Since '02 xBhp is different things to different people. From a close knit national community of bikers to India's only motorcycling lifestyle magazine and a place to make like-minded biker friends. Join us

Castrol Power 1

Squeeze that brake, don’t grat a handful.

Our Partners

xBhp was born more than 16 years ago and since then we've had a chance to ride or drive hundreds of machines running on two wheels or four wheels, and sometimes even three wheels. We are not done yet, and this list is still growing. In these pages, we take a deep dive in the treasure trove of our ride experiences and bring you all that we have ridden or driven.

Moto Guzzi Stelvio :: Avventura Italiana

1,042CC 115BHP 105NM

Ever since adventure touring took off not too long ago, nearly every motorcycle manufacturer in the world has come up with their own flavour of it. Considering Moto Guzzi and its sort of resurgence of late, it was obvious they’d also follow suit. But if you know Moto Guzzi, you know that it would not be a simple one. We have the Moto Guzzi Stelvio with us, an adventure tourer from the legendary Italian marquee and named after perhaps one of the most beautiful roads to ride on. 

The name though is also a nod to the capabilities of the motorcycle. The road to Stelvio Pass is one hundred per cent paved and that is where the Moto Guzzi Stelvio finds itself most comfortable. But hey, I am jumping the gun so let us get back on track and start with the looks. Single-sided swingarm on an adventure motorcycle with shaft drive, bring it on!  

There is just something about Italian motorcycles, isn’t there? There are simpler and more efficient ways of doing things but they just don’t. To them, automotive design is an art and they take it seriously. Moto Guzzi Stelvio is no exception. In a world where the blueprint of adventure touring motorcycles remains more or less similar, the Stelvio stands out. From the engine heads sticking out (not quite like the Boxers) to the stubby exhaust, it is as artistic as they come. 

The design flows beautifully and seamlessly and even the bits that are to be more function than form do not become an eyesore. I also like how imposing the 46mm forks look and overall, I think they have done a stunning job with the design. I mean take a look at that bash plate. Even the name of the part suggests that it is not supposed to be a good-looking one but on the Stelvio, it does. I rode a Moto Guzzi Audace back in India and it induced the same feeling of coherence that the Stelvio does. 

Now, let us talk about the performance. The engine comes from the Mandello V100, a roadster from Moto Guzzi. Also, you can tell the Mandello and the Stelvio share design cues as well. Moto Guzzi states that the development ran parallel but even if the Stelvio was based on a Mandello, we’d say that is a good-looking motorcycle to use as a base. 

The differences between the two are obvious. The Stelvio gets spoked wheels and Michelin Anaki tyres, the front wheel is 19” and the riding stance is more upright. Based on the inputs received for the Mandello and the general requisites of an adventure motorcycle, the Stelvio has been stiffened and bolstered. 

The engine is a transversal 90-degree V-twin that displaces 1,042cc. It makes 115 hp of power and 105 Nm of torque. The numbers seem a tad underwhelming on paper. The torque is alright but if it made a little more power, it would have seemed better on paper. In the real world though, you never feel that the Stelvio lacks power. It is a fun and punchy motorcycle within the city limits and on open roads. 

The Acer Swift 5 is a perennial part of our roadtrips thanks to its lightweight and portability augmented by a surprising amount of power relative to its footprint.

I found the engine to be very refined and an enjoyable unit. It does not feel devoid of punch in the lower revs but that does not take away from the top end which is very enjoyable as well. This is a motorcycle you can putter around on or rev it out on a winding road and have a lot of fun. The catch here is the gearbox and the quickshifter. It is not the most smooth unit out there but it gets the job done. There’s also a loud clunk when you engage the first gear and the motorcycle also lurches forward a little which is, I don’t know, an interesting characteristic or a niggle. Varies from person to person. 

The handling is where the Moto Guzzi Stelvio redeems itself again. It is a fantastic handler. The chassis, the suspension, the geometry and the tyres come together to constitute a motorcycle that is sublime through the corners. Add to that the punch from the engine and the Stelvio becomes a motorcycle that you are going to love riding up to, well, Stelvio. The braking system is more than adequate and the suspension, though ready for a little off-roading, provides more than enough support for some spirited riding on winding mountain roads. 

The Rynox Navigator tank bag has been a part of our roadtrips for a while now. It is spacious, easy to attach and detach, and protects our valuables from the elements.

Then comes off-roading and to be honest, I did not try it as much but I think it is a motorcycle that would do alright on some light trails. It is not meant for hardcore off-roading and if that is something on your mind, the parent company Piaggio has something else you’d like… an Aprilia Turaeg. 

Another department where the Moto Guzzi Stelvio excels is the feature set. An electronic windscreen, an intuitive TFT screen, riding modes, traction control, cornering ABS, all-LED lighting and so on. The electronics package is comprehensive and becomes even better when you go for the optional PFF RAS Model. PFF stands for Piaggio Fast Forward and RAS stands for Rider Assistance Solution. In simpler terms, you get radar-assisted safety features including Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and Lane Change Assist (LCA).

In conclusion, the Moto Guzzi Stelvio is a fantastic motorcycle but there are some misses and none of them are directed at the motorcycle itself. First of all, Moto Guzzi is not marketed well enough and we do not have enough showrooms for it. If Piaggio can sort that out, the resurgence of Moto Guzzi will well and truly be underway. Till then, I think the motorcycles they make will take care of that and the Stelvio seems ready for that responsibility.