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To be frank, I just wanted to buy two O-rings for the oil drain plug of the front fork of my old BMW GS at the Guzzi dealer around the corner. But then I was smitten. No, not with the pretty sales consultant—the beautiful Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel in her new Sabbia Namib livery had a profound effect on me. This reminds me of the story of a friend who just popped out to buy winter tyres and came home with a new car.
Instead of refurbishing the forks of my GS when I got home, I immediately started researching the classically elegant yet unobtrusive Italian lady. And I was pleasantly surprised: I learned only good things about the Italo bike. The small motorcycle manufacturer from Mandello del Lario on Lake Como was never known for power, agility, workmanship, and stability. Other manufacturers have always ranked higher in these disciplines. But in this case, Moto Guzzi have really outdone themselves and opened a new chapter in motorcycle engineering. A classic touring enduro with character, no airs and graces, no higher, faster, further—but a perfect riding machine in the traditional sense.
The Italians know a thing or two about tradition. On March 15, 2021, the company celebrated their 100th birthday. Even today, their motorcycles are still designed, constructed, and assembled in the same old factory where it all began. Every machine is hand-built in Europe. Which other manufacturer can make the same claim? I, for my part, find this very appealing.
The attractive timeless design of the V85 TT model series with its anachronistic drive concept and enduro borrowings is strongly reminiscent of the model language of the 80s and the successful motorcycles of the Dakar Rally—classic, with tank, side cover, and conventional front fender. Even the cylinders with fine cooling fins are not just for show. The V2 is air-cooled. The abbreviation TT stands for “Tutto Terreno” (meaning: all terrain). Today’s motorcycles are characterised by an almost magical blend of futuristic designs and traditional elements.
I like to consider myself an old-school biker. I’ve started riding my BMW in 1993 and it’s never let me down: a reliable companion that takes you to the end of the world and back home again. Equipped with simple, straightforward, and easy-to-maintain technology—the personality of a tractor.
But time does not stand still. In recent years, my hankering to ride something new has led to numerous test rides, only to find that I missed the emotional factor—that is, until today.
After an extensive test ride with the Guzzi, my mind was made up—I must have her. Besides her good looks and the emotional attachment, hard facts make a compelling argument.
The V85 TT model series was first launched in the spring of 2019, and the completely redesigned air-cooled, 90-degree vee-twin engine (first offered in April 2006, in the Breva and Griso with 850cc) produces a healthy 76 hp from 853cc at 7500 rpm in its 2021 spec. Maximum torque of 82 Nm is produced at 5000 rpm. In the Euro 5-compliant version now available, torque and power delivery in the lower and medium rev ranges have also been improved. Let’s face it: you don’t need more power to travel with a touring enduro.
KTM and BMW are taking a different approach. READY TO RACE is the Austrians’ motto. On the KTM 1290 Super Adventure S, the drive chain has to withstand a whopping 160 hp. At this level of performance, it’s hard work to get into a flow and enjoy the passing scenery. As they say among touring motorcyclists: the journey is the destination. The quicker I arrive at a destination, the more compressed is the riding experience. Even if my aged BMW only produces 60 hp with her 1000cc, the last 27 years have been filled with unforgettable moments. What I find particularly appealing about the Guzzi is the anachronistic drive concept with air-cooled engine and prop shaft, which is a unique selling point in the segment of mid-range touring enduros. Moto Guzzi has gathered a wealth of experience with this configuration over the years. Goodbye chain maintenance.
The Travel stands on beautiful matte black rims with spokes woven into the outside. This allows for tubeless tyres in the dimensions 110/80 R19 (front) and 150/70 R17 (rear). The fitted Michelin Anakee Adventure are a perfect for a touring bike with off-road ambitions.
Ready to go, the bike weighs in at 243 kilograms. This already includes 23 litres of fuel, the luggage set with mounting bracket (included in the Travel Pack), heated grips, large windshield, underride protection, hand protectors (a bit too small!), cruise control, and a very useful integrated USB socket in the cockpit. The digital colour TFT display takes a bit of getting used to. Here, the classic touring enduro with two round LED headlights would look better with combined analogue and digital displays. Be that as it may. Surely, this feature is a result of the cooperation with the Piaggio Group (since December 30, 2004) and intended to bridge the gap into the digital age. Cruise control, which transmits throttle commands via ride-by-wire, also contributes to digitalisation. Fine-tuning this revised 2021 touring enduro, led to five riding modes instead of three: street, rain, off-road, sport, and a custom mode. The latter allows for individualisation of the parameters ABS, torque, and slip.
