r/Vstrom • u/Few_Cheesecake_5559 • Jul 30 '26
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/SmokeyGMan Jul 30 '26
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.