VOL- UME 57 ISSUE 27 JULY 7, 2020 P61
Under the hood is the
same 90° transverse, OHV,
two-valve V-twin pumping out
a claimed 80 horsepower
at 7750 rpm and 59 lb-ft of
torque at 5000 rpm to the
maintenance-free driveshaft
(no chains here). Those num-
bers aren't going to trouble
any of the 800cc and up
ADV bikes currently on sale
from KTM or BMW, but the
Guzzi still runs three separate
ECU modes of Street, Rain
and Off-Road, although none
of them allow you to actu-
ally vary the power output.
Instead, the modes allow you
to change the ABS, traction
control, throttle response
and the engine braking set-
tings. Off-Road mode goes
a step further by allowing
you to disengage the ABS
altogether for when you head
off the tarmac.
Rather annoyingly, the
modes are adjusted via the
starter button on the right
side, which can be a bit
confusing and doesn't always
engage the first time you use
it. On the other hand, I quite
like the elegant little cruise
control switch on the left
handlebar, even if the opera-
tion is likewise a little clunky.
Another annoying trait of the
cruise control is when you're
riding with the system turned
on but not engaged, a light
continually flickers on and off
on the dash. You either need
to turn the system off entirely
or use it everywhere for the
light to leave your view. Odd.
The chassis is also the
same across the three mod-
els in tubular steel (minus
the bottom cradle) that uses
the motor as a stressed
member. Suspension is the
(Above) The huge
side cases pass
the helmet test
easily. (Below)
Guzzi really
struck a chord
with the Sabbia
Namib sand color
scheme.
