I can’t believe it has so much power. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio has a newly designed frame and engine. I was so impressed with how it drives!

Moto Guzzi Stelvio…2,420,000 yen

The Moto Guzzi Stelvio is not only packed with cutting-edge electronic equipment, but is also an adventure model that delivers extremely high performance from the body to the engine. This time, we took the Stelvio on a short one-day tour that included city streets and mountain passes.

We would like to introduce its comfort, power performance, handling, and more.

New design from the body to the engine

Moto Guzzi has evolved its traditional longitudinal V-twin engine and equipped it on a variety of models. The Stelvio is one of the models that can be said to be at the pinnacle of this line. Equipped with the same water-cooled DOHC 4-valve “compact block” engine as the Mandello in a newly designed chassis , it thoroughly pursues performance as an adventure tourer.

The compact block has undergone significant evolution. As you can see from the photo, unlike previous longitudinal V-twin engines, the cylinders are installed at a 90-degree angle, which has succeeded in significantly improving the efficiency of intake and exhaust.

The clutch has also been changed from the previous dry type to a wet type, and the engine has been made smaller by reviewing the lubrication method, etc. The minimum ground clearance for off-road driving has been secured. The maximum output is 115ps/8700rpm and the maximum torque is 105Nm/6750rpm, but 82% of the torque is generated at 3000rpm.

After thorough consideration of aerodynamics and repeated simulations and tests, it has achieved high wind protection and comfort. The windscreen is electrically operated.

It is also packed with cutting-edge electronic equipment such as radar sensors, a 6-axis inertial IMU, and cornering lights.

New ideas were incorporated into the chassis and suspension, and the bike was designed not only for comfortable touring but also for sporty performance on mountain passes. This machine is the culmination of Moto Guzzi’s technology.

Medium to intense acceleration

This engine doesn’t feel like it has much torque at around 2000 rpm, but it picks up incredibly from around 3000 rpm. On winding roads or touring, you’ll usually be running it at around 3000 or 4000 rpm, and the acceleration at this level is extraordinary. It accelerates effortlessly, as if it were weightless. I’ve never felt such a feeling of power and agility coexisting. The rev limiter is 9500 rpm, but even at this speed, there’s no sense of torque dropping, and the rev limiter operates naturally. Even though the flywheel mass is large enough, the feeling of it accelerating with such force that it’s almost unnoticeable is impressive. And yet, the classic twin feel of Moto Guzzi’s V-twin remains intact.

I think throttle management is also a factor in the incredible acceleration felt when the throttle is opened. It’s gentle when you first open the throttle, but as you open it up, it takes off with the force of a wild beast. I think anyone who gets on this bike without any prior knowledge and opens the throttle wide might be surprised. Switching to Rain mode makes it a little milder, but the torque in the mid-range doesn’t feel like it has changed much. For normal riding, Rain mode is more than enough. I also felt that the sharp acceleration from around 6000 rpm wasn’t suppressed very much.

In actual comparison, there are probably bikes that are faster, but if we’re talking about street riding only, this engine’s characteristics and torque are so lively that it might just be the fastest. By the way, this characteristic is something that writer Goto really likes. It’s incredibly satisfying when accelerating out of corners on winding roads. However, because accelerating in small spots is so much fun, I often got carried away and went too fast, forcing me to back off the throttle. It’s easy to restrain yourself, but the problem is that it’s so addictively fun that it’s hard to resist.

Agile cornering

All Moto Guzzi adventure models have always offered great handling and fun, but the Stelvio takes this to the next level with a newly designed frame, 19-inch spoke wheels, and supple suspension . The handling is light and nimble when you give it the impetus to bank. The movement itself is measured, but gentle and reassuring. It feels like the bike is banking naturally without any input from the rider, so some riders coming from a sports bike that requires active rider control may find it strange at first. However, once you get used to it, the handling is very pleasant. Once you’ve banked, the bike is stable and firm in corners. The bike feels a little heavy when you need to forcefully raise it to a turning position, but overall, the handling is very neutral and sharp.

The brakes are very sharp, so much so that just one finger on the lever is enough to lock the front and activate the ABS. If you don’t keep this sharpness in mind, you could fall over if you accidentally grab the brake lever while making a U-turn. However, in an emergency when you need to apply full brakes, it gives you a great sense of security. When you start to panic, there are probably very few riders who can squeeze the brake lever hard to slow down to the maximum. With these brakes, just getting your finger on the brake lever will allow you to slow down considerably. Incidentally, the ABS and traction control that support these brakes are very precisely controlled, and even though I tested them many times on different road conditions, the vehicle’s posture was never disturbed.

For this shoot, I spent a day riding the Stelvio, enjoying long distances on winding roads, and it was a very comfortable and fun bike. I honestly never expected a longitudinally mounted V-twin to be such a great bike. The Moto Guzzi 850TT Travel, which I test rode last time, was also a highly refined and fun machine. The price difference means those considering a Moto Guzzi adventure model will likely have a tough time deciding. Realistically, the 850TT Travel may be more affordable. Its price is low, and its power performance and engine characteristics are well-suited to Japan’s road conditions. However, the Stelvio’s thrilling ride, its mechanism that brings together the best of Moto Guzzi technology, and its cutting-edge electronics are undeniably irresistible. If you have the opportunity, I recommend a comparative test ride. Although, riding them side-by-side may make it even more difficult to decide.

Position & foot reach (height 178cm, weight 75kg)

The upper body is relaxed and the legs are not bent too tightly. It is a position that is easy to handle when cornering or off-road. The seat is very comfortable and has excellent wind protection, so it will be comfortable for long distances.