When Moto Guzzi displayed the V85 TT Concept last Fall, it was near unanimous that the design had a beautiful, classic, Guzzi appeal. Despite the mid-displacement, air-cooled v-twin engine, Moto Guzzi promised spunky performance. It looks like the production version will deliver just that.
On a new website dedicated to the production V85 TT, we finally see what will be available to consumers next year. Closely resembling the concept, it still looks attractive, practical and relatively light. The website is sparse on details, which will be provided at the EICMA show in Milan this November. Nevertheless, we learn that the V85 TT, despite sharing its 853cc displacement with the V9 models, gets a huge increase in horsepower.
To illustrate, the V9 Roamer we tested last year makes a claimed 55 horsepower (the same as its sibling, the V9 Bobber), while the new V85 TT makes a claimed 80 horsepower. That represents a 46% increase in horsepower from the same displacement! Surprisingly, despite this big boost in power, the new engine is still air cooled and features two-valve heads. We understand that much of the power has come from a radical reduction in the weight of engine internals (crank, rods, pistons and valves) along with other tweaks.
In addition to the nice looking suspension bits and radial-mount Brembo calipers, the picture of the instrument panel indicates selectable riding modes. All will be revealed this November in Milan. In the meantime, this looks like a tasty ride that we can’t wait to test.
See more of MD’s great photography:
I’ve owned several Moto Guzzis over the years SP1000, 850T, and a hydro Stone. I wish I still owned them all! But, this bike, if it fits me ergonomically, will come to live in my GARAGE! Love it! Now, where can I get: engine guards, bag racks, some Hepco Becker bags, and a larger rear rack?
Denny, I’m interested to get this 850TT.
Would appreciate it if you could share your experience on reliability and maintenance issues with MGs.
I had to redo my SP1000 and 850T, so I sorted all the major components myself. Once I’d checked, replaced and adjusted everything my MGs ran great. I bought my Stone new. Rode it for many years – no issues.
Bought my 750 Guzzi Breva new in 2004. Still my one and only bike I use it for everything. Reliability = good. Issues = you need to look after the battery – its small for the cranking it needs to do (and I have an alarm). Screen disintegrated in 2004 – replaced under warranty and lasted 10 years fine until a brick fell on it…Cosmetically – average; though for 12 years mine lived under cover outside in a very wet and windy country.
Join the Guzzi club – Guzzi folk are the best and know all there is to know about the bikes. They are enthusiasts in the best sense of the word.
SHARP bike!
I’m guessing the specs on this machine won’t be anything special, but my gut tells me the sum of the parts are going to gel to make a great motorcycle. I have an irrational lust for this bike.
Very pretty outboard shock, shaft drive, and far less common than other brands. It’s just a classic already
I loved the look of the concept bike and hoped they would hold true to that. I actually think the production bike looks better. Might have to put the Z900 Café on the back burner or find a way to do both.
Those big Guzzi cylinders sticking out often make appealing looking bikes. Bikes which I always say mean Motor-Cycle. The motor hanging right out there for the world to see. There is something fundamental about it. Only a few weirdos actually buy them. I’m on a Stelvio now, 40 years after I sold a V7 Sport. I like it for the job it does when I need it done. Weeks on the road, usually camping. Otherwise, there is good and bad. The bad is it’s so freaking huge.
The Stelvio is 1150cc with 4 valves and makes about 90RWHP. If this think makes over 65RWHP I will be shocked. Yes, it’s enough, but it won’t be enough to sell. By the way I heard they sold a total of 7000 Stelvio’s, Total! OMG. How are they staying in business? BMW probably sold 200K GS’s since 07.
Hello, fellow weirdo! :-)2004 Breva 750 here, from new.
And another fellow wierdo. I like odd bikes. But not the first gen Multi-strada. Too odd.
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7000 Stelvios… good thing the drivetrain is/was used in the Norge and Griso to ammortise it over a period of time.
And all this time we were told the Dodo bird had gone extinct. This is certainly good news.
