Moto Guzzi STONE reviews

Update to my original review: I don't know how many miles I have on this thing, exactly, since the odometer broke (it is Italian)... I estimate 15000 miles. It has been to Canada, Black Hills, Badlands, etc. I ride it to work, class, 4 hours one way to Air Guard Drill weekends, home to the farm... I have driven my car once in the last month - the saddlebags swallow my groceries. It is my primary means of transportation 10 1/2 months out of the year. I love it. I stand by everything I said in the original review. My girlfriend claims she is with me because of this bike and my good looks (I figure she is 50% honest, 50% nice) I will never sell this machine. Besides the broken odometer (and trip meter), the handgrips have worn out... plus a few other minor details I can't remember. The biggest problem was a disconnected fuel line on the fuel pump, but I was able to fix that. I wish the fuel tank held more gas, so I could make better time/distance on long trips, and that it had a better mechanism for informing the operator as to fuel remaining. Heart of an Allis HD-20, soul of a P-47... Show less

I GREW UP ON HARLEYS. OVER THE YEARS, HARLEYS CHANGED AND HARLEY RIDERS CHANGED. BACK IN THE DAY HARLEYS WERE SPECIAL. NO MORE NOW - THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. I WANTED SOMETHING DIFFERENT SO I GOT MYSELF A GUZZI STONE. WHAT A BIKE! THE PRICE WAS RIGHT, THE BIKE WENT AS FAST AS I COULD STAND, AND I WOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO RIDE FROM WASHINGTON TO NEW YORK. I TELL YOU THE BIKE LOOKS GREAT, IT RUNS GREAT, AND IT GET LOOKS EVERY WHERE I GO. I HAVE A HARLEY AND IT IS ALSO A GOOD BIKE BUT THE BIKES ARE NOT THE SAME. IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO THINK YOU ARE A BAD ASS, GET A HARLEY. IF YOU WANT A BIKE FOR THE PURE MOTORCYCLIST, GET A GUZZI. YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH THE GUZZI! Show less

The Stone just turned over 8000 miles. The tail light assembly was replaced under warranty. The engine ticks a little sometimes but runs better now then when it was new. I really like this bike a lot! My BMW is a better motorcycle but I like my Stone more. Bike uses no oil between changes. I'm running Shell Rotella 5w-40 and UFI filter. Next summer I'll run 15w-50 oil in it for the hot weather. Alaska Leather sheepskin makes the seat bearable now. Show less

I bought the Guzzi in the fall of 2003 brand new after riding a '94 Kawasaki Vulcan 750 for quite a while. The Vulcan got totaled (rear-ended), so I starting shopping around. The overall sale was because the dealer was so much better than the other dealers I had talked with, but I haven't had a real complaint since! A great bike overall with torquey power to satisfy those long 2-up trips on hilly roads. Mileage has varied between 37 mpg (hard riding directly after break in) up to 47 mpg (constant 75 mph interstate travel), averaging 42 right now. The mileage has been creeping up over time though. The original tires lasted about 8000 miles, so I replaced them with Michelins. These seem to be doing alright, except that the front tire is nearly bald after only 6000 miles. Running the full synthetic oil has increased the mileage about 10%. The only problems have been a fuel line popping off (repaired under warranty) and the clutch starting to slip. This is to be replaced with a double plate clutch this winter, under warranty. Other than that this bike will run with the crotch rockets or cruise with the Harleys and always seems to draw a crowd from both sectors. Show less

I have had the stone black for 6000 mile - no trouble - just a sheer joy to own and ride. Theres nothing like it anywhere do not let anyone tell that this is not a great bike its outstanding and is now being built to high standards. Show less

Had my 2002 Stone Metal 3 weeks, and what a bike. It handles so much better than my previous Le Mans 1000 (1989) The seat is comfortable and the engine (though new) pulls like a train. 1st tankful shows 55 mpg (imperial) Build quality since Aprilia took over is so much sharper than my Le Mans.I really look forward to putting some miles on this bike. Show less

This is an update of a review I posted in late 2002. I have had my 2003 Stone Metal since August 2002 and now have ~7700 miles on the odometer. The bike has been an absolute joy, trouble free and runs like a scalded dog! As the miles pass, the transmission/clutch, which started out somewhat notchy, has started to smooth out quite nicely. The bike runs perfectly, braking is excellent and handling is excellent as well. I have added the Guzzi Stone Touring windshield, some soft luggage from motorbags.com and highway bars/pegs from mgcycle.com and the bike is a pleasure for touring use. It's also a great around town bike and I ride it to work daily, weather permitting(damned Nebraska winters!!) All in all, it's a fantastic bike and I can't see myself ever parting with it. It does everything I want it to do and does it very well. chris in omaha Show less

Bought my California Stone metal on 8/2/02. 4 weeks and 1850 miles later, I have loved every minute of rding thus far! The bike is a blast to ride and the power just keeps building as the revs get higher. My long trip thus far was a 500 miler between Omaha and the Kansas City area...mostly interstate and she ran and handled beautifully and with great passing power. After about 300-350 miles of riding my butt got a little sore, but not too bad. The gearbox was a little notchy at first but has gotten smoother with time and miles. You learn to shift very deliberately and positively, especially early on. Average about 40 mpg, with a best tank of 42 mpg and a worst of about 38.5 mpg thus far. Seating position is pretty upright and seat height is fairly high for a cruiser styled bike at around 29 inches....more like a standard. My dealer, Baxter Cycle is Marne Iowa, has been great. Excellent service thus far. They are motorcycle lovers and sell Triumph and Moto Guzzi new models as well as a ton of older British and other bikes. Worth a visit!! My Guzzi has loads of that indefinable "character" and I can't wait to wake up every day and ride it! Show less