Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.

Nearly a century before GPS coordinates, heated grips, and waterproof Gore-Tex membranes became standard adventure brochure bullet points, Giuseppe Guzzi rode a rigid-frame Moto Guzzi GT 500 single-cylinder machine solo from Mandello del Lario to Norway’s Arctic Circle in 1927. To commemorate that historic 6,000-kilometre expedition, Moto Guzzi teamed up with Italian outdoor heritage brand Napapijri at EICMA 2026 to globally unveil the limited-production Moto Guzzi V85 TT Napapijri.

While modern adventure bikes increasingly resemble sterile spaceships bristling with millimeter-wave radar and touchscreen sub-menus, the V85 TT Napapijri leans heavily into mechanical authenticity, classical shaft-drive touring, and rugged Italian cold-weather exploration.

Transverse 853cc V-Twin Retains Shaft Drive and VVT Torque

The Moto Guzzi V85 TT Napapijri is mechanically anchored by Mandello’s air-and-oil-cooled 853cc transverse 90-degree V-twin engine featuring variable valve timing (VVT), outputting 80 metric horsepower (58.8 kW) at 7,750 rpm and 83 Nm of peak torque at 5,100 rpm. Critically for high-mileage all-weather touring, 90 percent of that torque is available from just 3,500 rpm, delivered to the 17-inch rear spoked wheel through an enclosed shaft drive with a cast aluminum single-sided swingarm.

Dressed in a striking “Nordkapp” colorway, the machine combines an Arctic white fuel tank with contrasting red and blue graphics inspired by the Norwegian flag and Napapijri’s iconic Rainforest outerwear. The geographical coordinates of Nordkapp (71°10‘21” N) are laser-etched onto the fuel tank flank, while the top handlebar clamp carries an individually numbered co-branded badge. Chassis hardware includes 41mm inverted front forks with adjustable preload and rebound damping (170 mm travel) and an offset lateral monoshock (170 mm travel), rolling on tubeless cross-spoke wheels with a 19-inch front hoop.

“Giuseppe Guzzi proved in 1927 that real exploration is about mechanical dependability and the determination to keep riding through freezing drizzle. This partnership with Napapijri builds the exact kit he would pack today.”

The Rider’s Trade-Off: Shaft-Drive Cleanliness Versus Longitudinal Inertia

Equipping a middleweight travel enduro with an enclosed cardan shaft drive is a blessing for riders who refuse to crawl around in freezing mud with a can of chain lube after a 700 km day. Shaft drive eliminates chain stretch, sprockets, and daily maintenance entirely.

However, mechanical reality dictates a trade-off: the shaft assembly and bevel gearbox add roughly 7 kg of unsprung mass compared to a traditional chain-and-sprocket setup. Furthermore, the longitudinal crankshaft layout means blipping the throttle at a mountain standstill produces Moto Guzzi’s signature clockwise chassis rocking torque. While seasoned Guzzisti consider that pulsing heartbeat essential character, riders stepping off smooth inline-triples or parallel-twins like The Trip 500 will feel the reciprocating mass when muscling the bike through tight switchbacks.

Factory Arctic Kit: Bering Waxed Canvas Luggage and Standard Heat

Unlike base showroom models that require raiding the accessories catalogue to survive an Alpine autumn, the Napapijri edition rolls off the Mandello line with factory winter touring kit. Standard equipment includes three-stage heated handgrips, a dual-zone heated comfort saddle embroidered with geometric Napapijri patterns, an extended high-protection touring windscreen, and an aluminum crankcase sump guard.

Each bike comes bundled with Napapijri’s bespoke Bering Bag travel duffel, manufactured from heavy-duty “Pronto Intervento” waxed cotton canvas designed to strap securely across the rear aluminum luggage rack. Rider tech is centered on a 5-inch full-color TFT display running the Moto Guzzi MIA multimedia platform, providing smartphone turn-by-turn navigation, cornering ABS, and four dedicated ride maps (Touring, Rain, Road, and Off-Road).

Technical Comparison: Moto Guzzi V85 TT Napapijri Versus Middleweight Tourers

Specification Moto Guzzi V85 TT Napapijri BMW F 900 GS Adventure Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro
Engine Architecture 853cc Transverse 90° V-Twin 895cc Parallel-Twin 888cc T-Plane Inline-Triple
Final Drive Enclosed Cardan Shaft O-Ring Chain O-Ring Chain
Maximum Output 80 hp @ 7,750 rpm 105 hp @ 8,500 rpm 108 hp @ 9,500 rpm
Peak Torque 83 Nm @ 5,100 rpm 93 Nm @ 6,750 rpm 90 Nm @ 6,850 rpm
Suspension Travel 170 mm F / 170 mm R 230 mm F / 215 mm R 180 mm F / 170 mm R
Fuel Tank Capacity 23 Litres 23 Litres 20 Litres
Standard Cold-Weather Kit Heated Seat / Grips / Waxed Bag Heated Grips Heated Grips / Seat
European Showroom Price €14,499 €14,750 €16,195

At €14,499 in European dealerships, the V85 TT Napapijri trades the raw top-end horsepower of the Next-Gen Triumph Tiger 900 Rally for shaft-drive durability, a massive 23-litre fuel capacity yielding over 450 km of highway range, and authentic heritage that Chinese newcomers like the Benda Capra 700 simply cannot buy.

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Official source: https://www.motoguzzi.com/en_EN/news/v85-tt-napapijri-eicma-2026/

Reporting via: eicma.it