Georgeeboi
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What to buy (new bike)
- Thread starter Neil W
- Start date
Phoned around about Stelvio test ride today and it appears they are hard to get hold of right now, apparently all being bought up by dis-illusioned BMW owners 
Want to try one out before summer ends so if I like them I can keep my eyes open for deals over the winter.
The supply is not an issue as I won't change before my Alps trip in August and don't feel the need for a new bike next year as I won't be able to get a big tour squeezed in, but planning a big Alps tour in 2014 and will want something more reliable than what would be a 5 year old GS by then.
Hopefully by early 2013 there should be plenty of low mileage Triumph 1200's, Stelvio's and Tenere's kicking about - and maybe the new VFR engined Honda adventure bike will also be about by then.
Surely one of them has to match the GS for Handling / Comfort / Luggage
Want to try one out before summer ends so if I like them I can keep my eyes open for deals over the winter.
The supply is not an issue as I won't change before my Alps trip in August and don't feel the need for a new bike next year as I won't be able to get a big tour squeezed in, but planning a big Alps tour in 2014 and will want something more reliable than what would be a 5 year old GS by then.
Hopefully by early 2013 there should be plenty of low mileage Triumph 1200's, Stelvio's and Tenere's kicking about - and maybe the new VFR engined Honda adventure bike will also be about by then.
Surely one of them has to match the GS for Handling / Comfort / Luggage
Phoned around about Stelvio test ride today and it appears they are hard to get hold of right now, apparently all being bought up by dis-illusioned BMW owners
Really
They would say that wouldn't they
I have a dealer 400yds from me and checked out the new NTX Stelvio today. Big, and sensible improvements on the old 8v and I will get a ride when it's run in properly
.Looking forward to it and I'll put a report up.
Taking out the Stelvio NTX from Teeside motorcycles in Thirsk tomorrow,
will let you know my thoughts.
Steve
will let you know my thoughts.
Steve
Surely one of them has to match the GS for Handling / Comfort / Luggage
they've had 30 years to try, and they've all failed so far
Spent a couple of hours on the new Stelvio NTX yesterday.
The bike had 23mls on it so was as near to brand new as you can get,a close inspection of the bike gave the impression of a quality finish with a lot of S/S fastenings, all welds looked good with only some light splatter on a few of the frame welds. Paint finish was exellent and overall it was a very good looking bike.
Clocks and controls were very simple and fell easily to hand even the conventional indicator switch was easy to use,which I do sometimes find difficult after been so used to th BMW set up for so many years.
The tachometer is of the conventional clock type but the speedo is digital which personally I'm not keen of despite having one on my G650 XCountry.
The riding position was spot on for me although I am long in the body and short in the leg been 5'10 with a 29" inside leg.The seat was generally very comfortable but could have done to have been dished slightly,which could be done if you so wished.
So getting on the bike it felt very comfortable has a two level adjustable seat which i had on the higher level and felt about the same as my GS.
Start the bike up and that beautiful burble has already become addictive it does sound gorgeous.
So off I go down the road and am immediately struck by the feeling that I'm sat on top of the bike rather than in it and after 10 minutes I'm thinking that I don't like this much.
Then it's out of thirsk and onto the fast A road heading toward Helmsley and after another 10mins I'm thinking it's actually not to bad.
Out of Helmsly and up toward Chop Gate nice twisty B road then hang a left and up an unclassified road to Lord Stones cafe for a cuppa and a scone.
So I'm sat having a cuppa looking at the bike and realise that I like this bike,I like it a lot.
I no longer feel as though I'm sat on the bike but very much feel a part of it,size wise it feels about the same as the 1200gs but it feels much nimbler,it handles very well and it's difficult to upset even though it's got brand new tyres on, but to be fair although I was making progress I wasn't pushing it
The front end gives lots of feedback and you never feel detached from what's going on,the brakes are as good as anything I've ridden and have a confidence inspireing feel to them.
I spend another hour or so on a mixture of all sorts of roads in total covering 117mls on the 2011 moto guzzi stelvio ntx.
On return to Teasdale Motorcycles, Andy the owner who was a very nice guy put the panniers on for me to have a look at and told me what it would cost to swap my bike.
Would I buy this bike.
Yes I would,
it's not without a few niggles i.e, I ride with my toes on the pegs which means that my heels catch on the rear of the footrest hangers,and in turn may catch Joanne's feet when she's on the back,but we are both going back to have another look.
the panniers are much smaller than the adventure panniers which I have on my standard gs.
40ltr panniers are available for the Stelvio but I dread to think how far they stick out as the standard panniers already stick out a long way.
Wind noise was far greater than on the gs although there was no great level of buffeting.
Mirrors were of a funky shape and whilst not useless could have been better.
Depreciation is also a known Guzzi negitive.
