Moto Guzzi V85 TT. Is it a True Adventure Bike? | Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- Meet the 2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT. The fist classic enduro touring, as Moto Guzzi calls it. When we first saw this bike we had mixed feelings - it look great, it features an air-cooled engine, but is it a true adventure bike? Or just a poser? We took it out for a first ride to find out the answer.
---------------------
Follow us on:
Website - riders.drivemag...
Facebook - / drivemagriders
Instagram - / drivemagriders
Twitter - / drivemagriders
Tumblr - / drivemag-riders
I've been shopping and comparing specs on mid-sized ADV bikes for months. This bike just throws all of that out the window. I don't care how many inches of travel, or how far the range is, etc.. I just want one because it is beautiful, it has soul, and it still looks/feels/sounds like a motorcycle.
The one thing that never gets mentioned is that there really isn't any bike in the segment that is as easy to maintain. There is very little the owner can't perform in their garage. Guzzi's are very inexpensive and enjoyable to maintain.
Aynen truess doğrular nitelikte abloss alkış aldı
40 year Guzzi owner here, I really like this bike, but thought it was just a street bike dressed up as seems the norm these days with different styles defining riders and their particular lifestyles. I am now of the impression after watching quite a few reviews I may be wrong, this may be one of the first in a new line of Guzzis that will do the name proud, a machine that will really get under your skin , do everything well ,if not the best, not far behind.
RIP, you were one of the best reviewers around.
So fking sad man…RIP
Wait, what?! Please explain
@@danielbarber2677 He passed away in a motorcycle accident.
@@paintup46 Ah heartbraking! I found his full name and found the news article. He was only 33 - so tragic. I really appreciated his earnest approach to his reviews. Although he focused more on the ADV side of things, he quickly became one of my favorite youtube reviewers. So sad...
@@danielbarber2677 Yeah man, it’s very sad.
Finally, a mid size adventure motorcycle with a real personality, a soul all of its own.
The following is really important, and manufacturers such as BMW need to listen. So many motorbikes try to find their niche, and even though they are really good, they are merely tools for a job at hand. Now for a practical person this is great, but motorcyclists are not generally practical people. There are a few and for those there are excellent choices such as the Honda NC750dct. The BMW r1250gs is an amazing motorcycle, not because it is practical (which it indeed is but more by accident then by design) but because it started of with a unique design and evolved from there into something that has a mesmerizing, unique and physics defying soul. In many ways, this Moto Guzzi went into the direction we asked BMW to go when they designed the F850gs, namely, rather a shaft driven R900 or 950 boxer with 70kw and 100nm. The F850 has the same problem most other motorbikes in this segment have, the R1250gs is just so bloody good, and it has a soul.
Ask anyone after riding the F850gs which would they prefer, (even though the 850 is an amazingly good motorcycle in its own right) this bike or a good second hand R1200gs for the same price and 99% of the time they’ll sign for the 1200.
Moto Guzzi has, with this one new product, designed something truly fantastic. It’s not perfect, by no means, but I wish them many sales and to continue improving on this design with more low down torque and who knows what more (would love a change to find out) over the generations to come. It has a soul, the most important component of any motorbike. The rest will follow.
You hit the nail with this comment. Cristian
After all i just love the 'plane' sound of boxer engine. It reminds me of old planes with single front mounted engine. Just love it...
BMW doesn't need to listing when the gs1200 in europe is by far the most sold bike. Manufacturors listing to units sold ..
@@DriveMagRiders RIP Brother…
No one seems to mention the fact the heads are totally exposed for easy access adjusting the valves, I'd think that would be a major plus.
My top nominees for best motorcycle channels.
Ryan F9 - FortNine
Bret Tkacs - MotoTrek
Cristian - DriveMag Riders
Not in the same order
and, most important, it's made in Italy, not China
Marco Colazilli which means the bits leak and then fall off
@@filthymcnastyazz That's equally true for BMW
@Bulldozer well, that's a bold offence from someone who probably doesn't even know what a bidet is.
