Sitemap	Forum	Features	Resources	Rides	Merchandise	Books	Guzzisti	Guzzi site	Contact

Well, it's nearly here...the much discussed "Stelvio" looks to be about to show the world its bug-eyed face at the EICMA show in Milan, in about a week's time. (You can find out about the show on our events calendar: GO).

The Stelvio is the second major production by Mandello in recent weeks and
follows closely on the heels of the fabulous Griso 1200 8v, and so it might, as it looks to be arriving with the same motor as the latest Griso, albeit in a de-tuned form. I expect, however, that like the Griso the Stelvio will undoubtedly be made available with other engine configurations at some point.

It is named after one of the most famous stretches of road in Italy, namely the 15 kms of twisty, challenging, alpine hairpins which would appear to suggest the new arrival is a true riders bike. As guzzisti, we are well accustomed to fine handling motorcycles so the expectations levelled at the new machine are high.

A closely guarded secret it has certainly not been. The project has reputedly been on the drawing board since 2004. I remember someone last year speculating that the Stelvio would be designed as an "adventure tourer" in the GS mould.
Having said that, I also remember one or two enthusiastic discussions down the pub with a number of eager fellows who were convinced that it would be the "new Le Mans". Guzzi appear to be still lacking a worthwhile successor to the legendary beast of the 70s and the Le Mans is still, to many guzzisti, the sports benchmark; even though other sporting notables such as the Daytona have been produced since the last wearer of the Le Mans badge, the Mk V of 1987-1993.

On my part I could appreciate the arguments on both sides but my feeling was that as it wasn't named after a famous motor sport venue it wouldn't be a sports oriented machine in all probability...yes, I am always this scientific in my decision-making process! So, an adventure tourer to look forward to then...interesting...

Moto Guzzi has dabbled here before. Many will, of course, remember the Quota in its various 1000 and then 1100cc guises, which had a production run from 1992-97. This bike was vilified by the press and was less than successful in the market place although, as happens so often, those that did purchase one seemed to have loved it.

The journalistic view however was that it was far too heavy for any serious off road riding capability.

That's a fair comment, it was no feather weight. I don't speak Slovenian, but any of you that do should visit the site of Moto Guzzi Club Slovenia and discuss that last comment with the chap who rode a Quota round the world through rivers, mud-flows, up mountain and down dale.

Perhaps even less well known are the V35TT and V65TT bikes of the mid 1980s. TT here denoted tuttoterreno, as opposed to any reference to Isle of Man glory. Even though they looked the part, they were not especially suited to off road riding, truth be told, but the NTX range of a few years later appeared to be more purposeful.

The 350 version's performance may have been hampered by the bulk of the machine but in 650 and 750 guise it seemed Guzzi may have a seller. It was never going to compete in Enduro racing as this tends to be dominated by purpose-built machines, but with integrated all encompassing fairing, screen, and 32 litre fuel tank, it offered a good option for getting about.

Sadly, this too failed to light the sales fire and was eventually binned in 1990. Today there are a fair few around with many of them seemingly being obtained from Italian police departments who appear to have taken on quite a number for urban patrol. I would imagine the high riding position would offer a good field of vision whilst the longer travel suspension would do much to offer a smooth ride over cobbled streets with the 750 mill in particular being punchy enough to make good progress. You could do much worse than a NTX750 as a daily commuter.

The Stelvio then is not Guzzi's first attempt at this sector. Previously, it had been Super Teneres and Africa Twins that called the design tune, but there was always an option available in the background with a Boxer engine that offered a real alternative to those bikes.

BMW's GS has seemingly been around for aeons it would seem. A long time favourite of the "outdoors" BMW rider, it had always sold steadily, although not spectacularly, and had won a dedicated following.

Today, the GS is to BMW what the California has been for Moto Guzzi...the bike that pays the bills. The machine we know, and many appear to love, today has evolved constantly since the strange beak nose effort of the early nineties...remember that yellow and red monstruosity? It arrived at a time when BMW forged a reputation for machines that were evidently attempts to design far-out and futuristic looking bikes (like the K-1) but actually just ended up looking...well, weird. In 2004, however, something happened that was to catapault the GS from odd-ball status to almost legendary. This momentous event, however, did not arrive from the pen of a design guru and it didn't arrive from a BMW technician or engineering genius. Nope, it came from a PR masterstroke.

