This weekend, I fixed the leaking bevel box on my V50 and then did 90 miles just to test it. That thing puts a huge grin on my mug. Its so much fun on twisty roads.
I then test rode a V85 Strada. Some things I liked a lot (engine and chassis) some things not so much (rear foot peg hangers get in the way). Can’t decide whether to go for it. Not sure if it’ll feel too slow. The V100 will definitely be plenty quick enough but the wife doesn’t like the pillion seat
@Phil_Gough I have a fair bit of experience with shoulder injuries (ex downhill mountain bike racer). If its painful, get it checked out. Tissue damage is actually worse than broken bones in the shoulder and the sooner you can get physio the quicker it’ll recover. Broken bones hurt but recovery is pretty simple. Tissue damage isn’t as painful but won’t recover on its own and can hurt for years. Im still getting pain from a separated shoulder 6 years on. For now, keep dosed up on ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and pain.
Speaking as an (ex) Nurse I hope you know that inflammation is part of normal healing (increased blood flow etc) so anti-inflammatory meds (Ibuprofen, aspirin etc) should be avoided when bones are healing and used at the lowest effective level when soft tissue is healing.
Ive always been told to take antibiotics inflammatory medication for muscle injuries like separated shoulder or dislocation but not for broken bones. Due to having a stupid and dangerous hobby and not being all that good at it, Ive smashed my shoulders on trees and rocks many times. Im getting too old for it but not likely to do the sensible thing and stop or just slow down.
Fact is we are, all of us in whatever respect, a product and embodiment of our scars. Physical, mental or existential. We start out full of the hubris of being young and alive and proceed along the hard road to humility. In some ways that is the hardest one to swallow!
Ha! Very good Johnny. Just my take on many of the stories and comments I see on here regarding the challenges of our mishaps?
A simpler statement might be what many of us here know only too well..’gettin’ old ain’t for cissies!’ I am reminded of that every time I swing a leg over the saddle and silently warn myself to behave! Does not always work! The evil genie still gets out of the bottle sometimes despite my efforts. Thus I muse at times whether I might still grow up and achieve the Nirvana of common sense. I am not putting money on it though!
PS. Another ‘ex nurse’ here. Spent decades looking after head and spine trauma. Go figure.
After neuro nursing i ran away to Psych so I should know why I still ride like an idiot but that is part of the joy of it.
I have traded down from 150hp (Monster 1200s) and razor sharp sports engines (790 Duke) to the v85tt i have also lowered the ride height so my stumpy legs have more chance. But at 71years presumably there weill come a time when it is all too much… Hope i notice before i put the bike through a hedge or into traffic. lol
I’d imagine we could have some interesting stories to tell.
Oddly I did it the other direction. Both RGN RMN registered but stuck with Neurosurgery. Never lost interest in mental health and human Psychology and the subtle interface between the two.
Also, like you, after 20yrs apprenticeship on various other machines eventually wound down from 30yrs of hyper Kawasakis to my now ‘humble’ 115hp. More than enough nevertheless. At 74 now flexibility and strength slowly waning every year! (The ‘humility track’)
Pity so far away. Would be fun to share a couple of pints and talk ‘old guy shit’. Be careful out there!
Well, RGN with the additional year of ENB219: orthopaedics. Then a few years of A&E/Observation ward.
You’d think we’d know better! (maybe not…)
(edit) I was very much square peg/round hole, went into nursing after my engineering apprenticeship resulted in unemployment, I think orthopaedics was the closest to engineering I could find!
Anyone with engineering qualifications is very much in demand now and at last, pay is starting to reflect that. I did my apprenticeship with 8 other lads. Im the only one still in the country, the rest all went to Australia for better pay in engineering. I wish id gone as well.
My wife is currently training in mental health to be a councillor for people with neuro divergent conditions. Im fairly sure she’s constantly assessing me and the dog.
Back on topic. I looked at the oil leak on my V50 and wished I hadn’t.
To your previous remark.. Orthopaedics and Spinal surgery is heavily engineering dependent these days. Materials and structures? Small scales by comparison admittedly.
When our economies collapse completely and no one can afford techno goodies any more your upcycling old tech could be a winner! Power to you!
On a side note.. nurses are all about solutions and fixing things. Just do it people when no one alse is doing it.
I had a 2017 tracer before the 2021 V85TT. The engine on the tracer was mega, suspension not great even after a bit of work. The seat was awful after a couple hours. A lot of noise from screen. 18000 mile service a lot of work, cams out etc as valve clearance close up (exhaust).
Now the V85 is not as fast but covers distance on A and B roads quickly and in comfort, suspension is good, can feel a bit under geared on motorways if you need to go much above 70, and fuel consumption suffers. Servicing if out of warranty is easy. I have no real reliability issues If you like the character of the V50 you may well get on with the V85. I’m 82kg and ride solo. Hope this helps.
I had a second test ride on a V85 today and decided I really like everything except the power output. I then tried a V100 Mandello which I really liked a lot, apart from the price so now I might have to find a nice used V100 or stick with the Tracer.
Traded in my ‘22 V7 Guzzi Stone last October for a brand new Moto Guzzi V7 Sport (not a bad deal from Appleyards, Keighley). I don’t do cold and wet, so it was on Wednesday 18th March, after washing and checking the bike over, that I took her out for the first time after the winter storage.
Clitheroe to Todmordon to Hebden Bridge to Haworth to Barrowford to Gisburn and home. A jolly lovely 70 miles along the Calder valley and over moorland in perfect dry and sunny weather!
The Guzzi ran beautifully!
I prefer to ride alone, at my own pace, stopping where I wish and lost in the moment. Happy days!
Just my take on many of the stories and comments I see on here regarding the challenges of our mishaps?
The evil genie still gets out of the bottle sometimes despite my efforts. Thus I muse at times whether I might still grow up and achieve the Nirvana of common sense. I am not putting money on it though! 
At 74 now flexibility and strength slowly waning every year! (The ‘humility track’)
Small scales by comparison admittedly.