Stelvio -V- Stelvio

[Trialsman]

Not exactly Stelvio vs Stelvio.  The V is for the V85TT.  I have owned, and put a lot of miles on

 a '13 Stelvio 1200 NTX




two different V85TTs







and now the new V100 Stelvio




The goal will be to compare them and get some thoughts on farkels.  As a rule I usually do a test ride, then pull it into my shop and tear it down to inspect, lubricate, adjust locations of things like wires (where they might rub or melt), make modifications, and just learn about the bike in general.

I picked up the bike at Kissel's last Friday, put on about 100mi on Saturday, and ended up with this on Sunday.

[Trialsman]

On the test ride I felt the handling was in between the V85 and the NTX which was expected.  I think I was surprised how it was closer to the V85.  The NTX was very top heavy but very stable when under way.  The only time I really noticed the higher center of mass was lifting off the side stand.  I have since lengthened the side stand by 0.75" which cured that problem.  The new Stelvio is very nimble as is the V85.  By the way, I will be keeping the V85 and riding it back to back with the new Stelvio to make my final decision as to which (or both) I keep.

Coming from a woods riding background, I like my bars a little higher and narrower using a CR-hi bend.  I was surprised to find the bars on the new bike were actually a little too high for me.  This is the first time I have ever found this to be the case.  I replaced the bars with CR-hi bend which is about 1" lower and ever so slight more pull back.  This enabled my fore arms to have a slight drop towards the front of the bike.  I also cut them to 30" before adding the ends.  I felt enough vibration through the bars on my test ride I installed my harmonic balancers inside the ends, replaced the bar end weights, and stock hand guards.

If anyone has started to wire up things I could use a schematic.  I have the following items mounted but are in need of wiring;

          - Hand warmers  (there seems to be a likely bundle of four wire connectors tied to the ignition switch.)
          - Fog/driving lights (again probably in that bundle.)
          - Seat heater (several connectors behind the battery as a possible.)
          - GPS (this should be easy.)

On the topic of battery, I replaced the OEM with an EarthX battery losing almost 10 lbs and gaining over double the CCA in the process.
The weight is all up high and did a great job on my V85.

Power on the new bike is very smooth.  It doesn't have the tractor-like grunt of the NTX, but certainly a step up from the V85.  I think it will be perfect as is.  Gear box may be a slight issue as it has a sever "clunk" going from Neutral to First.  I tried wait with the clutch pulled but it seemed to make no difference. I will be looking into this more closely.

Seating is very comfortable for me at 5'10" and 30" inseam although I did replace the footpegs with my standard SW Motech.  I had to machine the mounts to adapt to the Stelvio since they came off a GS.  I lowered them slightly as I know from the other bikes what works well for me.

[Trialsman]

These are the foot pegs I had to machine the mounts for.




And this is the cluster of wire leads that probably supply the heated grips and fog lights.  Anybody know for sure and which is which?

[Trialsman]

The reason for tearing off the front end was to check the headset bearings.  In many other bikes I found them to be dry from the factory.  Guzzi has gotten a little better as now they came with a very LIGHT film of (maybe grease).  I packed both with real waterproof grease before reinstalling.  Both my V85s and one for my son came with no grease so double check your new bikes.  What else is there to do during the cold weather?

[inditx]

You guys are to be admired but tearing down a brand new bike is not within my abilities or desires. Still I affirm, to each his own.

Interested in hearing your longer term reports after lots of miles as test rides cannot tell the story of a bike.

Carry on!
inditx

[Trialsman]

"admired" is usually not the term associated with what is going on, ha ha.  I just got back with a quick 30mi trip on the V85 to get a fender from a friend.  I want to make a mold for a fender extender and lay it up out of carbon fiber for the new bike.  On the way out and back my thought was....This bike is really going to be tough to beat.  I'm talking the V85 as it is just so smooth.  Another mod I noticed, while out, was something Huzo and I did to the throttle.  We reduced the spring tension and made the effort needed to twist it much less.  I will probably do that as well on the new bike.

[inditx]

Hah admired, yeah I get that.

Huzo has done a fabulous job on his V85.

I took my 2023 TT out the other day and just smiled.
Although I’d like to know what difference you can feel in the 2024 V85 vs 2023 if any and how much difference there is with the V100 Stelvio, I think I’ll just stand pat for a while.

