New V85 Adventure bike

[motrhead]

 Wow! Guzzi just blindsided the faithful! I know the Piaggio director was hinting about a new engine and a new Stelvio replacement, but they really meant it! Lighter, enough hp (80), simplicity, and hopefully the good suspension bits make it to production. I am cancelling my plans to get a YAMAHA T7. I will have a new Guzzi thanks.

[Sport-Touring]

[motrhead]

http://discoverv85.motoguzzi.com/en/

[zebraranger]

Being a Guzzi owner, I received an email on this yesterday. They certainly used some quality hardware on this prototype. Looks like a serious Adventure Enduro Dakar type of bike like the ones Guzzi use to run in the Dakar and African rally's, only with modern technology and shaft drive. If they get it in under the 500 lbs mark, say like 485 or so, it will be a winner. I thinks its definitely more enduro than adventurer tourer. Probably wouldn't look bad with luggage either.

[motrhead]

Yes,it seems to be the bike that us Stelvio owners/former owners were asking for. I am contemplating which bikes I wil have to sell to get one! I suspect my XLCR and Ulysses will be leaving me in the spring, and I will be getting my deposit in to one of the dealers.

[greench440]

Let's call this an "adventure styled bike" because the closest this is going to see to real off road is an unpaved section of road that is under construction.

[motrhead]

No, this is a more seriously capable off road bike. Guzzi says this recalls the rally raids, and is "the first Classic Enduro dedicated to tourism". "The new V85 is dedicated to all those bikers who like to point their finger on the map and leave without stopping when the asphalt ends".
 This bike promises to be much more offroad worthy than the Stelvio, which wasn't bad...so it will see some real off road. The old V65TT/NTX ended up at Dakar, so it's not like Guzzi doesn't know how to build dirt worthy bikes. I expect great things!

[Oilhed]

Let's call this an "adventure styled bike" because the closest this is going to see to real off road is an unpaved section of road that is under construction.

I don't know why people call out Adv style bikes as not for off-road when I've seen people actually off-roading on Honda Nighthawks & Harley Street Bobs

[motrhead]

I don't know why people call out Adv style bikes as not for off-road when I've seen people actually off-roading on Honda Nighthawks & Harley Street Bobs

 Too true! I used to off-road on a Honda CX 650E when it was the only bike I had. My brother still off roads his, to some very gnarly spots! I was lucky enough to discover more suitable bikes, but I'm not shy about taking any bike down a cow path!

[greench440]

This is not off road.


This is off road.

[motrhead]

...and that is an enduro/ trail bike. I would not want to  take a KTM 990 or a BMW GS through there myself   . I would be happier trying to get through on the V85 Guzzi, assuming it comes in near the weight that is being suggested. But it isn't being sold as a dirt bike! I have unintentionally manhandled my Stelvio through shit like that, and it sucked! I wouldn't willingly do it again. Ever.  Give me a lighter bike any day. I wouldn't ever have tried to get my old CX650 through that crap, but my crazy little  brother would!
 

[zebraranger]

This is not off road.


This is off road.

Its not a dirt bike.

[Blue is Best]

That sure is a great looking bike. I love the color scheme.

I'm with Zebra on people's description of "off road".

[motrhead]

 
 I do have some clue as to what a dirt bike is...my first bike, when I was 13, was a mid-70's XL350. Almost triple my weight! I rode that thing non-stop for years. Later I rode an early kick-only Suzuki 600 Dakar. It was a monster, getting on toward 400 pounds and soooo tall and high geared. The only way to ride it was to grab a fistful of throttle and hang on! It sucked in the mud, but I managed.  More recently I had been riding a KX250f,  a KTM 250 motocrosser, KTM 250 enduro bike, and a trials bike.
 To put things in perspective, this Guzzi promises to be not far from the weight of that Dakar, probably with better suspension, and almost double the HP!
 I currently ride an XT350, IT200 and an IT400 left. I sold my DR650 as it wasn't getting any miles on it. My now-departed Stelvio worked for most of the dirt riding I would have done on the DR, and anything gnarlier off road I was on a smaller bike. This V85 promises to be far more capable than the Stelvio, and I expect I could take it pretty much anywhere I would be going on my old DR. I just don't ride fast enough for a motocross bike any more!
 I don't know how the V85 could not qualify as dirt worthy? The old NTX650 Guzzi was actually quite dirt capable, and this bike appears to be it's modern heir. It promises to be better off-road than a Versys or V-Strom -with Ohlins suspension and decent suspension travel, plus easier to work on than any KTM, and undoubtedly more reliable than a GS800 BMW.
 I am selling my Ulysses (and probably my Norge) to get this bike. This is exactly what I was asking for, but definitely didn't expect. My money was as good as in Yamaha's hands for the T7, but te V85 changes everything!
 

[bubba zanetti]

This is not off road.


This is off road.

greench440

Hope that is you in the pic ?  If not please provide same.
Off-roading is like sport-touring. Attitude defines the activity, not machine and certainly not terrain. Maybe inseam or IQ might play a factor. ... dunno ... I get a headache, like wearing my old Mono helmet, when I think about shirts like that. Ya’know ... er ... maybe not.

[bubba zanetti]

Go Dean ... go. That is a sweet bike. Stirs my Guzzi soul.  

[Sport]

Certainly not terrain?

[zigzag]

I like it! Though wonder if there's enough oomph!  

[greench440]

Hope that is you in the pic ?  If not please provide same.

Ask and ye shall receive.

FYI - The "Short Course" is about 70 miles, the Long Course is about 110.  In a day.

And of course, I've been known to "off road" the FJR on occasions.