Super Tenere vs Moto Guzzi V85 TT ?

Jeff Milleman

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How about the service for the Guzzi ? here in the US , big $ like a BMW and not everyone works on them . Now our S10's are a bit easier as everyone works on Yamaha and parts are more-so avl... If we don't do it our self's ... I stick with the S10 ..
 
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Rochester, NY
The only ADV bike that came close to tempting me was a 2016 MG Stelvio they had at a local shop. It an interesting green color, with full panniers and tank bag. Both my bike mechanic down the street as well as the guy helping me look at other ADV bikes said MG in the USA is a crap shoot, only because few service techs know very little about these bikes, compared with places in Canada. Also parts would have to come from Toronto or possibly Italy in the worst possible situation, but that means that I could be waiting on parts for up to 2 months. In the NE where our Winters are long and our Springs our cold, who wants to chance sitting out 2 months with no riding.

Perhaps if you own multiple bikes then it’s a legit choice. They had the price down to $11,000 and probably would have dropped it another $500 just to get it out of their inventory.

While sitting on it, I did think knee bend was a bit more, and my knees did come quite close to the cylinder heads. Still the uniqueness intrigues me, but I’m so happy I chose the S10. With all the options and inherent Yamaha reliability, it really wasn’t a contest. I put cash down after messing with the S10. The guy selling it was the father of the owner. He has an exact duplicate of this S10, just with more miles and aluminum panniers.

I did like his Sargent seat enough to buy one. Usually I’ve bought Corbin, with the Guzzi had as well. The MG Corbin seat was pretty impressive and quite wide. That 8 gallon gas tank seemed to be a huge bonus as well.

Too many great bikes and so little time.
 

nwrider

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sw washington
Going tubeless by sealing the rim isn't a big deal. Check out the thread on the Tiger 800 in advrider many ways to do it -- I did on my Tiger 800 over two years ago using a 3m product off of Amazon -- no issues whatsoever. I just recently bought a V85TT and will do it when I'm ready for a new rear tire. I have a Tenere' ES in the stable as well - I like them all. It's a disease.
 

regder

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Toronno
Dead thread revival.

Got a chance to sit on a V85TT today, what a beautiful bike. Smaller and more compact than the Tenere, in a good way. Looks even better in person than it does in pictures, and it looks good in pictures. Only thing I didn't like about it was the switchgear, all the switches felt very mushy and frail. Not sure if they would break in use, but they don't feel great.
 

TNWalker

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@TNWalker, curious on any update on your V85TT. Still looking around at different bikes, and the MG has always had my attention.

Hello HeliMark, just saw this post so thought I would reply. After having nearly 4k miles on the V85 now I am still very pleased with the bike. I have, since my last post in this thread, added the driving lights, center stand and heated grips to it. All accessories perform as they should. I still get a great big grin when that Guzzi twin turns over at start up. I still have my Tenere and enjoy it as well with no real plans to get rid of it. However, when it comes time for a ride the V85 almost always gets the nod due to it's comfort, handling and just all around fun to ride. It's my little red Italian sports car as compared to the SUV like Tenere. Still finding that it does well in all types of riding situations, especially in the twisty roads. I see in your sig, that you are also from Tennessee. If we could do a meet up sometime for a ride I would be happy to let you give it a go. I am in middle TN. I have no regrets whatsoever in my choice to get the V85. Just keeps bringing the miles and smiles.

Steve
 

HeliMark

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Hello HeliMark, just saw this post so thought I would reply. After having nearly 4k miles on the V85 now I am still very pleased with the bike. I have, since my last post in this thread, added the driving lights, center stand and heated grips to it. All accessories perform as they should. I still get a great big grin when that Guzzi twin turns over at start up. I still have my Tenere and enjoy it as well with no real plans to get rid of it. However, when it comes time for a ride the V85 almost always gets the nod due to it's comfort, handling and just all around fun to ride. It's my little red Italian sports car as compared to the SUV like Tenere. Still finding that it does well in all types of riding situations, especially in the twisty roads. I see in your sig, that you are also from Tennessee. If we could do a meet up sometime for a ride I would be happy to let you give it a go. I am in middle TN. I have no regrets whatsoever in my choice to get the V85. Just keeps bringing the miles and smiles.

Steve
Thanks for the offer. See how things go, and I will take you up on the offer. Have new bike fever again, and interested in the V85TT. Like the idea of the lighter bike for getting it in and out of my toy hauler, and also scratch my itch for the MG. The Stelvio was high on my list when I bought the Tenere. Looks like they don't make the Stelvio anymore. Because of the smaller amount of dealers, my big concern is the reliability.
 

Stantdm

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Jan 23, 2020
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Belle Fourche South Dakota
We have a Guzzi dealer not far from where we live. I really can't recall seeing one out and about though. I like the looks of a couple of them, particularly the V85TT but have only seen that bike in photos as there was not one it stock. I think it has tubed tires and the specs show a seat height of 32.7 inches. Weight is about 505 pounds wet and HP is around 80.

Parts availability always worries me with bikes that sell comparatively few of their models.

I see now that it has sealed rims.
 
Last edited:

Dirt_Dad

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Just found this thread. A very late congrats on the bike, Steve.

I figure I'll be making a switch in the next 18 months. This is high on my short list of what to get next.
 

