How do I best manage the power delivery on a low-rev Guzzi?

The concern about over-stressing a V-twin during long hauls is common, but for this specific type of engine, the stress usally comes from erratic riding rather than steady cruising. You are right that the power feels different, and that difference is rooted in how the engine delivers its torque. You don't need to be looking for peak horsepower; you're riding a torque monster that's just designed to deliver that power smoothly through the low to mid-range. If you are constantly pushing the throttle to find more speed, you are putting unnecessary strain on the cooling and internal components. The technique here isn't about pushing the engine hard; it's about maintaining a steady cadence that lets the engine work efficiently. Think of it less like a race and more like keeping a powerful diesel running. Once you hit that comfortable zone—say, in the 2500 to 3500 rpm band—you want to ride in it as long as possable without over-revving. When you need to maintain speed for hundreds of miles, try planning your shifts to keep that torque curve utilized without letting the engine dwell at extremely high revolutions. If you feel the power thinning, it’s usually beacuse you've climbed too far past the peak torque band and the engine is asking for too much air and fuel to maintain speed. Downshifting slightly and letting the engine settle back into that strong midrange feeling is often the best way to smooth out the ride and conserve energy.

I’ve done some similar long hauls on these types of cruisers, and the biggest mistake riders make is treating them like a sport bike, trying to constantly find the upper limit. They are designed to be relaxed, powerful cruisers. Trust the low-end pull, stay in the comfortable power band, and the bike will handle the miles without feeling pushed to its limit.

Rode one of these on a long haul years back and the thing that made the difference wasn't rpm management, it was the highway gearing. In top gear I was lugging a bit at legal speeds, and the old school fix was simple, ride one gear lower and let it hum. Sounded busy to my ear but the engine ran cooler and the vibration in the bars went away. Also do what we used to do on big summer trips, a five minute break every fuel stop with the engine off. The old timers I learned from swore by it and they put serious miles on machines with half the engineering this thing has.

Agree with the gearing comment 100%. I toured on a big twin for years and riding one gear lower felt wrong the first day, then I never went back. My fuel range actually got better once I stopped lugging it, went from filling around 140 miles to closer to 170 between stops. Also the steadier throttle thing is real, mine ran noticeably cooler on the flat stretches when I just picked a speed and left it alone instead of rolling on and off every few seconds.

The engine will outlast your body long before you stress it out. Last summer I did six 500-plus mile days in a row on mine and the motor never even got warm sitting at 70 all afternoon, but my right knee and wrists were wrecked by day three. Adjust the levers so your wrists stay straight, stand up on the pegs for a minute every fuel stop, and don't skip breaks just because the bike feels fresh. I learned that lesson the hard way, and a sore rider makes sloppy throttle inputs, which is actually what wears these motors out.

Update: took the gearing advice and dropped down a gear on the highway today, about 300 miles. Felt wierd at first hearing it spin higher but it pulled so much smoother and the throttle stopped feeling thin at speed. Also fixed my lever angle like the last poster said, wrists straight and no ache after hours in the saddle.