MOTO-GUZZI STELVIO (2008 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £150 |
| Power: | 76 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (34.1 in / 865 mm) |
| Weight: | Medium (472 lbs / 214 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Stelvio is Moto Guzzi’s answer to the hugely-successful BMW R1200GS. It is brand new from the ground-up featuring a new chassis, suspension, wheels, tyres and Moto Guzzi’s latest 8v 1200cc V-twin motor. Next to the BMW it’s not as fast, light or focussed but it doesn’t take itself as seriously either. It offers up more confidence in the corners compared to its funny-front-ended German rival, and its softer power delivery, seat and suspension make it far more relaxing on long journeys.
Watch the Moto Guzzi Stelvio take on BMW's R1200GS, KTM's 990 Adventure and the Triumph Tiger
Watch the first ride of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineWith its fully-adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks and, fully adjustable rear shock and 180/55 x 17 size rear tyre (something you usually only see on sports bikes), the Moto Guzzi Stelvio really handles when pushed hard. The only limitation to ultimate dry grip is the dual-purpose Pirelli tyres, which don’t have as much contact area with the tarmac as a more lightly treaded road tyre. Comfort, as you would expect from a Guzzi is very good, with a relaxed riding a position and a soft seat, which has two height settings. Although it has radial-mounted Brembo calipers, again only usually seen on a sports bike, the bite and feel is lacking. Off-road ability is compromised by a tyre-hugging front mudguard and dual-purpose tyres.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityMoto Guzzi’s new-generation 1151cc V-twin engine and transmission has so far only been seen in the new 8v Griso and 1200 Sport. Gone are the clunky gearboxes and dodgy power deliveries of old-school Guzzis, this new powerplant and the fuel injection system that goes with it is smooth and refined, although it still has a distinctive Italian V-twin edge to it. At traffic lights the Stelvio still rocks from side to side as you blip the throttle like Guzzis are supposed to. There a decent amount of low-down oomph and if you rev it, a good top-end buzz too, but it’s sorely lacking power in the mid-range, just where you need it the most.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueNot only are these new breed of Guzzis more refined than ever before, the build-quality is superb too. The quality of the components used is top-quality, the paintwork is superb and the whole lot is screwed together beautifully. Moto Guzzi is now owned by scooter giant Piaggio and the investment they’ve put into this old historic motorcycling brand really shows in the Stelvio. Like its sister company Aprilia, Moto Guzzi has rigorous durability tests during the development of its new machines, so reliability issues should be a thing of the past.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Moto Guzzi Stelvio is a grand cheaper than the basic R1200GS, which makes it cracking value for this type of machine. It has style, character, is comfortable, handles well and there’s a decent amount of shove when needed, the only blot on its copy book is the lack of mid-range, but Guzzi plan to rectify this before bikes go on sale in the UK in March 2008. Find a Moto Guzzi Stelvio for sale.
Equipment
There are a good number of bells and whistles on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio to keep things interesting, like those high-spec, forks and brakes. You also get shaft drive , a manually adjustable screen and seat, a fully adjustable rear shock with an easy to adjust pre-load knob, spoked wheels, a centre-stand, multi-function LCD dash and a cubby-hole in the dummy fuel tank cover with an electronically-operated flap.
Specs |
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| Engine size | 1151cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 8-valve, V-twin |
| Frame type | Tubular steel trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 18 litres |
| Seat height | 865mm |
| Bike weight | 214kg |
| Front suspension | Fully-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Fully-adjustable |
| Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs |
| Rear brake | 282mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 110/90 19 in |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £96 |
| Annual service cost | £150 |
| New price | £10,474 |
| Used price | £5,000 - £5,300 |
| Insurance group |
13 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 76 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 80 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 140 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 14.2 secs |
| Tank range | 140 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2008: Moto Guzzi Stelvio launched.
Other versions
None.
MCN Long term test reports
Bike of the day: Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Today's bike of the day is an adventure bike for those looking for something a little different, a 2008 Moto Guzzi Stelvio. Seller says "Cracking Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8v in black, this bike comes with both original handbook and service book with FSH, lots of paper work receipts and service stamps…
Owners' reviews for the MOTO-GUZZI STELVIO (2008 - on)
9 owners have reviewed their MOTO-GUZZI STELVIO (2008 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your MOTO-GUZZI STELVIO (2008 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £150 |
Year: 2008
superb pillion machine, once they have got on it! Comfiest bike we could find at the MCN show and bought it second hand after an excellent GS1150 that I had to sell. Lovely ride, good motor, brakes (non ABS), finish and it had ally boxes. Never missed a beat but i found that as my 'modern' bike I locked the brakes on 2 dodgy moments and then dropped it at a well known bike haunt when I avoided a looney van driver on a hill, went to put my foot down to find the the steep camber of the road meant i couldn't reach! The weight of it got on my nerves in the end and my pillion had to stand on a kerb to get on it when luggage. A roadster version would have been nicer but Guzzi only did the V7. Would like to try the
superb pillion machine, once they have got on it! Comfiest bike we could find at the MCN show and bought it after an excellent GS1150 that I had to sell. Lovely ride, good motor, brakes (non ABS), finish and it had ally boxes. Never missed a beat but i found that as my 'modern' bike I locked the brakes on 2 dodgy moments (after riding old 60's stuff)and then dropped it at a well known bike haunt when I avoided a looney van driver on a hill, went to put my foot down to find the the steep camber of the road meant i couldn't reach! The weight of it got on my nerves in the end and my pillion had to stand on a kerb to get on it when luggage. A roadster version would have been nicer but Guzzi only did the V7
Buying experience: Bought privately from a nice guy who used a leaf dryer to dry the bike down (got one myself now)!
