Video

Nice. I guess you also upgraded the suspension. My old Guzzi Spada got quite bouncy two up.

Fantastic rider. My Le Mans project has Race Cam, RAM Clutch, light Flywheel etc, and still won't be as fast as my ZZR1200 or even my YZF 600, but i know which one i'd rescue first if the Garage caught fire.

great video! I've ridden my KTM 990 around Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos & heading back to Cambodia for a 2nd visit soon... The two "quirks" to be aware of which you mentioned - they are thirsty - so must be cautious in remote places and slow speed / slow RPM it can be snatchy and get you off guard. so low technical speeds I slip the clutch and rev more to avoid that, as it's quite embarrassing.... As for off road / technical - they are quite capable but must practice every couple of weeks to stay proficient.

I had an R80 GS back in the day, great bike ( also a couple of Guzzi's) but it has to be remembered when comparing the apparently narrow differences between old and new air cooled bikes that the old ones didn't have to contend with Euro emissions regulations which would have added bloat and stifled their performance even more.

Right bike. Right wife. Anything which is not to like, in your life? 😁

Exactly the vid I’ve looked for 🫵 I also have an heavily modified ST which I absolutely love, and am looking at the V85TT as a daily driver to replace my trusty but heavy Triumph Explorer 1200 just because it is the closest modern thing to my ST! If BMW would make a modern version of the R80G/S, it would sell out for years in advance!!

I loved the vid I wish a video like this was around for the honda vfr 750 i'm curious how that would do on a track with the weight

Man, you sure whine a lot for a BMW rider. . . oh, wait. And, I'm fairly confident the 990 didn't crash land itself, but rather was crashed by the biped molesting it. "Swelling fuel tanks" and "complicated servicing"? What in hell you yappin about? I've known many and rode one myself for a decade. . . .The only swelling is in the pants, and the only thing complicated is deciding where to go because, it'll do it.

250 miles is a pretty good go between fill-ups. . . on a bike like that. Still comparable to the current bikes.

nice vid, i had a Le Mans 2 in the 80´s, but i was to big for that small bike, the handling tho was outstanding, now driving a Cagiva Gran Canyon (with 70 plus). same super handling everything predictable. And only 75 horse, ut fun to drive..... keep on rolling...👍

thankyou

Moto Gasy?????????

Great film, lovely bike.

Something I would add would be a ceramic clutch plate (the next time the gearbox is out). They are almost indestructible, they work when they’re red hot, they work when covered in oil (if you blow a seal). You can rev to 5000rpm and feather the clutch out in 2nd to get going in deep sand without ever worrying that you’re going to burn the clutch out… it’s the first thing I replaced on my original monolever GS, then an 1150 GS and now my 1991 bumblebee. They practically last forever - I’ve never got near wearing one out including full trans-Sahara, trans-Congo etc.

This bike is much faster than the engine power would suggest. The engine already pushes at low rpm and the stability in the center of the curve allows you to find lean angles that were unattainable for the competitors of the time. You have to get used to the particular braking and the great engine braking. The reliability of the engine is legendary, and the small problems it may present can be repaired with just a few euros. The more you use this engine, the better it goes, in fact there is an English couple who have toured the world with a motorbike with a similar engine

Great video mate but this isn’t a moto for Wales. Take it to Morocco! My ‘11 990 is a total beast in the US Southwest deserts and Baja (Baja Rally 2017). It eats up rock and sand and is the most fun moto I’ve ever owned. But chose a Tiger 900 for my trip to S America.

Hi, my very best compliments for your uploads and your racing !!

Can't be cool due to price new, plus: more than 2 pounds of plastic is uncool unless Ducati/MV Augusta. Forget it.

My first BMW in 1984 was a 1979 R100RT. Eventually I traded it for a K100RT in 1986. I regretted it. The old heavy flywheel, RT was a great thing. My only issue was in crosswinds where it was lethal! I had a 1981 R100RT in 1990 but despite better brakes it didn’t cut it for me.

Could you provide the specifications of the Hyperpro rear shock. Following your video I am now hesitating. Initial intention was the Ohlins. Thanks

I'm looking at getting a 990. Do you think they are still relevant in this day and age? I'm more offroad oriented adv traveller. Thanks for the input!

I dont find the 990 big or tall, its the smallest ADV size bike I will ride.....

I have an 85 R80RT with an aftermarket screen. Best fairing I’ve ridden behind. The only aerodynamic quirk I’ve run into is the bike’s susceptibility to lean in a strong crosswind, particularly two up. It may have something to do with low centre of gravity imparted by the boxer motor.

