I've been shopping and comparing specs on mid-sized ADV bikes for months. This bike just throws all of that out the window. I don't care how many inches of travel, or how far the range is, etc.. I just want one because it is beautiful, it has soul, and it still looks/feels/sounds like a motorcycle.

The one thing that never gets mentioned is that there really isn't any bike in the segment that is as easy to maintain. There is very little the owner can't perform in their garage. Guzzi's are very inexpensive and enjoyable to maintain.

40 year Guzzi owner here, I really like this bike, but thought it was just a street bike dressed up as seems the norm these days with different styles defining riders and their particular lifestyles. I am now of the impression after watching quite a few reviews I may be wrong, this may be one of the first in a new line of Guzzis that will do the name proud, a machine that will really get under your skin , do everything well ,if not the best, not far behind.

Finally, a mid size adventure motorcycle with a real personality, a soul all of its own. The following is really important, and manufacturers such as BMW need to listen. So many motorbikes try to find their niche, and even though they are really good, they are merely tools for a job at hand. Now for a practical person this is great, but motorcyclists are not generally practical people. There are a few and for those there are excellent choices such as the Honda NC750dct. The BMW r1250gs is an amazing motorcycle, not because it is practical (which it indeed is but more by accident then by design) but because it started of with a unique design and evolved from there into something that has a mesmerizing, unique and physics defying soul. In many ways, this Moto Guzzi went into the direction we asked BMW to go when they designed the F850gs, namely, rather a shaft driven R900 or 950 boxer with 70kw and 100nm. The F850 has the same problem most other motorbikes in this segment have, the R1250gs is just so bloody good, and it has a soul. Ask anyone after riding the F850gs which would they prefer, (even though the 850 is an amazingly good motorcycle in its own right) this bike or a good second hand R1200gs for the same price and 99% of the time they’ll sign for the 1200. Moto Guzzi has, with this one new product, designed something truly fantastic. It’s not perfect, by no means, but I wish them many sales and to continue improving on this design with more low down torque and who knows what more (would love a change to find out) over the generations to come. It has a soul, the most important component of any motorbike. The rest will follow.

No one seems to mention the fact the heads are totally exposed for easy access adjusting the valves, I'd think that would be a major plus.

and, most important, it's made in Italy, not China

My top nominees for best motorcycle channels. Ryan F9 - FortNine Bret Tkacs - MotoTrek Cristian - DriveMag Riders Not in the same order

RIP, you were one of the best reviewers around.

I love your enthusiasm and joy on your face when talking about motorcycle mate, This review is no exception

Haha those ‘engine listening’ shots were brilliant, love it. :)

Love this video; so well done. Love Cristians passion for bikes. RIP sir.

my next bike will this one ... enduro + touring + retro + cafe racer = MG V85TT

Very beautiful, amazing build quality, technology with maps and cruise control, amazing sound, an engine who will live for ever, good price!!! One of the best vfm ever!! The bike only need tubelles tyres and maybe to be a bit lighter.. I have the crf 1000l and I am thinking to trade it for a v85tt

Great quality production and good info - only people who really love bikes can make vids this good! Well done and thanks! 🙂

Rip buddy, may you ride this guzzy forever

Always first class videos and reviews from DriveMag Riders - clearly very experienced and knowledgeable and manages to cover all the key points - thank you very much!

RIP my friend. God be with you.. :(

Brilliant video! I really love the look and sound of this bike.As well as the details it was lovely to see a review where the rider was engaged with not just the machine, but the joy of riding! 👍

I think it would sit directly between the F850GS and the F750GS. But it looks better, has a shaft drive, adjustable forks and shock and an air cooled motor.

This is the best review of the MG I have seen so far. I can't wait to see a head-to-head with peer bikes.

I had a big smile on my face watching this video. Great review!!

You know, I believe that this bike is a win all round, old school air cooled, so there are no radiators and cooling systems that have extra eight and bulk, lots of torque, and modern suspension and engine/suspension management....a bit like a R100GS with all the new technologies.....Yes it would make a good long term adventure bike.

Stunning review. Absolutely love when you took the time to listen to the engine. Fab.

A video can't definitely let feels how this engine sounds like. Its voice is so wonderful!! I bought one M21 today and I'm so happy

Really good honest review. I like the way the review is down to earth and gives you the details that are important in my opinion

Cool and very objective review for this beautiful bike; defenitely not an off-road bike, but as you say perfect for 70/30 road/gravel!

One of the Best Motorcycles they have ever built. Beautiful Styling and Color.

I love this bike. It's my new one since october...

