2025 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel Review
In a bike world long ruled by 'more is better', motorcycles like the Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel make you rethink things. Adventure bikes like these – now the default tourers – bask in moderation and they're all the better for it. Take the time to soak in the environs you're passing through. This will canter at a trot, but an involving meander is its real superpower. And unlike many machines that have myriad niggly annoyances, this is largely devoid of such. Upshifting could be a touch smoother, and there's not enough room on the pegs to ride on your forefoot. It's also rather too easy to accidentally flick the high beams on. But that's about the long and short of it.
Well, a new Guzzi it isn't. They don't come along all that often. The last one was the V100 Mandello, a centenary celebration beast.
Put simply, the Travel is a V85 TT set up for touring. Like the TT it has a 23L tank so range exceeds 400km when it's brimmed. But this adds a large manually adjustable screen, wind deflectors for the legs, hard luggage (panniers of 35 and 25L), and heated grips and seat.
There's also cornering ABS and TC thanks to a six-axis inertial platform, full LED lighting, five ride modes, a multimedia platform for smartphone integration, and cross-spoked alloys with tubeless tyres.
The base V85 TT is $23,590 where the Travel is $24,990. That's a lot of kit for $1400.
Its 850cc air-cooled EU5 engine makes 90 per cent of peak torque (83Nm) at 3500rpm so most of the time medium revs (velvety smooth too) are all that's needed. Rear suspension is preload adjustable on the go thanks to a handy external knob below your right leg. Up front the forks are preload and rebound adjustable. The Travel model is distinguished by its bronze paint scheme and Travel logos on the tank.
Splendidly. The screen has various different positions but up or down are the main options. Down, there's more wind on your helmet, up a little less. Despite having no hole in the screen anywhere, this windbreaker is really well sorted, with zero buffeting. It is 60 per cent bigger than the standard V85 TT item and keeps most wind and weather off your upper body. The down screen position is pleasant in summer.
Not everyone will appreciate the saddle height of 830mm, which makes mounting the bike tricky. We just used the left peg as a step ladder, much easier than swinging the right leg over. That also means you have to be a certain height to ride this, probably around 175cm minimum. But the extra height also means extra suspension travel, hence the name I guess.
Seriously, this is a great bike for ride comfort which is sublime. Both front and rear were a touch firm initially so we backed the rear off one turn and the rebound up front just a little. The changes were clearly evident and we left it at that, perfect. Such a well cushioned ride but without a hint of wallow in corners. The riding triangle is just about ideal too, the seat oversized so you can move around on longer stints. A generous lock helps with manoeuvring.
And does this handle well? About as wonderfully as you'd want in a distance tourer. The steering is outstanding. And it may well be because of the across-the-frame engine set-up. If you weight up the peg on the side you're turning, it's almost enough to initiate the change of direction. The tall and wide bars seem to require the merest hint of pressure to set you up for the corner. And despite modest rubber, this only ever feels secure in general riding conditions. There's huge amounts of ground clearance too. We didn't once dot down. It's grin-inducingly good.
We've long been of the belief that middleweight displacement is enough for New Zealand conditions and this is another that validates that assertion. Here is an engine that's optimised for torque at day-to-day revs, the V85 Travel now with variable valve timing. It will ease around town in top gear and accelerates nicely from 80 onwards (3000rpm in top), while at 100km/h (just under 4000rpm) you're nearing peak torque so it's quite zippy. Not insanely so – with its shaft final drive this weighs in at 249kg wet – but enough to overtake handily in top gear. An optimised second to third gear overtake requires a tick over three seconds, essentially no change from before. Is it stronger than the old one? Not that we could determine from recall. It's still pretty torquey.
The low-stress engine has several zones of interest, kicking off from 2500rpm, with another hike at 3500 and the final push from 4500rpm onwards. Only it's all over by about 7800rpm. Because there's so much midrange urge, fuel use is pretty decent; our bike hadn't done a whole lot of mileage but the average slipped below 5L/100km during our time with the Travel.
At regular cruising speeds there's next to no vibration. That keeps the well designed mirrors clear and true. They're set a little wider than normal so all you see behind you is traffic, no elbows or such. And on width, you'd think something like this with panniers attached couldn't lane split, but au contraire. Providing the handlebars fit, so will everything else.
It's a bit of a fiscal step up to the Mandello V100 with its extra urge and tricky active aero bits. To get the more desirable S model, you're looking at another $6500. The Travel probably has better weather protection overall but the V100 is very tasty. However, that doesn't have luggage as standard like this one. Probably best not to ride it really; I imagine most will like its extra punch but we really rate the Travel, especially if that's what you literally intend doing.
