Stelvio Duecento Tributo purchase.

[MartinK]

The Mandello has the "S" version with Ohlins
I did ask Moto Guzzi if they would be bringing an S version of the Stelvio. I got some blank answers but sadly no confirmation

 

[Spartan]

Interesting. I hear that quite a bit in reviews and forums. I found that wad th case on the rental bike, but with my own after setting it up it feels good. Can tell its not Ohlins but its not at the point of consider changing the standard kit. May be the roads or temperature here. Oils are running a little warmer and although there are bad broken surfaces theres not many big pot holes.

 

[Spartan]

Another 200km done last night and I'll post here before I forget.

The revs seems to be limited per gear. Car manufacturers do this also. So for example right left sweepers. Driving out the right on exit then turn left the revs rise faster when the bike flicks to left side of the tyre. So say you exit driving through 7-8k rpm, when the bike tips onto the edge of the tyre the revs rise abruptly. Sometimes for a second it runs off the end of the rev range and sits on the soft limiter for a split second. Checking back app data . In 2nd its 9409rpm. But in faster corners, same situation, but 4th gear it sits on the limiter at 8890. I find this stuff interesting. Gallardo does this also where it allows higer rpm in 2nd & 3rd then lowers limit in 4th 5th etc to reduce time at risk.

Experimented again with fuel. Maybe its spain. Been soley uisning Repsol. But the difference between 95 and 98 is noticeable. 95 can pretty much ride the bike full gas in any gear on exit. 98 feels more like the real bike where I'll move and you can enjoy it. It'd be interesting to dyno this. Its maybe 5 bhp different I'd say. For sure you can feel it. Especially in 2nd and 3rd.

Motor now feels strong and loose. Willing to rev freely but no flat spots or lags in power. 120kph in 4th. 7000rpm and go full gas and its actually impressive. Instant power. For a 1000cc Twin this is what I keep going on about. The boxer. The SP1 motor. The 990 Supduke motor. None of them had this semi I4 type higher rev pull.

Tyres. It'll need tyres soon. I like these standard tyres. The front is the weak point. You have to ride with consideration for it. Real progressive tun in and loading. The odd time if you change direction it feels vague and you have to kinds pause, wait for it to settle before you can keep turning. Unsure how much of this is a 19" wheel and how much is the tyre.

But interestingly last night the rear felt better. Bit more grip. It seems that there are blocks in between the main blocks on these tyres. When it hits them there is more rubber on the road and it grips a bit better. First time I've experienced this. A tyre that improves as it wears

Someone recommended Continental Trail Attack 3. I think maybe those will help. A big thing for me is not to give the bike too much grip and then create chassis issues. I just want the front to be a little better. But ideally I'd liek the rear to have a little less grip to allow more fun.

See what i mean about the "joining block". Essentially puts more rubber on the ground and makes the tyre better!
This world of Guzzi is a weird place , but absolutely loving it.

 

[jcsh-fr]

I think maybe it’s stabilising the big tread blocks more, holding them together, as they wear down. Unanchored tread blocks tend to wobble under load

 

[MartinK]

+1 for CTA3. Decent grip, good longevity. The V rated one is reputed to have more tread depth than the W rated... I have CTA 3 on my GS and my Stelvio
Road Attack 4 supposed to be better grip but shorter lifespan

 

[Neil W]

Another 200km done last night and I'll post here before I forget.

The revs seems to be limited per gear. Car manufacturers do this also. So for example right left sweepers. Driving out the right on exit then turn left the revs rise faster when the bike flicks to left side of the tyre. So say you exit driving through 7-8k rpm, when the bike tips onto the edge of the tyre the revs rise abruptly. Sometimes for a second it runs off the end of the rev range and sits on the soft limiter for a split second. Checking back app data . In 2nd its 9409rpm. But in faster corners, same situation, but 4th gear it sits on the limiter at 8890. I find this stuff interesting. Gallardo does this also where it allows higer rpm in 2nd & 3rd then lowers limit in 4th 5th etc to reduce time at risk.

Experimented again with fuel. Maybe its spain. Been soley uisning Repsol. But the difference between 95 and 98 is noticeable. 95 can pretty much ride the bike full gas in any gear on exit. 98 feels more like the real bike where I'll move and you can enjoy it. It'd be interesting to dyno this. Its maybe 5 bhp different I'd say. For sure you can feel it. Especially in 2nd and 3rd.

