2024 Moto Guzzi Stelvio vs Moto Guzzi V85 TT

Here are two Moto Guzzi adventure motorcycles put against each other and compared head-to-head: the new Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1000 from 2024+ and Moto Guzzi V85 TT.

[chrissunde]

Good review/comparison. As a largely satisfied owner of a v85tt I would like to explain why I appreciate it so much.... The v85tt is a bike that is easy to maintain; valve adjustment, oil and air filter replacement, transmission fluid and final drive are not a problem for a person with a few tools and only basic mechanical knowledge. I bought mine new for $10, 500 US... I don't think there was another bike out there with cruise control at that price point. I live in eastern Maine, lots of rough roads which the V85TT is comfortable and proficient dealing with. I generally get about 50-55mpg and so far zero mechanical issues. It could use more power, but on the rural back roads I travel it's still a lot of fun and I don't need to budget, schedule or plan for dealer service. Which is good because the nearest Moto Guzzi dealer is 375 miles away.

[Motomack]

It is amazing how individuals come away with differing views about many motorcycles. With having 48 years of riding, 15 years of racing and track riding experience I find the new Stelvio to be one of the best out of the 41 motorcycles I have owned. Previous adventure bikes have been a 2018 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT SE, and a 22 Ducati Multistrada V4s Travel and Radar, both of which I did not like at all. The Kawasaki engine while reliable was choked down and while it claims 120hp I have my doubts, the Ducati was a real disappointment all the way around, I never could gel with that bike and had a two year love hate relationship with it. The new Stelvio to me is hands down better bike to me, performance is very good, the engine has a wide power band with good low end performance while being able to pull all the way through the rev range. Handling is superb, great feel and excellent stability. I have never experienced the bike wanting to stand up under any conditions, sounds like the suspension was not set up properly. Stelvio is extremely comfortable, with the addition of the heated seat and grips it is a great place to spend hours in the saddle. I don't do hard core off road riding, but fire roads, and dirt paths are no problem. This is a truly great machine in my opinion. 12-13k less than the Duc and a much better machine for me.

[amtatrirlo]

Have been riding 45 years on roads, tracks and off road, all kind of bikes and brands, the V85 is with me since it came out, it is the most balanced, enjoyable and close to perfect bike I have ever had, with an engine that puts a huge grin on my face, not for the power but for it’s tractor like character that I find so attaching and unique. So much that I sold a GS1200LC, soulless, a NineT, uncomfortable, and my 20 year old RT1150, too heavy… now only Guzzis in my garage and no looking back. Even got a T3 from 76. But understand they are too good to be appreciated by the mass….

[davidphillips]

If I was a young person wanting technology and high performance, this bike would feel like a joke; this is not your bike. However if you are an older rider who appreciates an easy bike to ride, that is wonderfully comfortable, and a joy in the twisties and which inhales rough roads; this bike is awesome. I really appreciate the cruise and the shaft drive. I don't get tired riding this bike like I did on more powerful machines. No more sore knees, adjusting and oiling chains. When I hear the words quick shifter; I know the rider will not appreciate the refined experience MG has created. When Engineer brother had his quick shifter KTM, he didn't like the fact that it was hard not to go stupid fast. The V85 is a fun riding experience at sane speeds.

You choose power and electronic gimmicks. The two things that are probably the less important on an all-round bike... or any bike, really.

[porkchop]

300 kms of road on my Stelvio so far and I am very happy. First Guzzi I’ve ever owned. The corner at elevated highway speeds is more stable confidence inspiring that I expected. Radar system put my skepticism to shame. Engine, drivetrain, and power delivery suits my riding style as a comfortable road touring bike.

[lucasmari]

Are you aware that the V85TT was specifically designed like "a retro TT bike" ...???? knowing that, most of your deceptions just dont have a meaning ...! on the other side, I con only see you zoooming around in streets, reving it to the top... thats not what it's designed for .... basically, you are doing a review, comparing it with other (much more expensive) bikes ...

[nkwd]

Witold's channel is great for many aspects. Having detailed comparisons of so may different bikes is very informative and saves us time and money going around and comparing bikes ourselves when we are on the hunt. He does great job gathering information and giving his personal impression of his rides. However, what I do not like, and it is just my opinion of course, is that clearly certain bikes are glorified over others. And mainly - its the expensive BMW, KTM or Ducatis, which must deliver POWER or gimmicky addons. And obviously it is nothing wrong when these are the categories one want to prioritise. It is twisting the reality on the other hand. There are bikes with character, soul and heritage that gets pigeonholed as "worse" because they do not have a badge of the mentioned ones, or they have less that 140BHP or so. I can see however that the market is slowly changing and customers realise that they do not really need half of the power or half of the systems that are not really necessary to enjoy the ride. If your categories are reliability, heritage, practicality then those "rankings" turns upside down.

[AndreiKouznetsov]

Strange way of comparing 2 models that are 5 years apart. This type of video would be more informative if both models are 2024. Of course, a 5 year old motorcycle would give far better value than a new model from a shop. It is slightly misleading here, in my opinion.

[jongreen]

Tested 3 v85tts and eventually bought one. I agree that the power is moderate but sufficient. Hesitation off a closed throttle almost gone after remap on 2021 & apparently doesn't happen 2024 release. No footrest vibration at any speed on the 4 I have ridden, also the brakes are typical Brembo = not spongey. maybe you had a bad one? Enough to sour you?

