Moto Guzzi’s top-selling V7 will finally get a modified version of the 853cc engine from the new V85 TT adventure bike.
The fourth iteration of their best-selling model will still be called a V7, not V7 IV.
Unfortunately, Moto Guzzi Australia says we will have to wait until the middle of 2021 for the updated model to arrive. Meanwhile, we expect the prices of the current model may drop significantly.
V7 Special
V7 Stone
There will be two versions, the alloy-wheeled V7 Stone and the spoke-wheeled V7 Special.
While power in the V85 TT is 59kW (80hp), the new V7 will only be 48kW (62hp).
We’re not sure why it has be detuned, but it is still up 25% from the current V7 III.
Torque will be 73Nm which is up from the current output of 60Nm, but not as high as the V85 TT with 79Nm.
There are no other tech details yet, but expect a full suite of electronics.
Hopefully the bigger engine doesn’t come with more kerb weight as it is already a hefty 198kg. If it is lighter or the same weight, let’s hope it isn’t at the expense of the generous and practical 17-litre fuel tank.
Thankfully, it’s not water-cooled and retains much of the original styling that has made the bike such a popular stalwart of the Mandello manufacturer on beautiful Lake Como in Italy’s north.
The biggest changes are the sturdier looking rear end with a 20mm wider 150mm rear tyre visible under a shorter rear guard, chunkier cordon shaft drive and a more robust pair of Kayaba shock absorbers with longer travel.
V7 Special with chunkier rear
Moto Guzzi has also beefed up the front with steel elements in the headstock and the seat now as a higher rear section.
V7 Special
They now come with LED lighting that includes a daytime running light in the headlight in the shape of the Moto Guzzi Eagle.
There are also new instrument clusters.
On the Stone it is a single dial that is slightly off-centre a bit like the popular Ducati Scrambler, although not quite as asymmetrical.
V7 Stone, with its strong and minimalistic style.
The V7 Special gets dual dial analogue instruments with a separate speedo and tacho.
V7 Stone will come in three satin-finish colour schemes: Nero Ruvido (Black), Azzurro Ghiaccio (Blue) and Arancione Rame (Orange).
V7 Special will be available in Blu Formale and Grigio Casual.
Moto Guzzi Australia has recalled the V85 TT adventure model over two faults in the company’s first recall in more than 26 months.
The official notice issued through the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says the two faults concern the shaft drive seal and the footpegs.
It says the “rear drive oil seal may wear over time due to dust or other contamination” which is not ideal for an adventure bike.
“If the rear drive oil seal is damaged or worn, oil may leak onto the rear tyre and potentially cause loss of traction and/or control, increasing the risk of an accident or injury to the rider and other road users,” the notice says.
Two faults
In the other matter, the footpeg retaining pins may fall off along with the pegs.
“If the foot rest loosens or detaches, the rider may lose control of the motorcycle, increasing the risk of an accident or injury to the rider and other road users,” the notice says.
Owners are asked to contact their nearest authorised Moto Guzzi dealer to book in for an additional dust seal and an improved pin retainer.
The dealer will also perform a free seven-point function and diagnostic check.
The list of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for the 74 affected bikes is attached to the end of this article.
Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.
Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.
If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.
To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:
Moto Guzzi Australia has confirmed we will be getting the new V85 TT Travel unveiled last week at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.
The V85 Travel simply features formerly optional accessories as standard fittings. They are panniers, extra LED lights, a higher windshield, heated grips and phone connectivity.
It also comes in a unique Sabbia Namib colour and graphics with a grey frame and matte chassis.
There is no word yet on arrival or pricing, but expect to pay more than the V85 TT at $18,890 (plus on-road costs).
Travel accessories
Moto Guzzi unveil the new Touring V85 TT at 2019 EICMA
The screen has a 60% larger surface protection area than the standard screen.
The lightweight plastic panniers with alloy inserts have 37-litre capacity on the right to hold a full-face helmet and 27.5 litres on a the left as it sits over the high exhaust pipe.
Pannier locks use the same key. They come with discrete frame mounts to retain the bike’s lines.
The heated hand grips and additional LED lights are controlled by buttons on the left switchblock.
V85 Travel also comes with the Moto Guzzi multimedia platform that allows riders to connect their phone and extend functions of the instrument cluster.
The V85 Travel is powered by the 853cc air-cooled, OHV, transverse 90° V-twin and is shod with Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres.
Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel
ENGINE
Type
Transverse 90° V twin, two valves per cylinder (titanium intake).
