Now I've done it! KTM 990 for 2016 Stelvio

[Mooney78865]

After much procrastination, many hours lurking on a number of forums, I finally pulled the trigger on a new 2016 Stelvio.
I posted here a few months ago about my first test ride experience and it wasn't favorable to say the least.  I then waited for my local dealer to order one in and rode that one as well.  Still didn't really "speak" to me.  It did keep nagging in the back of my mind though. I love the looks, but couldn't get over the whole difference between it and the KTM. (KTM has over 50K) I fiddled with the clutch engagement as well as the totally way to much slop in the throttle take up and rode again. Better, enough to get me to buy.  So last night I went down and picked it up.  Spent today going over ALL of the fasteners, at least the ones that didn't have torque paint on them and a set of ROX risers waiting for the rain to stop and the roads to dry.  This afternoon I finally got to take it out and ride.  A mix of freeway and City, and it now has 116 miles and I 'm seeing the appeal. I'm installing the heated grips tonight and plan on putting at least another 100 on tomorrow. I'll post up tomorrow and share my thoughts in depth.....

[twowings]

Welcome! 

[oldbike54]

 Cool .

 Dusty

[Scud]

Stelvio looks to be a good bike. Obviously not as hard-core dirt-oriented as the KTM, but from what I hear, the Stelvio is surprisingly competent.

I traded my KTM 950 Adventure for my V11 Scura. While I sometimes miss the KTM's versatility, I'm riding the Guzzi much more for fun than I rode the KTM - it's captivating, as I'm sure you'll find with the Stelvio.

Enjoy.   

[Xlratr]

Congratulations on the new bike. I hope you like yours as much as I like mine. After 4 years of ownership, I still can't think of a bike I'd rather have.

[JeffOlson]

Congrats and welcome!

[leafman60]

After much procrastination, many hours lurking on a number of forums, I finally pulled the trigger on a new 2016 Stelvio.
I posted here a few months ago about my first test ride experience and it wasn't favorable to say the least.  I then waited for my local dealer to order one in and rode that one as well.  Still didn't really "speak" to me.  It did keep nagging in the back of my mind though. I love the looks, but couldn't get over the whole difference between it and the KTM. (KTM has over 50K) I fiddled with the clutch engagement as well as the totally way to much slop in the throttle take up and rode again. Better, enough to get me to buy.  So last night I went down and picked it up.  Spent today going over ALL of the fasteners, at least the ones that didn't have torque paint on them and a set of ROX risers waiting for the rain to stop and the roads to dry.  This afternoon I finally got to take it out and ride.  A mix of freeway and City, and it now has 116 miles and I 'm seeing the appeal. I'm installing the heated grips tonight and plan on putting at least another 100 on tomorrow. I'll post up tomorrow and share my thoughts in depth.....

Welcome to the pack! You'll find lots of posting here and on Guzzitech pertaining to the Stelvio. Your 2016 benefits from many refinements and upgrades that address the topics of some of those posts but you may find helpful hints out there nonetheless.

[Vagrant]

put on a Mistral and re-flash the computer and it will be true love.

[Stormtruck2]

You get bored and want something completely different to do, drive the M20 out to 8C4.  I have a few bikes you can try out out here. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

You get bored and want something completely different to do, drive the M20 out to 8C4.  I have a few bikes you can try out out here. 

Or, you could try 2II3 

[Stormtruck2]

Or, you could try 2II3 

Can an M20 handle grass???

[pebra]

Congratulations with the Stelvio, looking forward to the ride report!
And photos, please.

[Mooney78865]

Soooooo, I was able to get out again this afternoon for a few miles, this time in the twisties. Roads I'm familiar with so easy to compare mental notes.
First off, the trans is getting better by the mile.  Not nearly as harsh(?) as it seemed. Downshifts coming to a stop I suspect will just be loud, nature of the beast I suspect. I love the way it pulls from 4-6K really nice.  I also love the clutch feel!  Super nice leaving from a stop.  Even after 50K on the KTM I actually had to think about leaving from a light in traffic.  Not so now. A little buzzy in the bars at anything below 4k on the tach.  Will have to address that down the road. VERY neutral steering, stays exactly where you put it and transitions left to right lean without a thought. Side stand is a bit of an issue, kinda ground a bit off it a couple times.. Going to put on a set of Heidenau's when I head out for the AZBDR in May. Finally, the info on the dash is saying I'm getting 51.2 MPG, seriously??  I'm not flogging it, but I'm riding fairly hard, with a lot of hard acceleration/deceleration.  Seems high to me...
All in all..absolutely no regrets! Speaking to the choir I know, but what can ya do.
And the exhaust note is awesome!
  168 miles so far.

