Stelvi0 NTX owners, would you buy it again if you could do it over?

[flip]

I'm curious how many of you Stelvio NTX owners would buy it again if you could go back in time with the knowledge you now have. What do you like and dislike about your bike?

I'm not trying to be a troll here. For a while, I've been thinking about getting another bike to replace my Breva 1100. It is a great bike but injuries, arthritis and old age make me want something with more legroom. My Shiver is very comfortable for day rides to the mountains but I want something that can carry me across the country if I feel like going. The Breva used to have that covered.

The Aprilia 1200 Caponord is at the top of my list but I'm a bit paranoid about it's electronics and how well they will hold up 10 years down the road. I thought I would get a Yamaha FJ09 or whatever it's called now, until I got to test ride one and felt the buzzy handlebars, no thanks. That leaves either a late model Stelvio NTX, Suzuki 1000 V-Strom or perhaps a Honda VFR1200X or maybe convert a naked bike over to a sport-tourer as I did with my Breva.

I know I put way too much thought into this but I want to get a bike that will work well for me and last a long time.

[Huzo]

I'm curious how many of you Stelvio NTX owners would buy it again if you could go back in time with the knowledge you now have. What do you like and dislike about your bike?

I'm not trying to be a troll here. For a while, I've been thinking about getting another bike to replace my Breva 1100. It is a great bike but injuries, arthritis and old age make me want something with more legroom. My Shiver is very comfortable for day rides to the mountains but I want something that can carry me across the country if I feel like going. The Breva used to have that covered.

The Aprilia 1200 Caponord is at the top of my list but I'm a bit paranoid about it's electronics and how well they will hold up 10 years down the road. I thought I would get a Yamaha FJ09 or whatever it's called now, until I got to test ride one and felt the buzzy handlebars, no thanks. That leaves either a late model Stelvio NTX, Suzuki 1000 V-Strom or perhaps a Honda VFR1200X or maybe convert a naked bike over to a sport-tourer as I did with my Breva.

I know I put way too much thought into this but I want to get a bike that will work well for me and last a long time.

I love my Norge as much as the next bloke and I understand you’re talking Stelvio here, but I just put a quiet 1200 k’s on my V85, and the enhanced legroom over the Norge is very noticeable.
It’s the one area where it shits on the Norge from a great height..(there are a couple of others, but not very many)

[Bisbee]

I only have 2000 miles on my 2017 but it is a wonderful bike. Full of typical Guzziness. Most important is your height and inseam measurement.

[Zinfan]

I do not regret buying my 2015 Stelvio one bit but I also don't regret selling it since the new V85TT is taking up all my riding time and it needed a new home.

[MotoG5]

Bought my Stelvio NTX in late 2012. Fell totally in love with it. Took several long range trips on it including Canada. I live in Nebraska. Had to go through the roller tappet drama. Did the conversion myself. The more miles I put on it the better it felt. After seven years of very satisfying service I had to let it go as age took its toll and the bike was just too much to deal with. Hated to do it and I can say even with the roller issue it was one great bike. This last August I traded it for a left over new 2017 V9 Bobber. Really like the smaller and easier bike to move around and pick up if I drop it but do miss the NTX. It was like no other Guzzi I have owned. Yes I would do it again.

[coast range rider]

Comfortable, fast enough, reliable, and easy to maintain.
So overall, perfect, except too heavy.

[inditx]

Nice bike but too heavy and too tall for me. I’m 5’10” with a 31” inseam.
Got her stuck in the gravel climbing a hill and it was a bear too get out.
inditx

[Ryan]

Comfy, huge lean angle, comfy, quick enough, comfy, smooth. Easy to rail in sweepers, heavy to flick about in tight stuff. It is heavy, but I know I will never break the frame or over-load her. And what range! Love it, may add another smaller, lighter bike for sport riding, but this puppy is a keeper.