Or Taiwan!
@@DerpEye yes quite right. Eats chicken Mc nuggets every night and micro chips for lunch and struggled for his high school diploma..Hahahaha
Haha those ‘engine listening’ shots were brilliant, love it. :)
And it shakes like its had 10 shots of espresso it might actually Shake more than a Harley Davidson LOL
it sounds like a Ducati dry clutch...lol
I love your enthusiasm and joy on your face when talking about motorcycle mate,
This review is no exception
Love this video; so well done. Love Cristians passion for bikes. RIP sir.
Rip buddy, may you ride this guzzy forever
Can you share what happened? I've really enjoyed these reviews and was wondering why there are not more recent uploads.
@@danielbarber2677 They start to make a new channel and sadly Christian died in motocycle crash in summer this year...
Very beautiful, amazing build quality, technology with maps and cruise control, amazing sound, an engine who will live for ever, good price!!!
One of the best vfm ever!!
The bike only need tubelles tyres and maybe to be a bit lighter..
I have the crf 1000l and I am thinking to trade it for a v85tt
my next bike will this one ... enduro + touring + retro + cafe racer = MG V85TT
I think it would sit directly between the F850GS and the F750GS. But it looks better, has a shaft drive, adjustable forks and shock and an air cooled motor.
Always first class videos and reviews from DriveMag Riders - clearly very experienced and knowledgeable and manages to cover all the key points - thank you very much!
Beautiful motorcycle. Comparisons are great, put something new against a known benchmark but my initial impression just from seeing a handful of reviews is this... If a person buys this bike and doesn't compare it to other bikes, I think they would be totally satisfied with the V85 TT. Just buy the bike and ride it sensibly, smiling the whole time.
Great initial thoughts and video, as usual!
Got mine today and in my opinion it's in a class all by itself!
Some people think its ugly. I dont know why but i think its one of the most beautyful bike's there is out there. Especially the red and yellow colour scheme
Brahim Hassani It looks ... different. That's why the conservative guys are considering it to be ugly
You know, I believe that this bike is a win all round, old school air cooled, so there are no radiators and cooling systems that have extra eight and bulk, lots of torque, and modern suspension and engine/suspension management....a bit like a R100GS with all the new technologies.....Yes it would make a good long term adventure bike.
Great quality production and good info - only people who really love bikes can make vids this good! Well done and thanks! 🙂
RIP my friend. God be with you.. :(
One of the Best Motorcycles they have ever built. Beautiful Styling and Color.
Great review , I just want one , I went & test rode a new CF moto 800 the other day ,great bike & as I was walking out of the shop I spotted the V85TT it looked like a Italian Super model I went up & sat on her the lines the finish is awesome ,Its not a demo So I couldn't take for a test ride, I have been back three times , the CF is half the price & a lot of bike for the money butI think I will go with the Guzzi, I just have convince the wife. I just bought a 2020 travel ,its awesome .Rode it back 200 ks in the rain no problems.
Compare it with F750GS, Tiger 800 XR or V-Strom 650XT ;). Not with bikes with 21" front wheel.
650 xt have much lower price than that bike.
A video can't definitely let feels how this engine sounds like. Its voice is so wonderful!! I bought one M21 today and I'm so happy
I love this bike. It's my new one since october...
Cool and very objective review for this beautiful bike; defenitely not an off-road bike, but as you say perfect for 70/30 road/gravel!
Great review as always. I've been waiting for this bike to arrive. Deposit placed 2 weeks ago. 😁
There's one thing common to all reviews of this bike - grins, smiles, surprise and more often than not, the word "love".
For me it ticks all the boxes I need for a long distance, middleweight Adv tourer with Guzzi character and ease of servicing.
I'm not interested in hardcore, knarly off-road. Just dirt roads and trails thanks when I'm doing a +2500Km tour with full luggage. Anything else is too risky so far from home unsupported. Is it an Adventure bike? Hell yes.
