Moto Guzzi V85 TT in the 50,000 kilometer endurance test

Moto Guzzi V85 TT in the 50,000 kilometer endurance test

Halfway through the km marathon

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT sets off as a long-term tester and wants to cover the 50,000 kilometers as easily as possible.

Welcome to the long-term test fleet, dear M.oto Guzzi V85 TT. The travel enduro will set off to crack the 50,000 kilometers with a kilometer reading of 441 kilometers from May 2019.

MOTORRAD readers are probably already familiar with the long-term test procedure, but here is the process of the 50,000-kilometer test again: Before the travel enduro can go on a journey, the performance measurements are still to be carried out on the test bench. This is followed by the input measurements, the sealing of the motor and the compression measurement. After almost 25,000 kilometers, the interim endurance test appears, showing how the Moto Guzzi fared up to half-time. After 50,000 kilometers, the final measurements finally follow. Then the engine is dismantled and examined.

Enduro

Moto Guzzi V85 TT in the driving report

From 11,990 euros, from March 2019

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By the way, the first longer trip is already imminent. The endurance test starts with the famous Alpen Masters, in which the Italian wants to prevail against the competition if possible. Speaking of Italy: our long-term test Guzzi goes on a long journey with an Italian license plate.

Mileage: 25,397, 08/2020

MOTORRAD action team tour guide Daniel Lengwenus has chosen the Guzzi for a longer tour: What is that? From the very first few meters, the V-engine with 80 HP and 3,000 revolutions behaves like a Porsche tractor. Much fuss, no propulsion. That should be 80 hp?

I last saw such a display on my sister’s thermo mixer, totally playful, white background with blue tachometer tape. Somehow it seems a bit out of place and not made for a motorcycle. The white numbers on a blue background are very difficult to read. There are also symbols that you actually only perceive in night mode because they are shown in light gray on white, i.e. camouflaged.

The Guzzi runs nice and quiet on the motorway. Everything is fine up to a speed of 180, then the shift light starts to ignite its first two lights. So you are just before the rev limiter and should leave it at that. Somehow you get the feeling that you shouldn’t leave the yellow notice in sixth gear any longer, so you instinctively take the gas off. In general, the engine is not particularly revving, at 6,500 rpm it is over anyway. The consumption is really OK, you can leave 5.3 L / 100 km at an average speed of 120 km / h on the highway. How to operate the cruise control, I was not able to find out until the exit. Is that even possible? And if so, how do you activate it?

The menu on the first level shows two trips and access to deeper levels. These are easy and intuitive to use. You can find that out even during the first trip. The levers are adjustable, that’s a good thing. The bench is quite comfortable, even after two hours and the seating position fits. Even if you sit old school on the motorcycle rather than feel integrated. The chassis conveys safety, even in long curves and is more on the tightly damped side.
The wind protection is minimal, in spite of the fact that the windshield is not even small, the hand protectors are far too low and let the hands get wet quickly and cool down just as quickly. What are they for? Just as a fall protector? To me it looks a lot better than it drives. It’s a shame, I was looking forward to her.

Mileage: 11,245, 09/2019

Uli Baumann, online editor, kidnapped the Guzzi on a trip to Italy:

Uli Baumann

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT is a very pleasant travel companion. The wind protection of the fairing is good for a driver height of 1.89 meters, the weather protection of the hand protectors less – they are simply too small. The combination of a large tank and low fuel consumption allows extremely long ranges – 450 kilometers are no problem and can also be easily sat out on the comfortable bench. The V2 is very pleasant, can be driven lazily and also with reduced speed in high gear, always pulls out of the basement and the vibrations are also kept within limits. In most situations, the V2 uses the force of its flywheel to override slight jerking. Of course, the 850 is not a steam hammer à la BMW GS, but the performance is actually sufficient anytime and anywhere. In the middle, however, they should like to give him more torque in Mandello. The sound is very pleasant – powerful, but not loud.

Uli Baumann

The chassis is handy, directionally stable, sufficiently tight and also comfortable. It can be motorway as well as bad roads. The brake system is up to all requirements, shows a lot of bite and can be dosed well. The pillion sits comfortably, but on the long bench a little too far away from the driver. The sturdy luggage rack can easily take any luggage roll.

Uli Baumann

The Guzzi was slowed down shortly before the 10,000 km mark due to a loss of oil on the rear axle drive. Initially only recognizable as fog, it quickly turned into drops that were distributed on the rim and the rear tire. Since the Guzzi was currently in Italy anyway, the informed German importer decided on an ad hoc campaign in coordination with the plant in Italy.

