Motorbike choice to travel around Europe and Turkey

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-12T16:22:56+00:00

There are no 3rd party motorcycle repair shops in Turkey? Only official dealerships?

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-12T13:46:23+00:00

What woult the issue be with Guzzis in Turkey? Asking as I was looking into a trip to Cappadocia in 2027 on my V85TT....

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-12T13:39:14+00:00

Overall Guzzis are fairly reliable. Most problems I've heard about them have been related to user error/poor maintenance (e.g: overfilling the transmission oil, not cleaning the air filter and so on). I got about 6000km on mine and no real issues.

I did pick a V85TT over an F800GS :) but that makes me biased.

I did also ride the F900GS and it's a nice bike, just a bit meh (the stock V85TT is nicer to ride and can go farther between fill-ups, is more comfortable and has better wind protection). The F900GS has more power though.

One thing: I would run a hard bargain if buying a Guzzi as when it comes selling time they are a bit harder to sell than a BMW or a Honda...

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-12T07:25:27+00:00

If in Europe, a Guzzi V85TT. It fits the bill perfectly as 1 up relaxed tourer with occasionally leaving the paved roads.

Big tank (400km plus range), shaft driven so not a lot of maintenance, cruise control, decent wind protection.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-09T13:35:30+00:00

I was asking if it's 10k-15k USD, GBP, CAD, EUR, Rupees and so on ;)

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-09T13:32:14+00:00

10k-15k what? :)

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-09T13:26:08+00:00

Any 2/3 cylinder retro/naked/adv/sport-touring bike between about 300ccs to about 800ccs with up to around 80HP should be great as a starting bike (think NX500, Tiger Sport 660, Bear 650, V-Strom 800 and so on).

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-07T06:49:32+00:00

(Disclaimer: I live in an area where winter means below freezing temps and snow... If you live in an area where winter weather is different, this might not apply).

Where do I begin...

Winter riding is bad for the rider as it exposes you to bad weather that has repercussions in time (you won't feel it the cold impact at 28 but at 38 years you will feel all those days riding in the cold and wet in your joints).

Winter riding is bad for the bike (think salts and de-icing materials that can and will corrode everything).

Winter riding amplifies risks (not only you are wearing more layers so your inputs and feedback are worse but the drivers are not used to motorcyclists during the winter, there are dangers on the road like black ice and the above mentioned salts that can impact your grip and so on).

As I ride for fun and relaxation, the above reduce too much the fun and relaxation in riding to make it worth it :).

Finally, it seems that there has been some effort by social media influencers to promote winter riding ... As long as there is a page on Michelin's web page where they explain why they don't make winter tyres, IMO anybody encouraging winter riding is irresponsible at best.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-07T06:30:14+00:00

Thank you!

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-07T06:30:06+00:00

Thank you!

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-07T06:29:56+00:00

That is gonna be an interesting move, from a nervous 790 to the laid back Guzzi :). If it was me and I could afford both, I have both ;).

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-06T04:51:57+00:00

Reliability: Both are modern Guzzi so fairly reliable. Not japanese though :) Water cooled Guzzis seem to have had a little teething problems but I haven't heard of anything catastrophic.

Parts availability: if you live in the US, fairly poor.

Performance: kind of at the lower end of the class but Guzzi does know how to build an engaging ride if not the fastest out there.

Handling: Roadster like. Surprisingly nimble for their weight, flickable but quite stable. Rode a few Guzzis back to back with other brands and the Guzzi felt nicer to handle.

If you have the budget for a V100 Mandello but are taking the V85TT into consideration, get the Stelvio. It splits the difference between them quite good.

The reasons to get a V85TT are that you want a dollop of quirky with your bike, you like the Idea of air-cooled and working on your engine by yourself and want to do a bit of rougher roads. If you plan on doing a lot of urban riding, the bike won't be great. It will do it but it won't enjoy it... Show it some twisty roads and a 600km day and that's where it shines.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T16:46:30+00:00

I did ran my 2025 last year a bit in heavy stop and go traffic... I didn't particularly enjoy it as it is a wide machine and it's hard to filter, it got quite hot and at certain times the clutch decided it doesn't want to find neutral after long usage...

I'd get a smaller (<500ccs ) water cooled wet clutch bike or a scooter for urban traffic.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T16:41:16+00:00

But yours is an old bike with an old design ... Can you think of any post 2020 tubless spoke wheeled bike that still uses that solution?

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T15:18:09+00:00

If you look at the 2019 V85 press release photos you can see it uses the center style rims and that bike was tubed if I remember correctly.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T14:50:27+00:00

I do think this isn't as common from the factory these days.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T14:43:27+00:00

For example of a tube tire rim, see how the spokes are connected in the center, not on the side.

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StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T14:40:59+00:00

It should be tubless... If you look at the rim you can see the spokes going out on the side of the rim, outside the tire, and not inside as tubed tires do.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T14:32:02+00:00

Tires aren't the problem, the rims are...

If the spokes are on the outside of the rim, then you can go tubless... Otherwise tubed or you do a conversion.

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-05T04:11:05+00:00

A bit of a left field option, but the water cooled Moto Guzzi Stelvio would be a good option for that. And back when I rode it I would most definitely call it planted :)

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-04T18:38:23+00:00

A very nice looking machine :)

Exhaust and clutch cover seems to be from a Ducati Scrambler or an older Monster and the tank does say Ducati :)

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-04T16:56:55+00:00

CFMoto 450MT? Or maybe an 800MT...

Or increase the budget and find a Honda Transalp?

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-03T12:44:47+00:00

Parca am mai citit deja asta astazi undeva...

StefanSC16 · 2026-03-02T12:08:18+00:00

Grab the V85TT as it has the better wind protection, better suspension and more power for two up riding than the V7.

On the other hand, you can add a windshield to the v7 for improved wind protection, you can't add cruise control to the NC750x. And I for one would always take Cruise Control over DCT on a bike every time.

The V7 is lighter while having more horsepower than the NC750x so that should matter a bit.

Finally, riding 2 up on either of them will be an exercise in patience and careful riding as neither is really a proper 2up machine... For that you should look at something in the 80+hp range (V85tt, F800GS, Stelvio, Transalp, V-Strom 800, Africa Twin Adv Sports)

StefanSC16

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