Owner Review of the 2021 Moto Guzzi V85TT

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Engine Transversal 90° V-twin, two valves per cylinder (titanium intake).
Displacement 853 cc
Cooling Air
Bore x Stroke 84 x 77 mm
Maximum power 76 hp - 7,500 rpm
Maximum torque 60.4 ft-lb - 5,000 rpm
Gearbox 6 speed
Front suspension Upside-down hydraulic telescopic fork Ø 41 mm, with adjustable extension and spring
preload.
Rear suspension Swingarm Twin-sided with lateral mono shock absorber, adjustable extension and spring
preload.
Front Brakes Double stainless steel floating disk Ø 320 mm, radial Brembo calipers with 4 opposed
pistons.
Rear Brakes Stainless steel disk Ø 260 mm, floating 2 pistons caliper.
Front wheel Cross spoked tubeless wheel, 19” 110/80
Rear wheel Cross spoked tubeless wheel, 17” 150/70
Seat height 32.6 in
Dry weight 460.7 lbs
Curb weight 507 lbs (According to guideline VO (EU) 168/2013 with all fluids, with standard equipment
and fueled with at least 90% of usable tank volume).
Fuel tank 6 gal (1.32 gal reserve)
Compliance Meets European Directive Euro 5
CO2 Emissions 119 g/km (CO2)
Consumption 48 mpg
Electronics Full LED lighting with DRL (LED indicators not included), LCD Dashboard

[@fdn0067]

I've been enjoying my 2021 V85TT Travel for two years and have no serious complaints about it after 40,000 miles. It's a pleasure to ride!

[@CCitis]

Wow! Serious miles...

[@srileo]

That’s solid miles. Well done!

[@curbjumper]

I have the same 2021 V85tt; it is easily in the top 5 best motorcycles I have owned in 50+ years of riding. I have ridden 32,000km on it since new; it is my 4th Italian bike and the easiest to maintain, I have done all maintenance myself; valve adjustments are easy if you have the centerstand, and tire changes & balancing are easy also with the centerstand. I have changed the final drive (shaft) oil once; be careful to not add too much.. I have had no issues. Only 2 complaints in during 32,000km: 1. The turnsignal switch gave up; this was replaced in an hour by a thoughtful dealer who took one off a showroom bike. 2. During a 2000km trip in severe rain, water got into the trans.. upon arriving home, I drained 1000 ml of coffee colored oil (it holds 700 ml). I noticed it leaking out the blow-by valve on top of the trans, so it was easy to spot. I have read some reports of transmissions from the factory having insufficient oil volume; since it is easy to change, I would do it soon after break-in. Some changes I made were to remove the OEM headers & catalytic converter, opting for the Mistral large I.D. head pipes without catalyst, and Mistral V-Twin boost. This improves throttle response immensely; it is like a different (better) motorcycle. Also, I ordered the RH switch from AF1 Racing in Austin and installed it on my Canada-spec bike, so I can ride with the Eagle running light on. I use this bike for work- I follow new riders on their license test to see if they have the necessary skills- and the panniers/ alloy boxes make for a perfect office environment. My 3 boxes are keyed the same from the factory; yours may have been assembled on a Monday morning or Friday afternoon, when everyone at the factory was into the Red Wine. 🤗 Also, factory screen is set up perfectly to buffet me like a constant hurricane.. I bought a two-piece, tall shield for touring, and a short shield for the hot months.. from Powerbronze, in The U.K. 👍

[@edombre4637]

I’ve seen a couple of comments on the internet now about Italian workers getting drunk on wine during the workday. This type of joking is n bad taste, especially coming from UK 🇬🇧 people who will have “a little drink” at every opportunity. Italian culture really does not accept or approve of being intoxicated - it is viewed as degrading, and any Italian worker who drinks alcohol during the workday will be viewed very negatively by coworkers.

[@akiuliano]

I own a 21 V7 and love it. At first I thought the 85 was ugly, but now I find myself wanting one.

[@renea9880]

fu*king amazing greetings from Slovakia and I'm thinking of buying a v85tt this year, it's really the most beautiful bike.

[@lanehawley4987]

I have the same bike in a 2022,just love the bike,been riding almost 50 years and this one has been my favorite so far

[@unounv]

Love mine!! People are oblivious to this bike lol nobody has a clue what it is! Checks all the boxes like a champ! So enjoyable to ride! Shaft drive air cooled and still has some bells and whistles!

[@johnkelly9061]

Great review! Nice to see someone with some miles on the bike do a longer term run down. Love my v85tt. Not as fast as some of my my other bikes, but its the one I ride everyday. Bike just keeps getting better.

[@bruceramseyramsey2605]

Tuen signals will auto cancel if you wait a full 45 seconds... Seem like an eternity. Mine? 2022 Guardia w/ Urban bags (black n Silver). Decated w heated grips. Love it. Second Gizzi. Former H D former Yamaha former Kawa triple. Guzzi's are my Fav. So all around balance. Great brakes, Great torque. Great cruising at 85 to 90. AND Not everyone has one. Ps. Valve adjust takes 1.5 hrs and is easy.

