Stelvio ownership... day 1

[the civil one]

Got a question for Phil if he is reading this, what does Billie think of the pillion accommodation? Does the pillion seat slope forwards?

We only go two up on tour , as she has her own Bike now ,!, but when we use it two up its very comfortable , the seat is level , and its not as high a perch to get up on as the 12GSA.
Overall , i have to say , i would buy another Stelvio .

 

[Wrinkly]

With regards to the screen I have found that a Wunderlich screen extender works fine.
I couldn't make the standard NTX screen work regardless of adjustment but I fitted the Wunderlich flip and it is perfect.

It can snatch a bit at low speed however I have found that you soon adapt, I think that they get better as you run them in (is yours brand-new?). General running is helped by use of Super unleaded, the last 6 fill-ups have been with that and it is definitely running a lot better.

It was a bit of a faff but I've managed to bring the screen mounting bars 20mm forward which brings the screen about 25mm off the headlight cowl.
I was a bit concerned that it might look a bit naff, but it looks fine and allows the air flow to come under the screen which in theory should improve the way the air passes over the rider.

The shape of the headlight cowl lends itself ideally to this idea and there has been a marked improvement in the effectiveness of the screen.There is a slight lip at the top of the headlight cowl where it connects with the clocks which will disturb the airflow and I'm working on ideas to smooth this out which should improve things even more.
To get a better idea of what I'm trying to achieve have a look at "Madstad Engineering"

I've also improved, but not totally cured the snatchy throttle by removing the throttle grip and giving the end of the bar a good coating of lithium grease. which has made the action slightly heavier.

Loving the bike more and more everyday. I honestly can't remember the last bike I got which made me want to ride it as much as the Stelvio.

Steve

 

[ianran]

Sorry to crash your thread, I have a Gas with a Sargent standard gs height seat. Im struggling with the height, how much difference have you guys found? I've had several Guzi's and fancy another.

 

[FatAl]

I have a 30 inch inside leg, with the seat on the low setting I can easily get both feet on the ground. I like to use the high setting for long trips as my knees are less bent, but I'm on tippy toes then when stopped. Not too much of a problem two up as the extra weight brings the height down just enough.
The bike is a little top heavy but it disappears once you get going.
They really are great bikes to ride, and easy to maintain. The build quality is very good. I'm on my second stelvio, and after five years of ownership I'm extremely pleased. I'm at a loss to what I would replace the bike with, on occasions I flirt with the idea of a KTM, but the seats are even higher and they seem more complicated and expensive to maintain.

 

[ianran]

I have a 30 inch inside leg, with the seat on the low setting I can easily get both feet on the ground. I like to use the high setting for long trips as my knees are less bent, but I'm on tippy toes then when stopped. Not too much of a problem two up as the extra weight brings the height down just enough.
The bike is a little top heavy but it disappears once you get going.
They really are great bikes to ride, and easy to maintain. The build quality is very good. I'm on my second stelvio, and after five years of ownership I'm extremely pleased. I'm at a loss to what I would replace the bike with, on occasions I flirt with the idea of a KTM, but the seats are even higher and they seem more complicated and expensive to maintain.

Cheers for that, its an itch I need to scratch !

 

[Ogmios]

Curiouser and curiouser

Following this thread with great interest.
I think i'd really get on with a Stelvio (have a Cali3 now)
But cant afford one - i'd have to sell everything including Mrs Og! and i cant see that happening.
But someday....
when they're 'old', maybe.

 

[Arsey]

I've always liked the quirkiness of the Stelvio.

Never ridden one though.Didn't the back of the exhaust used to be made from mild steel ?

This looks cheap !!!

 

[Fluffmeister]

Here's a few of the stelvio. White is not an NTX option but I didn't like either the green or black so Andy at Teasdale motorcycles swapped me the panels from a white bike.

Do I think the stelvio is a better bike than the 1200wc ?

On Paper the 1200wc would appear to be a much better bike,for me there is no doubt, the Stelvio puts a massive smile on my face and is a much nicer bike to ride.

I love the look of that, the white really suits it as well, a great way to stick out from the crowd.

 

[cookie]

This looks cheap !!!

nostalgia eh? i remember when nine grand was a lot of money.

 

[Arsey]

nostalgia eh? i remember when nine grand was a lot of money.

True,but when this is less than a year old and the same age Toilets are going for £4-5 k more makes it quite good value !!

 

[David Nimrod]

Much more appealing than an LC.

But that rear rack looks dodgy...

 

[simondippenhall]

Any taller riders tried it out?

Great to hear all the positive experiences of the Stelvio.

Before I rush off and try one, any longer-legged riders tried it?
( I am 6ft tall, with 33" inner leg measurement....had a Cali II for 20 years but always found it a bit snug at the knees , or even plain too small).

Regards

Simon

 

[MikeO]

No Guzzi was ever built for anyone over 5'8"...

 

[simondippenhall]

No Guzzi was ever built for anyone over 5'8"...

I suppose I had better stick with my trusty GS1150 ;-). It has got me to the Sahara and to Syria with no bother.....

 

[Big Al Litch]

Great to hear all the positive experiences of the Stelvio.
Before I rush off and try one, any longer-legged riders tried it?
( I am 6ft tall, with 33" inner leg measurement....had a Cali II for 20 years but always found it a bit snug at the knees , or even plain too small).
Regards
Simon

I am 6ft tall and the Stelvio is perfect.

I have always preferred taller bikes, I had to sell my Mk1 Le Mans because it was like ridding a childs bike but I had my 1150GS for over 10-years and now the Stelvio NTX and it is ideal for my size. I can touch the ground with both feet at the same time but they aren't both flat on the ground, my knees don't hit the LH cylinder or injection and I can slide back on the seat if needs be to change the riding position on long runs.
The Stelvio is no problem whatsoever for the taller amongst us.

 

[Ogmios]

No Guzzi was ever built for anyone over 5'8"...

Oh well - only a few years and i'll fit my Cali.
~~
was 6' 1/4" ... now 5'10" ... only a matter of time.

 

[cash]

Found the Stelvio impossible to get on with luggage afixed unless its on the center stand im 6ft 4

 

[FatAl]

You're a good four inches taller than me, I manage ok to get on and off with the luggage on. However I always get on a bike with it on the side stand, I was trained that way. I believe using the centre stand in such a way may weaken it.

 

[Wrinkly]

Your a good 6" taller than me and I've only a 29" inside leg.

Bike on the side stand...no luggage...just swing my leg over

Bike on the side stand...with luggage...approach from the near side and step over the centre of the seat..not sure for how many more years I'll be able to use this approach though, already had to start giving my leg a helping hand by lifting it a bit.

Even on the low setting the seat is a little tall for me although not unmanagable,but I do find the bike very well balanced at slow speed.

Fitted one of those mixture enriching devices which has smoothed out the bike quite a bit and lessened the effects of the throttle snatch,although not completely cured it.

It's one of those bikes that instead of the initial excitement of ownership beginning to wane after a couple of months it just gets stronger.

It would be interesting to see if every would be gs owner also test rode the Stelvio what the balance of purchase would be.

Steve

 

[Billd]

I owned a Stelvio

I bought a new 2009 and put about 35,000 miles on it in two half years. Owned it in Canada, rode it to the arctic circle, from coat to coast across the USA to ride the tail of the dragon and through Death Valley on another trip. They are very good bikes. Biggest problems I had was with wet speed sensor on rear wheel (easy fix) replacing fuses (learn where they're located and how to change them prior to needing to). Leaking valve cover gasket (my own fault!), blew a fork seal on the Dalton highway (2500 miles of gravel is hard on seals)

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoyed mine.