Moto Guzzi V85 TT
How about an Italian twisted retro take on adventure?
The V85TT is a throwback to the golden era of 1980s Dakar machines – a look bolstered by that bulbous 23-litre fuel tank and optional oldschool two-tone paint schemes. It’s the styling that really sets it apart from a market increasingly cluttered with doppelganger do-it-all middleweights. Using Moto Guzzi’s trademark air-cooled 90-degree transverse V-twin configuration, the
V85TT kicks out an unthreatening claimed 79.1bhp so can be restricted to be A2-compliant. The engine feels acceptably characterful around town and exploring country lanes and firetracks, but the transverse V does deliver noticeable vibes through the footpegs and bars at higher speeds. The V85TT sits in a class of one(ish); carving a niche as the first credible middleweight retro adventure bike. It provides a good mix of both worlds, being capable of twoup distance touring and coffee house posing before hitting a light trail.