STELVIO AS A ROAD BIKE

[Spuddy]

Granted, I've only got 425 miles on it since November - but hey, I haven't rode a bunch in winter before.  What a decent, no, very good highway ride!  [I'm still getting to used to Lola so we've stayed of the snow and mud so far.]

You're right Peter Y, what a neat motorcycle.  Now if I can figure out the manual's instructions for fork settings and find the rear shock's rebound adjustment screw...

[Unkept]

The Stelvio (to me) seems like one of the best road bikes on the market. I really like the Euro version without the bags and with the cast wheels.

Congrats on your bike!

[Chuck in Indiana]

Oh, yeah! It's a sport bike with long travel suspension and that kool Guzzi powerplant. What's not to like? Unless like me, you have stubby legs.  ;D

[menzies]

The Stelvio is the best road bike I have owned. After riding the Stelvio for some time I sold my Bonneville because it rode so rough, that long suspension travel spoiled me and I felt like I was being beaten.

[Lannis]

The Stelvio is the best road bike I have owned. After riding the Stelvio for some time I sold my Bonneville because it rode so rough, that long suspension travel spoiled me and I felt like I was being beaten.

Mine is the best two-up road bike I've ever owned.   Lots of room, lots of power, lots of handling.    Better for Fay and I than any of the "touring bikes".

Lannis

[rdbandkab]

Took me a while to sell the idea of the Stelvio to KAB.  After convincing her that different luggage could be used (not the Trax boxes!), she gave in and the check was written.  She absolutely loves the Stelvio now.  It is so comfortable for her.
We've done 12,500 miles since March.  

[fotoguzzi]

on the Buell forum a few Uly guys are moving on to Stelvio's.. I always invite them to join up here..

I need to grow an inch or two in inseam.. any hints?  can you lower a Stelvio? how heavy are they? they say my Uly is 425# dry..

[AH Fan]

Mine is the best two-up road bike I've ever owned.   Lots of room, lots of power, lots of handling.    Better for Fay and I than any of the "touring bikes".

Lannis

Hey Lannis ................ what's

 realistic fuel range one up at reasonable highway speeds........... my Griso was pretty minimal. :-[

Ciao.

[kirb]

I replaced my FJR with the NTX. It's more comfortable and a better long distance mount (for me). Very well done bike overall...

[pyoungbl]

Here we are in the depth of winter trying to remember the thrill of two wheel travel.  It seems so long ago but, in reality, was just last November.  For me a 2500 mile round trip to Louisiana on the NTX, what a great ride that was.  Four of us met up in Alabama and rode on to the Swamp scooters rally.  We had three Stelvios and an EV.  The EV was limited by fuel but the Stelvios could march on for miles and miles.  Ah, the joy of being on the road and not worried about fuel.  Carry as much crap as you can strap on the bike, no problem.  Rain, who cares?  Speed, as fast as you feel lucky.  We danced with the angels.  At the rally our food was outstanding!  Heck, just watching them cook gumbo was worth the ride.  Talk around the campfire, share the bottle, enjoy new friends....that's the real experience.  Could you get that on a Honda, HD, BMW...maybe.  In the final analysis I had a great time and the Stelvio was a big part of the experience.  The bike was painless, dependable, exciting, powerful, and fun...what more can you ask?

Peter Y.

[Wayne Orwig]

I did about 300 miles just this past Sunday.
On the EV.....  ;D
It was closer to the garage door. I use the EV a lot in the winter months, because of the better rain and wind protection.
But if you ask my wife, she prefers the ride on the Stelvio over the EV. The longer suspension travel and shock linkages on the Stelvio means it isn't as harsh. And we both find the stock Stelvio seat is more comfortable than the EV seat, even with a number of mods to the EV seat.

[ChuckH]

 realistic fuel range one up at reasonable highway speeds........... my Griso was pretty minimal.

With the 8.5 G tank the NTX has an easy 300 mile range at any speed you want to run.  I normally run 5-7 MPH over the posted and average between 39-42 MPG.

[ChuckH]

The Stelvio (to me) seems like one of the best road bikes on the market. I really like the Euro version without the bags and with the cast wheels....

The cast wheels are easily and inexpensively available through the dealer parts system and the rear cases come off in a heart beat.  Also, I'm told that it's a great two-up bike.

[ChuckH]

I need to grow an inch or two in inseam.. any hints?  can you lower a Stelvio? how heavy are they? they say my Uly is 425# dry..

Change to the Griso shock in the rear and raise the forks in the triple trees in the front.  Also need to cut the side stand and possibly remove the center stand.