Paint the red black. Leave the rest alone. One of my favorite bikes I ever owned was the 76 Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Still got scars from the lady and the chevy station wagon that turned left in front of me. Moto Guzzi exploded into pieces on impact. Thats riding. 20 bikes later, on a 2018 Africa Twin Adventure Sport. Times have changed. Having a blast.
This is the best looking adventure bike anyone’s designed to date.
It is a kind of keep it simple stupid lesson.
Two round headlights and about a close to a dirtbike front fender as there is on a street bike.
OMG! Is that a luggage rack?! Wonders never cease.
You never saw a Cagiva Gran Canyon 900, obviously.
Designed by Terblanche before the horrible Multistrada, it was made for three years up to 2000. That’s twenty years ago and it’s still beautiful, with a tuned-for-torque Desmo engine that just is so satisfying, and superb road handling. Definitely a forgotten masterpiece which would likely see off this Guzzi with no trouble.
A friend had one. I never liked it.
I have a horrible Multistrada, I have had two actually. The wife wanted a two up bike. So I took her to a few dealers and the Multistrada is what I got. It is ugly in my opinion. But I ride the thing. It works quite well. Other people have to look at it.
Terblanche and Ness are two guys who really excel at making ugly bikes. Look what Terblanche did to the 900SS. There was a bike that needed no fixing. He totally trashed it.
I owned a Gran Canyon, and it is one of the few bikes I sold that I would like to have back. It was quite nice looking, relatively light and handled extremely well. I had all the bags and could go anywhere. The issue I had that caused me to sell it was reliability, especially electrical issues. I bought BMWs from then on, and I’m one of the few people who have had almost zero issues with them. Still, that Gran Canyon was a looker…
I had a ’92 900SS. I hated the carbs. But I liked the whole rest of the bike. I rode it 28K in a year and a half and traded it in for a 916 Christmas ’94.
They should re-issue the ’92 900SS, white frame and all, with the 1100 Multistrada two valve engine. I think I would get the black half fairing if they did. I had the red full fairing last time.
“Terblanche and Ness are two guys who really excel at making ugly bikes. Look what Terblanche did to the 900SS. There was a bike that needed no fixing. He totally trashed it.”
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I don’t think anyone can dispute that.
I like the overall concept here, but the chosen color scheme makes it look the motorcycling equivalent of a circus clown. It just needs a red nose on the end of the front fender that honks when you squeeze it.
Or a hamburger clown
You nailed it. I rather like the design, but it does reek of Golden Arches…
Maybe, in the eyes of the beholder, I personally like the colors. I’m so tired of shades of black. Motorcycles don’t have to be dark and mysterious, we all could use some color in our lives!
Those cylinder heads are vulnerable when the bike goes down. I would imagine that they’ll be offering a protector as an option. It will detract from the looks and add a bit more weight, but it would be worth it.
There’s just something about Italian design. How can they take the most utilitarian style of bike, and make it look so good?
Looks like a clown car on two wheels to me – but to each his own.
Independent Dyno will show 45 lb TQ MAYBE 50
Engine like this …. 6200 rpm redline 48 hp/ 7500rpm =68hp
We want to turn a vintage V banger tighter than 7500??
I would definitely consider this bike- it is WAY too heavy. For a metric I looked up my first bike 50 years ago – an HD 883 Sportster that weighed 480 fuel and oil- produced 55 HP they claimed at 6300 RPM and I will certify it would do 110 or better on the factory speedo on the 405- no idea how accurate that was
SO MY POINT IS- this bike is about the same displacement and weight and comparable performance as 50 years ago. Do not get me wrong as the XLCH was crude and unreliable and shook like Hell at top speed.
So this MG is a doable proposition- pull 2 normal people at 75 + I expect and do 110 on a good day – the numbers say so. After 50 years I think a bike like this with this level of performance could weigh 400 ready to go
Most 800s make at least 55 ft-lb of torque, the old Yamaha TDM 850 was about 60 ft-lb. This should make at least 55 so 80 hp is pretty easy for this engine with 7,500 rpm.
