Up-Close with the Moto Guzzi V85 TT

I had to check our coverage of the Moto Guzzi V85 TT, to see how many words we managed to use when talking about this new adventure-tourer – 398 words, if you wanted to know – which is pretty astonishing considering the complete lack of actual information coming from Piaggio on this new motorcycle.

Little more was revealed at INTERMOT as well, beyond what we could see physically on the machine. We know that the V85 TT will make 80hp from its 850cc v-twin engine. We know that it will have ABS, cruise control, LED lights, and a TFT dash (which looks great, by the way). Beyond that…well…it’s a very bright motorcycle.

A middlweight ADV offering, with a heritage touch, Moto Guzzi is hoping that the design and ride speak for the V85 TT more than its spec sheet, which may or may not be a smart strategy. The Italian brand isn’t known for making light motorcycles, especially with its longitudinal engines and shaft drive arrangements.

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT has no shortage of character, however, and perhaps that is the whole point. The bike doesn’t make promises of crossing the Sahara desert or dodging giraffes, like some other brands do. Instead, it takes a modest package that focuses on the experience…or something like that.

It is hard to say where the V85 TT is taking the Moto Guzzi brand, and we are not sure that we even like this motorcycle…but yet, we are oddly drawn to it.

We will have to investigate these conflicting emotions further, but until then we have got a bevy of up-close photos for you to look at. Do you like what you see? Let us know.