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ADV BikesMoto Guzzi Stelvio Retired: Which Concept is a Worthy Successor?

Moto Guzzi Stelvio Retired: Which Concept is a Worthy Successor?

With the discontinuation of the Stelvio 1200 due to Euro4, what will be next?

Published on 09.01.2017

Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200Photo Courtesy Scott Brady

It’s getting close to that time of year when manufacturers start rolling out new models. One of the top shows for new model and concept bike introductions is the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. Last year’s EICMA show marked the retirement of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 model, killed off after an 8-year run by to the high cost of meeting Euro4 standards.

In a recent Cycle World Q&A, Mr. Davide Zanolini, Piaggio Executive VP of Marketing and Communications, offered more insights about the discontinuation of the Stelvio 1200 from Moto Guzzi’s lineup. In the interview, Mr. Zanolini cited limited sales of the Moto Guzzi Stelvio as part of the problem (7,000 units total). The company invested heavily over the years and only gained a small share of the competitive Adventure Touring segment. Top management at Piaggio felt the investment required to bring the 1200cc V-Twin powerplant up to Euro4 standards would be too excessive.

Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200


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It’s sad to see this beloved Adventure Bike model disappear from Moto Guzzi’s lineup. While heavy, the Stelvio 1200 was a surprisingly versatile machine — full of character and style with the comfort and range to travel long distances. During the Q&A, Mr. Zanolini is tight lipped about plans for a Stelvio succesor but he does mention a new platform they are working on, “At Moto Guzzi they are hard at work on a totally new engine, very advanced, a radical evolution…” expected to be introduced as early as EICMA 2017.

We can only hope that Moto Guzzi will soon return to the Adventure Touring segment with a more modern and more-competitive rendition of the Stelvio. Yet some are less patient than others when it comes to waiting for manufacturers to develop concept bikes. Prolific Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi is famous for his concept bike sketches he thinks the manufacturers ‘should’ build. Bezzi has worked with companies like Ducati, Cagiva, Aprilia, Benelli and Moto Guzzi over the years as an outside consultant and has been instrumental in the development of some of their production models.

Bezzi creates many designs for fun but occasionally when a new production model is released, it ends up looking eerily similar to one of his sketches. Who knows if he’s a modern-day MotoNostradamus, but we sure like checking out his designs and wondering “What if?”.

Oberdan Bezzi has come up with several concepts that we think could be worthy successors to the discontinued Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200. Which one of Bezzi’s designs would you like to see Moto Guzzi build?

1. Moto Guzzi Stelvio Sport 8V

Adventure Motorcycle Moto Guzzi Concept by Oberdan Bezzi

2. Moto Guzzi V12 Fast Rally

Adventure Motorcycle Moto Guzzi Concept by Oberdan Bezzi

3. Moto Guzzi 940 Meta

Adventure Motorcycle Moto Guzzi Concept by Oberdan Bezzi

4. Moto Guzzi V9 NTX

Adventure Motorcycle Moto Guzzi Concept by Oberdan Bezzi

5. Moto Guzzi Vetta 1200

Adventure Motorcycle Moto Guzzi Concept by Oberdan Bezzi

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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J D Cooper
J D Cooper
September 1, 2017 9:15 am

Guzzi really hurt themselves with their flat tappet heads on the 1200 8V engines through 2012. They made the fix as painless as possible, but still it cost most owners about $1k each. That killed resale value of unfixed bikes. It’s a great bike (I own one) but with the competition being SO good, it wasn’t competitive in the marketplace.

Dean Stanley
Dean Stanley
September 2, 2017 9:11 am
Reply to  J D Cooper

And the roller cam1200 engine is so good, it is a crime that they killed it instead of updating it. The 1400 has lost the charm.

rotax504
rotax504
September 1, 2017 9:37 am

All but number 4 use the now discontinued “CARC” platform, so they aren’t going to happen. They’re all just “design exercises” anyway.

Mario P.
Mario P.
September 1, 2017 10:15 am

So many casualties due to Euro4. If they go in the direction of #2 I’m in. Bad ass design!

Bob
Bob
September 12, 2017 11:21 am
Reply to  Mario P.

What are the other casualties, Mario? Just curious, thanks…

Mario P.
Mario P.
September 12, 2017 11:40 am
Reply to  Bob

Tenere 600, CCM GP450, Aprilia Caponord 1200 and a few more that escape my memory right now.

Dean Stanley
Dean Stanley
September 2, 2017 9:07 am

Number one. A replacement Stelvio with 50-75 pounds less weight. That’s it. Other than the cam issues with the pre-12 models, the Stelvios rock! Keep that solid frame and meaty forks, and forget the 900. Should to be big block with 100hp plus.
But a 4 valve 750 cheaper mini- Stelvio would be a great stable mate.

Auphliam
Auphliam
September 6, 2017 5:30 am

That’s a tough choice. I like them all except maybe 3. If pressed to choose one, I’d probably have to go with 5.

Blaine
Blaine
September 6, 2017 9:48 am

The V9 based one makes sense. It is a light weight platform, with a torquey motor. I have a V7 Special. I like it a lot, but would like just a little more power if I was going to load it up for adventure touring.

Damian Fernandez
Damian Fernandez
September 6, 2017 10:10 am

V9 NTX

RedHawk47
RedHawk47
September 6, 2017 11:14 am

V9 engine with a CARC drive.

Andrew Friedman
Andrew Friedman
September 6, 2017 10:24 pm

I don’t get Piaggio. They have done nothing over the years to promote the Guzzi line & even less to improve the dealer network & support.
The Stelvio which has been the most popular bike in the line up over the past few years for the most part saw none of the needed upgrades to keep up with the competition. Cruise control & optional electronic suspension would have helped. A line of accessories would also have made the bike more attractive to buyers. As for the cruise & suspension, the R&D had already been done for the Aprillia line.
BMW with their 9T which is air cooled has been able to meet Euro 4 standard, why not Guzzi? There are times when one has to wonder if Piaggia is trying to put the brand to rest & out of business.
My Stelvio has taken me cross country twice now & off road with no issues in the Rockies & Wyoming. I won’t be looking for a replacement anytime soon. The bike does everything well & is very comfortable. Why go looking?
As to which concept bike rocks my world? Hell, anyone of them would make me a happy Guzzi owner.

nordicbiker
nordicbiker
September 11, 2017 11:53 am

The V9 engine is simply underpowered for it’s weight. Just look at the bobber: 55hp and 210kg. Now imagine that motor in an adventure bike with more plastic and a larger tank, probably weighting in at 220 to 230kg. 55hp is simply no competition for other bikes in the same weight class. The Africa Twin has 95hp, KTMs expected 790 will be in the same horsepower range but I guess quite a few kilos lighter. Guzzi simply doesn’t have the platform for an interesting adv bike right now. Then take a look at Aprilia with their 900 V2. Can’t be too complicated build an adventure bike on the Shiver platform!

paquo
paquo
September 16, 2017 5:35 am

Kind of off topic but i think piaggio owns aprillia. Since the big capo is going away why don’t they bring back the pegaso but as a twin. The shiver and dorkaduro are the same bike so that seems to overlap a bit, but use that killer 900 motor and make lighter adv bike. Of course this will never happen.

richie
richie
September 23, 2017 3:56 am

That’s a real shame. I am lucky enough to own 2 bikes, a2015 GS and a 2016 R1000R. The Stelvio would make a great replacement for the GHS as a laid back tourer to compliment the manic nature of the 1000R

Andy Havill
Andy Havill
November 5, 2017 6:54 am

Build the V9 NTX ffs, and do it soon as !!

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