Owner Review 2020 Moto Guzzi V85TT Travel. 1st Year of ownership  

" Riding a Guzzi can be addictive ." Yup !

Thanks finally a review from someone who has actually spent TIME on the bike.

My V85 now 17K miles running great no breakdowns. Has had a grueling life with around 9K miles of off-road.including CDR and TAT. I confess that I prefer my DRZ for single track. Tires Motoz for off road trailmax mission for when not on the trail. Cat removed air box modded. Getting increased oil capacity , snorkel and ecm upgrades this year. This will be my 48th year riding many bikes Love the Guzzi!

This fellows impressions riding the TT mirrors my experience. One thing I would add, my area has a fair amount of twistiness. The tt is a very pleasant ride with a very neutral handling characteristic on pavement. Focus on most ride vids seem to be on its off-road abilities.... For me its just like an SUV vs say a Jeep (The off-road styled factory rigs). It handles fireroads and mild trails a bit better than pure street bike. However it will pound out the miles on the pavement Like a horse with no name.

I totally agree with you on all aspects : This is a very sweet ride that is "alive". In addition, it is not a BMW GS850, so the savages would not want to steal it. And by the way BMW do not make any more reasonnable small displacement bikes with such a noble engine configuration (true V Twin, air cooled, shaft drive, wintage style and driving mood) with all the modern advantages (EURO5, cruise control, 6 Gears, usefull TFT display, less that 250kg wet) and so simple to use (never more than 2 steps to get to any features in the display menus). The exhaust catalyser is a bit hot in the summer, but on the other hand the exhaust is not noisy enough to upset the sleepy neighbours. Even Honda stopped making a true V twin with shaft drive and reasonnable usability. Thanks to Moto Guzzi for this, and thank you for celebrating it.

I agree with every word said. I'm an ardent GS rider but since I picked up the V85tt as a 2nd bike ..... I can't stop riding it ..... its just different from the rest. I like different alot 👌. Great review mate 👍.

Your narration style and sound matches the style & sound of this beautiful bike! Well done & save driving.

Ive taken my 125cc maxi scooter offroad. It doesn’t like it but it gets me there. Even carrying my wife on the back to get to some remote beaches where I live. I laugh seeing reviewers saying the 19” tyres are not enough for offroad use. Another funny thing is hearing them complain about power. I can’t wait till I have enough saved up for the v85tt. Its going to be so much better than my scooter on the roads we have.

As a fellow utilitarian motorcyclist (I only own a bike, and I believe any bike can be used in a utilitarian way) the V85TT is probably one the coolest and most interesting bike released lately. I'm very jealous of your ride.

Great review! My nearest dealer is 500km away but I put a deposit on a 2021 Travel last winter. It arrived here in the BC Okanagan in a crate a month ago, and I have now put 2000km on it. I have owned about 30 bikes over 40 years and I have to say this is probably one of the finest, if not the finest, I have owned - and that includes a few BMWs. I bought it for long summer trips, where its ergonomics, cruise control and fuel economy pay off. The motor has enough hp and ample torque where you really need it - it just sings! I’m 5’ 6” with a 29” inseam so I went for the low seat option although the standard seat is OK and possibly a little more comfortable. I recently owned a 2009 R1200GS which is also a fine bike, but it just felt bigger and heavier than the Guzzi and had too many electronics I didn’t need. I do all my own maintenance and the first service was very straightforward. I have a DR650 for the rough stuff but the few kilometres of gravel I have covered so far were confidence inspiring - thanks to its great suspension. The fit and finish on this bike is excellent - better than some recent Japanese bikes I have owned. Sure, it’s a little quirky, but it’s so different from other manufacturer’s offerings. The Guzzi pulls a crowd so be prepared for lots of questions!

Great video, thanks. I just absolutely love the look and sound of these bikes.

I was looking for a review like this one. Thanks :)

Thank you for the input, I plan on getting one soon

Awesome review 👍 I pick mine up in a few weeks!

After riding a Norge for 5 years and doing long moto camping trips I had to switch gears and get equipped for more adventurous Turing. My V85 does everything I need in comfort and style but with simplicity. I wouldn't trade it for for anything. I can only have one motorcycle and it checks all the boxes, Commuting , Ripping up twisty B roads, Adventure mototuring.

