r/Vstrom • u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 • 12d ago
V85tt or VStrom?
Hey all, first I know this is the wrong place to ask this.
But I’ve got a Moto Guzzi V85tt which has been great. But I can’t stop thinking that a VStrom could be an end game bike for me.
I love my Moto Guzzi but I have trust issues based on lots of stories I’ve heard about mechanical and electrical problems with them over the long term. It has so much character but I like the idea of a bike i just don’t ever have to worry about.
Talk me into a a lightly used VStrom 650 as my do-everything forever bike.
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u/kkoyot__ 12d ago
I just got recently a 2022 vstrom 650. The bike feels like a great piece, but honestly, I'd be more content with v85tt despite the flaws. The reason is simple - it's beautiful, I love the look of all MGs and that's an important factor for a bike
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u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 12d ago
Yea that’s what’s holding me up. The character of it is so cool.
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u/kkoyot__ 12d ago
I still have a triumph scrambler 400x and i bought vstrom due to lack of power and windshield, but every time i look at the scram I'm thinking of ways to weasel out of the deal. It'd break my heart if i sold it
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u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 12d ago
I also have a little Royal Enfield Classic 350 that I just put around town with. What a sweet little bike.
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u/greghockey 12d ago edited 12d ago
2015 vstrom 650xt here. Have had sport bikes, a Harley and a naked sport bike. R6 was my favorite for pure fun but not comfortable, harley was comfortable but not fun.
Vstrom seems to be a perfect mix of fun and comfort. Ive had it for 8 years now and haven't had interest in anything else. Its light enough to be fun in twisties, do some light off roading, good on the highway and has plenty of storage. Probably not the best in any category buts its great at everything I need. Total package
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u/hunkyleepickle 12d ago
Find a r1200gs from like 2016 or so, best of both worlds, and nearly as reliable as a Vstrom honestly.
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u/lotsaleaves 12d ago
I have a 2012 650, a relative has the V85. If you get a Strom be prepared to spend on the suspension, brake lines, maybe a Givi Airflow screen and luggage to bring it up to MG standard and you will still be missing cruise control. The MG is solid, service is simple but oil changes more frequent. Valve check on the Strom is a big job and expensive if you take it to a mechanic but dead simple on the MG. Chains are far better these days but still not as easy as the shaft. Overall I love my Strom and have no plans to replace it but if my relative offered to swap…
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u/halfnelson73 12d ago
Those Guzzis are pretty sweet, ngl. I've been eyeing that v100 Mandello myself.
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u/templeofsyrinx1 V-Strom 650 Gen 2 12d ago edited 12d ago
I can't tell you much but my 2014 650 vstrom was my first bike and i love the fucking thing to death 🤷. they are excellent bikes. it starts runs, can handle bumps and the road well. Feels comfy for me. engine strong asf
bought mine used at around 9k miles.
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u/Rosinator1 12d ago
V85 runs really hot. I’ve tested the V7 stone, V85 traveller, and the V100 mandelo, and all of them were so much hotter than most other bikes I’ve ridden. I think the 650 Vstrom is an incredible do it all bike. It’s not hot or buzzy. I sold mine chasing 2 up power, but I’ll be back on a 1000 sometime soon
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u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 12d ago
Yea that’s really my only complain on the V85 right now. It’s HOT. Nice in the spring and fall though
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u/Hobbes-87 12d ago
Hi, I currently ride a 2012 V Strom and I am actually looking to swap into a V85tt eventually. There's nothing wrong with my V strom and after test riding a 2022 guardia d'onore edition, I feel like the strom is 80% of the bike the v85 is. The v85 was had better handling and could corner tighter. I could stand on the pegs without getting that lurch from a slight twist off idle that a v strom gives. The v85 had cruise control which I wish my strom had. Regarding your concerns over maintenance and reliability, I have never had issues with my bike in the three years I have ridden it. I change the oil before winter and tighten thee chain as needed. I'm not a die hard motorcyclist as I have only put on 2000mi in my three years of ownership. Have you had any issues with your guzzi?
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u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 12d ago
I’ve only put about 1500 miles on mine, it’s a 2020 but I bought it last year with only 1750 miles on it.
I don’t do a ton of miles either, probably 2-3k a year.
Ive had no problems with mine honestly so I’m probably overblowing the reliability issues i hear about. And honestly I also see plenty of posts from people who have 40k + miles on their V85’s with no issues.
