Moto Guzzi V85 TT [2021-2022]: A Timeless Adventure with Italian Soul
Introduction
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT isn’t just a motorcycle—it’s a declaration of independence. Born from Mandello del Lario’s century-old legacy, this retro-modern adventure bike blends old-world charm with contemporary technology. Designed to evoke the spirit of 1980s desert racers like the Paris-Dakar competitors, the V85 TT stands out in a sea of homogenized ADV bikes. With its transverse V-twin heartbeat and shaft-driven practicality, it’s a machine that rewards riders who value character as much as capability. Let’s dissect what makes this Italian oddball so compelling.
Design & Ergonomics
The V85 TT’s design is a masterclass in nostalgic functionality. The round LED headlight, exposed steel trellis frame, and minimalist bodywork pay homage to Moto Guzzi’s off-road heritage while maintaining modern durability. The 830 mm (32.7") seat height (adjustable to 803 mm/31.6" on some models) accommodates most riders, though the narrow seat profile helps shorter legs reach the ground.
Moto Guzzi offers multiple trims:
- Travel: Adds touring-focused extras like heated grips, aluminum panniers, and fog lamps.
- Guardia d’Onore: A numbered limited edition with presidential escort livery.
- Centenario: Celebrates Moto Guzzi’s 100th anniversary with retro silver/green paint.
Despite its 229 kg (505 lbs) wet weight, the V85 TT carries its mass low, thanks to the 90° V-twin layout. The upright riding position strikes a Goldilocks balance between highway comfort and off-road control, though the stock windscreen could be taller for cross-continent blitzes.
Engine & Performance
At its core lies the air-cooled 853cc V-twin, now Euro 5-compliant. Output varies slightly between trims:
- Power: 76 HP (56 kW) @ 7,500 RPM / 35 kW variant for A2 license holders
- Torque: 82 Nm (60.5 lb-ft) @ 5,000 RPM
The engine’s party trick? Its broad, tractor-like torque curve. Unlike high-strung parallel twins, the Guzzi pulls cleanly from 2,500 RPM, making it a joy in technical terrain or urban jungles. The shaft drive eliminates chain maintenance hassles, though purists might miss the visceral feedback of a chain-driven machine.
Fuel economy sits at 4.9 L/100 km (48 MPG), giving the 23L (6.1 gal) tank a theoretical 470 km (292 mi) range—enough to outlast most bladders.
Handling & Suspension
The V85 TT’s chassis is a study in pragmatic engineering. The 41 mm USD forks and rear monoshock (both preload/rebound adjustable) offer 170 mm (6.7") of travel—enough for gravel fire roads, but serious off-roaders might crave more damping control. With a 28° rake and 104 mm (4.1") trail, it’s stable at highway speeds yet nimble enough for Alpine switchbacks.
Tubeless spoked wheels (19" front/17" rear) shod in Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires strike a 70/30 on/off-road balance. Braking duties fall to Brembo: dual 320 mm front discs with 4-piston calipers and a 260 mm rear disc. ABS is switchable for off-road excursions.
Technology & Features
Moto Guzzi’s 5-inch TFT display is intuitive, pairing with smartphones via MIA for navigation/music. Five ride modes (Street, Rain, Off-Road, Sport, Custom) tweak throttle response, traction control, and ABS behavior. Cruise control comes standard—a blessing for long hauls.
Notable quirks:
- The transverse engine’s rotational inertia gives a slight “lean” sensation during hard acceleration.
- Heated grips (on Travel/Guardia d’Onore) have just two settings: “off” and “pizza oven.”
Competition
The ADV market is crowded, but the V85 TT carves its niche:
| Model | Pros | Cons |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| BMW F 850 GS | Superior off-road tech | Bland character, chain maintenance |
| Triumph Tiger 900 | Triple-cylinder smoothness | Higher seat, complex electronics |
| Ducati Multistrada V2 | Dazzling tech package | Costly service, hyper-focused styling |
The Guzzi’s trump cards? Shaft drive reliability, that soulful engine, and styling that turns heads at café stops. It’s less about beating specs sheets and more about delivering rides you’ll reminisce about decades later.