Vespa

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Virginia
Hello HeliMark, just saw this post so thought I would reply. After having nearly 4k miles on the V85 now I am still very pleased with the bike. I have, since my last post in this thread, added the driving lights, center stand and heated grips to it. All accessories perform as they should. I still get a great big grin when that Guzzi twin turns over at start up. I still have my Tenere and enjoy it as well with no real plans to get rid of it. However, when it comes time for a ride the V85 almost always gets the nod due to it's comfort, handling and just all around fun to ride. It's my little red Italian sports car as compared to the SUV like Tenere. Still finding that it does well in all types of riding situations, especially in the twisty roads. I see in your sig, that you are also from Tennessee. If we could do a meet up sometime for a ride I would be happy to let you give it a go. I am in middle TN. I have no regrets whatsoever in my choice to get the V85. Just keeps bringing the miles and smiles.

Steve
Steve,
I sold my 2015 Super Tenere non-ES a year ago (regret that every day). Am ready to get back on a bike again, and am debating either buying a new (albeit unchanged) Super Tenere ES, or get a 2021 V Guzzi v85 TT. I have a 34" inseam and would be using to mainly commute to work on the highway. I remember how well protected from the wind/weather I was on the Super Tenere.

Was wondering what your thoughts are on the V85 after a longer period of ownership, in terms of overall performance, reliability, and joy vs the Super Tenere...and if you could only keep one, which one...?

For me, the pros of the V85 is the style, mechanical simplicity, and lighter weight. The ST probably wins it for weather protection, stability on the highway (due to the heavier weight) and proven reliability. Any of your insights would be greatly appreciated!

Jon
 

twinrider

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Yokohama
Steve,
I sold my 2015 Super Tenere non-ES a year ago (regret that every day). Am ready to get back on a bike again, and am debating either buying a new (albeit unchanged) Super Tenere ES, or get a 2021 V Guzzi v85 TT. I have a 34" inseam and would be using to mainly commute to work on the highway. I remember how well protected from the wind/weather I was on the Super Tenere.

Was wondering what your thoughts are on the V85 after a longer period of ownership, in terms of overall performance, reliability, and joy vs the Super Tenere...and if you could only keep one, which one...?

For me, the pros of the V85 is the style, mechanical simplicity, and lighter weight. The ST probably wins it for weather protection, stability on the highway (due to the heavier weight) and proven reliability. Any of your insights would be greatly appreciated!

Jon
Life is short, why not try the Guzzi since you already had the S10.
 

Madhatter

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buda texas
the Austin Guzzi dealer said the next year model will have ( may be an option or available on a specific v85 sub model ) tubeless wheels .
it is a very nice looking bike and has lots of eye appeal to me . and it felt good in the showroom . he invited me to do a test ride when I'm ready.
what if I like it?
 

Vespa

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May 15, 2020
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Virginia
the Austin Guzzi dealer said the next year model will have ( may be an option or available on a specific v85 sub model ) tubeless wheels .
it is a very nice looking bike and has lots of eye appeal to me . and it felt good in the showroom . he invited me to do a test ride when I'm ready.
what if I like it?
I wasn't too interested in the Guzzi until the tubeless wheels for MY21 was announced.

First-world problems...
 

TNWalker

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Steve,
I sold my 2015 Super Tenere non-ES a year ago (regret that every day). Am ready to get back on a bike again, and am debating either buying a new (albeit unchanged) Super Tenere ES, or get a 2021 V Guzzi v85 TT. I have a 34" inseam and would be using to mainly commute to work on the highway. I remember how well protected from the wind/weather I was on the Super Tenere.

Was wondering what your thoughts are on the V85 after a longer period of ownership, in terms of overall performance, reliability, and joy vs the Super Tenere...and if you could only keep one, which one...?

For me, the pros of the V85 is the style, mechanical simplicity, and lighter weight. The ST probably wins it for weather protection, stability on the highway (due to the heavier weight) and proven reliability. Any of your insights would be greatly appreciated!

Jon

Hey Jon,
Just saw this post. I am still enjoing my V85 very much. I do miss the Tenere' sometimes but no regrets in the switch. If youare considering one definitely go for the 2021 model. The improvements are noteworthy and the tubeless rims are a big plus.

So far mine has been very reliable only requiring regular service intervals. My main reason for switching was pretty much all the points you made in your post. Lighter weight, simple to service, and just really fun to ride. V85 handles great and that motor really does have it's own character. While being down on power compared to the Tenere', It still has plenty of power for my usage. I never find it lacking on highway speeds until you get near the century mark which I rarely get to anyway. It has a much different power delivery feel comparitively. Ergonimcs are a good fit for me at 6'1", 32" inseam. I can ride it all day very comfortably although like all bikes, I did make some improvements to seat, windscreen, etc.... that really made the difference.

While I don't use mine for everyday highway commuting, It is more than capable of doing that, however, The Tenere' is a better tool for that job for sure. I mostly ride secondary and rural roads with some gravel and easy offroad so the lighter weight and easier handling is a big plus for the V. I

I am very pleased with the Guzzi. I would definitely do it again.

Steve
 
B

ballisticexchris

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what if I like it?
Take a chance. Sometimes those risks can open a whole new world to you.
Boy isn't that the truth!! You can do like me and buy a KTM. It opened up a whole new world of wrenching and broken parts :p!! All joking aside, having a bike you enjoy sometimes outweighs the negative aspects such as reliability and function.
 
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