Moto Guzzi Stelvio in the 1000PS Offroad Test 2024

With the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, we visited Europe's largest enduro park, the Red Stag Gelände in Rohr im Gebirge. This expansive area, located about an hour southwest of Vienna's city limits, offered 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different offroad trails, making it the perfect testing ground. There's something for every skill level here, allowing a full day of riding excitement. We predominantly navigated the wider forest paths with our large adventure bikes. However, we also included a few green trails (easy difficulty) in the test sequence to give the big and classy bikes a proper workout.

Based on my riding impressions, I would classify the Moto Guzzi Stelvio more as a touring enduro rather than a true adventure enduro. For a "real" enduro, I expect more reserves in the suspension regarding ground clearance and impact resistance. The Stelvio is great for leisurely rides on roads and relaxed gravel paths, but it's not really cut out for sporty, ambitious riding in rough terrain. The standing riding position is more relaxed and not very sporty. Due to the limited ground clearance, there's always a risk of denting the exhaust pipes or even hitting the engine on rocks when offroading. Additionally, the non-semi-active suspension is more tuned for comfort on long roads rather than high-speed terrain, and the fork has bottomed out frequently even on relatively small potholes or braking bumps.

Even as an amateur, it's clear that the Moto Guzzi Stelvio isn't built for enduro riders with demanding off-road tracks on their itinerary. The suspension clatters too much on harder hits, the footpegs mounted directly to the engine case, and the exposed exhaust don't look like they'll handle rough crashes well. Plus, if you get a flat at the rear, there's no chance of loosening the 72mm nut on the single-sided swingarm by hand in the middle of nowhere. It's obvious that off-road performance wasn't a major focus in the Stelvio's design. However, it is Moto Guzzi's first large adventure enduro with modern features, while still preserving the unmistakable, traditional Moto Guzzi character that has made the Italian brand so successful. It handles light gravel and forest paths effortlessly at a comfortable pace. The iconic V-twin purrs along, pleasurable vibrations massage the soul, and the Stelvio's extensive features meet virtually every desire one could have for a touring motorcycle. With this character and tuning, the Stelvio naturally leads you to choose scenic coastal roads over rugged trails, inviting you to enjoy the Dolce Vita.

The intense testing conditions in the field were perfect for also putting our gear to the test. Regarding helmets, the 1000PS crew unanimously trusted the new Arai Tour-X5. The helmet sits perfectly balanced on the head and remains very neutral in the wind regardless of speed. The fit of the helmet is generally comfortable, providing a snug contact feel all around the head. Arai's typical padding pleasantly envelops the jawbone without creating uncomfortable pressure on the cheeks. The interior lining of the Tour-X5 feels plush and high-quality on the skin, even after a long, intense, and sweaty day. With multiple ventilation openings in the forehead, chin, and top areas, you can ensure plenty of fresh air as needed. The craftsmanship is top-notch—the helmets not only look classy and elegant when new, but they also remain in excellent condition even after several tough days in the field. Ventilation openings and visor locking mechanisms work perfectly even when dirty. A fantastic, versatile helmet for all types of motorcycle adventures. We give it our highest recommendation!

During our adventure touring test, we uniformly wore gear from the renowned manufacturer Leatt. Our editors were equipped with either the Flow Tour Suit or the Multi Tour Suit. LEATT, well-known for high-quality motocross and hard-enduro apparel, recently expanded to provide robust and versatile protective gear for adventure bike riders in their new ADV collection. The Flow Tour jacket particularly impressed with its outstanding ventilation, ensuring a pleasant coolness even in temperatures up to 35 degrees. Thanks to the integrated hydration system, our testers stayed well-hydrated on dusty trails. The generous, waterproof pockets provided ample storage for personal items and easy access during rides. The Multi Tour Suit, on the other hand, scored with its versatility and three-layer construction, offering optimal protection and adaptability to different weather conditions. Both models come equipped with CE-certified protectors at critical points, offering maximum protection without restricting mobility. Even a LEATT Neck-Brace is compatible with the jackets. We particularly appreciated the split chest protector on both models, which ensures safety and offers high comfort when the zipper is open. LEATT's gear proved to be ideal for our intensive tests. Robust, safe, and providing the necessary comfort for long rides under extreme conditions were all delivered.