It fits my definition of Adventure.....
aNY NEW ABOUT THE BIKE?
If only they would build a modern Lemans 1000. *Sigh*
I think it would be very natural to include a Triumph Scrambler in any future comparison since it also captures the retro look and the new model has been improved for better off-road performance. For that matter, you might also compare it to the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled. I'm currently riding a Suzuki V-Strom 650 and I am even considering the V85 TT as a replacement for my bike. I really like the character of V-twin engines.
Bradley, we didn't have the opportunity to test the Triumph Scrambler yet, but we're very curious about it. Cristian
I was lost the first chilometers with this bike. My first thought was to bring it immediately back to the dealer. At the end of the test I wouldn't stop driving the v85. Lovely, lovely, lovely bike! I WANT ONE!
I think very soon a new ECU-map (to considerely raiseup the torque at low rpms) will be available for free from the european guys who love this bike (like it is happened for other Guzzis).
Brilliant video! I really love the look and sound of this bike.As well as the details it was lovely to see a review where the rider was engaged with not just the machine, but the joy of riding! 👍
This is one nice motorcycle. I would say... comparing it to bikes such as the Africa Twin or BMW 850GS may not be fair to any of these bikes... the Moto Guzzi seems to be much more about the experience of riding, including motor sounds, motor response, than about its off road performance and adventure/touring riding that those other two motorcycles deliver well. Not that it can't be done, it's just that's not the priority, not what comes first. Well, that's how I see it. I would buy this motorcycle to simply ride it. Excellent review!!!
I had a big smile on my face watching this video. Great review!!
I’m now approaching 72 years in May, 2021. I own a 1998 BMW R1100GS. Because of staying indoors from COVID, I find I have lost some upper body strength to handle this bike now. Yes, I know, back to the gym, but I was at a Motto-Guzzi showroom the other day and it felt a lot better to me. Yep, back to the weights anyway, but I was impressed. Your thoughts, I’m 5’10” ( 178cm ), 195-200lbs( 88.45-90.72), so my height and weight is in the spec range of this bike, I think.
That is a dream bike! Better air cooled, and just because of this, fitting to tetrain and long distance rides. No chain maintenance, no cooling system maintenance! Perfect!
Mate , you are brilliant! Probably the best review I have seen in a ages. Would be interesting to see how the Guzzi stands up to long time abuse on gravel roads, here in australia we have a lot of them and I am unsure if the bike will be good for touring here....Also I am unsure about the air / oil cooled engine to keep going in desert conditions (40 deg for weeks) and hard work in sand .... Has anyone done some desert traveling yet? --Love your videos, non biased reviews by ppl that know what they are talking about. pure class. Thanks!
This is the best review of the MG I have seen so far. I can't wait to see a head-to-head with peer bikes.
Love your channel, love this bike! Just when I was drooling after a Tiger800.... now this comes along
I had a Breva750 for a short while. This is a much better bike but I now own a TigerXRx. I envy no bike anymore. You need a 250 cc dual sport for stress free off road.
I would love to see the 3 way comparison (maybe also throw in the 900 Tiger as well) with all the bikes in their full touring kit over a few days of real adventure touring/camping to see who comes out on top in the real world.
It certainly looks great. Sounds great. Seems to handle dirt roads ok if not rough trails. And if it's quite comfortable on a long ride, those are major things that matter. It's not light but it's not heavier than other bikes in the category either. Looks like a really nice bike to me,
I enjoyed this video and the 3 bike comparison version. Please do a more in depth review of the 2021 edition since you haven't had the chance to do the more in depth review of this bike.
Not sure of the others but I am sick of powerful and heavy adv bike,I don't use the power afraid of loosing my license and hate their weight and size, after riding 1000km, I really hate to look at them. I was too young and too poor to meet the R800GS,may be this is the time
Another great bike review!
Wish I have a dealer less than 2 1/2 hours drive! Beautiful bike for sure! What a great start conversation this bike will be....