PLUS POINTS.
Looks gorgeous,sounds gorgeous,great handling,fantastic brakes,beautiful gearbox even when warmed up,engine and fuelling felt spot on,hopefully when Jo and I go back for another look it will have a few more miles on it.
Will I buy it.
I've yet to try the DOHC 1200gs which I shall be doing in early August when mine goes in for service,you never know it might blow me away?
All in all I loved the Stelvio,it was different,it looked well built and after 30mins I loved riding it.
There's a part of me that want's to buy the one I took out yesterday and 10yrs ago I would have done,but age has given me a patience I did not used to have.
This could also be my last factory new bike and a keeper,so I want to make the right decision,altough the chances of that are pretty slim.
By the way did I say I really really really liked the Stelvio.
Steve
The bike had 23mls on it so was as near to brand new as you can get,a close inspection of the bike gave the impression of a quality finish with a lot of S/S fastenings, all welds looked good with only some light splatter on a few of the frame welds. Paint finish was exellent and overall it was a very good looking bike.
Clocks and controls were very simple and fell easily to hand even the conventional indicator switch was easy to use,which I do sometimes find difficult after been so used to th BMW set up for so many years.
The tachometer is of the conventional clock type but the speedo is digital which personally I'm not keen of despite having one on my G650 XCountry.
The riding position was spot on for me although I am long in the body and short in the leg been 5'10 with a 29" inside leg.The seat was generally very comfortable but could have done to have been dished slightly,which could be done if you so wished.
So getting on the bike it felt very comfortable has a two level adjustable seat which i had on the higher level and felt about the same as my GS.
Start the bike up and that beautiful burble has already become addictive it does sound gorgeous.
So off I go down the road and am immediately struck by the feeling that I'm sat on top of the bike rather than in it and after 10 minutes I'm thinking that I don't like this much.
Then it's out of thirsk and onto the fast A road heading toward Helmsley and after another 10mins I'm thinking it's actually not to bad.
Out of Helmsly and up toward Chop Gate nice twisty B road then hang a left and up an unclassified road to Lord Stones cafe for a cuppa and a scone.
So I'm sat having a cuppa looking at the bike and realise that I like this bike,I like it a lot.
I no longer feel as though I'm sat on the bike but very much feel a part of it,size wise it feels about the same as the 1200gs but it feels much nimbler,it handles very well and it's difficult to upset even though it's got brand new tyres on, but to be fair although I was making progress I wasn't pushing it
The front end gives lots of feedback and you never feel detached from what's going on,the brakes are as good as anything I've ridden and have a confidence inspireing feel to them.
I spend another hour or so on a mixture of all sorts of roads in total covering 117mls on the 2011 moto guzzi stelvio ntx.
On return to Teasdale Motorcycles, Andy the owner who was a very nice guy put the panniers on for me to have a look at and told me what it would cost to swap my bike.
Would I buy this bike.
Yes I would,
it's not without a few niggles i.e, I ride with my toes on the pegs which means that my heels catch on the rear of the footrest hangers,and in turn may catch Joanne's feet when she's on the back,but we are both going back to have another look.
the panniers are much smaller than the adventure panniers which I have on my standard gs.
40ltr panniers are available for the Stelvio but I dread to think how far they stick out as the standard panniers already stick out a long way.
Wind noise was far greater than on the gs although there was no great level of buffeting.
Mirrors were of a funky shape and whilst not useless could have been better.
Depreciation is also a known Guzzi negitive.
PLUS POINTS.
Looks gorgeous,sounds gorgeous,great handling,fantastic brakes,beautiful gearbox even when warmed up,engine and fuelling felt spot on,hopefully when Jo and I go back for another look it will have a few more miles on it.
Will I buy it.
I've yet to try the DOHC 1200gs which I shall be doing in early August when mine goes in for service,you never know it might blow me away?
All in all I loved the Stelvio,it was different,it looked well built and after 30mins I loved riding it.
There's a part of me that want's to buy the one I took out yesterday and 10yrs ago I would have done,but age has given me a patience I did not used to have.
This could also be my last factory new bike and a keeper,so I want to make the right decision,altough the chances of that are pretty slim.
By the way did I say I really really really liked the Stelvio.
Steve
Well hope the Guzzi is better than my mates Norge as he has had no end of trouble but the biggest isuue is the timespan on getting spares to fix it.
Oh and it is still in warranty
Best of luck
Oh and it is still in warranty
Best of luck
Thanks for sharing.
I have both Stelvio and Super Ten tests lined up now, but it keeps bloody raining, forecast is for more shite weather tomorrow, but if it dawns half decent may give them a call.
I am sure I will love Stelvio, but would be concerned that reliability and dealer support may be no better than BMW, but really can't see it being much worse and the dealer was dead honest about parts supply and factory support, but sounded like they would do their best for the customer as opposed to the feeling I get from BMW dealers which is that they think thir are doing you a favour whenever they take your money.