Uli Baumann

Two factory mechanics who traveled specially from Noale checked the problem and attested an oil loss on the shaft seal in the rear axle drive. The complete component was then replaced on site and taken to the factory for assessment. MOTORRAD will report on the analysis. The Guzzi, meanwhile, continues with a new rear axle drive.

Opinion from Piaggio: In response to MOTORRAD’s request for clarification, Piaggio, the owner of the Moto Guzzi brand, has now named two possible reasons for the oil loss. On the one hand, the dealer could have filled in too much oil (which can be ruled out in the MOTORCYCLE endurance test), on the other hand, a sealing ring could be the cause for unspecified reasons. MOTORRAD wanted to know whether this was the box in the endurance test and, when asked, received an answer that the Simmerring had no externally visible damage, but should be examined in more detail. The statement also states that the number of cases affected is V 85TT "statistically very low" (which a spokesman for the manufacturer could not quantify when asked). And if oil did leak out, then only "very little." In addition, the manufacturer is not aware of any consequential damage, i.e. an accident.

So the all-clear? Is it all just scare tactics? Or would a controlled recall with replacement of the Simmerring be the best solution for everyone? The Piaggio Group currently sees no reason to do so. From now on, MOTORRAD will keep a very close eye on the drive and rear wheel – and strongly advises all other riders of this otherwise great bike to do so.

Mileage: 6,460, 08/2019

Special issue production manager Gerd Mayer took the Moto Guzzi V85 TT on a weekend tour with friends in the Allgau. Already on the way there, the Guzzi revealed its relaxed and at the same time relaxing character. The comfortable seating position and the balanced chassis delight from the first meter. Especially at the rear, the Guzzi springs very comfortably for a cardan bike.

Gerd Mayer

The turn signal housings magically attract moisture and are reluctant to release it again. Sealing is different …

The engine is not really under pressure, and overtaking maneuvers sometimes take a little longer than expected. The V85 TT compensates for this with a wonderfully bassy, ​​warm V-engine sound as so on as the last 30 percent of the throttle grip is turned. On a totally rainy and foggy round pass tour on the Arlberg and the many speed-limited passages along the way, it is also noticeable how relaxed the Guzzi can drive slowly.

The fittings look nice, but the blinker activation is a bit annoying: the switch does not engage anywhere and provides too little feedback for a component that is often used while driving. Typically Italian, like the indicator housing with aquarium function: In this case, waterproof means that no water runs out …

Gerd Mayer

The beautiful and practical tubular luggage rack makes tensioning pack sacks an easy finger exercise.

The Guzzi does significantly better when it comes to the cockpit and luggage storage. The tubular luggage rack, which is beautifully integrated into the look, is just practical. The digital display on the other hand looks a bit out of place on the V85 TT, but the display is easy to read.

On the whole, the Guzzi is a motorcycle for connoisseurs who don’t need 100 hp to be happy and who appreciate a stress-free bike with an absolutely timeless design.

Mileage: 4,850, 07/2019

For editor Thorsten Dentges, the V85 TT is a nice no-stress bike. Sloppy engine, but good comfort on tour and first-class luggage storage (long bench and luggage rack, top lashing options on pillion grab handles) and a comfortable chassis. In addition, there is no stress on the way due to the cardan because there is no chain to maintain. However, with the low number of kilometers, small annoyances in terms of quality have emerged. One of the pillion pegs got stuck, the other had the locking ball falling out, so it was rickety loose. During normal motorway driving with a few clutch operations, the Bowden cable seems to have grown longer and longer as if by magic.

Dentges

The adjusting screw has loosened by itself. An improvised solution included provided a short-term remedy.

Once in the Allgau, starting was hardly possible because you couldn’t disengage the clutch. As it turned out, the adjusting screw had loosened by itself and was generally not particularly tight. I created an improvised solution with cable ties. Everything reminds me of the old 80s, when technology was still like that "bicycle-like" was – should the new Guzzi be retro? I can do without that …

Mileage: 2,030, 06/2019

Ferdinand Heinrich

MOTORRAD trainee Ferdinand Heinrich used the Moto Guzzi V85 TT for a weekend trip. Here is his summary: The V85 is an uncomplicated travel companion that makes you feel comfortable pretty quickly. This is also due to the powerful engine, which may not be too sporty, but still offers a certain aplomb. This also applies to the chassis. Neither fast stretches of motorway nor bumpy country roads spoil the driving comfort, and the seat was still comfortable after three hours. Apart from that, the almost classic TT is of course also an eye-catcher. I’m looking forward to the next trip with the Guzzi!

Immediately after this tour, the V85 went for an inspection.

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