Moto Guzzi have taken the adventure-touring game to a new avant-garde level the way only Italians could.
This machine, unveiled this week at EICMA, also showcases a new platform for the 96-year old Mandello de Lario based manufacturer.
Designed to occupy the middle ground between the V7 and V9 platforms the V85 also marks the debut of a completely new Moto Guzzi engine.
Following the trademark 90-degree transversely mounted air-cooled twin route, this new 850cc powerplant produces a claimed 80 horsepower and will power a new family of mid-capacity motorcycles from Moto Guzzi as they approach their centenary in 2021.
It should appeal to the numerous luddites who want simpler machines they can work on themselves (a well loved trait of Moto Guzzis), a lighter motorcycle instead of the heavy open class machines like the BMW R1200 GS and Yamaha Super Tenere, and the low maintenance shaft-drive offers. Moto Guzzi's new 2019 V85 TT adventure tourer is powered by a new 853cc, air-cooled, longitudinal 90-degree v-twin that Guzzi says is good for 80 horsepower, and it blends retro styling with.
It also seems as though the now decade old Stelvio and its characterful 1150cc engine is no more, with the big-bore range of Guzzis now all based on the current 1400 platform.
Moto Guzzi claim that no compromises have been made to the detriment of comfort and usability, resulting in a comfortable bike for two, with bags installed on the chassis frame.
The fuel tank design harks back to the tradition of the Moto Guzzi models set up for the African rally raids.
In line with the Guzzi story, there is also the high front mudguard and the beautiful double front headlight, stylistic and functional solutions already present on the NTX 650 from 1996 and the Quota 1000 from 1989.
Modern technology elements – such as the fully digital instrumentation and the front LED DRL light series on the front headlight – combine classic styling with the off-road world.
The frame is completely new and made of steel tubes and exploits the specific anchorage of the engine to create a rigid structure that restores precision and rigour on the road as well as robustness and the right feel for off-road riding.
The asymmetric aluminium swingarm has a curved shape on the left side, useful for designing a highly linear exhaust pipe pattern so as to minimise the lateral dimensions.
The right arm on the swingarm houses the new shaft drive transmission.
The mono shock absorber directly connects the chassis to the right arm of the swingarm, a solution that facilitates access to the hydraulic and spring preload adjustments, thus allowing free space for the exhaust system layout.
The suspension systems offer a very generous wheel travel for a optimal off-road use, thanks to a substantial engine floor clearance, as well as comfort on the most commonly-used roads.
That is about as much detail as we have on this new V85 as yet, and we are yet to ascertain the full technical specifications but it does seem that there is enough here to pique many a motorcyclists interests considering the social media talk surrounding the unveiling of the new model at EICMA.
Moto Guzzi’s tradition of adventure
Moto Guzzi boasts a solid off-road tradition: the first proof of this arrived at the Six Day Reliability Trial in 1939, which took place in Austria, where Moto Guzzi participated with the GT 20, winning four gold medals.
The true season of reliability continued in 1957, with the Lodola Regolarità, and then with the Stornello Regolarità in 1962. With this tradition, Moto Guzzi took on the Paris-Dakar in 1985 with the V65 Baja and the following year with the V75 Baja, strictly based on the standard models, appreciated for their lightness and the characteristics of their engine, which was robust and reliable.
The V85 is dedicated to those who, while never ceasing to dream of Dakar, yearn for a bike that revives the spirit of adventure on their daily journeys.
The Moto Guzzi prefigures a modern motorcycle, fully equipped and with a strong character, but also a pure and essential motorcycle with its shapes that originate directly from Moto Guzzi’s own history.
What better time than a long weekend in Trentino, walking between the Alps and the Dolomites, to test the brand new Moto Guzzi V85TT and have fun with the Moto Guzzi Experience.
And we at Moto Excape have decided to send the one who made a motorcycle safety profession a profession: Claudio Conte, president of Guida Sicura Urbana.
