2015 Moto Guzzi Stelvio Ntx
The Moto Guzzi Stelvio, which was named after Stelvio Pass in Northern Italy, one of the greatest riding roads in the world, was introduced in 2008. For 2012, the Stelvio received a major freshening, most notably an increase in fuel capacity to 8.5 gallons (32 liters)—the largest factory tank in the ADV segment.
The air/oil cooled 1,151cc V-twin has four valves per cylinder and develops 105 horsepower at 7,250 rpm. While horsepower is adequate, it is the 83.3 lb-ft of torque (at 5,800 rpm) that is most useful in the dirt or when managing an expedition load through the slow, narrow streets of a third-world country.
The Stelvio's engine is simple and has proven to be exceptionally reliable. It starts easily and settles into a heavy rumble, alerting the rider to its displacement. Once underway, the Quattrovalvole has a lustful note on acceleration. Observed fuel economy has been 40 mpg on the highway and about 32 mpg on the trail, thus the need for an oversized fuel tank.
The Moto Guzzi Stelvio is a genuine, handsome, large adventure bike option. No matter where you park it, other riders seem to gravitate towards it.
In the Dirt
Off the pavement, our 2014 Moto Guzzi Stelvio test bike—which was fitted with new Continental TKC 80s and the NTX package—was a pleasant surprise. The NTX option includes an aluminum skid plate, engine guards, Hella lighting, hand guards, and high-quality panniers. These panniers have solid mounting, a quick-detach system, look good, and are thoroughly suitable to dirt travel.
Though the pegs come with thick rubber inserts, the inserts can be removed to reveal a reasonably wide, high-traction metal surface. This also lowers the rider position slightly and makes standing easier for taller riders. On my first off-highway foray I rotated the bars up, which made for semi-comfortable on-the-peg riding. A bar riser would make it perfect and we have since added a Rox 1-1/4 inch riser unit, which has greatly improved ergonomics on the trail for my 6-foot-1-inch frame.
Initial off-road impressions were quite good, particularly for a 600-pound motorcycle. Suspension travel is 6.7 inches in the front and 6.1 inches in the rear. The fully-adjustable upsidedown forks are built by Marzocchi, and are exceptionally well tuned. The structure is rigid and progressive, which allows for subtle damping on gravel roads but a reassuring ramping up of both rate and compression valving with big hits. I rode this bike hard and never fully utilized all of the available front suspension travel and only bottomed out the rear shock on a few hard g-outs.
We pressed the Stelvio to its limits riding some of the single tracks and technical drops we usually frequent with lighter bikes. Although the NTX is not a dirt bike, it never faltered or failed in drifts or jumps, and generally pushed through rocks and steep climbs.
If the rider keeps the Moto Guzzi Stelvio rolling, its weight is hardly noticeable and on par with other big adventure bikes. It is well balanced, and the bars are wide for leverage. Controls are easy to modulate, though I was gentle (perhaps unnecessarily) on the dry clutch.
The ABS is fine in most dirt scenarios, and if needed, is easy to turn off with a single large button on the right switchgear panel (grazie Moto Guzzi). In traction control (TC) position one, the TC is pretty useful on gravel roads and in mud. It controls wheel spin and saves the rear tire for more critical moments. TC position two is the most invasive and designed for conditions like rain. Thankfully, TC can also be easily disengaged, even while moving.
After months on the Moto Guzzi Stelvio and hundreds of dirt miles, including some serious testing at our local proving grounds, I have pushed the bike beyond what 99 percent of most owners would ever consider. I've dropped in off of massive granite boulders, jumped it, and rode through hip-deep water and it never disappointed. With each new obstacle I gained confidence in the Stelvio and my concern over its weight seemed to fade away. This bike gives little or nothing up to the best of the big bikes in its class and thoroughly trounces some competitors.
Water Crossing- With good stability, balance, and an air intake located high under the pillion seat, the Guzzi is well suited for deep water.