Motor now feels strong and loose. Willing to rev freely but no flat spots or lags in power. 120kph in 4th. 7000rpm and go full gas and its actually impressive. Instant power. For a 1000cc Twin this is what I keep going on about. The boxer. The SP1 motor. The 990 Supduke motor. None of them had this semi I4 type higher rev pull.

Tyres. It'll need tyres soon. I like these standard tyres. The front is the weak point. You have to ride with consideration for it. Real progressive tun in and loading. The odd time if you change direction it feels vague and you have to kinds pause, wait for it to settle before you can keep turning. Unsure how much of this is a 19" wheel and how much is the tyre.

But interestingly last night the rear felt better. Bit more grip. It seems that there are blocks in between the main blocks on these tyres. When it hits them there is more rubber on the road and it grips a bit better. First time I've experienced this. A tyre that improves as it wears

Someone recommended Continental Trail Attack 3. I think maybe those will help. A big thing for me is not to give the bike too much grip and then create chassis issues. I just want the front to be a little better. But ideally I'd liek the rear to have a little less grip to allow more fun.

See what i mean about the "joining block". Essentially puts more rubber on the ground and makes the tyre better!
This world of Guzzi is a weird place , but absolutely loving it.

View attachment 545282View attachment 545283

I had the Michelins on my 1250gsa from new and they suited the bike but on the Stelvio they do not suit the bike , the front I found especially bad.

On the gsa I settled on Conti TA3 (after a brief dalliance with Dunlop Mutants ........ terrible) , TA 3's are excellent but managed to pick up a pair of Avon Spirits for the Guzzi which really suit my riding , the front provides better grip , turn in and control.

Swapped the Michelin tyres off the Stelvio after only 800 miles

 

[Spartan]

Week 6 update. Just so I dint break the routine. About 4600km before I left. Going to Jerez for WSBK on Sunday which is 500km round trip. So will be riding from dark to light. Autopista and mountains . First decent long trip so it will be good to see what the bike is like as really this is its natural habitat.

No riding this week because I'm in Italy. But some Guzzi info anyway. Interesting scenarios.

Trying to book the 10,000km service because it will be due end of November at current rate. The dealer i bought it from. Emailed. No reply. WhatsApp salesman who tells me to WhatsApp workshop reception. I do that. Wait 3 days. No reply. Call salesman again. Workshop replies within 2mins.
Ask for appointment for service and fit 2 new tyres. Give me a price for everything. Supply. Fit. Service, the lot. They ask for tyre size. Explain I'm not in spain and the bike is 6 weeks old. Factory spec. It's standard. They reply- cant give quote without tyre size. I try to be nice (which is something I'm working on in life but seem to be failing). Tell them the tyre sizes and say I got them from Moto Guzzi website. Ask him to also go and look at V100 Stelvio bikes in showroom. Bikes in workshop. They all have the same tyre size. Please now sent quotation. 2 more days. No reply.

Contact different dealer near my work. Ask for same. No reply. Follow up. Get a reply saying they are busy and will get back to me. Wait a week. No reply. Email a different branch of same dealership. Finally get quotation for service and price to fit tyres. Price is ridiculous. BMW was half that. No choice as bike is under warranty and I don't want hassle. Booked for end of November. Also arranged to rent a Mandello when bike is in. So that should be good fun.

Now at odds whether to be British and complain to Head of Business at original dealer saying I am trying to give them money. Stay as a client. A
But their service department doesnt want my money. But spain (or more so the south) doesn't work like that so I'll just get a shrug and i already have the appointment with the other dealer now anyway.

This fills me with dread for if I blow it up or have bigger issues.

Anyway. Off topic. But in Bologna for work. Went to Ducati dealer next to Factory for a look at V4 Multistrada. Mistake. They look amazing! But all the used bikes in showroom weren't clean and had chain lube all over wheels and sprocket carrier. So again, if this is Ducati standard its same level as Guzzi.

Until normal service is resumed. Some pics from work of the Fenomeno Roadster. And some of the Ducati dealer.

 

[DS]

I must admit the after sales service and piaggio reluctancy to approve stuff under warranty has put me off swapping my gs1300 for a Stelvio. I have instead decided to add a very low mileage V7 sport in green to my garage and see how the Guzzi ownership experience goes. It’ll be used for local bimbles. Keep posting Spartan por favor.