Guzzis have a sneaky way of getting under your skin. They're not the quickest or flashest but they are genuine characters and that's what seems to keep folk returning to the brand.
Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel$24,990
0-100 km/h 5.03s
80-120 km/h 3.13s (890m)
100-0 km/h 39.19m
Speedo error 94 at an indicated 100km/h
Engine Capacity 853cc
Format Air-cooled / fuel-injected / V2
Max power 59kW@7750rpm
Max torque 83Nm@5100rpm
Cylinder head OHV / 4v
Gearbox 6-speed
Drivetrain Shaft drive
Suspension front 41mm USD forks, preload adjustable
Suspension rear Monoshock, preload adjustable
Brakes front Four-piston calipers, 320mm twin discs
Brakes rear Single-piston, 260mm disc
Safety systems ABS
Tyre size f-110/80R19, r-150/70R17
Tyre type Michelin Anakee Road
Wheelbase 1530mm
Seat height 830mm
Rake/trail 28° / 128mm
Fuel capacity 23L
Measured weight 243kg
Weight distribution f-117kg / r-126kg
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Autocar
4 days ago
- NZ Autocar
2025 Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel Review
In a bike world long ruled by 'more is better', motorcycles like the Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel make you rethink things. Adventure bikes like these – now the default tourers – bask in moderation and they're all the better for it. Take the time to soak in the environs you're passing through. This will canter at a trot, but an involving meander is its real superpower. And unlike many machines that have myriad niggly annoyances, this is largely devoid of such. Upshifting could be a touch smoother, and there's not enough room on the pegs to ride on your forefoot. It's also rather too easy to accidentally flick the high beams on. But that's about the long and short of it. Well, a new Guzzi it isn't. They don't come along all that often. The last one was the V100 Mandello, a centenary celebration beast. Put simply, the Travel is a V85 TT set up for touring. Like the TT it has a 23L tank so range exceeds 400km when it's brimmed. But this adds a large manually adjustable screen, wind deflectors for the legs, hard luggage (panniers of 35 and 25L), and heated grips and seat. There's also cornering ABS and TC thanks to a six-axis inertial platform, full LED lighting, five ride modes, a multimedia platform for smartphone integration, and cross-spoked alloys with tubeless tyres. The base V85 TT is $23,590 where the Travel is $24,990. That's a lot of kit for $1400. Its 850cc air-cooled EU5 engine makes 90 per cent of peak torque (83Nm) at 3500rpm so most of the time medium revs (velvety smooth too) are all that's needed. Rear suspension is preload adjustable on the go thanks to a handy external knob below your right leg. Up front the forks are preload and rebound adjustable. The Travel model is distinguished by its bronze paint scheme and Travel logos on the tank. Splendidly. The screen has various different positions but up or down are the main options. Down, there's more wind on your helmet, up a little less. Despite having no hole in the screen anywhere, this windbreaker is really well sorted, with zero buffeting. It is 60 per cent bigger than the standard V85 TT item and keeps most wind and weather off your upper body. The down screen position is pleasant in summer. Not everyone will appreciate the saddle height of 830mm, which makes mounting the bike tricky. We just used the left peg as a step ladder, much easier than swinging the right leg over. That also means you have to be a certain height to ride this, probably around 175cm minimum. But the extra height also means extra suspension travel, hence the name I guess. Seriously, this is a great bike for ride comfort which is sublime. Both front and rear were a touch firm initially so we backed the rear off one turn and the rebound up front just a little. The changes were clearly evident and we left it at that, perfect. Such a well cushioned ride but without a hint of wallow in corners. The riding triangle is just about ideal too, the seat oversized so you can move around on longer stints. A generous lock helps with manoeuvring. And does this handle well? About as wonderfully as you'd want in a distance tourer. The steering is outstanding. And it may well be because of the across-the-frame engine set-up. If you weight up the peg on the side you're turning, it's almost enough to initiate the change of direction. The tall and wide bars seem to require the merest hint of pressure to set you up for the corner. And despite modest rubber, this only ever feels secure in general riding conditions. There's huge amounts of ground clearance too. We didn't once dot down. It's grin-inducingly good. We've long been of the belief that middleweight displacement is enough for New Zealand conditions and this is another that validates that assertion. Here is an engine that's optimised for torque at day-to-day revs, the V85 Travel now with variable valve timing. It will ease around town in top gear and accelerates nicely from 80 onwards (3000rpm in top), while at 100km/h (just under 4000rpm) you're nearing peak torque so it's quite zippy. Not insanely so – with its shaft final drive this weighs in at 249kg wet – but enough to overtake handily in top gear. An optimised second to third gear overtake requires a tick over three seconds, essentially no change from before. Is it stronger than the old one? Not that we could determine from recall. It's still pretty torquey. The low-stress engine has several zones of interest, kicking off from 2500rpm, with