Multistrada 1200 v Guzzi Stelvio

[Stonker]

Next spring I will be in for a new bike (if I stay in work!). I had an 1150GS a few years ago but after a well publicised bust up with BWM sold it and vowed never to ride their bikes again. The trouble is that since then, I haven't been able to find a bike that suited me like the GS did. I tried the Tiger, a decent bike but I did feel that I was sitting 'on' it rather than 'in' it and somehow, it just doesn't feel that durable. The only other bike that did suit me really well was the KTM adventure but I wasn't too sure about the 4k service intervals and thought it was the ugly duckling of the KTM range.

This year with the launch of the Ducati & Guzzi, it's given me 2 new options. I went to a Ducati open day and had a quick 30 mins on the MS and have to say, it's a great bike to ride. 7.5k service intervals looks great too. Looking at the forums though there are a few niggles, it's a hell of a lot of money and I do question whether all thos modes & fancy electronics are really necessary. It may just be a step too far. I had a guzzi for 10 years between '80 & '90 and there is something about the marque that grows within you and you never loose. I demo'd the Stelvio when it was first launched. As much as I really wanted to like it, it just dissapointed me. There was no low power or mid-range, it had power but it was all above 6k revs. However, they have now changed the camshafts & remapped the engine so I tried it again. Like chalk and cheese, the new bike is really nice to ride and really comfortable too (plus it's shaft drive). I guess the Guzzi hasn't got the 'wow' factor of the Ducati and is nowhere near as powerful but I just wonder if it would actually be the better choice for lots of touring trips in the real world.

 

[Montydog]

For my wallet the Ducati is silly money and even if i were using someone elses wallet I dont believe i could justify the price tag

I would consider Moto Guzzi Griso and also KTM Smt albiet these are not "off road" bikes and arguably poles apart, but they would be in my considerations ,wallet permitting , for an "all rounder."

Top of my list would be a decent second hand 1150 Adv as this was the bike I enjoyed riding the most to press. Horses for courses but my 2p worth It all depends what you want it for but a colleague had the SMT with all the trick WP suspension and it certainly is put together well and judging by the state of histyres goes around corners very well

 

[Stonker]

Did you mean Griso? A very nice bike but not for touring Europe.

Sorry but a BWM just isn't an option for me......

 

[twizzle]

new Triumph Adventure due out 2011....

 

[Arsey]

The Stelvio is a poor take on the 12Adv.

They haven't sold well and have pretty crap build quality in parts-Just look behind the exhaust to see mild steel !!!

The 8v motor in the Stelvio is too revvy and not as good as the original 4v fitted to the Griso.

These bikes don't need high revs but do need low down torque !

I've also ridden the Ducati MS and for me it's just a sportsbike with straight bars and way over-priced.And I bet the panniers will leek and will be too small.

It depends what you want but it seems a shame that you can't get another GS due to some weird promise you made to yourself.

Having had numerous new bikes over the years,my GSA1150 which cost me less than £4k is probably one of the best bikes I've owned.

 

[FatAl]

After six years of GS ownership I traded my lovely blue and white GS1150 for a black Moto Guzzi Stelvio in May 2009. Despite mediocre test reports in the bike press (who really pays much attention to them anyway?) I fell in love the Guzzi.
I got rid of my GS because after six years I was getting bored with it, and it seemed like everyman and his dog were getting a GS, they were getting too common and more like fashion accessories. The GS1150 is a great bike, one of the best I've ridden or owned, and it was extremely reliable, I never even replaced a light bulb let alone a rear hub bearing or a fuel pump sender etc.

I have always admired Moto Guzzis, they have an element of mystery and quirkiness about them, similar to the older model BMWs. The Stelvio handling is superb for such a big bike -there is a lot more feedback through the forks than with the BMW telelever system, the Brembo brakes have loads of feel and plenty of power, the bike is a lot quicker than the 1150 and I find it as comfortable. The maintenance is similar to the GS, and it has as much 'presence' on the road as any GS.

I have a 2009 model, there is a pronounced step in the power after about 5000rpm, but below that there is still plenty of torque, it is not as bad as people make out; remember it is a 1200cc Vee twin, it can hardly be called gutless.

The downside to ownership is that the dealer network is a bit hit or miss, you get some Guzzi dealers who are very passionate and knowledgeable about the bikes, others who may as well be selling washing machines and refrigerators. I have now done about 5500miles, I had to have the speedo sensor replaced under warranty due to ingress of rain water causing it to malfunction (a common fault on the Griso, Norge and 1200 sport apparently) the cure is to cover the sensor in silicone sealant. I also had a misfire which was fixed by fitting NGK plug caps.