So you believe that because 50 years has passed, that engine HP should linearly increase automatically year after year after year regardless of the intended purpose of what it goes into? And you actually think that 400 lbs is reasonable for long term durability and comfort for 2 people and can handle a host of gear piled up on it in any situation you can throw at it. Hell, show me a 400 lb liter bike race rep that we can buy.
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I’m guessing you do not have a job, or ever had a job, where your responsibility was to determine design criteria for a product for an end user…as you have proven in many different posts that you obviously have no idea how a given final product will actually be used by a potential target customer. And you have no idea what it takes to build it and make it reliable. You should think before you post, if possible. Or you should go work for these manufacturers and school them on what they’ve been doing wrong all these years.
When the Italians nail it, they nail it. They nailed this one.
I finally saw in the flesh, and drove next to for several blocks, Honda’s gorgeous Africa twin. Finish quality looks to rival the best I’ve ever seen. The Honda is attractive, but going by the images, I’d take this new MG if it weighs less. Colors, forms, and graphics are all great.
I agree. Worth having in the garage on looks alone. Better it isn’t overly tall and has some provisions for mild off roading. Poifect. I just hope they didn’t kill the reliability of the thing crafting the engine bits from butter to lighten it up.
and if it ended up in my garage, I’d keep it there based on looks alone. Door closed.
Nice and tidy. Looks like they let a mechanic do the whole bike.
I believe I see head pipe covers to conceal any bluing. Just trying to think if Guzzi has done that before?
My V7 III has double wall headers. Not sure about other models but given the diameter of the V85 pipes, I suspect it received the same treatment.
Looks good. Needs to have true tubeless wheels (i.e., no cheapass rubber band wrapped around the rim) and a fuel tank capacity of at least 7 gallons to earn my money. Some will want more and a few will want less. I just want the ability to get there and back again without having to stop to smell anything but the roses or a restaurant that gets my attention. In other words, no fumes from an empty tank after 100 to 200 miles of travel. Such short trips are far from an
“adventure”. Too bad most of these scoots are more “Ad” than venture.
Valve checks of 18,000 miles would be appreciated but not nearly as much as hydraulic lifters (that work, Guzzi!) would be.
I wish Guzzi all the best with this one.
The wheels are by Alpina (STS). They seal the nipples with o-rings. 13 of them leaked in my 1st month of ownership of the NTX. A crap design.
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If only Kineo was a supplier for MG, I’d gladly pay 2k more off the floor. Not 3500 aftermarket on top of paying for OEM Alpina wheels I want to throw out right away.
The V7 and V9 are plagued by a leaky final drive. Hope MG got it sorted.
Granted by late-2017 V7 only has 2K miles but I haven’t leaked a drop. Maybe it’s been corrected?
I’ve got zero experience with the final drive on these models. It took another look at the pics to notice it is not a smaller CARC. So I can only guess how well it works long term.
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Make it an 1100-1200 with CARC, and I’m fully in.
I hope they will have case mounts and stuff ready for the release. But not those mega-sucky cases that came on the NTX.
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On a 1 month old NTX, I woke to a full cup of water in each case each day I was touring Newfoundland and Labrador. And the rivets wore through and ripped the liner bags and some clothes. Each case fell off on the Trans Lab too. Bounced right off of the mounts. And the top case worked itself loose. If it wasn’t restrained by the rok straps that were also holding my tent, I wouldn’t have known it. Instead the straps held on and the case fell onto my back tire and the treads ripped the case apart. Absolute crap. Flimsy thin walled riveted construction. Cases didn’t make it 1/2 way through their first trip.
I believe that is what Guzzi fans call “character.” You are supposed to appreciate those kinds of things. They enhance the experience. So I’m told.
Creates memories.
That it did. I remembered to share it here!!! hehe
I wouldn’t call that character at all but a disaster. To each their own as far as what constitutes character but my Norge has behaved itself. I can think of only two bolts that needed a cinch over time, one on the center stand, one on the side stand. I’m tall at 6’8″ on a good day so the gauge cluster does point a bit low on me but then I don’t get any glare! 🙂
Very nice. What an exceptionally pretty adventure bike. Love the sub-frame, not only does it look fantastic, it will be great for strapping stuff to. Well done.