[Zoom Zoom]

Congratulations on the new ride.

A comment or two regarding things you brought up. Given time, the engine will smooth out. After some miles and a throttle body balance, it will become better. This will not happen over night, and not right away after the first service, but it will happen.

If you were leaned over enough to drag the side stand you were doing pretty darn good!

My buddy had a set of the Heidenau's on his GS. Bear in mind you will have a bit less grip on pavement. I watched the back end of his bike step out when we were on the Olympic Peninsula a of years ago. (Spirited riding along the coast.)

He is slightly ahead of you on the Stelvio curve. He bought one the end of last year.  Slightly over 700 miles on it.

As for fuel economy, these motors seem to do better under the conditions you describe. My Stelvio reads a little pessimistic on the mileage readout, as does my 1400 Eldo. IDK if they are all like that or not.

Finally, your screen name suggests you might have something else we would enjoy seeing pics of................. .

John Henry

[stevet]

I don't own a Stelvio, but I have never owned any vehicle with a dashboard mileage reading that was even 10% accurate, and always on the optmistic side.  Gallons/miles after filling the tank is my preferred method of finding my mpg.

Congratulations with your new machine, I'm sure you'll have a long and pleasurable relatuonship with it.

Steve.

[Darren Williams]

My Stelvio consistently read about 20% over. I still think it was calibrated for imperial gallons instead of US gallons.

Enjoy the bike!

[Wayne Orwig]

Soooooo, I was able to get out again this afternoon for a few miles, this time in the twisties. Roads I'm familiar with so easy to compare mental notes.
First off, the trans is getting better by the mile.  Not nearly as harsh(?) as it seemed. Downshifts coming to a stop I suspect will just be loud, nature of the beast I suspect. I love the way it pulls from 4-6K really nice.  I also love the clutch feel!  Super nice leaving from a stop.  Even after 50K on the KTM I actually had to think about leaving from a light in traffic.  Not so now. A little buzzy in the bars at anything below 4k on the tach.  Will have to address that down the road. VERY neutral steering, stays exactly where you put it and transitions left to right lean without a thought. Side stand is a bit of an issue, kinda ground a bit off it a couple times.. Going to put on a set of Heidenau's when I head out for the AZBDR in May. Finally, the info on the dash is saying I'm getting 51.2 MPG, seriously??  I'm not flogging it, but I'm riding fairly hard, with a lot of hard acceleration/deceleration.  Seems high to me...
All in all..absolutely no regrets! Speaking to the choir I know, but what can ya do.
And the exhaust note is awesome!
  168 miles so far.

Do you have the USA turn signals in the mirrors. Ditch those, and that will get rid of some handlebar vibration. It may also need a throttle sync once broken in.
51MPG. Not real unless you were riding really sedately. Closer to 40MPG is more realistic.

[Mooney78865]

Congratulations on the new ride.

A comment or two regarding things you brought up. Given time, the engine will smooth out. After some miles and a throttle body balance, it will become better. This will not happen over night, and not right away after the first service, but it will happen.

If you were leaned over enough to drag the side stand you were doing pretty darn good!

My buddy had a set of the Heidenau's on his GS. Bear in mind you will have a bit less grip on pavement. I watched the back end of his bike step out when we were on the Olympic Peninsula a of years ago. (Spirited riding along the coast.)

He is slightly ahead of you on the Stelvio curve. He bought one the end of last year.  Slightly over 700 miles on it.

As for fuel economy, these motors seem to do better under the conditions you describe. My Stelvio reads a little pessimistic on the mileage readout, as does my 1400 Eldo. IDK if they are all like that or not.

Finally, your screen name suggests you might have something else we would enjoy seeing pics of................. .