[@shmac96]

Visiting this channel after a 3 year hiatus roughly, due to life and other distractions. Im a little surprised that you had bought this bike but then thinking back on a review you did of previous Guzzi rides I suppose its not that surprising. Glad you've had such a good experience with it as Ive seen a few others on YT who have shared opposite experiences that lead them to buy the proverbial BMW GS. That said, dude that Stelvio looks sooo good! You going to trade up? Would be a lot cooler if you did ;) Alright alright alright!

[@erikstillman3553]

Love my 2020 V85TT. It's so comfortable and it easy to maneuver. I don't ride it as much as I should but when I do I can do 600 miles in a day easy for multiple days and I'm far from athletic. I stay away from interstate system and ride the US highway systems so I can ride thru the small towns (or slow to 40mph) out west where towns are few and far between to stand on the pegs to stretch with out having to stop except for gas stops. Love that it is shaft driven so don't have to mess with chain adjustments after long rides. The only bad things I have to say about it is that it's a bit anemic above 85mph and the front end gets a little squirrely when passing big rigs above 80mph. Don't fight it and the bike figures itself out.

[@tonymonaco4391]

Aprilia has had a parts warehouse in Atlanta for about 10 Years.

[@otaupdate3151]

Mabe in another ten years they'll actually find some parts to put in it.

[@nozzer6686]

Hi, I also have a 2021, I would recommend you fit one of the clip on wind deflectors onto the wind screen, they really do improve the buffering. I’m 5ft 9 and works well for me but you are taller so may need the touring screen which also needs the deflector otherwise just as annoying buffering, I also love the bikes simplicity, Superb review thanks

[@mikec9265]

You have excellent taste! I own a Himalayan, CB1100 and V85TT. 😂

[@RabidHedgehog]

That are some excellent machines.

[@paulaustin5970]

I first watched your channel a few years back now as I owned a Triumph Ametica LT and you did as well at the time and I enjoyed your review of that bike. All these years later having owned a MG Cali custom and I believe you owned the MGX? I now own the V85TT GDO and agree with your review, a really great do it all bike that just speaks to the soul and looks great. Its amusing we have followed a similar path of bike ownership as I never thought I would get an adv bike but here I am loving it.

[@RabidHedgehog]

I did have the MGX21. Those are all excellent machines as well. I do miss my America LT for sure, the MGX is kind of a love hate thing. It was a great motorcycle as a rider, but not a practical thing. It drank fuel too quickly to tour, the bags were too small, the weird aerodynamics if you have a passenger was awkward. But then if you were just commuting and you ran into an unsuspecting ZZR1100 Kawasaki and he thought he could smoke you and you take that bagger and hang with him in every turn and everything you realize how well the chassis was designed. I work at an Indian dealer and everyone says the Challenger is the best handling bagger, and I also say... Oh no... there's another, and mention that MGX21. But the V85 is simply the SUV of the motorcycle world, and it has done everything I asked and more. And compared to so many others like it, it is a bargain as well.

[@ireneuszwolski645]

Thanks a lot! 👍🤜🤛👌

[@gwynnromano5881]

You are one hundred percent correct about Piaggio. If they are serious about doing business in the states, they need to get their head out of that dark and remote place and get a dealer network and part supply warehouse that functions like all of the major manufacturers. I live on the coast of NC, the closest dealer is in Charlotte. That’s a solid three and a half hour ride away. I would be more than happy to buy a Moto Guzzi except that I can’t deal with the aggravation of a problem occurring and having to rent a trailer to haul the bike back to the only dealer in the state and then wait for what could be weeks for a part to arrive to solve the problem. My bike is my transportation. I bought a Triumph Speedmaster last year and already have over eighty six hundred miles on it. Triumph has a decent dealer network and parts supply. Even though nothing has ever gone wrong with it, I don’t worry because if something were to go wrong the likelihood is I’ll be back on the road before long. As an example of Piaggio’s incompetence, my brother in law owned an Aprilia, I think it was an 850 Mana. They lived just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah where there was an Aprilia dealer. I don’t remember what happened but his bike needed a part to stay on the road. The dealer had the bike for three weeks before the part arrived and the bike was repaired. Upon picking up his bike he rode straight to the Honda dealer and traded it in on a new Honda. He loved the Aprilia but couldn’t deal with the uncertainty and aggravation of losing a good chunk of the riding season out there.

[@jshanni2066]

excellent review from someone with enough time on the bike to have an extended knowledge of it. I'm leaning towards one too, as i get older and the desire to travel at rocketship speeds diminishes. I'm assuming you've had no issue with the engine pinging ? Some online reports suggest some bikes have been problematic, but that's likely a fuel quality issue, and/or getting an air cooled engine stuck in traffic. Many thanks for the video.

[@aussie1546]

no need to worry, this is horse of machine. Change oil every few thousands as is air cooled, and dont worry

[@johnkelly9061]

I've ridden mine in some really hot conditions. Just don't lug it when it's really hot and use best gas you can. 30k miles in 2 years, no trouble so far. Change oil often and check the valves. All good.

