Kiowa Eagle, Ollie and GO

[the Ferret]

A thread over on the ST forum. I hope you can see it from my link:

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads...-a.184658/

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thanks Ferret. I will definitely take a look at it (I can see the thread).

[the Ferret]

Here's the main thread about the V85

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads...st-2450801

[KiowaEagle_imp]

I'm seeing a lot of what most people say about the bike. Overall favorable. It's a fun, comfortable, do it all motorcycle that's a little quirky but you quickly learn to like the quirks.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Agreed. I have the 2021 model and it behaves as expected (including after reading all the reviews and blog posts), and everything works (in my case at least).

The V85TT is fun. I liken it to "tractor" fun. It also enhances why you bought other bikes like the CB1100 and reminds you how refined Hondas can be.

[peterbaron]

Ride what you like and love, then any maladies won’t bother you at all!

[Ollie]

Thanks ferret I just read grabcon's post and glanced through the others there as well. I pretty much concur with his review.
Grabcon has a (nicely equipped) 2020 and one of the changes from 2020 to 2021+ is the gear indicator functions even when stopped and clutch in.
Another is engine mapping improved low and mid-range power on 2021+, at the expense of a few HP at the top.

When it comes to rider felt heat from the engine and exhaust I have yet to notice any on my 2021 with stock headers and cat, BUT the hottest it's been here was when it reached 91F for two days. I know the 2020 bikes put out more heat but the cat was removed on his...... but he was also riding in the upper 90's.

Grabon's came with aftermarket suspension but I feel the stock suspension on this bike is very good. It's night and day better than what came on the V7II Stone. I seldom replace suspension components (I just adapt) but I had to replace the shock on the Stone because the bike was almost unridable on rough roads.

I believe the V85TT is a good value and even better when Guzzi promotes it with incentives or rebates. I would expect the numbers of them on the used market to increase when the Stelvio comes out so next year may be a good time to pick up a used one.

[GoldOxide_imp]

The OEM V85TT suspension seems very good to me too.

[the Ferret]

Some people just have to fiddle no matter how good something is. Being around forums for years I have found there are about 7 distinct groups of motorcycle enthusiasts......

Suspension people ... they just have to put new shocks and rebuild the forks on any bike they buy right away. Its in their plans when they take delivery before even riding it. They can speak endlessly about sag, spring rate, compression damping, rebound and preload

Power people: no matter how much power a bike has, or can legitimately be used, they just have to tweak it with fueling, ecu, gearing, exhaust changes etc, like to speak about compression ratios and cam profiles and timing

Ergo people.. these people have to change windshields, seats, footpegs, handlebars or add bar backs, like to speak about rider triangles

Electronics people : these people need to alter lighting, horns, install extra electronic power supplying sources, guages to read volts, temps, tps, gps, etc. Highly interested in alternator output. Can read wiring diagrams like I read comic books. Seem to speak a lot about grounds, fasteners and wiring clips. You should see the cockpits of the sport touring or ADV versions of this group. It would confuse an F14 pilot.

Weight people: these people will do anything to reduce the weight especially the unsprung weight and will spend thousands on custom wheels to save a couple of pounds. They remove their centerstands first thing. I once had a guy tell me he saved 6 oz by changing handlebar levers to shorty levers. Like to speak about power to weight ratios.

Custom people: these people want a certain look above everything else. Come in two versions, chopper and cafe'. First thing they throw away are stock mirrors. They stick on the widest back tire they can, shorter rear shocks, chop the front and back fenders, stick on dinky tail lights and turn signals, higher or clip on handle bars (depending on version) and find the shortest muffler they can or just chop the stock one off by the footpeg. Oh yea, and everything has to be flat black.

Good enough people: these people buy the bikes and just ride them as they come from the factory. Factory bars, factory seat, factory suspension, factory lights, factory mirrors, factory exhaust.etc, cause how they came from the factory is good enough.

Now there is nothing wrong with any of these groups, and modifying or not modifying a bike to suit ones personal taste, needs or desires is not only acceptable, but recommended.

Sincerely hope everyone recognizes this post was meant for entertainment purposes only and was not meant to offend anyone. Hope you got a chuckle out of it.

[GoldOxide_imp]

A recent new breed to make it eight (8) distinct groups:

Android Auto and Apple Carplay riders.

All they blog about is the problems associated with the motorcycle interface, Bluetooth problems and other related sub-issues. It almost seems they don't ride anywhere.