It's a transverse V-twin engine - like the ones used on all Guzzis - and as such has a large, single-plate dry clutch and shaft drive. To start with, unlike any of the other bikes I mentioned, the V85 is air-cooled.
So how does the Guzzi compare with those other bikes? Again, on paper, maybe not so well, but it's definitely not without its high points and certainly not without its charm. My first bike was an 800-cc Triumph Tiger, and other entrants in the class, like Ducati's excellent Multistrada 950 S or BMW's F900, offer compelling reasons to ditch the weight, cost and complexity of bigger, full-fat ADV units. The V85 TT middleweight adventure bike exists in a category of motorcycle that's very near and dear to my heart. And yet, the brand still has tons of very loyal fans, and when you start to get up close and personal with a Guzzi, you can start to see why. Its bikes are never the most powerful or sophisticated in their class, neither are they the cheapest or most reliable. On paper, based solely on numbers, it's kind of hard to make a case for Moto Guzzi.
The V85 may not be a rocket ship, but it'll get you to all kinds of beautiful places in comfort and style.
