Moto Guzzi Test Day - Stelvio and Mandello S

[@chrisr343]

I am researching and looking into purchasing a Stelvio. I really appreciate the way you convey your experience on the bike. It helps alot. Awesome country ride as well.

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks for the feedback. Good luck with your search for a Stelvio

[@SBKPete]

Cheers Mike 👍🏻 Looking forward to the Tracer 900 GT review.

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks. I did video my ride on the Tracer 900 GT. I need to review the footage and see what learning points are in there along with my riding impressions.

[@Robinbamv]

After over 5000 miles on my Mandello V100S perhaps I can fill in a few gaps. The quick shifter works well in all gears on the way up and the same smooth performance does as far as third but for second or first use the clutch. I found the gearbox a bit notchy to start but as I put miles on the bike this smoothed out considerably. The adaptive aero works at speed to keep the rain off the top of your legs at speeds of 60-70 MPH…… the only problem is as you slow the aero stops working as efficiently and you get wet. The active suspension is better than superb with the ability to tune the bike to your riding style in all four modes. On this test ( assuming factory settings ) the bike was ridden in tour mode, this is great for motorway cruising or very relaxed riding, once off the motorways my usual option is Road. This gives a firmer ride and slightly more aggressive throttle response, Sport mode is even more aggressive, use this mode with care as it encourages more speed than you think you are wanting to use. The bike behaves impeccably in all suspension modes as I found on a tour of the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, get into sport mode on those twisty mountain roads and you will ground the ( optional ) centre stand. The multi-media package is substantial with huge amounts of data available via the Moto Guzzi app, this app also the hub of the navigation system using the phones GPS. The navigation app is power hungry so a phone docking area and USB charger are provided under the rear seat, navigation commands are presented on the control display and voice commands via Bluetooth to your helmet. My only real gripe is the truly dreadful owners manual that is poorly presented and confusing with an index that is worse than useless. It took a considerable amount of time and frustration for both myself and my (superb M-G ) dealer to get the whole multi-media package running properly. In my view M-G should produce a series of KZbin instructions to show owners how to get this package running……. This would save the new owners and the M-G dealers a whole heap of problems.

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks for the extra info. I thought I'd put the bike in road mode, as often on demo bikes the settings have been played around with by the previous rider. What made you think it was in tour (I can't see the TFT detail)? Has your bike's first gear selection got better with miles? The huge clunk and lurch forward really overshadowed the rest of the excellent characteristics for me.

[@Robinbamv]

@@mikeroberts The standard settings don’t put the aerodynamic wings out in Road mode, they are just for rain and tour modes, hence my assumption you had tour mode selected. If someone had been deep into the menus this could have been changed. The gear box gets a lot better with miles on it, there is still a bit of a clunk as the bike is put into first gear but it does not leap forward , I don’t remember it being as bad as you reported even when new and the bike I did a test ride on was OK as well so perhaps the clutch on the test bike was in need of some adjustment??

[@richardb7220]

Good video as usual Mike. 👍 Did you try the V85TT?

[@mikeroberts]

Yes I have. I rode it last year and did enjoy it. I found the one I rode to be 'hunting' all the time at a constant throttle setting, but I've spoken to others and they didn't experience that. I'd have to have another ride and make sure the settings were all correct ... though the V100 and Stelvio would be my preferred choice in the future.

[@mrdderby5234]

Nice steady ride Mike, if you get the chance I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new Honda Transalp

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks. It's not one I've had a chance to ride, as there's no local Honda dealer any more.

[@JohnRumsey-t5f]

A cure for the screen turbulence Mike refers to is a Madstad screen or similar. (I own a V85TT)

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks. Screen choice is always a very personal thing. I hate to look through a screen, and having the exact height for your own torso/head height is critical to avoid buffeting.

[@AW8UK]

I can understand why some dealerships may choose to provide "guided test rides" BUT I suspect not all potential customers appreciate being caused to be speed compliant. I am absolutely NOT advocating exceeding max speed limits BUT am aware some folk like to better sample the performance of test ridden bikes. Not in any way criticising your riding btw.😉

[@geoffc3191]

I get that. I was compelled to be ‘guided’ on my test ride of a big Triumph Tiger some years ago from a large dealer (not dedicated Triumph). The sales person appeared in full leathers and told me she would be on the then fairly new Speed Triple. I did as requested and followed her and before long we were on her test route. I assessed her initially as a competent rider. When she exceeded the legal limit on the B road I rolled off the throttle at 70 and eased back to 65. She disappeared at a speed I’d estimate at 90+. This happened several times and on the return route on a dual carriageway I settled at 75- 80. As we approached the 50 limit a a qtr mile from a roundabout she passed me about 40 above, before braking hard. Back at the dealers I was asked by another lady sales person about my thoughts on the test bike and then as an aside casually mentioned that I chose not to keep up with their sales person, who although handling the speed triple with confidence, I considered injudicious, and added that there was a risk that an ‘alpha male’ type rider might have felt compelled to keep up. She was neutral in her response. I told her I liked the test bike very much and would think about it, then reiterated that I was merely pointing out my concern and mentioned that I only offered my thoughts as something for her to consider. As I left I mentioned that I was not a killjoy although I was the deputy head of the Hampshire Constabulary Traffic Division and introducing “Bikesafe” assessed rides and asked if she’d think about supporting us. I watched the colour drain from her face. I left my card.

[@mikeroberts]

Thanks for the feedback. These demo days help promote the dealership and my local IAM Group. Obviously the dealer does let customers do regular demos at other times.

[@AW8UK]

@@mikeroberts That's good. Huge benefit following a decent rider...if nothing else it may cause some to think about their riding &/or restraint