The Moto Guzzi I always wanted but never knew I did

Well congratulations! And aren't you the Travel'n Man -- perfect bike for you! To an extent can 'tune' the vibration bumps when you balance the throttle bodies, sub 4k will never go away completely and the bike will always shake a little there depending on how you load the engine, the 5k bump though will probably pretty much go away or become unnoticeable when your barely used bike is actually broken in. Stack popping (not to be confused with back-fire) is part and parcel on the 8V on over-run. So what color is your 2014 and how much did you have to part with?

I will just say that none of my previous motorcycles ever exhibited such depth of feedback in terms of tune state and pleasure of riding. This by itself, if you are open to fiddling and doing your own tuneups will make owing the Stelvio an immensely rewarding experience, I promise you.

I'm continually surprised at how true the 'more you ride it the more you'll like it ' really applies to this motorcycle like no other. Didn't expect any of that when I bought it; just a big ADV bike that was easier to work on... What I got was a bike that just keeps pleasantly surprising me -- it's goofy how much I like Moto Guzzi Stelvio!

Someone right here in this thread said that they all get better with time. But I now realize words and text can't fully depict the experience, as for example however hard all moto reporters try and package their quintessential review of any given model, I think that (1) alot of them, save for the great ones, are spoiled, jaded and simply just have limited time to aquire the impressions, thus are superficial and (2) it's not until you really bond with the machine that it all clicks in to place. That takes time and requires to just let things flow and come to you.

And also, most unfortunately: (3) a disproportionate cross section of the review media is paid to shill -- they're not going to bite the hands that feed them...

This....

The Stevio is the Gold?? color. Will post pics of the ride home in a couple of weeks.
Pricing - the new 2016's on the floor at AF1 were priced in the mid 13,500 or so, and this 2014 was listed at $9,499.00, but they then offered an additional $249.00 discount, so it was a no brainier to get the 2014 with about 4 months of factory warranty for $4,000.00 less then the 2016 with 0 miles. Both the 2016 and 2014 did not include sales tax, licence, or title transfer. So..part of the $4,000.00 savings will go toward a nice dinner for the wifey.
The dealer also promoted getting Guzzidiag, which was really a surprise. Been to about 10 moto guzzi dealers in the past year or so, and none have ever mentioned Guzzidiag. After following Drac's postings of his challenges with his Stelvio on this thread, and all the feedback from everyone, glad to continue to be a Guzzi owner. So, I continue to be stuck in a rut! Bought my Eldorodo in 1973, the SP3 in 1994, and the Stelvio in 2017. Wonder what the Guzzi's will be like in 20 years when it's time for the next one.
Sitting on the Stelvio a month ago in Vegas, it felt really "wierd", was used to "sport Bike" seating position on the SP3. Plus, the acceleration, the vibes, and the handling were different. But, getting on the Stelvio yesterday, everything felt perfect!

So many miles to ride, so many of you all to meet!

I am never tired of riding my Stelvio. Lately it seems it almost doesn't even matter where I ride it, if no other choices, I'll ride it around same roads every single day and still get the great feeling of being on it, the throbbing V twin pulsations, the rewarding throttle rolling on through the curves, the roar of the massive beast dancing on it's suspension.. it's bulky, solid, stable, and so well behaved! It's exactly because of that blend of properties that it offers such a rewarding experience... what an awesome machine. I am so happy to have discovered it.

....what Drac said....its an orgasm on wheels.

Cool pic!

Thanks! It's an overlook of downtown Raleigh, NC., convention center is in the middle.

Well, I did know I wanted a 2004 MG Ballabio -- just never thought I'd find one nearby like this one with just over 3500 miles. Should be more comfortable than my 98 Centauro was but the motor won't be as strong! Anything I should know that's particular to this iteration of the V11 Sport? (WitchCityBallabio?)

My previous employer used to send me to Winston-Salem a couple times per year. On one of those trips I had to fly into Raleigh. Nice area

All the V11 series are prone to exposing their oil pick up under hard acceleration and running their big ends. I designed and sell a 100% effective cure for that.

Fit some sort of hugger or flap in the triangle of the swingarm below the shock. The gearbox breather is directly in line with the spray line from the rear wheel and if you don't protect it in wet weather the gearbox can fill up with water!

Make sure that the drive shaft trunnions are properly aligned. Most tyre fitters haven't got a clue and if the two halves of the shaft separate while the wheel is being removed and is then just jammed back together wildly-nilly the loadings caused by the misaligned trunnions will make it handle very oddly and can destroy the driveline.

Don't fall off. Spineframes don't crash well!

Keep an eye on the lower rear shock - the sachs has been known to crack ( a wilburs transformed mine)


The v11 lemans forum is fantastic , and a LOT easier than adv to search for info on

You've got the later gearbox mechanism so the pawl spring probably shouldn't be an issue, but carry one just in case and perhaps read up on the technique for dealing with the " boomerang" - it's a bit more challenging to repkace the pawl spring on the later models . Ps if your gearchange feel isn't 100% amazing, the later models have a much more adjustable mechanism and it really helps to get it right!

I am very happy with my location choice, I moved here to have more riding options, and it's been great. There are so many two lane back roads all around, but especially West, plenty hills and valleys, farmland and forest, tens of miles of nearly empty twisty roads.

350 miles ride, just today..

Thanks for the tips on the V-11 based bikes. I know a friend with a Scura has replaced the shift pawl 2x. I happen to have a Wilburs shock that came off of a Suzuki DL650 - it would be a real coincidence if it would fit on the Ballabio!

Also, great pics Dracula!

Just remember, the scurra had a different technique for changing the pawl spring, from memory there were three different designs between 03 and 04 ( my v11 lm didn't have the boomerang but did have the more complex adjustment mechanism




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Nice trio of bikes there, I'm jealous.