Stelvio....first thoughts.

[seahorse]

Thanks, good to know the locks included with the bike are all I need and securing the panniers on the bike with the seat make's sense. Hopefully they included decent instructions in the box, if it rains I'll have time to work on fitting them.

Wrinkleyowlie I'm curious where you have rear preload set and the approximate total load including your pack? Weight cantilevered on the rear rack will increase its 25# effect.

I don't think will be any instructions. Guzzi tech forum has plenty of posts though. Basically you need to ensure the pannier tabs are pushed forward far enough. When new they might need some persuasion shall we say!
Forum also has something somewhere about lock fitting.

 

[Clifton]

Nothing needs done to the 2 locks (one is used per pannier), the 3 which come with the bike are keyed to the bike. Each lock with arm attaches right to the top assembly which includes the handle, with an assortment of washers, large nut, and small screw. Then the top assembly attaches to the pannier with 11 screws.
2 over-centre latches close and open each lid, the lock arm (which is separate) hooks over a pin. Therefore thankfully the lids can be latched shut and used either unlocked or locked. Stumbling my way through it took me almost 2 hours which included removing one assembly to be able to rotate the lock 90* as I had one lock (when locked) with key side to side and the other front to back. Now both are the same. Now it would take maybe 30-45 minutes to do it a second time.
The panniers came with 6 locks all keyed alike and two keys, not sure why but they are not needed.
After first spraying the mount tabs with silicone the panniers went straight in and then forward with a gentle nudge. Them moving forward opens a slot which allows the rear seat to snap down with its tang in that slot. They can't move back to come off with the rear seat on.
Total width of the panniers on the bike is around 38" which isn't bad. This is one of those bikes that IMO look just as nice (maybe even better) with the panniers on.

 

[Wrinkly]

Thanks, good to know the locks included with the bike are all I need and securing the panniers on the bike with the seat make's sense. Hopefully they included decent instructions in the box, if it rains I'll have time to work on fitting them.

Wrinkleyowlie I'm curious where you have rear preload set and the approximate total load including your pack? Weight cantilevered on the rear rack will increase its 25# effect.

Preload is set on 2nd click from softest. Roll bag I would guesstimate at around 30lbs. My weight 16st. Rear top box with about 15lb in it.

 

[Arsey]

Not the greatest…..

 

[Wrinkly]

I'd agree with much of that, although I can't agree that 'the Key looking budget' has ever crossed my mind. As for non backlit switches, I very rarely look at my switches whilst riding. After just short of 3k my gearbox is much improved. It still clanks into first when hot, but the rest of the gearchanges are pretty good.
Sadly the suspension generally has not improved and I can't see it doing so. Having said that, it's only poor on the worst of roads the rest of the time it's pretty good.
One thing I have become aware of is that it's a deceptively quick bike. I often look down and think 'bloody hell'.
I recently rode a new 1300GS, without question a very capable bike, but it left me cold to be honest and I certainly wouldn't be looking back at it when walking away.

 

[Keith Chapman]

I don't think in nearly 50 years of motorcycling, that the need for backlit switch gear has ever crossed my mind.

 

[Neil W]

Never mind cheap looking keys, pure joy that it has a key, just spent 2 weeks touring on my 1250 and constantly checking the bloody "keyless" key was in my pocket .

On my old 1150 and ktm 1090 the thing is infront of you in a nice little slot

 

[Wrinkly]

Never mind cheap looking keys, pure joy that it has a key, just spent 2 weeks touring on my 1250 and constantly checking the bloody "keyless" key was in my pocket .

On my old 1150 and ktm 1090 the thing is infront of you in a nice little slot

My centre stand has arrived. I will now be able to spin the bike around in my shed, rather than doing a 15 point turn.

 

[Wapping]

and constantly checking the bloody "keyless" key was in my pocket .

The keyless ride, works best with bikes with central locking. For example, the 1600. Having it on bikes with keyed panniers, defeats half the object.

Leaving that aside, what I do is attach a clip on a cord, to the inside pocket of my jacket. To this I attach my keyless ride key. I don’t touch it again, so the key will not move. If, for some reason, I do detach the key, I leave the cord dangling out, reminding me that I have detached the key.