What a beautiful instrument cluster. Italian design squares. Congratulations Moto Guzzi.
Now wait a minute. This can’t be a Moto Guzzi, they are fairly slow boring looking bikes, and I never much cared for them. Well, until the Norge came out, that was kind of nice. But even the old Norge is not quite as good looking and well thought out as this new Guzzi seems to be. It looks great. Hopefully, the seat will be more comfortable than it looks, but it stills looks nice as does the frame, that color scheme, a fender instead of a goofy looking beak, well protected engine, exhaust headers, fork tubes, handlebar controls…. and even has more than 50 anemic horsepower! Congratulations Guzzi, you have one freaking winner here I would say. Now, if only the dealers weren’t so far away.
I’m a Guzzi fan and yes I would buy it. I know Guzzis on paper are low on power, but ride one first and then make the decision.
Exactly what I did almost 10 years ago and have been riding it ever since. With “only” 95 advertised ponies it seems to do quite well. Only thing it’s missing is a big wallop on the top end. What it does have is loads of character and a meaty low and midrange, very linear, great for scootin’ around town or kicking back in 6th on the Superslab. I do wish it had a smoother transition between on and off throttle though, something many bikes had issues with.
What a Fooooolin Beauty and love the style. As a former Guzzi V11 owner I will be very happy with what ever power it has or the weight as I’m used to goldwings .. I just hope the gearbox is much smoother than the V11 .. very well done and way to gooo Guzzi .. cheers
It’s a shame Guzzi invested so much in the 1200’s 4 valve heads and now the 1200 is dead. (they did blow the design early and had to alter it often under warrantee) No CARC either, which resolved jacking issues associated with shaft drives. 80HP? Is there a turbo under there? No, not with air cooling.
Over 40 years ago Honda out Guzzied Guzzi with the CX’s. The Turbo CX was a stupendous concept which Guzzi should have copied since Honda stupidly abandoned it. Maybe as a favor to Guzzi I have always thought, stupidly I suppose.
Why should Guzzi have copied Honda?
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To please you? Guzzi makes Guzzis. Lots of people like them for that reason.
Very nice looking ADV/street bike…will not be 80 hp at the wheel, but around 65 would be OK. Hope there’s a cast wheel version. Let’s see where it’s priced.
Nice looking bike, but I’ve no idea how Triumph (Bonneville) and Guzzi get away with producing such anemic powerplants. They look terrific … classic, timeless, etc. But why not inject some oomph in the motor? KTM and Kawasaki have proven it is possible.
Some people dont mind “anaemic” powerplants – ive been 14 years on one touring, commuting, fun rides. Now some people find 50hp (and when the V85 comes out – 80hp) not enough for them. That’s fine. They have other choices. We’ll just keep on riding.
Seems like a lot of manufacturers are using Harley as a template for engine performance. As you said, lots of people don’t care for outright performance, and a torquey motor is just right. Thank goodness some are still making stupid power as well. Every ass should be able to find a comfy seat.
These are high torque motor.
Typically, max torque comes in low in the rev range and is followed by a wide flat plateau. This is usually coupled with a wide-ratio gearbox.
I ride a Triumph Street Twin 900HT (high torque), with similar characteristic. It’s lovely.
My wife rides a Street Cup…..it punches way above its weight. Yes, lovely motor.
“I ride a Triumph Street Twin 900HT (high torque), with similar characteristic. It’s lovely.”
When did “lovely” become synonymous with “slow.” 🙂
All joking aside, if this bike really does make 80hp, I doubt it will be a torque monster.
It’s all about power to weight. Triumph twins make good power in the midrange where 99% of riding is done.
Will it beat a GSXR in a quarter mile drag? No, but who, except inexperienced newbies, cares?
I’ve ridden one, and the Triumph Street Twin has very poor power to weight ratio. It feels brisk enough below 5000 rpms, but then there really isn’t anything going on past that.
I’m not saying it is a bad bike. It was a very nice machine, and the engine character will please a lot of people assuming the rider is the type to just plod along and short shift everywhere.
