Would a V50 Stelvio sell?

[ChuckH]

I read this discussion with mixed emotions. 

I've ridden for almost 20 years now and have owned a slew of bikes -- several Beemers, a few Kawas including a KLR-650, and a 650 Strom.  I have always set them up for long distance touring and camping trips.  The bike that does those tasks the very best is my current Stelvio NTX. 

So, if Guzzi offers a lighter weight AdvTouring bike, I would be comparing that offering to what I already have in my NTX.   

[Green1000S]

I read this discussion with mixed emotions. 

I've ridden for almost 20 years now and have owned a slew of bikes -- several Beemers, a few Kawas including a KLR-650, and a 650 Strom.  I have always set them up for long distance touring and camping trips.  The bike that does those tasks the very best is my current Stelvio NTX. 

So, if Guzzi offers a lighter weight AdvTouring bike, I would be comparing that offering to what I already have in my NTX.   

True. But you or me would not be the marketing target for this bike. I would never swap my Quota for a "250cc adventure bike" and take it to the woods.
For that I would buy a Husqvarna or KTM.

How about female riders, anyone around 5' 4", the younger crowd or beginners?
They will not buy Stelvio's, 1200GS or my old Quota. Those bikes are like fat rhino's.
And for that reason, we love them ;-T

[ed@guzzipower.com]

My solution. V85TT. 850 Cc. 53 ft lbs. 410 lbs. 16" rear shocks. Shown in motard trim. I have 21" front wheel for it also.

 It wheelies effortlessly.

[youcanrunnaked]

^^^^  Genius!  The cruiser styling is a bit weird for a sumo, but it looks like ten tons of fun.


Question: Do you worry about excessive wear with the drive shaft hiked to that angle?  With 16" rear shocks, you've added, what, 4" to the rear ride height?

[LongRanger]

Well I think we want:  reliability, light weight (400 lbs wet without panniers), around $10K or just north of it, 80 hp.

Two words: Ducati Scrambler

[andrewdonald1]

Two words: Ducati Scrambler

Those motors scare me.. I think PITA valve adjusts...

[LongRanger]

Never owned one so I can't comment, but that bike sure received some enthusiastic reviews at the international press launch in Palm Springs two weeks ago. I think it could make a good platform for a fun, lightweight but capable fire road bike. It would need a suspension and ergo revamp for anything more serious than that.

[Demar]

Two words: Ducati Scrambler

I was high on this bike until I saw it in person last November 1st at the San Mateo Motorcycle show. It looks cheap and plastic to me. I realize Ducati is trying to hit a price point and is assembling the bike in Thailand, however, it looks cheap to me. I have a 2010 Bonneville T100 that was assembled in Thailand and the fit and finish is excellent. The Ducati has the weight and hp numbers I'm looking for in a trail/fireroad bike but I'd rather have a Guzzi V7 Scrambler. I discounted the V7II until I saw the hp and torque numbers are a little better than a KLR 650. The V7 Scrambler kit has upgraded rear shocks among other things. The bike makes it's torque at 2800rpm. I wish it had a 19" front wheel rather than the stock 18" but that can be fixed. I didn't like the single of the KLR as I have to ride a few hundred road miles to get to the trails/fireroads I'm interested in. I'm not 100% sold on it and will wait until summer when some real reviews will be available.

[youcanrunnaked]

I was high on this bike until I saw it in person last November 1st at the San Mateo Motorcycle show. It looks cheap and plastic to me....

You might want to reserve judgment until the production bikes are in showrooms.  It's likely that the bike you saw was a static display and not a real motorcycle.  Ducati had a few of these at the AimExpo in Orlando, and the rep I spoke to said that while the styles were close to the production models, they were non-operable mock-ups; nearly all of the parts were hand-made plastic and wood items painted to look like metal.  I was told that the production bikes would look much nicer.

[Demar]

You might want to reserve judgment until the production bikes are in showrooms.  It's likely that the bike you saw was a static display and not a real motorcycle.  Ducati had a few of these at the AimExpo in Orlando, and the rep I spoke to said that while the styles were close to the production models, they were non-operable mock-ups; nearly all of the parts were hand-made plastic and wood items painted to look like metal.  I was told that the production bikes would look much nicer.

Interesting. I'm waiting until summer to pull the trigger if something fills the need by then.  Thanks.

[Tazturtle]

Lower powered, lighter Stelvio? Nope.

V7 Scrambler? Just maybe.

We will soon see I guess, with the factory Scrambler kits, just how many put their money where their mouth is!

Kurt

[ed@guzzipower.com]

Drive shaft angle is less than 10 deg when loaded. Schfine....

Yeah, stock bodywork ain't the prettiest [even Mr. Galuzzi commented that I should "get rid of that ugly seat and tank"] , but it's comfy.And that's how it kept total build budget to around $2k....including the bike. :)

Question: Do you worry about excessive wear with the drive shaft hiked to that angle?  With 16" rear shocks, you've added, what, 4" to the rear ride height?
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