Moto Guzzi Stelvio 2011 review [ashonbikes.com]

[BobW]

BlueRidge is a stand up non Kool Aid drinking kind of guy that rides his GS 12 months a year as his daily transport and we have plenty of real winter for anyone in  a car let alone on a motorcycle. I owe him a ride on my Stelvio, but I just sold her  . Not for any "bad" reason, I found a Futura I had always wanted to own and I promised my uber supportive wife to only do 1 bike at a time.

Having owned a 07 R1200R that I sold for my Stelvio and having run everything from track days to cross country camping trips on these two bikes I can share my $.02. The BMW is a beautiful motorcycle and has some extra points in fit, finish and a few better integrated options (alt output, switch gear, computer, "better"? designed tubeless rims if so equipped).  The Guzzi is equipped with a smoother transmission, beefier final drive and even though HP/Tourque is close on paper, I LOVED my "early" version 5 motor to the point it was what made me sell the BMW. I hope the new "detuned" version didn't muck up the sex appeal too much. The suspension on both is a draw, there were qualities of both that I liked, conventional forks do give better feed back, but the stability of the BMW is beneficial in certain situations too. I had a great dealership for both bikes, 80 miles away for MG and 110 for BMW. I do much of my own servicing, warranty for both was a non issue nor was availability of parts, etc. and neither ever stranded me, YRMV. BTW, I ride all year and average 15,000-20,000 miles a year, rain, snow, etc.

You can't go wrong with either. The BMW is likely easier to sell down the road and the MG is more fun. Value is in the eye of the rider or poser, but anyone dismissing the MG on Kool Aid alone is cheating themselves from enjoying one of the true gems of modern motorcycling regardless the price point.

Cheers

[Roadscum]

Nice stated! Thanks for that......  

Regards, PAul

[BlueRidgeKat]

And that brings up another point. Why do you never see a pillion on the back of GS's? Do none of their riders have girlfriends?

This is certainly not the case all the time but I have noticed a number of wifes/girlfriends of GS riders following behind on their OWN BMW. Often its a 650 not a 1200..... but still it seems I see more couples riding BMW's together than anything else.... Harleys excluded.

This has turned into the big German vs. the big Italian... so where does the super huge, super heavy, Super Tenere fit in with these two? I have only sat on the big Tenere but have to say it is one comfy pig. I like the Stelvio and the Norge and even looked hard at a Breva 1100 once, but the dealers/service are so far away for me. There are Yamaha dealers all around me (2 within 15 minutes and another within 25 mintues). Still I'm going to have a Italian girl one day, Guzzi, Aprilia or Ducati, love them all.

[Dean]

This is certainly not the case all the time but I have noticed a number of wifes/girlfriends of GS riders following behind on their OWN BMW. Often its a 650 not a 1200..... but still it seems I see more couples riding BMW's together than anything else.... Harleys excluded.

This has turned into the big German vs. the big Italian... so where does the super huge, super heavy, Super Tenere fit in with these two? I have only sat on the big Tenere but have to say it is one comfy pig. I like the Stelvio and the Norge and even looked hard at a Breva 1100 once, but the dealers/service are so far away for me. There are Yamaha dealers all around me (2 within 15 minutes and another within 25 mintues). Still I'm going to have a Italian girl one day, Guzzi, Aprilia or Ducati, love them all.

If you believe you need a dealer next door a GUZZI is not for you. Once you get it set up right you shouldn't have any problems. The newer one are even better than the older one for coming out of the box ready to ride. Sure there is some dealer prep but they all need that. I've got two of the damn things and wouldn't want anything else except one of the New Stelvios.

My 2002 California EV will probably never be sold, not in love with the style (clone cruiser) but God does she eat some miles up while traveling. A truly comfortable riding machine.  I could lose the Breva 1100 for the Stelvio. Not that there is anything wrong with it, a great ride, a fun bike to own up in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. Yet I've taken it to New York, Illinois, Louisiana and other places that are a few miles from home. I consider the Stelvio to be a GREAT touring machine with some extra suspension travel. I said when they announced they were bringing out the Stelivo, that it would be Guzzi's version of the Multistrada. I still think that.


Dean

[Gee-Tee]

This is a picture of the Touring version with cast wheels.

[KKop]

I like the look of most Guzzi's, have two dealers fairly close by, and although I love my R1200 GSAdv, I wouldn't mind going Italian for a change.
Unfortunately, all of the lusting after Guzzis comes to a swift end when I actually sit on one: knees hit the jugs or are very, very close to them.  Game over.

Until the Japanese and Italian manufacturers start taking into account riders taller than their national averages, I won't be able to ride one.  Have owned Honda, Yamaha, and Kawa in the past and was happy with them.  However, BMW has now spoiled me as far as ergonomics for taller than average riders, and I will not be going back to a cramped riding position.

Pity...

[WitchCityBallabio]

I like the look of most Guzzi's, have two dealers fairly close by, and although I love my R1200 GSAdv, I wouldn't mind going Italian for a change.
Unfortunately, all of the lusting after Guzzis comes to a swift end when I actually sit on one: knees hit the jugs or are very, very close to them.  Game over.

Until the Japanese and Italian manufacturers start taking into account riders taller than their national averages, I won't be able to ride one.  Have owned Honda, Yamaha, and Kawa in the past and was happy with them.  However, BMW has now spoiled me as far as ergonomics for taller than average riders, and I will not be going back to a cramped riding position.

Pity...

You hit your knees on the Stelvio with the seat in the highest position? Jesus....how tall are you?  

[GeoAggie]

Any Stelvio owners coming from a GS?  How does engine smoothness at cruising speeds compare (i.e., 70-80 mph)?  I find the 2010 GS motor on the cam head a bit buzzier than expected, especially around 4500 rpm which is about the range in 6th gear for long distance work . . . . thanks!

Jeff