Also worth mentioning at this point is Guzzi’s own multimedia platform MIA. Using the optionally available tool (dongle), the smartphone connects to the corresponding app on the motorcycle. Via Bluetooth, the user receives statistical information about driving distances, driving times, and consumption. Voice control is supposed to work the same way (I have not tested it yet). The app is operated via the right handlebar and is extremely reliably. Navigation requires a smartphone. Trip data and navigation instructions are shown on the display via arrow icons. However, there is no road map. But this type of route guidance is completely sufficient for navigation to a destination. When this is not enough, you can attach your smartphone or navigation system to the tapered handlebar and power directly into USB socket in the cockpit. Moto Guzzi is still a newcomer when it comes to multimedia on a motorcycle, but don’t fret, more updates will be added in the future.
The two 320 mm brake discs on the progressive 41 mm upside-down fork, are highly effective thanks to Brembo calipers and Continental’s 2-Channel ABS. At the rear, a double-piston fixed caliper works on a 260 mm disc. This combination provides excellent deceleration in all driving conditions. The retro enduro deserves great praise for balance and manoeuvrability, as well as stable and neutral handling. The chassis, with its fully adjustable components, may also have been developed with support from Piaggio. The chassis specialists from Aprilia certainly had their heads and hands in the game. With older models, Moto Guzzi’s realistic riding impressions left room for improvement. Here, however, there is nothing to criticise. On the contrary, on my home track the dampers are responsive and highly efficient at all speeds. The front and rear shocks each have 170 mm of travel. Excursions along meandering country roads through the hills, and on faster stages on the highway, are best described as relaxed and comfortable. Only when exceeding 150 kmh does the chassis show signs of restlessness. However, this can be reliably calmed down again by increasing the tyre pressure and adjusting the damper settings. The touring screen, however, becomes all but ineffective at anything above 130 kmh. Especially when wearing an enduro helmet with visor, the wind tears heavily on the helmet. Small riders and riders with a full-face helmet might have a different experience. My short off-road trip on dry gravel and loose terrain left both the chassis and the tyres unimpressed. For most riders, the off-road performance of this mid-range enduro should be sufficient.
The black nylon luggage set included in the Travel Pack, with silver applications and stylish Moto Guzzi lettering, looks up-market and appealing. The left pannier encloses the slim muffler to minimise the bike’s overall width. The luggage packs clean and dry in 27- and 37-litre cases. Another pleasing feature is the fact that both panniers lock with the ignition key (abolishing the tedious search for keys).
A word, too, about the high-mounted oval exhaust. Again, the build quality on this bike is highly sophisticated. The matte black muffler chimes subtle, yet quite bassy, with a nice V2 sound. It’s neither boisterous nor annoying to the environment or sensitive minds.
The large-volume fuel tank and the moderate thirst of the V2 allow for stages of more than 450 km between refuelling stops. With a frugal riding style, consumption is reduced to just over 4 litres per 100 km. Respect!
The stylishly comfortable seat also meets with approval. Pilot and pillion find support at the centrally placed rump with quilted Moto Guzzi lettering. The 83 cm seat height should fit most statures. And if not, you will certainly find a more suitably dimensioned and comfortable alternative in the in-house accessories catalogue.
In the past, Guzzi riders always had to bring along a willingness to bear some suffering. Harley riders and Land Rover Defender owners know what I’m talking about. But with the update of this latest classic touring enduro, the developers from Mandello del Lario have done everything right.
The designers have managed to put a classic touring enduro on her own two feet (or wheels) again, and not make her appear old. Technically, this bike is state-of-the-art, equipped with modern features and useful accessories. The successful mix of retro and classic motorcycle construction increases this Italian lady’s particular charm—and I am not the only one getting addicted. This is where “Heritage” meets “Dolce Vita.”
If you are looking for a beautiful classic bike with character for travelling, understatement rather than racing, you should definitely take a closer look at the beguiling Italian from Lake Como. This retro enduro will find much approval, I’m sure, from the ranks of Bavarian motorcycle enthusiasts who still mourn their old love, an air-cooled GS with two valves and low-maintenance prop shaft. Everyone else who just want to get to their destination as quickly and as dry as possible, should forage at their local car dealerships.
Tutto bene—life is good. Sorry, BMW, I have fallen in love with an Italian!
€13,490 | motoguzzi.com
