Moto Guzzi
The V85 TT's plainer, short-lived predecessor, best bought only if priced accordingly
- 1 colour
- Engine
- 853 cc
- Power
- 78 bhp
- Kerb weight
- 229 kg
In short
Sold only in 2020 in India, the V85 was Moto Guzzi's first adventure-styled twin, using an 853cc air-cooled engine making 78bhp and priced from ₹12.64 lakh. It was quickly superseded by the more feature-rich V85 TT, and the version sold here came in a single colourway with none of the electronics that later became standard on the range.
What works
- 78bhp and 80Nm from a relatively light 229kg kerb weight
- USD front forks and rear monoshock as standard
- Dual-channel ABS and twin disc brakes front and rear
What doesn't
- No traction control, ride modes or TFT console unlike the later V85 TT
- Sold for less than a year, so parts availability is uncertain
- No mileage figure quoted, unlike the V85 TT's 23.8kmpl
Best for: Collector interested in early Guzzi adventure twins, Riders who prioritise engine feel over electronics
Last prices and variants
The last ex-showroom Delhi list prices before Moto Guzzi withdrew the model in 2020.
The V85 was sold in a single variant and last listed at ₹12,64,000 ex-showroom Delhi before it was withdrawn in 2020.
Against the 148 sports bikes on sale today its last price would sit 107th from the cheapest. The closest current bikes on price are the Scrambler 1200 (₹12,64,100) and the Z1100 (₹12,79,000); those are the new-bike alternatives to weigh a used V85 against.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹12,64,000 |
Engine and ride
The 853cc air-cooled engine makes 78 bhp and 80 Nm through a 6 Speed. With a kerb weight of 229 kg that is 341 bhp per tonne, 53th best power-to-weight of the 147 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
The torque and power figures are well balanced, so it neither needs to be revved hard nor feels lazy when you do.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock and dual-channel ABS, with a disc, 320 mm up front and disc, 260 mm at the rear.
The 830 mm seat is on the tall side. Riders under 5'6" should sit on one before buying.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The V85 was sold in India only in 2020, a brief window before Moto Guzzi replaced it with the far more equipped V85 TT. Priced from ₹12.64 lakh, it used the same 853cc air-cooled twin that later powered the TT, making 78bhp, but arrived with none of the electronics or adventure-touring bodywork that made the follow-up bike a genuine rival to the Ducati Scrambler and BMW F900XR crowd.
Riding it every day
The 853cc twin is smooth and torquey low down, and at 229kg the V85 is noticeably easier to manage in traffic than any of Moto Guzzi's cruisers. Without a windscreen or the V85 TT's upright touring stance, though, it feels more like a standard roadster than an adventure bike, and sustained highway speeds are more tiring than the badge might suggest.
What to know before buying
Because it was sold for less than a year, very few examples exist in India, and finding one with full service history matters more than usual. Check the same items as any air-cooled Guzzi twin: valve clearances, oil seepage at the heads, and fork seals, and confirm with a specialist that any bodywork specific to this early version is still obtainable.
Who should buy it
A collector or enthusiast specifically curious about Moto Guzzi's first adventure-twin attempt, not someone shopping by spec sheet. Anyone wanting the fuller adventure-touring package should look at a used V85 TT instead.
Features
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- Engine kill switch
On safety kit the V85 has dual-channel abs, front disc brake and rear disc brake. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
What it lacks: tubeless tyres, alloy wheels, traction control and side-stand engine cut-off, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 1 colours: Yellow and White. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years, unlimited km.
Moto Guzzi runs a limited sales and service network in India, at roughly 15 touchpoints. Check the nearest workshop before buying if you live outside a metro; a 40 km ride for every service adds up.
Moto Guzzi sold the V85 new from 2020 until 2020, a short run, so check spares availability with the dealer before buying used. Warranty on a used example depends on what is left of the original term; service intervals and parts pricing are unchanged by the model being withdrawn.
V85: questions people ask
- Is the Moto Guzzi V85 still available?
- No. Moto Guzzi withdrew the V85 in 2020. Dealers sometimes hold unregistered stock for a few months after a model goes; after that it is a used buy.
- What was the price of the Moto Guzzi V85?
- The V85 last listed at ₹12,64,000 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant. Used prices depend on year, mileage and condition; a two- to three-year-old example typically changes hands at 60–75% of that.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the V85?
- It uses a 853cc engine producing 78 bhp and 80 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the V85 suitable for short riders?
- It is on the tall side at 830 mm. Riders under 5'6" may be on tiptoe at stops and should try it before buying.
- V85 or Z1100: which is better?
- The Z1100 is ₹15,000 more expensive to start. Pick the V85 for collector interested in early guzzi adventure twins, the Z1100 for experienced naked-bike riders. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the V85?
- Among the 149 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the MT-15 V2 (₹1.68 Lakh), the Roadster (₹2.02 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the V85 essentially the same bike as the V85 TT?
- It shares the same 853cc engine family, but the V85 TT that followed added traction control, ride modes, a TFT dash and navigation, so the two should not be priced the same on the used market despite the similar name.
- Is it still serviceable given how briefly it was sold?
- Mechanically it should be no harder to service than the V85 TT since they share the same engine platform, but confirm with a Moto Guzzi specialist that model-specific parts like bodywork are still available before buying.
V85 vs its rivals
Around ₹12.64 Lakh
Other bikes and scooters within 20% of the V85's starting price.
