Having just decided that my 1200GSA is the best thing since sliced bread, and I still believe it is for lot's of reasons, I hadn't really thought about another bike but........my local Moto Guzzi dealer dealer www.streffords.net offered me a new Stelvio NTX for the weekend. I've always thought an hours test ride is next to useless so having one for the Dent weekend was perfect because I'd be on all surfaces from motorways to byways with grass up the middle. They do all my MOT's etc and having been trying to flog me a Stelvio for ages but I never really thought of one seriously.
Now, my requirements are a bit different than most because she would be doing high mileage and trips in the USA and would be on every surface from smooth tarmac right to the Dalton Highway which can be a bike killer. My GSA is set up for this and after a bit of work by Mikeyboy this winter is good for another 120,000 miles so happy to carry on with it.
Right, I picked the Stelvio up on Friday morning with 1500 miles on the clock with the advice just to ride it as they don't need running in. Nathan Strefford had already been to Le Mans on it the week before so the taps would have been opened all the way! The Stelvio came with extra lights, ABS, heated grips, adjustable screen with small winglets, panniers and a trip computer. All standard I think.
First impressions were a nice simple layout unlike the WC which is like a jumbo jet cockpit. I like the way they haven't gone ESA and other stuff like that because I'm happy to be old school. Other impression was the build quality which is excellent. Loaded her up and off to Dent with Zach of this parish on his 1100.
Up the road and into 1st with a satisfying clunk which any GS owner will recognise then up through the frankly excellent gearbox, Very light clutch and lovely changes around 4500 rpm which seems the sweet spot for changes. The power comes in smoothly and there is loads of it all the way through the range. There is no gear indicator which hardly matters as the thing just pulls like a train no matter what gear you are in. I did a few overtakes on the weekend thinking I was maybe in 3rd and in fact I was in 5th but she just pulls. The engine is just superb in my opinion. At idle the bikes sits rocking gently and although is smooth enough as you accelerate, you know you are on a v twin as you can feel it much like a boxer. It feels like the power is endless and at around 5500rpm the think takes off like a jack rabbit. I was told it pumps out about 105bhp when I returned it but I would have said 120bhp as a guesstimate. It's not as fast as a WC I don't think but it's much more rideable because of the power delivery in my opinion. Then you have the exhaust note which is truly addictive. It's a delicious burble and rumble.
Sitting on the m way at about 85mph is nice and comfy and is about 4500rpm. The screen is a little small for me but works pretty well. I got a bit of helmet turbulence which was like drumming but easily removable by an extension so I'm led to believe. Bar that turbulence, it was perfect although I did notice the air trying to lift my jacket from the back which was odd. Perhaps that would be cured by the extension as well. Mirrors are good and the switches nice and simple although the computer mode switch was a bit close to the indicators for my liking. Quite why everyone hasn't had the sense to fit proper BMW indicators is beyond me. Thanks MCN for having testers who are feckin muppets!! The seat is comfy enough and has 2 height setting. People have mentioned they look a little low but they feel good and I wasn't cramped at all. I'm 6ft and a big old boy and it was all OK.
Onto b roads and it took me a while to get used to as it didn't seem as planted as my GS. We rode some lovely little single track stuff over the weekend and to be fair, the bike felt good and didn't miss behave. I think the planted thing is because I'm not used to forks which dive. I have the feeling that it would go anywhere a GS would no bother. The tyres were the new Pirelli Scorpions and were very good in all conditions.
On Saturday, we had a smallish group, did a 150ish mile loop and everyone had a go on the Guzzi if they wanted to. It was nice for me because I could ride various GS's back to back with it for comparison. I will admit to getting on a GS and it felt like your favourite armchair but that's because I know them inside out I guess. I have to say that the Guzzi felt just as capable and in my opinion, the engine is a lot better than the GS. The lads riding it all liked it especially the engine but they would have to comment so Stan, Zach and PMvern may chip in at some point. A closer comparison in my head is with the Super Tenere and me and Packer swapped for a few miles. To me, the bikes felt quite similar but Packer reckons the Guzzi is way better in the first 3 because the S10 has a power restriction.
Having ridden it all day, I wasn't as impressed as I though I might be to be honest as the GS is so damned capable. After jumping off Zach's 1100 I just thought that it would do exactly the same job for a quarter of the cost. It's not about that though is it.....!!
Next morning, we packed up and headed home and suddenly I felt me and the Guzzi clicked. It felt much better on the very wet back roads and I guess I just got used to it. On the way home after a tedious motorway section, I rode some of my favourite roads over near Ludlow and Tenbury Wells and it was sublime on the fast sweeping slightly bumpy roads where we all know a GS is king. The Stelvio trumps is hands down here. Steve, wrinklyoldowl on here said they just get under your skin and I know exactly where he's coming from.
