Stelvio NTX - any advantage

[Doug McLaren]

I've recently sold my 1100 Sport as the riding position was getting a bit too uncomfortable for me, I'm now on the lookout for a Stelvio. Does the NTX version have any real advantages over the non NTX, (does it have a name)? I live in the UK so fuel capacity isn't really an issue as I'm unlikely to find myself far from a filling station.

The one I've got my eye on is not NTX, comes with bags, hand guards, engine guard, centre stand and aux lights. It's a late 2012 and from what I've read on here that was the changeover year from flats to rollers. I've read many of the rollerisation threads and searched on here for changeover dates and engine number information. The engine number on this one is AC012868, VIN ends in 111848 so it seems like it should be rollered from the factory.

Any advice and comments will be greatly appreciated.

[Huzo]

You'll probably get some advice from down under to grease the swing arm bearings, suspension bearings and drive splines. My Norge ones fell out in pieces and had NEVER seen grease ! Clueless about roller top ends, mines an old 2 VPC.

[ChuckH]

As I recall, the Non-NTX Stelvio was termed "Stelvio 8V" in Europe and maybe the UK.  It came standard with cast aluminum wheels instead of the spoked wheels and was more stripped down -- didn't have many of the NTX accessories.  Frankly, it was a pretty nice looking bike.

As far as the cam followers -- have someone pull a cover and look inside.  It's about a ten minute job.  That way you will know for sure.  I'm not certain anyone knows the exact engine number when the change was made.

[pete roper]

As Chuck says the factory numbers for change from flats to rollers are rubbery. The only way to know for sure is pull a rocker cover.

To the best of my knowledge by 2012 all Stelvios were big tank models. The differences between the NTX and the 'Standard' versions were accessories and most obviously the alloy wheels. Unless you want to do *Serious* or at least semi-serious dirt work, (Of which there is little in real terms in the UK.) the alloys are a much better bet, in fact I've just bought a set for my 'Turdio' I bought earlier in the year for exactly this reason.

Thing is Doug there are two major things with any of the 8V CARC bikes. Obviously the flat tappet fiasco but also the issue of grease I. The swingarm bearings and shock linkage.

Address those two issues and they are as reliable as an anvil unless they are worked on by a shaved ape.

I really enjoy mine, it'll never be a Griso but as a 'Jack of all trades' its second to none! Go for it!

Pete

[Doug McLaren]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll get on to the dealer to see if they will whip a valve cover off.

I'm quite keen on getting one as I like the riding position, I've been using a 650 V Strom for a couple of years, same sort of style I suppose. In fact if I was going any distance the Sporti would be left at home and I'd go on the Suzuki. Last time I was out on the Sporti I had pains in my wrists and hips after less than 50 miles so it had to go. I've had 7 various Guzzi twins over the last 19 years and my garage looks wrong without one.

Thanks again.

[Zoom Zoom]

Sounds worth looking at. Although it may not have begun as an NTX, it sounds like it has just about all the bits that would make it one. If it has the roller tappets and the price is right, go for it. If it is a flat tappet model that would be an expense that you might want to deduct from the sale price.

John Henry

[Lee Davis]

I just bought a new (2016) NTX, simply because I laid eyes on it. I don't think I would hesitate to get the one you have in mind, for they are great bikes. The tappet issue is easy... either it is, or it isn't. It can be fixed. As for the gas capacity, that wouldn't make much difference to me either. More gas is nice, but Stops are nice, also. Now that they have been discontinued, I suspect the demand for good used ones will go up. Get it.

[pauldaytona]

The ntx is much heavier from all they put onto it.  Cleaning the wheels is more difficult. And the fog lights need better insulation inside, else you will come to a standstill somewhere.

The cases are ok, the first series were not waterproof. But they build wide. I used them one weekend, and my wife said: me or the cases. 

[Litre1000]

I'm also looking at the Stelvio. It's ability to perform as a long-distance touring rig caught my attention. The seat is so big. It's like two seats in one. It doesn't bend my knees too tight. It seems capable of handling any road condition. And it's not all covered in plastic. Looking forward to the scheduled test-ride...


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[MotoG5]

Sold my V11 Sport and bought an NTX five years ago for the same reason you are looking at doing the same thing. NTX has been an excellent Jack of All Trades and I have never regretted the move. 

[leafman60]

Stelvio issues and tweaks etc-

Aside from lifters and clutch issues-

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=88274.msg1395347#msg1395347


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[Doug McLaren]

Thanks for all the replies and to Leafman for the link to tweaks and tips.

The dealer is going to take a valve cover off and send me the pics of whatever is inside, can't say any fairer than that and if it's roller I'm having it.

