erik jefferts
Just got it firing!
Just thought I'd share two issues I've had with my 2013 NTX in case they might help others. The first (and major) issue surfaced as soon as the bike was broken in and I started riding it more aggressively. I'd get a really transient oil pressure warning on brisk acceleration, most noticeable in 1st and 2nd gear. Long story short, the engine was apparent assembled without the oil pump pickup! The down tube was obviously there so most of the time supply was adequate. Thankfully we caught it before any damage was done, and I'm guessing (hoping!) this was an extremely isolated incident, but thought I'd share anyway. Thanks to the crew at Elk Grove Powersports in Sacramento for promptly sorting this out. So far I'm impressed with this shop - the service writer, Forrest, is knowledgeable and very on the ball IMO.
The second issue was minor by comparison but very irritating. I had an intermittent "bulb out" indicator on the turn signals. When this happens it turns on the 'master caution' light and blanks out the trip odometer with the bulb out symbol. Even more maddening when it comes and goes regardless of whether you are using the turn signals! After a lot of disassembly and checking every connector I could find, I finally pored over the wiring diagram in detail and was led to the huge multi-pin connector on the instrument cluster. It wasn't seated properly - it has a fiddly over-center fastener that is supposed to keep it from coming out that wasn't assembled properly. Problem solved and no further issues after a 4000 mile trip that involved a lot of rough crappy dirt roads in Idaho. I would suggest starting here if you ever have odd transient electrical issues.
Having said all this I really like the bike. I bought it new this January from Moto International in Seattle (thanks Dave!) and am closing in on 12k miles. I've had 5 different GS's (including a 2002 1150 ADV with 170k on it) and I firmly believe the NTX is a solid competitor for the best of the oil cooled boxers - I sold a 2011 'cam head' GSA before I bought the NTX. Bang for the buck - no comparison! In all fairness I've owned a lot of Guzzis over thirty+ years (I was even a dealer for a while) but when I bought my first GS I was hooked on adventure bikes, and the Quota I owned at the time didn't really do the job. Great to be back in the fold!
The second issue was minor by comparison but very irritating. I had an intermittent "bulb out" indicator on the turn signals. When this happens it turns on the 'master caution' light and blanks out the trip odometer with the bulb out symbol. Even more maddening when it comes and goes regardless of whether you are using the turn signals! After a lot of disassembly and checking every connector I could find, I finally pored over the wiring diagram in detail and was led to the huge multi-pin connector on the instrument cluster. It wasn't seated properly - it has a fiddly over-center fastener that is supposed to keep it from coming out that wasn't assembled properly. Problem solved and no further issues after a 4000 mile trip that involved a lot of rough crappy dirt roads in Idaho. I would suggest starting here if you ever have odd transient electrical issues.
Having said all this I really like the bike. I bought it new this January from Moto International in Seattle (thanks Dave!) and am closing in on 12k miles. I've had 5 different GS's (including a 2002 1150 ADV with 170k on it) and I firmly believe the NTX is a solid competitor for the best of the oil cooled boxers - I sold a 2011 'cam head' GSA before I bought the NTX. Bang for the buck - no comparison! In all fairness I've owned a lot of Guzzis over thirty+ years (I was even a dealer for a while) but when I bought my first GS I was hooked on adventure bikes, and the Quota I owned at the time didn't really do the job. Great to be back in the fold!