To be fair though, gearing ultimately determines what torque output is, and most of the bikes I’ve ridden are geared in a way the power resides at speeds where most riders ride regardless of how the engine itself is designed. (Less true for the repli-racers of course that are geared to place the power at track speeds.) 40 mph is 40 mph whether an engine is turning 3000 rpms or 5K. Again, the plodders probably prefer the lazy engine, but it isn’t fair to say that only these low power designs put power at speeds where most people use it.
They must have given you the valet key, LOL! I had low expectations after a brief relationship with an air cooled T-100 a few years ago but I was pleasantly surprised the first time I rode my wife’s 900, especially since it’s kinda sorta marketed as an entry level Bonneville.
The bike have at least three engine power maps.
One is rain- as shown in photo of dash above, two-standard high torque mode, three-sport high power mode.
If Guzzi wants it to sell well here in America I humbly suggest they add a fourth mode:
EGO.
Some of the most fun I’ve ever had has been on those anemic power plants. I can ride a Triumph Bonnie all afternoon in the country just enjoying the sights and smells and solitude and loving riding for the simple pleasure of just riding. I’m not in a hurry on those days. They make bike for people that want this. They also make bike for people who need a rush. Take your pick.
I like it! It’s exactly the look HD should have went for but then I liked the old Stelvio too.
Had a Stelvio NTX. I liked the look of it too. The engine had great power delivery and actually sounded just like my CRF450X but ran hot as hell. Headlights were amazing. Everything else about the bike sucked IMO. Didn’t handle as well as the boxer and it had the absolute worst buffeting in the world. It was deafening. The luggage was also the worst in the world. And those Alpina STS wheels had 13 leaky spoke nipples in it’s first month. I could go on and on.
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But I love this V85 and may come back to Guzzi despite my Stelvio experience. Now if I could only locate a Guzzi dealer anymore.
Finally, an engine worthy of the V7 styling. Now all they need are a good frame, brakes, and suspension. Easy-peasy.
I’m just guessing here, but I’d wager that 80hp is a bit optimistic. 65 at the wheel is my guess, and I think that would be just fine.
Yeah, you would think the frame, brakes, and suspension would be easy stuff to figure out for this engine in a V7-styled bike… but Guzzi has been building the V7 for years, and the frame is barely adequate to contain that beast’s raging 40 WHP, the suspension is the worst on any bike I’ve ever ridden (not joking or exaggerating, they’re that bad), and the brakes are -just- passable. Totally unacceptable on a $9000+ bike.
So yeah… it *shouldn’t* be an issue, but Moto Guzzi has a way of making the most simple things more of an issue than one would think is possible. Lots of folks love their Guzzis, but you also see a lot of excuses made for them. I’ve had my couple of them, and I’m over it.
The V7 I rode sucked pretty hard. It felt like a vinatge bike in every way – engine, transmission, frame, suspension, brakes, lack of refinement. And I don’t consider “vintage” a good thing when referring to a modern, $9000 motorcycle. Too bad, because I think the V7 variants are works of Moto art.
Couldn’t agree more.
Honestly, I loved how the engine and transmission on mine worked. They were fun to use… up to about an indicated 70MPH, where torque production dropped off a cliff like Wile E. Coyote. Shockingly, it also ran cool, so a run around town at 30MPH in 95 degree weather wasn’t a terrible chore. But… a CB300F can do all of that, too, and cost 1/3 as much.
And yes, they are stunning, gorgeous motorcycles. But… I can’t get into anything simply due to its looks. I could have given the brakes and flexi-chassis a pass if the suspension would have kept either of the wheels on the ground, but damned if the thing wasn’t borderline terrifying over broken up and rutted asphalt… things that are pretty common in MN/WI. The steering feel was pretty terrible, too, which is what a naked, 450-lb. wet motorcycle -should- do well, but it even failed at that. Though, I do think the crappy Pirelli Sport Demon tires held some of the blame for that.
My lardy, softly-sprung, 700-lb. V-Star 1300 is a MUCH better-handling motorcycle, if that says anything.
