Stelvio first ride
February 26th, 2010
Collected the Stelvio today and have managed to get approx 30-40 miles on it this afternoon and evening. I have to say that the 8 valve engine is a peach. Ive owned a 2 valve 2007 1200 Sport in the past so know what to expect from a Guzzi but this one absolutely shifts. I am aware of the reviews where they have mentioned the torque curve from 5500 rpm upwards but instead of complaining about it, I love it. It give you the best of both worlds. At low rpm you get a super smooth engine that has plenty of torque to pootle around town and so on. You can even be lazy with the gear changes because it’ll happily pull from 2000 rpm upwards. Then, when you want to get a groove on you just let it go and crikey does it go… Jekyll and Hyde spring to mind!
So let talk about cruising around the country lanes… I have not owned a tall bike like the Stelvio before so can only assume that all long travel suspension bikes ride like this over the lumps and bumps. Its so smooth that I can ride the local lanes faster than I could on my Buells. They were fast on smooth roads but on a bumpy lane there was no chance of pushing on. Not the case with the Stelvio. Impressed again. What about motorway speeds and over taking…? No problem. I’m not the tallest of chaps at 5′7 but the screen offers so much protection that high speed riding is no problem. I can even ride visor up. This afternoon it was raining. My boots and legs were getting wet but the screen did a really good job of keeping my upper body dry.
MPG is not good though. I suspect it’ll improve no end once I am used to the bike 
Know what I mean wink wink? I’m getting 31mpg at the moment. This is Us gallons though so its not all bad.
Storage is good for me. The glove box on the right side of the tank is so handy. I was out tonight adjusting the lights down so the screw driver and torch were stowed in there instead of going in to my pocket. Imagine crashing with a screw driver in your pocket. It could do all sorts of damage. Under seat space is good too. I have managed to fit my helmet bag in to there. Its one of those wired ones that secures your helmet to the bike when you’re on walk about after a ride. I do not have the panniers at the moment. My dealer is sorting out the mounts but when I do I will be able to tour in style. No longer will I need to carry a ruck sack around for 200 miles at a time. For your info, the seat pads are wide enough to be very comfortable AND that also means that a bag will be easily strapped across them. I suspect it wont budge until I want it to…
Right then, that’s enough for now. Here’s some pictures.
First ride. Not far from home… Checkout the side lights.
Comfy yet still fast enough to get in to trouble
Good being back on a shaftie again….