It isn't necessary to delve into the story of Ewan McGregor's trip around the world with his pal Charlie Boorman of that year but, as a result, the GS became a sensation. It is now one of the most common sights on the road, kitted out in trans continental trim complete with aluminium boxes which probably contain not essential paraphernalia for crossing a third world country, but I expect the cucumber and tofu sandwiches of a maverick advertising junior executive on his way to the train station.

Criticism aside, I would love to know what happened to the KTM exec that turned the boys down, that must rank as one of the worst business decisions of all time...right up there with IBM's decision to sell Windows to Microsoft...d'oh! Is it coincidence that the Stelvio was allegedly conceived in 2004?

Today, the bug-eyed Stelvio isn't so much entering a vibrant market sector, but a furnace. This area is positively red-hot at the moment with large volume manufacturers after a slice of the pie. Our Stelvio has a tremendous number of rivals to contend with as BMW, KTM, and Triumph with its successful Tiger, to name but three, all having worthy entrants. Strangely enough, the Japanese manufacturers aren't really on the ball in this market as it is mainly a European fascination, so there is some scope for the Stelvio.

The baseline, however, has been firmly established by the GS and if the Stelvio can come close to this particular machine it will have done well. We eagerly await the first competitive comparisons that will undoubtedly litter the pages of the motorcycling press in due course as the GS is also heading for a facelift in 2008. Good feedback from the press pack, who are accustomed to riding the GS, will be vital for the survival of the Stelvio. Triumph's Tiger is also a close rival and in a test earlier this year completely outclassed Benelli's altogether more pretty but also more expensive effort. Looks then, it would seem, are not the be all and end all in this arena, which is also good news for our bug-eyed friend!

Recently, as the EICMA event draws ever nearer there has been a veritable explosion in "secret" images of the Stelvio appearing on websites, forums, and newspapers the world over. There has even been a "spy" video which apparently shows a Stelvio prototype in wheel-popping action...marvellous!
Even MCN, historically critical of all things Guzzi, have begun to thaw in their attitudes of late, having extolled the virtues of the Breva, Bellagio and now it would appear the Stelvio too. In the most recent edition they feature a double page spread on pages 2 and 3 on the new Guzzi who they label "GS killer".

Much of the meat remains to be taken off the bone of course, as no one has had a go on it yet but the bike appears to possess a number of features that should appeal to prospective owners. Close examination of the "secret" test shots reveal what looks like an adjustable screen, a dual stepped saddle with what looks like a generously padded and scalloped pillion pad with a wide set of grab rails that should aid comfort. This, perhaps, will be one of the bike's key points as some of its rivals have not made too much concession for the welfare of a passenger.
Additionally, there appears to be an integrated luggage rack, which means the lines of the bike will not be broken by unsightly rails when the cases are of the bike, and also hints at a dedicated set of accessories to follow in due course.

We know all about the engine now, of course as it seems to be the 1200cc 8v unit that currently sits in the belly of the latest Griso. Guzzi's choice of engine has, over the last few months, provided a great deal of discussion material on forums. The Griso motor will obviously be de-tuned for the Stelvio; how much will remain to be seen.

The GS smokes 98bhp while Triumph claim 114bhp from the Tiger whilst in Griso tune the Guzzi 8v engine is rated at around 120bhp, so somewhere in between will be suit the Stelvio, if Mandello can better the on the road price of the two big rivals.

Taking all the above factors in to account, Guzzi appear to have gone all out to deliver a machine that is able to carry a rider with a passenger and associated luggage accross a continent. This is not untrod territory for Mandello as it has always had machines capable of doing this. With the Stelvio, however, the journey doesn't necessarily have to be confined to tarmac; now you will be able to ride right up that mountain, or to the shores of that lake!

The degree of adventure on offer will be dictated in no small measure by the suspension. The Stelvio appears to be equipped with quality upside down forks fore with a monoshock aft and it will be interesting to see how much adjustment is available. Components look to be of excellent quality, an area where Guzzi has excelled of late with the Griso's engine castings and mechanicals being of superb finish. Stopping looks to be provided my Brembo with the usual twin discs up front and a single disc at the rear on the same side as the wonderful CARC torque reaction eliminator.

In March, at a conference, dealers were shown a version finished in a kind of beigey-silver paint which certainly raised eyebrows. Images of the bike flew around the globe at the speed of light and discussion boards flared with Stelvio based verbal parry and counter-thrust. The cosmetics were one of the key discussion points and in particular its bug-eyes.

It seems the dealers' feedback was such that the factory immediately embarked on a serious programme of revisions to the bike. Gone, for instance are the original's LED indicators which have been replaced by standard reflector type units.

Now, it is in details such as this that wavering buyers can decide mental pros and cons lists when comparing the benefits of one bike over another. I'm not suggesting for one moment that a rider would choose to eliminate a bike from an equation based on the indicators but LED lights are a common, contemporary, styling feature on bikes these days and if your bike doesn't carry sufficient nods to modernity such as this (digital dashes are another) you could end up producing a bike that looks...well, dated, and that would be a shame.

It is great that the factory took the time to consult the people that have to believe in the product sufficiently enough to sell it in sufficient numbers and to maintain it too, but curiously, the bug eyes remain...

Would it have been beyond the factory to have also consulted those, far more numerous, people who will be deciding on whether to buy it? A simple glance at any number of forums would have advised Guzzi that the single most pressing item to revise would be...the face dude, sort the face!

Many a beautiful body has been undermined by a less than attractive face. Instead, unless further changes are planned prior to release, Mandello will have to wait to see what the till receipts have to say.

Strangely enough, the aforementioned Messrs McGregor and Boorman have just completed another 15000 mile advert for BMW.

Had the factory got the Stelvio ready quicker they may well have been able to take advantage of this latest escapade and benefitted from a huge marketing coup as Mcgregor is a long time Guzzi enthusiast. That being the case, we would still have seen the junior execs carrying their lunches in the ally cases, but on Guzzis, so that would be ok!

I can only imagine the buzz if Guzzi had managed to pull this off as the message would have been clear; namely, this Stelvio is so good, even these chaps have chosen it over the GS. How many Stelvios would be sold with that type of endorsement? We can only speculate on that now. Our bug eyed friend will have to make a name for itself all on its own. Guzzi is no longer a volume producer, but the success of the GS, which has helped finance a resurgence in BMW motorcycles and design shows how quickly things can change off the back of a grasped marketing chance. GS killer or missed opportunity? I still think this bike has sufficient quality to achieve the former, but as far as the latter goes, only time will tell.

I would be delighted to hear what you have to say on the subject. Will the Stelvio be a success? Is the "GS killer" label premature? What do you think of this bike? Go to the bottom of the screen and add your say by using the "add a comment" facility!

...more "spy" shots...and that video...



Moto Guzzi have just released the first official photographs of the Stelvio!

See below for the complete set of images, including detail shots.

What do you think? Add your comment at the foot of the page!

Personally, I love it...it looks like a stealth fighter...I think black would have to be the colour for me.


Article by Jose Mourino. Oct 2007.

Take part in the opinion poll: GO

Stelvio 1200 8v at EICMA

STELVIO ROADTEST!

Those lucky bleeders at MCN have just ridden a Stelvio prototype and recently published the report in their weekly rag...whatya mean you missed it? ...seriously? Ok, well never fear, Squadra Guzzista's here!

The Stelvio is a really important bike for Moto Guzzi and this is the first of some very important hurdles to overcome if it is to rise to superstardom! Well, the bike has passed the first of these hurdles by impressing the MCN road tester!

The next and biggest hurdle, however, will be the inevitable head to head against the GS and probably another established market favourite like the Triumph Tiger or some such...we'll keep you posted!

Anyway, here's the MCN article: GO ...aah, what the heck, we'll throw in the MCN video of the ride too!



...lucky bleeders...did I mention that? I hope you have enjoyed our comprehensive coverage on the Stelvio. It looks like it's going to be on sale in the UK in March so, as soon as the dealers have some demo bikes available we'll be there to test it and to give you our own, humble, opinion!

News Flash! 1st Stelvio on Squadra Guzzista!

Well, it is incredibly exciting stuff but Squadra Guzzista forum member Guzzirider has just taken delivery of his Stelvio!

It must be one of the first sold in the UK and looks amazing...have a look at it here: GALLERY ...it is the stunning example ingleaming black.

Guy (Guzzirider) is getting acquainted with it at the moment and will hopefully let us know what he thinks in due course but, for the meantime, have a look at the terrific video on the left by twowheelsoneheart whom we thank for allowing us to use it!

Read all about Guy's Guzzi here!

Urgent! Griso 8v and Stelvio motorcycles equipped with the 8v motor are subject to recall. Pls see this page for the document.

Further Reading

Our first Stelvio / Motorcycle Daily Review / Official Moto Guzzi website / Stelvio reviews in the press /