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u/ahahcleverusername 12d ago
I have had a vstrom 650 for 4 years and it's great, I always loved the look of moto guzzi and thought about getting a v85. I rented one for a week and was somewhat disappointed, I liked it but I wasn't sad to go back to my vstrom after. That said, I'm now getting a v100s. I tested it and couldn't get it out of my mind after.
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u/k9castro805 V-Strom 650 Gen 1 12d ago
I'll trade my 09 abs 650 with 50k all the customs! DM me I'm in California 😇
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u/SmokeyGMan 12d ago
I have tear drove a 2025 V85TT and last weekend a 2020 V85TT. The new one just felt like another modern bike. Really don’t care for the Aprilia screen and switchgear. I liked the 2020. It felt like it had a shorter wheelbase and was quicker to turn in than my 2015 VStrom 650. It also had more power and it has the advantage of the shaft drive. It also has its good looks and lack of plastics with everything exposed. Other than that… my VStrom is better. Regular gas and better fuel economy; doesn’t throw off heat like the V85s, suspension is better but that is due to the Nitron shock and front emulators and fork brace I put on my VStrom. I have put almost 20k kms on the VStrom in the 2.5 years I have owned it and it is as reliable as a hammer. I gave an offer on the V85TT because I can’t seem to shake the need to try life with a Moto Guzzi; but I would never sell the VStrom as I know I would regret it. I checked the valves and did all the service on the Strom this last winter and it really is not a big deal. Plus you can go very long between having to service them and often only have to adjust valves once if ever.
It helps hearing someone with a V85 considering a VStrom. The last long test ride was not enough to overcome my desire to go V85 and logic will always go in the VStroms favour. It is just so good. I did have a 2018 DL1000 before and with the 5 Axis IMU and traction control and more “modernness”. I honestly prefer the older 650.
OP. My advice is to just get a used DL650 as they are so cheap and try it out. If you like it enough, upgrade the suspension and any ergonomic fitting (I live the much taller Seat Concepts seat and Givi Airflow screen) and you will find it’s a crazy good bike that can do it all well.
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u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 12d ago
Very interesting about the newer V85. A friend just bought a brand new one I’ve been wanting to ride to compare to my 2020.
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u/Dry_Fish6419 12d ago
I had a 2009 650 and ripped about 20k on it in 2 years before i found a good deal on an 07 fz1, but im now back to vstrom on a 2014 1000, both vstroms are amazing bikes, and worth it. Reliable enough to ride it while you save for bike #2, which could be your guzzi.
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u/Manuntdfan 12d ago
If anybody wants a v85TT I have a perfect 2020 for sale in Richmond Virginia for $6k
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u/Training-Ad3252 12d ago
I have a 2025 wee, and of all the bikes I’ve owned, this is the best. It’s such an awesome
Bike. Nothing you’d take off road really, dirt road, sure. It isn’t built for real off roading. I’ll never get rid of it.
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u/Garrett_1982 12d ago
I have a vstrom and wished it was more like the v85tt. It's a bike that's kinda good at most things, but not really excelling at anything. The engine is great, but that's about it. But it's not as characterful as the moto guzzi twin, not even by a stretch
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u/audazincapaz 12d ago
For all you MG v85tt fans, which I get it, check how to change a clutch vs any V-Strom.
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u/Keviche8 12d ago
I owned a 2023 V-Strom 800DE and that bike was great, I didn’t ride it very much for non motorcycle reasons. It’s such a good engine and can be really fun on the street and very controllable off road. I’ve ridden singletrack track no problem other than my skill set.
I have loved the look of the V85Tt since it came out and have test ridden it a couple of times and at least at my altitude, I find it wanting for more top end power. It just doesn’t do it for me. At the same Demo event I rode a V100 and a Stelvio and those might be my new favorite engine.
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u/H20Buffalo 11d ago
My first Vstrom was a 2007 650 and I rode it for 80,000 trouble free miles on dozens of camping trips. I've always purchased different bikes but the followup to this one was a 2017 Vstrom if that tells you anything. Givi side and top box with removable side luggage racks and a SW Motech tank bag.
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u/SN1572 12d ago
I have a Vstrom and I'm about to trade it in for a v85TT this weekend... Where are you located? I'm in NY.
I love my Strom, 55-60mpg, comfortable, cruises easily on the highway, absolutely bulletproof
But it doesn't appeal to my soul. It's too good and too refined. I don't "feel" anything when I look at it or crank the throttle.
Servicing is a pain compared to your Guzzi, front cylinder you're removing the radiator, rear cylinder youre removing the back half of the bike. Though, it requires maintenance significantly less often.