It seems somehow fitting on this day to make my departure from MGCB and from Moto Guzzi ownership. When I bought my new Stelvio just 6 months ago I was expecting that it might just be the last bike I ever bought, and to close my biking life as I started it 56 years ago - on a Guzzi. But despite my optimism and perseverance I’ve found that there are more things that I haven’t enjoyed in the last 6 months than things that I have. I applaud those Stelvio owners who love their bikes sufficiently to overlook their gear selection troubles, their rattling windscreen mechanisms and the primitive suspension - which for me ruin what could otherwise have been a fantastic bike. I hope that those who’ve opted to spend money - significant money - on improving their suspension will find a solution. Those issues alone might have been enough to put me off, but the final straw has been the attitude of my supposedly local dealer and the concern that if ever I needed any support during the term of my extended warranty I would be left wanting. I wish you all the very best of happiness and luck with your bikes.
Sad, but I think most reading Guzzi forums would likely not be surprised.
I’m glad I paid relatively little for mine, and also that I have another (Japanese) alternative in my garage.
These days things have moved on so much there are few ‘lemons’ out there when buying new, but the Guzzi range does seem to be populated by characterful, enthusiasts bikes..
Mine will continue to adorn the garage, it’s a lovely thing to burble about on, but if I were still commuting by bike, it wouldn’t be on a Guzzi, and when I go wandering into Europe, again, for ease of life, I’ll be on my ‘alternative’.
There’s clearly many on here who have covered serious miles on theirs, but I fear your experience is not uncommon.
Hope you enjoy whatever you replace it with.
I totally agree Tommy. I must have been one of the first in the country to order the new Stelvio. I had a Mandello S and a V85 at the time. I waited with great anticipation for it to arrive. I chopped in both the Mandello and the V85 when the Stelvio arrived. It wasn’t long before I was missing the V85 so much I bought another. I ran the Stelvio and the V85 side by side for a few months and only intended keeping one of them. I kept the Euro5+ V85. The Stelvio, although much about it I really liked, there where just to many aspects I couldn’t live with, i.e. gearbox ,suspension. I was truely gutted when I let it go.
comparing the euro5+ V85 to the earlier model, which did you prefer and why?
I have a 2021 V85 and they’ve changed a bit since
Hi Sid, I’ve had all literation’s of the V85 and they’ve all been great bikes. The Euro5+ whilst not a massive change just seems to be a slightly better bike all-round. It is still not a fast bike but definitely a bit perkier than the previous model. The rear suspension feels a little plusher and the screen I much prefer. The screen is better, also better than the larger touring screen, it has 6axis IMU and as I say , for me just an overall better package.
Forgot to add. I also feel it’s fueled better.