Lumir Bakota
Tuned and Synch'ed
So I test rode today a 2009 Stelvio 4V, 26k km on the clock in pristine/showroom condition. Dealer maintained, all records available, the roller tappet kit C installed by dealer. Comes with the original Guzzi hard cases. First owner, the guy is asking $5k CAN.
I should point out that in last 15+ years I owned and ridden exclusively twins in all forms and makes including lately 2006 GS, 2009 RT, 2012 Stelvio NTX, and 2016 Africa Twin. I got lured into buying 2019 Yamaha Tracer GT with all its bells and whistles, great bike, light, but I just cannot get used to this high revving engine and miss my twins.
I used to own the new model 2012 Stelvio NTX, I liked the looks of it and character of the engine, but I was put off by everything running red hot (engine, tranny, rear drive) but mainly the EXTREMELY noisy/whiny transmission (quite a difference compared to beamers). Sold it after one season. To my surprise, this 2009 Stelvio was almost as quiet as the RT and after half an hour ride in warm weather there was not excessive heat anywhere.
The problem is that my nearest Guzzi dealer is in Quebec City, some 800 kms from Moncton where I live, so I would be pretty much on my own for maintenance and repairs. Regular maintenance is not an issue; I have always serviced my bikes by myself, and I know that Guzzi is fairly simple.
I am not sure what is the reliability of these bikes or if I could anticipate some major repairs that I couldn’t handle myself. Any comments on that would be very appreciated.
I should point out that in last 15+ years I owned and ridden exclusively twins in all forms and makes including lately 2006 GS, 2009 RT, 2012 Stelvio NTX, and 2016 Africa Twin. I got lured into buying 2019 Yamaha Tracer GT with all its bells and whistles, great bike, light, but I just cannot get used to this high revving engine and miss my twins.
I used to own the new model 2012 Stelvio NTX, I liked the looks of it and character of the engine, but I was put off by everything running red hot (engine, tranny, rear drive) but mainly the EXTREMELY noisy/whiny transmission (quite a difference compared to beamers). Sold it after one season. To my surprise, this 2009 Stelvio was almost as quiet as the RT and after half an hour ride in warm weather there was not excessive heat anywhere.
The problem is that my nearest Guzzi dealer is in Quebec City, some 800 kms from Moncton where I live, so I would be pretty much on my own for maintenance and repairs. Regular maintenance is not an issue; I have always serviced my bikes by myself, and I know that Guzzi is fairly simple.
I am not sure what is the reliability of these bikes or if I could anticipate some major repairs that I couldn’t handle myself. Any comments on that would be very appreciated.