Appreciate all the encouragement, you fellas are certainly very good at helping me spending my money.

[Litre1000]

I'm looking at a brand new 2016 NTX. I can't imagine having to worry about anything regarding the purchase. Ok...grease the swingarm pivot and rear shock linkage. Ok...install in-line fuses for the fork-mounted lights...other than that, gas & go....right?!


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[Zoom Zoom]

L1K, Right.

Mine is an '09. All the issues that were available at the time. Small tank, needed rollerized, etc. I love it! I don't have any desire to get rid of it. Stucci made a 3 gallon aux tank for a short period so I got my 8 gallons of fuel AND a glove box.

John Henry

[Huzo]

I'm looking at a brand new 2016 NTX. I can't imagine having to worry about anything regarding the purchase. Ok...grease the swingarm pivot and rear shock linkage. Ok...install in-line fuses for the fork-mounted lights...other than that, gas & go....right?!


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Ask someone knowledgeable ( not me) about startus interruptus on those, might not be an issue, but easily eliminated if it is. Most importantly, welcome to the forum, that Stelvio sounds sweet... Nice place to visit as well!

[Doug McLaren]

Never having seen inside one of these before this is a pic of the tappets, to my untrained eye it looks very much like other rollers I've seen on here.



tappet2 by Doug McLaren, on Flickr

[pyoungbl]

I'm looking at a brand new 2016 NTX. I can't imagine having to worry about anything regarding the purchase. Ok...grease the swingarm pivot and rear shock linkage. Ok...install in-line fuses for the fork-mounted lights...other than that, gas & go....right?!


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Yes, gas and go.  Your ride will start out great and get even better as the miles roll by.  One caution, it is all to easy to find yourself going much faster than you thought because it is so effortless.  I also find myself at highway speed in 4th or 5th for a long time, then realizing that there is another gear available.

[Huzo]

Yes, gas and go.  Your ride will start out great and get even better as the miles roll by.  One caution, it is all to easy to find yourself going much faster than you thought because it is so effortless.  I also find myself at highway speed in 4th or 5th for a long time, then realizing that there is another gear available.

Damn nice problem to have though, isn't it ?

[pete roper]

Yep, they're rollers Doug. Get it tuned properly, ride it for a bit and at first service time do the shock linkage and swingarm bearings. After that you should be golden.

Pete

[Doug McLaren]

Thanks again to all you fellas for helping me to spend my money. I've bought it, arrived two days ago. First thing that struck me is that it's got a Finebau Forge Compensator thing, well at least it did have. I've just spent a few minutes in the garage taking the bloody thing off.

To give an indication of how much they fool the ecu, I plugged in my laptop and opened Guzzidiag, with the FFC connected outside air temperature was showing as -6 degrees C. Once I'd unplugged it the temp was showing the correct temperature of +17 degrees C. No wonder they make the mixture a tad rich !

Anyway it's gone.

So a couple of questions, how do I find out which map is installed, I take it the information is there in the "ECU" box on Guzzidiag?

Secondly is it necessary to get the ECU to relearn or will it just trim itself. I've been on it a couple of times and noticed quite a bit of popping on overrun but that was with the device connected.

Thanks.

[pete roper]

First thing is to give it a proper service/tune.

Valves 4 & 6 thou, balance the TB's and recalibrate the TPS. Clear the trims either using Guzzidiag or disconnecting the battery for ten seconds or so. Then ride it for a while in a variety of conditions. The short term trim takes a few minutes. For it to learn the long term trims will take several hours of varied riding.

If the throttle stop screw/s have been fiddled with? All bets are off. All of those plug ins are the work of the devil. Well spotted and dumped!

Pete

[Doug McLaren]

Thanks Pete. We're forecast something other than rain tomorrow so I'll have a run out for an hour or two and do the tune up later. 

[pete roper]

The stock mapping for the 2L Stelvios is one of the better factory offerings, (To the best of my knowledge there were no updates from the time of rollerisation ex-factory.) but it can still be improved upon. I'm running a Staintune can with dB killer in and no airbox snorkel and Mark's Stelvio map. It's pretty much perfect in all conditions and I can run all day in this cold weather getting an indicated 5.5 litres per hundred Km, (Real figures are better!) and that's travelling in the 110-130kph range on the open road without the boxes but with fatso and the huge top box on board!

It really is a great all purpose tool and now I have it I have no compunction about taking the Griso off the road for a bit to do further suspension work as I won't have to miss out on my 8V hit!

Pete

[Seba]

I have a 2015 STELVIO NTX and I love it!! Basically, same as base model, with engine guards and few modifications.