Chris,
I just don’t understand how your Stelvio in standard trim behaves so differently to mine. Mine has done 2,000 miles and the fuelling has been perfect (by that I mean as good as any other modern EFI bike I’ve ridden) from the start. The engine, clutch and gearbox has become is noticably smoother as the miles have racked up, as you would expect.
Just as a comparison, my 2006 Tiger 955i had the most perfect glitch-free EFI fuelling (like my Stelvio) and my mate’s 2006 KTM 990 Adventure had the worst. That bike literally made your neck sore by the uncontrolled bucking and jerking when the throttle was open/shut at low speed. Thankfully, the later KTMs were massively improved.
My mate eventually learned to ride with a very sensitive throttle hand. I’m not trying to suggest anyone is riding their Stelvio ‘incorrectly’ but is it possible that the differences we are experiencing have something to do with the sensitivity of our throttle control? Only thinking this may have a part to play because I just don’t understand how similar specced bikes can vary so much.
It doesn’t explain the hunting below 4,000rpm, though.
Of all the EFI bikes I’ve owned the best throttle response was on a Triumph Explorer with a very light ride by wire throttle, and the worst has been both of the Stelvios, although a 1200 Griso I had briefly was much better. I’ve been riding continuously for over 40 years so I think my throttle hand is fairly experienced but I’ve still to experience any EFI system that can compete with a set of properly set up and synchronised carbs.
I took the Stelvio into Bristol this morning, in heavy rain, and quite honestly it was just plain unpleasant, with no choice but to ride the clutch on every slow speed corner or roundabout, waiting for the sudden and unpredictable jerk as you crack the throttle, so the Finebau will be going back on tomorrow.
If yours is as smooth as you say then obviously it should be possible for mine to be the same so maybe I need to seek out some other Moto Guzzi EFI specialist.
I am following this thread with great interest. I am picking up my new (to me) 2011 NTX tomorrow from Dorset and, looking at the forecasts, will be riding it back to London through very heavy rain. It is a 32 litre tank roller cam version and I guess I will have my own opinion about the running when I get back. I partially agree with Chris that it is a bit of a mystery how people can be having such disparate experiences with similar/identical bikes. The fuel map was revised in 2010 and again in 2011 so we would expect different throttle responses from 2008, 2010 and 2011+ bikes but that does not explain what is being reported here.
Well I got wet but it did not rain continuously. The ride back to London took about three and a half hours. I had just had new tyres fitted and was unfamiliar with the bike so did not push it. This is a 2011 roller cam model. My impressions were:-
fuelling was faultless across the rev range I used (probably 7000 rpm max)
no problems idling cold, hot or luke warm
no banging or popping on the overrun even though I fully expected this and would not consider it a fault
throttle is very sensitive and engine braking is considerable in any gear so shutting off the throttle completely can lead to a jerky ride
brakes are effective but lack feel
it is surprisingly vibey!!
at journey’s end I left the engine running so I could listen to it on idle. It had done several hours of high speed work followed by a final few miles through town so the engine was now hot. The idle sounds fast but reads 1200 on the tach. It does hunt a little but nothing disconcerting. Mechanical clatter from the top end is the same if not worse than my 2003 Cali so so much for the “quietened internals” mentioned in the reviews!
Overall I am very happy. It will take a little time to get it properly set up for me but that process is part of the pleasure of ownership.
Litch, I am now even more convinced that what you are experiencing is not a general fault but a set up problem. Mine was last serviced by three cross with a subsequent filter/fluids change out by moto corsa. Worth checking them out?
Have put a few hundred miles on my Stelvio mostly around town and in heavy traffic. Here is an update on my initial thoughts.
Bike shows no tendency to stall and will walk forward on idle with the clutch fully out.
That said, I am now finding it jerky as I open the throttle. This is worst when cold and only begins to ease when the engine has reached thermonuclear temperatures (easily judged by the skin beginning to peel off my left leg).
The above effect is most noticeable in the first three gears (the ones I need most!). In 4th it feels more like an instant power surge rather than a jerk and is actually quite useful for overtaking.
