Great news for Moto Guzzi fans with news that parent company Piaggio has filed an international design patent in Australia for a scrambler that is not too far from the V85 scrambler concept unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan last November.
The V85 concept scrambler is powered by a new 90° transverse air-cooled 850cc V-twin with 59kW of power. That compares with the 853cc V9’s 40kW.
Their patent design is very similar to the concept with the same engine, but a longer exhaust, a smaller tank, a reshaped seat and the addition of a centre stand.
There is no word on when the bike will go into production, but it is expected to be the first of a new range based on the new engine.
It would be a good addition to their line-up to complete with the popular 803cc Ducati Scrambler, 999cc Triumph Street Scrambler and 1170cc BMW R nineT Scrambler.
V85 off-road credentials
A V85 would also help plug a void left by the demise of the Stelvio adventure bike which could not meet Euro4 emissions targets.
The concept is a tribute to the Moto Guzzis that competed in African rally raids and the Dakar rally in the 1980s.
It features a high, off-road mudguard, dual-sport tyres, high exhaust pipe, twin headlights, wired wheels, tubular steel frame, bash plate, high clearance and 1980s motorsport colour scheme.
In fact, it looks a lot more off-road capable than any of the other scramblers on the market, probably to plug the Stelvio gap.
The unique asymmetric swingarm houses the shaft drive. It allows for a direct-mount Ohlins mono shock that is easy to access for adjustment. The V85 also features Ohlins forks.
The Mandello del Lario company is no stranger to scramblers.
It already has produced the limited-edition V7 Stornello scrambler and previously released scrambler kits for the V7 which is also updated for 2018.
Moto Guzzi V7 II Stornello Limited Edition