Once upon a time I had a Moto Guzzi 850 T -74.
Same as on this picture

https://motorrad-fuchs.com/relaunch/...1/0/0000_1.jpg

I used it for 3 years of long distance touring.
And for daily usage, when not touring.
I worked perfect.
Change of oil and spark plugs, adjustment of ignition once a year. That was all.

Than happened other things in life....
The Guzzi was parket and later sold.

Later i had a MG California 1000 cc.

But IHO, 850 is the optimum size for the MG V-twin.

So, now whith this 850 TT, evertyhing falls in place.
Old type of simple and well proven architecture, perfect size, and some good improvements.

I want one !!!

I have to say that I am really enjoying mine - nicely balanced, very responsive on the throttle (and probably even more so once I am through the first service this weekend) and the build quality seems really good on the whole.

The two areas that I am less enamoured with the V85 are the pathetic horn - this will be changed out when it gets back from its first service - and the starter button that seems a little flimsy.

The set up for the instrumentation and controls is a delight and everything falls to hand in what feels like a natural position. I went for the Tour and Tour+ packs - I was after a centre stand, engine guard, and additional lighting and I will be linking my phone to the bike to get the sat nav system working. I am happy with those choices - the panniers are really good with the top loading lids - my BMW has clam shell panniers and I have grown to dislike that style so much so that I have made my own for the BMW that are top loaders. I don't really use the top box at the moment as it makes the bike a bit too busy aesthetically but it will go back on for trips. The touring screen is fitted but I have the standard one it replaced and may fit that back on at some point.

I am getting approaching 60mpg (imperial)at the moment but this is getting better as the engine beds in properly and I expect that the figure will settle at around 62-3mpg.

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

A little bit late but congratulate on a nice bike. It seems we have the same taste.

I have had my V85TT for 12000 km now and I think its going to stay for a long time in my garage. No huge issues with it. It feels solid as when I got it.

Even if there are slight issues with parts availability and it is not cheap I just say to people that they should at least try it out.
But beware the factory setting is set low on the gear change lights/limiter. It can easily be changed in the meny.

Do I dare to say it is probably plenty of bike to go on a long distance adventures around the world? Yes, I think it will. Yes its a bit heavy, yes its slower in comparison to other similar bikes. But there are lots of good points with it. You do not need to go fast to get around the world.

I wholeheartedly share your thoughts about the horn. Have not any issues with the starter button though.

Glad to see another V85TT owner. Hope you still are happy with it.

My bike:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y5tj0ka8zd...12011.jpg?dl=0

Have you had any noughts about the muck sprayed onto the engine by the front wheel? I understand there may be some sort of fix with a “hugger” mudguard and a small extension piece - apparently they are a standard item on another Moto Guzzi model - I will try and find out some more details if I can remember where I saw them.

Edit: Got it now. -it is the front mudguard / fender from an Aprillia Caponord 1200 Rally 2016-17 - https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=291&product s_id=5667

There is also an extension piece but I can’t find that at the moment.

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You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Finally, I bought the v85tt!
I'm not a true overlander, and as a short scale entrepreneur I can only spend to 4-5 days/month out ridding in my country, place where you still find a lot of unpaved, narrow tarmac and secondary roads between the 3 regions that the equator line cross thru.
The Guzzi was a sort of project to travel to Italy, place where I found that old 250, and with a legal accord between that country and mine, spend a holyday and bring the bike to the Andes. The expence was to high! Later ride it on the UStates: mucho dinero!
Found a new dealer in southern Ecuador, went to them and bought the V85TT, new for this country as model and as make, even if it's still associated to the 70/80's (some still running) Police bikes.
I found this 850 simply amazing. Right for my size, weight and ridding style. Good design, ergonomics and really capable off-road 19" bike. It has been a pleasure since the last September!
Finally, we'd like (2up) to spend this sort of sabbatical as soon borders will reopen in SA, we crossfingers it maybe jan2022. We swap our plan and we can spend 14 weeks holyday. As I described before, this is also a not common bike, as I choose (there is a reason i might probably share with a pint of birra) so welcome any suggestions in order to modify of simply get some tech specs or tips. We havent cho$e the Travel Edition, becau$e of 'time' i$$ue$.
With soft saddle bags, an old (used on my xr) touratech tailbag+drybag and tank bag, we want to face south and try to reach emblematic or geographic landmarks between Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, and be back to work in this lattitude (where we host the HU Meetings):
00°24.088"S
078°34.590"W
where you all are welcome!

The first thing that I changed was to get a decent horn for the bike. To fit it I had to put it to one side so that the new horn didn’t hit the mudguard when turning and put together a slight extension of the wiring so that the wires weren’t stretched. A massive difference. I have also added a wind deflector to the screen to make the bike quieter to ride and with less buffeting - an easy fix and cheap too - not terribly pretty but still better looking than me.

At some point I intend to put a mudguard hugger onto the front wheel so that mud isn’t thrown onto the engine so muchas per the link above from Triangularity.

Otherwise I think that the bike is pretty well sorted straight out of the box - I just love the engine and it is happy two up and doesn’t stress about life. Am I happy with my purchase? Oh, yes, very happy - and I hope you enjoy yours too.

__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Reviving this thread as I am seriously looking at the V85.
Has anyone ridden it as an overlander or on a long trans-continental adventure? Cheers

Amigos,
This moment is getting closer, and I will swap from passive to active! It has been a long time planning, using this bike in epic 'domestic' roads.
Finally I have at least a fixed week where I will depart an hit the Panamericana hg/road (and others) facing south on a Moto Guzzi v85tt 2up.
With also an arranged appointment, I plan to reach Huaquillas/Tumbes border and I look forward to be cruising on the Peruvian roads for almost 2 weeks and get to Bolivian territory by mid February.
We also plan to spend open time in Bolivia and no agenda to face to south and joion fellow riders and keep connected in order to border crossing and current info.
My main idea is to reach Ruta 40 and flow with time, budget with a sort of goal to return hitting Carretera Austral and go back to the mythical Argentinan axis.
Rather than changing the horn, I feel the side-stand sensor is too exposed, I will protect it, and maybe a bigger front windshield. I will appreciate if you can share mods or important info to make it a traveller bike.
Feel free to write, or simply suggest the DO'S and DONT'S of this ride.
Follow us on IG as @andariego2.0
Cheers,

The front windshield, I had forgotten about that since I sorted it out. I have the taller factory screen fitted at the moment - I have the standard one as well but it doesn’t do enough to keep my head out of turbulent air. I have also fitted a small extender to the tall windshield and now there is next to no turbulence moving my head around and it is much quieter.

Another mod I am considering is an extended front mudguard so the the engine gets some protection. There is one available, for Aprilias I think, that is a direct fit - there are links in one of the V85TT threads on the HUBB.

All in all I am very happy with the bike - it is happy when two up and neither my son nor I are lightweights - but there are a few areas that are under developed - the horn and the mudguards being generic to all riders and the windshield down to my height (not that I am exceptionally tall at 1.82m).

__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

i'm happy to have found this tread. i've been thinking about getting V85tt for this same purpose, riding 2up thru Latin America. i know the V85 is not ideal for offroading but i am a sport rider and certainly would not take us out of our way looking for a challenge in the dirt. the relatively small size, cruise control and shaft drive are some of the main reasons i like this bike. my main concern is reliability, tho i understand recent Guzzis do well in that regard. i look forward to hearing more about this journey and about the moto fares.

bien viaje!
kev