Words: Jeff Ware Photography: Heather Ware

I did a few hundred kilometres on the Guzzi TT Travel and enjoyed almost every second. I say ‘almost’ because I made a very rare mistake and had a bit of an off during a shoot, on the very trail you see below.

I’ve used the same erosion mound for adventure jumps for over a decade but despite a dozen passes, on the final run I over did it and came off. It was quite a fast one and I went 20m into the bush, clipping three large gum trees. I was very lucky, so was the V85, as it is repairable. I was gutted to damage the bike, as I really, really like the TT Travel and have a soft spot for it.

Aside from adoring the looks of the TT Travel, from the curves to the fantastic colour, I just love the character of the bike. The engine and chassis combo are so unique that it adds a refreshing experience to motorcycle riding, at least it does for me. The engine is smooth, with flat torque but a slight pep from 4000rpm. It has a light, easy clutch, and gearbox (but still holds first gear up on some shifts, so you have to back off before the lever returns).

It has deceptive acceleration, it feels slow, but you actually get going on it pretty quickly, and it has lovely fuelling, is quiet with minimal mechanical noise and is smooth. There is a huge fuel range thanks to the big tank, but there is some heat that comes off those cylinders and warms the legs…

The riding position is super luxo, with a massive, soft seat and rubber footpegs. The rider triangle is touring friendly and the screen excellent. The dash and switches are good quality and easy to deal with, but the cruise control can be clunky at times.

The super soft suspension means the bike floats along. I added some rear preload, but decided I prefer comfort over cornering compliance and the geometry is good enough to mean the bike still handles well, even when super soft… The brakes are great at both ends, and generally the handling is brilliant, one of the best in the class.

There is no storage, or even a tool kit, under the seat but the panniers are a good size and easy to fit or remove as well. There is a charge point, too, and overall, the Moto Guzzi TT Travel is a great machine worth looking at, as it is a lot of bike for just over twenty grand.

Moto-Guzzi V85 TT Travel Tech Talk

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT travel builds on the standard model with special edition paint and parts from the Moto Guzzi catalogue as standard.

The powerhouse of the V85 TT is the 90-degree transversal, air-cooled V-twin using pushrod and rockers with two-valves per-cylinder (intake cylinders in titanium). With a bore and stroke of 84 x 77mm, the V85 TT remains at 853cc. Moto Guzzi say this is their most advanced engine yet and can deliver a maximum power of 80hp and 80Nm@5,000rpm, with 90 per cent of the torque already available at 3,750rpm.

The unit now has greater torque at low and medium rpm thanks to Moto Guzzi revising the pushrods and cams as well as adapting more tech to the V-twin. Moto Guzzi introduced three different riding modes on the V85 TT for 2022: Road, Rain and Off-road. Each of these Riding Modes corresponds to a different engine mapping, a different calibration of the MGCT traction control (which can be disabled) and ABS, as well as a different response from the Ride-by-Wire throttle control.

Moto Guzzi have made a brand-new frame for the V85 TT. The tubular structure uses the engine as a load-bearing element to ensure the bike feels planted and stiff, Moto Guzzi claim this helps with balance during “light enduro use”. Suspension is sorted by a 41mm hydraulic telescopic USD fork at the front which is adjustable for spring preload and hydraulic rebound. While the rear utilises the double-sided box-type aluminium swingarm by mounting a single shock on the right side, adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound.

The Travel features Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres, 110/80 – R19in at the front and 150/70 – R17in at the rear, wrapped around 2.50 x 19in and 4.25 x 17in wheels. Mounted are two 320mm stainless steel floating discs combined with Brembo radial-mounted calipers featuring four opposed pistons and a 260mm stainless steel disc, floating caliper with twin-pistons at the rear for great stopping power.

Moto Guzzi say they have designed the V85 TT so it can be used by riders of any level or experience thanks to its 830mm seat height and narrow width to allow freedom of movement. The V85 TT has a 23-litre fuel tank able to handle a claimed range of more than 400km. The Travel model builds on the V85 TT with a higher Touring windshield, offering riders greater air protection, thanks to a 60 per cent larger surface area, as well as two lightweight “urban” style panniers with aluminium inserts specifically designed alongside the V85 TT itself (37 litres for the right-hand case, which can hold a full-face helmet, and 27.5 litres for the left).

Also included as standard are the heated hand grips with buttons already incorporated in the original left-hand switch block and a pair of additional LED lights. The range of special equipment is rounded out with Moto Guzzi MIA, the multimedia platform that allows the rider to connect a smartphone to the vehicle, extending the functions of the instrument cluster.

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel is offered in the exclusive Sabbia Namib colour: the grey frame is paired with the matte colour of the chassis, while the tank and side panels have dedicated graphics. The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel is in dealerships now with an RRP of $21,690 plus on-road costs.

SPECIFICATIONS
2022 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel

Price: $21,690 plus on-road costs.

Colours: Sabbia Namib

Kerb weight: 242kg

Fuel capacity: 23L

Power: 59kW@7750rpm

Torque: 80nM@5000rpm

Engine: 853cc four stroke, Transversal 90 degree V-twin, 2-valves per cylinder, 84 x 77mm bore x stroke, 10.5:1 compression, EFI 52mm single throttle body, Ride by wire.

Gearbox: Six-speed, shaft drive

Clutch: Dry single disc

Frame: Steel tubular

Suspension: 41mm hydraulic telescopic USD fork, adjustable preload and rebound. Double-sided swingarm with monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound.

Brakes: 320mm stainless steel floating discs Brembo radial-mounted four piston calipers, single 260mm rear brake twin-piston caliper.

Wheels & Tyres: Spoked 2.50 x 19, 4.25 x 17, 110/80-19, 150/70-17

Dimensions:

Wheelbase: N/A

Seat height: 830mm

Ground clearance: N/A

Instruments: TFT Cull-colour dash, with Moto Guzzi MIA.

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