Beautiful motorcycle. Comparisons are great, put something new against a known benchmark but my initial impression just from seeing a handful of reviews is this... If a person buys this bike and doesn't compare it to other bikes, I think they would be totally satisfied with the V85 TT. Just buy the bike and ride it sensibly, smiling the whole time. Great initial thoughts and video, as usual!

Compare it with F750GS, Tiger 800 XR or V-Strom 650XT ;). Not with bikes with 21" front wheel.

What a wonderful video about the Moto Guzzi. I don't know how it could fit in my stable of bikes but I do love watching it.

One of the best motorcycling review ever, thanks!!!

Great video and honest review as always Keep up with the good work 👍

definitely another great retro styled scrambler but nothing like an africa twin! as always another great vid guys!

Man your videos are very nicely made. Keep up with the good job. Great curation here, good content.

Another great bike review! Wish I have a dealer less than 2 1/2 hours drive! Beautiful bike for sure! What a great start conversation this bike will be....

Very nice job on this review, guys. Thank you

Great review , I just want one , I went & test rode a new CF moto 800 the other day ,great bike & as I was walking out of the shop I spotted the V85TT it looked like a Italian Super model I went up & sat on her the lines the finish is awesome ,Its not a demo So I couldn't take for a test ride, I have been back three times , the CF is half the price & a lot of bike for the money butI think I will go with the Guzzi, I just have convince the wife. I just bought a 2020 travel ,its awesome .Rode it back 200 ks in the rain no problems.

Mate , you are brilliant! Probably the best review I have seen in a ages. Would be interesting to see how the Guzzi stands up to long time abuse on gravel roads, here in australia we have a lot of them and I am unsure if the bike will be good for touring here....Also I am unsure about the air / oil cooled engine to keep going in desert conditions (40 deg for weeks) and hard work in sand .... Has anyone done some desert traveling yet? --Love your videos, non biased reviews by ppl that know what they are talking about. pure class. Thanks!

If only they would build a modern Lemans 1000. *Sigh*

Great video and review. When I am due to change my GS, I will be having a serious look at this one.

Happyface, Chris, this bike gives you the smile 😊 great review, Friend, as you use to do 👍👍👍

Great review. Thank you! A Guzzi is a Guzzi. Love or hate it at the end of the day it’s wonderful! Caio.

Your channel and content is just great! I love every video. :-)

Love your channel, love this bike! Just when I was drooling after a Tiger800.... now this comes along

Nice review as usual.

Nice video and very honest review, liked it 👍🏻

Great review... keep them coming...

I like the look at the bars; excellent use of red round tubing and headlamps. Beautiful!

This review was very positive one, kind of funny with the engine sounds etc., but also useful, the good combination. And about the bike it gave so positive feedback, that partly for this video I ended up for a deal finally two days ago!

Great review, look forward to see longer rides, or maybe I just get one to go venture far:) reminds me of my original 89' tenere, basic air-cooled with great looks, makes you want to ride further and enjoy the ride a little slower (than a 1200GS might) perfect gorgeous looking 2cylinders.

I was lost the first chilometers with this bike. My first thought was to bring it immediately back to the dealer. At the end of the test I wouldn't stop driving the v85. Lovely, lovely, lovely bike! I WANT ONE! I think very soon a new ECU-map (to considerely raiseup the torque at low rpms) will be available for free from the european guys who love this bike (like it is happened for other Guzzis).

Lovely review. Good work.

I enjoyed this video and the 3 bike comparison version. Please do a more in depth review of the 2021 edition since you haven't had the chance to do the more in depth review of this bike.

Some people think its ugly. I dont know why but i think its one of the most beautyful bike's there is out there. Especially the red and yellow colour scheme

Nice review. I love the looks and for commute seems a good option (on the TT side). My only doubt is about engine cooling and heat for the pilot on hot summer days.

Nice review! BR, from Hungary

This is one nice motorcycle. I would say... comparing it to bikes such as the Africa Twin or BMW 850GS may not be fair to any of these bikes... the Moto Guzzi seems to be much more about the experience of riding, including motor sounds, motor response, than about its off road performance and adventure/touring riding that those other two motorcycles deliver well. Not that it can't be done, it's just that's not the priority, not what comes first. Well, that's how I see it. I would buy this motorcycle to simply ride it. Excellent review!!!

I think it would be very natural to include a Triumph Scrambler in any future comparison since it also captures the retro look and the new model has been improved for better off-road performance. For that matter, you might also compare it to the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled. I'm currently riding a Suzuki V-Strom 650 and I am even considering the V85 TT as a replacement for my bike. I really like the character of V-twin engines.

