Tag Archives: Jupiter’s Traveller

In (Someone Else’s) Workshop

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The V85 has been a revelation. At last an adventure motorcycle that gets attention for its blend of classic styling, modern technology, and versatility. The V85TT features a retro-inspired design that pays homage to Moto Guzzi’s heritage while incorporating contemporary elements including classic styling and build quality. The power output at around 80 horsepower and 80 Nm of torque delivers balanced performance suitable for both on-road and off-road use with the Guzzi unique transverse V-twin layout providing a distinct sound and feel and a maintenance-free shaft drive, which is a boon for me and moving forth chain drive on the XT660Z.

The V85 has long-travel suspension (170mm front and rear) and in my experience can handle rough terrain while providing a comfortable ride on tarmac and its spoked wheels (19-inch front and 17-inch rear) are fitted with tubeless Dunlop Trailmax Meridian dual-purpose tires, making my V85TT capable of tackling both tarmac and light dirt trails. The bike has all the expected technology, riding modes, traction control and switchable ABS, TFT display full LED lighting, self cancelling indicators, cruse control, heated grips and Brembo breaks. The tank is 23 litres and in reality that’s 250 miles of high speed riding or almost 350 at a more gentle sedate “bimbling” pace.

Its not a common bike in the UK or northern Europe and I often get asked what’s it like… its about as analogue as you can get in a modern E5 bike, with loads of character and is the smaller Italian twin to its German big brother and sub £10K new its a bargain. If you have not ridden one go for a test ride… you won’t regret it.

Its Been a While – Navigating Challenges

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Blimey, it’s been a while since I popped in here for an update, due partly to everything that has been going on. The cycle of life and death, redundancy, loss of identity, being disowned by a child and then covid injury just all seemed to get in the way. I needed some help to rebuild my resilience – and without Mary I don’t think I would have survived. What did I learn though is that resilience is often described as the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, it’s not just about enduring hardship but thriving in spite of them and the idea that just ‘one more thing’ could break you. For me resilience involves a combination of mental, emotional, and physical capabilities that help me cope with and overcome personal challenges. Life is inherently unpredictable, from personal losses to professional setbacks, stress is an inevitable part of the human experience – and those who follow my unpredictable travel path would I think, say I am pretty good at dealing with the unexpected. On the road you need to build your resilience to be better equipped to manage the unexpected effectively – you need (mental health) tools in your kit bag to solve issues, some you may have already and others you will need help in acquiring. Be ready for the unexpected and enjoy the ride.

Time for a change?

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Running any older vehicle in the UK gets more expensive and more challenging year on year. I am in favour of air quality and vehicle safety improvements but I sometimes think regulators miss the whole life carbon cost of cars and bikes. With that in mind and now considering the Defender 90, Mary’s Vauxhall and one of my old bikes is now not allowed into London without paying the ULEZ or LEZ or congestion charge it was time for a change. With the R1150GSA tucked up in the workshop the XT660Z moved onto a new owner… enter a Moto Guzzi V85TT. 850cc, shaft drive, tubeless, all LED, cruse control and importantly E5 approved. With more and more cities imposing emissions regulations this bike should keep me free of charges for a few more years.

Reminders of things past

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Facebook is a funny old thing… I keep getting reminders of all the bike trips I have taken over the years and for some reason a collection of Euro Tunnel tickets stuck to bike petrol tanks seems to be the most evocative. I have a habit of leaving the UK at the end of August (coincides with the children back to school timeline) and travelling north east, ending up somewhere in eastern Estonia, normally then boarding cargo ferry back to Germany via Tallinn, Ventspils or Klaipėda – I love the wild meanderings on the R1150GSA or more recently the lighter and easier to handle XT660Z, with no particular plan or route in mind I manage a few hundred back road or gravel track miles each day, either camping or stopping in last minute rooms overnight — roll on 2022 and resumed long distance multi country rides.

Teithiau Dydd XT660Z yng Nghanolbarth Cymru

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Or “Day Trips on the XT660Z in Mid Wales”… Just down the road from the Overland Workshop is Llyn Brianne, test rides and day trips over the Epynt Army Range will lead inevitable to the circular route round Brianne, and in all honesty it is possible to ride a few hundred miles in 7 or 8 hours and avoid most of the traffic on the coastal roads running south from Aberstwyth. I have like many, missed the opportunity for overseas tours so have been making the most of what we have to offer here in the UK, which to be honest, is quite a lot. I dragged the XT660Z out of the workshop and loaded up the MetalMules with lunch and randomly set off on a back road bumble – 7 hours later I was back home… time flies for me on the bike – its a great mental health reset.