Moto Guzzi V85TT

It’s a Guzzi, Jim, but not as we know it.

Smooth, comfortable and beautifully finished, the V85TT is a huge step forward for the Italian brand. The rough edges of past generations have been polished to produce a gorgeous, smooth and seamless dualsporter that honours its heritage but gives nothing away to its modern, high-tech competitors. Passionate Moto Guzzi owners of the past four or five decades will be squealing with glee at the V85TT, and Guzzi knockers over the same time will be forced to grit their teeth and stay quiet.

One aspect of Moto Guzzi remains unchanged: this is one motorcycle which will have plenty of passionate supporters.

Simple where it counts

Where manufacturers have seemingly been in competition to produce ever more technologically advanced and complex bikes with increasing weight and engine capacities, Adventure Rider Magazine was thrilled to see the basic parameters of the V85TT included an 853cc, air-cooled, transverse V-twin motor, shaft drive, and ready-to-ride weight of 229kg. Power output is a modest 80 horsepower and a cable clutch and relatively uncomplicated suspension round out the package.

We’re still a little stunned at 80 horsepower being considered ‘modest’, but that’s the world we live in.

Torque, on the other hand, maxxes out at 80Nm at 5000rpm, and that’s comparatively strong for a bike of this capacity.

Moto Guzzi intended the V85TT to be a complete all-rounder. The bike’s design brief said it should be a good commuter, a bit sporty, capable of punching through some off-road sections and a comfortable tourer.

Our short ride made us feel the designers and engineers had delivered exactly what was asked of them.

Twin set

Transverse V-twins are almost a signature of Moto Guzzi, and judging by the V85TT the company has the configuration well-sorted.