 

[Spartan]

I read this alot on YouTube comments. I'm still trying to asess what the true situation is. Its the same with cars and all things really that we only hear of the bad things. I'm taking it as it comes. All issues I've had with the bike were due to lack of quality control and overall build quality. Basically loose bolts.

The dealer techs I've spoken to seem to say they have parts stock. And the Stelvio and V100 dont give them many issues. I believe the main issue is that the factory standard isnt quite there (but now its been revamped, possibly is now). There are too many "friday" bikes out there. That need just a good going over at PDI and that would double consumer confidence and half issues/complaints.

I saw YouTube video where paint was peeling from engine. But really- its an Italian bike with character. Leaving it with salt on it and engine temps baking it in or cleaning with abrasive chemicals is just abusing it. Like the little bath type groove on left side of engine. I ceramic coated it and use SI02 protection when cleaning. But same with rest of the bike.

I flew back from Bologna today. The used Ducati's in the flagship showroom all had corrosion. Wear thst seemed excessive for 1-2 year old bikes. They also have issues, and KTM more. But clients buy them in droves

Every video compares it to a GS. Its interesting because its not the same category. The Stelvio is really a category below but wins it so well people compare it to bikes a class above. But then do group tests and a Stelvio isnt in there. Its V4S, 1390 Adventure, 1300GS etc. So why do the compare it then leave it out in group tests. Because its a €15000 115bhp bike and cant really be compared to a €27-30,000 150-180bhp bike.

I have guys at work who swear by GS. And laugh at the Stelvio. But only use 1/2 throttle at most but say 115 isnt enough. Just usual guy thing isn't it. Sometimes people want to "say" what bike they have. Sports bikes are like that. The worst part these owners have is they have to actually put a leg over it once in a while rather than cleaning and talking about it. For sure , big tours etc a GS would be better. Its just a higer quality bike. But that doesn't mean the Stelvio would be crap. I'm planning on taking it to Stelvio Pass next year. Tomorrow I'm doing 500km round trip to Jerez amd excited about it. Sure the bike will be in its element.

I dont know really. I hear the negativity. I also hear stories to back it up. But apart from the silly build issue I had. I've no experience. This is the point in the thread. The bike gets looked after and maintained like a track/race bike. But also gets its ribs kicked in to the point of abuse. So lets see. Its all being posted about for anyone to read who wants to. I'm also nervous if something big goes wrong but the bike is so good I'm not going to stop the fun for a "just in case" based on someone else's story.

I'm seriously thinking about buying a cheap action cam and making a video on the bike. Go over it. Show build niggles. But also show the good parts all the bike reviews miss. How great that slipper clutch is. Wheelie it. Mount cam on frame and video it throwing sparks from the pegs and side stand at 150kph. Do a better video of playing at drifting out the tight corners. Only issue is trying to mount it where it doesnt show speed. Or if something happens and the Law calculate speed against road marks and i get hassle. But it'd just be one of the millions of bike video not within the law so I dont know.

 

[Spartan]

Also from the warranty documentation

6.9. Suggests there should be no excessive delays. Or I'm sure there would be grounds for a replacement bike etc.

 

[Spartan]

Week 7 update. 5510km.

No problems. Bike is getting better.

600km done on Sunday. Went to Jerez in the storms. Amazing. Full Revit waterproofs outer suit on. It was wet the whole way but passed through the center of the storm. Rain was incredible. Sheet of water bouncing back 1ft off the road. Lightning flashing in the sea to the left. No issues with the bike, rain mode on and got through it. Headlight is good but not great. Main beam seems to light up the distance ahead but not so much the sides or any width. Cornering lights work but unsure if they actually make any difference. Came home the long was as I didn't want to get off the bike. Mobile was in pocket and try, casting the Moto Guzzi nav data to the screen. Actually great system. Obviously its just arrows and not a map but it shows speed limits and cameras also. The heated grips arent the best on 3. Feels more like 1-2. And seat on 3 will melt the skin off your ass so the imbalance is strange. Although this morning it was 17 deg. Put grips on and after 10mins they were too hot and turned them down. Maybe its hand position that keeps heat in?

It seems like the bike takes a while to fully run in. It feels stronger, looser and faster now. Upper part of the rev range is still strong for a twin. So much so i noticed in 2nd and 3rd when, say, exiting a roundabout up a slip road. Its still pulling when it then hits the soft limiter. Doesn't sound like a normal engine where you can hear and feel it tail off the end off the power curve. It just drops a tiny bit then sits at 9500rpm. Whole rev range feels good now. I'm convinced this makes more than 115bhp. Not much, but a bit more. 98ron fuel makes a difference. Tested this over and over and its clear.