MOTO GUZZI sell a windshield more hight for this bike, as accessories
i had a 2009 R1200GSA until I flipped it twice in the Australian desert this year. once I recover, this bike is a solid contender to replace my now lost friend - the GSA. I don't dig the new 1200 or 1250. the last oil/air cooled R1200GSA is what I like about bikes, and this Guzzi beeing retro yet having a little up to date tech sprinkled all over it, might be worth giving it a go. Crash bars are a must since I take these bikes into heavy off roading and pannier racks + fog lights should be stock to make it proper ADV. small windscreen is alright. less plastic to go down in the dirt that way. to top it all off - she's pretty!
Did you get one?
definitely another great retro styled scrambler but nothing like an africa twin! as always another great vid guys!
I rode it yesterday . Was very immpressed with the 85 ! Liked it better than my friends AT .
Could you please say why? I'm thinking of buying the 85TT or the Africa Twin.
Great video and review. When I am due to change my GS, I will be having a serious look at this one.
Happyface, Chris, this bike gives you the smile 😊 great review, Friend, as you use to do 👍👍👍
I'm interested in this bike as an alternative to a Bonneville T120 or Scrambler second bike. I am thinking when I move back to the states getting a GS1250 and the V85TT. I was going to get a Bonnie to park next to the GS, but this looks more like a better more beautiful all a rounder.
Stunning review. Absolutely love when you took the time to listen to the engine. Fab.
Really good honest review. I like the way the review is down to earth and gives you the details that are important in my opinion
I like the look at the bars; excellent use of red round tubing and headlamps. Beautiful!
What a wonderful video about the Moto Guzzi. I don't know how it could fit in my stable of bikes but I do love watching it.
Great video and honest review as always
Keep up with the good work 👍
Nice review. I love the looks and for commute seems a good option (on the TT side). My only doubt is about engine cooling and heat for the pilot on hot summer days.
Great review. Thank you! A Guzzi is a Guzzi. Love or hate it at the end of the day it’s wonderful! Caio.
Great review, look forward to see longer rides, or maybe I just get one to go venture far:) reminds me of my original 89' tenere, basic air-cooled with great looks, makes you want to ride further and enjoy the ride a little slower (than a 1200GS might) perfect gorgeous looking 2cylinders.
One of the best motorcycling review ever, thanks!!!
very nice review - thank you for that. finally there are two questions to answer: do you think the rear suspension would be able to offer same comfort with full luggage and two person usage? would the engine offer enough power to handle that?
Beautiful bike, excellent review!
Those break lines seem to be awfully close to the exposed front wheel.
Good video and good question. Now I have a Tiger 800, and I'm thinking about a Africa Twin or a Moto Guzzi. Africa Twin is better I think, but everything in this bike seams easy, and cheap.....I'm waiting for your new videos.
If you want a bike that is easy to live with day in and day out get the Honda. If you want thrilling get a KTM. Moto Guzzi is somewhere in the middle. I consider the KTM like thouroughbread race horse, and honda like central park carraige horse. I havent ridden the V85 yet.
I've owned a Tiger 800 and an Africa Twin. The Africa twin was certainly the better all-rounder. I thought I was done with ADV bikes but this just looks sooo cool. Had a Guzzi Breva 1200 put 50k kms on it, absolutely loved that bike. I think this could solve all my regrets.
I hope they put loctite on all the fasteners, that vibration is next level
Unfortunately, in the US, Piaggio has LOST hundreds of dealers over the past 5 years. I live in a major urban area, but the nearest dealer is now over 200 miles away, making this a no-go.
Bad politics 🙈
Guzzi has been making riders into mechanics for that reason. It's so so so easy to work in these bikes
@@mikyor1 ...crazy, simply crazy...
Seems like you enjoyed this first review. I like the power and drive train setup, especially shaft and push rods. Imagine an engine service and valve clearance check compared with a Ducati that needs an elastic band change. A clutch change might offset some of this benefit. Without knowing anything about dealer support or reliability, this is a bike I will keep an eye on!