Right, my impressions are that it feels like a modern day 1100/1150 but with real power. It's solid, the weight is low down and you don't feel it once you are away even with 32 litres of fuel on board. It looks like and feels like it's built from a lump of solid iron and that is a nice feeling. Park it next to a WC and it just looks clean, tidy and isn't the size of a battle cruiser. It wins the build quality contest hands down and I would have no issues on that score if I were to get one. Would it be capable of doing my trips? Yes, I think it would because the engine is bombproof, has loads more grunt that a GS and I wouldn't have an issue with longevity. They don't have too many issues these days and are less complex than a GS. Another important thing is they are way cheaper and they are a little different from the crowd. Important considerations in my book.
Will I buy one? If I was after a pure road bike with a bit of green laning, i'd have no hesitation and would buy one over a GS any time. That engine, (have I mentioned it?), is delicious. I'm not 100% sure for my tours though because it needs a few cosmetic bits and pieces for my own liking which I'm not sure are available. Nothing is impossible though. Dealer network is sketchy at best in the US and Canada which has to be a consideration for me but I wouldn't worry about that too much as I think because it's fairly basic, it could be fixed easier than a GS. Another consideration is I don't actually need one but hell, when has that stopped anyone buying a bike.....!! I'd like to take a Super Tenere out for a similar period because that is the only other bike I would consider over my GS. I can't get on with the KTM 1190 for some reason and all the rest are plastic fantastics and include the WC in that.
The only really bad points I could find were the lack of a fuel range counter and the steering lock is pretty bad. Both of those are nit picking though and hardly a resin to dislike a bike.
I'm desperately trying to find reasons why I shouldn't have one and I've got a few weeks to consider it as I'll be off on another run across the US next week on my faithful 1200 the Angie B. I'll never get rid of her that's for sure but having something different to supplement her makes sense to me. Maybe they could share the tours!!
So there we go, it turns out the Stelvio NTX is as good a bike as anything out there and I would say that for anyone one considering a new bike, you have to have to be an idiot not to consider Stelvio. Lets face it, most GS's only go the Tesco's and get pampered to death so having a Stelvio at a lot less money, better build quality and a stonking engine makes sense to me at least. I would say you would be very surprised how good these bikes are. I'm not sure what residual are like but I don't care about that sort of thing on my bike. I'm lucky here because I have one of the best Moto Guzzi dealers on my doorstep so the bike would be looked after.
Oh, mpg averaged 49mpg over the weekend which I though was good seeing as the weather was pretty bad for some of it with high winds and rain and of course we road on all sorts of roads.
I have to get thinking on this one seriously but I think I might have just fallen in love.............
Now, my requirements are a bit different than most because she would be doing high mileage and trips in the USA and would be on every surface from smooth tarmac right to the Dalton Highway which can be a bike killer. My GSA is set up for this and after a bit of work by Mikeyboy this winter is good for another 120,000 miles so happy to carry on with it.
Right, I picked the Stelvio up on Friday morning with 1500 miles on the clock with the advice just to ride it as they don't need running in. Nathan Strefford had already been to Le Mans on it the week before so the taps would have been opened all the way! The Stelvio came with extra lights, ABS, heated grips, adjustable screen with small winglets, panniers and a trip computer. All standard I think.
First impressions were a nice simple layout unlike the WC which is like a jumbo jet cockpit. I like the way they haven't gone ESA and other stuff like that because I'm happy to be old school. Other impression was the build quality which is excellent. Loaded her up and off to Dent with Zach of this parish on his 1100.
Up the road and into 1st with a satisfying clunk which any GS owner will recognise then up through the frankly excellent gearbox, Very light clutch and lovely changes around 4500 rpm which seems the sweet spot for changes. The power comes in smoothly and there is loads of it all the way through the range. There is no gear indicator which hardly matters as the thing just pulls like a train no matter what gear you are in. I did a few overtakes on the weekend thinking I was maybe in 3rd and in fact I was in 5th but she just pulls. The engine is just superb in my opinion. At idle the bikes sits rocking gently and although is smooth enough as you accelerate, you know you are on a v twin as you can feel it much like a boxer. It feels like the power is endless and at around 5500rpm the think takes off like a jack rabbit. I was told it pumps out about 105bhp when I returned it but I would have said 120bhp as a guesstimate. It's not as fast as a WC I don't think but it's much more rideable because of the power delivery in my opinion. Then you have the exhaust note which is truly addictive. It's a delicious burble and rumble.
Sitting on the m way at about 85mph is nice and comfy and is about 4500rpm. The screen is a little small for me but works pretty well. I got a bit of helmet turbulence which was like drumming but easily removable by an extension so I'm led to believe. Bar that turbulence, it was perfect although I did notice the air trying to lift my jacket from the back which was odd. Perhaps that would be cured by the extension as well. Mirrors are good and the switches nice and simple although the computer mode switch was a bit close to the indicators for my liking. Quite why everyone hasn't had the sense to fit proper BMW indicators is beyond me. Thanks MCN for having testers who are feckin muppets!! The seat is comfy enough and has 2 height setting. People have mentioned they look a little low but they feel good and I wasn't cramped at all. I'm 6ft and a big old boy and it was all OK.
