Moto Guzzi V85 Strada - The Essential Traveller

The rise of middleweight adventure bikes has been driven by their affordability, versatility, and manageable size compared to larger, more expensive models. They appeal to a wider audience, including new riders, by offering a good balance of comfort, capability and accessibility, without the overwhelming power and sheer bulk that can often detract from the pure joy of the journey.

For the esteemed Italian marque, Moto Guzzi, the V85 platform has quietly woven itself into the fabric of modern motorcycling success. It is an exquisite offering that delivers retro-styled adventure touring, a nod to the golden age—yet remains free from the crushing complexity and sheer physical intimidation of its closest rivals. It began its lineage with the V85 TT (standing for Tutto Terreno or "all-terrain") in 2019, but for 2024, the narrative takes a new, more focused turn.

Guzzi introduced the V85 Strada: a masterful exercise in distillation. By meticulously shedding some of the TT's overt adventure proficiency, the Strada is honed into an instrument purely dedicated to the pleasures of road touring and the elevated demands of everyday utility.

The most immediate change is a sophisticated revision of its visual identity. Where the V85 TT embraced a purposeful, high-riding, rally-raid aesthetic—defined by its lofty front mudguard and twin headlamp fairing—the Strada adopts a cleaner, more urban-centric simplicity.

The robust, chunky spoked wheels are retired, replaced by sleek, lightweight aluminium cast wheels. A shorter, more road-focused screen takes its place, and the high-level front mudguard is exchanged for a traditional, low-slung unit. The result is a motorcycle that is tauter, leaner, and visually anchored to the tarmac.

Yet, through this refinement, the essential Guzzi character remains utterly undeniable. The spectacular, jutting transverse V-twin engine, a mechanical masterpiece, is an iconic visual signature, impossible to overlook. For riders who cherished the V85's core architecture but found the full-on adventure guise a little too robust, the Strada offers a more accessible, effortlessly chic aesthetic for the modern flâneur.

At the very core of the Strada lies the latest iteration of the 853cc air-cooled transverse V-twin. This engine is arguably the true star of the show, delivering character in such prodigious spades that mere horsepower figures become secondary. While its 80bhp output is not designed to shatter speed records, the power delivery is intoxicatingly torquey, peaking at 83 Nm at a mere 5,100 rpm. A performance more than commensurate with the expectations of this exclusive class.

On the open road, the V85 Strada demonstrates a remarkable blend of smoothness, eagerness, and surprising capability. Effortless cruising at high national limits is its default, accompanied by a phenomenal, deep soundtrack that only a 90-degree V-twin can orchestrate.

Critically, this 853cc unit features Variable Valve Timing, ensuring that a staggering 90% of its peak torque is accessible from just 3,500 rpm. This translates to a sublime, relaxed riding experience where constant gear-hunting is simply unnecessary. While a quickshifter is absent, the gearbox is silky smooth, allowing for easy clutchless up-changes for those moments of spirited momentum. It is, quite simply, a deeply satisfying transmission.

The Moto Guzzi V85 Strada is the most road-focused and agile expression of the V85 lineage, possessing a distinctly sharper and lighter feel compared to the rugged TT. Its innate character is perfectly suited for extended explorations, whether enjoyed solo or in the company of a pillion. The rear seat is thoughtfully comfortable, ensuring the bike is a genuine pleasure for both riders. The upright posture offers exceptional visibility and a truly relaxed ergonomic mastery; you feel you could ride for hours without fatigue.

We put the Strada through its paces: from the essential, sharp commute into the heart of London to a leisurely pilgrimage to the famed Super Sausage café, and extensive winding through the lanes and B roads of the Midlands. The V85 Strada took every scenario with impeccable composure.

Its standard cast alloy wheels (19-inch front, 17-inch rear) are shod with dedicated road-focused Dunlop Trailmax Meridian tyres. This shift from the TT's wire-spokes is pivotal. Cast wheels reduce unsprung mass and gyroscopic forces, translating into a bike that feels sharper, quicker-turning, and more responsive—a truly meaningful enhancement to the handling dynamic.

Tipping the scales as the lightest in the V85 family at 226 kg (wet), the reduced mass works in harmony with the new wheels to produce a surprisingly nimble motorcycle for one with adventure-bike proportions.

Suspension is by Kayaba. Up front, 41mm upside-down (USD) forks offer adjustment for preload and rebound damping. The rear features a single shock, married to the single-sided shaft drive swingarm, also adjustable for preload and rebound.

The resulting ride is plush and superbly damped, delivering outstanding on-road comfort and effortlessly absorbing the imperfections and blemishes of poor road surfaces. It achieves a balanced competence, capable of handling spirited riding without ever feeling overly soft. The stock settings are perfectly calibrated for the demands of British asphalt, dissolving bumps and potholes with unruffled ease.

However, the Strada does not demand to be thrashed. Instead, it encourages a more elevated and sensible pace, inviting the rider to savour the scenery and enjoy the countryside. It is a harmonious and comfortable package.

The Strada features an appropriately streamlined electronics suite, offering three core ride modes: Sport, Road, and Rain, which subtly tailor the throttle response and traction control. It is equipped with standard ABS and Traction Control, with advanced cornering ABS available as an option.

Unlike the V85 TT, the advanced six-axis IMU (which governs Cornering ABS and Cornering Traction Control) is an optional accessory. This perfectly aligns with the Strada’s core mandate: an 'essential traveller' brief that provides all the necessary technology without superfluous complexity, offering immense value.

The Moto Guzzi V85 Strada is a brilliantly judged and necessary addition to the range. By strategically stripping away the overt adventure frippery, Guzzi has sculpted a focused, accessible, and profoundly enjoyable road machine. This bike is dedicated to the demands of daily life, the exhilaration of weekend escapes, and the comfort of two-up touring.

It excels as an everyday companion. The lower seat height and superb low-speed balance make it a joy in city traffic, while the charismatic V-twin engine and refined handling elevate every single journey into a genuine event.

For the rider seeking a mid-capacity tourer that stands distinct from the crowd, offers undeniable Italian flair, and delivers an authentic, characterful riding pleasure, the V85 Strada is an utterly compelling proposition. It is quintessentially Moto Guzzi: stylish, full of personality, and deeply engaging.

The Moto Guzzi V85 Strada is a beautiful, singular, and fun motorcycle that wisely prioritises comfort, road handling, and mechanical character over the pursuit of raw, fleeting speed.