So, off to sale it went. Now, I get to try to replace it. Luckily, dealers still have cheap leftovers – SV650s, GSX-S750s, Z900s, Interceptors, FZ-07s, Ninja 650s… all to be had for pennies on the dollar. It is shopping time, I reckon. 🙂
I can’t say it appeals to me.
Why is it a TT? The TT is a road race. That looks more like a, well, a motorcycle with glasses. Kind of a nerd TT, I guess.
TT in this case means: Tutto Terreno (all terrain), not “Tourist Trophy”.
LOL
Sure hope they build additional models around this new engine! I’d love a *slightly* sportier version with significantly less emphasis on the “off-road” styling.
MG has already said this new motor will be put in additional models.
Awesome! I must have missed that note. Sure hope to put a new Moto Guzzi in my garage sometime in the near future!
I’m not into farkler bikes, but DAMN that’s purty.
Looks very well laid out. Just adjusted valve lash on my Norge last Saturday. What a pleasure to have such great access to them. Just pull up a stool, put on some tunes and within minutes it’s all done. Oh yeah, reward yourself with a cold one, just to wash down the trail dust! 🙂
It’s hard for me to believe that a 46% increase in power “comes from a radical reduction in the weight of engine internals (crank, rods, pistons and valves) along with other tweaks.” Those listed tweaks usually are seen as aiding power production. Now I wonder what the “other tweaks” are?
I take those specific items to indicate a tune that allows them to spin this version of the engine to much higher RPM’s than the last version of it.
That’s one of only ways I can think of to increase HP of a normally aspirated engine without an increase in displacement.
Yes, but you have to replace piston rings at shorter intervals.
When’s the last time you’ve replaced rings on a modern engine? My 2002 GasGas 2-stoke cycle dirt bike has 400 hours on it, and the ring gap measures like new. It amazes me.
Materials and lubricants are so good now that ring wear is almost a thing of the past. My 1992 volvo with 250K (low) miles uses a quart of oil every 4000 miles, and I run a synthetic oil and change it every 10K miles.
Both of your engines where calculated as designed.
Larger valves, higher compression, intake port tuning, lighter internals, cam profiles, ignition timing. Granted, most of those mods will also ask the engine to spin faster to take full advantage, but some will provide benefits throughout the rev range.
Still I think the 80hp claim is horsepower measured at the brochure. Taken at the wheel, I bet it will be a good bit lower than the 15% rule of thumb drivetrain loss.
I agree but it appears it’s redline starts at just under 7k rpm. So for that “limited” rev ceiling they must have opened up the breathing to allow higher torque, farther up the range. Hmm, can’t give up too much down low on this type of bike to allow for better breathing up high. Will be interesting to see what Guzzi has wrought.
Independent Dyno will show 65 hp -maybe – 80 at 8500+ rpm
Piston speed 4250 FPM + 8500
A very nice engine -extremely modest
HP= Torque X RPM divide by 5252 so lighter internals for higher RPM
50 lbs TQ? 25 more hp= 2750 more rpm, WORSE low speed performance barring magic.
A 90 degree V-2 FAR better layout than a flat twin especially as to crank, crankcase length, vibration, weight, complexity , cost…. not that any of this matters!
440 lbs -huge heavy Dirt Bike? – lets peak power(50 TQ) at 2750 rpm – 26 hp run a fairly flat curve out to 4500… 42 hp… 85 mph all day on pavement with lumpy DP tires.
What possibly is my point? MAYBE we can conserve what is left of motorcycling and expand it. What is is about to people generally?
Going 120 MPH on dirt roads? How about a very tall tippy bike that weighs 440 with a stall prone staggering low end performance.
In the 21st Century given modern everything 330 lbs GASSED is a meaningful target. One point of view -true- 250lbs CRF 450 Honda so 80 pounds is plenty of space to design into… 575-590 lbs for a GS 1250 Adventure?*** pointless waste****
I can think really hard about 440- DAMN it 🙂 I am going to look for a decent bike :-)…
Uhh….what?
I think it’s biker code, Tom.
Switch to caffeine free soda and coffee. 5252 is a arbitrary number where horsepower and torque graphs cross lines. Otherwise enjoy your day
It’s not arbitrary.
