Test ride

[kenbike]

I stopped at a new dealer in Toledo MR Power Sports in aToledo, Ohio.
They sell Moto Guzzi and Vespa. They have 6 Guzzi's in stock and they let me test ride a Norge. This is the first time I rode a Norge and was interested to see how it compares with a FJR. I need a two up travel bike and trying to get a short list of what to look for.
I really liked the quality and style of the bike. It was rough running until it warmed up. Once under way it pulled really well, very smooth and had a good exhaust note. It corned much better than the FJR's I have ridden but did not have the top end rush. I have decided this next bike does not have to have 150 hp, I am keeping my 06 ZX 14 for for my speed and drag racing needs.

I really like a red Stelvio, it had some paint damage so the seat and tank was off for painting. I have been thinking a BMW GS 1200 was oa good option but just see so many quality problems with them.

He will have the Stelvio ready to test next week and I will check out the complete bike.

Any one with history with the 09 Stelvio please offer your opinions!

[pete roper]

If it is an '09 make sure that the shop is aware of, and has addressed if needs be, the issue of the tappets made of cheese. EArly 8V engines had a bad batch of tappets. Various changes were made to both materials and design of the parts and a 'Technical Update' was issued, (Basically a recall but calling it an 'Update' probably got them off a legal hook.). All bikes within the range, (Listed on the servicemotoguzzi site.) needed to have their cams and tappets replaced. Bikes with zero miles only needed the tappets. Not ALL bikes in the range failed which leads me to believe that it was partly a hardening and service problem rather than a design fault per-se but the *New* tappets are hardened steel with a 'Hard Like Diamond' coating on them rather than the earlier tappets which were chilled cast iron and also had little or no radius.

Pete

[kenbike]

Thanks for the info, I will check with the shop, it is an 09

[SF2DieHard]

yeah Ken. Pete is the uber-guru.

DM

[pete roper]

yeah Ken. Pete is the uber-guru.

DM

Err. No. I'm just a mechanic who has been working on 'em for 30 years. This explains why I have no hair and drink too much.....

[jrflanne]

Err. No. I'm just a mechanic who has been working on 'em for 30 years. This explains why I have no hair and drink too much.....

... and is the Uber Guru.

[kenbike]

Did they make any changes to the bike for 2010?

[pete roper]

Dunno when you're getting 'em in Yanquisland but the Norge is the next model to get the 8V donk. Might not be in the US until next year, dunno.

Some changes to Stelvio in 2010. Griso SE available in Europe and Oz.

Pete

[SF2DieHard]

8V Norge? I'm getting all lathered up.

[pete roper]

If they stick the '10 Stelvio 'Midrange' cams in it it should be a heap of fun!! Not that i find anything wrong with my 'Top End' cammed Griso? It pulls like a 14 year old with his first stick book from 5,500. The top end rush is also *fun*.

Pete

[SF2DieHard]

Hmmmmm. I can only go with my memories of riding my good friends V10 Centauro - with an 8V motor. Lotsa fun up top! Of course I am presuming that the newer mill is a harder hitter.

DM

[pete roper]

The newer engine has significant advantages in that it is liquid cooled with air assist rather than the earlier Hi-Cam which was still effectively 'Air' cooled. While it does have more up top it's main advantages are that it is linked to the new six speed box rather than the old five speed and has a frame that works. The Spine Frame was always a weak link. Not because a spine is inherently bad but because in the interests of cost they opted for a rectangular beam rather than Tony Foale's original tubular format and the fact that any crash will likely write of a spine whereas the new Griso frame crashes very well.

All I would do is advise anyone interested to ride one, be it a Griso or a Sport/Norge/Breva platform. They are superb 'Road' bikes all. Which one is *Best* is entirely rider dependant.

Pete

[kenbike]

I checked out a new 09 black Stelvio at a local dealer today. All of the salesman took the dat off so the parts guy helped me. I really like the look and layout of these bikes. I can save a few grand picking up 09 vs 2020's.

Do you guys think the motor changes to the 2010's make the bike that mach better?

If I change the muffler and remap does it improve the power?
What is the average gas mileage guys are getting with the 09's?

And who's bags will attach to the rear mounting brackets, just Moto Guzzi's?

[pete roper]

I haven't ridden the 2010 but have talked about it with the local importer's lad when he was running it in. Yes it has new cams and mapping but to be honest the old cams and mapping were pretty good.

Pre-2010 models have the 'Full House' Griso motor which is good for about 102-104 RWHP. The 2010 model will probably be down a little on power but the midrange torque is supposed to be up. My customers with earlier models don't notice any deficiencies in either power or torque. Yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice.

Guzzis, probably more than 'Prillas, need decent PD and a good going over before they are given to the customer so it is VERY important to buy from somewhere that KNOWS and LIKES Guzzis otherwise you're liable to end up with a poor running munter.

If buying a pre 2010 model I would also make absolutely sure that it is either outside the range or the work has been completed for the 'Technical Update', (A way of getting around the legal pitfalls of actually having a 'Recall') for the tappets and cams. Some early 8 valvers had tappets mad of cheese and trashed their top end. All unsold bikes are SUPPOSED to have had this work carried out PRIOR to sale but given the fact I'm still hearing stories of early production bikes that have just been sold having failing tappets it is obvious that some people DON'T or CAN'T read the information on the ServiceMotoGuzzi website.

If you choose to change the pipe it is VERY important to use a fairly restrictive alternative. Putting a LOUD, open pipe on will rob the engine of between 4 and 10 RWHP. It's all down to the cam timing and the way it is designed to breathe. Re-Mapping is not simple as the W5.9 'pooter runs closed loop up to about 40% throttle. Using a simple modifier like a PCIII will enable you to modify the fuelling above this point but not below it. The only other workable option currently available is the PCV/Autotune unit available from Guzzitech but I can't comment on its efficacy as it won't work on my bike. This MAY be down to me screwing up but I'm taking it to the US in June to try on my US 8V Griso and will be installing it with the Guzzitech honcho's help. We'll see. Rapidbike 'Claim' to have a product. I ordered and paid for it and have never recieved it and they refused to refund my money. Crooks! Avoid at all costs.

Set up correctly the 8V motor is perfectly fine, but less than perfect, in the Griso 8V, Very nice in the Stelvio (Pre 2010.) and sublime in the one 1200 Sport 8V I have ridden. HAving said that my 8V G here has had some mods and has the latest map upgrade and is really very, very nice. I'm at the moment still experimenting with different airbox mods.

Fuel ecconomy? My Griso and customer's Stelvios once run-in are all returning around 20Km per Litre at quasi-legal speeds of around 110-120KPH (70-80MPH.) Ecconomy plummets if you get up it seriously!!!

Pete

[SF2DieHard]

I am going to presume that you tell us when you are headed to SoCal so I can visit and introduce myself.

DungeonMaster