[janzzen]

You should compare the stelvio with the E5+ v85tt.
The new v85 is way better then the old E5. The E5 you have there is nothing but a 2019 model with less power and spoked tubless wheels.

The E5+ is a totaly different bike.

[rower-mttb]

Good grief. I own the V100S and it is what it is, a hyper rev happy SPORT and small amount of tour. I hate that about it. I expected a smoother grunty power plant and got an Itialian DUCATI personality spelled differently. I also have the 2024 V7 STONE 850 model TEN, and that engine is terrific! I can't get enough of it. July to September and over 6, 000 miles of fun.

The V100S? Well, I just traded it for a 2024 850 TT TRAVEL. I test drove the "backwards" tech STRADA to see about the ADV thing. (I'm never going off road on purpose). The idea was to blend what the V100S was supposed to be, tour, with what the V7 is, great torque of an engine. The riding position is SUPERB and the TT's 850 mill engine is a delight to use. Sure, I look lost wandering around on an ADV but hell, I gave in to the tremendously better riding feel and experience over the V100S. I drive several hours at a time and the V100S is just too hyper and cramped riding triangle all the time. The STELVIO has the same awful engine tune, it is all about revs, and it HATES, hates, hates anything below 3K RPM with any aggression on the throttle...it pings loaded up. A 1, 000 CC twin PINGS! The 850? Use any of 1, 2 or 3rd and it pulls right out of the hole nary a complaint. The difference is just the wind up speed but no complaints like the V100s that DEMANDS a downshift.

As far as speed shifters? Get real. I used the V100S shifter maybe a dozen time to see if it was even there in 12, 500 miles. Useless on the street riding like you should. The V7 and the V85 TT's all shift fine and are enjoyable to row the box. The V100S was fine manual as well.

The V100S is more a spec sheet bike and looses, in my usage, to the 2024 TT850 TRAVEL. It isn't backwards at all...but keeps me going foreward! The garage level maintenance on the V7 and TRAVEL are also benefits long term over the V100S or STELVIO. Bike on.

[tedmarakas]

Gizmos. Who cares? Quick shifter...who cares, simplicity, we all care. Brakes, very good on both. Agility, the V85 is far better. Engine power the Stelvio is better. Looks, the V85TT is far better. Comfort, the V85tt is much better. Weight, the V85TT is lighter. Conclusion...if the V85TT had an extra 25Hp it would be the clear winner.

[elanshmueli]

In my opinion that’s not a fair comparison because you took 5 year motorcycle compèred it to brand new machine that’s not even the same displacement, another thing for example the 24 model of the v85 has a totally different lcd display, so next time at least take the same model year of the bike.

[TheErcaciotta]

I had v85tt and was a great bike at low speed BUT... at high speed always goes wobble and put me in danger. Try many setting at sospensions but situation had never gone better. Now I have a stelvio and the feeling is very, very better for me. Also seat (little thin than v85tt) make me feel much confortable (I'm short: 1.65cm). For use in off road better v85 but for dual purpose and tourism much better Stelvio.

[mikaellundsrensen]

I have a V85TT, I have had it for 4 years, I like it, the handling is almost perfect for the type of bike, rock solid and predictable, (I cannot quite recognise your description of it?).It has been quite reliable, it is NOT a sewing machine, it's a rock and roll rumble feeling, and it has the Guzzi soul, if you want a sewing machine go somewhere else. I guess Moto Guzzi is the kind of bike you either get, or you don't. And I get it 👍 BUT!, and that is a big BUT! At least here in DK the now lack of dealerships, (only 2 left) and poor support (slow ) from factory combined with the fact that I need a working bike everyday, has "forced" me to buy a Japanese workhorse standing next to it, slowly the workhorse has taken over more and more of my driving, and today, if forced, the Moto Guzzi had to go. Too bad, it's a beautiful bike somehow let down by its own creator.

[myyoutubexd]

Nice review Witold! I tested Moto Guzzi Stelvio PFF (with radar) and wanted to buy it - but they wanted to charge me 1500 PLN for activating the software for adaptive cruise control - even I already paid extra to have PFF version with radar. Finally, I said "okay, I will pay". Then dealership went back to me and said "active cruise control can't be activated". Why offer a bike with active cruise control option which couldn't be activated? Also, this V100 engine that was released 1 ago have some problems - a lot of people have issues with leaking hot engine coolant. One of horror stories that about newest Stelvio is that dealership couldn't fix this issue (still under warrantee) and said that owner need to talk to Italians directly - but they are not responding. After information like that, I cancelled my Moto Guzzi Stelvio order and went with Suzuki VStrom 1050DE.

[veropoios]

thanks for the review - as a satisfied owner of a v85tt, I don't find most of the negatives that you outline simply because of the driving style - MG are not bikes to push hard, therefore is logical to find it out of taste - keep on the good work!

[andrewdunlop]

I am looking for the ideal middle-weight ADV and I am torn between the V85TT and a DL800DE. I have tried the VStrom, and I quite liked it on a 40 km test ride. I feel it will be more modern and reliable, but there is something that draws me to the V85's weirdness. It feels an anachronistic throwback, much like my DR650 (which I love and will never part with). Both the DL800DE and V85TT are similarly priced where I live. V-Told's videos have given me much to think about.

[RRRRefuelRideRace]

I test rode both bikes and both are cool. The V100 Stelvio is more advanced and more refined and with more power... all other things are more or less detailed. By the way... both are Guzzis and this has to be considered. :)