Moto Guzzi V85 TT

Review: Moto Guzzi V85 TT (Baujahr 2019)

Sometimes something completely different

imagePhotos: Dietmar

You have the sense of an unconventional motorcycle that is not to be found on every corner? Mainstream adé? Voila: Appearance of the Moto Guzzi V85 TT – and thus the motorcycle that changes its tyres with the colour. The test clarifies what else she can do.

Tradition and modernity

Owners of Moto Guzzi motorcycles can be sure of one thing: most other bikers rarely have anything to do with it. With its great past in motor sports, the brand is now consistently refusing to perform too motor services. Moto Guzzi super sportsman? Unthinkable.

In 2019, the Italians presented their latest interpretation of an adventure bike. Or a travel enduro? The latter also depends on the choice of colour, but more on it. The double T in the name of the Moto Guzzi V85 TT stands for "tutto terreno", translated "any terrain".

What sets them apart from the competition is the traditionally longitudinally built-in V2, which has been completely redesigned for the TT. What is also unusual – especially for non-BMW drivers – is the built-in gimbal drive, which passes the power of the 80 hp to the rear wheel.

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Different tyres depending on the colour

Sahara yellow is the colour of our test bike, but this is a decision with greater significance. In reality, the TT is colorful, next to the yellow-and-white tank there are black stripes and a bright red lattice tube frame. What distinguishes this version from the other colours blue, grey or red with grey frame is the choice of tyres: in the Sahara yellow, there are coarse tyres of the type Michelin Anakee Adventure. The other colours wear a more street-oriented version with the Metzeler Tourance Next.

The Guzzi costs 12,300 euros, which makes it difficult to classify. It comes from the medium power segment, which makes it meet the competition from bmw F 750 GS (77 hp, 9,350 euros) or the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom XT (71 hp, 8,990 euros). Only the KTM 790 Adventure plays with 12,399 Euros in its league, but has 95 hp.

Enough of the theory to answer the question of "is it worth it?" is finally off.

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Handy without end

Sitting is a good thing. Whether big or small, somehow it fits well with the different benches that are offered. The knee angle is very relaxed, and the sociable will not complain either.

Where does our test drive go? This has to be answered, because there are three different driving modes to choose from: rain, road and off-road. The whole thing is connected to the ABS, which does not allow any slipin in rain, at off-road a whole lot. There is also a cruise control.

The motor pushes powerfully, from 3,000 revolutions it goes well. But soon it's over again, because at 8,000 the red area begins. And even that is theory, because the normally very cultivated V2 forgets its manners from about 7,000 revolutions, and the perceived performance does not increase. Unfortunately, this makes it appear slower and more laced than the real driving performances make it seem.

What immediately pleases is the enormous handiness of the Guzzi. She punishes her ready-to-drive 229 kilos of lies, measures every kind of bend very quickly and can be guided precisely – and this with these tires! top also the driving comfort, which is partly due to the 170 millimeter travel.

On- and off-road, the brakes convince with the ABS in the appropriate position on each surface. On the street, they show commitment, but not in such a way that they would tend to block on sand. At the back, there is the same rating: that's how it has to be.

The Individualist among the Enduros

What remains? The Moto Guzzi V85 TT performs well. At its core, it is a very clean, individual motorcycle that does not weaken in everyday life. The middle ground in terms of performance could be a little more committed to motor. But racers, no matter what ground, will have nothing to do with the guzzis of modern times anyway.

Any favours? No, Moto Guzzi customers don't need that. They appreciate that the newer models have caught up enormously in terms of connectivity, quality and suitability for everyday use without losing individuality. No matter in which colour and with which tire.

The test bike was provided to us by ZTS in Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 12.300€ in yellow, other colours from 11.990€
  • Years of construction: since 2019
  • Availability: also available as A2
  • Colours: blue, grey, red, yellow
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Zubehör für die
V85 TT

  • Moneta
  • Polo
  • Amazon

Pro & Kontra

  • Processing
  • Off-road properties
  • Comfort
  • Brakes
  • Power
Von unserem Team geprüft:

General

Type
Adventure
Eia
€12,299

Dimensions

Length
2,240 mm
Height
1,300 mm
Weight
230 kg
Ab. Weight
448 kg
Seat
830 mm
Wheelbase
1,530 mm

Driving Performance & Range

Tank contents
23 l
Consumption
4.9 l
Range
460 km
Highest-speed
195 km/h

Motor & Power Transmission

Engine design
90°-V2-cylinder four-stroke
Number of cylinders
2
Cooling
Aircooled
Displacement
853 cc
Hole
84 mm
Hub
77 mm
Performance
80 HP
Torque
83 NM
Number of gears
6
Drive
Cvd

Suspension & Brakes

Frame
Lattice tube bridge frame
Suspension front
Hydraulic x 41 mm USD telescopic fork; Spring preload and tensile stage damping adjustable
Travel:
170 mm
Strut rear
lateral central spring leg, spring preload and tensile coil adjustable
Travel:
170 mm
Suspension rear
Two-arm swingarm with integrated gimbal
Brakes in front
Double disc, Brembo radial monobloc calipers with 4 pistons
320 mm
Tyres at the front
110/80 - 19
Brakes rear
Single disc, 2-piston caliper
260
Rear tyres
150/70 - 17
Abs
2-channel ABS Continental