Are you talking about the pegaso with the 650 rotax engine ?
If so, I always thought they were so much more better designed than the BMW f650, which used the same engine.
I suppose it was Italian flare over German understatement.
I must admit, after running an F650GS, the V Strom is super smooth, and using an engine that pulls cleanly from under 3000 rpm is a godsend, no quick changing down to get going again.