John Henry

I ran Heidenau's on the KTM for the last couple rounds of tires.  I found that there were two tread designs for the front.  The "T" had smaller (read more) blocks on the edge, gripped better with less front end push in the dirt. Great tires, really liked them. 
As for the side stand thing, I did a little road racing in the 80's. Well, a LOT of racing in the 80's. And you are correct about the screen name.  I'd post pics but can't, I suspect I haven't posted enough to be allowed.

[Zoom Zoom]

Back to the fuel economy for a minute: Wayne is correct regarding the common mpg. Other posted their readout being optimistic. As I noted, mine generally reads 2 mpg less than actual. Actual being gallons put in vs. distance on GPS. Usually 38 to 42, depending on variables. I will be interested to hear if you get a GPS what you calculate the actual to be. As an aside, the 1400 I bought last summer netted 46 on the highway coming across 86 in New York last season. Its readout is also pessimistic by a couple mpg's. I was very impressed considering the size of the bike and motor.

Pictures: I'm not aware of newbie pic limitations, but that does not mean they don't exist. When it becomes possible, a shot of the new ride with the other in the background would be cool!

John Henry   

[Spuddy]

How about a couple pics of the risers?  I just installed some ROX on my Stelvio.  I'd like to see how you set up yours.

Spud

[Mooney78865]

   

So pic's of the new, the Old and the orange.  Always liked orange....

[Chuck in Indiana]

Shoulda got an orange Stelvio..
Nice Money..  <running and ducking>

[Mooney78865]

Wasn't offered in orange this year... damn it!

[Bottler]

Congrats on your choice of Moto.

I have a 2013 Stelvio NTX purchased new in South Africa in mid 2013. I shipped it home to Australia in early 2015 after completing my posting in Pretoria. The bike now has around 14,000 kilometres on it. The digital read out shows it gets around 5.4 to 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres however I don't flog it much. I live in a small town so most riding is on quiet country roads. What I have noticed is that after 10,000 kilometres and a new fuel map from one P Roper, ( we live in the same town), it has loosened up to the point where it feels like a different machine. The more I ride it the more it feels like a pair of well worn favourite boots. Clutch, motor and gearbox all feel to be working in sync, rather than operating independently of each other.

So my point is, it only gets better!

Cheers

Bottler

[Mooney78865]

Made it to the first service, at least the "wrench" came on so I went ahead and did it.  What a joy!  I literally had it complete in less time than it took to remove the bash guards, tanks, airbox and throttle bodies off the KTML!  let alone do a valve adjustment and oil change.  Really going to like this!!

[Mooney78865]

I now have a little over 6,000 miles on the Stelvio and couldn't be happier.  I'm running a little behind my typical 30-35% off road but still manage to get her dirty regularly.  Since the last posting on this thread I have done the Arizona Back Country Discovery Route, http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=83511.0 a few "local" over niter's a numerous day trips off road.
I'm in the final planning stages for the Idaho Back Country Discovery Route this September. So far not one issue with the bike. With the exception of changing tires and installing the factory headlight protection, ( not sure it will do much for rocks, but it looks to be a right proper Bambi basher) running light fuse mod, and making a mud protector for the rear shock, the bike remains virtually stock. The engine has smoothed out and has yet to consume a drop of oil.  So far, so good!

[leafman60]

I'm glad you are liking the Stelvio.  Seems you've read a lot of the postings about them from the past several years and are making the sorts needed.

Tighten the pejoobies out of the crash guard attachments with a big wrench and, if/when you ever slip the tank off (very easily done), check those upper engine mounts for tightness.

Having these points tight made a difference in the low speed vibes for mine.

Oh my, we haven't even gotten into the fuel mapping issue yet ....

If it runs to suit you now, maybe better to leave the map alone.  Better running maps will hit your fuel economy.


.

[wrbix]

Shoulda got an orange Stelvio..
Nice Money..  <running and ducking>

......except the tail's on backwards.

[Mooney78865]

......except the tail's on backwards.

Wing too if you really get down to it!🤓

[swmckinley54]

Well I went the other way....Stelvio for a KTM Super Adventure. I do miss the NTX but I had my share of problems with her, 2 clutches and the dreaded worn tappets were the major repair items. Then there were small niggling stuff, stripped out tranny drain, steering head bearings going out and all the breather hoses replaced. I logged over 50,000 miles on it before I traded it in. ADV Rider has thread thats over 900 pages long that documents problems and fixes.