Been using Tour mode set to power 2 and TC3 for commuting and Touring.
Road in power 1 and TC2 for hills. And Sport in power 1 and TC1 for playing.

For sure there is a noticeable difference in Tour and Road /Sport. Not at full throttle. But 0-50% it's more blunt and docile in Tour.

Had some decent brake fade from the front where the lever came back to the bar. But after it cooled the pads feel ok and have taken it and recovered back to normal feel.

Keeping the bike clean and coated makes a big difference. After the Jerez trip and rain. Quick wash and dry and no dirt was stuck on. Washed clean and shiny again very easily.

The more I ride it. The better it gets. Genuinely happy with the bike and hopefully it continues. I'm always looking at other bikes, eg the V4 Multistrada the other day, os the Superduke GY when it is released. I like the 1250GS with the white/red/blue paint and gold wheels. HP or Rally i think they're called? But Although I'm sure in some areas theyd be better. Theres nothing bad on the Stelvio that would make me sell it. I really like the chassis and handling, bring able to play with it and have a bike that is slower than the mind. Means even riding it for fun and playing the bike is at 80-90% but the mind is only at 50% with loads of room for error and space to feel and think. That wouldn't happen on a 180bhp bike so for now I'm happy.

Going to stop wheelies. Its too hard on it. I found the reason some are crap and some are good. 21L fuel tank. Tank needs to be low to wheelie. Imagine a 20kh plate from the gym on the fuel talk. Big ask!

Jerez carpark and on route after storm.

 

[Spartan]

Bit off topic but in case anyone is interested in racing. Had grid acess. Strange moment where I ended up alone with Álvaro Bautista for 1min. His meet and greet was not planned so nobody turned up. Spoke to him in Spanish about the Ducati, very open and chatty because his contract has ended now.

The Ducati looks like a motogp bike. The comparison from that to the Honda etc is ridiculous. The Honda looks liek a superbike with some trick parts. The Ducati without the fairing looks like a motogp bike. Covered in sensors and antenas etc.

I have some photos with Bautista but obviously dont want to put my ugly mug on the Internet

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

That Barni bike looks almost like works machine. That exhaust

Looks like Ducati will not enjoy such a big advantage next year, it should improve the racing, the SuperSport class has been a much better to watch than the Superbike class this year

 

[Spartan]

Agree.

Yes it was interesting. Both the Barni bikes had slightly different swingarms. But the Factory bikes were completely different. I'll add photos.

In the 20 seconds I had with Bautista. He was very open! I asked what had changed in last 4 rounds to bring the results. He replied "contract ended".

Asked if that meant less stress etc. He said no- its because they stop changing parts and developing the bike. So now every round he has a consistent bike.

Interesting. As there is a YouTube vlog from Storm Stacey at BSB who said the same. All new parts don't mean improvement. It just makes it that the bike is different every time hes on it. So no consistency and confidence. He said he'd get better results on the bike spec he started the season on.

I think Ducati is like that. Really critical to set up etc. In race 2 on Sunday I watched from final 2 rights before last corner. Where they drive hard but bike is on its side all way like a big double apec. The 2 Factory bikes actually raised a little when the drive. Like it has alot of anti squat. Both Bautista and Lowes following their bikes didnt do it. And on exit of 2nd last corner it was sideways much more than the factory bikes. Bautista more so. You could tell that tyre couldn't keep doing that all race and it showed as he ran out of tyre with a few laps to go.
You can see it on the TV footage also.

Factory swingarm compared to Barni

 

[Davey B]

A really interesting thread and thanks for posting so comprehensively.
The chase for more and more BHP is a funny old thing...for 90% of us, most certainly a good exercise by manufacturers in marketing. I ride with a group on stuff from an 85hp 25yr old GS to a nearly new 170hp Ducati MS V4S...the Ducatis may well trounce us all on a bit of a straight but then have to stamp on the brakes to scrub off speed and it all seems to level out...tortoise and hare and all that.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

A really interesting thread and thanks for posting so comprehensively.
The chase for more and more BHP is a funny old thing...for 90% of us, most certainly a good exercise by manufacturers in marketing. I ride with a group on stuff from an 85hp 25yr old GS to a nearly new 170hp Ducati MS V4S...the Ducatis may well trounce us all on a bit of a straight but then have to stamp on the brakes to scrub off speed and it all seems to level out...tortoise and hare and all that.

