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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #46  
Old 12 Dec 2021
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 45
V85 as an overlander / trans-continental contender
Reviving this thread as I am seriously looking at the V85.
Has anyone ridden it as an overlander or on a long trans-continental adventure? Cheers
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  #47  
Old 9 Jan 2022
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Tumbaco, Tambillo
Posts: 87
With one foot on the footpeg!
Quote:
Originally Posted by motozen View Post
Finally, we'd like (2up) to spend this sort of sabbatical as soon borders will reopen in SA, we crossfingers it maybe jan2022. We swap our plan and we can spend 14 weeks holyday. As I described before, this is also a not common bike, as I choose (there is a reason i might probably share with a pint of birra) so welcome any suggestions in order to modify of simply get some tech specs or tips. We havent cho$e the Travel Edition, becau$e of 'time' i$$ue$.
With soft saddle bags, an old (used on my xr) touratech tailbag+drybag and tank bag, we want to face south and try to reach emblematic or geographic landmarks between Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, and be back to work in this lattitude (where we host the HU Meetings):
00°24.088"S
078°34.590"W
Amigos,
This moment is getting closer, and I will swap from passive to active! It has been a long time planning, using this bike in epic 'domestic' roads.
Finally I have at least a fixed week where I will depart an hit the Panamericana hg/road (and others) facing south on a Moto Guzzi v85tt 2up.
With also an arranged appointment, I plan to reach Huaquillas/Tumbes border and I look forward to be cruising on the Peruvian roads for almost 2 weeks and get to Bolivian territory by mid February.
We also plan to spend open time in Bolivia and no agenda to face to south and joion fellow riders and keep connected in order to border crossing and current info.
My main idea is to reach Ruta 40 and flow with time, budget with a sort of goal to return hitting Carretera Austral and go back to the mythical Argentinan axis.
Rather than changing the horn, I feel the side-stand sensor is too exposed, I will protect it, and maybe a bigger front windshield. I will appreciate if you can share mods or important info to make it a traveller bike.
Feel free to write, or simply suggest the DO'S and DONT'S of this ride.
Follow us on IG as @andariego2.0
Cheers,
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  #48  
Old 9 Jan 2022
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Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 563
The front windshield, I had forgotten about that since I sorted it out. I have the taller factory screen fitted at the moment - I have the standard one as well but it doesn’t do enough to keep my head out of turbulent air. I have also fitted a small extender to the tall windshield and now there is next to no turbulence moving my head around and it is much quieter.

Another mod I am considering is an extended front mudguard so the the engine gets some protection. There is one available, for Aprilias I think, that is a direct fit - there are links in one of the V85TT threads on the HUBB.

All in all I am very happy with the bike - it is happy when two up and neither my son nor I are lightweights - but there are a few areas that are under developed - the horn and the mudguards being generic to all riders and the windshield down to my height (not that I am exceptionally tall at 1.82m).
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  #49  
Old 14 Jul 2022
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: reno
Posts: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by motozen View Post
Amigos,
Finally I have at least a fixed week where I will depart an hit the Panamericana hg/road (and others) facing south on a Moto Guzzi v85tt 2up.
i'm happy to have found this tread. i've been thinking about getting V85tt for this same purpose, riding 2up thru Latin America. i know the V85 is not ideal for offroading but i am a sport rider and certainly would not take us out of our way looking for a challenge in the dirt. the relatively small size, cruise control and shaft drive are some of the main reasons i like this bike. my main concern is reliability, tho i understand recent Guzzis do well in that regard. i look forward to hearing more about this journey and about the moto fares.

bien viaje!
kev
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  #50  
Old 26 Aug 2024
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Location: USA
Posts: 100
Just bought a V85TT. I'll post some impressions after we have had a chance to bond.
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