MOTO-GUZZI V85 TT (2019 - 2023) Review

I can't fault it. It's stable and sure footed, not razor sharp but it's not supposed to be. I've never had a pilion on the bike but I don't think it would be an issue.

If you know Guzzis this engine was a leap forward for me. It isn't a Japanese twin but that's the point.

While it's pretty good there is better. It suffered in the salt. The front cover gets hammered with everything off the front tyre and a couple of fasteners went a bit furry. I also had an oil temperature sensor fail which took some diagnostic work by the dealer but wasn't too expensive to replace.

Compared to some other bikes I think it's pretty good, although access is easy for servicing.

It's a package. I've fitted a low front mudgaurd and a higher screen but otherwise it's exactly what I wanted.

Sufficient power for touring and commuting

Some alloy corrosion

Decent mpg and generous tank size gives 300mile range if you’re willing to push it into reserve

Cruise control as standard

Pretty comfy and soaks up the bumps ok, brakes are very good Brembo's (better than my Kawasaki Z900RS). I haven't had to mess with the suspension at all.

Good amount of grunt. Overtakes easily at motorway speeds and a bit more, which is enough for this type of bike. You do need to use the gearbox a bit but that's no issue.

Nothing has gone wrong at all after 4k miles, bought used at 10.5K so now +14.5k.

Haven't had it serviced yet as bought with a service just done. Looks simple enough so not expecting any issues. Excellent MPG. I needed new tyres before my trip and went with the same Michelin Anakee adventure as I thought they were good, so no need to change to something different. When you look at these bikes they are pretty good value to buy new, especially if you buy last years colours which can be had for £10k.

Mine came with the cruise control as standard, but the previous owner had added heated grips fitted (which aren't that great, more warm than hot). I added a center stand which is really needed on these larger bikes. I've also added a Givi rack and top box. There are lots of places to tie down luggage even if you don't have a box. I have added a small Pyramid front mudguard which helps keep the crud off of the engine, but in truth it would be better with full low mudguard and would be better if it was fitted at the factory.

Donlaighre to Castlewellan no problem on brilliant Irish roads

Pottering on motorway at 60 on cruise, you can just twitch right hand and zoom past lorry or car. Safe!

Mind you, only done a trip through Ireland and countless trips around South Wales.

Friend , Motorcycle Mechanic

Cruise control and heated handles. Compared to travelling from Marseilles to Usk on a Honda 550 in winter this bike is bliss

Good fuel consumption at lower revs but my 1200 scrambler is better on fuel. Does brake well without abs getting in the way. Have ridden all day with breaks for coffee etc, but no real grones from the bum/leg area.

Engine is good at touring or long hauls. A bit weak at overtaking, blame the exhaust system for that as its stuffed with a cat along the downpipes. Needs a free flowing and remap but livable for now. I have found that you can't rev the bike hard, doesn't feel good, just ride smoothly for a nicer ride. Cruises around 70 - 80 OK but fuel economy suffers.

Within 600 miles the dash lit up a warning as I was exiting a roundabout. Hazards going and felt a slow mode from the engine. Diagnostic reader found a error code from the tps. Had to start bike 5 times to clear problem to ride home. No corrosion as mostly painted or protected apart from the edge of the fins.

Was quoted by the dealer in new forest £240 then when booked in, it came to £264. Was told parts prices gone up! Mates bike went in 2 months later for same service. He paid £240.

Best feature is the looks of the bike. Yes you do look back after you parked it. I've had guzzies for a long time, this is a good model apart from the controlling ecu. If it was carbed, oh! What a home service bike that would be! Be very careful about buying other screens if the original is not for you. Lots of info on that subject.

The suspension standard set up is excellent, front brake is also excellent can dive under heavy braking but you soon adjust to it back brake is adequate.

The engine is really good and it will sit all day long at 80mph 4500 revs and reaches 100mph easily which is adequate for most people all of the grunt is low down and mid range where most people use the power.

I have just completed a European tour of over 4500 imiles the bike did not let me down, I have completed overc10.000 miles not one issue starts 1st time every time went through switzerland where the rain was torrential all day riding again no issues and the quality is excellent.

I have just completed a European tour of over 4500 miles 2 panniers top box and pillion over 60 mpg excellent

The clutch is really light, cruise control is easy to use. The Michelin Annakee tyres have done 12000 miles are excellent on the road with plenty of useable tread left I like the sports mode gives it a instant throttle response.

Very comfortable; can ride all day in comfort.

Lovely torquey engine; sounds great.

Quality build.

300 miles from full tank of fuel is possible is riding restrained.

Recommend after market exhaust such as Arrow and a velocity stack from Mistral. Add an Moto Guzzi Urban top-box to match the Urban panniers. The TFT dashboard is neat. Nice simple SatNav.

