Moto Guzzi V85 TT Set For Australia Mid-2019

This entry is part 211 of 320 in the series Adventure Rider Issue #1

Moto Guzzi made a spectacle at the Open House event in Italy from Sept 7-9 by unveiling a production ready version of its ‘Classic Enduro’, the V85 TT. This unique model will showcase an 80hp twin-cylinder engine platform that will form the basis for a brand-new family of motorcycles for the marque. The highly versatile V85 TT pays homage to the quintessence of travel, and is dedicated to motorcyclists who do not stop when they reach the end of the asphalt.

The acronym ‘TT’ stands for “tutto terreno” (all terrain) and builds on a tradition that was established by the marque with their Gold Medal winning ISDE machines in the 1930’s. Now the V85 TT offers a window into the brand’s bright future and a commitment to meeting the needs of aficionados in a modern age. The features it has place it between the classic V7 and V9 family and the 1400 large cruisers to cover the gap left by the Stelvio. It is a motorcycle that has travel in its blood and the indomitable spirit of Moto Guzzi in spades.

The V85 TT is built out of authenticity, which is a fundamental value of the Factory in Mandello. A new, lighter and more powerful small-block engine guarantees rider enjoyment and takes inspiration from the epic rally raids of the 1980s; a point of reference from which the model inherits style, charm and proficiency on long-distance routes with cutting edge technology.
In its use as a touring bike, the V85 is new and original, combining stylistic ideas from the golden age of the motorcycling with the contents and functionality of a modern adventure bike. This motorcycle represents a revolution in the motorcycle industry and is part of a natural evolution by the Lake Como-based brand wholly consistent with their launch of the V9 a year ago and the third generation of the V7 this year.

Travelling to live, the V85 is an adventure every day

Moto Guzzi boasts a solid off-road tradition extending back to the Six Day Reliability Trial in Austria 1939 where Moto Guzzi participated with the GT 20 and went on to win 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 and appreciated for their lightness and the characteristics of their engine which was robust and reliable.

The V85 TT is dedicated to those who yearn for a bike that revives the spirit of adventure on their daily journeys. The model epitomises a neoteric motorcycle. Fully equipped and with a strong character, but also a pure and essential with its shapes that originate directly from Moto Guzzi’s own history.

Style: The V85 TT is the first Classic Enduro

The design is the meeting point between technology and functionality with a classic Moto Guzzi style, designed to remain timeless as well as defining the first modern Classic Enduro to be dedicated to touring. The V85 TT is designed with proportions that are light and nimble making this model accessible for riders of all sizes and experience. No compromises have been made in comfort and usability and final result is a machine ideally equipped for travelling two up with panniers 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 real world off-road application.

Character, lightness and ease of use

The completely new tubular steel trellis frame is designed in pursuit of lightness, durability and handling for off-road riding. The asymmetric aluminium swingarm has beautiful curved lines on the left side and houses the new shaft drive transmission on the right.

The mono shock connects the chassis directly to the swingarm, a solution that facilitates access to the hydraulic and spring preload adjustments while allowing free space for the layout of the exhaust system. Generous wheel travel and high specification suspension front and rear are suited to navigating rugged terrain and offer exceptional comfort for traversing the most commonly-used roads.

A new engine, a classic of the future

The V85 TT showcases a new engine from Moto Guzzi comprised of a two-cylinder 90° transverse air-cooled 850cc which, thanks to its complete redesign, has 80 HP of maximum power.

It is an engine that, fully in line with Moto Guzzi philosophy, announces itself as a future classic with rewarding performance, great character and impressive torque at lower running speeds. This technical platform will form the basis for the development of a new family of medium-sized motorcycles that will span a variety of different genres, and continue the brand’s legacy for producing models that have a strong character, generous performance and a style which is unmistakeably Moto Guzzi.