I found the same

Recently touring on my 25 yo 1150 (85hp and 255kg) with a 2026 KTM 1390 SAS automatic with about 235kg and 175hp

Yes the KTM was/is way faster on the straights, no question and the faster roads

Around the wee twisties and mountain roads - not much difference perhaps

 

[Fluffmeister]

I must admit the after sales service and piaggio reluctancy to approve stuff under warranty has put me off swapping my gs1300 for a Stelvio. I have instead decided to add a very low mileage V7 sport in green to my garage and see how the Guzzi ownership experience goes. It’ll be used for local bimbles. Keep posting Spartan por favor.

You will love the V7 Sport, in fact I'm so confident in that statement that if you don't, I'd let you shag my sister

ALWAYS puts a grin on my face, and it's alive, you can feel wobbles and explosions going on under you.

 

[Spartan]

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it. I know my posts drag on because I start typing on my phone kinda thinking aloud and the words dissappear off the top of the page. Then i hit send and see the paragraphs of waffle

Yes i agree about power. Its interesting. That was the reason I changed to the Stelvio. I got caught speeding on the RS, on the brakes with the back wheel in the air and missed jail/ban by 4kph. Luckily in Spain you pay the fine and can do a Recuperación de los Puntos day. 10 hours in class and regain 4 points.

With the Stelvio the limits and speeds are lower. You can actually use full throttle on exits, but also the bike isnt slow. It's fast enough to be fun but could still get you in trouble, but slow enough you can actually use full throttle.

Have a look at the A366 through Sierra de las Nieves. The R1300RS was hard work there. On the Stelvio i would pass myself on the RS. So much more rewarding to ride but also because its easier its faster. For example you can exit a 2nd gear corner, roll to full gas and hold it and because that is asking alot from the bike and tyres it'll step out and buck and feel fantastic. On the RS that was a careful feely roll on trying to play with grip. And no way could I hold that full gas through 2 or 3 gears. Where as the Stelvio you have to feel it out because the grip is low, get it turned trailing the front but also holding it on the rear brake to hook it on and keep load off the front. Move your foot in to the frame to let the peg bend up, then gas it and hear that beautiful engine sound and feel the bike working hard. So much more rewarding than any other bike. As I posted. The bike seems to be getting better with more hard km.

I had an appointment today and had to rush. The bike was amazing. So much fun. Faster 4th gear sweepers like i posted before in the app data. It just floats and moves but its all so dumbed down and predictable. Like its slow motion. But also has feel and feedback. I asled chat gbt to make a table of chassis geometry of all the bikes in this section. The Stelvio is noticeably different to anything else. Numbers are more similar to naked bike or sporty set up. Its like making an Adventure bike but giving it naked bike geo. Crazy idea but hidden gem.

 

[Spartan]

I think its good to be real with yourself. Thats how we progress right? In racing you don't get a lap time by patting yourself on the head for the good sectors. You accept them and focus on the poor ones and how to improve them.

Guys are guys. Men like the talk. It feels good to say I have a 200bhp bike or whatever. I feel it too. I say Stelvio then have to explain what it is.

But really a bike is to enjoy. Many many riders buy a bike in reality they are scared of. When really they'd be better with a Stelvio and learn the ride it harder/better. They'd get so much more from the bike and experience.

Each to their own through.

The single thing i miss is just that little extra power for wheelies etc. But I would then loose the ability to ride it as I do. And really- my wife could get on a fast bike and pin it full gas in a straight line.

 

[Fluffmeister]

Just to add, tyre wise the Conti TA3's were a transformation over the Anakee Adventures for road use, they also handled plenty of gravel roads without complaint too when I was away on my last euro trip.

I also 100% agree on the "chase for horsepower" comments. Some of the most fun I have had is on what some may regard as underpowered bikes, being able to use more of the performance, more of the time. Had some great rides on a Z750 chasing my mates on their litre bikes, and the old V85TT springs to mind as something regarded as agricultural by many, but a few years ago in the alps, myself on the V85, a mate on his T7 and another of this parish on his ATAS were having a hoot, with the most powerful bike in the trio being 103BHP.