer (i was still riding it daily even then!) it was under warranty until August last year so I didn’t DIY. usual service cost apart from that one was 250ish at the main dealer, for the basic pil/filters/valves/check it over and any software updates.
valves are easier to do than most bikes as you’ll be aware from your v50.
the main hassle I have had is getting parts, for the hub spacer guzzi just didn’t have any, and were saying it would be a few months. it didn’t help that they were closed for all of August either.
eventually i got new old stock spacer for the old model stelvio, same part number, from that place in Netherlands who sell old guzzi parts.
if you keep enough gaskets and filters etc ready for when you service it yourself it should be fine, that’s what I did on my older bikes, just takes a bit more planning ahead with a guzzi.
oh apparently the brakes are awkward to bleed as well but I’ve not needed to do this myself yet.
the valve clearances are easy - but you have to find tdc as Guzzi dont give a mark on the flywheel. There is one throttle choke so no synchronisation, no ignition settings. Just oil changes, brakes, tyres etc.
Easier to change gerabox oil if you get rid of the exhaust collector box as well (although that apparently includes a catalytic converter) . Picture shows pipes with no collector box and a V100 Stelvio for reference
Yup, V85tt would be a good bet. Not fast but ok for riding at a brisk touring pace. Very roomy and comfortable. Nice quality feel to the construction . Personally, I wouldn’t consider off roading one but I guess you’re not interested in that anyway. Very economical and I have travelled over 250 miles on mine without having to fill up. Only problem with them (and most adventurers) is buffeting from the fairing.
I’m going to give a shout out for the V100 Stelvio (mine is in the background of the seaside photo above). I’m riding it at 15,000 miles a year, it’s been 100% reliable, handling is terrific, engine is a peach with significantly more grunt and top-end than other current models. In my view it retains the Guzzi charm and adds a whole lot of excitement and technology with radar adaptive cruise control if you’d like. I decided on it after a week-long touring holiday on a rented Stelvio two-up with full luggage in Spain. Only downside is more complex servicing - it’s helpful if you have a local service centre - that is inevitably going to cost a bit more.
I’d also benchmark the Mandello, same engine but a physically smaller bike.
If you dont want a newer more modern bike and want to do a lot of the servicing yourself then my call would be grisso lots to choose from and IMO great dynamics but as everits down to personal preferences!.
Personally, and I’m aware this may be seen as disloyal by some.. (especially the many on here who’ve covered serious miles on their Guzzi’s) I’d only consider a Guzzi for touring if I’d already used it extensively and had built proven confidence in the bike.
I really enjoy my Guzzi, it puts a smile on my face, but when I go into Europe I do so on my ‘boringly reliable’ Suzuki Vstrom.
To be honest, I’d jump on a Japanese bike (either a brand new bike or a second-hand one I’d given the once-over) and feel confident it’d get me there and back, but, given the same circumstances, I wouldn’t trust a Guzzi to do the same (whether brand new or new to me).
Again this is just my personal view, but while I quite fancy a V85TT, if I were you with your use in mind, I’d buy Japanese.
The Stelvio doesn’t really appeal to me. Too much like a Africa Twin or BMW GS for my taste. Im not really in to the big adventure bike thing.
There’s also nothing Japanese that appeals more than the Tracer and I’ve done that. Big twins have always been my preferred engine type and the Japanese are killing them off now.
