Adventure bike manufacturers are currently locked into a giant arms race that’s unlikely to slow down anytime soon. Which is why the Moto Guzzi V85 TT is a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t make nearly as much power as its rivals or go quite as hard on the tech side—but it’s uniquely charming in a way that defies comparison.
It sounds like I’m damning it with faint praise, but the V85 TT truly does have a lot going for it. It decries the edgy plastic aesthetics of modern dual-sports in favor of classier lines, and its iconic transverse V-twin engine has character for days. Now it’s been updated for 2024 with a handful of key improvements—and the addition of the new Moto Guzzi V85 Strada.
The full range now includes the original Moto Guzzi V85 TT [above], the long-distance-equipped V85 TT Travel, and the stripped-down, urbanized V85 Strada [top]. All three bikes are identical under the hood, differing only in trim. So all of Moto Guzzi’s updates carry over to all of them.
Starting with the visual changes, Moto Guzzi re-sculpted the V85’s 23 l fuel tank and redesigned its cylinder head covers. The distinctive mini-trellis frame that used to hold the headlight and dashboard cluster has been swapped out for a cast aluminum unit, with a matching aluminum grab handle out back. Both look far more modern, but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t miss the utilitarian vibe of the older design.
The V85 still has its twin headlight design, complete with a daytime running light in the shape of Moto Guzzi’s eagle motif. Moto Guzzi stuck the V85 in a wind tunnel and came back with a new adjustable windscreen, wider hand guards, and a new cover that sits at the front of the tank. The screen has 70 mm of adjustability through five set positions and reportedly reduces air pressure on the rider by 37%.
Behind the fairing lie a redesigned 5” TFT display and new switches. Those offer access to the V85’s electronic suite, which now includes a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) for perfect ABS and traction control modulation in corners. All three models get three basic riding modes, while the TT and TT Travel also get an off-road-specific mode that keeps traction control to a minimum and disables the rear wheel ABS.
The Strada doesn’t come standard with the IMU, but it’s available as an add-on. Similarly, the TT Travel gets a riding mode customization package that’s available as an accessory for the TT and Strada. Cruise control is standard across the range, and is operated by a single multi-purpose button.
The V85’s biggest upgrade though, is its engine. The 853 cc transverse V-twin now sports variable valve timing (and it complies with Euro 5+ emissions standards). Moto Guzzi says that the goal here was to improve throttle response and torque at low revs.
The V85 now makes 4 hp more than before, bringing output to 80 hp at 7,750 rpm. It makes 83 Nm of torque at 5,100 rpm, but there’s a noticeable boost in torque from 3,000 rpm, with 90% of the engine’s maximum torque available at 3,500 rpm. New knock sensors also feed data to the ECU, to accurately adjust ignition timing.
The injection system now uses a 52 mm throttle body, but the rest of the drivetrain’s basic architecture remains the same. Power is sent to the wheel via a shaft drive, and the bike still uses Moto Guzzi’s semi-dry-sump system (although the sump is now smaller than before). Moto Guzzi adds that all of the changes have improved the V85’s fuel consumption.
Braking is courtesy of twin four-piston radial Brembo front brake calipers with 320 mm discs, with a two-piston floating caliper gripping a 260 mm disc at the back. The V85’s front and rear suspension offer 170 mm of travel at each end, but the V85 TT and TT Travel [above] now feature preload adjustment via a hand-operated dial. Ground clearance sits at 210 mm, with an 830 mm seat height.
This is where the similarities end, with each model boasting its own spec and color schemes. The V85 TT sits in the middle of the line-up, with a dry weight of 209 kilos [461 lbs], tubeless spoked rims, and a redesigned aluminum skid plate. Its frame is painted red, with two liveries (‘Rosso Fuji’ and ‘Grigio Tambora’) offering various mixes of red, black, and white.
The V85 TT Travel takes all that and adds a few travel-friendly accessories. The windscreen is even bigger and wears additional side deflectors, perfect for long distances and colder temperatures. You also get a 37-liter pannier on the right and a 27.5-liter pannier on the left, both lockable via a single key.
Creature comforts include heated grips and a heated rider’s seat, plus a multimedia platform that allows you to connect your smartphone and helmet comms system to the bike. You can get the V85 TT Travel in any color you want, as long as it’s ‘Bronzo Deserto’; a bronzy sand finish. The TT Travel’s upgrades bring its dry weight up to 211 kilos [465 lbs].
The new Moto Guzzi V85 Strada [above] is the most minimalistic V85 in the new lineup, ditching some of its siblings’ accouterments and clocking in at 205 kilos [452 lbs] dry. It loses the TT’s hand guards, grab handle, and skid plate, and swaps the wheels out for a set of slick alloy units. Its tires are more road-biased too, and the front wheel features an extended lower mudguard.
The Strada’s quite obviously pitched at riders who like adventure bikes, but don’t necessarily want to go off the beaten path. It’ll no doubt cost less than its stablemates too, making it an easier entryway into V85 ownership. It comes in a rather lackluster grey scheme called ‘Grigio Brera,’ and a sharp black paint job called ‘Nero Isola.’
Any of the missing parts on the V85 Strada can be added separately, and all three models have access to Moto Guzzi’s burgeoning catalog of bolt-on bits. Highlights include upgraded aluminum cases, various tank and tail bags, a center stand, auxiliary LED lights, and an Öhlins rear shock. All of the V85 TT Travel’s extras can be fitted to the other bikes too.
When Moto Guzzi broke the news of their new Stelvio adventure bike, we feared that the V85 TT would be discontinued. We’re glad it’s still around, and in upgraded form, no less. While many riders are wont to look down on ‘base model’ bikes, we’d easily pick the all-black Moto Guzzi V85 Strada for bopping around town and country.
Source: Moto Guzzi
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