I am convinced I will hate the Super Ten due to the bad press, but as I thought I would hate the GS maybe it will be a winner
How do standard Stelvio Panniers stack up against Vario's, which to be honest I think are about the perfect balance between capacity and physical size.
I have both Stelvio and Super Ten tests lined up now, but it keeps bloody raining, forecast is for more shite weather tomorrow, but if it dawns half decent may give them a call.
I am sure I will love Stelvio, but would be concerned that reliability and dealer support may be no better than BMW, but really can't see it being much worse and the dealer was dead honest about parts supply and factory support, but sounded like they would do their best for the customer as opposed to the feeling I get from BMW dealers which is that they think thir are doing you a favour whenever they take your money.
I am convinced I will hate the Super Ten due to the bad press, but as I thought I would hate the GS maybe it will be a winner
How do standard Stelvio Panniers stack up against Vario's, which to be honest I think are about the perfect balance between capacity and physical size.
Well Joanne and I both whent for another look at the Stelvio this W/E.
After my initial test ride a couple of weeks ago it's the first chance we've had to go together.
After my first impessions a couple of weeks ago when I really really liked the bike,it was a different story with the panniers on and a pillion.
With panniers and pillion it felt very much like our 1150gsa and seemed to struggle a bit on overtakes and steep inclines.
Jo's legs were pushed forward by the panniers and they just looked odd and stuck out a long way from the bike. The panniers that is not Jo's legs.
The nail in the coffin was the fact that we just could not get out of the way of each others feet,and neither of us has big feet.
I have since ridden the dohc 1200gs which was a marked improvement on my current 1200gs MU,so if we can make the figures work when I take my bike in for service next week I could well be ordering one.
Steve
After my initial test ride a couple of weeks ago it's the first chance we've had to go together.
After my first impessions a couple of weeks ago when I really really liked the bike,it was a different story with the panniers on and a pillion.
With panniers and pillion it felt very much like our 1150gsa and seemed to struggle a bit on overtakes and steep inclines.
Jo's legs were pushed forward by the panniers and they just looked odd and stuck out a long way from the bike. The panniers that is not Jo's legs.
The nail in the coffin was the fact that we just could not get out of the way of each others feet,and neither of us has big feet.
I have since ridden the dohc 1200gs which was a marked improvement on my current 1200gs MU,so if we can make the figures work when I take my bike in for service next week I could well be ordering one.
Steve
Good info on panniers, the demo I rode did not have them fitted, must try fully kitted one if I get serious about buying one.
Looking at GSA's this weekend and noticed they are no taller than my stock bike with the extra foam I have in the seat, but with both the new 1200 Tiger and Honda Crosstourer rumoured to be coming out next year I am going to hold fire.
The Honda also benefits from 8k service intervals, much lower labour rates and I would imagine pretty good reliability judging by the VFR's, Pan Euro's and Blackbirds reputations. From the pictures on the internet the luggage looks well sized.
Just depends on how the costs stack up when they are released, the Stelvio is bloody good value compared to the BMW.
Looking at GSA's this weekend and noticed they are no taller than my stock bike with the extra foam I have in the seat, but with both the new 1200 Tiger and Honda Crosstourer rumoured to be coming out next year I am going to hold fire.
The Honda also benefits from 8k service intervals, much lower labour rates and I would imagine pretty good reliability judging by the VFR's, Pan Euro's and Blackbirds reputations. From the pictures on the internet the luggage looks well sized.
Just depends on how the costs stack up when they are released, the Stelvio is bloody good value compared to the BMW.
Why change at all?
When the 1150 first came out, I had my name down for one of the first batch.On the test ride, I was coming back to the dealers,and though if it was £7000 better than my 1100. It wasn't, so I kept the 1100 and had a couple of good holidays on the saving.
I just can't understand why you want to change. If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.
When the 1150 first came out, I had my name down for one of the first batch.On the test ride, I was coming back to the dealers,and though if it was £7000 better than my 1100. It wasn't, so I kept the 1100 and had a couple of good holidays on the saving.
I just can't understand why you want to change. If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it.
I've got a Volvo V50 D5,and I've got to agree with you from that angle,because as long as that car keeps going and doesn't need a fortune spending on it then I won't swap it.
So long as it does what we need it to do we'll keep it.
But having said that,cars don't do it for me I have no real interest in them,but bikes do,and if the next bike will do what I want it to do a little bit better than the current one then I'll change it.
The dohc bike is clearly a better bike than the 08on MU,the cost will not affect my lifestyle in any way shape or form,so if it's my wish to change my bike it doesn't really matter whether anyone understands it or not.
