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Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel in the driving report

Enduro even more suitable for traveling

Long trips abroad will hardly be possible in summer 2020, but domestic trips with a little luck will be. The new Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel comes in handy.

She bestowed M.oto Guzzi created a small sensation last year: the V85 TT, a successful mix of travel enduro and scrambler, hit the hearts of many motorcyclists with its relaxed character and vintage look. 812 units were sold in Germany alone, and there could have been more, but the plant in Mandello del Lario on Lake Como was hardly able to keep up with production, although it soon introduced extra shifts. The enthusiasm generated by the finely balanced and manageable motorcycle exceeded all the manufacturer’s expectations.

Sand-colored paintwork is a real eye-catcher

No wonder that the Italians are immediately adding the new V85 TT Travel. Technically nothing changes compared to the base, but with numerous components from the range of accessories, the new one presents itself as a motorhome. The standard equipment includes a larger windshield, two suitcases with a good capacity, heated grips, two additional LED headlights and the Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform, which connects to the smartphone via Bluetooth. The smartphone navigation then appears on the TFT display in the cockpit, and communication with the front passenger also works – just as it should be for a touring motorcycle.

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The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel is available from 13,490 euros.

The designers landed a direct hit. With the sand-colored paintwork and the suitcases with aluminum elements, the Guzzi certainly has a touch of adventure, but it doesn’t apply so thickly that one would have to be embarrassed on paved country roads or in the big city thicket, where Central Europeans usually move. The silhouette of the motorcycle remains compact, despite the large box: the right one holds 37 liters, which is enough for a full-face helmet, the left one is smaller with 27.7 liters due to the raised exhaust.

Windshield not height adjustable

On the road, the Travel is just as exciting as the base model, its formidable chassis cannot be disturbed by anything. It was developed by Aprilia technicians – like Moto Guzzi a brand of the Piaggio Group – and their skills in chassis construction are almost legendary among connoisseurs. And so the Travel stays calmly on course even on the hottest curve course, willingly digs into the tightest of turns and provides a pleasing amount of feedback. If the bends get wider and the speed gets faster, the 60 percent larger windshield offers significantly more protection; But it is not height adjustable. In addition to the well-balanced upside-down fork and the directly hinged shock absorber, the rather narrow 19-inch tires contribute significantly to the great maneuverability of the motorcycle. Guzzi delivers the Travel with the Michelin Anakee Adventure, which offers good traction on gravel roads, but makes the motorcycle a little more sluggish on country roads than the Metzeler Tourance Next, with which the basic version V85 TT is available as an option.

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The TFT display serves as a multimedia center thanks to the connection to the smartphone.

So everything is perfect? Depends on the point of view. The 850 V2 engine beguiles with a heartwarming and sonorous thump, but with its 80 hp is not one of the big performers. Its usable speed range is narrow, the throttle response is slightly delayed – it is a real classic. This does not detract from the pleasure as long as one does not expect any speed orgies from the two-cylinder that it neither can nor wants to achieve.

Conclusion

Moto Guzzi has put together a fine travel package with the V85 TT Travel, the extra charge of 1500 euros is fair. If you just want to drive away from the corona crisis, you will find a cool, balanced and refreshing partner in Travel with plenty of space for people and luggage. The only problem: Because the Guzzi plant, like all manufacturers in Italy, had to close in March due to Covid-19, so far only a few copies have found their way to German dealers.

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