It looks like a mix of adventure, touring and scrambler.
Very nice job on this review, guys. Thank you
Man your videos are very nicely made. Keep up with the good job. Great curation here, good content.
This review was very positive one, kind of funny with the engine sounds etc., but also useful, the good combination. And about the bike it gave so positive feedback, that partly for this video I ended up for a deal finally two days ago!
Can't wait to see the Harley Davidson PanAmerica. I'm so curious about it. 👌
Yea me2
I love this bike! And I love my Griso!
beautiful bike, very well balanced with no silly exaggerations
Nice review as usual.
Soooo beautiful bike!!! As a 50 years old beginner, will you recommended this beauty as a first bike or to take something with less power!? I am 1,83cm high with 105kg and driving maxi scooter for now but want a real bike 🤪. Excellent review, regards from Serbia 🇷🇸
Great looking bike, classic look with modern technology & air cooled that so good.
My first new bike and oh god how i love it :) first ADV bike too, by the way...
Good choice!
@@DriveMagRiders love your reviews guys! Your review swayed me over to Guzzi side, btw ;)
A comparison with the BMW 850 and Africa Twin would be amazing, but could you then include the Tiger 800 XRT in that as well? I think the Moto Guzzi is definitely more road-oriented than the BMW 850 and the Africa Twin, so the Tiger XR series is maybe an even better comparison point. I came from a Moto Guzzi Bellagio 940, then had a Tiger 800 XRT, am currently on an Africa Twin and am now deciding between the Guzzi and another Tiger (I honestly think the Tiger is the best all rounder on the market), so yes I’m also being selfish. :-D
Kendoji1 not sure if we can get the tiger this time, but in the last year comparison it was the winner
What’s wrong with your africa twin?
In my opinion, africa is the best bike on the market (in terms of urban riding, light off road and touring).
I had gs1200 2014., but have to say that Africa is better bike! (the same cruising speed like gs - 140/160, better off road and urban rides... zero problems!)
Cheers :)
Marko Ristic I do love the Africa Twin but overall there are a few things the Tiger did better. With a Madstad the highway comfort was spectacular, it was much better handling with a pillion and was specced very high with heated seats, tyre pressuring monitoring and all those nice things. The Africa Twin has more character and is more fun to blast around on, but as a true ‘do everything’ bike the Tiger was better for me overall.
Kendoji1 on my Garmin I have TPMS (paid for sensors 115$).
Cheers
I really like this bike and I tested it some weeks ago, just because I was considering the possibility to give in my CRF1000 Africa Twin for the Guzzi. When back from the test I found impossibile to make the switch as the Africa Twin is so much better under any point of view. If you like a suggestion for a comparison I would compare it with another classic retro like the new Triumph 1200 Scambler, may be the XC version (the XE is too much offroad oriented), also the VStrom 650 with the 19" front wheel can be a similar touring target.... cheers from Italy
Nice review!
BR, from Hungary
Nice video and very honest review, liked it 👍🏻
Your channel and content is just great! I love every video. :-)
Many thanks for review! Is this suspension enough for Romanian back roads? And how this bike feels for passenger for long rides?
Looks good, but more of a street bike only. Looks heavy too. Reminds me of a harley. Old school. Nice to add to a collection.
Great review, thank you for that. I love the bike and think it's in a class of its own. Just two things I would like to have added to run to the shop and pay a deposit: 10 BHP more and tubeless tyres. What do you think? Regards
The looks to closer to a 650 Vstrom than anything else out there currently , weight power, off road ability, mpg etc.
They have a proven history and the 1000 would leave the TT.
Im also a Guzzi rider.
All of the Guzzis Ive ever ridden have had a good mid range which is ideal for road use. This looks like it could trickle along a smoothish bit of track etc.
Good looking machine for touring and gravel roads.