Brakes ok. Back brake is useable. Suspension five a bit under braking. But you get used to it.

Wee bit more bop would be hood

Nothing yet. Feels quality when you ride it. And people comment on its looks.

Has all you need. Bigger screen was all I fitted.

But slow compared to some but good enough for UK speed limits.

Low spec bikes = low retail price so add what you want.

I have done 250 mile days quite a few times. My body gives out before the seat becomes uncomfortable.

Compared to perceived opposition it is over weight/ under powered. In reality it is powerful enough.

impeccable handling on all surfaces with the Michelin Annakee tyres fittedd as standard to my model. gunning her through the twisties is as pleasure and predictable experience at medium or higher speeds. Brakes are adequate. I changed the standard seat to the "High" option which is a Comfort seat with improved padding etc and can easily do 300 miles in one stint.

Lovely engine with that unmistakable air cooled V-Twin charm. Needs to be revved to get the Umph factor but very enjoyable for an 850cc 80bhp(Claimed) engine. needs to be driven through the gears more than older V-Twins which points to the moddern power delivery and tech of this new engine. I control the bike and it doesn't control me. Throttle travel is excessive and it goes round a long way but fitting Oxford sponge grips over standard transformed this and makes the response so much more enjoyable.

I purchased my V85TT secondhand with 2k on the clock after a 1 owner 2 year ownership. I wasn't impressed that it needed the Oil pressure sensor AND the engine oil Temp sensor replacing within my first month of ownership, but the dealer obtained these from MG in Italy and fitted both within 3 weeks which I was impressed with as they came from Italy. Starts on the button, and that build quality is exceptional from paintwork to the quality welding and fittings. Hopefully with the help of ACF 50 it will remain so through a British winter. Fitting a Remus aftermarket end can has loosened her up and given a more pleasing exhaust note.

My local Moto Guzzi dealer quoted between £220 and £250 for the yearly service which includes Valve check/Adjustment also which seems very reasonable. Fuel consumption is excellent even when pushing hard. Riding at legal or slightly over speeds, I easily approach 300 miles to a tank.

Has everything you need but should come with heated grips and centre stand as standard even on base models. I like the colour TFT screen and find it has all the info I require. The stupid downside is when you reset trip counter, it resets everything else like riding time, average speed,average fuel consumption at the same time!!

Really well put together with quality feel

The handling and brakes are excellent. The suspension, whilst not as sophisticated as some simply works well and adjustments are easy to make.

I love the sound and feel of the engine. It's classic Guzzi. My only real issue is a lack of mid-range grunt for faster road overtakes. It's no deal breaker but it thrives on being revved which can occasionally catch you unawares.

The only real letdown thus far. A faulty spark plug lead (Easily fixed by the dealer) and an oil leak around the sump area aren't really good enough for a new bike. Still - The bike didn't let me down and both items were easily rectified.

Decent value for money - More expensive than a 650 VStrom but less than a Tiger 900. Plus it's different to boot.

The bike's well equipped as standard. The centre stand should come included in the price, as should heated grips but with TC, ABS, Riding modes as well as Cruise control included this has a lot of really useful features out of the box.

Better than you’d think. Fantastic ride on British B roads.

Sounds fab, pulls well, you have to work it to hustle but it’s a rewarding experience and capable of going very fast if you’re in the mood.

Everything feels well built, high quality accessories.

No worse than anything else

Only the heated grips let the side down here, like warm.

I have ridden it on a number of long journeys between 600 and 850Km in a day on a combination of highways and back roads. The longest time riding non stop was 3 1/2 hours. Surprisingly good in fast traffic around Toronto, on the rough you can pick your way past/through/over most obstacles. Tyres are very good.

I just wish it had a few extra BHP.

Very well built, no sign of rust but only had it since March 2020. Had it in for a recall and general check in April.

So far with with 9 months gone the first service was the only additional cost. Running costs have been petrol and the bike has proved very economical in the city and on long runs. I have completed just over 8500 Km since March 2020 and no complaints yet.

I had the Aluminium box's as standard and they are good. The large windscreen is ok. Centre stand is a must as well as crash bars and hand guards. I have fitted the Agostini H pipe and taken the Cat off.

After about 5.5hrs I get a bit of neck ache and my bum starts to complain but I can easily do 250 miles in one go without discomfort

Ok it’s not a pocket rocket but 79hp is enough, nippy in town and has enough to smart overtakes at motorway speeds. My first shaft drive bike, don’t notice anything different from my previous belt drive and miles better than a rattly old chain any day. Love the quirky rocking on tickover and the grunty sound when giving it a handful

Very well put together and the components appear very robust, not done a Scottish winter on it yet though.

