Moto Guzzi V85 TT

Built:2019-24201920202021202220232024

Photos: 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.

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.