Fallen for an Italian Red-head

[KraZ440]

Well, yesterday was the day. My wife finally convinced me to get a new bike.

Lately, I've been frustrated trying to get my KZ440 back into riding condition. Having our Saab get totaled by the insurance company made it that much more important for us to have a second vehicle.

I've been dreaming about a new bike for a while. Ultimately, I decided to stop over-analyzing things and just pick what I felt would be best. Guzzi was my choice.

Yesterday, we went down to visit Dave and crew at Moto International. Drove off with a new Stelvio (technically, it was a demo, but it didn't have many miles on it).

This is my second bike and a big step up from my little KZ440. Once I adjust to the extra weight and power, I think I should be fine.

Here are some pics:

[Triple Jim]

I like the color.  Update us with a ride report soon!

[Johncolleary]

Enjoy it I love mine!!!

[thechief86]

I'm jealous. This is my favorite bike on the new market right now, and I've heard rumors that it will.be discontinued after this year.

[WitchCityGuzzi]

Congratulations.. You're gonna love it!

[Red07]

Congrats!!!  Love that red Stelvio.  Awesome bike.

Randy

[Jim Rich]

That is a beauty.  Congratulations.

[power685]

Big congratulations !! Such a great feeling. Great choice

[Moto Fugazzi]

Nice!

I noticed your from Greater Seattle, is there a Lesser Seattle as well? 
Ken

[twowings]

Excellent choice, sir! May you make many happy memories together...

[brenwin]

She's a beauty , congrats and you couldn't of bought it from a better dealership or be tutored by a more knowledgeable guy .

Steve

[Mooney78865]

Excellent choice!  Everybody knows the red ones are the fast ones!

[Muzz]

Very very nice!

[Arizona Wayne]

Going from a KZ440 to a Stelvio is such a BIG jump!!!      No comparison really.  Did you test ride it before you bought it?

[Bravo Sierra]

Nice move, big jump from the KZ440 but I think you will find it a "why didn't I do this long ago" thing, enjoy.

Lesser Seattle is spelled Tacoma   

Bob

 

[KraZ440]

Thanks for all the good wishes.

I took it for a test drive before making the final decision and a short celebration ride afterward. I ended up putting a total of about 65 miles on it Saturday evening. I'll probably put another 200 on before next weekend.

As far as a ride report, I'm not sure exactly what to say. Only having experience with a 34 year old KZ440 does not exactly provide a wide breadth of experiences for comparison (nor does it engender strong preferences of how a bike should ride). I'll probably wait until I take her for a real ride before giving a report.

Based on the numbers I'm seeing, it looks like the Stelvio has about 2.5 to 3 times more HP and torque than my KZ had and about 40% more weight. One of the first things I noticed (after the weight and height difference) is the ability to exceed local speed limits (45 mph) while still in first gear (Dave did tell me to ride it hard  ). One of the next things was the ability to accelerate while on the freeway (accelerating from 60 to 70 mph on my KZ was a painful process).

Since most of the miles I'll be putting on it initially will be commuting, I was debating about a V7/V9, but Dave and my wife talked me back into my initial choice of the Stelvio. I'm glad they did. One of my future dreams is to take trips 2-up with my wife. The other options just couldn't have handled that.

One of the big factors that influenced my choice of the Stelvio was all the positive comments that current owners have to say about it. There are other options in the adventure category, but none seemed more loved than the Stelvio. Besides, it's a Guzzi; what more is there to say?

[Navy Boy]

That's a handsome looking bike.  Are those indicators in the mirrors standard?

[KraZ440]

That's a handsome looking bike.  Are those indicators in the mirrors standard?

That's standard for the states. I've read a lot of comments about people that don't like the stock mirrors here in the U.S. and swap them out for the European mirrors/signals. I like the look of the European signals better, so I have that on my list.