First service, not as dear as a Harley but I’m not sure I’ll get the dealer to do the next service, I’m comfortable with servicing bikes so I don’t foresee any problems here. Oil spec is a bit odd, 20w60!

TFT screen is a bit small and cluttered, I can see my helmet reflected it it as well which is disappointing. Level of equipment is good though for this type of bike, panniers are plastic but adequate, not a fan of side opening doors though. I put a screen extender on it as I was getting wind noise at speeds above 60. I still get wind noise but not as much now. I put crash bars on it for piece of mind and I would recommend them to anyone thinking of getting this bike

Front brake is good. Rear brake is not enough. Ride quality is ok, but well underpowered motor makes it not the pleasant on highways.

Underpowered motor, that consumes oil on hot days. The rev range is small, you have to shift a lot.

Engine guard swap after 6000 km. Engine swap after 9000 km due to excessive oil consumption. The air filter box hand a gap and was letting sand into the engine. There is still excessive oil consumption even after the engine swap. Final drive seal leakage after 14000 km. I would not take my chance to travel somewhere far from the dealer's reach with this peace of...

250 Euro for the first service (oil and filter change only in the engine) is to high... Did not do a second service due to engine swap.

Brakes seem more than adequate for the task; Tried a couple of "quick" stops to see how the bike (& me) reacted & both were predictable

Motor has more "get up & go" than I was expecting & coming form a pair of DL 650 V-Stroms with similar power #'s & 90,000 km under my butt. that surprised me.

So far so good, no issues at 750 km

I think the bike is priced "right" and the Travel edition is a solid value, if you would be adding a taller shield, fog lights, heated grips & the MIA blu-tooth interface. In Canada servicing costs are stupid expensive as that $600 cdn is over $450 USD and I hear dealers are offering the first service in the $350 USD range. I have a feeling after the initial service I will NOT be back at the dealer

With the exception of the MIA interface (do you really need your cell connected to your motorcycle) the heated grips, fog lights, windshield & luggage (when they finally arrive) make this an exceptional value, as many riders would choose these options anyway

This is what I call a three hundred mile bike. It will do 300 miles on a tank and your happy to do it.

The engine is a transverse V twin it won't set your pants on fire but is more than enough for this kind of motorcycle. It also has that Motoguzzi V twin charm.

This is a quality motorcycle but not built for winter use. The polished finishes and fastenings will corrode if not very well cared for. There have been recalls and problems none that I will mention but are all on line and none serious, all have been sorted by Motoguzzi.

This price is an estimated as I haven't been able to get a service due to covid 19. But, they have to have your bike overnight as servicing has to be done cold. Servicing is relatively easy and this is why most long term Guzzi owners do their own.

This bike is not a techno missile or a GS but that is the point.

Standard fit Michelin Anakee Adventures are surprisingly good. Brakes are great. Rider and pillion comfort is great. Suspension is fantastic and I don't have any issues with ground clearance. Gearbox is beautiful and has a very positive feel engaging all gears. Clutch is the lightest I have ever used. I don't understand the comment in the main review about a quickshifter, it just isn't needed. I also don't understand the comment about vibration affecting touring ability or the mirrors - it isn't an issue on my bike. I have the standard screen, I'm 6'0 tall and I find it comfortable. The handling is exceptional - very nimble but not flighty, shrugs off pillion and luggage. This bike feels nowhere near its weight on paper - it feels like the lightest bike I've owned (20+). I have no qualms taking this bike offroad even though it weighs the same as my old Africa Twin, which I sold because it carried its weight so badly at low speed. The Guzzi just lets you take it where you want to, without that overbearing sense of responsibility that I always felt with bigger ADV bikes. It also feels way lighter that the T700 I test rode, even though it isn't. I guess all the weight's down low - very well balanced.

Great engine, lots of air cooled character. Good lowdown grunt and a very surprising midrange - it flies 4,000-6,000 rpm if you want it to.

Beautifully designed and built. Some minor issues with early bikes were quickly addressed via recalls or service updates. It's too early to rate longevity, but I just intend to ride this bike and enjoy it.

Servicing is straightforward. Fuel consumption is 55-65 mpg (imp) in mixed riding. Tank range close to 300 miles.

The overall package is great, such a breath of fresh air to find a bike that addresses all the important things - aesthetics, dynamics, range, ruggedness, flexibility, whilst ditching all the unnecessary technology, plastic, weight, weird design etc that blights most other adventure bikes. The dash is good and easy to use. The cruise is a nice addition. The switchgear looks good but is a bit fiddly at first, but you do adapt quickly.

No evidence of the fork dive on braking in some reviews. Stable, comfortable, long legged.

Superb build quality, a pleasure to own. My only concern is the agricultural quality of the gear change - when cold, not so bad when warm.