MOTO-GUZZI STELVIO NTX (2009 - 2011) Review

The appeal of big adventure bikes needs no reminder but Guzzi's Stelvio is often overlooked when, in reality, it has much of the practicality and stature of the best-selling BMW GS but with extra exclusivity, a touch of added Italian style and plenty of added value as well.

• Latest review: 2024 Moto Guzzi Stelvio review

Sadly, Euro4 has now finally killed off Guzzi's old-school big twins so if the Stelvio appeals - and it should - good, low mileage ones are going to becoming increasingly thin on the ground. In short, if you want a value big adventure bike that stands out, it's worth a look.

The Stelvio NTX is very manageable, far more so than its gigantic BMW competition. It carries it’s all-up, ready-to-go weight of 251kg (5kg less than the GS Adventure) very well at low speed. thanks to a low, two-way adjustable seat, which can be set at 820mm or 840mm. The two-position GS Adventure seat is 890/910mm tall. Town riding is made easy by an ultra-smooth throttle response, gearbox, clutch action and out on the mountain passes the steering is light, and the chassis and suspension set-up gives you lots of confidence. Pillions get a hard time on the back, though as panniers get in the way of their feet.

To give the Stelvio NTX four-valve engine some extra grunt at lower revs, it has revised profile cams, new ignition and injection mapping, and a larger capacity air-box, made possible by shifting the battery on its side. There’s a light action clutch too. This motor also appears in the standard Stelvio from 2009 onward. There is a noticeable amount more low and mid-range shove, but there’s still a bit of a pause around 5000rpm when the four-valve engine stops to catch its breath, then leaps the final way to its 8000rpm redline.

The big Guzzi is a robust, rustic tractor among motorcycles and not much goes wrong with them as long as they're looked after cosmetically and mechanically.

Topping the eleven-grand mark, this is a very expensive motorcycle. It may be cheaper than a similar spec BMW R1200GS Adventure but it’s lack of ability compared to the German giant makes it seem a trifle dear. If you're in the market for a second hand example be prepared to shell out £7000 and up. Find a Moto Guzzi Stelvio for sale.

In true adventure-style, the Stelvio NTX comes with big panniers, spotlights, sump and engine protection and knobbly off-road tyres. It also comes with ABS, radial brakes and a single-sided swingarm/shaft drive as standard. Official accessories include a shaft drive protector, tank bag and pouch, Tomtom Rider 2 sat nav, alarm and heated grips. Compare and buy parts for the NTX in the MCN Shop.