I like driving Alpine passes, fortunately for me there are tons of those around here... In general I love riding our region (central-europe-alps), lucky me

I've been trying to go to the Stelvio-pass for some time now (the 2nd highest Alpine road in Europe), but it was never neither the right time nor the right weather.

This all changed this past weekend, for which I've been watching the weather forecasts closely, and since I've always had good luck driving the Alps in September, I've decided to go for it

The fastest/cheapest way to get there is with the train, it's a night train (with motorcycle transport!) that crosses Austria and arrives at 8am at Feldkirch (edge of Western-Austria), just next to Liechtenstein and an easy haul into Switzerland (crossing Davos) and then to Italy (South-Tirol) to the pass - around 3h drive.

2011-09-15 22.07.28.jpg

Small pass on the way (loved the reflections on the water) where I met another Viennese cruising around (on his speed-triple Triumph) and decided to ride together ("wow that's a big bike you got there").

2011-09-16 10.18.46.jpg

Starting the climb of the 48 hairpin curves (from a total of 60!!!), the view and the great weather are starting to show...

2011-09-16 12.44.24.jpg2011-09-16 12.44.31.jpg2011-09-16 13.27.07.jpg

Getting to the top at 2760m (9080 ft) reveals a very touristic rest-zone, and amazing 28c in the sun!

2011-09-16 13.13.56.jpg2011-09-16 13.15.12.jpg2011-09-16 13.15.51.jpg

The weather was great on top, even thought light clouds are starting to form...

2011-09-16 14.34.19.jpg

We enjoyed a deer-sausage sandwich, and off we drove down the other side (for the rest 12 hairpin curves)...

2011-09-16 14.20.11.jpg2011-09-16 14.20.32.jpg2011-09-16 14.34.35.jpg

Had a nice short break at the mini-waterfall, Bird was thirsty after crossing this pass fully loaded

2011-09-16 14.24.22.jpg

Ready for more? Chirp-chirp-chirp, yes sir!!

2011-09-16 14.25.43.jpg

BTW, just to show how tricky the weather can be up there, this is today's webcam picture from the pass:

stelviolive_04.jpg

All-in-all it was a great weekend, a great pass and an AMAZING BIKE!! Thank you "Honda-Gods" for this great tourer, will never get enough of it! Can't believe this will be one of my last tours this year, can't wait to start planning next year's!!

Take care and drive safe!

Amazing! Thanks for taking us there.

You lucky ba....d!

I was lucky enough to get to ride these roads a couple of years ago. Fantastic experience. Cannot wait to get back and do them again.
Rod

thanks Leon for the virtual ride

I love the alps to, and we really ARE lucky to have them.
unfortunatly I'm sitting in Vienna right now, 12°C outside and cold rain knocking on my window.
and the last picture you posted is just cruel. brrrr

see ya,
Mikey

Ahhh! ..the stelvio passage..! Excellent ride Leon..! Cheers !

done it in june along with about 10 other passes in the area

18 of us left belfast to do a trip with a difference,,,, we hauled the bikes to geneva and flew out.

follow the link below our loading pic's at this addy BELFAST FLYERS - Stelvio 'june 2011

you had more time to take pics, , some lovely sights there too.
glad you got there anyway .

hey kenny, you don't happen to play the clarinet by any chance do you...?

I've done the Stelvio about 12 times now. I am not fond of it......
Yes, it's different, but no fun to ride. Hairpins are not my favourite, I like some speed in my corners......

Did you also ride the Gavia-pass which is the next pass in the South? It's about half an hour further South, and a lot of fun to ride. It's also quiet, the Stelvio is always busy......

Originally Posted by shaft23oz

hey kenny, you don't happen to play the clarinet by any chance do you...?

sorry no,,,,,, had a blast on the bagpipes , would that dooo lol

Two short movies (feauturing me) from the region.
1. A short one of me riding my "normal speed" from this summer: Quick ride - YouTube (I am the yellow BB in front)
2. Also a short one, but now off-road (I almost fell down the mountain) getting up from a steep hill - YouTube

Originally Posted by Helvet

Two short movies (feauturing me) from the region.
1. A short one of me riding my "normal speed" from this summer: Quick ride - YouTube (I am the yellow BB in front)
2. Also a short one, but now off-road (I almost fell down the mountain) getting up from a steep hill - YouTube

Nice POV on the quick ride video..i feel like shit,my feet are killing me,i'm on painkillers over a month and it seems that the only ride i can get is from a screen .lool..

Originally Posted by bullet

Nice POV on the quick ride video..i feel like shit,my feet are killing me,i'm on painkillers over a month and it seems that the only ride i can get is from a screen .lool..

We used a suction-cup holder for the camera, and it was attached to the right side of the fairing. We were trying to find a good position, as low as possible without touching the ground in corners. Sorry about the low quality, the auto-focus was accidently turned off......
And I wasn't on my bike the last 3 months either.....

Originally Posted by Helvet

We used a suction-cup holder for the camera, and it was attached to the right side of the fairing. We were trying to find a good position, as low as possible without touching the ground in corners. Sorry about the low quality, the auto-focus was accidently turned off......
And I wasn't on my bike the last 3 months either.....

No need to apologise about nothing ..i'm not the holy examination..lool..you can try to use the lower mount of fairing by removing the bolt attach a spacer tube and use a longer bolt to hold it...if there is a choice of focus selection just set it to infinite and its ok....

I did the Stelvio last summer, great experience. But i do prefer to climb it with the bycicle! love the Alps!