fact that it could only be started in neutral are irritations that can be electronically adjusted come service time . To date I have not even sighted another V100 Stelvio , so I have not been able to compare these ‘ issues ’ with another . Our bike was not equipped with such optional extras as forward facing radar , adaptive cruise control or a quickshifter , but did have cornering ABS and an electronically adjustable windscreen which was cool .
WOULD I BUY ONE ? Yes , if I didn ’ t have a V85TT already at home ; which has shown me over the past four years that horsepower , especially on crappy NZ roads and taking into account my advanced age , is not the be-all and end-all . The V85TT capably handles all of our touring needs in New Zealand and coupled with a new CFMoto MT450 for off-road exploration , I believe I have all bases covered . But if I lived in a country where long distance travel is a given ( USA , Canada , Australia or in Europe ) or I was still in the 30-60 year-old age bracket in NZ then , yes , absolutely . The abundance of character , beauty and Moto Guzzi charm coupled with comfort , megatorque and more-than-adequate horsepower , the urge would be totally irresistible and boy , do you get some attention when fellow riders recognise your steed . Quite satisfying really and we certainly look forward to being reunited with it next year . KEL ROOD
ENOUGH ABOUT THE BIKE , WHAT ABOUT THE RIDING EXPERIENCE One of the non-negotiables when we are planning our overseas riding tours is ensuring that we are well rested from the long-haul flights from New Zealand before we start riding . On this trip we had a stopover in Dubai on the way to Paris but , even so , the leg from Auckland to Dubai is still 16-17 hours , followed by another six to seven hour flight from Dubai to Paris . As we had already spent time exploring Paris on a previous trip and with the lead up to the Olympic Games in full swing , we chose to spend our rest and recover days in Tours , which is where we were to collect our bikes from the Ride-in-Tours Touring and Rental company . As our flight arrived at Charles de Gaulle , Paris in the early evening we chose to stay in an airport hotel where we could have a sleep in and enjoy
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