As far as weight, it's about 640# Wet and ready to ride -- about the same as the 1200 GSA big tank version of that bike.

[fotoguzzi]

As far as weight, it's about 640# Wet and ready to ride -

sorry, deal breaker.

[ChuckH]

sorry, deal breaker. 

Not to argue, but I would suggest a couple things for you to consider.

First, whenever Spring arrives up there in MN, take your Uly out and fill the tank in it's "ready for the road" setup (rear cases, crash bars, hand guards, etc) and take it over a scale.  Most Co-ops have a set of scales.  You might be surprised at the number it gives you.  I certainly was when I did the same thing with my 650-Strom a few years ago.

Second, my plan is to be in Grand Marais in late-June for that rally.  Take my bike down the road and see if it feels that heavy.  Again, you might be surprised.

Ride safe.

[swmckinley54]

Well  I have put 40K miles on mine since 2012. Its a great road bike, and I was surprised how well it handles the dirt/fire roads too. Heavy?.... not compared to my Victory Vision.

[Lannis]

Hey Lannis ................ what's

 realistic fuel range one up at reasonable highway speeds........... my Griso was pretty minimal. :-[

Ciao.

4.9 gallon tank, averaging about 41 MPG overall, a little more if strictly on the highway.   

At 160 miles, I'm looking for a fuel stop.   I've coasted into one as I turned over 200.    Plenty for me and my style, others in different places or with harder butts have often expressed a desire for more.

Lannis

[fotoguzzi]

Not to argue, but I would suggest a couple things for you to consider.

First, whenever Spring arrives up there in MN, take your Uly out and fill the tank in it's "ready for the road" setup (rear cases, crash bars, hand guards, etc) and take it over a scale.  Most Co-ops have a set of scales.  You might be surprised at the number it gives you.  I certainly was when I did the same thing with my 650-Strom a few years ago.

Second, my plan is to be in Grand Marais in late-June for that rally.  Take my bike down the road and see if it feels that heavy.  Again, you might be surprised.

Ride safe.

510# fueled w/out luggage loaded. I can't see myself on anything heavier.

[jetmechmarty]

The Guzzi site says the wet weight is 598 lbs and the seat is 32-33 in high.  For me, the seat would be better is a couple of inches higher.

I saw a Youtube of a man riding a Super Tenere with his normal American size wife on the pillion.  The film showed them running gravel roads and fording streams with ease, then zinging down a twisted highway.  I'm sure the Stelvio is just as much up to the task. (except for that low seat)

I have not yet ridden a Stelvio, but I rode the Super T.  I'm getting the idea that this may be the way to go.  The Stelvio appears to be a better deal and up close, I find it more appealing than the Yamaha.

[leafman60]

Ditto, for all the positive things already said about the Stelvio on the road.

For me, a few tweaks were in order to finish the bike off for ultimate long-distance comfort- a Russell seat and an extended windshield. For the windshield, I simply improvised a Laminar Lip left over from my last 1200GS.  PYoung had Mr. Gustafsson ( http://www.bikescreen.com/ ) make him an extended shield that looks virtually exactly like stock (except for the added height).

One of the best things about the Stelvio's road-going prowess is the flexibility it offers you to venture down a gravel road or dirt trail should such a desire strike you.

A huge attraction for me is the character of the power delivery.  While the Japanese multis and the BMW boxers appeal more to the metrosexual and sissy crowd, the Guzzi is a more masculine machine that has traditional visceral appeal. No bullsh** conveniences to quell the throb of the big VTwin!

Yes, as most big dual-sport type bikes, it's a relatively tall bike and the Russell can add about an inch to that. Like its GS ADV cousin, the Stelvio is going to tip the scales at about 630-640 wet with all the standard gear.

For the money, no better deal exists.

If you want the versatility of the Stelvio with a little less weight, join the chorus line calling for a Baby Stelvio with an upgraded 800+- CC motor based on the V7.

[swmckinley54]

While the Japanese multis and the BMW boxers appeal more to the metrosexual and sissy crowd, the Guzzi is a more masculine machine that has traditional visceral appeal. No bullsh** conveniences to quell the throb of the big VTwin!


Now that there is funny.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Is the NTX taller than the '11 vintage small tank Stelvio? I rode an '11 and it seemed to be about as tall as I could handle, sat on a '14 NTX and it seemed a bit higher.

[pyoungbl]

NTX and plain Stelvio should be the same height.  The seat has two positions and if you sat on one with the seat in the 'high' position it would be about 1" taller.

