VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P105
revs (around 1500 rpm). It's be-
tween 3000 and 6000 rpm where the
engine truly excels. Here, you can
cruise sedately for miles, enjoying
the seamless transfer of power from
gearbox to driveshaft in a laid-back,
quintessentially Italian manner.
If you're after a sharper, sportier
ride and want to keep the eagle
on the side of the tank, you'll need
the water-cooled Stelvio, but if you
prefer to recline and enjoy a bit of
Mondello Del Lario flair, the V85
Strada is the ticket.
While that distinctive character
is there, it has been smoothed out
quite comprehensively, giving you
smooth access to the abundant
low-end torque that is more geared
towards leisurely riding and doesn't
like to be rushed into the higher revs.
There's adequate performance when
you get there, but it feels hurried, a
bit vibey, and doesn't make the rider
feel the bike is happy being there.
Once I hooked fifth gear, I was
pleasantly surprised by how the
engine effortlessly pulled from low
The V85 TT Travel
can hold its own on
the dirt, but it's more
of a long-distance
touring machine
than anything else.