another hike at 3500 and the final push from 4500rpm onwards. Only it's all over by about 7800rpm. Because there's so much midrange urge, fuel use is pretty decent; our bike hadn't done a whole lot of mileage but the average slipped below 5L/100km during our time with the Travel. At regular cruising speeds there's next to no vibration. That keeps the well designed mirrors clear and true. They're set a little wider than normal so all you see behind you is traffic, no elbows or such. And on width, you'd think something like this with panniers attached couldn't lane split, but au contraire. Providing the handlebars fit, so will everything else. It's a bit of a fiscal step up to the Mandello V100 with its extra urge and tricky active aero bits. To get the more desirable S model, you're looking at another $6500. The Travel probably has better weather protection overall but the V100 is very tasty. However, that doesn't have luggage as standard like this one. Probably best not to ride it really; I imagine most will like its extra punch but we really rate the Travel, especially if that's what you literally intend doing. Guzzis have a sneaky way of getting under your skin. They're not the quickest or flashest but they are genuine characters and that's what seems to keep folk returning to the brand. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel$24,990 0-100 km/h 5.03s 80-120 km/h 3.13s (890m) 100-0 km/h 39.19m Speedo error 94 at an indicated 100km/h Engine Capacity 853cc Format Air-cooled / fuel-injected / V2 Max power 59kW@7750rpm Max torque 83Nm@5100rpm Cylinder head OHV / 4v Gearbox 6-speed Drivetrain Shaft drive Suspension front 41mm USD forks, preload adjustable Suspension rear Monoshock, preload adjustable Brakes front Four-piston calipers, 320mm twin discs Brakes rear Single-piston, 260mm disc Safety systems ABS Tyre size f-110/80R19, r-150/70R17 Tyre type Michelin Anakee Road Wheelbase 1530mm Seat height 830mm Rake/trail 28° / 128mm Fuel capacity 23L Measured weight 243kg Weight distribution f-117kg / r-126kg
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- RNZ News
Planning a holiday? Here's where your dollar might go further than normal
House of Travel chief executive David Coombes says the long distances between New Zealand and most travel destinations mean that NZ travellers may not be able to easily alter their travel decisions based on changing foreign exchange conditions. Photo: 123RF New Zealand's dollar has become a little stronger against the US in the past month - but if you're looking for a holiday where you can make the most of the exchange rate, that's not the part of the world to be looking in. The NZD has been worth as much as US60c in recent weeks. But based on historical performance, it remains weak. Data from Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan showed, at an exchange rate of one dollar buying US58c, the dollar is 12 percent down on the USD's average exchange rate of the last 10 years and down 17 percent over 20 years. It's down 12 percent against the euro over the 10-year period, and against the British pound. But there are parts of the world where the New Zealand dollar is going further than normal at present. Travelling to Australia isn't so bad. The dollar is down 1 percent compared to the average of the last 10 years but up 4 percent over the last 20 years and 5 percent over the last 30. A table indicating the value of the New Zealand dollar compared to other currencies over the last 30 years. Photo: Supplied On a 10-year average basis, the dollar is also up against the Japanese yen, up 9 percent, Indian rupee, up 3 percent, Indonesian rupiah, up 2 percent, and South Korean won, up 4 percent. It is up 30 percent compared to a 30-year average for the Indian rupee, 20 percent for the Japanese yen and 41 percent for Indonesia. Kiernan said the fact that the strength was limited to a smaller group of countries was due to a few factors. "New Zealand's growth performance over the last couple of years, plus immediate prospects, remain relatively poor, so international investors are looking at other places to put their money where the expected returns might be better. "Secondly, there's a high level of risk aversion and uncertainty at the moment, which typically count against New Zealand as well," he said. "The latter factor might not be helped by our fiscal position, with negative comments from credit ratings agencies last year and close attention being paid to the track back towards balancing the books at next week's Budget. Our government debt levels might not be as high as many other countries, but we tend to get held to a higher standard because we're relatively small, which adds to the perception of risk." David Coombes, chief executive of House of Travel, said there had been a slight softening in bookings to the US in the last few weeks, and the dollar could be playing a part in that. "Our stores across the country are saying that the current exchange rate, with the New Zealand dollar weaker against the US, is influencing customer destination choices, with many looking to places where their money goes further on the ground." A report from Mastercard analysed exchange rate movements and the number of tourist arrivals from 2000 to 2024 across 24 tourism markets to determine how much of an impact currency movements could have. Across six tourism destinations - Japan, US, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland - it estimated the change in the number of tourists arriving when the currency