this year I plan my 50th ride over the stelvio. this year not with my brave 900s, but with a royal enfield himalayan. whenever I drove this pass, I only had pure fun! I recommend that everyone is there very early and best of all this week. at the weeks it is simply too crowded, and the different possible speeds of bicycles, cars and motorcycles make too much stress for everyone. and when you see one of the mountain buses come - make it space. a grateful bus driver gives you a laugh and sometimes a loud signal :-) Don't look at your watch - get some time and enjoy this adventure. it's too bad if you don't see anything...

@SteveHarleyTours

18 сағат бұрын

Thanks for the info, with the royal enfield himalayan it's for sure a fun ride!

I must say that i did stelvio last week for the first time and i went up from the east, that was the day after i arrived from Romania, with my wife. We are both experienced in mountain riding BUT the first true Stelvio hairpin dissarmed me, got me by surprinse and made me feel like a begginer 😅. I calmed myself down and i left the bike mostly in first gear and sometimes in 2nd and i got the hang of it after the first 15 hairpins 😂😂. After stelvio i realised that most dolomites mountain passes are similar to stelvio🤣. You need a lot of calm and a lot of experience! Not for novice riders!

@SteveHarleyTours

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment 😊 great information for others to read, this is the reason I made this video, yes most of the dolomites are very similar, ride safe

@Kevin97587

8 ай бұрын

Five years ago i was still a fairly new inexperienced riders (one year of experience) and I did the stelvio pass. In the beginning i was nervous and i used my clutch way too much in the hairpins which was bad because no power to rear wheel = bike wants to tip over sensation and i had a poor riding line. So i decided to drive the pass a few times just for experience. Eventually i figured out to downshift to first BEFORE the hairpin, keep a steady throttle atleast 2/3k rpms so the backwheel has power and drag the rear brake to control speed and slowly release back brake when leaving the hairpin. After that the motorcycle felt very good, i felt confident and i felt like i 'figured out' how to do hairpins. Its all about practice!

Good advice. We did Stelvio last week 2 up on a BMW Rt. We are from Western Australia so don't have roads anything like the European mountain passes. We left the luggage at our accommodation and I am glad we did. I would have to say that the hairpins can be very challenging due to the narrow width of the road, the gradient and lack of visibility for oncoming traffic in places. You have to look well ahead and keep the bike moving, a bit of clutch slip helps at times to keep the drive (momentum) out of the bends. They are tight and it is not a place I would recommend for novice riders. I had watched videos prior of people dropping their bike on the hairpin bends and wondered why they had issues. Now after riding Stelvio I understand. I recommend get to the top before 10am to avoid the peak traffic times. Thanks for the info.

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

"I'm glad it helped , ride safe, thank you for your detailed comment 😊

Hello and thanks for your video. I watched it a few times and the tips helped me a lot. On July 30, I climbed the Stelvio Pass with my Suzuki DL650 V Strom fully loaded. Very good and detailed video with good and accurate explanations. Thanks bro

@SteveHarleyTours

9 ай бұрын

Glad it helped! Enjoy the channel, ride safe

Talking about being careful towards car drivers, here’s my cautionary tale. I’m a daily rider since 3 years, I went from a 125 to an 850 and now a 1250, I do like 15-20k km a year. Not experienced, not properly a noob. I went up for the first time, from the east side of the Stelvio with a fully loaded GS + not very experienced pillion. Not the best start, but I was amazed at how I was constantly pulling good lines, while I was passing riders with middleweights that were struggling. I was focused, and I trained on hairpins like that a few times before so I always remained on the right side even in the worst ones, but hairpins aren’t my daily bread and butter and my training was always without heavy traffic, so getting too cocky got me. It was close to the 15th of August (national holiday) so there was a lot of traffic here, and I was going up behind this very slow cager between the 17th and the 16th hairpin, the one you took at 20:45 in your video. I waited for the cager to initiate the turn, then I got close because the intention was to pass him as soon as possible on the straight, and at about 3/4 of the turn he suddenly stomped on the brakes. I was behind him, already on the right side because I was closing up the line, and had to stop abruptly behind him, with the ground totally missing below my right foot (near the white line it’s very steep) - I dropped the bike, fortunately no damage to us or the bike, other bikers immediately helped. The next time I will let cars completely finish their turn, and I will respect the Stelvio even more, taking it slower :)

@SteveHarleyTours

10 ай бұрын

What a great story , thank you for sharing, ride safe buddy

I drive the Stilfser Joch (passo stelvio) regularely since many years, earlier with my GS 1200 and now with a GS 1250 but I apply a totally different technique in the right turns (the left turns are easy anyways with all the space in the world if not an "open-upper" comes head on). Since the GS is so agile - remember its an Enduro Bike!! - in right turns, I stay completely on the right side and never open up prior. Its not necessary. The bike turns basically on the spot and you can pull it around with minimum turn radius. This way you basically have never to be concerned about approaching traffic not even busses or trucks. Because of the hairneedle nature of the curve they cannot cut it to the left and have to stay way right. Before the guys behind are finished with their open-up manouver I am already at the next hairneedle.