Peter Y.

[AH Fan]

Ditto, for all the positive things already said about the Stelvio on the road.

For me, a few tweaks were in order to finish the bike off for ultimate long-distance comfort- a Russell seat and an extended windshield. For the windshield, I simply improvised a Laminar Lip left over from my last 1200GS.  PYoung had Mr. Gustafsson ( http://www.bikescreen.com/ ) make him an extended shield that looks virtually exactly like stock (except for the added height).

One of the best things about the Stelvio's road-going prowess is the flexibility it offers you to venture down a gravel road or dirt trail should such a desire strike you.

A huge attraction for me is the character of the power delivery.  While the Japanese multis and the BMW boxers appeal more to the metrosexual and sissy crowd, the Guzzi is a more masculine machine that has traditional visceral appeal. No bullsh** conveniences to quell the throb of the big VTwin!

Yes, as most big dual-sport type bikes, it's a relatively tall bike and the Russell can add about an inch to that. Like its GS ADV cousin, the Stelvio is going to tip the scales at about 630-640 wet with all the standard gear.

For the money, no better deal exists.

If you want the versatility of the Stelvio with a little less weight, join the chorus line calling for a Baby Stelvio with an upgraded 800+- CC motor based on the V7.


There ya go............... what year is yours Leaf? ....... if you don't mind me asking. 

Ciao         ;-T

[Spuddy]

1.  I'm going to give the stock saddle a long term test comfort wise. If not 1,500 miles it will be perhaps 7,000 miles [after the 'Civil War / Barber Tour.] I should know by then.  However, it is taller than what I'm used to. A rough guess is that it could loose .5 to 1 inch.
 
2.  I located the source of my 'cold rectangle,' airflow from the sides and up and over the tank.  I wonder of anyone has experimented with larger 'stock style' wind wings on the tank.  Doesn't seem they do enough to be effective.  Maybe it's Baker Built time...

3. I'm gunna have to to get around to checking the fuses M.I. put in.  Both fogs have gone out already.  I have no idea how effective they are at night but they appear to be reasonable day time runners.  Maybe it's time to pull out some of my dodgy looking Piaa's...

Spuddy

[leafman60]

1.  I'm going to give the stock saddle a long term test comfort wise. If not 1,500 miles it will be perhaps 7,000 miles [after the 'Civil War / Barber Tour.] I should know by then.  However, it is taller than what I'm used to. A rough guess is that it could loose .5 to 1 inch.
 
2.  I located the source of my 'cold rectangle,' airflow from the sides and up and over the tank.  I wonder of anyone has experimented with larger 'stock style' wind wings on the tank.  Doesn't seem they do enough to be effective.  Maybe it's Baker Built time...

3. I'm gunna have to to get around to checking the fuses M.I. put in.  Both fogs have gone out already.  I have no idea how effective they are at night but they appear to be reasonable day time runners.  Maybe it's time to pull out some of my dodgy looking Piaa's...

Spuddy

You are just wasting 7000 miles. You may as well go on and get a Russell.  I'm telling you for sure, it's the best comfort feature you can add.


 

[Chuck in Indiana]

While the Japanese multis and the BMW boxers appeal more to the metrosexual and sissy crowd, the Guzzi is a more masculine machine that has traditional visceral appeal. No bullsh** conveniences to quell the throb of the big VTwin!


Now that there is funny.

 ;D Yep.  ;-T

[fotoguzzi]

If you want the versatility of the Stelvio with a little less weight, join the chorus line calling for a Baby Stelvio with an upgraded 800+- CC motor based on the V7.  and keep waiting

or go look at what KTM offers.. 478# 1190 Adventure, but I like the 690 Duke 328# (would have to add luggage somehow)

I'm not dissing the Stelvio in any way, I really wish it would fit me but it's too tall and too heavy for a shrimp like me.  I'd like to race one against my Uly.. you'd whomp me on top end but off the line or in corners, I'm not so sure.

[leafman60]

or go look at what KTM offers.. 478# 1190 Adventure, but I like the 690 Duke 328# (would have to add luggage somehow)

I'm not dissing the Stelvio in any way, I really wish it would fit me but it's too tall and too heavy for a shrimp like me.  I'd like to race one against my Uly.. you'd whomp me on top end but off the line or in corners, I'm not so sure.

I know about the KTM's.  They are very dirt-oriented, too much in some cases.  The big nut for me is the service cost/complexity for the KTM's.  They are as bad or worse than the Ducati's.

Whatever makes you happy is what you should ride. Can't criticize anyone's choice of machines.