An interesting day - test riding V85TT, 790 Adventure and T7.

Don T

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Finally the day came, where I got to test ride the 3 bikes back to back that have caught my interest.

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After reading/seeing multiple reviews of the bikes, it was great to try them and create my own opinion.

I enjoyed riding all 3 but damn they are different.

Between the test rides I was riding my S10, and as it turned out, it was the bike that put the biggest smile on my face.

Not ready to replace it just yet...
 

14kmtnman

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How can you tease us like that and not give some details. How about in sections, like start with what you did and did not like about each?
 

Don T

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First bike I tried was the Guzzi.

It belonged to the owner of the Guzzi dealer I visited.
Besides a bigger wind screen it was fitted with a de-cat open exhaust.

Fit , finish and quality feel was head and shoulders above the other 2 bikes - some of this was due to much less plastic on the bike.
The engine worked rough at all revs. Especially at idle and low revs (<3k) there were a lot of vibrations. It had bucket loads of character but power delivery was a bit underwhelming at all revs. It sounded good though :)
Coming from the S10 the bike seemed small, but the riding position wasn't cramped for my 183 cm.
Even though it was smaller and lighter than the S10 it didn't feel as agile.
The TFT display looked good and had lots of information. Cruise control was a nice feature.
Suspension was firm and reminded me of a pure street bike. Very good brakes.
 

Don T

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Next stop: The KTM dealer.

It's the Adventure R that interests me, but the dealers only have non R demo bikes.

After the V85TT the engine felt very smooth but it produced a lot of mechanical noise.
Very nice and precise transmission. Feather light clutch, but I didn't use it much as the bike had quick shift (both up and down).
The engine didn't like low revs. Above 4k rpm it worked like a charm - responsive and powerful.
Riding position was comfortable with the seat in high position.
Firm suspension, but not as street orientated as on the Guzzi.
Very good brakes.
Great bike for going fast on twisty roads.
 

Don T

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Finally I arrived at the Yamaha dealer (where I bought my S10 4 years ago).

No demo bikes currently available but the sales manager had bought one that he kindly let me take for a spin.

Amazing engine! Minimal mechanical noise and very nice exhaust note.
Pulls smoothly and powerful from 2k rpm. Sweet throttle response.
Riding position very different and more dirt orientated than the other 2 bikes.
Very nimble and flickable - but still perfectly stable at high speed.
I loved the suspension! It soaked up everything without being too soft.
Brakes felt a bit weak but worked just fine.
 

Nikolajsen

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Thanks :)
Been thinking a lot about the Guzzi, now not so much :)
It seems like the only other option for me because it also has CC and shaft drive. (Honda Crosstourer is missing CC)
And I don't see me on a BMW...
But maybe there is a lot others to choise from, when the time comes :)
 

Don T

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Thanks :)
Been thinking a lot about the Guzzi, now not so much :)
It seems like the only other option for me because it also has CC and shaft drive. (Honda Crosstourer is missing CC)
And I don't see me on a BMW...
But maybe there is a lot others to choise from, when the time comes :)
Try the Guzzi before you make any decisions - you might love it.
The Beast certainly have personality. It just doesn't match my preferences.

As mentioned earlier I'm in no hurry to replace the S10, so I'm also looking forward to see what the competition comes up with as an answer to especially Yamaha - KLR with the 650 Versus engine or maybe a resurrection of the Transalp from Honda..?

I believe that they will come up with something, if the T7 continues selling like hot cake which it does all over Europe at the moment. Just my local dealer had sold 11 bikes before the first one arrived in the country, and he told me it's the same at all the Yamaha dealers - they are selling them faster than they can get them.
 

Don T

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I'm bad jealous of the Guzzi! That is a gorgeous machine!!!
Trying to be objective I found V85TT to be inferior to the competition in regard to engine, transmission, suspension and handling.
This is a bike you buy with your heart.
 

Don T

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so if you had a pocket full of free money which would you have taken home ?
The thing is that I have a "new bike" account where I put in around $1.000 every month to enable me to ride my preferred bike at any time. I haven't touch it since I bought my S10 four years ago (the longest I've ever kept a bike), so I have a pocket full of "free" money.
This might be part of the explanation why I'm having a new bike itch.

I did take the bike home that I liked the most :)
 

Cycledude

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First bike I tried was the Guzzi.

It belonged to the owner of the Guzzi dealer I visited.
Besides a bigger wind screen it was fitted with a de-cat open exhaust.

Fit , finish and quality feel was head and shoulders above the other 2 bikes - some of this was due to much less plastic on the bike.
The engine worked rough at all revs. Especially at idle and low revs (<3k) there were a lot of vibrations. It had bucket loads of character but power delivery was a bit underwhelming at all revs. It sounded good though :)
Coming from the S10 the bike seemed small, but the riding position wasn't cramped for my 183 cm.
Even though it was smaller and lighter than the S10 it didn't feel as agile.
The TFT display looked good and had lots of information. Cruise control was a nice feature.
Suspension was firm and reminded me of a pure street bike. Very good brakes.
It does come equipped with cruise control from the factory ?
 

Checkswrecks

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Try the Guzzi before you make any decisions - you might love it.
The Beast certainly have personality. It just doesn't match my preferences.

As mentioned earlier I'm in no hurry to replace the S10, so I'm also looking forward to see what the competition comes up with as an answer to especially Yamaha - KLR with the 650 Versus engine or maybe a resurrection of the Transalp from Honda..?

I believe that they will come up with something, if the T7 continues selling like hot cake which it does all over Europe at the moment. Just my local dealer had sold 11 bikes before the first one arrived in the country, and he told me it's the same at all the Yamaha dealers - they are selling them faster than they can get them.
I've been following the V85TT articles and love the looks of it. But I expect this is the winter that Yamaha will announce the update for our bike and want to give them a chance before committing to a change. In the meantime, my Tenere runs just fine as is.
 
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