Cooling
Air
Engine capacity
853 cm³
Bore and stroke
84 x 77 mm
Compression ratio
10.5: 1
Maximum power
80 HP (59 kW) at 7,750 rpm
Torque
80 Nm at 5,000 rpm
Fuel system
Electronic injection; Ø 52 mm single throttle body, Ride-by-Wire
Fuel tank capacity
23 litres (including 5 litre reserve)
Emissions compliance
Euro 4
Consumption (WMTC cycle)
4.9 l/100 km
CO2 Emissions (WMTC cycle)
118 g/km
TRANSMISSION
Clutch
Dry single disc
Transmission
6 gears
Gear ratio values
1st 16/39 = 1: 2.437
2nd 18/32 = 1: 1.778
3rd 21/28 = 1: 1.333
4th 24/26 = 1: 1.083
5th 25/24 = 1: 0.960
6th 27/24 = 1: 0.889
CHASSIS
Frame
High strength steel tubular frame
Front suspension
41 mm hydraulic telescopic USD fork, with adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound
Front wheel travel
170 mm
Rear suspension
Double-sided swingarm in box-type aluminium with a single shock on the right side, with adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound
Rear wheel travel
170 mm
Front brake
Double 320 mm stainless steel floating discs, Brembo radial-mounted callipers with 4 opposed pistons
Rear brake
Ø 260 mm stainless steel disc, floating calliper with 2 pistons
Moto Guzzi has released the tech specs the 58kW V85 TT that arrives here in June in two models with a choice of two colours, initially.
Base-model single-colour “Grigio (grey) Atacama” (pictured above) will cost $18,890 (plus on-road costs) while the Enduro Premium (below) with multi-colour “Giallo (yellow) Sahara” paint costs $19,590.
Moto Guzzi Australia says these prices are “tentative” so we guess they could change with final specification or currency exchange rates.
Pricing compares with the following European scramblers and adventure bikes: Ducati Multistrada 950 ($18,390); Scramblers ($15,499-$17,290); BMW R nineT GS and Scrambler ($17,690-$18,750), F 850 ($17,990-$22,305); KTM 1090 Adventure R ($19,995); and Triumph Tiger 800 ($15,590-$18,350), Street Scrambler ($15,900).
Colour choice may also be expanded down the track.
The Enduro Premium model comes with a red painted frame, double-coated components, tri-colour fork protectors and a Skai (perforeted suede look) saddle with the Moto Guzzi logo double stitched in grey thread.
Moto Guzzi Australia is already taking orders and say they are being “quickly snapped by customers”.
Tech specs have now also been released. See the end of this article for the full tech specs.
In summary, it has 85kW of power, 80Nm of torque, a high 830mm seat and weighs 229kg with 90% fuel in the 21-litre tank.
TT by name
TT stands for “tutto terreno” (all terrain in Italian), so it features several all-terrain features.
They include a high beak, high exhaust pipe, twin headlights, wired wheels, handguards, tubular steel frame, bash plate, high clearance and 1980s motorsport colour scheme.
We’re not really sure if it’s a scrambler or an adventure bike. Maybe it’s a new niche in between the two.
V85 TT features a unique asymmetric swingarm housing the shaft drive.
We believe theEnduro Premium will have an Ohlins mono shock and forks.
V85 TT should capably plug the gap left by the Stelvio which was shelved because the engine could not meet the new emissions standards.
V85 TT in the Moto Guzzi wind tunnel at Mandello del Lario
Our only concern about this beautiful adventure bike is that it is too pretty for off-road use.
What happens if you drop it as many adventure riders do?
Like a BMW R 1200 GS (and now 1250), it will need substantial protection for those heads, for a start.
Clever instruments
The full colour, fully digital TFT screen has a host of information.
The two-helmet symbol at the top indicates electronic preload adjustment while the menu is expected to display various engine modes and possibly traction control settings.
A phone icon suggests it has Piaggio’s new connectivity app available for Android and iOS phones.
It allows the owner to ping their bike and locate it in a parking lot. It also has a panic alert system, which connects you with the pre-designated contacts in case of an emergency.
The app reminds the rider of a pending service, helps owners locate the nearest service stations and includes a customer care service.
This system was developed with German component manufacturer Hella. and is available on Piaggio scooters and Aprilia motorcycles.
It can be retrofitted through official service centres.
The bike is a tribute to the Moto Guzzis that competed in African rally raids and the Dakar rally in the 1908s.
Moto Guzzi boasts of a “solid off-road tradition” extending back to the Six Day Reliability Trial in Austria 1939 where Moto Guzzi participated with the GT 20 and went on to win four gold medals.
The Italian manufacturer tackled the Paris-Dakar rally in 1985 with the V65 Baja and the following year with the V75 Baja.
Moto Guzzi V85 TT tech specs
V85 TT
Engine: Transverse 90°, 853cc V twin, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore and stroke: 84 x 77mm
Compression: 10.5:1
Power: 59kW (80hp) @ 7750rpm
Torque: 80Nm @ 5000rpm
Fuel: 21 litres (including 5L res)
Economy: 4.9L/100km
CO2: 118g/km
Transmission: dry clutch, 6-speed
Frame: tubular steel
Seat: 830mm
Dry weight: 208kg
Wet weight: 229kg
Suspension: 41mm hydraulic telescopic USD fork, with adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound; double-sided swingarm in box-type aluminium, single shock, adjustable spring preload and hydraulic rebound, 170mm travel
Brakes: 320mm twin floating discs, Brembo radial-mounted callipers with 4 pistons; 260mm steel disc, floating calliper with 2 pistons