“A 90 degree V-2 FAR better layout than a flat twin especially as to crank, crankcase length, vibration, weight, complexity , cost…. not that any of this matters!”
Once again showing how little you know to everyone here.
I like it, and I think it’s one of the best looking adv bikes I’ve seen. I think I’d like an 80hp V9 even more though. Now that the world knows this motor is capable of making more power, MG has no excuse not to boost power in the V9’s as well. Although I suppose keeping a lower hp variant for countries with tiered licensing makes sense.
And yes, MG designers, steel trellis frames are cool. Steel trellis sub frames are cool. I think bikes look best when they have one or the other, but using both is okay. However, a steel trellis headlight bracket is getting just a wee bit carried away, don’t you think?
I like it, and I think it’s one of the best looking adv bikes I’ve seen. I think I’d like an 80hp V9 even more though. Now that the world knows this motor is capable of making more power, MG has no excuse not to boost power in the V9’s as well. Although I suppose keeping a lower hp variant for countries with tiered licensing makes sense.
And yes, MG designers, steel trellis frames are cool. Steel trellis sub frames are cool. I think bikes look best when they have one or the other, but using both is okay. However, a steel trellis headlight bracket is getting just a wee bit carried away, don’t you think?
Why A steel trellis headlight bracket? Because…Italian! I really, really hope this works as nice as it looks – I’ll have some disposable funds that’ll need spent in a couple years and this would be just the right motorcycle shaped hole to dump that money in….
Nice! Man would I ever like to see an MGS-01-style sportbike with that motor…
Wow. A beak, and a butt-high seat. What else could a man wish for?
> What else could a man wish for?
A weight under 450 pounds. Nice looking bike regardless and I like having something different.
“What else could a man wish for?”
“A weight under 450 pounds.”
Tell me then… which Aprilia do you own and how much does it weigh? Will it go off-road all over tarnation?
Actually, it’s not a beak. All the other bikes with the ridiculous non-functional protuberances have beaks. That is actually a fender.
80 hp is enough for this bike to be a real contender, better than the smaller V Strom and Versys. Put that engine in a mini Griso please.
Agreed. I used my R1100GS for over 120,000 miles all over North America and it was quoted as 80 crank HP. The only time I ever wanted more HP was getting past some convoys on a 2 lane road. But that was me just being impatient because I knew I had another couple hundred miles or so to go til I called it quits for the night.
It’s refreshing that it’s not a 1200.
Until you’re bucking a 45mph headwind.
Yeah, that happens all the time…
I just spent 2 days riding across Dakota into Nebraska where I put 1400 miles on my VFR X. Both days I encountered 40+ mph winds. I decided I wanted displacement when my 650 Strom topped out at 60mph into a 60mph headwind, whilst my buddy’s Super 10 had no problem. Granted, you’ll say I’m nutts but if you’ve got to be there…
This MG is beautiful but the front of the engine will get destroyed by that open front wheel. But then again, when there’s any wind you could stay home and clean the engine.
Heh… just came to say that. This past week, I rode from MN, though NE and WY to Colorado to visit friends. On the way out, it was cool, and the winds were manageable. On the way home in Wyoming and South Dakota, it got HOT, and the winds got Stupid. The tailwind from Lusk to the Black Hills was nice (got over 50MPG on my Super Tenere, full luggage!), but it turned into a fierce, 30-40MPH blast from the South when I was Eastbound. It was like having a giant full-body blow drier set to kill hitting you all day.
Now, being on my Ten, it wasn’t really a big issue, since it was a crosswind. But riding South on a smaller bike could have presented genuine problems.
I’m not sure some folks have a good idea of just how constant and fierce the wind can be out on the plains, especially outside of farm country where there are wind-breaks from tree lines and such. In Northern Nebraska and Western SoDak and Eastern Colorado and Wyoming, it’s just ridiculous, pretty much all the time.
How’s the VFR-X for you? That seems like a dang nice bike… I must not have ridden past you out there, becuase I’m sure I would have noticed!
The VFR X is phenomenal. Extremely comfortable, warp drive fast, pack mule backbone and Honda reliability. I was the one dragging my Tourtec panniers when I passed big rig trucks.
