Moto Guzzi V85 TT Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the Moto Guzzi V85 TT, Moto Guzzi’s “all-terrain” bike they launched in 2019.
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT is Moto Guzzi’s “middleweight” adventure bike. It’s based on an air-cooled 853cc 90-degree longitudinal V-twin, powering the rear wheel through a shaft drive. At peak, the bike makes 80 hp (59 kW) at 7,750 rpm, with maximum torque at 5000 rpm.
Moto Guzzi made some minor tweaks for the 2021 model, optimising the engine for more torque and low to medium RPM, through changes to valve timing and associated tuning. A few other changes were made but they don’t affect the maintenance schedule.
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Moto Guzzi V85 TT Service Intervals
Like many air-cooled Moto Guzzi motorcycles, the V85 TT has 10000 km or 6000 mile service intervals.
At every service, you should change the oil and check the valve clearances. Luckily, the valve clearances are quite easy to check on a Moto Guzzi, as it’s a V-configuration engine with the cylinders exposed.
At every service, make sure you also tighten everything up, and check for leaks and old hoses.
There are a few other items to do periodically, like to change the brake fluid every 2 years, and to change the gear oil (in the gearbox and final drive) every 18000 mi / 30000 km.
Moto Guzzi even recommends changing the tires with new ones every 4 years if you don’t wear them out.
See the full maintenance schedule below for more details.
What you need to service the Moto Guzzi V85 TT
Servicing the V85 TT means a few unusual parts. Here are the parts specs, per the user and service manuals.
| Part | Moto Guzzi V85 TT spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | SAE 10W-60, JASO MA/MA2, API rating SG, e.g. Motul 7100 10W60 |
| Oil filter | Use the standard Moto Guzzi oil filter used in their V7, V9, and V85 engines |
| Spark plug | NGK spark plug MR8BI-8. |
| Gear oil | For both the gearbox and transmission. Use 75W-140 synthetic gear oil, conforming to API GL5. |
| Fork oil | Use SAE 7.5W fork oil |
| Grease | Lithium soap-based molybdenum disulphide grease |
| Brake fluid | Synthetic DOT 4 brake fluid e.g. Castrol DOT 4. |
Pre-ride / Daily checks
Before riding your Moto Guzzi V85 TT, Moto Guzzi recommends you check
- The engine oil level
- Transmission oil (check for leaks)
- Wheels and tires
- Brake function and pad thickness
- Cables / wires, check nothing is loose
These are the core pre-ride checks. Moto Guzzi also recommends you check the following, but you would notice their condition as you ride away.
- Clutch function
- Throttle (for smooth operation and free play)
- Fuel tank — level of fuel
- Steering (smooth operation / no notchiness)
- Side stand (smooth operation / lubrication level)
- Lights / horn / switches
Break-in service
The break-in service isn’t shown for the V85 TT in the below table. The dealer should do it during the warranty period as it’s at the 1500 km / 900-mile mark.
However, generally it’s to
- Run the full diagnostics tool (if you’re at a dealer)
- Change the engine oil and filter
- Check and adjust valve clearances (yes, already)
And do a general check over of everything for leaks and lubrication.
Service Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule from the manual. It has been combined into one table for convenient web display.
At every one of the maintenance intervals below, run a full service — the list of items above.
Notes:
- Observe the earlier of time-based or distance-based service intervals. For example, do the full basic service every year or every 10000 km / 6000 mi — whichever comes earlier.
- Keep following it in the pattern shown beyond the end of the maintenance schedule.
- If you ride your motorcycle aggressively or in untoward conditions (e.g. off-road or in mud, rain, or on dirty roads, in stop-start traffic, or in cold weather without giving it time to warm up), you may have to service your bike more often.
- For items marked “Inspect” or “Check”, clean, adjust, lubricate, or replace them as necessary.
- Mileage was simplified (in the original manual they use an exact conversion from km, but that’s not necessary)
| Km x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 30 | 36 | Every |
| Run full V85 TT regular service (see below for list of items) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil — Change (Motul 7100 10W60) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Oil filter — Change (Standard Moto Guzzi oil filter) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Air filter — Change | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Valve clearances — Check / Adjust (See below) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Spark plugs — Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Spark plugs — Replace | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Brake hoses — Inspect condition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Brake fluid — Replace (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||||
| Gearbox oil — Replace (75W-140 synthetic gear oil) | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Final drive oil — Replace (75W-140 synthetic gear oil) | ✓ | ✓ | |||||
| Suspension — Check setup | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |||
| Fork seals — Check. If replacing seals, also replace fork oil. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Check every 5 km / 3 mi for leaks | |
| Fork oil & seals — Replace | ✓ | ||||||
| Headlight aim — Check / Adjust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Bolts and nuts — Check tightness | |||||||
| Tires _ Replace | 4 years |
Regular service items
Below is a list of what you have to do at every service. Do these at every scheduled service interval (every time/distance interval) past the break-in service.
| Moto Guzzi V85 TT Regular Service |
|---|
| [Dealer] Run full diagnostics using tool |
| Clean air filter box drain plug |
| Inspect vehicle general operation |
| Inspect fuel lines condition (leak, cracks) |
| Inspect steering bearings and steering clearance |
| Inspect wheels and wheel bearings |
| Inspect brake disc and brake pad wear |
| Inspect functionality lights and signalling equipment |
| Inspect functionality of safety switches (clutch, engine stop, gear, kickstand) |
| Inspect braking system generally |
| Inspect brake fluid level |
| Inspect tire pressure and wear |
| Inspect and adjust clutch clearance |
V85 TT Valve Clearance Inspection
Because you have to inspect and maybe adjust the valve clearances at every service, it’s important to have an overview of how to do it.