@SteveHarleyTours

11 күн бұрын

Thanks for the info, i remember when try that with the GS two up and loaded with gear didn’t work out good for us, any way we give it another try with the Harley this time, looks like the Harley street glide we ride now turns easier

Δύσκολο πέρασμα με φορτωμένη μηχανή και δυκαβαλο, πολύ καλά τα πήγατε, μπράβο σας με τόσο βάρος, ευχαριστώ για τις πληροφορίες

@SteveHarleyTours

2 жыл бұрын

Ευχαριστούμε πολύ, καλούς δρόμους

CRAZY !!! Life saver video. This is like a PSA for riders. Excellent video. I was researching a ride the Alps on motorcycle tour. Glad I stumbled on your video. You make some very good recommendations and observations. Especially issue of seeing oncoming cars / traffic with steep mountain side. Also needing to make wide outside radius approach into hairpin due to very steep incline on inside of hairpin turn. I did see section of video where you almost dropped bike because of camber on turn. I am a fellow rider ( Adventure Rider ) from Virginia. Excellent footage of Stelio Pass and explanation. Cheers. Kam

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Thank you , not an easy one with loaded bike two up + gear

@greatfallskam

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveHarleyTours Hi Steve, Do you have any videos / info showing following other locations in Alps: Albula Pass, Overalp Pass, Gotthard, Mont Blanc, Route of the Grand Alps, Cod de l'lseran pass, Cold d'lzoard, Col de Vars, Col de la Bonette. Looking at at a trip a trip in June that includes these places. I hope none are like Stelvio. Biggest concern for me is other drivers as you not. Kam

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Hi we have the Alps playlist and Greece backroads , we ride Greece this year 😊

This film was created to educate you about this beautiful but challenging mountain pass; ultimately, the decision to ascend the mountain pass is up to you. However, those who are inexperienced or riding really large motorcycles can easily ascend from Bormio. More analysis check this video too kzread.info/dash/bejne/k2iV0KaTncvXm7Q.html

Good job you two, thank you very much, some of the curves are nearly impossible to complete with a heavily packed bike, but this video helped us prepare for our tour there.

@SteveHarleyTours

2 жыл бұрын

Thaaaaaaanks we appreciate the feedback :)

In addition, it is useful that you know the traffic rules when you drive in the mountains. one of these rules is : traffic driving up mountain usually has priority over descending traffic on a narrow mountain road, because it can be more difficult to get going again if it comes to a standstill. Is the situation very complicated? Then whoever can dodge the easiest should do so.

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Interesting looks like the incoming traffic no one knows that rules, thanks for sharing,

I've been to Stelvio twice. Everything you said in the video is true ;-)

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Thank you Roger much appreciated ☺️ enjoy the series

Great tips, very detailed. I think some riders never train 8 turns with a pillon on a small space. Like for a driving licence, and than surprise that they have to turn sharpy, lean motorcycle and add revs at the same time. All that in coming traffic with no option available to stop machine and rest feet on the ground. Thanks for video!

@SteveHarleyTours

7 ай бұрын

You very welcome Tom, ride safe

Thanks so much for this really informative video. Exceptionally useful - thank you for sharing your experience and debrief 👍👍

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome, enjoy and ride safe , did you go up Stelvio pass yet?

Great video ,loved every second of it . Next time you go, do yourself and your honey a favor . leave the BMW at home and take the Harley . And since you love her more then anything before you go trade in the Fat boy for a Road Glide . You had two major problems going up the pass . I ride a Road Glide ( 900 Lbs. plus fully loaded ) . I have no problem riding circles in a 5.50 meter diameter Yes the floorboards will scrape ,but that is no big deal . The low end torque is what you need to get you around the hairpins . BMW has horsepower but the torque comes at high rpms . Load up the clutch hit the back brake and LEAN into it . YOU HAVE TO LEAN THE BIKE . Practice low speed turns on a parking lot . Your lady is a great sport . Please practice low speed turns . It is the best feeling . Check out Ride like a Pro video . I did and it helped a lot .

