Scud

Yeah, bummer - though I saw something about them continuing to do service after they close the dealership. We still have places like Harpers and MG Cycle - both of whom offer fair prices and great service. I'm looking at my signed copy of Guzziology now. What a treasure.

Joe - Wouldn't it be worth a battery and some fresh fluids to make sure it's all ready for the next owner? I assume you will ask an above average price for this labor of love. Anyone who will pay above average will expect the bike to be ready to ride - as-is. If you're just looking for the highest total price, you might do well to restore the original exhaust and suspension and sell the Quat-D and Ohlins separately. If you want to sell it as-is, I think it would probably go for a bit less than one of the special editions that came stock with Ohlins. They buyer will have to decide if all those extra parts are worth anything to them. It's a beautiful machine - and a shame it hasn't seem much road time. But it sounds like you are enjoying the cars a lot these days.

Oh, wait... the 440 was a 2-stroke, right? I was thinking 440 4-stroke. OMG that thing must have been beast.

And then, again, 10 minutes later, when they replace that enormous exhaust can.

If my starting point was any Suzuki DR, I would go for more power. But there comes a point when more power also come with some complications. My TE510 Husqvarna, for example, was more powerful than my (same year) TE450. But the 510 would overheat. The 450 was therefore a better bike for me - it was also easier to control the power. My Husky 701 is far more powerful than a DR650 (plus the suspension is light-years ahead). If I were to get another lightweight dirtbike, I would probably go with the FE350 Husqvarna. Less power and more range than the same-frame 450 and 501 models - but slightly more nimble and better fuel economy. I like fuel economy on dirt bikes, because I like going on long rides without hauling extra fuel. One of my buddies is getting the FE350 soon - can't wait to try it. However, if the question was HP, fuel efficiency, or better suspension, I'd take the suspension. That KTM 440 suspension must also be part of why you like it better than the Suzukis.

"First one's free" is good marketing for consumables, not durable goods. Sounds like a great event, despite the mechanical challenges. SoCAL Not a Rally coming up soon here in San Diego.

https://www.motopinas.com/motorcycle-news/moto-guzzi-debuts-the-production-v85-tt-modern-classic-enduro.html ^^ another article with some great pictures of the new bike AND the 1980s TTs in action. “Tutto Terreno” (all-terrain)

psst... hey mister... you wanna buy an unbreakable shift spring?

True to both Pete and Dave. I got all hot and bothered when the Ducati Sport 1000 (the retro-styled cafe racer) was launched. Saved my money and bought a new one. They were (IMO) gorgeous, and in every rider's opinion, far superior to the Triumph Thruxtons available at the time. Then I found out Ducati was having a hard time selling them. Then they were summarily discontinued... and now they are "collectible" and sell for more than the original sticker price. And the Thruxton (especially the R model) has evolved into a fine motorbike. And Triumph has done pretty well with their adventure bikes too. As for me, I'd prefer one of these air-cooled V85s over a Triumph Tiger or a Ducati Multistrada.

I always thought is weird to refer to a Guzzi engine as any kind of block. To me a "block" is a solid part that has cylinders and a place to attach the crankshaft. A guzzi motor is a case - and the piston barrels slip in. Yeah - I think that's a legitimate worry. But there seems to be a growing awareness that a midsize adventure bike doesn't need to have massive peak HP. A comparison against the upcoming Yamaha 700 Tenere seems inevitable. Hopefully it will have a good, solid load of torque - and a low enough first gear to crawl through rocks or launch quickly from stoplights.

But Stew says we don't have to give up any power to get 20% more MPG. I'm ready to send in my money for whatever Stew's new product is. But probably some oil company will buy the invention and hide it so they can sell more oil. It's all a big conspiracy man... ...debunked though: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nobodys-fuel/ ^ the 200 mpg carburetor story.

I'd take the 20% better fuel economy. Reasons? 1: for extra range on long rides. (That would be about 30 extra miles between fill-ups on my V11) 2: save a bit of money 3: my bikes have plenty of power already

Probably a typo, but FEARures made me laugh. I'm afraid I don't know how to use my brakes... ABS I'm afraid I don't know how to corner... traction control I'm afraid I can't use the clutch... shift assist etc. Supposedly, this new motor is to be used in a series of new bikes. On the HP: the claim of 80 HP from an 850cc twin is believable (at least within range) when I compare to the 70HP that my 700cc Husqvarna thumper makes. At least they are putting out something worth talking about (cruisers and standards don't do it for me). Anyway... there is a lot of speculation out there, which is kind of fun. I will await some ride reports and try to ride one myself when they come stateside.

Pioggia means "rain" in Italian. Ironically, very close in spelling to Piaggio, the name of Moto Guzzi's parent company. I assume this is a user-selectable rider mode for the ABS... I haven't heard anything about electronic traction control for this bike.

My mistake - it's the 180 that drops to a 55 sidewall - making the 170/60 and 180/55 closer in total height to each other.

Glad you are stoked. I think I prefer the OEM spec 180 (vs the narrower 170) on my Scura. But like you, I am quite happy to apply steering effort. Just as a technical matter... doesn't the 160 have a 60 sidewall, rather than a 55? If so, then the overall tire height is quite similar. 160x0.6=96 mm sidewall vs 170x.055=93.5mm sidewall.

That was GREAT. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Other than the architecture, it felt a little like riding in Mexico. Come to think of it... the majority of the world's motorcyclists probably have conditions like that every day - rather than the well-paved infrastructure that we are used to in Japan, USA, and other "developed" nations. They use small bikes for transportation, not big bikes for pleasure rides.

@ScuRoo - I think we are pretty much on the same page. The HP and weight numbers give us only a clue. And from that clue, along with the design of the V85, I am guessing that it will be a good ADV bike, though probably not as aggressively dirt-oriented as the others I compared to. We still need to see where the torque is and how well the suspension works. But it's fun to speculate until then. ^^ that's a good video. It would fun to go on a ride with that guy. When you do go offroad, the weight of the bike is one of the biggest factors - and the main reason I like my 701 Enduro so much better than the 950 Adventure I had. I can pick it up by myself - or get out from under it - even if it falls in an awkward spot.

So that's 80HP and 440 pounds. My Husky 701 is 70HP and 320 pounds. My KTM 950 Adventure was 100HP and 450 pounds. I know there's a lot more to the story... but the above numbers suggest a bike is slightly more tame than the Husky or KTM. It's an interesting in-between spot and I think I really good one for less-aggressive ADV bike. There's been a lot of build-up, so long waiting lists... and that means list price until the wait-lists go away. Good for Moto Guzzi.

I just use the standard silver stuff on everything (including as exhaust assembly lube) - don't have any copper.

Good idea having a tire available... but you know Amazon will ship for free to the hotel.

^ what docc said... plus a little anti-seize at the joints helps things move and settle in nicely. Smells good when the anti-sieze burns off.

Well... that didn't take long. Congratulations to both.

I've only bought three new bikes in my life. I seriously thought about waiting for the V85 - then I got my Husky 701, which I love. But I could imagine having one of these with a proper set of luggage.

I do believe we overlooked an important band. Who? Glad you asked: