Moto Guzzi Stelvio teszt

- character, strength, Italian elegance

First impressions - a separate category of hikers

Moto Guzzi Stelvio!
A tank, rocket-propelled, ready to parade in a festive suit.
That's about the best way I could describe it when I think about it. But I might as well give it the title of Touring Touring Special Award based on the bikes I've tested so far.

„-Geri, you've been all over Europe, which country did you like the best?”

It's a question that comes up a lot, and for me the top three usually include Ukraine (as a special prize). Not because it was so extreme. But because I have experienced so many things, so many „extraordinary” things, that it has remained unforgettable.
Well, so am I with this Moto Guzzi. Although you can't complain about its beauty here. In fact, it's one of the best parts.

Design and appearance - can a touring bike be unadorned?

Nowadays, these 1000+ touring enduros are designed to be big, hulking beasts. Just think of the 1300 GS Adventure.
As for the weight, it doesn't feel much lighter, but the look of it, well, it's heaven and earth. And of course I mean that compared to a lot of other things.
This engine has a very nice and sophisticated look. It is both elegant and prestigious in appearance.

Those air intakes on the sides, those airy lines on the tank, the falcon logo, the V2 block sticking out sideways, and the gimbal drive! Lots of little things you don't find just anywhere else.

Moto Guzzi character - when technology becomes personality

Features of the legendary V2 lateral block

And here we are, which is the character of Guzzik.
To put a V block in the engine sideways? Apparently the founders served in the air force during WWI. The character of the engines still comes through today.

Unique operation and driving experience

If you press the accelerator when stationary, the engine will rock sideways visibly. It can seem very strange at first. It's unlike any other engine.
Its deep, guttural sound adds to its unique character.
This is not a weak, screaming little girl.

Driving experience - you're not in control, but you can ask them to do it

He has free will. I could say, you don't decide when she sleeps with you. You have to wrestle with him. Because the physics of the engine is such that it always wants to stand up. You're not just going to be bouncing it right and left at slow speeds. There's so much weight at the front. He expects you to court him. She needs foreplay, and once you're on the rails, well, she'll give in, but it takes strength.

The engine has a mind of its own and you have to learn to use it. This is a woman who can't be handled by just anyone, but who is not daunted by challenges, can quickly become addicted.
Over time, I realised that when you go with him, you don't ride a motorbike, you „motoguzzi-zol”.

Exclusivity and tradition - more than just an engine

This bike is a little different to handle, but it also gives a different feel. It has a different vibration, a different sound, a more exclusive look and feel. You feel privileged to own it. It's like a gentleman's muri. When you want to go down to your weekend estate in style to look around and pull out the Moto Guzzi Stelvio you've got stashed next to your Jaguar for him, and then you're off to do some more hunting on Sunday.
Style and tradition going back to the ancestors. When you want to show in every choice you make that you are a different class.
That's roughly how I felt when I drove the Stelvio.

Power and torque - it's not about peak power

Otherwise, the engine is a torque champion. It pushes the front end gradually up to unicycle with such ease on throttle alone that I couldn't believe my eyes. It's just that the engine weighs almost 250 kilos with a full tank of fuel and it feels it. But not on throttle.

After a bit of reading later, I found out that the 80% delivers all the torque of the 115 hp, 105 NM engine at 3500 rpm! Get it? No need to build up the power, it's there almost at idle and holds steady!
This engine is not built for peak performance, but for elegant, torquey crunch.

Who is the Moto Guzzi Stelvio for?

When you know you can go if you want, but you no longer have to prove you're good. You're no longer the nervous „goofball” who wants to show everyone what he can do, putting himself and others at risk.
So the target audience for this bike is basically the middle-aged and older generation of riders. Those who have tried a lot of things and want something really special in the garage.

It's no longer a question of what's the best value for money or what's the best machine to ride, but rather of having individuality and a fleet of tools in the garage that shows that you have a special solution for tradition. For those who are not looking for a solution for their daily commute, but a real speciality for their collection.

Technology and development - modern foundations

In short, they've been developing Guzzis under the Aprilia banner for a while now, so they've packed a lot of modern technology into it and essentially the dashboard/display and settings are just like an Aprilia.