Moto Guzzi Stelvio

[Sierra1]

No connection other than the name of the pass. . . .

I knew about the pass. (that's the one that strummer keeps "forcing" us to look at) But I'm surprised that two different companies use the same name. Couldn't imagine a Chevy Mustang being allowed.

On the other hand, I do remember my family having a Plymouth Suburban back in the '60s.

 

[ZigZag]

I knew about the pass. (that's the one that strummer keeps "forcing" us to look at) But I'm surprised that two different companies use the same name. Couldn't imagine a Chevy Mustang being allowed.

On the other hand, I do remember my family having a Plymouth Suburban back in the '60s.

I hear what you’re saying. Maybe it’s because the name is on a car and a motorbike?

 

[Donk]

Gina Lollobridgida has one of each the car and the bike.

 

[Sierra1]

Gina Lollobridgida has one of each the car and the bike.

Wow, you must be old. My dad used to have the hots for her.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I knew about the pass. (that's the one that strummer keeps "forcing" us to look at) But I'm surprised that two different companies use the same name. Couldn't imagine a Chevy Mustang being allowed.

On the other hand, I do remember my family having a Plymouth Suburban back in the '60s.

fwiw - The Guzzi Stelvio name was introduced in 2007 and the Alfa in 2016.

 

[Donk]

I was just babbling about recognizable Italian names. I think I had her and Sophia Loren confused anyway.

 

[Donk]

Moto Guzzi dealer caller me yesterday said they had a new Stelvio if I wanted to come see it. Said I'd be up later in the day. They called back an hour later and apologized, I guess it came I a week ago but sold and was delivered on Friday. That was a bit of a tease.

It seems the Stelvio is generating more interest than the Mandello. They sell every Stelvio in a matter of days and they still have a leftover '23 Mandello sitting there. Maybe it's just the adventure bike vs sport touring bike? Both are really nice bikes.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I’ve ridden several Mandellos now and even have the hat. They’re nice and are at home riding twisty mountain roads. Think FJR in seating but 100 lbs lighter and less rocket power.
Stelvio does all that, can keep going when the road turns to gravel, and is more comfortable for multiple long days. We rode 2-up for several hours on Sunday and I was shocked to hear she prefers this to the V85TT. Says the rear seat is wider and flatter.
(Says the guy with a whopping 600-ish miles.)

 

[Sierra1]

Looking at the two bikes, it's hard (for me) to tell the difference between them. I assume it's the seating position and spring rate? I'm sure the 'Guzzi faithful can list a slew of differences.

 

[Donk]

Need to see a picture of the hat! Might have to chase one down

 

[gunnar#1]

I have a 2013 Stelvio and it has a lot of similarities to the Tenere, Im guessing because they were both designed off the 1200 GS BMW, I almost bought another Tenere but thought to myself life is short ride something different.. My Stelvio is not as good off pavement as the Tenere, incredibly it feels bigger too. I have has several Guzzi's over the years, I have to go test ride the new one I guess. The old one has a lot of charm that you just can't find anywhere else, but it is a double edged sword in some ways, it has quirks that I am not sure I can live with long term. I rode my 2012 Tenere to Alaska in 2016 doing 14,000 in 30 days and I must say there is no way in hell I would attempt that ride on my Guzzi. In the end I just dont trust it, also the calcium Chloride they put on the roads up there just ate up my Tenere, I can't imagine what it would do to the Guzzi.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I've mentioned how the original seat was one of my few complaints because the rear seat projection sits under the tail bone. Put a 1.4" gel pad on and that really helped me be able to ride for hours but it's just not the firm flat base of a real seat so bought the Guzzi heated tall seat ($300) and it's taken care of things. Like that the new one is a solid inch+ taller overall and flatter but it is the slight increase in the rear that does the trick. Still fairly firm and maybe someday I'll have a new custom seat built on the original pan but this works well for now.

 

[Donk]

Checkswrecks I know you're busy and all but any chance of getting an update on the Stelvio? There's a used one I sort of have an eye on.
Did your bike come with a quick shifter and if not is it an option?
Is stock seat height really less than S10?
Thanks

 

[Checkswrecks]

Timely questions. This is fast becoming an all time favorite for me but it took a bit of tweaking. (As opposed to twerking)

The stock seat is indeed slightly smaller and is lower than the Tenere. It feels smaller than it is because of a bump projecting forward from the back seat, as I've mentioned before. As mentioned two posts up, the ($300) optional high seat has taken care of that. I can go for hours now and enjoy doing so.

Definitely more road oriented than the Super Tenere but fine on gravel and easy dirt. Really like how easy it is to inhibit the ABS/TCS with the OFF-ROAD mode.button. Can even go in and set custom levels for each. Biggest negative is still the stupidly high idle of 1,300 rpm, which means it clunks heavily when going into first gear. Mostly gotten used to it but still kinda bugs me. (and others)

The PFF ones with optional radar can have the quick shifter. Had one on the Triumph and tried it on a Stelvio and it just doesn't do much for me. Guess I'm just too ingrained and besides, if not hammering the throttle the bike shifts fine without the clutch.

Added a few things over the last week or so, including aux lights, Hella horn (a MUST have), Top box (still from Tenere), GPS mount printed by my son from "Thingiverse", radiator guard, and tape to keep junk out of the radiator.

All in all so far, it's a keeper.

Horn and radiator guard. Note below that the Stelvio blocks air from coming up thru the fork area to create a quieter pocket for the rider.
I

Tape on rad guard and engine case does not affect cooling. (Want a $kid plate)

 

[Madhatter]

needs a fender extender (but tape works ) .... is a center stand not an option ? it is a good looking motorcycle .

 

[Checkswrecks]

needs a fender extender (but tape works ) .... is a center stand not an option ? it is a good looking motorcycle .

I’m not a fan of fender extenders, hence the tape. Had one extender catch the skid plate which locked up the steering and one before packed with mud.

center stand is an option I just haven’t seen the need for

 

[Checkswrecks]

A couple shots of the cockpit.

These next two are where you don't wonder if you are being watched, the question is by how many and who may be in cover close by. In the distance you'll see what look like big concrete pipes sticking up vertically just above the ground for observation points.

This is behind Camp David. A Blackhawk came thumping just over the trees inbound as I took the photo.

And this is the front gate.

 

[Madhatter]

all makes good sense ... I was never a fan of the extender , but some are . good too know center stand is an option . as for me and motorcycling , I'm taking at least a year off and then I will consider if im going to get back on .... we will see . but a very nice machine to look at . and getting good reviews .

 

[Sierra1]

Which picture had the pipes in it?

 

[Checkswrecks]

Which picture had the pipes in it?

It would have been the dirt road one showing the dash.
But
I know enough to make it a fast shot and scoot, without shooting photos in that direction. Been a few years but one of our MD group did that and suddenly two soldiers drove up to him. They let him go after asking questions about who he was and saying "Don't take photos in that direction" (even though it's not a restricted road).

Old article but still valid showing how much of this underground stuff is in our immediate area. Dirt_Dad used to live extremely close to Mount Weather and I pass the both the (black-site) Olney Federal Support Center twice daily and the NSA HQ a couple times a week. Both of them keep police on the road and immediately go to car that stops.

Bunkers beyond the Beltway | The Center for Land Use Interpretation

THE CENTRALIZATION OF THE FEDERAL government at Washington DC has its obvious drawbacks from a security standpoint. Despite a reportedly extensive underground bunker network in the Capitol region (underground command centers with multiple levels have been built under the East Wing of the White...

clui.org