RideOn!
inditx

[Huzo]

That damn Stelvio is going to absolutely rock…!
It’s a ‘round the world bike…
If they got the Stelvio seat height to 800 mm (or less), the Mandello sales would tank…
The only thing that will turn POTENTIAL buyers away, will be that issue.
Guys DO NOT want to be picking up loaded Stelvio’s with broken and damaged cycle parts, because they went arse up trying to reach the ground…!
If they had a gloss paint red version with polished or silver rims I’d be gone.
It’s only that I have my Norge or I’d get one, but I just can’t wear it out !

[inditx]

I admit the Stevio looks great and is getting good reviews.
Time will tell.

Until then, enjoy the V85 and of course the Norge Huzo.
inditx

[Huzo]

I admit the Stevio looks great and is getting good reviews.
Time will tell.

Until then, enjoy the V85 and of course the Norge Huzo.
inditx

Yeah well.
This engine has done 220,000 km over 15 years and when it needs a rebuild it’ll get it, so even if it needed that tomorrow, that would mean I’d be 80 years old before I was in this position again.
So if I get a Stelvio, it will be the eternal compromise of…
“Do I take the Stelvio or the good one…”
But at least if I got a Stelvio, I’d be off the hook with Bad Chad on the $10,000 bet @100:1 regarding purchasing a Mandello…
Ahhh…
First world problems.
Oh and BTW…
I still have to be seen out in public occasionally on the V85, I have to wear that out too eventually.

[Trialsman]

I had the seat cover off today and played around a little as well as installing a seat heater.  Time will tell the actual seat height when completed.  I know red is your favorite color Peter, but you might like this color when all said and done.  Of course, it will be gloss!

I really would like to do some wiring tomorrow.  Does anybody have information as to those wire leads I asked about?  Or a schematic?

[ridingron]

Have you looked at the Stelvio thread on Adventure Riders?

[twowheeladdict]

 

[inditx]

Yeah well.
This engine has done 220,000 km over 15 years and when it needs a rebuild it’ll get it, so even if it needed that tomorrow, that would mean I’d be 80 years old before I was in this position again.
So if I get a Stelvio, it will be the eternal compromise of…
“Do I take the Stelvio or the good one…”
But at least if I got a Stelvio, I’d be off the hook with Bad Chad on the $10,000 bet @100:1 regarding purchasing a Mandello…
Ahhh…
First world problems.
Oh and BTW…
I still have to be seen out in public occasionally on the V85, I have to wear that out too eventually.

A gentlemans bet that you’ll buy one.
You game?
inditx

[Clifton]

I had mine out today, began with 1 mile and right at 200 when I got back. What a delightful motor, it makes good power everywhere even in 4th at 2,000 rpm (just to try), throttling is perfect and blessedly not snatchy or abrupt like many nowadays. The motor also sounds nice without the engine clatter of my old wethead and 1400 California, throaty exhaust tone and with no light popping on decel.

The transmission shifts very well up and down, the only slight gripes I have are the mentioned bang and light lurch from neutral to first, like a modern Harley or wethead BMW. Indicated 62-63 is an actual 60 mph which translates to 4,000 rpm.

Handling is superb just like I hear the V100 Mandello is described. It's not too light or heavy and I found myself not having to make little corrections through a long corner like I do on most motorcycles. The suspension is a little stiff on rough stuff but I have not even looked where it's adjusted, and I find the suspension on some bikes needs some miles before it loosens up (that was definitely the case with the Tenere 700) so I'll see.

Ergos are nice, very similar to the V85. The stock seat isn't bad and wind management is excellent (unlike the V85). Heated grips today started on II but then I the rest of the day. Throttle spring seems light enough because I never noticed it. The bike must have come with a pretty full tank because the low fuel light didn't come on until 178 miles. I rode 13 more before filling but I can't recall how much I put in, I'm thinking 4.4 gallons.

On the bumpy gravel road I live on I noticed the front upper fairing section vibrating/moving. The windshield assembly and instruments attach to this section so all that moves around some. Maybe Trialsman can look over that area since he has his exposed?

All in all I'm very pleased with the bike so far. The only adds (besides the heated grips and center stand) I want is to fit top load panniers when/if someone comes out with them, and possibly Guzzi's tall seat. Oh I forgot, also a more effective rear hugger and front fender extender to keep some of the mud and grit off.

[Huzo]

A gentlemans bet that you’ll buy one.
You game?
inditx

Not game enough I’m afraid.
They really do seem very very nice. When shim time came, I’d enjoy very much the process doing it myself.

[Huzo]

You rotten sod…

[s1120]

I gotta say that is a nice looking bike! I think it fits the engine/frame look better then the Mandello does personally. While the big BMW's might rule the class, the Guzzi's sure got the looks down!! 