Awesome review!

Beautiful bike, excellent review! Those break lines seem to be awfully close to the exposed front wheel.

Great review as always. I've been waiting for this bike to arrive. Deposit placed 2 weeks ago. 😁 There's one thing common to all reviews of this bike - grins, smiles, surprise and more often than not, the word "love". For me it ticks all the boxes I need for a long distance, middleweight Adv tourer with Guzzi character and ease of servicing. I'm not interested in hardcore, knarly off-road. Just dirt roads and trails thanks when I'm doing a +2500Km tour with full luggage. Anything else is too risky so far from home unsupported. Is it an Adventure bike? Hell yes. It fits my definition of Adventure.....

Seems like you enjoyed this first review. I like the power and drive train setup, especially shaft and push rods. Imagine an engine service and valve clearance check compared with a Ducati that needs an elastic band change. A clutch change might offset some of this benefit. Without knowing anything about dealer support or reliability, this is a bike I will keep an eye on!

Cool vidéo Rider 👍🏼

I would love to see the 3 way comparison (maybe also throw in the 900 Tiger as well) with all the bikes in their full touring kit over a few days of real adventure touring/camping to see who comes out on top in the real world.

Thanks for the video very informing . Injoy it much!!!

Great review! Thanks!

Great review, thank you!

Inteligent review 👍

Bravo complimenti, professionalità e passione.

Nice review!

Great review and lovely bike

Nice review, as allways.

Best Moto Channel

Bella recensione!!! Complimenti

Excellent and complète vidéo of this fantastic bike

MOTO GUZZI sell a windshield more hight for this bike, as accessories

Love your video… with a soul and love for motorcycles. 👍

Excellent review

It certainly looks great. Sounds great. Seems to handle dirt roads ok if not rough trails. And if it's quite comfortable on a long ride, those are major things that matter. It's not light but it's not heavier than other bikes in the category either. Looks like a really nice bike to me,

Great looking bike, classic look with modern technology & air cooled that so good.

Good video! You made me want the bike .. kinda

I’m now approaching 72 years in May, 2021. I own a 1998 BMW R1100GS. Because of staying indoors from COVID, I find I have lost some upper body strength to handle this bike now. Yes, I know, back to the gym, but I was at a Motto-Guzzi showroom the other day and it felt a lot better to me. Yep, back to the weights anyway, but I was impressed. Your thoughts, I’m 5’10” ( 178cm ), 195-200lbs( 88.45-90.72), so my height and weight is in the spec range of this bike, I think.

very nice review - thank you for that. finally there are two questions to answer: do you think the rear suspension would be able to offer same comfort with full luggage and two person usage? would the engine offer enough power to handle that?

I love this bike! And I love my Griso!

Nice review

beautiful bike, very well balanced with no silly exaggerations

Thanx for showing...

Looking forward to a comparo!

Great review, thank you for that. I love the bike and think it's in a class of its own. Just two things I would like to have added to run to the shop and pay a deposit: 10 BHP more and tubeless tyres. What do you think? Regards

Good review

I want to know if your knees bang the valve covers. Can you scoot up against the padded tank or does knee banging rule that out? Thanks for the very good video.

So does it vibrate ?😄 seriously informative and fun channel.

love the vibration of the engine

Many thanks for review! Is this suspension enough for Romanian back roads? And how this bike feels for passenger for long rides?

nice review and nice jacket, what brand is it?

Soooo beautiful bike!!! As a 50 years old beginner, will you recommended this beauty as a first bike or to take something with less power!? I am 1,83cm high with 105kg and driving maxi scooter for now but want a real bike 🤪. Excellent review, regards from Serbia 🇷🇸

i had a 2009 R1200GSA until I flipped it twice in the Australian desert this year. once I recover, this bike is a solid contender to replace my now lost friend - the GSA. I don't dig the new 1200 or 1250. the last oil/air cooled R1200GSA is what I like about bikes, and this Guzzi beeing retro yet having a little up to date tech sprinkled all over it, might be worth giving it a go. Crash bars are a must since I take these bikes into heavy off roading and pannier racks + fog lights should be stock to make it proper ADV. small windscreen is alright. less plastic to go down in the dirt that way. to top it all off - she's pretty!

Not sure of the others but I am sick of powerful and heavy adv bike,I don't use the power afraid of loosing my license and hate their weight and size, after riding 1000km, I really hate to look at them. I was too young and too poor to meet the R800GS,may be this is the time

Love guzzi looks, so cool.