Thanks for the honest review

Love this video

Thank you so much for quick, to the point average Joe review! You just again a new subscriber.

Excellent job. Loved the clip of the off-road Goldwings. I've ridden touring bikes off road, myself, lol. Very nice review and editing. Thanks!

Love this - I have just passed my test and this is the bike for me - so excited hope to buy in the next couple of months here in sunny UK - I'll look at the rest of your videos for tips - thanks for taking the time to produce and share these videos

Excellent review thanks

I’m considering one of their bikes….much thanks for your time and input!

Excellent review. Good, practical information. Thanks.

My buddy just ordered one, can't wait to try it. Great bike, this is.

Hello Sir, really nice review and motorcycle description!

I'm waiting for mine any day now. I ordered a centenario over a month ago. And then I'm looking forward to practicing those figure 8s, U turns, stops and swerves that you made a video on. And putting down some miles. Good content. Keep it up 👍

great review! I ride a Guzzi V7 and am looking at adding the 85tt to the garage and your right "Guzzi's are addictive!"

Great review AGG! I've put 10,000km on my 2021Travel, and I agree with you on everything you said. It's unique and quirky, but also solid and reliable. Usually. those phrases don't go together. It's by far my favorite out of all the bikes I've owned or ridden. Thank you for the detailed, well thought out review!

spot on, no faff

Great review, well done. We share many of the same reasons for riding a motorcycle. In regards to your video, thank you for not including an intro with heavy metal music and annoying graphics of explosions and lightning bolts. I actually felt relaxed afterwards. That’s a lot better than feeling like I have Red Bull bleeding from my eyes and ears after most motorcycle review videos.

I got my V85 at Sloan's as well just last week! Fellow Guzzista here from the Nashville area!

this is a fantastic video, great all round review of real ownership of this beautiful bike, but the style and pacing in your narration of this video was a joy to watch and listen to and could be done on any bike/car etc. great job.

Love the video brother !

I've had my 2021 since March of this year and have put over 7,000 miles on it. I'm currently on a 20 state road trip and enjoy this bike immensely. It is comfortable for hours, reliable, sturdy, and a great road bike. I have not taken it off road. A couple of quirks. The check engine light comes on at about 5,300 rpm (when passing a car for example) and blinks until the low gas light comes on or the ignition is switched off. Also, cruise control engages just fine, but pushing up or down on the cruise switch has no effect-it doesn't raise or lower the set speed. Also, though the fuel range indicator reads 20-some miles left, I've never put in more than 4.5 gallons, so there would appear to be a generous reserve in the 6 gallon tank. I am so happy I bought this bike! ❤️

As a long time Guzzi fan, yes, they are addictive. Wish they hadn’t lightened the flywheel on the later models, but I guess that’s just what the market wants. Haven’t tried a 270 crank in a parallel twin yet, but I can see why did they - just trying to make the power come through like a Guzzi 😄 (sorry Mr Turner, but you’ve been out evolved!)

Good review. I have a 2021, ride it everywhere. I do a lot of offroad here in Australia, and it performs way better than it should. Surprisingly capable on long outback rides. The biggest difference between to 20 and 21 models is a slightly more grunty motor and a custom mode on the 21. I can turn off the abs and traction control with a press of the button.

One off the most mature review for me. They are not perfect but... F. amusing and, simple to maintain. Near perfect.

same model. 15,000 km. I agree with everything you said and all your conclusions. After 2 punctures and two days of lost work, thinking of changing to tubeless

Great review. I love my 2020 Travel. Great bike, my 10th Guzzi lol

I want one!

I am also thinking the unique look and quality of guzzi. First looked at it when I was in a kawasaki dealership, never heard of it before. I bought a 2019 V7 Stone, the look makes me feel cool. Same feeling about TT85. The price is also good and fair, especially the quality considered. Thanks for your honest review. I am thinking to trade my V7 tor a TT travel for more road trips.

Nice to see someone else have similar experiences, thoughts and feelings about this bike 🙂 👍 With fuel prices sky high over here in the UK as well, it's painful to fill up that big ole' tank though! Can't [easily] get non ethanol fuel here - so I stick to E5 'super'.