Luckily, the valve inspection on the V85 TT is easy for the home mechanic. The V85 TT has two valves per cylinder, with screw-and-locknut type adjusters.
The procedure is below, for each side. Start on the left cylinder
- Remove the spark plug cover and tube.
- Remove the screws on the head cover, and remove the head cover.
- Remove the spark plug.
- Find top dead centre for the cylinder.
- Measure the clearances with a feeler gauge. (see spec below)
- If there’s a difference (too tight or too loose), adjust the screw and lock nut adjusters until you get just the right pull on the feeler gauge.
- Rotate engine 270 degrees to find TDC on the right cylinder, and repeat.
| Valve | Clearance spec |
|---|---|
| Intake | 0.10 mm / 0.0039 in |
| Exhaust | 0.15 mm / 0.0059 in |
Replace everything with the right torque specs (see below).
V85 TT Torque Specs
| Item | Torque (Nm) | Torque (lb-ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Spark plugs (one on each side) | 10-12 | 7-8 |
| Valve cover (3 on each side) | 8-10 | 6-7 |
| Shock absorber / damper | 50 | 37 |
| Final drive to swing arm (4) | 25 | 18 |
| Final drive drain plug | 30 | 22 |
| Final drive fill plug | 25 | 18 |
| Rear brake caliper (2) | 25 | 18 |
| Rear brake caliper pin | 35 | 26 |
| Rear axle nut | 100 | 74 |
| Front brake calipers | 50 | 37 |
| Front axle nut | 80 | 59 |
| Front axle pinch bolts | 10 | 7 |
| Handlebar clamp | 25 | 18 |
| Bar risers (2) | 50 | 37 |
| Upper fork bolts (1 x 2) | 25 | 18 |
| Lower fork bolts (2 x 2) | 25 | 18 |
Tire Sizes and Pressures
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT has a 19/17 wheel combo. The 2019-2020 V85 TT took tubed tires, but the 2021+ model is tubeless (still on spoked rims, however).
Below are the wheel sizes, tire sizes, and the recommended tire pressures (optimising for longevity).
| Wheel | Rim size | Tire size | Tire pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 2.5 x 19 in | 110 / 80 R19 59V | 2.5 bar / 250 kPa / 36 psi |
| Rear | 4.25 x 17 in | 150/70 R17 69V | 2.8 bar / 280 kPa / 41 psi |
About the Moto Guzzi V85 TT
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT is Moto Guzzi’s middleweight adventure motorcycle. “Tutto Terreno”, which is what TT stands for, means “all terrain”. It’s an ambitious goal, but you can take the V85 TT anywhere… anywhere it’ll let you take it, anyway.
There’s a lot to love about it — it has a low-maintenance engine with a truly old-school internal design (pushrods!). The engine is air-cooled and shaft driven.
The design of the V85 TT is somewhat polarising. I personally love it, and will never get tired of twin headlamps (and twin exhaust pipes), but I know it’s not for everyone.
The Moto Guzzi V85 TT is a very unique bike. It’s currently the only middleweight bike with a shaft drive, for one thing — though the R nineT Urban G/S (which has a similar aesthetic, if not purpose) has similar wet weight and a shaft drive, too.
The V85 TT combines old-school engine design with modern electronics, including a ride-by-wire throttle, cruise control, and a TFT display.
The engine in the V85 TT is definitely modest by adventure motorcycle standards. Despite its 853cc capacity, it’s a lot lower-power than another bike of the same capacity, the BMW F 850 GS. Of course, the F 850 GS is a twin-cam liquid-cooled engine — far more advanced than the V85 TT’s classic pushrod-actuated unit.
To compete with the higher-end sport tourers, Moto Guzzi released the V100 Mandello S for 2023. Liquid cooling, cornering ABS, and active suspension!
But the Moto Guzzi V85 TT’s engine does have some high-tech components, like titanium valves and aluminium pushrods. The engine has the same capacity, bore and stroke as the V9 roamer, but it’s a much more advanced engine in the V85 TT, producing around 50% more power.
Changes for the 2021 model:
- Optimised camshaft timing and engine tuning for low and mid-range torque
- Spoked rims with tubeless tyres
- Two new riding modes (sport and custom) as part of the ride-by-wire throttle system (to change ride modes, hold the starter button down for a second until the ride mode light starts flashing, then tap the button to toggle through the ride modes)
- Standard cruise and colour TFT instrumentation
To use cruise control (in 3rd gear or above and above low speeds), hold down the cruise button on the left handlebar to activate the system (it’ll come on on the display), then short press it to set the speed.
You can increase or decrease cruising speed by pressing or holding the switch up or down.
Reference — Manual for the Moto Guzzi V85 TT
The above maintenance schedule came from the user manual for the V85 TT.
Find out more about the motorcycle on Moto Guzzi’s website here.