Onto b roads and it took me a while to get used to as it didn't seem as planted as my GS. We rode some lovely little single track stuff over the weekend and to be fair, the bike felt good and didn't miss behave. I think the planted thing is because I'm not used to forks which dive. I have the feeling that it would go anywhere a GS would no bother. The tyres were the new Pirelli Scorpions and were very good in all conditions.
On Saturday, we had a smallish group, did a 150ish mile loop and everyone had a go on the Guzzi if they wanted to. It was nice for me because I could ride various GS's back to back with it for comparison. I will admit to getting on a GS and it felt like your favourite armchair but that's because I know them inside out I guess. I have to say that the Guzzi felt just as capable and in my opinion, the engine is a lot better than the GS. The lads riding it all liked it especially the engine but they would have to comment so Stan, Zach and PMvern may chip in at some point. A closer comparison in my head is with the Super Tenere and me and Packer swapped for a few miles. To me, the bikes felt quite similar but Packer reckons the Guzzi is way better in the first 3 because the S10 has a power restriction.
Having ridden it all day, I wasn't as impressed as I though I might be to be honest as the GS is so damned capable. After jumping off Zach's 1100 I just thought that it would do exactly the same job for a quarter of the cost. It's not about that though is it.....!!
Next morning, we packed up and headed home and suddenly I felt me and the Guzzi clicked. It felt much better on the very wet back roads and I guess I just got used to it. On the way home after a tedious motorway section, I rode some of my favourite roads over near Ludlow and Tenbury Wells and it was sublime on the fast sweeping slightly bumpy roads where we all know a GS is king. The Stelvio trumps is hands down here. Steve, wrinklyoldowl on here said they just get under your skin and I know exactly where he's coming from.
Right, my impressions are that it feels like a modern day 1100/1150 but with real power. It's solid, the weight is low down and you don't feel it once you are away even with 32 litres of fuel on board. It looks like and feels like it's built from a lump of solid iron and that is a nice feeling. Park it next to a WC and it just looks clean, tidy and isn't the size of a battle cruiser. It wins the build quality contest hands down and I would have no issues on that score if I were to get one. Would it be capable of doing my trips? Yes, I think it would because the engine is bombproof, has loads more grunt that a GS and I wouldn't have an issue with longevity. They don't have too many issues these days and are less complex than a GS. Another important thing is they are way cheaper and they are a little different from the crowd. Important considerations in my book.
Will I buy one? If I was after a pure road bike with a bit of green laning, i'd have no hesitation and would buy one over a GS any time. That engine, (have I mentioned it?), is delicious. I'm not 100% sure for my tours though because it needs a few cosmetic bits and pieces for my own liking which I'm not sure are available. Nothing is impossible though. Dealer network is sketchy at best in the US and Canada which has to be a consideration for me but I wouldn't worry about that too much as I think because it's fairly basic, it could be fixed easier than a GS. Another consideration is I don't actually need one but hell, when has that stopped anyone buying a bike.....!! I'd like to take a Super Tenere out for a similar period because that is the only other bike I would consider over my GS. I can't get on with the KTM 1190 for some reason and all the rest are plastic fantastics and include the WC in that.
The only really bad points I could find were the lack of a fuel range counter and the steering lock is pretty bad. Both of those are nit picking though and hardly a resin to dislike a bike.
I'm desperately trying to find reasons why I shouldn't have one and I've got a few weeks to consider it as I'll be off on another run across the US next week on my faithful 1200 the Angie B. I'll never get rid of her that's for sure but having something different to supplement her makes sense to me. Maybe they could share the tours!!
So there we go, it turns out the Stelvio NTX is as good a bike as anything out there and I would say that for anyone one considering a new bike, you have to have to be an idiot not to consider Stelvio. Lets face it, most GS's only go the Tesco's and get pampered to death so having a Stelvio at a lot less money, better build quality and a stonking engine makes sense to me at least. I would say you would be very surprised how good these bikes are. I'm not sure what residual are like but I don't care about that sort of thing on my bike. I'm lucky here because I have one of the best Moto Guzzi dealers on my doorstep so the bike would be looked after.
Oh, mpg averaged 49mpg over the weekend which I though was good seeing as the weather was pretty bad for some of it with high winds and rain and of course we road on all sorts of roads.
I have to get thinking on this one seriously but I think I might have just fallen in love.............
:. As Sgt B suggests I'll be replacing this relay with a beefier one and hopefully all will be well. In the meantime I'm carrying several spare fuses.