[@stanleylawson9015]

Great review just looking at these

[@CalvinBradley]

California scientific has a tall windshield that you might like. Based in Mo. I think. I enjoyed the review and thank you for sharing. It’s the one bike I am considering. Like you said, the lack of support is a drawback.

[@BradWilson-d2u]

About the buffeting, I’m 70” with 32” inseam, I have the Guardia version with the taller windscreen and get zero buffeting. Living in California and driving freeway speeds too. I use an Arai helmet which could also make a difference. This was one of the main reasons I chose this bike was because of no buffeting. Sounds like a simple fix depending on your stature.

[@markcard7978]

We get the desert winds gusts well beyond 60mph and stead(ish) blows that you just have to lean into and get on with it. Would I like it better 100lbs lighter (Aprillia Toureg) yes BUT I went to this as the Royal Enfield 650 just was brutal crossing the Mojave. The other being I can do the maintenance myself and cannot afford the shop hourly rates nor having to leave it for days and return...

[@PeterW961]

Hi! Great review! I currently have a Suzuki V-Strom 1000 but thinking about buying an 85tt. My wonders are, I’m 6,1 and my wife is 6 feet tall. Yep Scandinavian size people. Will the 85tt have enough space for 2 up riding? I know engine is not as powerful as the Wee, but we are not in a hurry going on vacation 😊

[@stevensullivan3121]

No worries, it will handle 2 up easily. Get the pad for her to rest against if you keep the top box on, as I do always. Used to have an aversion to them, but it's more than waaay better than a tank bag, which I still use. I've gotten as high as 62 mpg with cruise on. Best SUV machina ever. More smiles per mile. And being unique enough that people everywhere notices. Almost love her better than my now gone wife. Steven

[@komalley35]

I am concerned about the lean angle ground clearance. I live near the Smokey Mountains and spend a lot of time in the twisties riding fairly aggressively. Are there options for raising the pegs a bit?

[@Damian78687]

I am at the point where I will choose between v85tt, stelvio, and tiger 900 gt pro. Let's see what happens 😀

[@azerua99]

Never found this video on youtube search, chat gpt did found this video.

[@brentharrington9235]

Any regrets? I'm planning on pulling the trigger on a new old stock 2022 this coming weekend... (FYI this will be my 3rd goose.) I rode a V100, and yes it is very nice it is just not different enough from my Griso to want to buy. This seems about perfect for a "daily" or long hauler. I like the sounds of 300 mile range. I love that about my V7 racer, but it's just not comfortable enough for multi day trips.

[@RabidHedgehog]

There are no regrets on my end.

[@Wheelo40]

Great review. I’m seriously considering buying one. Can you comment on ease of pushing it around while off the bike and on the bike?

[@RabidHedgehog]

Depending on your height on the bike as long as your legs hit the ground it's pretty good, but top heavy if your legs don't provide enough leverage. On the ground it's really easy to move around and get on it's center stand and such.

[@MotoBmx01r]

Do you still have this Moto Guzzi V85tt Adventure?

[@kfree8841]

I may have missed it but how tall are you? Trying to decide which model to get as the travel has the taller windscreen.

[@HotSauzZze]

what does it look like when a second person rides in the back including two suitcases? is the power too low or does it not make much difference with a second person?

[@RabidHedgehog]

It rides totally fine with passenger and cargo. She's got enough power to do anything that is needed and do it nicely. The last time I did this kind of ride it got over 50MPG still. Her all time record now is 61MPG running in stock trim solo rider and all three boxes with cargo (only roughly 30 lbs).

[@MarkSDCA]

So why does the green light need to flash?

[@RabidHedgehog]

@@MarkSDCA cruise standby and ready. It really doesn't need to flash in the end but you know it is on and working

[@DCSkippy01]

I've heard the dry clutch on guzzis is a nightmare for beginners, that they will just burn it to pieces in the first 6k miles. Is there any truth to this? I want a V85, but I've only been riding for a year and I dont want to destroy the clutch, I've worked on the rev matching but still struggle.

[@RabidHedgehog]

I have not honestly heard this myself. I know what does tear them up for sure is attempting stunts and burnouts and such, but I have not heard newer riders burning them out in only 6000 miles. Clutch itself is easy to master but a bit vague for some.

[@alanmortimer6743]

Why is this a problem every car with a manual box has a dry clutch!

[@DCSkippy01]

@@alanmortimer6743 I have never driven a manual car! Well at least not one with a clutch that wasn't already a sponge! Lol

[@Frank-xo7zj]

Am I to understand that you purchased this motorcycle?

[@RabidHedgehog]

That is correct. May of 2022 was when I got her.

[@Theophilus1968]

These bikes have been on my radar since they’ve come out. Could this be your only motorcycle?

[@RabidHedgehog]

@@Theophilus1968 yes it very well could be. I have used it in every circumstance, commuter, highway, touring.