Well. Rubbish weather yesterday morning and a 100-mile trip before I even got to the dealer but it was worth it.
The NTX looks really good in the flesh and even with the 7Gal tank full to the brim I couldn't get over how compact & light it felt!
I tried wheeling it around the showroom first to get a feel for it and to see how it compared with the GS (I push my GS backwards down the drive, around the LR & wheeliebins and then do a hard turn to get into the garage, that way it means that of a morning I just have to push it forwards a few feet and I can ride straight off). It was really well balanced and despite the weight just didn't feel as heavy. Swung my leg over and it really gives the impression of being narrow, no problems with my left knee hitting the NS cylinder head (which was a reall issue with my Mk1 Le Mans).
Test bike only had 40-miles on the clock and felt really good. It pulled well and the gearbox is really sweet. It wasn't as smooth as the GS but nothing I couldn't live with (or haven't lived with before), the mirrors are excellent but do tend to blur at M-way speeds. Turbulence from the screen meant that at over 60MPH I had to close my visor but that is hardly a fair comparison as the GS wears a tall Wunderlich screen and Tobinators, when it was standard it was no better. I didn't play with the suspension but as it was I found the front too soft for the rear too firm, I know this isn't a general issue and is something a bit of trial & error would soon put right.
Despite never having really got to grips with the BMW indicator switches (10-years ownership can't compare with the previous 22-years of conventional switchgear) it first felt a little strange to have a "normal" switch again but it soon felt right. All the other controls were good and I can only hope that the twin headlights are better than the poor GS affair (aux LED's might not be required this time although the NTX is fitted with front fogs). Despite the GS being the only bike I have ever owned with a gear position indicator I found I missed it on the Guzzi but it is hardly a deal breaker and made up for by the external temp guage.
Finish looked to be top quality, as already stated all hoses are braided SS and it oozes quality. Really liked the Trax panniers (badged MG), I had already decided I liked them before I found out MG used them as OE. Stelvio options which I would have are the Trax topbox and heated grips, dealer would also fit a hugger & Fenda Extenda before it left the showroom (just as on the demo bike and my GS).
While I was there a customer came in who has owned two NTX's (current one on 40K+ miles). He had nothing bad to say about the bike and was a walking / talking advert for the model.
I was offered what I thought was a very reasonable trade-in for the GS, price holds until 1st March (new reg) and a new bike can be ordered & delivered in about 2-weeks so no need to haggle over an old stock bike which might be in the wrong colour or have had people swarming all over it.
Test riding a Tiger Explorer tomorrow, can't really say they appeal to me but I feel I should compare the Stelvio against something else currently on the market. Don't want the extra power and the OE luggage looks awful so the Trax items would get a look in again!
When I first went and looked at one a couple of weeks ago I was really put off by the attitude of the dealer so I declined the offer of a test-ride that day. Now I have riden the Stelvio I will take up his offer but in the event I decide to purchse I would travel slightly further afield to another dealer.
Watch this space.
Why not have a test ride on the new GS? You've got nothing to lose.