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Lol great comment, thank you for the advice but if you look at our older Tour videos you see riding the Harley on places much more difficult than the Stelvio here in GREECE, the beemer with the high center of gravity it's a whole different story, btw we keep the Fatboy for now, we are together for 29 years, ride safe

@whdbnrm3023

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveHarleyTours Yes the Harley is a much better choice over the beemer . Much easier and nicer experience . Congratulations on the 29 years . very nice .

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏

Thanks a lot. very informative. makes me humble and carefull.

@SteveHarleyTours

7 ай бұрын

You welcome 🤗 ride safe

Great information, rare video THANK YOU, i just sent some tips

@SteveHarleyTours

2 жыл бұрын

thank you very much

Them 49 hairpins wouldn’t be a walk in the park but I didn’t see anything an experienced touring riding couldn’t handle.

@SteveHarleyTours

10 ай бұрын

Have you rode Stelvio two up loaded?

@anotek

10 ай бұрын

@@SteveHarleyTours Not yet but I hope to get over there someday. It is on my bucket list. The volume of 48 repetitive hairpins would definitely be a challenge. No time to rest. My observation, completely from watching your video and others, is that the turns have more than enough room for an experienced rider on a touring Harley to complete. The turning radius is 18 feet, sometimes less when single rider and scraping the bottom, so looking at the videos I'd expect that a two up touring riding should be able to stay within their lane. Daunting yes, doable yes. We did complete 8,000+ mile tours two up the last two summers. Rode across the US via Route 66 last year and US East/North East states and Eastern half of Canada this year. Being two up is an added challenge but adding luggage, especially the overpacking I have to contend with (another 100 lbs) on the bike is even more so. Plenty of challenging roads and multiple hairpins along the way. The "Tail of the Dragon" is like that with 318 "curves" in 11 miles. I'm not sure some of those are really curves but it sounds good in the marketing. Much better touring routes in that area but the Tail gets all the publicity. Several hairpins/switch backs along that short route along with cars and "knee draggers" trying to run it as fast as they can. The two scariest roads for me two up touring has been the backroad to Oatman, AZ and Auto Road up Mt Washington in NH. Neither had guardrails. The Oatman road was paved but washed out in places and had gravel across the road throughout. The Auto Road was 8 miles into the sky. The top 3 miles closed in with clouds. After getting to the top the visibility shortened to just a few feet so the descent was navigating a car length at a time for those top 3 miles.

@SteveHarleyTours

10 ай бұрын

@@anotek lmao, this have nothing to do with roads in the US, i have done 9000 miles from NY to LA and back from the South & Rookies and much more including Route 66 the Lewis and Clark off road and more in the USA, you have no idea what this is, we ride Greece also that is about the same and some places even MORE difficult, when you get there or here come back here and let me know, ride safe Also the Tail of the Dragon" is like that with 318 "curves" for us we are laughing ( yes have done that), look "Backroads Greece" playlist here that was a million turns and thousand of hairpin turns, get a tour with us (we are tour guides) and you know the unknown, ride safe buddy

@SteveHarleyTours

10 ай бұрын

@@anotek take a look kzread.info/dash/bejne/k2iV0KaTncvXm7Q.html

If you can ride fully loaded going up to Casielles in Picos, then Stelvio is an easy peasy ride.

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

I am sure there are more difficult passages in this world, thanks

what month of the year would be good to go considering the traffic and the weather

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

I have no idea, the video is August 20

@StefoOMoto

Жыл бұрын

@@SteveHarleyTours we were planning a trip at the beginning of June, but we are afraid of catching bad weather.

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Weather is unpredictable up there, the day before our ride was raining 😊 yes we did wait for the weather to clear

Yep, I have had bikes all sorts, on and off for around 50+ years, but getting old now, and had near 8 year break, now have a good bike for this type of ride, 600f Hornet, lightwight yet very powerful, hardest thing with it is learning the throttle, you have to be very carefull with it, or its gone like a rocket up the pass on 1 wheel ahha. . but over here where I live now we the shipka pass, Bulgaria is not that far from Greece. fantastic views, but some of the turns, are very sharp like an knife, and very steep I have driven it many times with cars, but I may go with my bike later this year. But I need to regain my confidence and get to know the bike better before I try it. ahha, I thought the same, follow a car and let them clear the road. old experience told me that.

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

For sure, you know more 😸 have a good one, thanks 👍

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

Most important is to take your time

been riding 20 yrs , no way im doing that lol

@SteveHarleyTours

Жыл бұрын

lol

Brutto vizio di buttarsi contromano in curva e farli passare all' interno ..in italia ci lasci la patente se si toccano due mezzi😂😂

@SteveHarleyTours

5 ай бұрын

Have you ride this pass with a HEAVY loaded bike?? thanks