Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel 2026 — Specifications

When the California was discontinued, Guzzi almost found itself without a Grand Touring model. And as the 1200 Stelvio had been phased out a few years prior, offering touring capabilities to its clientele risked becoming complicated. Fortunately, the V85 TT emerged, and quickly its Touring derivative, the Travel, followed. While the engine size no longer offered the same level of pretension as the larger touring models, Mandello still saw another way to view the kilometers. This Trail-GT has since validated its place in the range and now intends to confirm it.

The first step consists of engine improvements received by all V85 models. And not a small one: the twin receives a variable valve timing system! This makes it more responsive at low and mid-range speeds, while optimizing its power at high RPM. How? With a centrifugal system deflecting the camshaft by 7° once past 6,500 RPM. Thus, the 853 cm3 block will exploit its 8.5 mkg of torque to the fullest, 90% of which is available from 3,500 RPM. This torque is slightly improved, claiming 0.1 mkg more. But it is the power that marks the biggest gain. With 4 horsepower gained, the V85 TT Travel has 80 horsepower at 7,750 RPM at its disposal.

That was the bonus of the family. The Travel has other assets since its debut, such as a pair of cases that can accumulate 64.5 dm3 of luggage (37 L + 27.5 L), heated grips and seats, and more protection. This new version features the addition of small deflectors, just next to the footrests, and a reshaped windshield. Being 22% larger than the TT’s, and complemented by the small appendices, it offers 50% more protection. It adjusts in 5 positions.

The V85 TT Travel has been riding with its dose of electronics for a few years. The bag contains five riding Modes (Road / Sport / Rain / Off-Road / Custom), a color TFT screen, the MIA multimedia platform (interacting with the smartphone), a cruise control, a USB socket, an ABS and a traction control. For 2024, Guzzi has improved these last two elements. By installing a 6-axis inertial platform, they become sensitive to the angle; a plus for active safety. Regarding instrumentation, the dashboard grows from 4.3 to 5 inches, while retouching its graphics.

Although the Travel has retained spoked wheels, it embraces its road-going character. This is evidenced by its tires with a less sculpted profile, compared to the previous generation or the standard TT. It is also the only trail in this category equipped with a shaft drive (one of Guzzi’s great traditions). From year to year, from one evolution to the next, the Travel has gained larger handguards, a dial to adjust the rear shock preload, aluminum pieces for the footrests, the section for the luggage rack-grips-passenger… and lost its small auxiliary headlights.

More complete than the V85 TT, the Travel does not present any fundamental differences. It is more accessorized than modified; and yet this is enough to give it its personality. Because apart from its tires and its customizable riding Mode, it presents the same technical attributes as the TT. Around the steel tubular frame are positioned an inverted 41 mm fork and a single-sided shock absorber. Both are adjustable in preload and rebound. Their stroke, barely more important than that of a roadster (170 mm each), gives a good idea of the limited appetite for off-road riding. Braking remains identical since the dawn of the V85, with 320 mm discs at the front, bitten by 4-piston Brembo calipers, and a 260 mm disc at the rear with two pistons. Good material, without frills but all in efficiency, free from any reproach; except for those seeking sporty performance. It is unnecessary to specify that the V85 completely disregards this kind of exciting notion.

Pilot suspensions? Still no? A larger tank? Not anymore. A radar? And then what else. No, the Guzzi V85 TT Travel defends the idea of touring and road riding but with a relative restraint on equipment. It leaves it to the ladies of the range, the V 100 Mandello and Stelvio, to present more beautiful attire.

M.B - Photos constructeur