Bike dropped off at 11am this morning (sorry to see the V85 go, it is a fantastic bike) 30 minutes later I was out.
New tyres and wet roads ,so took it steady...ish.
First surprise was on start up, it sounded and felt very much like a Guzzi, much more throaty than I had expected.
Lovely motor, fuelled perfectly and beautiful grunt from around 3000rpm. Fabulous progressive engine braking. It caught me out a time or two. Shut the throttle and it slows very quickly.
Handling nice and predictable, turns in nicely and sticks to the chosen line. I didn't push it to hard but it felt as though it would be nice at higher speed and greater lean angles.
Being a short arse, 29" inside leg and chunky thighs, it was nice to be able to get both balls of my feet down. I was on my very tiptoes on the V85.
Some wind noise obviously but no buffeting from the screen. I would have liked the bars to be an inch further back but sure that can be overcome. Screen is nice with pertinent information. being a techno numpty it's going to take a while to work out what everything does.
Modes, screen adjust and heated grips all very easy to adjust. Suspension is fairly harsh in road and sport mode but very plush in Tour and rain.
Overall it's a very comfortable bike.
Low tyre pressure warning light remains on for about 2 mins after you set off and the indicator switch feels crap. But then again I loved the V85 switch which a lot of owners disliked.
The front end and radiator were proper blathered by the time I got home. Going to have to do something about that.
Overall I loved it and can't wait to get onto some dry roads. I might have to go out again tomorrow.
It felt a lot like my 1200 SE Griso but much nicer.
New tyres and wet roads ,so took it steady...ish.
First surprise was on start up, it sounded and felt very much like a Guzzi, much more throaty than I had expected.
Lovely motor, fuelled perfectly and beautiful grunt from around 3000rpm. Fabulous progressive engine braking. It caught me out a time or two. Shut the throttle and it slows very quickly.
Handling nice and predictable, turns in nicely and sticks to the chosen line. I didn't push it to hard but it felt as though it would be nice at higher speed and greater lean angles.
Being a short arse, 29" inside leg and chunky thighs, it was nice to be able to get both balls of my feet down. I was on my very tiptoes on the V85.
Some wind noise obviously but no buffeting from the screen. I would have liked the bars to be an inch further back but sure that can be overcome. Screen is nice with pertinent information. being a techno numpty it's going to take a while to work out what everything does.
Modes, screen adjust and heated grips all very easy to adjust. Suspension is fairly harsh in road and sport mode but very plush in Tour and rain.
Overall it's a very comfortable bike.
Low tyre pressure warning light remains on for about 2 mins after you set off and the indicator switch feels crap. But then again I loved the V85 switch which a lot of owners disliked.
The front end and radiator were proper blathered by the time I got home. Going to have to do something about that.
Overall I loved it and can't wait to get onto some dry roads. I might have to go out again tomorrow.
It felt a lot like my 1200 SE Griso but much nicer.
..
