Each yr, the worldwide motorbike present in Milan generally known as EICMA introduces each pleasure and anticipation for the brand new using yr but to return. Taking place in November helps, as a result of that is when the times are getting colder and drearier in a lot of the northern hemisphere. In addition, its placement simply earlier than the beginning of the busy vacation season in lots of cultures solely serves to intensify anticipation of the fashions revealed on the present.

It’s no coincidence that EICMA 2023 was the place each Moto Guzzi and Suzuki wheeled the Stelvio and the GSX-S1000GX into public view for the very first time.

Both bikes are supposed to lead the cost in demonstrating a formidable sport tourer for every OEM, however one which’s frivolously dusted with only a trace of ADV for seasoning. In Suzuki’s case, the model even sticks the bike into its personal particular “Crossover” class on its web site to additional differentiate it from the remainder of the vary.

Both bikes function the introductions of some severely spectacular technological developments for each manufacturers. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio options the very first occasion of the Piaggio Fast Forward Rider Assistance Solution digital radar-assisted rider aids package deal, whereas the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX is the introduction of Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspension to the world.

How do these two flagships examine on paper? Let’s discover out. Note: All specs supplied listed below are sourced from their respective producers.

Engine, Power, and Torque

The Moto Guzzi Stelvio takes the 90-degree V-twin powerplant first used within the V100 Mandello and sticks it in a totally new chassis. According to Guzzi, this bike was developed in tandem with the V100 Mandello, and incorporates this engine into the Stelvio body in a confused member design.

How you are feeling about engine configurations is usually a private matter, and often has to do with how their traits make you are feeling within the saddle. Some of that has to do with how they sound, in addition to how they carry out. Power and torque do play a job, however they’re very not often the complete story.

The identical can be stated of ultimate drive selections. The Moto Guzzi Stelvio is shaft pushed, whereas the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX is chain pushed. Rider emotions about each closing drive options are sometimes subjective, and never essentially quantifiable in any significant method.

Since the aim of a spec showdown is to stay to issues we are able to quantify, here is what we see. Although the Moto Guzzi Stelvio has barely bigger displacement than the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX, the GSX-S1000GX produces considerably extra energy and a tiny bit extra torque. In each situations, peak energy and torque come increased within the rev vary, which is smart given the engine configurations concerned.

Round One Winner: Suzuki GSX-S1000GX

Chassis

The alternative of a metal body vs. an aluminum body usually entails weight issues. Aluminum may be each light-weight and powerful, that are fascinating traits when developing a brand new mannequin of bike. For riders, it is usually a matter of private choice, and one which can additionally change by bike. In most instances, the selection of metal or aluminum for a body is not going to be a dealbreaker by itself.

Suspension-wise, the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX clearly takes the crown right here. Regarding wheels and tires, it is in all probability a draw right here. The Stelvio has a barely extra adventurous bent to its inventory wheel and tire choice, whereas the GSX-S1000GX has a extra on-road character within the wheel and tire division. Which one riders desire will possible rely on their intentions for both bike.

Brake-wise, the Stelvio has a slight edge over the GSX-S1000GX, however that is to not say that the GSX-S1000GX needs to be counted out.

Round Two Winner: On paper, it is tough to argue with that totally electronically adjustable suspension. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX wins this spherical as nicely.

Dimensions

The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX has a wheelbase that is almost two inches shorter than the Moto Guzzi Stelvio, which means that it ought to have faster steering. The proof of it will clearly be within the using, however that is what the figures indicate on paper.

Seat top on the Stelvio is barely extra accessible to shorter riders than the GSX-S1000GX, however not by a lot. For taller riders, clearly a taller seat top can be extra welcome. This is one other space the place the alternatives will largely be subjective (and also will rely on issues like how the seat feels, attain to controls, and so forth).

The distinction in gasoline tank capability is minimal, however the curb weight between the 2 bikes is extra important. The aspect instances on the GSX-S1000GX provide 25.7 liters of cupboard space and may deal with as much as 11 kilos of weight. Suzuki additionally particularly calls out that they need to match most full-face motorbike helmets, which is a particular plus when touring. The Stelvio, in contrast, doesn’t include aspect instances as customary. They could also be bought as equipment, although.

