Moto Guzzi Stelvio

[TommyBwell]

I have not replaced my Tenere yet (I haven't seen an ES in Georgia) and haven't been able to get the Stelvio out of my head. I have read everything I could find on it and felt I had a pretty good handle on its shortcomings. I'm not a very good mechanic and owning one scared me but I just couldn't shake it. Yesterday I got to take a test ride and was able to quickly and completely strike it off my list. I figured for all the quirkiness it must be amazing to drive or why would you get one. I do love the look and seeing an orange one for the first time really cranked my tractor. I was so excited when I rolled out but it quickly turned in to the old Wendy's commercial "Where's the Beef". It did nothing for me. The motor was nice but nothing great to me. It does drop in to corners nicely but that was about it. No way I could justify the trials of Guzzi ownership for it. That said it was nice to get to ride it so I no longer have it in the back of my mind.

 

[snuffcityrider]

I've been lusting after a Griso, not as a replacement but an addition. You've got me wondering if I'd be equally unimpressed after coming off an FZ1.
Guzzi makes some great looking bikes.

 

[Sup-Ten]

Haven't ridden a Stelvio as it's too close to the Tenere style of ride application and in no way could replace my Tenere. I like the Griso but doesn't fit me. I did just add my first Guzzi to the stable though. California 1400 Touring. No miles to speak of yet. I wanted to add a cruiser and that was the one that spoke to me. Tenere is a constant in my garage, other bikes may come and go.


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[TommyBwell]

I've been lusting after a Griso

I think the green Griso with the brown seat is one of the prettiest motorcycles ever built. I have been lusting for a Guzzi ever since I saw two 850 LeMans on a trailer in front of a shop i worked at back in 1978. That's what made yesterday even more disappointing.

 

[Nooner]

The griso is VERY nice - it is a great ride, I did feel the same thing about the Stelvio... I liked everything about it except the way it rode.

I did, however, test ride an Aprillia Caponord TP... OMG!!!! I love it... it doesn't do what the S10 does, but I have always loved the sport touring segment and it is quite simply the best sport tourer I have ever riden - it felt like a modernized Ducati ST4S with modern suspension and driver aids.

 

[Rasher]

I tested the Stelvio back to back with the S10 and really liked it, just not enough to take the Guzzi Gamble.

A great bike and if I HAD to have something a bit different I would have bought one, the Caponord also lights my fire, I refuse to test one just in case it is too good to resist, or at least not until I feel wealthy enough not to care about the potentially high maintenance costs - if I could afford a new bike every two years then I probably would have bought the Stelvio and traded it for the Caponord by now.

 

[gregarious13]

Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

New member here....Currently on my second FJR 1300, and looking to switch for more leg room being 6'4". I know this is a ST forum, but does anyone have experience with the Stelio? Flame away!

Gregarious

 

[Checkswrecks]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

I rode one in Europe and if you think the FJR is tight on leg room I think you won't be very impressed by the Stelio. It was a fun bike and I could see why people like the friendly nature of it but seemed short from my knees to the pegs.

 

[rbmcmjr]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

While I have no experience with a Stelvio, I found that my 6'4" knees were constantly tangling with the jugs on both my LeMans and SPIII. The knee armor in my pants pulled extra duty.

 

[Squibb]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

Attracted by that iconic engine design & strong recommendations from some Stelvio owners I met touring in the Alps, I booked a test ride.

It's OK I suppose, if you like that sort of bike. Legroom seemed acceptable for me at 6.0ft, but the whole thing felt like riding on top of a wobbly jelly. I guess it's the torque reaction from that huge lump, but it seemed more disconcerting, when compared with say the BMW boxer in the GS. Lots of heat from those cylinders too, particularly in traffic.

Each to their own I guess - I shall stick with the S10 (2014ES) thanks.

Ride Safe ............................. KEN

 

[gregarious13]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

I tested one about a year ago, and it had just as much legroom as the ST, at least to me. Anyone that can chime that has owned both, or taken extended rides on both? Thanks everyone!

 

[kgfire]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

The Stelvio has TONS of character but the air cooled engine feels like an antique compared to the Tenere. Seating position is good but your knees are just inches away from those cylinders and they do put out a fair amount of heat. Power is good but it's a torquer and vibrates above 6000rpm. The Guzzi has an impressive amount of standard equipment including heavy duty side cases, lighting and heated grips all at a bargain price. I can see why owners love these bikes in spite or maybe because of of their flaws ( I mean character ). If I had a really good dealer close by I wouldn't hesitate buying one.

 

[silvergoose]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

I own a 2009 Stelvio and a 2007 MG Norge. The machine are great. Valve adjustments are easy as the heads are out in the open, true heat from the engine can be a bother in the summer, but what does not suffer in the summer. The Stelvio has an upright seating postion, a great lump of a engine. If the engine is running it will pull you, the torque is available anytime. As far as vibration the engine never needs to pull more than 6000-6200 rpms. At that speed you have broken every speed limit in the states. The Norge is a class act also in the sport touring world, two up, luggage all day miles.

