MCN : 2024 Moto Guzzi V85 TT review | Classic V-twin adventure bike gets tech to match its charisma

[Mr. Dazzle]

It was only at the Brum show I noticed the BMW twin heads are now arranged with the exhaust pointed downwards.

A BMW aficionado will have to tell you exactly when it switched, but AFAIK they've been that a reasonably long time. Certainly some R1250's are like that, not sure if they all are.

[Horse]

I haven't taken much notice of the recent ones ...

... obviously

[Buckaroo]

On the old 2V Guzzis the carbs got in the way of your legs/knees but now the throttle bodies are inside the V and out of the way. It has so many advantages you wonder why it took so long to make the switch. Also the new engine is 103 mm shorter front to back, so allowing much more freedom in positioning the engine optimally.

What you said.

I liked and still like the old style Guzzi, but having had experience of the new engine and bike, they're like chalk and cheese.

Personal choice at the end of the day and I'm not qualified to argue the why's and wherefore of engine design. I twist the twisty thing, pull the lever, prod the lever, release the lever and go

[Buckaroo]

On the old 2V Guzzis the carbs got in the way of your legs/knees but now the throttle bodies are inside the V and out of the way.

And why the CX500 heads were twisted 22° from parallel.

Plastic maggot! I loved my cx500

[Dickyboy]

My assumption is that the 90° head flip/twist is so you can have a big ol' airbox under the tank, like most modern engines, with easy plumbing into (now inward facing) inlet ports.

My Guzzi 1200 sport has a big ol' airbox under the tank

[Mr. Dazzle]

Which makes the bike longer, see mango...

[Supermofo]

I have a soft spot for Guzzis - even though I didn't particularly like the one I have ridden.
That looks good - but 79 bhp and 230 kgs may be an issue (though it didn't really matter on my GS 1150 ADV)

I followed one near Abberton reservoir end of last year and to be honest it went well enough. The roads at that point were fairly nadgery and it looked like it had good torque in the low/midrange, pulling well out of slow corners. Riding normally (on the GSXS) we were pretty much apace. As the roads opened up a bit then the GSXS naturally had the legs on it by a way but in the mood/pace I was riding I was happy following till I turned off. One of the situations where I could of overtaken but more to make a point of it so didn't bother. Following it reminded me of my Uncles old R850R/1100R's he had. Slow on paper but good enough on the road most of the time.

[Mr Moofo]

I have a soft spot for Guzzis - even though I didn't particularly like the one I have ridden.
That looks good - but 79 bhp and 230 kgs may be an issue (though it didn't really matter on my GS 1150 ADV)

I followed one near Abberton reservoir end of last year and to be honest it went well enough. The roads at that point were fairly nadgery and it looked like it had good torque in the low/midrange, pulling well out of slow corners. Riding normally (on the GSXS) we were pretty much apace. As the roads opened up a bit then the GSXS naturally had the legs on it by a way but in the mood/pace I was riding I was happy following till I turned off. One of the situations where I could of overtaken but more to make a point of it so didn't bother. Following it reminded me of my Uncles old R850R/1100R's he had. Slow on paper but good enough on the road most of the time.

TBH, I doubt the 1200 Scrambler makes much more than 80 BHP at the rear wheel - but it is enough on the road

[Scootabout]

Mine's a 2019 model, with tubed tyres. Each time MG have produced a new model of the V85 they've made a few useful tweaks, but nothing radical. The main thing I'd trade up to a newer model for would be tubeless tyres, which came in in '20 or '21 I think. I've had one or two mechanical issues, the worst being a starter motor that stopped working, but I've stuck with the bike because it's the most enjoyable bike to ride that I've owned.