Is the Stelvio as good a bike as the GS1200? I have ridden many GS1200s, often loaned to me by the local dealer when I took my 1150 in for the MOT, as much as I liked the 1200 I never felt at home on it as I did my 1150, each time I returned to Southport Superbikes after a few hours riding the 1200, the salesman would greet me with a big smile expecting me to rave over the 1200....I couldn't. It didn't move me like the 1150, but the Stelvio did. The Stelvio is I think more top heavy than the GS, but once moving its not noticeable, however I would not want to use the Stelvio on anything other than tarmac or hard packed dirt tracks. I only used my GS1150 a few times for greenlaning, I find these bikes too big and heavy for 'off road' and serious greenlaning, I had a yamaha Xt225 Serrow for that stuff.

As a road bike for touring the Stelvio is as good as the GS IMHO, although I do feel the fuel capacity at 18 litres could be better, perhaps another 4 or 5 litres, I regularly average 45mpg, so the range is about 180 mles, I have a 'tool tube' fitted to the bike with a 600ml fuel cylinder in it just incase, but I certainly don't need the petrol bowser sized tank of the GS adventure. The heated grips are effective but slightly awkward to switch on and adjust, the adjustable windscreen is very handy, the standard Moto Guzzi ally panniers are excellent (TRAX) although the bike does seem at times a bit too wide for filtering.

Compared to the new DOHC GS1200 and Ducati Multi strada I suppose the Stelvio does seem a bit stoneage, I think it has managed to retain some of the old fashioned charm of earlier Moto Guzzis, and that is part of the attraction for me, I don't need 120bhp plus sports bike power, or all the mod cons of electronic suspension and traction control, I prefer a less complicated ride on a bike with loads of character and that slice of indefinable charm.
I still remain within the GS camp with an R100GS, so I'm not a complete turncoat.

 

[Stonker]

Yes the Triump does sound as though it may be interesting.

The Stelvio is a lot lot better with the new cams & mapping and isn't nearly so revvy. Build quality didn't look too bad to me either.

Oh...and sorry, it isn't a weird promise, I was treated really bad by BWM and their dealer and I simply couldn't go there again.

 

[BBB61]

Oh...and sorry, it isn't a weird promise, I was treated really bad by BWM and their dealer and I simply couldn't go there again.

I can understand where you are coming from, I won't buy another Triumph as a result of poor treatment from the factory warranty department over issues that were clearly poor quality components.

 

[Sleepy]

Cutting your nose off to spite your face springs to mind here, If the BMW is the best bike for you...

 

[Stonker]

Sorry sleepy but it wasn't just a little problem......never again, I don't care how good the bikes are.

 

[VAL. H.]

Have you looked at the Yamaha 1200 tenere?

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/yamaha/yamaha_xtz1200 09.htm

All it needs added is a high front mudugard.


Val.

 

[Stonker]

Yes I've looked at it Val but like the Ducati, it's very expensive.

Fatal, is your Stelvio the original?

 

[Deleted account LB]

I was getting on the ferry the other month with a guy on a Stelvio, he had 3000 miles on it and my GSA had 14000 miles. His 12 months old - mine 18 months. Mine looked brand new his looked bloody awful. The corrosion was just bad, spokes rotten - exhaust rotten, sorry but no way could I go that route. If your looking at a Multistrada but dont want the cost, get a 1050 Tiger and get Maxton to build the rear shock to suit you. I loved mine and the engine really is awesome. Did 8000 miles and the quality was very good although I had my doubts when I got it - The Multi is about as handy as the Tiger off road

 

[Flip]

My mate's done 2000 miles on his Multi and loves it to death, say's its the best bike he's ever had, and he's had some,
I did 200 mile on a demo 1200 Yam and its a great bike to ride, i recon you'd get one for £12.5k as they not selling. K2 in Stoke have a demo

 

[AndyT]

I was thinking which bike to buy once my 1150GSA id passed its sell by date and the only one that comes up at the moment in this catergory is the Stelvio. I'm sure its not as an acomplished bike as the 1150GSA but teh 1200's do nothing for me. The Trumpet will be interesting though, can't wait for the bike show

 

[richie]

Guzzi for me too

 

[Riders Rest]

I have the Guzzi, lived with it now since 2008 and love it to bits, despite the initial teething problems, I run road tours in the Central Massif and this is a truly superb touring machine, you are right the multi Strada is also a damn fine machine too but I wouldn'r swap my Stelvio for one anytime soon. The Guzzi gets under your skin.

 

[Mutley]

So you've come to a Gs forum and asked our advice about which bike to buy and then rejected the advice from the majority because they said buy a BMW, ad this despite the fact that in the OP you said it was clearly the best bike for you?


I'm sure I've got a chocolate fireguard around here that you absolutely have to buy

 

[Stonker]

I think you need an interpersonal skills course Mutley.

I said right at the beginning that I would never have another BMW. That being the case.........

 

[Aidan1150]

So you buy an 1150GSA off here...............BMW don't get your money

Service it yourself or take it to Steptoe...................BMW don't get your money

Buy any bits you need from MotorWorks/Sherlocks etc...........BMW don't get your money

You have the bike that "suits you best" and BMW still get none of your money