Ridden: 2012 Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX 8V

A few years ago, Moto Guzzi resurrected the NTX name for the first time in over a decade when it released the Stelvio 1200 NTX – the harder-edged version of the standard Stelvio with switchable ABS brakes, quick-detachable aluminium panniers, hand protectors, crash bar and powertrain protectors, a metal bashplate and wide-angle headlamps.

We liked it, but it just let itself down in a few vital areas, including a way too small 18-litre fuel tank and injection that probably wasn’t as crisp as it could be.

But the transverse V-twin still had plenty of firepower, and the whole package was one which had arresting performance written all over it – in all conditions.

Well, not only has Moto Guzzi now kept all the good bits from the original NTX in the updated machine, but it’s seemingly ironed out all the bugs too, which we found out recently when we took it for a spin from Melbourne to the historic gold mining town of Woods Point.

It’s the classic, adventure route, with open ‘transport’ sections, parlaying into tight corners and punchy straights, followed by about 60km of dirt roads.

And not only did we have the NTX at our disposal – the first Aussie motorcycle media to get behind the reins, too – but we also took along a BMW R 1200 GS Adventure for good measure.

Check back in next week for the full comparo – when we’ll also go through the full list of updates on the latest NTX – but I’ll plant a seed by saying that the Italian is more than a match for its German rival – and that’s not stretching the truth by any means.

The NTX is a real mover and shaker, and manages to strike a fine balance between on-road agility and off-road stability, which is always the tightrope that adventure manufacturers have to walk.

Like all hardcore adventure bikes, the NTX at first appears to be an intimidating proposition – daunting perhaps – but that’s simply not reality.

I was particularly in awe of its impressive performance on the tarmac, and the engine has definitely gone to another level, offering a more much ‘cleaner’ experience, particularly where intense on/off throttle work is concerned. Off road, that certainly helps it get down to the business of finding traction sooner rather than later, which is what you require on some of the unsociable, pothole-ridden dirt roads around the country.

The NTX has traction control and ABS, which can both be turned off. The traction control is fairly close in function to the middle setting on the GS Adventure, which allows some sideways action coming out of turns – just enough to help the bike steer rather than inviting heart palpitations. It’s a great set-up in the dirt, as anything more obtrusive that that becomes plain annoying and is a barrier to getting up to speed, especially on loose surfaces.

And the engineers have done a supreme job of ‘hiding’ the 32 litres of fuel on the NTX, as it certainly doesn’t have the top heaviness of the GS Adventure on the tarmac – although the scoreboard evens up on the dirt where the GS has always been a master.

The updated NTX retails for $22,990, while the latest version of the more road-going Stelvio 1200 8V ABS, featuring alloy wheels and unique copper colour scheme, will arrive in February, 2012 with a price of $19,990.