Round Three Winner: Suzuki GSX-S1000GX

Electronics and Other Features

How these two bikes stack up finally relies on which trim stage of Moto Guzzi Stelvio you are evaluating with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX. Moto Guzzi plans to supply each a base and an up-spec model of the Stelvio to riders, and the cool radar-assisted Piaggio Fast Forward rider aids (radar-adaptive cruise management, blind spot detection, and so forth) will solely be obtainable on the up-spec variant. The base Stelvio doesn’t have these options.

While the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX has a barely bigger TFT show, it isn’t all the time measurement that issues in your sprint. How the knowledge is displayed, how straightforward it’s to navigate, and the way nicely it adapts to ambient lighting situations in order that it is simply seen to riders tends to matter extra.

Round Four Winner: Suzuki GSX-S1000GX if we’re evaluating it in opposition to the bottom Stelvio; Moto Guzzi Stelvio if we’re evaluating the top-spec model with all of the bells and whistles to the one model of the GSX-S1000GX.

Price

On the face of it, how keen riders are to justify a $2,000 value distinction between the bottom Moto Guzzi Stelvio and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX relies on their emotions about options and preferences.

The Stelvio has a shaft drive. The GSX-S1000GX has a sequence drive. 

The Stelvio does not include exhausting aspect instances. The GSX-S1000GX does.

The Stelvio does not include an digital suspension, and even one which’s totally adjustable. The GSX-S1000GX has each.

Is it price $2,000 extra to riders, although? It in all probability relies on the rider.

It can be attention-grabbing to see how Piaggio costs the up-spec model of the Stelvio, and the way that compares to the GSX-S1000GX as soon as that determine is accessible. For now, although, we are able to solely go together with the knowledge obtainable on the time of writing.

Round Five Winner: Draw. The Stelvio is $2,000 inexpensive than the GSX-S1000GX, however it additionally does not have baggage or an digital suspension included in that price. $2,000 does not look like an unreasonable value to pay for these upgrades in 2024.

Overall Winner:

2024 Suzuki GSX-S1000GX wins our Spec Showdown this time round!

Suzuki got here out of the gate swinging with the GSX-S1000GX, touchdown physique blows in opposition to loads of its competitors. Other bikes may additionally provide digital suspensions, however the worth proposition on provide with this package deal is hard to disregard. There’s rather a lot to understand right here; at the very least, on paper.

Depending on the way it’s priced, the Moto Guzzi Stelvio with the radar-assisted tech will possible pose a much bigger problem. We definitely would not rely it out, particularly when you think about that issues like styling and ergonomics aren’t actually lined by spec sheets.

We Ride Bikes, Not Specs

That leads us neatly to our subsequent level, with which we all the time like to shut our Spec Showdowns. Riders are passionate individuals. We trip bikes; we do not trip spec sheets. Just as a result of one thing appears good on paper does not all the time imply that it is the proper alternative for you when you’re within the saddle.

Riders are additionally all completely different individuals. For instance, as I’ve mentioned right here previously, I’m not solely a rider who’s considerably vertically challenged (top round 5-foot-3.5 inches, give or take). I’m additionally a rider with a shorter inseam than most. Since that is the case, I’ve to work somewhat more durable to get my toes on the bottom generally. 

Other riders are taller, or at the very least have longer legs; different riders may need shorter or longer arms, or bigger or smaller fingers. All of these items have an effect on how comfortably bikes match us, and thus, how a lot we every get pleasure from using particular person motorbike fashions.

Since we’re all constructed so in another way, the best possible factor you are able to do to seek out the precise bike for you is to check trip any and all bikes that you simply’re contemplating as your subsequent machine. While specs on paper would possibly provide help to begin to make a listing of bikes you need to cross-shop, specs alone cannot inform you how you may really feel a couple of bike when you trip it. Only using the bikes in query can do this.