I also have the Super Tenere, great bike, I like the lack of maint. requried and the large number of dealers. I my opinion the ST and the Stelvio live in the same world. Large bikes, plenty of Horsepower, can and will go anywhere you have the skill and common sense to go. Both bikes will outlive me, while giving back a great deal of pleasure.

As far as knee clearance use lowered pegs no problems, if being asked about you bike at every stop, do not buy the MG Stelvio.

Good Luck

 

[greg the pole]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

A buddy in Edmonton bought a stelvio brand spank.
it was in and out of the shop for various reasons.
Last visit lasted a couple of months, as he was having shaft issues.
Dealer ordered parts, factory sent the wrong parts some time later.
Much much later, they couldn't sort out the problem, and ended up replacing the entire shaft drive system.

No my tenere has not been fault free with shaft issues (main seal, and outer seal went).
Main seal was a pita to change, but could have been prevented if the swing arm plug didnt fall out.

happy shopping.

 

[gregarious13]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

Thanks all. I have decided to get a Tenere ES.. I appreciate everyone's input

 

[2112]

Re: Tenere ES vs Stelvio NTX

I test rode the Stelvio and S10 (and GS and Caponord and Explorer etc) and bought a Guzzi Stelvio ! I had it for 3 1/4 years and loved it, the quirky engine characteristics, the superb (on road) handling and the comfort, well once I got a screen set up to work that is. It never had any problems that stopped it going, although the fuel sender broke on the way home from picking it up and then again after being replaced at the first service. The oil pressure sensor packed up causing untold stress and it ate front disc brakes - I had three sets under warranty and I'm not a hard breaker... All in all I did 11,500 miles in the time I had it and loved it, well apart from the appetite for Grimecca Disc's. When littledave got his S10 I was impressed and gave them another visit, the things I really didn't like were still there but easily fixed (seat, screen & footpegs) so I bought one. That was two years ago and I'm still happy with the S10 ::008::

 

[Checkswrecks]

Merged the two Stelio threads here.

 

[Scouse]

I've owned two Stelvios. Got the first one new in 2009, loved it but found the fuel tank at 18litres a bit too small. Apart from a speedo sensor playing up in heavy rain, and a misfire caused by the crappy standard plug caps (cured by fitting NGK items) the bike was superb. In 2011 I traded it in for the new model with the much larger fuel tank, ABS and traction control. Very hard to fault the bike, but I have an old hand wrist injury which the heavy Stelvio clutch was causing me issues, plus the high centre of gravity with the large tank led me to trading in for the S10 and it's lighter clutch, lower centre of gravity......I also wanted shaft drive and not a BMW.
Is the S10 a better bike? I don't think so, but it's the equal of the Guzzi in many ways except for character (that oh so indefinable thing) and the excellent Brembo brakes on the Guzzi. I also think the Stelvio is easier to maintain, but not too much in it really.
Anyhow, I'm very happy with my S10, but only done 7500mls on it so far.

 

[Stridey]

I've had both too.

Plus & Minus points for both.

Stelvio
+ bigger tank
+ comfiest OEM seat I've ever ridden
+ loads of character and sound and power of the v twin. Easier servicing but needs valves looking at every 6k miles.
- does have some reliability issues
- front brakes on OEM Grimeca discs can cause front suspension to hop a bit when applied lightly say in traffic. Discs warp easy. Fit other better discs.
- less dealers and longer parts supply if out of stock in uk
- too heavy compared to S10
- not as good off-road.
- spoked wheels (NTX) can leak at spokes
- will it be deleted from production soon?

S10
+ no reliability issues so far.
+ brill linked brake system
+ decent electronic traction control and ABS
+ cruise control on Gen 2
+ two engine modes
- smaller range from tank
- seat is a bit of a pain in the a**e
- a bit soulless in stock trim but helped by a decent after market exhaust

I'm sure there are more plus/minus points for both but the big thing for me is reliability and not worrying if I will make it home. I had some issues with the Stelvio mechanically which put me off it.
It's great pedigree bike but I'm not sure is Piaggio group have there heart in keeping the limited sales of the big block bikes going. At NEC bike show last year no sign of a Stelvio or Norge and I asked where they are and marketing dept says no room on stand! The smaller V7 size bikes are what Piaggio want to sell as they sell more. Makes sense I suppose.
Just my two penneth worth.
Cheers


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[oldbear]

I rode a Stelvio before I bought my S10. Nice bike, but I found it a touch top heavy (large tank of fuel maybe?) and a touch awkward at low speed. The motor pulled go but seemed a touch agricultural to me. The overall feel, coupled with the paucity of dealers and the numerous "quirks" noted on the MG website convinced me I'd be happier on an S10. I'm glad I went with Yamaha, but the Goose was a pretty cool bike. I also got to ride a Norge and liked it a lot. Again though, the scarcity of dealers and noted electrical gremlins kinda put me off. If there was a decent dealer within 100 miles or so of me I'd be tempted to try one of the MC bikes. They build some good looking machines, and the guys that have them tend to like them a lot..