I don't understand why anyone likes lots of different things,but i accept that they do because we are all different,and thank goodness we are.
Steve
£350 a service, £1,000 Final Drives with an average life of about 20-30k, a requirement to carry electrical spares around, and when you do pay £350 for a service it comes back running worse than before it went in - perhaps I should not have "tried to fix it", but without the service the warranty would be void.
I think the 1100's may be much better options, but the 1200's need a franchised dealer with the little black "rip-off" boxes just to set the bloody tickover.
I can get a Honda / Yamaha / Triumph
and change the oil, filter, plugs etc myself, tweak the tickover and generally do most jobs, maybe taking it to a dealer for the valves every 4-5 years (and not need a fully franchised dealer with a "rip-off box")Deleted account 251212001
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£350 a service, £1,000 Final Drives with an average life of about 20-30k, a requirement to carry electrical spares around, and when you do pay £350 for a service it comes back running worse than before it went in - perhaps I should not have "tried to fix it", but without the service the warranty would be void.
I think the 1100's may be much better options, but the 1200's need a franchised dealer with the little black "rip-off" boxes just to set the bloody tickover.
I can get a Honda / Yamaha / Triumph
I wouldnt assume any of the above would be better for reliability (check reports on latest 'blade using oil at an alarming rate). I owned a VFR800 where the abs failed. You seem obsessed with maintenance elements Rasher, you must be constantly breaking down or get spooked VERY easilly.
All dealers charge a packet for servicing, find an independant if you want to save costs. Servicing a Honda is a fortune at 16K miles.
Depreciation is going to be your biggest hit, I wouldnt get too hung up on servicing, shop around. Comes a time when youve got to say youre just thinking about it all too much.
Well 11 weeks down the line and 3500 miles later what can I say about the GSA.
1. Reliability - it has already had a new rear shock under warranty as the original was losing its damping two up. No problem with BMW ,sorted within a week.
The gearbox will need sorted at some stage as the change between third and fourth is iffy on occasions when accelerating (not selecting fourth properly and spitting the gear back down into third despite the indicator showing it as being in the higher gear.). Reported before the first service and told by the dealer to monitor it
The heated grips have gone off twice in heavy rain for up to 30 minutes before starting to work again !
The rest seems okay, though it is going to be much heavier on rear tyres than the 1150 by the way the rear metzeler is going.
2. Handling- even with the new rear shock it is nowhere near as stable and planted as that of my old 1150 , the front shock is too harsh in its action and the rear is overdamped at low speeds and the spring rate poor. I have a pair of Maxtons on order
3. General quality and feel is not as good as the 1150, looking at for example the switchgear, the older stuff has that hewn from solid feeling whereas the new bike isn't up to Japanese standards and it seems to be in general built down to a price.
4. The overall design isn't I feel as good as the 1150, even without a hugger the 1150 kept reasonably clean in bad weather the lack of lower rear mudguard etc on the 1200 and open frame means everything on the rear end is plastered with crap on dirty wet roads.
So to sum it up a bit of a disappointment for over £13,000 (all in ) I expected it to be a much better bike , yes it's competant but just hasn't got that WOW factor from when I first tried the 1150's and then bought one.
Maybe the new suspension will help as at the moment I'm finding excuses not to use the bike and taking either the Kat instead or the car
1. Reliability - it has already had a new rear shock under warranty as the original was losing its damping two up. No problem with BMW ,sorted within a week.
The gearbox will need sorted at some stage as the change between third and fourth is iffy on occasions when accelerating (not selecting fourth properly and spitting the gear back down into third despite the indicator showing it as being in the higher gear.). Reported before the first service and told by the dealer to monitor it
The heated grips have gone off twice in heavy rain for up to 30 minutes before starting to work again !
The rest seems okay, though it is going to be much heavier on rear tyres than the 1150 by the way the rear metzeler is going.
2. Handling- even with the new rear shock it is nowhere near as stable and planted as that of my old 1150 , the front shock is too harsh in its action and the rear is overdamped at low speeds and the spring rate poor. I have a pair of Maxtons on order
3. General quality and feel is not as good as the 1150, looking at for example the switchgear, the older stuff has that hewn from solid feeling whereas the new bike isn't up to Japanese standards and it seems to be in general built down to a price.
4. The overall design isn't I feel as good as the 1150, even without a hugger the 1150 kept reasonably clean in bad weather the lack of lower rear mudguard etc on the 1200 and open frame means everything on the rear end is plastered with crap on dirty wet roads.
So to sum it up a bit of a disappointment for over £13,000 (all in ) I expected it to be a much better bike , yes it's competant but just hasn't got that WOW factor from when I first tried the 1150's and then bought one.
Maybe the new suspension will help as at the moment I'm finding excuses not to use the bike and taking either the Kat instead or the car
richie
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