“I had been sure that all the bikes had a soul for some time. I had the opportunity to try the new Moto Guzzi V85TT at one of the stages of the Moto Guzzi Experience 2019, in Trentino. Two days up and down from the Dolomites, through landscapes and valleys that fill the eyes with their beauty, immersed in nature that transmits strength and peace. However, they veiled me with sadness watching the devastation of the wind that blew down thousands of trees in the storm of last October 29th.”
The touring test by Moto Excape
I covered 430km between alpine passes and hairpin bends, even under the sleet of the 2240 meters of altitude of the Pordoi Pass and its 5 degrees of temperature. I had a lot of fun on this new Mandello eagle and I appreciated the many qualities even though it is not as perfect as any other bike.
Ergonomy
The riding position thanks to a large but well proportioned handlebar, determines a natural and never tiring posture. The seat is not low but it is narrow towards the tank so as to allow a firm support with the feet. The footpegs are set back so far as to allow you to safely descend into fast corners and tackle the uphill hairpin bends, actually real corkscrews like those of the San Pellegrino pass, without ever touching the footboards on the asphalt. I liked a lot the the frame that wraps the saddle and acts as handles for the passenger and as support for bags and top case. It looks solid and made to support the set of travel bags.
Suspensions and brakes
The suspensions are effective on any terrain, even on the highway they make the bike stable and the front end is always precise and sincere. The front brake and clutch leversare adjustable so that the controls can be customized for each traveler. The rear brake lever has too long a stroke for my taste. But with a simple adjustment everyone will be able to find the right feeling in the braking. Positive note the ABS that is never invasive, so much so as to make people doubt in certain moments that it is there. But it’s effective when you really need it.
Engine e performance
The engine is sneaky at low revs, where it cradles you with its typical twin-cylinder lariano vibration, but ready to show it’s real power and torque when you need it, over 3.500 rpms. I really appreciated the total absence of on-off accelerator even when turning the knob firmly. Thecommand is always fluid and progressive. Surely it will be abig advantage for those who will use the bike for tourism, perhaps with bags and passengers. But I would have preferred a lower torque engine. It would have helped me to come out of the tight turns with more reactivity, especially when imagining a fully loaded journey. Another point in favor of the Moto Guzzi V85TT is the absence of play on the universal joint. Finally it is possible to travel without being accompanied by the typical “ciok” by turning the accelerator barely and even accelerating with determination the cardan’s drift is barely perceptible. Really a great job of fine-tuning the bike at the Guzzi house. I also enjoyed the change. The shift lever is short and quick, perfect.
On board
The instruments are full led, always clearly visible even in full sun, with lots of useful information for traveling. Nice also the automatic system of inversion of contrast passing in tunnel or in areas of shadow. The control blocks are current and “stylish” but the buttons seem to have been scattered with a too personal criterion. The stop button, which is too small and anonymous, can definitely be improved. He hides remaining drowned in the control block and it is not always easy to press it, especially when wearing winter gloves. Curious then the choice to dye it in black instead of red. Perhaps more traditional but certainly more immediately identifiable. Even the indicators switch did not convince me. It shifts to the right and to the left as on almost all the other bikes, but deactivation by pressure is not felt. I would have preferred it with a stronger “click”. You never know if you have really turned off the direction indicators that are not timed. Wearing a pair of padded gloves, you get to look at the light on the dashboard with consequent distraction from the road.
Summing up
The new Moto Guzzi V85TT is an eclectic bike. Perfect to show off a bit, for those who are also looking for a motorbike, practical and effective in everyday driving and a comfortable travel companion for those who prefer the use of tourism. All bikes have their own characteristics and for whom, of the Mandello twin cylinder makes it a faith, the choice is mandatory. For others it is an excellent alternative to evaluate. The eagle, with this V85TT, flies much higher.
Claudio Conte
The test was conducted during the Moto Guzzi Experience stage in Trentino, a weekend organized beautifully directly by the parent company with the support of a Tour Operator that dealt with the tourist and logistic details: spectacular itineraries with stops and visits to the most beautiful spots of the route; Hotel, the Castel Pergine, not only beautiful, but truly one of a kind; almost the entire Guzzi range available, excellent regional cuisine together with the travel company (the tour was made to complete). For more information visit the Moto Guzzi Experience website |
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