Stelvio NTX

[Esaki]

I saw my first NTX while touring around Europe last year. They really do look very very nice  

If you have the chance, and you're interested, just buy it

[blakebird]

If you have the chance, and you're interested, just buy it

Many of us have, and are just waiting for the 2012's to hit U.S. shores

[crispiegee1]

It's a shame that it's not easier to find Guzzis to test ride. I've never ridden a modern one, as we have only a tiny Guzzi dealer in my area with a famously grumpy proprietor.

I'm leaning toward a Triumph for my next bike (I like the triples), but I'm extremely open to being convinced otherwise. I'd like to try the Norge and Stelvio, but I've never heard about a Guzzi demo day.  

[ToadRide]

My good friend and local Triumph dealer gave me one Helluva frown when I told him I was picking up a Guzzi. Not just because he wanted me to by a Tiger but more because he is aware of Guzzi's rep for very little backup and service. For me,  I truely hope these things are something I am not going to need.  As a wrencher I can see that things like valve adjustment, drive train and tire repair are something I can easily deal with as opposed to Beemer (F8, at least) or KTM where I would much rather have the service guys deal with it. But, I'm sure I'll find out in the first few months of owning it. Just hope it's not built on a Friday.

[Rincewind]

It's a shame that it's not easier to find Guzzis to test ride. I've never ridden a modern one, as we have only a tiny Guzzi dealer in my area with a famously grumpy proprietor.

I'm leaning toward a Triumph for my next bike (I like the triples), but I'm extremely open to being convinced otherwise. I'd like to try the Norge and Stelvio, but I've never heard about a Guzzi demo day. 

Demo events are pretty rare for Guzzi, you are right.  I was fortunate to attend two Italian Demo Days sponsored by local dealers and coordinated by the local Ducati club.  I got to ride the Stelvio one year, and the V7 the following year.  

I was impressed both times by the Guzzis.  The Stelvio compared to my previous Tiger 1050 - the Guzzi felt more akin to a relaxed tourer than an upright sportbike like the Tiger.  It had a great engine that was only slightly less punchy than the Triumph 1050.  The Triumph has more power off-the-line, but the mid-range power of both bikes seemed about the same.  

The V7 doesn't directly compete against my Street Triple R, but they are pretty much in the same category.  The V7 is simply charming beyond the 675.  The 675 triple is a ripper - it can be ridden easy-going like the V7, but has a whole Jeckyl & Hyde riotous side that the V7 (and most other bikes in this class) cannot begin to muster.

The negatives on the Triumphs are slightly higher operating costs, depending on how much work you do on your own.  I was quoted $800-$950 for a full 24k service by two dealers on my 675 (I'm handling most of it myself to reduce that greatly).  The negatives on the Guzzi are the dealer network and reports of various quirky issues.  If I were to move away from Triumph triples, it would likely be for a Guzzi or Aprilia twin.  But the Triumphs are so good that I don't feel much compulsion to change bikes.  Now if I could add a V7 and keep my 675, then I would be in heaven.  The Stelvio for me is too much like a big tourer and seemed like overkill for my few annual tours.  

[blakebird]

It's a shame that it's not easier to find Guzzis to test ride. I've never ridden a modern one, as we have only a tiny Guzzi dealer in my area with a famously grumpy proprietor.

I'm leaning toward a Triumph for my next bike (I like the triples), but I'm extremely open to being convinced otherwise. I'd like to try the Norge and Stelvio, but I've never heard about a Guzzi demo day.  

If I had a dollar for every bike I've purchased without a test ride....

Guzzi dealers are  not as plentiful as other brands, but in my experience they're pretty agreeable to demo rides if you come across as a seriously interested buyer.
Try to get a test ride at ANY of the big four brands, those dealers are everywhere but test rides are rare as hen's teeth.

[crispiegee1]

If I had a dollar for every bike I've purchased without a test ride....

Guzzi dealers are  not as plentiful as other brands, but in my experience they're pretty agreeable to demo rides if you come across as a seriously interested buyer.
Try to get a test ride at ANY of the big four brands, those dealers are everywhere but test rides are rare as hen's teeth.

I can truly empathize with the concerns of dealers. If I had a dealership, I wouldn't be willing to give test rides out to 90% of the chuckleheads who walk in: "Hey Mr. Dude, I need to take a spin on that totally rad 1199."

(I make that sound like a kid is saying it, but the sad thing is that many older adults wouldn't bat an eye at thrashing the hell out of someone else's property.)

So would I wouldn't want someone running up mileage on my merchandise. But for the manufacturer to have a traveling truck with demo bikes, well, it just seems like good PR. I'm just not comfortable dropping 15 large on a bike I'm seriously considering, but can't ride. My ride the other day on a Tiger 800 gave me serious pause regarding purchasing that bike, thought it could have been that particular bike. Either way, I'm glad I rode it.