There is a Guzzi dealer 140 miles south of me. This is a breathtaking design and I want to see it in the flesh. The colors are spot on and it’s nice to see something other than mundane, invisible, boring, dirty hi viz black.
Due to time constraints, we took 70 east from CO and across KS last September. It was 104 degrees at times with a constant 40mph wind from the south. My wife and I were on my KTM 1090R which is not a very wind friendly bike…..it was one of the most miserable days we have done.
Yes, high winds can make for a very long day. It seems like every long trip we do has a couple days of rain and a couple days of wind. I am not sure which is worse.
A buddy and I were riding back from the west coast, stopped at Pikes Peak, then headed east across eastern Colorado up to I-70 in Kansas. My god the winds. My buddy on a 1000 strom was often blown from centerline to the white edge line by gusts. My ST 1300 held up to the wind a bit better and it would only move me 4 or 5 feet. Often by suprise. By 3 pm we were exhausted from fighting the wind and pulled off to get a motel room. Our shortest and absolutely hardest day of riding out of the 11 days we spent on that 5500 mile trip.
I-70 through Kansas seems to be a common theme. I did it this past July on the way to Missouri on an FZ6. 100+ degrees, sustained 40+ mph winds south by southest. That was the second most miserable ride I have done. Had to keep the bike leaned way over, and my right leg was jelly after a day of forcing it against the bike as wind just kept trying to peel it away.
The most miserable ride was doing that on the way back under the same conditions except with massive rain and hail added to the mix.
My bike has less power and I’ve never had trouble going anywhere, anytime. You must be doing something wrong.
Perhaps you only get 45 mph TAIL winds.
“My motorcycle is just too fast”……said practically no one ever. Funny thing about the interweb, I sure hear a lot of people comment on how someone else’s motorcycle is too fast. Why do you suppose that is the case?
“My motorcycle is just too fast”……said practically no one ever. Funny thing about the interweb, I sure hear a lot of people comment on how someone else’s motorcycle is too fast. Why do you suppose that is the case?
Overkill is always good? What about fun? Ever hear “it’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast…”?
Many modern bikes have options. I can instantly make my fast bike less powerful in a rainstorm but I can’t make my slow bike more powerful in a windstorm.
We have an R3 in the garage and it’s great fun to ride macho fast on a twisty two lane. However, I would be hating life after ten minutes on I80 in a 40mph cross wind.
Different tools for different jobs…..how and where is the Guzzi more likely to spend its life?
If you’re on I80, you’re probably hating life anyway. It’s an awful place to be, isn’t it!
“My bike has less power and I’ve never had trouble going anywhere, anytime. You must be doing something wrong.”
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Hey… another guy who thinks he’s the only person in the world who knows how to ride a bike well.
Yep, load it with a week’s worth of gear and your significant other and then head out across Nebraska. You’ll be wishing for 160hp. When you need to pass a tandem logging truck on a two-lane in the middle of New Brunswick, 100+ HP is a safety feature.
OMG everyone, slow down and smell the wildflowers once in a while. Let the logging truck go.
Wow, you need 160hp to pass a logging truck that is governed to 57mph? I’ve done that with less than half that power. You seriously need to get out more often to get back in touch with reality.
LOL! If you only knew……
Wonder what the seat height is. Pretty sure it will be too tall for me, but I would test ride one if I could reach
The V85 TT wins by a long shot the Prettiest Gootsy contest.
Did I miss seeing the claimed dry (or wet) weight in any of the 3 articles?? They keep saying it’s lighter……but I don’t see numbers??
They didn’t say it was lighter, this article stated “it still looks attractive, practical and relatively light.”
It’s not light, but ‘looks’ relatively light. Relative to what? A test ride should determine ones acceptance or rejection of weight. How does the bike carry it’s weight? I’d imagine with this engine configuration and shaft drive ‘relatively’ low. It’s not a dirt bike, if you drop it, it’s going to be heavy to pick up.
My wife is crying already
Same here. I showed her a pic of this when the concept first broke and have been waiting since.