Version: Stelvio NTX
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £100
A characterful V-twin which is a pleasure to ride. I have ridden across Spain on it as well as down to the Italian lakes. Early 8 valves had problems with their bucket cam system and likely need upgrading (circa £500). Mine is a bucket cam but shows no problems with over 30k on the clock. I will upgrade when and if I need to. I am not sure that will be necessary as they changed the design in response to early problems post 2011 even though it remained a bucket cam. Very wide when riding with panniers so not easy to filter. 32-litre tank gives 300 mile plus range (no idea where MCN get their fuel consumption of 27 mpg! I get 50 mpg plus and I don't hang around!)
A joy to ride.
Shame this lovely engine is not Euro5 compliant and thus bit the dust.
On the NTX there is a stupid tubeless spoked wheel setup with O rings through the wheel rim. Best to fit a heavy duty inner tube the moment you start getting a pressure drop. This seems to affect the rear wheel only. The NTX auxiliary lights are a stupid design. They vibrate with the engine and eventually bare wires/contacts can touch the body fusing all your lights. So fit separate fuses or more simply, as I did, line the metal body of the light with duct tape.
I am spoilt. A qualified mechanic friend services it for buttons. Cheap to insure, too.
Standard tyres suit the bike well. I ride with 39 psi in the front.
Version: lz
Year: 2010
Annual servicing cost: £50
The best is driving through corners with my wife. The worst thing is when light service (every 10.000km) start blinking in the middle of desert (Sahara) ;)
With my wife we drive 1000km for a day.
Brutal power on corners.
Self service
Buying experience: Import from Italy small dealer. Great deal :)
Year: 2012
This bike two-up ridden reasonably gets 45-48 mpg. 38 if you flog it. I have beat 50 many a time. Measured, not computer.
Sweetest component.
IF...you go through and tighten everything and use the blue stuff right from the start.
Makes a GS look insane.
Buying experience: Need more dealers.
Version: 8V
Year: 2013
Annual servicing cost: £300
Very comfy, huge range, bags of character, sounds fantastic and you don't see hundreds of them on the road.
I did a 12 hour day from Southern Poland, right across the Czech Republic and down to Munich with barely an ache or a sore bum. Next day felt fine.
Lots of torque and character, enough grunt for me - I don't want or need 150hp and sounds great
An amazing machine. My world had changed, I had slipped into a Parallel Universe of effortless travel. My first experience of a bike with a windshield - no wind tearing arms out of sockets. Smooth power – not arm wrenching like my Vmax, just on and ever on… I could even hear opera playing from my Bluetooth helmet at (very)high speed. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio - a class of it’s own. Full review here http://derekmansfield.co.uk/motorcycle-clothing-equipment-reviews-html/moto-guzzi-stelvio/
Everyone says Guzzi's are now much better quality since Piaggio took over. I beg to differ. Compared with my 1970s Lemans' the new bike is lumpy, slow, and badly put together. The dealer network is appalling! I have had my Stelvio (well either I or the dealers) since early March 2009. Issues I have with it and with Moto Guzzi are:- Fuel Consumption is awful with 34mpg when ridden quietly. I hope this will improve with mileage, Accessories are almost unobtainable. The starter motor failed at 1200 miles - it took 3 weeks to repair. The front seat mounting 'plates' wore through the live battery cables that they rest against. Hugely dangerous and entertaining with mucho smoke and sparks. Why has this not been subject to a recall? The dealer who fitted my new starter motor stripped the earth strap bolt thread and didnt tell me. Result another day off the road and not in work! The bike stopped at speed on the M61 on Friday the 22nd May. Again smoke from the wiring and flashing lights. No chance of a fix and taken home in a van. Bike back in dealers and I am demanding a refund or a new bike. Moto Guzzi Customer Care dont seem to understand these works and keep talking about a repair. I assume they dont understand the Sale of Goods Act in the UK!!! I would liove to have been positive but as I always loved Guzzis but all this cr*p on a new bike. You must be joking. Good job my Cagiva Elefant 900 (lighter, faster, more reliable, 30% better fuel consumption)is still chomping at the bit in the garage!!! I will report again to let you know if Piaggio honour their consumer responsibilities. If not, it is up to the man in the curly wig (and I dont mean Harry Enfield as a Scouser)!!!
WITH NEW MAP FLAT SPOTS ARE GONE
Collected my Stelvio last week- looks wicked in black. Great handling, motor, brakes and suspension. Much more svelte and original than a GS- be different!
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