On the Road
One of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio's strengths is its refined road manners and broad power band. I have found it to be the most comfortable of any of the bikes in this segment. The saddle is wide and supportive with a generous pad and ergonomic shape (at least for my backside). The windscreen is also a pleasant surprise: It is easy to adjust, exceptionally protective, and imparts minimal buffeting.
The stock seat is wide and supportive and is without a doubt the most comfortable factory seat I have tested. The front tapers in near the tank, which provides a comfortable position when up on the pegs and easier rider access.
The cylinder heads do produce a lot of heat, especially on hot days. One midsummer ride from Los Angeles to Arizona (a record heat day) was particularly uncomfortable on the knees and upper thighs. Of course, the warmth will be welcomed during colder months.
A few other minor criticisms include the factory mirrors with integrated turn signals. Vibration obscures details and I found they simply don't work. They will also be costly to replace if (when) the bike is dropped. Cruise control would be nice, but is unfortunately not available. I also noted that the Stelvio's heated grips were warm, but off the mark compared to other models.
The Moto Guzzi Stelvio is a comfortable adventure tourer, and I have enjoyed 8- to 10-hour saddle days without much complaint. Once the road gets twisty, the well-tuned suspension and torque from the big twin does not disappoint. I have ridden this bike nearly daily for several months and we are getting along fantastico.
The big twin is most noted for its torque and proved to be a pleasure for daily riding duties. Its grunt is also appreciated on the dirt, though a lower first gear or a wet clutch would be an improvement to control and durability. In winter the air-cooling is appreciated as the cylinder head pushes warm air to the rider's legs. In summer the hot air is less welcome.
So far the Stelvio has been reliable, but we need more miles to weigh in on its long-term durability. With a retail price of less than $16,000 with all the goodies (almost $9,000 less than a similarly equipped BMW R1200GS Adventure), the Stelvio is an excellent value. Future plans include a weeklong dirt trip through Southern Utah, where I can push the Guzzi even further afield and into more technical terrain. In the meantime, I am going to fire up that magical Quattrovalvole. Ciao!
Favorite Features:
- Supreme road comfort, wide saddle, and big windscreen.
- Large 8.5-gallon fuel tank.
- NTX package with quality luggage and crash protection.
- Genuine value given the features and overall performance.
Minor Gripes:
- Weight (especially with full tank).
- Mirrors are not appropriate for off-road riding.
- Fuel economy lags behind industry.
Top Big-Tank Adventure Tourer Specs Comparison
| Adventure Bike Models | HP | Torque (lb.-ft.) | Wet Weight (lbs.) | Suspension Travel (Fr./Rr.) | Seat Height (in.) | Fuel Capacity (Gallons) | Price USD |
| Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX | 105 | 83.3 | 598 | 6.7/6.1 | 32.0 | 8.5 | $15,990 |
| BMW R1200GS Adventure | 125 | 92.0 | 573 | 8.3/8.7 | 35.0 | 7.9 | $18,340* |
| KTM 1290 Super Adventure | 160 | 103.3 | 549 | 7.9/7.9 | 33.9 | 7.9 | $20,499 |
| ADVPulse.com | |||||||
* Base model pricing.
Moto Guzzi Stelvio Up Close:
Kudos to Moto Guzzi for supplying proper metal pegs that can be easily switched from street mode (rubber insert) to high-traction dirt mode.
The factory luggage looks great and works as well as any aftermarket option. Removal requires one key and less than five seconds. The sides have plastic reinforcement and the top includes lashing plates.
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The NTX comes standard with an aluminum sump guard and sturdy crash bars. Though the oil pan skid plate looks a bit thin, it has already endured a few scrapes without protest.
The instrument cluster has a large easy-to-read display and provides relevant details such as fuel economy, air temperature, voltage, and traction control/ABS status.
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Visit the Moto Guzzi website for more information about the Stelvio 1200 NTX.
Source: https://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/moto-guzzi-stelvio-1200-review/
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