Okay, you guys asked for it. Get a coffee and sit down. This is gonna be long, boring, and tedious.
Many replies here are right on. As stated, the V85 doesn't excel at any one thing, but is very good at many things.
When considering a new bike, I had several criteria: ADVish style and ergos, ease of maintenance, something a bit smaller and more manageable than my 955i Tiger or a big GS. Horsepower was way down the list. A bike which was suitable for long hauls on the slab, and also competent on gravel or fire roads. Anything a little bit different was welcome.
The V85 came along and met all those requirements, plus had the bonus of shaft drive.
The V-twin is a willing and lively engine, though a little down on power compared to the competition. At about 80hp, don't expect to be winning any races. A two valve head operated by push rods makes valve adjustments a delightfully simple task. The gearbox is buttery smooth, the cable operated clutch wonderfully light. No complaints with fueling.
Suspension is capable, though I find the front end to be a little over sprung and under damped... wait a second! What the heck am I talking about?? I don't have a clue! I'm no Rossi! The suspension is springy and makes the bike go over bumps. I wouldn't know good from bad; it works for me. Likewise the Brembo calipers; they squish the rotors real good.
Ergos are just about perfect for me. There's plenty of room to stretch out or get up on the pegs, the seat is okay for an all day ride. Plenty of room for luggage; the three factory boxes are good quality, and at about a $1000 premium (along with the red or yellow paint jobs), are a reasonable deal over the base model.
While the air cooled motor might be decidedly low tech (it doesn't even have an oil cooler), it's paired with some contemporary electronics, though you won't find any fancy six axis IMUs here. RBW throttle, conventional ABS, traction control, three riding modes, electronic cruise control, and a TFT display bring this Guzzi into the 21st century.
The 23 litre tank provides plenty of range; 400km is regularly attained, 450 if I lay off the throttle a bit, 500km if I was in the middle of nowhere and had to be super frugal.
The throttle has a much shorter throw than any other bike I've ridden. It makes full throttle much more accessible, which is sometimes necessary on the V85.
In addition to being ruggedly handsome, my favourite attributes are the shaft drive, (no more messy chains), and the ease of maintenance (valve adjustments are a pleasure). Unlike my old top heavy Tiger, the Guzzi carries it's weight much lower and is very well mannered in the low speed stuff. You're also getting the coolest LED brake light on any motorcycle. Ever. I really like being the only guy at bike night on a V85. I've replaced the catalytic converter with a Y pipe and retained the stock muffler. It makes a lovely and very satisfying V-twin rumble, with just the right amount of popping and burbling on the over run, as the Brits might say. Did I mention the shaft drive?
Common complaints among owners are a lack of tubeless tires from the factory. Unbelievably, this had prevented a few folks from buying. All it takes is about sixty bucks plus labour to seal the wheels. Some early bikes suffered from leaking final drives; this has been dealt with by a factory recall. There are endless internet complaints of the wind screen, but this is highly subjective; I'm happy with my stock screen. Many folks, including me, experienced various loose fasteners when the bike was brand new. Best to not count on the factory or the dealer PDI, and do a thorough check yourself. Speaking of fasteners, the Moto Guzzi ones just aren't up to the same quality standard as, say, Triumph, for example. Some of them just look cheap, some of them rust. In almost every case, this can be easily remedied by the owner. There's been a number of complaints of the gear position indicator, which doesn't display when the clutch is disengaged; that's just the way it is and it doesn't bother me a bit. Some people don't like the shift lights on the dash, but they're the ones who didn't bother to read the owner's manual; the shift lights can be easily configured any way you like in the dashboard menu. The horn is pitiful.
So, the V85 is fine for the long haul, competent on dirt or gravel roads, fire or logging roads. Nimble in the twisty bits and can cruise at 140km/h all day long. With comparatively short suspenders, not so good in sand, mud, over rocks, etc. Unless you're extremely talented, experienced, or stupid (or all three), I would avoid single track, water crossings, etc. You might be better served on a 790 or a T7. That said, my brother also owns a V85 and keeps up with his buddies on their 690s and 790s in the woods. But he's braver than I.
Some folks who paid a lot of money for a brand new bike absolutely refuse to pick up a wrench, solely on principle, no matter how trivial it might be. Guzzi dealers are few and far between. I like working on my own stuff, so this wasn't much of a consideration for me. YMMV.
Whew! That's enough nonsense from me. Go for a test ride. George at Corsa Meccanica is a cheerful and reasonable guy. I really dig my V85. It always feels special and immensely satisfying, with just the right amount of oddball. After fifteen months and 15,000km, there are no regrets and I'd happily buy again.
Loaded and ready to go. Red and white, not yellow
@bigpoppa.
Screws and lock nuts make valve adjustments a breeze.
The V85 takes dirt naps just as well as any other bike on the market!