2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT | First Look Review

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT.
2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on November 5, 2018, to include new details and specifications released by Moto Guzzi.

After teasing what looked like a production-ready adventure tourer last November, Moto Guzzi has come through with an announcement that the bike, now dubbed the V85 TT, will in fact be built and we’ll see it here in the States next year.

Details like pricing and availability are not yet available, but Moto Guzzi has offered up some clues as to what to expect with the V85 TT.

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2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT
2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT. Note the curved swingarm, which allows the exhaust to be mounted high and tight.

Number one is the new engine, an 853cc, air-cooled, longitudinal 90-degree v-twin that Guzzi says is good for 80 horsepower (for comparison, the 853cc V9 Bobber we tested last year put 51.3 horsepower to the rear wheel on the Jett Tuning dyno). A semi-dry sump design with two coaxial pumps allowed Guzzi to do away with the oil cooler, reducing weight.

Thanks to an almost complete redesign, the new engine is said to weigh 30 percent less than the V9, with faster response from the throttle-by-wire and its three ride modes: road, rain and off-road. Cruise control will be standard.

Guzzi also has plans to use the new V85 engine in a new and upcoming series of motorcycles, but has not said whether it is replacing the V9.

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT
Full-color TFT display in the streamlined cockpit.

Moto Guzzi seemed to put an effort into rider accessibility, and to that end the V85’s seat is an ADV-reasonable 32.7 inches off the ground, with a narrow waist to further facilitate getting boots to the ground, and it has a claimed dry weight of 459 pounds.

The tubular steel frame is all-new and uses the engine as a stressed member. An asymmetric aluminum swingarm curves on the left side to allow the exhaust to tuck in for a narrow front profile, while the right side houses a new driveshaft.

A 5.5-gallon gas tank will provide a claimed range of about 250 miles.

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT
The V85 TT present a narrow front profile. Note the LED headlight with DRL.

The single rear shock mounts to the ride side of the swingarm, which Guzzi says was intended to allow easy access for hydraulic and spring preload adjustments.

Modest 6.7-inch suspension travel front and rear is enough for light off-road duty, as is the 8.3-inch ground clearance.

Up front is an LED twin headlight with DRL, and a full-color TFT display. Wheels appear to be tube-type spoked, and a high front fender is off-road ready.

With such a large boost in performance from a similarly-sized engine, and based on the high-spec components we see in the photos, we’re looking forward to hearing more about this V85 TT…and of course, getting a chance to ride one! Stay tuned.

Check out Rider’s Guide to New/Updated Street Motorcycles for 2019

2019 Moto Guzzi V85 TT
Numerous accessories will be available for the V85 TT, including hard aluminum luggage and engine bars.

1 COMMENT

  1. No front and day. rear mudguard, would not like to be out all day in the rain on this bike and would hate to clean it the next

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