Moto Guzzi were always renowned for their tractor like power, now all the old reliability issues are gone ( no doubt thanks to Piaggio), they are a quality choice.
Thanks for sharing
How uncomfortable is having the left cylinder so close to the left knee?
Why don't these bike come with crash bars by default? Even the Honda 500X didn't come with any engine and leg protection. Especially for adventure bikes I just think this is mandatory.
Thanks for the video very informing . Injoy it much!!!
I hope you do a comparison and I'd love for a section of that to be on both modern ADV and any other retro bikes that this bike might compete against. I'd also like a discussion on a differences in terms of tech and where that might not always be a plus - for example, love the GS1250 but really hate the throttle matching, if the 800 has that, I think it might be a negative compared to the Guzzi.
Tyler - I've enjoyed your posts on Guzzitech. I'll admit I'm going through the same decision process. I'm a long-time Guzzi rider (currently have a griso, but previously a stelvio, V7, V11...) but have been cross-shopping the GS1250 against the V85 - chalk and cheese, I know. Love the Guzzi feel, character and community - hate the BMW arrogance (dealers and clients). Nevertheless, the GS1250 is well-regarded and surely a great machine. At the moment, where are you falling in this decision?
Brad M Brad M oh definitely, didn’t necessarily mean it as a comparison for cross shopping, but more in the sense that the GS line usually sets where the market is going with all the tech and new stuff.
Completely agree on the arrogance of the dealership. When I test rode the GS1250 the dealer asked what I rode and then said “oh we can fix that” haha great sale approach.
I personally, not having rode the v85tt, think it should fit that perfect spot where it feels raw and mechanical while still providing modern features and build quality. Might not have all the bells and whistles but threads the needle to hit the sweet spot.
@@TylerPoppe My own experience has always been one where I've returned to Guzzi after trying other brands. Previously it was a KTM 1190 Adventure. Currently it is a Multistrada 1200 Enduro. Capable bike, but it's just missing something raw and engaging (and my 30-inch inseam makes it a challenge when fully loaded). I get on the Griso and it's a riot and totally unlike anything else I've ridden. The engine just stirs the soul like nothing else.
Brad M that’s all a good point. I hear that a lot regarding coming back to guzzi’s. Even guys on pennigale’s have come back to v7s for various reasons. Crazy. When I got back on my v7 after the GS test ride, my bike felt visceral and raw in the best kind of way.
I actually was looking at the Griso before I heard about the v85tt. Now I’m leaning towards that for now, but wish I could test ride both.
Will you do any upgrades to your griso?
@@TylerPoppe You've said it exactly. I've had the Griso for the past 3.5 years. No problems whatsoever. The most important upgrade is the rear shock. I found it rock-hard and switched it out for a Matris R (night and day). Having said that, my twin brother, who has the same bike, still uses the stock suspension and loves it. I also replaced the front forks with Matris cartridges and replaced the wheels with Kineos through Guzzitech. That was pure bling and not necessary. I had a Stelvio with leaky Alpina spokes, so I liked the Kineo arrangement with the spokes not piercing the rim. Dart Marlin Flyscreen and Hepco Becker C-bows are the only other additions.
I like this machine a lot it looks great the design is sensible im very close to buying one
What is the ground clearance give some figures. Showing a photo dose not tell much.
Great review... keep them coming...
Damn, I wanted to double like this video.
It looks like the wheels are the same size. If so, it probably limits the off-road somewhat. But if you can ride on hard pack dirt roads that is better than nothing.
Excellent and complète vidéo of this fantastic bike
How about vibrations in normal cruising speeds on highest gear? Say around 80-120km/h
Love your video… with a soul and love for motorcycles. 👍
I'm a BMW GS rider and I think it's between an Urban GS and a regular GS.
Brian morse I’m a Moto Guzzi rider I’m thinking the Rough or the Special not this bike it’s too new.
@@playtime.5526 Yes OK. I'm looking forward to a test ride of this gorgeous Moto Guzzi .