Filtering (panniers off) is easier than I expected. I think this is because you can see so far ahead to judge your line and the opening and closing of gaps. Also, the wide bars over sail a majority of wing mirrors. Another factor is the bright twin headlights and throaty growl of the bike which often inspires car drivers to open the gap as you come through.
5.Handling is great at speed but I am having trouble with slow speed manoeuvring. Considering getting myself some more training.
PS - Might sound obvious but it’s worth having a good play with the suspension settings and allowing yourself plenty of riding time to assess before making another change. I’m currently working my way towards an ideal rear shock setting and I think the front is near enough ‘there’. Yesterday evening I took the Stelvio down an extremely twisty and bumpy road at speeds that my old 990 Adventure would have been proud of. Any small geometry changes may even assist with the low speed handling too.
Since buying the bike I have been extremely busy on several fronts and have had no time do any set up. So far I have transferred an Xtreme deflector to the top of the screen and changed the seat so the blocks are set high at the front and low at the back. This levels the seat and stops me feeling like I am being pitched forward. My next port of call is the throttle free play as I figure this could cause the throttle to feel snatchy if it was too small. I don’t intend to jump to any conclusion as mt past experience suggests you need to live with a bike for many months or even years before it is finally set up. I keep remembering the catch phrase “improve the rider” so will definitely seek more training.
Missed your bar width comment in my reply. I agree. I intend to take of the hand guards and those oversized bar end weights to see what difference this makes. Will also allow easier access to the levers as I get round to setting them up. (Mine seems to have adjustable levers - are these OEM or has a previous owner fitted them?)
Both hand levers are adjustable on the stock bike, Richard.
I’ve decided to live with the 'bar width, on the basis that the ‘Cat’s Whiskers’ philosophy applies. Well, at least it does with the plastic panniers that I have.
I’m intrigued as to why you pitched the seat back. I might try this at some point but mine is on the low (level) setting and seems fine to me. Like you, I have also added a screen extension but it’s not my thing to have a tall screen really. Jury is out on that one, even though it is undeniably effective.
I’m going to do some off-roading to get to know Dolly (so-named for her two noticable headlamps AKA Dolly Parton ) better. I’ll start gently, though. these bikes are heavier than I’m used to but the engine characteristics and balance when moving will hopefully make up for it.
Please keep us informed of your progress. There are a lot of potential Stelvio owners out there who can’t get enough info on these bikes.
The previous owner was taller than me and had the seat set high front low back for the reason I have described. When I picked up the bike he had thoughtfully put the seat fully in the lowered position and the screen in its lower position. However, when riding I too found my wrists too heavily weighted so set it back to this asymmetric position. The combination of adjustable screen and adjustable deflector gives a lot of potential settings. My hope is to find a setting which has the screen at its lowest setting and the deflector flipping the wind flow the final few inches over my head. To those potential owners out there please don’t assume the Stelvio has poor wind protection - it is excellent! I am just trying to guild the lily.
Have been reading up on revised engine maps for the Stelvio until my head aches. Does anyone have any experience of this? The 68S map is the one that pops up in various threads.
hi richard pleased you got stelvio , , my 1st stelvio does not have weights at the end of handle bars and uses ktm hand guards , so runs narrower and feels no differant than standard bike , bike can run quirky some times , but get better with miles , or you just dont notice it , , still brings a smile , when ridden
peter
Will bring it down to show you when I get a chance. Have considered ditching those enormous bar end weights and hand guards to reduce bar width. Glad to hear it doesn’t affect handling. That said, as mentioned elsewhere, the bars over sail most car mirrors. Despite my pre purchase concerns about pannier width I have done nothing about the frames for the simple reason I don’t use the panniers! The Givi top box fitted by the previous owner is fine for my day to day riding. The bike’s handling is phenomenal but I am a little nervous at low speed. Engine runs very hot and lean in the rev range I use for in town heavy traffic riding. Thanks for all your advice.
hi richard the more miles the sweeter the run , , there is a club member who makes soft paneiar bags that can fit rear racks , , and ive got a set on my bike , which are working well and narrower than hard luggage . and a lot less money , find my mirrors tend to go over car mirrors but catch van mirrors , now a trip to croatia would be a good ride for your stelvio , as there the quota stelvio treffen on 11 12 13 july , . take care .
peter