[ToadRide]

My Beemer dealer always allows test rides. You show proper credentials, sign a paper that says if you break it you pay for it. I saw this in action when a very feeble elderly dude took out a new F8 and dropped it at the road. Cost him quite a few bucks. Years back I also fell in love with a new 07, I think, Tiger. That dealer never allowed test rides. I presented him with a bank draft for upwards of $17000   and demanded that test ride. Sure enough, after tooling around a few blocks and a short stint down the highway I decided that bike was not for me. I did, however test ride a 1200 Bandit, loved it and bought it at a $6000 savings.
With the awaited NTX I have also never seen one but just like my 09 F8 I fell in love with the pics and info. I had extensive talks with the Richmond dealer here asking about a demo.  Having a 2011 Stelvio on the floor, the salesman was looking into turning that one into a demo. Unfortunately, they nixed the idea. I sure hope my experience doesn't turn out like the Tiger. But, I have already read that a demo may just have you hating it but a longer ride will have you loving it.    

[bubba zanetti]

Stelvio vs Multistrada vs KTM 990S ...

[ToadRide]

Thanks for finding that Bubs. Bit of an eye opener. Looks like the Stelvio may be my Harley.
600 lbs. Yow! Still, it may be just what I'm looking for.

[Croak]

Thanks for finding that Bubs. Bit of an eye opener. Looks like the Stelvio may be my Harley.
600 lbs. Yow! Still, it may be just what I'm looking for.

It weighs about the same as Jim's Norge, and still less than an FJR.  

[ToadRide]

Seeing that guy not being able to lift it, I got to wondering what I would do in the same circumstance. As my travels on the bike will be extensively alone thru places like Alaska and the TransLab, I will need to have a plan for doing just that. I know that the "back lift" or lifting a bike by facing it backwards and lifting actually worked for my KLR and my Bandit but did not for my F800 as the handlebars where just too high. This bike sits a little lower and it may or may not work. I would obviously take the time to unpack it and remove the luggage but I would still love to hear someone chime in who's been there.

[Rincewind]

Stelvio vs Multistrada vs KTM 990S ...

Great video for my lunch break, thanks.  I loved the air time at 0:47.  Too bad about the "sumo wrestler" weight of the Stelvio for picking it up after it fell.  I noticed the Ducati rider was not able to heave the MTS off of the ground right away either, without help.  

[crispiegee1]

How much lighter is the Duc? I found its wet weight listed at 530 on one site, but I don't know if that's accurate. If so, that's only 40 pounds lighter than a Stelvio.

[Rincewind]

How much lighter is the Duc? I found its wet weight listed at 530 on one site, but I don't know if that's accurate. If so, that's only 40 pounds lighter than a Stelvio.

The MTS1200 Touring model is listed at 561lbs wet weight in this review.  Curb weight of the 2009 Stelvio as measured by the same reviewers is 553lbs per this review.  So, depending on whose numbers you read, the numbers can be very close.  Of course, the new NTX will weigh significantly more than the 2009 model because of the add-ons (like luggage, racks, and engine guards) and the greatly-increased fuel tank size.  Guzzi lists the NTX at 598lbs curb weight, but even that is probably not with a full 8.5 gallon tank of gas. 

[crispiegee1]

The MTS1200 Touring model is listed at 561lbs wet weight in this review.  Curb weight of the 2009 Stelvio as measured by the same reviewers is 553lbs per this review.  So, depending on whose numbers you read, the numbers can be very close.  Of course, the new NTX will weigh significantly more than the 2009 model because of the add-ons (like luggage, racks, and engine guards) and the greatly-increased fuel tank size.  Guzzi lists the NTX at 598lbs curb weight, but even that is probably not with a full 8.5 gallon tank of gas. 

Wow, so the Duc doesn't appear to be a whole lot lighter than the Tiger Explorer at 570 pounds wet! My impression was that the Ducati was a comparative featherweight.

[spd2918]

Them boys don't know how to pick up a bike.  

Interesting conclusions on the video.

[Rincewind]

Wow, so the Duc doesn't appear to be a whole lot lighter than the Tiger Explorer at 570 pounds wet! My impression was that the Ducati was a comparative featherweight.

Ducati has great marketing.  

[blakebird]

Ducati has great marketing.  

The Multistrada is a great bike.

[Rincewind]

The MTS is a fantastic bike - very true. 

Good news was posted today on the Guzzi Americas Facebook page that the NTX bikes for US/CA are leaving the warehouses this week and should be delivered in the next 1-10 days.