dropped 1 percent. It found the biggest impact was for travel from China to Japan - a 1 percent depreciation of yen against the renminbi was associated with a 1.5 percent increase in tourists to Japan. New Zealand visitor numbers only lifted 0.2 percent in response to the same degree of depreciation and were also less responsive to changes in the USD. "Travellers from Asia tend to be more sensitive to exchange rate fluctuations, as such movements can significantly impact their purchasing power during international travel - an important factor in their outbound travel planning. "In comparison, the long distances between New Zealand and most travel destinations mean that New Zealand travellers may not be able to easily alter their travel decisions based on changing foreign exchange conditions. Additionally, travellers from more developed markets are generally more influenced by local economic conditions than by FX changes." The Mastercard analysts said the dollar would need to shift by 10 percent or 15 percent against another currency to have an impact on travel decisions. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- RNZ News
TRENZ conference: Prime Minister wants to see tourism industry grow
"Done well, travel enriches both the home country and the traveller," Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran said. Photo: 123RF The tourism industry is eager to welcome more visitors as a leader warns growth must have the blessing of Kiwis to be successful. The country's largest tourism business event, TRENZ, is underway in Rotorua with 1200 operators, travel buyers and leaders discussing business for the years ahead. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wanted to roll out the red carpet for more tourists and see the industry grow. "Eighty-two percent of us, in fact, benefit from tourism activity in their local area last year, but we do actually have room," he said. "Last year, we welcomed over three million visitors to our country, which is a 12 percent increase on the previous year. But it's still below where we were pre-Covid levels." Auckland Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui said there was room to grow but they needed more flights. "The reality is our ability to grow inbound visitation will increasingly be hamstrung without airline connectivity," she said. Greg Foran says the tourism industry services New Zealand first and foremost. File picture. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Air New Zealand chief executive Greg Foran did not want the tourism industry to go back to business as usual. Instead, he wanted an industry that enriched communities and safeguarded our environment. "For me, this means growth that New Zealanders wholeheartedly support. We, the tourism industry, serve New Zealand first and foremost," he said. But he acknowledged that recent backlash over flight prices had probably had an impact on Air New Zealand's social licence. "I'm empathetic to what I see happening at the moment, which is prices have gone up. We've had a period of pretty significant inflation - by the way, not just in New Zealand but in most countries around the world. "We've effectively seen elections won or lost based on a cost of living crisis." They would try to keep their costs down, Foran said. But he was also keen to ensure that it was easier to get here and everyone was welcome. "Done well, travel enriches both the home country and the traveller." Some tourist hotspots have expressed unease about the government's push for more tourists. [ Westland District Mayor Helen Lash] told Checkpoint there needed to be more infrastructure to cope with more visitors. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced that overseas visitors applying to visit New Zealand in languages other than English would soon no longer need to have their translated documents certified. The announcement - which would come into play later this month - drew applause from tourism leaders. "Visitors applying to visit New Zealand in languages other than English we know faced additional barriers," she said. "Your feedback to me was very strong about that in terms of the time and additional expense (due to the certification)." Her priority was to double export growth by 2034, but she said how they went about getting there and how they collaborated was important as she wanted to preserve the unique welcome. Recently, North Island tourism leaders banded together to promote the whole island as a destination. Upston wanted to see more collaborations, saying it would make marketing dollars go further. "What it means is that when we are selling New Zealand in other countries, in other markets, we're actually selling New Zealand first, and that makes it a much simpler proposition because visitors choose New Zealand rather than somewhere else, and then once they've chosen New Zealand, where they go in New Zealand is a secondary option," she said. Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram said TRENZ was an opportunity to showcase the country. In dollar terms, she said about 14 percent of businesses expected to create more than $1 million turnover from being at TRENZ this week. "The majority will make at least $100,000. When you're talking about the impact of these conversations, it's contracts signed, deals done, business committed to and that turns up as jobs in our communities and it turns up as health tourism businesses," Ingram said. TRENZ wraps up on Thursday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
