HERE
And a note on his facebook:
Conclusion
The Stelvio 1200 NTX is a well equipped tourer with large solid panniers and ABS mounted as standard. All the extras available on the NTX cost about 1,000 Euro (US$1,400) more compared to a standard Stelvio. Both versions get the 2009 second generation Quattro Valvole engine though, but the extra protection and those sexy aluminium panniers are worth the premium. The air-cooled 1151cc V90 is a gem and makes for a relaxed but still sporty as you like touring experience. The extra torque was very welcome in the high altitude Alpine passes. [...]
I hope Moto Guzzi continues to develop the Stelvio though and puts it through some tough challenges on the way. In 2009 the NTX is at least one of the best if not THE best Italian touring bikes available on the market.
And a note on his facebook:
Cortina d’Ampezzo, June 2009.
Dearest Friend,
-I found this box of this paper at the back of a bureau so I must write to you as I am mourning for my lost innocence. It never looked like living. The doctors despaired of it from the start. Soon I am off to Venice to stay with my papa in his palace of sin. I wish you were coming. I wish you were here.
I am never quite alone; Stelvio and I travel through the Alpine passes every day. I have a good mind not to take Stelvio to Venice. I don’t want him to meet a lot of horrid Italian bears and pick up bad habits.
Love or what you will. T.
By Tor Sagen/Photography: Milagro
Precious whitened mountain peaks passes by like a myriad of Toblerone’s. The big 1200cc throbbing Guzzi twin produces effortless torque underneath me. I have left Cortina behind me and after two Alpine passes I know that the Stelvio pass itself is only 150 kilometres west of me. On this journey Stelvio is denied the ride to its second home and place it’s named after. First home being Mandello del Lario of course. I am doing the Dolomites four passes route and Stelvio’s not a part of that.
Everything I have seen from the seat of the 2009 Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX today has been beautiful beyond description. As I pass the Marmolada which is the highest peak in the Dolomites the road is at around 2000 metres whilst the peak itself stands at a further 1342 metres. I admire its glacier whilst pushing on at a heart stopping pace through the countless hairpin bends.
The NTX is Moto Guzzi’s answer to BMW’s R 1200 GS Adventure and it is well equipped as standard. The big and solid aluminium panniers enhance the Stelvio’s brute and menacing look seen from the front. The extra steering lights also emphasises the serious touring motives of the new NTX. The Dolomites region I’m riding through is also known for another Italian/German clash. During the Great War thousands of Italians, Austrians and Germans slaughtered each other in these mountain sides, millions all in all throughout the entire war. Austrians used motorbikes with sidecars in warfare for the first time sniping on Italian troop concentrations and fleeing civilians to create chaos on the narrow roads. Luckily I can ride my Italian motorbike without any Austrian trouble in 2009 but isn’t it interesting that the main Adventure segment protagonists are still German (BMW GS), Austrian (KTM Adventure) and Italian (Moto Guzzi Stelvio)?
Mountainous regions usually glorifies strong and healthy men and when he’s not riding a Guzzi Stelvio or BMW GS he’s probably climbing the rock or jumping off it. My point is that the Stelvio is a big butch Adventure tourer and it’s right at home in the Dolomites. With the NTX’s extensive engine and drive shaft protection it’s a lot safer to take it off the beaten track too, but only a professional would be brave enough to take 250 kilo + offroad. There is still one major problem with the NTX for the true adventure rider though and that’s the limited 18 litre fuel carrying capacity. An experienced Africa adventure rider once told me though that where there are people there’ll be fuel. Perhaps if you had a 30 litre fuel tank you’d be more likely to be tempted to stray so far away from people that if you then run out you’re left only with the vultures for company waiting for your flesh.
The wide and comfortable seat can be adjusted from 820mm to 840mm height. The tall windscreen can also be adjusted and features small wind deflectors on each lower side. With the seat adjusted to its lower position you naturally get better protection from the windscreen so particularly in rough weather the lowest seat position works well. Should you either need to stretch your legs more or actually ride offroad the higher position will give better results. The solid hand guards complete the rugged NTX looks and I’m glad Moto Guzzi went with proper guards rather than just something for show.
