First ride on a Stelvio

[Lcarlson]

While my bike is being serviced, a got a Stelvio as a loaner. Never ridden one before. First impressions: GD those cases are high and wide, very difficult to get a leg over them, for me at least. Underway: very comfortable riding position, but pretty vibey; good handling. Extended impression: a fun ride, better as you wick it up, and love that Guzzi sound. This is the short version.

[PJPR01]

Impressive...a loaner bike!  Nice!!

[Green1000S]

I loaned the bike for 15 minutes and ended up buying it!
Yes, it was that much fun.
Short version too...)

[jacksonracingcomau]

GD those cases are high and wide, very difficult to get a leg over them, for me at least.

One of the great mysteries of modern bikes not just Stelvio, not just for this reason although getting your leg over is very important.
Much worse is impact on handling, low and forward was always the rules pre Ewan & Charlie.

Nowadays I meet and read of people who travel with overloaded evil handling whales, desperate to get all boxes off in hotel or campsite and ride with handling restored back to said hotel or campsite.
Something about journey not destination springs to mind
If the journey is not enjoyable, what's it about ?

[Demar]

Yes, the OEM Trax boxes on the Stelvio make it a very wide load, however, that's part of the reason I bought the bike. I wanted a long distance camping touring bike and the Stelvio fills the need for me. The only thing I can't do with the wide boxes is split lanes on the freeway but that's not a huge issue for me. They don't seem to effect the bikes handling and I've done 120mph with the boxes on and noticed no ill effects. They give a nice platform to strap my tent to and provide a little stability when I strap a Wolfman bag across the passenger seat. The boxes come off easily and I just cart them to the campsite. Then they stay there while I do day rides and get put back on to return home.

[jacksonracingcomau]

They don't seem to effect the bikes handling and I've done 120mph with the boxes on and noticed no ill effects.

The boxes come off easily and I just cart them to the campsite. Then they stay there while I do day rides and get put back on to return home.

What I said, except everybody else says the reason they take them off as soon as possible IS the ill effects, not sure why you do if you can't tell difference.

Perhaps you can really, very well put here by NP

Rode the Norge into the city ( about 110 mikes total RT) for service. I left the side bags and tail trunk at home since the shop has limited storage for them.

The difference between as naked as a Norge can get and fully dressed? Like the difference between dancing with the lean cheerleader and the thicker but well porportoned gals in High School (going back to the early 70s in memory)

The cheerleader was light on her feet, moved a lot and always wanted to twirl around. The thicker gal was the slower dancer, steady and purposeful, comfortable and would go song to song never getting tired.

Best can describe it.

[leafman60]

I'm 6-2 but I often mount my Stelvio with saddlebags like mounting a horse.  I put my left foot on the left peg to stand and then clear my right leg over the top. Many times I also have gear lashed to the rear seat when I'm traveling.

[ITSec]

Most adventure-touring riders learn how to do a forward kick-over mount that keeps your heel over the seat. I can do it even with my bad back, but it took some practice. It's particularly useful when the back seat is occupied by luggage or (especially) your companion.

[Lcarlson]

Most adventure-touring riders learn how to do a forward kick-over mount that keeps your heel over the seat. I can do it even with my bad back, but it took some practice. It's particularly useful when the back seat is occupied by luggage or (especially) your companion.

I'm working on that, but it's not natural for me.

[Demar]

What I said, except everybody else says the reason they take them off as soon as possible IS the ill effects, not sure why you do if you can't tell difference.

Perhaps you can really, very well put here by NP

 I take them off because it's easier to carry my camping stuff to the campsite in the boxes rather than taking all the stuff out and then carrying to camp. No reason to put the empty boxes back on just to be on the bike empty. I have a Moto Centric tail bag that I really like that goes on the passenger seat for day drips. I don't really notice the Trax cases when I'm on the bike.

[krglorioso]

Most adventure-touring riders learn how to do a forward kick-over mount that keeps your heel over the seat. I can do it even with my bad back, but it took some practice. It's particularly useful when the back seat is occupied by luggage or (especially) your companion.

Tried several time...Maybe it's my age--I kept getting on facing backwards...Finally mastered the technique.  Definitely advantageous, if I can just remember the drill..

Ralph

[Demar]

Most adventure-touring riders learn how to do a forward kick-over mount that keeps your heel over the seat. I can do it even with my bad back, but it took some practice. It's particularly useful when the back seat is occupied by luggage or (especially) your companion.

You can also grab ahold of your pantleg bottom with your hand and lift your heel over the seat and then slide it over. Keeps you from having to kick your leg up high.

[jacksonracingcomau]

I'm working on that, but it's not natural for me.