Make the cord long enough, so that you can deal with the pannier locks, whilst wearing the jacket, so that you do not need to detach the key.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

My centre stand has arrived. I will now be able to spin the bike around in my shed, rather than doing a 15 point turn.

Do you use a turntable too?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Never mind cheap looking keys, pure joy that it has a key, just spent 2 weeks touring on my 1250 and constantly checking the bloody "keyless" key was in my pocket .

On my old 1150 and ktm 1090 the thing is infront of you in a nice little slot

Hallelujah

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The keyless ride, works best with bikes with central locking. For example, the 1600. Having it on bikes with keyed panniers, defeats half the object.

Leaving that aside, what I do is attach a clip on a cord, to the inside pocket of my jacket. To this I attach my keyless ride key. I don’t touch it again, so the key will not move. If, for some reason, I do detach the key, I leave the cord dangling out, reminding me that I have detached the key.

Make the cord long enough, so that you can deal with the pannier locks, whilst wearing the jacket, so that you do not need to detach the key.

A bit of a faff though
Just have a nice simple key, that goes in a slot on the headstock or in the pannier lid/handle or the car’s steering column
Easy as that
Keyless is shite and an absolute abomination
I won’t buy any keyless vehicle (or a car/van/truck, without a spare wheel either)
Luddite and proud, Richard

 

[Wapping]

A bit of a faff though

Yet, I find it very easy to have a keyless ride motorcycle, with central locking. There again, I find BaseCamp and a Garmin XT, very easy, too.

But, hey, I find my conventionally keyed Himalayan, easy too. You know, that bike you say is too heavy.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Yet, I find it very easy to have a keyless ride motorcycle, with central locking. There again, I find BaseCamp and a Garmin XT, very easy, too.

But, hey, I find my conventionally keyed Himalayan, easy too. You know, that bike you say is too heavy.

Good job we’re all unique then
We have one keyless car (OH’s) and it’s a real PITA in a similar way to Neil W describes - who’s got the bloody fob etc

 

[Wapping]

who’s got the bloody fob etc

Just like the bikermate…. Where’s my bloody key….. ooops, I left it dangling out of the lock on my top box.

 

[Wrinkly]

Do you use a turntable too?

yes

 

[EVskiy]

Good job we’re all unique then
We have one keyless car (OH’s) and it’s a real PITA in a similar way to Neil W describes - who’s got the bloody fob etc

I have two bundles of keys for the bike.
It is a good job I do not have more than one bike then.

The keyless on my KTM does two things.

• it pings a signal to the bike, telling it that its owner is standing near it, thus allowing me to start it.
• Unlocks keyless fuel filling cap.
• It also unlocks the seat lock (which is the only lock on the bike that does require one to insert the key into) allowing me to gain access to a battery and an airman pump fly lead.

Therefore the key is permanently living in my jacket zippered chest pocket.

The second bundle of keys is for the RoadLock, Givi panniers/topbox and a chain/lock combo should I take it with me on a jaunt. This set of keys does live in my tank bag or in a pocket of my jacket.

I have only screws up twice leaving the keyless fob in the pocket of a GTX jacket, then packing it away into the pannier bag, whilst wearing my mesh jacket for example. But I’ve learned from my mistakes and try to remember not to repeat them again.

Anyway, back to the Stelvio’ “cheapo looking” key…

 

[Arsey]

Bollocks . Where’s my key fob ?

Have you looked under the bed ?

 

[AustinW]

I keep keys on a carabiner lanyard attached to my jeans belt loop and in my jeans pockets. It’s more secure than in a jacket as you will often take your jacket off to hang on the back of chair which you may also leave behind while you go to the loo/bar/till or whatever. Which might be a temptation too far for an opportunistic scrote. He/she/they might be long gone on your bike (keyless or not) before you pick up your jacket again to leave. Definitely better on you at all times.

On a different point I also try to keep phone and wallet separated so if I lose one I’m not completely helpless/stuck for money, although loss of a phone would be very challenging these days.

 

[Nick Marshall]

If the keys looks like this.
I have to agreed. They do look budget.