Moto Guzzi Stelvio in the 1000PS Offroad Test 2024

With the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, we visited the largest enduro park in Europe, the Red Stag Gelände in Rohr im Gebirge. The expansive area, located about an hour southwest of the Vienna city limits, offered a perfect testing environment with 15 kilometers of forest roads and 28 different off-road trails. There are plenty of opportunities for every riding level to have a full day of fun. With our large adventure bikes, we were mostly on the wider forest paths. However, we also integrated some green trails (easy difficulty level) into the test schedule to really put the big and noble bikes to the test.

The Moto Guzzi Stelvio, based on my riding impressions, is more of a touring bike rather than an adventure bike. For a "true" adventure bike, I expect more reserves in the suspension in terms of ground clearance and resistance to bottoming out. The Stelvio is very well suited for leisurely riding on roads and relaxed gravel paths, but it doesn't quite scream for spirited riding in rough terrain. The standing riding position is rather relaxed and not very sporty. Due to the limited ground clearance, you always have to fear denting the exhaust pipes or even hitting the engine on rocks when off-roading. The suspension, which is not semi-actively adjustable, is more geared towards comfort on long tours rather than high speeds in the terrain, and the fork often bottomed out even on relatively small potholes or braking bumps.

It is evident even to an amateur that the Moto Guzzi Stelvio is not built for endurists with challenging off-road routes on their itinerary. The suspension rattles too much on stronger impacts, the footpegs mounted directly on the outer wall of the engine housing, and the exposed exhaust do not look like they could withstand rough falls well. Additionally, if you get a flat tire at the rear in the wilderness, you have no chance of loosening the 72(!) mm nut of the single-sided swingarm by hand. It is obvious that off-road performance did not play a significant role in the development of the Stelvio. However, it is the first large adventure bike from Moto Guzzi with modern features, and despite all the modernity, it retains the unmistakable, traditional Moto Guzzi character that has made the Italian brand so successful. Light gravel and forest roads can be easily ridden at a leisurely pace. The iconic V-twin purrs, good vibrations massage the soul, and the Stelvio's extensive features fulfill almost every wish one might have for a touring motorcycle. Due to this character and its setup, the Stelvio intuitively encourages you to take beautiful coastal roads under its wheels instead of rough trails and enjoy the Dolce Vita there.

The intense off-road testing conditions were perfectly suited to also put our equipment to the test. When it came to helmets, the 1000PS crew unanimously trusted the new Tour-X5 from Arai. The helmet sits perfectly balanced on the head and behaves very neutrally in the wind, regardless of speed. The fit of the helmet is generally comfortable. There is a snug contact feeling over the entire head area. As typical for Arai, the padding also pleasantly encloses the jawbone and does not create any uncomfortable pressure in the cheek area. The inner lining used in the Tour-X5 feels pleasant and high-quality on the skin, even over a long, intense, and sweaty day. With various ventilation openings in the forehead, chin, and top of the head areas, you can get enough fresh air when needed. The workmanship is first-class - the helmets are not only elegant and beautiful to look at when new, but they also remain absolutely top-notch even after a few hard days off-road. Ventilation openings and visor locking mechanisms can be perfectly operated even when dirty. A great, versatile helmet for all kinds of motorcycle adventures. We give it our highest recommendation!

During our adventure bike test, we uniformly wore gear from the renowned manufacturer Leatt. Our editors were equipped with either the Flow Tour Combo or the Multi Tour Combo. LEATT, well-known for high-quality motocross and hard-enduro apparel, has recently started offering robust and versatile protective clothing for adventure bike riders in their new ADV collection. The Flow Tour jacket particularly impressed with its outstanding ventilation, providing pleasant cooling even in hot conditions of up to 35 degrees. Thanks to the integrated hydration bladder system, our testers stayed well-hydrated even on dusty trails. The generous, waterproof pockets offered ample storage space for personal items and allowed for comfortable access while riding. The Multi Tour Combo, on the other hand, scored with its versatility and three-layer construction, offering optimal protection and adaptability to different weather conditions. Both models are equipped with CE-certified protectors at critical points, providing maximum protection without restricting freedom of movement. Even a LEATT Neck-Brace is compatible with the jackets. We particularly liked the split chest protector on both models, which not only ensures safety but also offers high wearing 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 riding days under extreme conditions.