Up the first mountain passes I’m surprised by how agile the big Italian machine is. Despite its XL size the Stelvio handles like a smaller more sporty motorcycle. It’s only a delight leaning the Stelvio into the hairpin corners and then fire it out to encounter more of the same. The Metzeler Tourance tyres provide excellent grip and have deep enough groves for light gravel work. The front tyre is a 110/80-19 and the rear tyre a 150/70-17. The fully adjustable magnum 50 mm fork allows for a 170mm wheel travel whilst the adjustable monoshock allows 155mm of wheel travel. The front brake is a very powerful double radially mounted 4-piston Brembo affair biting on 320mm discs. The rear brake is a 282mm 2-piston set-up and all linked by ABS. Whilst the ABS worked satisfactory on the road and also perfect on the spot of rain I encountered you can turn ABS off. For the gravel stuff you have to turn the ABS off or you won’t be able to steer with the rear brake and will quickly find yourself in big trouble. Whilst talking about ABS that can be switched off I’m just wondering why no one can’t just make a switch that definitely and instantly tells you that ABS is now on or off. All available systems today you have to hold some button in for ages and are usually left having to test slide the rear before knowing whether ABS is on or off as the ABS light either goes on or blinks or goes off. A switch would also get rid of that bloody annoying “safety” feature where ABS always resets to on after restarting the ignition. When I rode three weeks in Africa constantly on dirt and sand last year we found a way to permanently disable ABS but I never remember the procedure and this was a BMW GS. Put the hard switch next to the instrument panel as there’s no danger of accidentally turn it on or off whilst riding there.
I only rode a tiny piece of road on gravel and some grass whilst in the Dolomites. It was enough to tell you that first of all you need to know what you’re doing for any type of offroad riding. Even a proper hard enduro doesn’t just ride itself like a spider, it needs rider input and expertise. Secondly, lighter is always better. Thirdly you need to be in good shape for long offroad journeys even if they’re not complicated or technical routes. So just because the Stelvio NTX looks the part doesn’t mean it will do what you want if you don’t know how to in the first place. But I am confident that the Stelvio NTX would fare well as long as the terrain is open enough for speed because that’s what you need with a heavy bike offroad. It worried me slightly that the power wasn’t as instant in first gear as I would have wanted if in trouble on the gravel. Anyway, my Stelvio NTX offroad conclusion is that it will go where you want to go if you know how to. Add the knobby tyres and Stelvio NTX will climb and brake better and slide less on the grass too.
For relaxed touring two up with luggage the new Stelvio NTX features the second generation Quattrovalvole engine with new cams and improved midrange. A larger airbox is also in place and all in all this provides a good 5Nm more torque at 5.800rpm and a max power figure of 105 horsepower at 7.250rpm. The extra torque and the improved fuel injection are easy to notice compared to the previous 2006-2008 model. The NTX accelerates in a smooth and firm fashion from 2.000 and all the way past 7.000rpm. Considering that you loose between 10-20% power when riding at high altitude the NTX is just perfect up in the Dolomites. There’s always plenty of power on tap and the delivery is the best yet from the relatively “new” Quattrovalvole motor. The shaft drive does its business almost unnoticed and the gear box and lighter clutch is a delight to use. Cruising in sixth gear on straighter roads proved a comfortable experience too. Whilst having time I take a look at the instrument panel which includes easy to read information from speed to revs, fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, max speed and if you get the heated grips you can read the heating levels on these on the instrument panel also. Pretty much all you need for touring. If you’re wondering how the Stelvio NTX sounds like I can tell you that this air-cooled V90 produces music for the ears limited by a large silencer on the left side of the bike.
Conclusion
The Stelvio 1200 NTX is a well equipped tourer with large solid panniers and ABS mounted as standard. All the extras available on the NTX cost about 1000 Euro more compared to a standard Stelvio. Both versions get the 2009 second generation Quattrovalvole engine though, but the extra protection and those sexy aluminium panniers are worth the premium. The air-cooled 1151cc V90 is a gem and makes for a relaxed but still sporty as you like touring experience. The extra torque was very welcome in the high altitude Alpine passes and there is very little to complain about. Now I’d love to compare it to the BMW GS Adventure and KTM Adventure on a road trip to Morocco or something, but it is a fact that both BMW and KTM have many years headstart on its Adventure concepts and for Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 NTX to win any comparison would probably be a tall order and too much to ask. I hope Moto Guzzi continue to develop the Stelvio though and put it through some tough challenges on the way. In 2009 the NTX is at least one of the best if not THE best Italian touring bikes available on the market.
+
Lovely engine with more torque than before
Comfortable for touring 1 or 2 up
Well equipped and hence good value for money
-
First gear could have been slightly lower
A few more litres of fuel capacity is high on my list for an Adventure bike