Any Motto Guzzi Stelvio owners?

[Sock Monkey]

Originally Posted by Precis

We're going to ride a new NTX tomorrow; we'll each get a half-hour or so on it, but sadly the dealership's in the city, so unlikely to get to any dirt - might manage a beach though!

Looking forward to your ride report! I much prefer the impressions from "real riders" vs. what comes out of the trade rags because one never knows the real motivation behind their words. Axe to grind? Advertising dollars?

Enjoy your day!

-SM

[DirtisGood]

Just returned from 7 day Adventure Ride in the South/West of Tasmania covered 1780 kilometres of varied terrain. I was the only Stelvio NTX in group others were riding BMW's (but I can't help that). They were very impressed with the Stelvio but it is hard to change blue bloods. I have 20000 kays on mine now and it is 9 months old, so I don't spend much time working, I suppose that the joys of working in the Motorcycle Industry.
This is a link to my Web Site and blog which will show some of the places I ride.
http://eagledream.wix.com/stelvio-owners-tassie

[kirb]

Plan on putting down a deposit. I had to to get in line for a 2012 to be delivered in August.

I was able to test ride an '09 that was on the floor if I wanted, but I have a Griso and knew what to expect.

I can help you in a month or two...until then I am waiting.

[keithn]

I just picked up my new 2012 Stelvio from Valley Yamaha in Chilliwack! It was a horrible wet day but it did not stop from riding for an hour before I went home. Still too soon to comment but initial impressions are what a fantastic bike! At this point glad that I have upgraded from my KLR to the Stelvio.

[03x2]

Looks like the cat is out of the bag. The Stelvio has been a fantastic bike for a couple of years now, so welcome to all the new owners!

[soldierguy]

Originally Posted by Sock Monkey

I much prefer the impressions from "real riders" vs. what comes out of the trade rags...

So true. As an example, most reviews of the 1st generation Stelvio I read mentioned a lack of front braking power. With no miles on it, I noticed that as well on mine. With nearly 700 miles on mine so far, the pads have seated and braking power is excellent.

To do a good review, the rider has to put at least several hundred miles on a bike to get a solid feel for it, and to let things break in a bit. Unfortunately most early product reviews don't allow hundreds of miles to be put on the bike, and the magazines don't have the resources to be able to put hundreds or thousands of miles on every new bike that comes out. I view most reviews as a summary of first impressions and tech specs, rather than an actual in-depth review.

[Luma46]

I did a bit of review and comparison to my previous 1200GS on GuzziTech http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/190/8957.html . Generally I am very happy with the bike in terms of power/torque, handling, ride comfort and riding fun factor. The only thing that bothers me a bit is engine/transmission noise. Valve train did quiet down after valves adjustment, but it is still noisier than on my previous GS. There is kind of tranny whine, especially during acceleration in lower gears, but once you are in higher gears and over 3000 RPMs it seems to be OK. Surprisingly, things in general quiet down when the engine gets hot, and boy this thing gets HOT. I measured the engine block and oils sump few times with infrared gauge and it can get over 105 C !

[Blakebird]

your bike may have a transmission whine, mine does not.

[WitchCityBallabio]

Originally Posted by Luma46

I did a bit of review and comparison to my previous 1200GS on GuzziTech http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/190/8957.html . Generally I am very happy with the bike in terms of power/torque, handling, ride comfort and riding fun factor. The only thing that bothers me a bit is engine/transmission noise. Valve train did quiet down after valves adjustment, but it is still noisier than on my previous GS. There is kind of tranny whine, especially during acceleration in lower gears, but once you are in higher gears and over 3000 RPMs it seems to be OK. Surprisingly, things in general quiet down when the engine gets hot, and boy this thing gets HOT. I measured the engine block and oils sump few times with infrared gauge and it can get over 105 C !

All of my Guzzi's run around 100-105 C normally. On a really hot day, my '70 Ambassador will run between 110-120. That's why I use synthetic oil.

[03x2]

Originally Posted by Luma46

I did a bit of review and comparison to my previous 1200GS on GuzziTech http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/190/8957.html . Generally I am very happy with the bike in terms of power/torque, handling, ride comfort and riding fun factor. The only thing that bothers me a bit is engine/transmission noise. Valve train did quiet down after valves adjustment, but it is still noisier than on my previous GS. There is kind of tranny whine, especially during acceleration in lower gears, but once you are in higher gears and over 3000 RPMs it seems to be OK. Surprisingly, things in general quiet down when the engine gets hot, and boy this thing gets HOT. I measured the engine block and oils sump few times with infrared gauge and it can get over 105 C !

That whine you hear is from the straight cut timing gears. Sadly it becomes quieter as the engine warms.

[Adam R]

Originally Posted by 03x2

That whine you hear is from the straight cut timing gears. Sadly it becomes quieter as the engine warms.

And it varies from bike to bike. Same with the top end of the valve-train, mine has a noisy top end, others are quieter (especially after they changed to a shimmed cam to control the end-float).

Originally Posted by Sock Monkey

I much prefer the impressions from "real riders" vs. what comes out of the trade rags because one never knows the real motivation behind their words. Axe to grind? Advertising dollars?

Absolutely!! Guzzis need some attitude shift before you can enjoy them properly. But the thing that always cheeses me off most is banging on abour BMW's swichgear like it matters, for people buying the bike they'll be used to it after a week and it won't be a problem. It's like they think their bizzare relationship with bikes has anything to do with actually living with one. Pillocks!

[Forseti]

If your trying to accelerate at under 3000rpm no wonder it whines! This ain't a Harley... let it actually rev up a bit before changing gears! These things seem to run best over 5000rpm!

[Luma46]

Originally Posted by Forseti

If your trying to accelerate at under 3000rpm no wonder it whines! This ain't a Harley... let it actually rev up a bit before changing gears! These things seem to run best over 5000rpm!

I did not mean I accelerate from below 3000 rpm while riding, I meant the whine is there during the take off (from the stop) acceleration.