[MadMike]

2013 Stelvio purchased new. The bike has been on the receiving end of a very abusive relationship. Many dirt naps. Has taken me places no bike this heavy had any business going to. Just kept going.
Not a turn the key, ignore, and go bike but you can go long intervals without having to turn a wrench. Bunch of known gremlins including auxiliary light shorting and Carc vent  relocation- both easy fixes. Clutch makes a wonky groan sound after a while. This tells you you have to pull the starter and vacuum out the clutch dust in the bell housing. Clean and grease up the planetary gears and the pinion gear of the starter while you have it out.  Rims leak air- I slathered the inside of the rims with sealant. This helped.
My Stelvio only likes Yuasa batteries. It will trip a red triangle if I put any other brand so bike wins on this. Charge the Yuasa correctly and it won't leak. Bike is on its second alternator. Rectifier shorted out. Factory installs Chinese copies of the Nipo Densos so the parts are interchangeable. Any Starter/Alternator shop will be able to rebuild.  Rebuild was a hundred bucks but a new alternator isn't crazy expensive either.
Factory calls for service every 6,234.5 miles or something stupid like that. I shorten it up to every 5,000. This includes valves. They rarely need adjustment so its pretty much just checking things out. I'll hold onto this bike. Heavy as hell but good hearted. Simple in a sense- no rain or sport modes. Says it has traction control.
Exhaust Gaskets wear out- My R100GS does this so I just deal with it. Kawasaki makes a cheaper replacement thats interchangeable with OEM.  This helps.
All in all a very stout motorcycle, built to a certain price point but well built nonetheless. Oh and 8 plus gallons of fuel. Thats Nuts! I'd buy it again. 

[smdl]

Although I had a bit of a rough start with my Stelvio (for details, see my "Horrors in My Bellhousing" thread), I've come to appreciate it more and more over the past five years of ownership. 

Originally, I bought this bike with the intent of using it mostly as a long-distance tourer, but I was surprised to discover how much I found that wanted to ride it even on shorter trips.  It's just that good.

A few years ago, I thought I might like to replace the Stelvio with a Caponord, so rode it over to the dealer for a test ride of the Aprilia.  Surprisingly, that bike left me completely cold, and it was a real pleasure to get back on the Stelvio for the ride home. 

Bottom line?  I'd absolutely do it all over again!

Cheers,
Shaun

[usedtobefast]

I was shopping similar bikes a few months back.  Already owned a V7 iii Racer and a Griso. 

Was looking at the V85TT and Stelvios.  V85TT was awesome, but very expensive (dealers adding all sorts of fees, lots of excitement so dealers not making deals on them).  I'm 5'10" and about 155 lbs and the Stelvio just seemed to big and heavy to me.  The scale of the Stelvio just seemed off to me.

So I did a bizzaro thing ... I bought a Quota!     I know they are supposed to weigh about the same at a Stelvio and be about the same size, but for some reason the Quota fits me really well, feels way lighter than it is, and I love it.  But ... about 50% of the time I ride it, some goofy issue pops up, so I don't see it being my multi day 2500 mile trip kind of bike.  (Headed out on a 3 day trip, ended up coming back on 2nd day with a list of items to fix).

So then I looked at the V-Strom 1000 and Honda VFR1200X.  Both of which have some amazing pricing on new models.  I test drove both (found used bikes at dealers, so test rides OK).  The VRF is about 100lbs heavier than the V-Strom and I felt each of those lbs.  The v4 motor is ridiculously smooth.  Even on my multi day trips I try to take the smallest "goat" roads possible, which leads to bad pavement, many U-turns, etc ... I decided the V-strom would be better for me.  If I was a bit bigger or wasn't going to get the bike in odd situations I would have went for the VFR as it seems like an awesome travel bike. 

Ended up getting a new leftover 2018 V-Strom 1000 for some crazy low price like $8300 ($9200 OTD).  Found VFR's OTD for around $11K.  V85TT was $16.5K OTD in CA.  Ouchie!!

So basically I got a new V-Strom 1000 and a used Quota for much less than a V85TT. 

Not sure if any of my rambling helps you or not. 

[bobrebos]

I have a 2013 Stelvio.  Im 6'0" tall and about 34" inseam I think?  LOL.  I love the stelvio.  Would buy another one tomorrow if this one broke!  Life is good on the Stelvio.  Yes it is heavy and some day as im getting older it will be time for a smaller bike, but I also have a 2010 Goldwing and I know what heavy bikes mean and the Stelvio is a blast for me.  I also have a 1971 Honda CB 750 chopper if I want something a little lighter, and a lot more different riding position.   lol.   

[Cage Free]

Just sold my 13 with 47k miles. It was great bike and trouble free. I used it mostly on road but did some challenging offroad too. (Titus Cyn Death Valley) It handled everything without complaint. Don't know id buy another just because I'm more into road trips and my FJR is way better for that kind of riding. The Stelvio was very smooth but is a paint shaker compared to the Yamaha and fatigues me much less on those big mile days.

