The Premium Motorcycle Bargain That More Riders Should Know About
The allure of a premium motorcycle is difficult to put into words. They combine fancy engineering, thoughtful equipment, long-distance comfort, and a level of character that makes ordinary motorcycles feel less special. Unfortunately, enjoying these qualities often requires a sizable investment. The good news, though, is that not every motorcycle with an upmarket feel carries an intimidating price tag. Some manufacturers have found ways to deliver a genuinely premium experience without venturing into expensive flagship territory. These motorcycles don’t receive the same attention as their more expensive rivals, but they make a surprisingly convincing case for themselves.
Premium Motorcycles Don’t Always Have To Cost A Fortune
The premium motorcycle segment is where manufacturers showcase their best engineering, sophisticated electronics, high-quality components, and most ambitious designs. Unfortunately, these qualities often come with price tags as large as our dreams. A large-capacity ADV, like the BMW R 1300 GS, for example, can easily cross the $25,000 mark once it receives electronic suspension, advanced rider aids, premium brakes, and touring equipment. Add accessories and luggage, and the final bill can become even more difficult to look at.
Now, many riders want the comfort, performance, and equipment associated with premium motorcycles, but spending that kind of flagship money is a tad difficult. If you search hard enough, though, there is some class out there: motorcycles and manufacturers that don’t get the attention the big dogs get, but are equally appealing and don’t burn as big a hole in your pocket.
Some Underrated Motorcycles Already Get The Premium Formula Right
There are some good examples out there, too. The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is a good example. The company is a well-established name, sure, but the motorcycle itself is a tad underrated for the kind of ergonomics and touring capabilities it has. Plus, the three-cylinder engine offers an extremely smooth ride. You also have the Suzuki V-Strom 800, usually overshadowed by the lower V-Strom 650 or sometimes even its own bigger variant, the 800DE and 800DE Adventure. One of these underrated stars comes from another European company. The name itself is of some renown, but somehow their motorcycles don’t really get the clout they deserve.
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel Is A Premium Machine Without The Flagship Price
MSRP: $14,390
Moto Guzzi holds an unusual position in the motorcycle industry. The Italian manufacturer has a long engineering history, a distinctive transverse V-twin engine layout, and a design philosophy that is almost immediately recognizable. They feel very different from the usual Japanese and European alternatives. The V85 family is an interesting example of this approach. It doesn’t chase the high-performance numbers, but it comes with a characterful engine, shaft drive, touring-friendly ergonomics, and styling that stands out anywhere. The Travel variant takes this formula further by adding equipment for riders who regularly cover long distances.
The V85’s V-twin Is Built For Real-World Riding
The engine is arguably the biggest reason the V85 TT Travel stands apart from its competitors. Most motorcycles in this class rely on parallel-twin configurations, but the Moto Guzzi sticks with its signature 90-degree transverse V-twin. This air-cooled 853cc engine produces 80 horsepower and 61.2 pound-feet of torque. The real highlight is where these numbers appear on the rev band, with torque peaking at 5,100 rpm.
For an adventure tourer, this engine is designed around relaxed long-distance riding rather than face-melting performance, but the variable valve timing system helps broaden the engine’s delivery across the rev range. Power is then sent to the rear wheel via a shaft final drive, reducing the need for maintenance and the fear of chain snaps in the middle of a journey.
Long-Travel Suspension That Can Handle The Dirt
Now, an ADV needs to be comfortable on imperfect roads, and the V85 TT Travel has the hardware to accomplish that. At the front, a 41mm upside-down fork gets preload and rebound damping adjustability, and at the rear, a lateral monoshock also gets preload and rebound damping adjustability. Both ends get about 6.7 inches of travel. Combine that with a 19-/17-inch dual-purpose tire combination, and you have a motorcycle that can do just as well on a gravel road as it does on the tarmac. The riding position is also designed around comfort with a 32.6-inch seat height and upright ergonomics.
The Touring Equipment Makes The V85 TT Travel Special
One of the best things about the V85 TT Travel is that it does not look like every other adventure motorcycle on the market. It blends old-school GS looks with the precision and refinement of modern fit and finish. The cockpit features a modern 5-inch full-color TFT dash and features Moto Guzzi’s MIA multimedia platform. This allows compatible smartphones to connect with the motorcycle. The bike also gets LED lighting, cruise control, and a six-axis IMU for cornering ABS and traction control as part of its standard package. There are some other features, too, that, with premium motorcycles, have to be purchased separately, like an aluminum skid plate, protective hand guards, adjustable windscreen, additional air deflectors, heated seat and grips, and urban side panniers.
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel Is A Properly Equipped Italian ADV For Less
The whole premise of this article is a premium motorcycle at bargain prices. For many riders, premium motorcycles are the flagships of the company. But the V85 TT Travel manages to slide past that. It convinces you that sometimes it’s not high-performance numbers or high prices that dictate how premium a motorcycle is. Sometimes, it is in the oddity of the product. The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel, thanks to its design and engine, is the oddball. But thanks to its thoughtful engineering and practical standard components, it became a first-class motorcycle. And that $14,390 price tag just gives you a bargain that you won’t find anywhere else.
Source: Moto Guzzi
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