MOTO GUZZI has surprised pretty much nobody by announcing its concept 850cc adventure bike is going into production, with first bikes expected to hit Australian shores mid next year.

Images of the Moto Guzzi V85TT were first shown late last year and looked all the business; it fooled us, that’s for sure. The Bike Shed Times started muscling in to get in the queue for a test ride, only to be told it was a concept bike. Doh.

Press photos show the pre-production bike every bit as stylish as the concept bike. It looks a bit retro, but Guzzi is talking it up as a thoroughly modern adventure/touring bike.

We haven’t seen any critical statistics, other than confirming an 850cc V-twin motor with 59kw (call it 80 horses), but the press photos show plenty of seemingly proper adventure kit — seriously tall suspension, Brembo brakes, hand guards, spoked wheels and such.

We have no doubt that 80hp is enough to get the job done, but we also know that the Africa is about 10hp further up the horse chart and BMW’s R1200GS pumps out something north of 120hp. That’s probably overkill, but no bike ever loses sales for having too much power. Hopefully the Guzzi will be light enough for those Italian stallions to be able to perform at their best.

CAPTION: Twin-disc Brembos and spoked wheels suggest Guzzi is taking the adventure/touring genre seriously.

Here’s some of what Moto Guzzi is saying about the bike:

The V85 TT is dedicated to those who yearn for a bike that revives the spirit of adventure on their daily journeys.

The acronym ‘TT’ stands for “tutto terreno” (all terrain) and builds on a tradition that was established by the marque with their Gold Medal winning ISDE machines in the 1930’s. Now the V85 TT offers a window into the brand’s bright future and a commitment to meeting the needs of aficionados in a modern age.

A new lighter and more powerful small block engine guarantees rider enjoyment and takes inspiration from the epic rally raids of the 1980s; a point of reference from which the model inherits style, charm and proficiency on long-distance routes with cutting edge technology.

In its use as a touring bike, the V85 is new and original combining stylistic ideas from the golden age of the motorcycling with the contents and functionality of a modern adventure bike. This motorcycle represents a revolution in the motorcycle industry and is part of a natural evolution by the Lake Como-based brand wholly consistent with their launch of the V9 a year ago and the third generation of the V7 this year.

CAPTION: Plenty to look at here. We figure the two helmets mean electronically adjustable suspension, the phone icon means it’ll talk to your iPhone, and the ABS is no surprise. But the snowflake in the bottom left corner? Looks like an air-conditioner to us! (But more likely traction control, eh?)

No compromises have been made in comfort and usability and the final result is a machine ideally equipped for travelling two up with panniers installed on the chassis frame. The fuel tank design harks back to the tradition of the Moto Guzzi models set up for the African rally raids. In line with the Guzzi story, there is also the high front mudguard and the beautiful double front headlight, stylistic and functional solutions already present on the NTX 650 from 1996 and the Quota 1000 from 1989. Modern technology elements such as the fully digital instrumentation and the front LED DRL light series on the front headlight combine classic styling with the real world off-road application.

The completely new tubular steel trellis frame is designed in pursuit of lightness, durability and handling for off-road riding. The asymmetric aluminium swingarm has beautiful curved lines on the left side and houses the new shaft drive transmission on the right. The mono shock connects the chassis directly to the swingarm, a solution that facilitates access to the hydraulic and spring preload adjustments while allowing free space for the layout of the exhaust system. Generous wheel travel and high specification suspension front and rear are suited to navigating rugged terrain and offer exceptional comfort for traversing the most commonly-used roads.

The V85 TT showcases a new engine from Moto Guzzi comprised of a two-cylinder 90° transverse air-cooled 850cc which, thanks to its complete redesign, has 80 HP of maximum power. It is an engine that, fully in line with Moto Guzzi philosophy, announces itself as a future classic with rewarding performance, great character and impressive torque at lower running speeds.

This technical platform will form the basis for the development of a new family of medium-sized motorcycles that will span a variety of different genres, and continue the brand’s legacy for producing models that have a strong character, generous performance and a style which is unmistakably Moto Guzzi.