[sidmonsters]

Love and hate tolerate my 2013.  Love the ride and the Guzzi character and it can eat road miles in comfort, can be as adventurous as you want to be off-road.  I am often riding two-up and it handles wonderfully with plenty of power, ability to tote along all our stuff.  OTOH,  I have had it from 3k to its current 17k miles and I think (hope) I have encountered every quirk known to these beasts--foglamps, breather hoses, exhaust seal, leaking CARC seal, leaking rims, fork seals, sure I am missing something.  I've also been electronically ridden out of town on a rail for having a moan about same on this forum, so...cuidado.
Still, though it wouldn't be my choice for a slog to Alaska or down to Patagonia because of trust and dealer scarcity issues, I mostly love mine.  I had a V7S I really liked that I sold just because I always ended up on the Stelvio, so I guess actions speak louder than words!  I will be looking at the V85 or other as I age, to be sure.  When the Stelvio takes a nap it is a whale to get vertical again
Steve

[Yan]

I just sold my rollerised orange 2012 NTX 2 weeks ago. Wonderful bike: smooth, strong, powerful. I felt like a king on the road. Never had any mechanical trouble, except a malfunctioning rear brake master cylinder (but strictly speaking that is a Brembo part, not MG  ).  But it was also a very heavy bike and (worse) it felt top-heavy riding with a full gastank.  I would not take it on a serious off-road trip. So in the end I decided to sell it. I may regret that...

[Xlratr]

Well, I did just that. Bought my first one in 2012 and my second one in 2016.
I can't think of any bike I'd rather have.

[Zoom Zoom]

Mine is an '09, now rollerized.

To answer your question: Yes!

John Henry

[flip]

Guys, thank you for your responses about the Stelvio. For y'all that suggested the V85TT, I'm glad y'all are happy with them but I don't think they are for me. I really don't want to step down in power from what I currently have. The hunt continues...

[AH Fan]

Well, I did just that. Bought my first one in 2012 and my second one in 2016.
I can't think of any bike I'd rather have.

Yup me too.
Just sold my hi mileage 2013 and presently have a new 2017 built up and ready to roll in the spring.
Big iron for me until I cant get it off the stand as they say.

Ciao

[buster1]

Yes- 100%

[kirb]

I did do it over again... Bought new 2012, arrived in June, totaled by deer in Sept, bought new 2013 in the spring of that year.
Still riding it, still touring on it, near 30k miles, wife's favorite bike.

Do it over again today? Not sure what bike would replace it...maybe a multistrada.

[Darren Williams]

I bought mine new in 2013. 15 months and 20,000 miles later it was totaled out hitting a deer. While waiting for insurance to settle, I traded a couple KLR's for a 2007 R1200GS to bridge the gap. Still have the GS but could let it go for a song.

I debated long and hard on what to do with the insurance money. Considered getting another Stelvio, tried all the competition similar big Adventures, or go another direction? When I test rode a Super Tenere, I also rode an FJR, which I had always considered a too heavy old man's bike.

It only took me about 5 miles on the bike, going through the punch list of what I wanted in a bike, and came to the realization I had been so wrong about this Yamaha legendary sport-tourer. The FJR was so perfect out of the box and the Stelvio was missing some key things, along with having to go through all the fixes to make it dependable and right out of the factory.

A few years later I considered a new Griso when I heard they would no longer be made. I knew all the "make it right stuff" I would have to do to that bike. But got it anyway because... Griso!

[pauldaytona]

Easy, I bought a new one in 2009, this fall I bought a 2015 again.

[severely]

I had to rollerize my 09 on my nickel; thanks Pete Roper and Mike and Curt Harper; so at 58K I'd say yes. Still gets the "juices" flowing when I run through the gears.

[randy yocum]

I've been owning and riding Moto Guzzi's since 1994 beginning with a barn find 1973 Eldorado, I bought my 2012 NTX 4 years ago,never regretted one day,it's a great machine.

[Motormike]

The Honda VFR1200X is a solid choice if you can find one.  I happen to like the way they look, but Honda didn't sell very many of them.  The 1000 V-strom is another reliable bike, but I think they are about as exciting as watching paint dry.  If you want the best combination between power and light weight, consider the Ducati 1200 Multistrada.  All the horsepower you could ask for.  The 2015's and up have cruise control.  I've been looking at them myself, as the prices on the earlier models have gotten pretty reasonable.  I think the maintenance intervals on them are way up now...15,000 miles between valve checks or something like that.