Maintenance
Ownership is refreshingly analog:
- Oil: SAE 10W-60 (1.8L w/filter)
- Tire Pressure: 2.5 bar (36 psi) front / 2.8 bar (41 psi) rear
- Valve Checks: Every 10,000 km (6,200 mi)—easy access with OHV design
- Shaft Drive: No lubing, just 75W-140 gear oil changes every 20,000 km
Common upgrades from MOTOPARTS.store:
- High-flow air filters for that V-twin growl
- Aftermarket windscreens to reduce buffeting
- Auxiliary LED light bars for night off-roading
Conclusion
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT isn’t the fastest, lightest, or most tech-laden ADV bike. But in a world obsessed with specs, it dares to prioritize soul. That transverse V-twin throb, the shaft drive’s carefree reliability, the way it looks parked outside a Tuscan trattoria—these are intangibles no spreadsheet can quantify. For riders who view journeys as stories waiting to be written, the V85 TT isn’t just transportation; it’s a co-author.
Ready to make your V85 TT uniquely yours? Explore our curated selection of upgrades at MOTOPARTS.store—where Italian passion meets rider pragmatism.
Specifications sheet
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Stroke: | Four-stroke |
| Max power: | 56 kW | 75.0 hp |
| Max torque: | 82 Nm |
| Fuel system: | Electronic fuel injection (Ride-by-Wire, Ø 52 mm throttle body) |
| Max power @: | 7500 rpm |
| Displacement: | 853 ccm |
| Fuel control: | Overhead Valves (OHV) |
| Max torque @: | 5000 rpm |
| Configuration: | V |
| Cooling system: | Air-cooled |
| Compression ratio: | 10.5:1 |
| Number of cylinders: | 2 |
| Valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase: | 1450 mm (57.1 in) |
| Dry weight: | 209 |
| Wet weight: | 230 |
| Seat height: | 803–830 mm (31.6–32.7 in) |
| Overall width: | 840 mm (33.1 in) |
| Overall height: | 1390 mm (54.7 in) |
| Overall length: | 2290 mm (90.2 in) |
| Ground clearance: | 150–210 mm (5.9–8.3 in) |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 23 L (6.1 US gal) |
| Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
| Final drive: | shaft |
| Gear ratios: | 1st 1:2.437, 2nd 1:1.778, 3rd 1:1.333, 4th 1:1.083, 5th 1:0.960, 6th 1:0.889 |
| Transmission: | 6-speed |
| Final drive ratio: | 8:33 |
| Maintenance | |
|---|---|
| Rear tire: | 150/70-17 |
| Engine oil: | 10W60 |
| Front tire: | 110/80-19 |
| Break fluid: | DOT 4 |
| Spark plugs: | NGK MR8BI-8 |
| Final drive oil: | 75W-140 GL5 |
| Transmission oil: | 75W-140 GL5 |
| Engine oil capacity: | 1.8 |
| Final drive oil capacity: | 0.18 |
| Transmission oil capacity: | 0.7 |
| Engine oil change interval: | Every 5000 km or 2 years |
| Valve clearance (intake, cold): | 0.10–0.20 mm |
| Valve clearance check interval: | 24,000 km (15,000 mi) |
| Valve clearance (exhaust, cold): | 0.20–0.30 mm |
| Recommended tire pressure (rear): | 2.8 bar (41 psi) |
| Recommended tire pressure (front): | 2.5 bar (36 psi) |
| Additional Features | |
|---|---|
| Wheels: | Tubeless cross-spoked (19" front / 17" rear) |
| Lighting: | Full LED |
| Electronics: | Traction control, cruise control, TFT display |
| Riding modes: | Street, Rain, Offroad, Sport, Custom |
| Chassis and Suspension | |
|---|---|
| ABS: | Standard dual-channel |
| Frame: | High-strength steel tubular frame |
| Rear brakes: | 260 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper (ABS) |
| Front brakes: | Dual 320 mm floating discs, Brembo 4-piston radial calipers (ABS) |
| Rear suspension: | Swingarm with lateral monoshock, adjustable preload and rebound damping |
| Front suspension: | 41 mm USD telescopic fork, adjustable preload and rebound damping |
| Rear wheel travel: | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Front wheel travel: | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