And even harder when there's two of you, OK for Vale but I will never be able to do it.
Much easier to mount luggage in right place (and not have to get rid of it to have fun)

Not sure if this is adventure touring, obviously carrying too much (handbag is ridiculous overkill) but quite easy to go RTW and enjoy the handling too


Latest bags better yet but you won't find these in any shop

[pauldaytona]

The ntx cases are huge. I had them on one weekend, and my wife told me she won't go with me with those cases.
When we were you we went on holiday on an sp1000 with all camping stuff.
Now 30 years later she is happy on the stelvio and raves about it. She tells its so much better then the sp.

So jacksonracingcomau, I suppose the lady on the old pictures is now 50/60 plus? she still travels with you? Mine does and if a Stelvio is needed, fine with me, only without the trax cases. We can go on holiday for two weeks with topcase and tankbag only. No handbag:-)

[jacksonracingcomau]

The ntx cases are huge. I had them on one weekend, and my wife told me she won't go with me with those cases.
When we were you we went on holiday on an sp1000 with all camping stuff.
Now 30 years later she is happy on the stelvio and raves about it. She tells its so much better then the sp.

So jacksonracingcomau, I suppose the lady on the old pictures is now 50/60 plus? she still travels with you? Mine does and if a Stelvio is needed, fine with me, only without the trax cases. We can go on holiday for two weeks with topcase and tankbag only. No handbag:-)

After 20 years brining up kids, she's on the back more than not, same bike same girl
She wouldn't go on Stelvio or similar even without cases, it's the height above me she can't deal with, prefers to sit around same height.
Me too, I don't like her weight up high, ok going fast but low speed tricky stuff really hard, we go a bit off the track
Like boxes I don't get why they put passenger weight as high as possible
Off tomorrow for nuther big trip, few new mods to test, might be same bike but constant development
Cheers
MH

[WitchCityGuzzi]

What I said, except everybody else says the reason they take them off as soon as possible IS the ill effects, not sure why you do if you can't tell difference.

Perhaps you can really, very well put here by NP

I honestly can't tell the difference with them on or off. The bike handles exactly the same regardless. I've had 3 weeks worth of gear on that for a cross country trip that included Alaska, and was still able to tear up the tires on the twisty stuff.

I like having them off in the city because it's easier to sneak around traffic. Other than that, I'd have no problem leaving them on.

Having said that, I'm over the whole hard bag thing. I'm going to be getting rid of them and going to the Mosko Moto rackless 80 liter set up. More for the width than anything. Also, substantial weight savings.

[WitchCityGuzzi]

I'm 6-2 but I often mount my Stelvio with saddlebags like mounting a horse.  I put my left foot on the left peg to stand and then clear my right leg over the top. Many times I also have gear lashed to the rear seat when I'm traveling.

This.  +1

[Mooney78865]

There are many ways to skin a cat.  You'll figure it out.  Me? I pitch a leg over the saddle and "slide in" when loaded.  If no luggage on the back, I go traditional...

[Huzo]

It's particularly useful when the back seat is occupied by luggage or (especially) your companion.

Would you be inclined to get off/on your bike with your companion still on board ?

[leafman60]

Would you be inclined to get off/on your bike with your companion still on board ?

Even that trick can be accomplished easier by simply standing on the pegs.

If someone/something is on your rear seat, you can stand and then bring your right foot over your seat section instead of making a wide rearward swing of your right leg. I do it all the time.

The only other option is to mount directly from the ground and lift your leg over the seat as if the bike were a low rider. To get off, just put your left foot on ground and lift you leg up high enough to clear the seat in front of your passenger/gear.

To maintain this degree of limberness, I regular use my feet to turn on/off all my household light switches (working on the chain-pull floor lamps too). Morning stretches of working your foot up a wall in front of you until your foot is above your head is also helpful. You can initiate such stretches with floor splits with one foot in front, one behind and then lowering your head to your ankle stretched out in front of you on the floor.

[Huzo]

Even that trick can be accomplished easier by simply standing on the pegs.

If someone/something is on your rear seat, you can stand and then bring your right foot over your seat section instead of making a wide rearward swing of your right leg. I do it all the time.

The only other option is to mount directly from the ground and lift your leg over the seat as if the bike were a low rider. To get off, just put your left foot on ground and lift you leg up high enough to clear the seat in front of your passenger/gear.

To maintain this degree of limberness, I regular use my feet to turn on/off all my household light switches (working on the chain-pull floor lamps too). Morning stretches of working your foot up a wall in front of you until your foot is above your head is also helpful. You can initiate such stretches with floor splits with one foot in front, one behind and then lowering your head to your ankle stretched out in front of you on the floor.

Yeah all fair comments Leafy. I'm just thinking of a person on the rear seat that can't reach the ground and moving a bit to the right while on the side stand. Would be a long way to the ground over the high side, and $$$

[shredder]

Left foot on left foot peg, grab the bars, lean right as you stand up and over the saddle.  Kinda like getting on a horse.   :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[Wayne Orwig]

Nowadays I meet and read of people who travel with overloaded evil handling whales,

You've meet my wife then.

[tazio]

You've meet my wife then.

Oh,your ass is grass. I'm telling.