Riding a Guzzi "is" addictive and riding a motorcycle is therapy. Did ride a V7 III that a traded in for the V85TT 2021. Ooo what do I'll mis the V7.

Thks for the smidgen comment re: heat on a rider's legs during summer. I live in southern OK and ride from Kansas City thru KS, AR, OK, TXS, and NM. Summers are hot and I have looked at MG for a long time but I refuse to buy one without knowing the heat on legs in 100-108 summer heat.

grazie hai fatto una bella recensione

Great review - my 2021 will be a year old next month and after almost 10K Kilometers of 60/40 use in the Andes Mountain ranges, Amazon Lowlands and Pacific Coastal flats... it does everything VERY well... and I can ride all day long! (Something my KTM friends cannot say without lying through their teeth)

I bought my 2020 Adventure used with relatively low miles. My very first bike back in the 80s was a Honda CX500. Same engine layout. It is very nice feeling that side to side shimmy when you blip the throttle. I have had zero issues with mine. I added the MIA module to Bluetooth connect my phone. Mostly plug and play but my older phone did need to have the Bluetooth reset to connect. I also have not been "off road" much. Light gravel only so far. Mostly in town and on pavement riding here in the Black Hills. She has metric butt tons of character. Power is decent for my overweight butt. And she turns heads. Living near Sturgis there are a lot of riders that live here. Most always turn to look at the Moto Guzzi as I ride by. She also has a nice burble on deceleration with the stock exhaust.

I like it.I’m confident a demo ride will cement a deal.

I sat on one at a dealer and was very impressed. Everything looked & felt high quality. It had a standard seat on it which I thought was very hard. Not convinced it's priced right considering the low tech, but if it sells then I guess it's priced right!

Nice video and well explained. Rode the 2022 model and will make a video of it soon. Just keep up and check my stuff when have time. Here goes my like.

I picked up my V85TT Adventure 2020 new in 2021. Loved the color scheme. Wanted a new bike because my old 1997 R1100RT was getting really long in the tooth. Thought about picking up a new R1250RT but with all the electronics I shied a way from that. Test rode a BMW T9 models but was not comfortable to me. I love the ease of shaft drives so I looked into Moto Guzzi and fell in love with the V85TT. I do miss not being able to cruise at 110mph all day like on my RT but I shouldn't be doing that anyway and 85mph is good enough. Picked mine up V85 at AF1 Racing in Austin TX.

Nice 👍🇬🇧

Very well said review. Compare to Truimph Tiger XCX & XRX, Royal Einfield Himalayan 650 & Husqvarna Norden 900 Adventure. I think the 2022 Moto Guzzi V85TT especially has something better than all of their rivals which you have said. This bike is like a mix of classic & a touch of modern. The last phrase you have said is really true. 👏

That pukin dogs Tomcat is sick where is that eastern Long Island? I was thinking long and hard about this bike because there's a dealer not far. I was looking at the Aprilia 660 but it seems not as comfy I'm the same size as you so.

😀 gooooooooood

I have had my 2020 for about a year now. Have almost 1000 miles on it as i spread my riding out with my other MGs…. I love riding this bike. It is a little heavy for off road but feels so stable and maneuverable.

Just bought a 2022 V85TT Guardia D'onore. Yep, addictive. Now have two Guzzi in the garage.

😊👍🙏

Nice review, I have a 21 TT, as you say it has soul, not plasticy like most others. How do we find the clip of the dude jumping logs on the 85? Thanks 👍

What are your toughts on the valves? I have seen some questionable revieuws on valves going out of spec way earlier then mainenance specifices, i heard of some having to do vlave adjustments every 1000km/600miles. Is it bettet with the newer models? I heard they changed them... i really want to buy the new travel version, but i want to see how bullet proof it is before i make my final disicion

where is the location that you are riding its looks realy nice

Question: I am looking at a used 2020. Any reliability issues? Overheating? any advice will help. Thanks all!

Can it cruise comfortably at 80 mph?

So for me being 198 cm it's out of the question??

Is this Australia?Or USA?I wonder why MG is selling these in general nice-looking bikes in my country equipped with ugly supermodern direction indicator lights (shaped like a rat penis) Tried to find y o u r lights in Mandello last year - without succes.Could you help me? Thank you for your Video.I agree with nearly all your statements.Ride safely!