Gestapo slap 😂

Ffs...Gasi...repeat after me Goo-tsee

filling 2 tanks is more of an occasion (950adv)! and btw nothing more lame than two filler caps , with one being fake ;-) (road king)

Die schönste Guzzi bis heute

Nice one chap…..the Le Mans is an iconic bike.

I had the 990 SMT. Jerkiest throttle I ever experienced on a bike. Totally unsuitable for off road. Also it was the thirstiest bike I ever owned. Mine had trouble consuming less than 0.7l per every 10th km. Also way too heavy for this kind of thing. And he’s sporting hard cases. Not ideal for the kind of riding he did in the clip

name of wind deflector?

He won't be sitting up on that bike 😂 you ride them straight to the chiropractor, with a spare cclutch cable in your pocket, so you can make it back.

JFC! You could at least TRY: Moto Gooot-sy for Pietro's sake. Like Gucci but with Z's. I owned a 1976 gray LeMans 850 and raced a 1978 red version like yours in USA "Battle of the Twins" events on the west coast. The linked brake was a challenge to avoid rear wheel hop. Hearing one go again was nice, thanks...but PLEASE learn how to pronounce the f___king name, OK?

The bike is not at all maligned it is a classic from a bygone era of harden motorcyclist who loved long distance touring. Non of us are owners we are custodians of this truly wonderful machine.

Nice review. Thanks.

love from Nepal. cheers for crf250l and for rider.

The "Gah"zzi hurts the ear, it's "Goo"zzi.

I wonder if my 5'-8" self can fit on this bike, it's on my bucket list and I'm thinking of looking for one soon.

I am a 78 yo Dutch male.I owned a V7 750 and a 850 GT. I often made holiday in the North of Italy and met Sgr Luciano Gazzola who was a test driver for Moto Guzzi and did Le Mans racing , together with Luciano Piazzalunga. I even met ingegnere Giulio Carcano. He had left Guzzi and designed sailing yachts. He circled around in Mandello on a trotter moped. He and his wife were cat lovers and they had about 15 cats. When I met Carcano for the second time he remembered only my dog, a beautiful Irish Setter.😢

Where is Tokyo?

Please please please learn to pronounce Guzzi correctly. Double "zz" is pronounced "ts" as in pizza.

I have a 1100 California 1997 its bye far the best bike I've ever had

The V85TT has quite a power advantage over the R80 and the ABS is a substantial plus. For me the Guzzi for an easy win. I bought a new airhead R100 gs in the 90s hands down the worst bike I've ever owned out of about 20 bikes. I'm not anti BMW, I still have a 1991 R100RS and it's a fantastic machine. Having said all that I enjoyed you video. 👍

I had one in the 1980's. I fitted a fast action throttle. Also mastered clean clutchless gearchanges which only require a small and momentary backing off of the throttle on the way up. Having ridden two big Dukes,, I can say with certainty that while Guzzi handled well, the Duke was better. The Le Mans in Mk II form was more practical as daily transport, even if it didn't look as pretty as the Mk 1. Still a big character though. The look of those big cylinders sticking out from under the tank is still a pleasure to behold. I thrashed the nuts off my Guzzi. Loved it. By the standards of the day, for road riding, it was more than adequate to fend off just about anything on a twisty road and most things bar big Japs in a straight line. Happy days.

Fantastic

Lovely bike. Been looking at one of these. Great looking bike.

I owned an R80GS for 15 years did everything on it. Since then I have a Guzzi 1100 Breva and a Harley. I recently bought an 85tt travel as it was the nearest thing to the R80 on the market. What a great bike, light nimble, and all day comfortable. I also like the fact that there are not dozens of them everywhere you go..

Es fällt nicht leicht zu entscheiden wer schöner ist , das Motorrad oder die Fahrerin 😂 wenn Owen mit ,,beiden" wenig Probleme hat dann hat er den Jackpot gewonnen 😊

Wow! Goosebumps and tingles. Fucking marvellous!

interesting comparison. Having ridden a late 80's R100 for a decade and a half, and then switched to a Moto Guzzi CARC (Breva 1100, Sport 1200) model, I would say your observations are quite apt. I will say the handling on my Breva/Sport was flawless off the showroom, where as you have done, the BMW required significant suspension upgrades to reach the same level. The serious degradation of the BMW's electrics prompted the move, but then I spent two years rewiring the Guzzi electrics to assure it would start when you push the button. Living in the USA, it does seem that parts and support were easier to come by on the BMW. Final word is I love my Guzzis, character, sound, looks, handling. Don't think I'll ever sell.

Hi Owen what size anakee wilds would fit on the back? suspect 120 max?