[Sye]

There is a service manual online for the V100 Mandello that may be of some use. I can't see the Stelvio varying much from this:
https://guzzitek.org/atelier/gb/1000/V100-Mandello_022023_Atelier(GB).pdf

[Alfetta]

good looking bike for sure...   however the exhaust system is a bit disappointing.

[Tkelly]

What is the weight ,center stand and bag prices?

[Clifton]

Thanks for the service manual link!

Actually I like the exhaust. It's almost completely out of the way for fitting a full size pannier and it sounds great.

I had them include the center stand in my price but I don't know how much because he didn't break it down, just a total for it and the heated grips. I'm still waiting on the stand. Bags I don't know but I'm pretty sure they're the same as the Mandello. Hopefully someone comes up with top load panniers, that's what I'm waiting for.

[inditx]

Not game enough I’m afraid.
They really do seem very very nice. When shim time came, I’d enjoy very much the process doing it myself.

No worries
I would not like the process of shims unfortunately. I can handle the old screw and nut type though. 
inditx

[Trialsman]

On the bumpy gravel road I live on I noticed the front upper fairing section vibrating/moving. The windshield assembly and instruments attach to this section so all that moves around some. Maybe Trialsman can look over that area since he has his exposed?

I noticed the same on my shorter ride the other day.  I tracked it down to gear lash within the windscreen operating system.  I will be looking closely at this and am sure we can develop a fix or work around.  The powerband will not be fully developed since the bike needs break-in time, but it is very good so far on the bottom to mid range.  I found I was often 1500-2500rpm pulling out.  It did it without a single hiccup, very smooth and confidence inspiring.  Stability was exceptional from straight line to curvy roads (no gravel, rock roads yet).

Thanks for the link Sye.  I have that and intend on exploring a little wiring today or tomorrow.  I may call Josh today and see what he has as well.

[Clifton]

I noticed the same on my shorter ride the other day.  I tracked it down to gear lash within the windscreen operating system.  I will be looking closely at this and am sure we can develop a fix or work around.  The powerband will not be fully developed since the bike needs break-in time....

Good, I hope you can find a way to stiffen it up a bit. On smooth roads it's not apparent.

The bike makes pretty good power, it feels very similar to my wethead R1200GSA, and that's plenty for me. I did my standard break in doing 4 accelerations up a long grade in 4th gear with about 80% throttle, up to around 8,500. Then down in 6th under decel and repeat. Now it's just normal riding up and down hills, mostly on little 2-lane roads for the next 800 miles.

[Huzo]

Indicated 62-63 is an actual 60 mph which translates to 4,000 rpm.

That seems high by comparison to my Norge.
4,000 rpm on it translates to 75.5 mph

[Clifton]

It's quite high compared to the California 1400 I had as well, about the same as my V85TT. I'll take it out later with the GPS and check again on a straight level section of road, running north-south. Or as close as I can find to a section like that. It should be almost the same as a Mandello, the only difference is the rear tire but even they are almost the same circumference.

[kidsmoke]

That damn Stelvio is going to absolutely rock…!
It’s a ‘round the world bike…
If they got the Stelvio seat height to 800 mm (or less), the Mandello sales would tank…
The only thing that will turn POTENTIAL buyers away, will be that issue.
Guys DO NOT want to be picking up loaded Stelvio’s with broken and damaged cycle parts, because they went arse up trying to reach the ground…!
If they had a gloss paint red version with polished or silver rims I’d be gone.
It’s only that I have my Norge or I’d get one, but I just can’t wear it out !

Went and sat on a V100 Stelvio at a dealer the other day. Quite surprised to flat foot it, given how much larger than the Mandello it looks and feels. For me that seat height was a check in the plus column. 72"/183cm and (according ot Levi Strauss) 34"/86cm inseam

[Huzo]

Went and sat on a V100 Stelvio at a dealer the other day. Quite surprised to flat foot it, given how much larger than the Mandello it looks and feels. For me that seat height was a check in the plus column. 72"/183cm and (according ot Levi Strauss) 34"/86cm inseam

I think I understand you but just to be sure..
You are saying  that the Stelvio is appreciably lower than the Mandello ?
The spec sheet  says the Mandello is 815 with a low seat option of 800 mm
The Stelvio comes in at 830

[janguzzi]

Spare parts list:
https://www.af1racing.com/v100-stelvio-oem-parts-catalogs
=>https://www.af1racing.com/ProdImages/st3/GU3285270.pdf