2009-09-29 , Autor: Danijel Puljek, Slike: Motorevija

 


Endurance test Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200

Attraction and rejection

Endurance test of Moto Guzzi's model stelvio went to a completely unexpected course – the periods of our satisfaction and frustration were interchanging which is - often reminiscent of the conflict, a well known concept in psychology


Conflict of simultaneous attraction and rejection is a psychological term about which you may have learned in high school. The definition is - the same goal has its positive and negative sides. In this conflict of attraction and rejection when we get closer to the goal the rejection is usually more intense. This usually leads to cancellation of the goal and moving away from it. This increases the attractiveness of the goal and the aspects that led us to rejection are forgotten. Re-approaching the goal increases the rejection and so this circle can be repeated for a long time. The psychological term perfectly and exactly describes our feelings towards Stelvio during one year and mileage of 10,000 km. We will explain this in detail.

Moto Guzzi Stelvio model is presented as a novelty for 2008. after its long-lasting announcements as the Italian competition to BMW GS and other similar models. At the same time Stelvio should take the title of the "admiral ship" in the Moto Guzzi gamma as its largest model. The concept of a maxi enduro was suitable for installation of the „complicated“ Moto Guzzi's V-2 engine due to it's size and weight. The most modern engine with four valves per cylinder and the volume of 1151 (1200) cc and a maximum power of 105 hp was selected. Transmission was the existing CARC system, and the wheels, brakes, suspension and equipment were signed by renowned manufacturers such as Brembo, Behr, Bosch, Pirelli and others.

All together manifested in an exceptional desire and commitment to developing this model in order to send a quality product to the market. Under the same impression the Croatian importer, Piaggio Hrvatska, along with us announced a 25.000 km endurance test of Stelvio. Mutual satisfaction was shown and we were eagerly awaiting Stelvio to become our marathon bike.

Soon, we received it with a little more than 500 kilometers on the odometer (tests in other redactions) and we went on with the adventure. The very first test told us more about the motorcycle and also about the coming problems. With a large mass and with difficulties during manipulation when standing, we have also noticed excellent maneuverability and comfort when Stelvio passes 20 km/h. Power was sufficient, but its development has been set at too high revs, built-in instruments and equipment functioned well, but the fuel reserve lamp went on after only 180 km.

It was certainly too early considering the volume of the fuel tank of 18 liters and a reserve of 4.5 liters. In addition, the fuel indicator is presented as three fields on the LCD display which is very difficult to read properly. When the tank is full, it does not indicate so, the upper field remains "empty" and shows only a symbol of the gas station. When the indication lands on the lowest field, which is logically the last third of the tank, the reserve light comes on. Slightly better metering has shown that the problem is not in the light, it is in the enormous consumption of 10-12 liters per 100 km, which could not be possible according to our knowledge on the Moto Guzzi. Especially when clearly remembering our remarks on the low consumption of the Norge 1200 model during a presentation two years ago. Interestingly, it was practically the same engine. The first visit to an authorized service awaited us.

Diagnosis - one of the spark plug ignition coils is not functioning properly and vacuum on the cylinders (whatever that means) is not in balance. A few weeks of waiting for repair and we were back in the saddle, but the situation stayed the same. At the same time the service on 1000 km was conducted as we were at just that mileage. Consumption has remained high, and the driver had a feeling that fuel literally evaporates through the exhaust. In addition, self-diagnostics came alive, and yellow triangle signal appeared on the dashboard - something was wrong, automatic choke is not always performing its job, the engine started to shut down at idle speed and we had the feeling that the engine is "struggling" at higher revs. New visit to an authorized service, this time it was „Skutermoto“ in Zagreb - Pešćenica.

Diagnosis - leave the bike and we will investigate. Fortunately, thanks to the one of the mechanics this visit finally gave results. There wasn't a problem with the ignition coil, cylinders weren't re-balanced on previous service (although we were told that this was done with the repair) and most important - none of that was the cause of our problems. Diagnosis was: Moto Guzzi Stelvio is prepared for serious off-road driving and because of that the air filter box is located high under the driver's seat, with the air intake at the rear top end. It can be accessed only using the tool and that part is not visible without disassembling the driver's seat. However, as there is an area for tools and a 12 V outlet under the passenger seat, someone at the factory, or later on, had left a small plastic bag from a motorcycle part or who knows what . This plastic part went lower under the driver's seat and shut-off the air opening of the air filter and disrupted stehiometric mixture ratio. Not realizing it, mechanics were trying to adjust the balance of fuel injection and they only spoiled things which led to even bigger problems. There is no doubt that one ignition coil was changed unnecessarily.

After the magic touch Stelvio has become a „new“ motorcycle, with consumption of only five to six liters and we also managed to set a new efficiency driving record at just 4.6 liters per 100 km. Our happiness was endless and with a smile on our face we started our first major trip to the Swiss Alps and experienced stelvio in all its greatness. High average speed, comfort, ease of handling, and also amazed views from Italians during our travel through Italy.

From that trip Stelvio came back with scars on the left cylinder valve cover and gear handle, which we have damaged in one small sliding accident in the Alps. After repair our mutual satisfaction continues, and Stelvio was used for the daily trips to work and travelling. We collected the mileage gradually. Everything was fine, and the only "strange" thing that remained was an occasional irregular work after the cold start, when the automatic choke wasn't engaging well.

One morning the situation has changed again, when we found oil on the asphalt under the plastic cover beneath the engine. Stelvio began to lose oil, not much, but enough to visit a service. We found that the oil filter wasn't tightened well and it can not be approached without special tools. The visit to the service lasted one minute and our problem is resolved, but during the oil check, we have noticed that the access to the cover and the oil meter below the left cylinder is relatively complicated because of the decorative plastic cover kept in place with the two hexagon screws. The hexagon (imbus) key tool is in the motorcycle tools, but you will have one more task to do when you want to check the oil, especially because there is no classical oil pressure lamp, only master caution yellow triangle.

We drove carelessly for another two thousand kilometers, once again enjoying the character of Stelvio and his corpulent appearance, until one short trip on the route Zagreb - Rijeka and back. On the parking lot in Rijeka we have already found an oil stain on the asphalt under the oil sump which has been increasing. We assumed that we have a problem with the oil filter again. We went for help to an authorized service „Moto Matušić“ in Matulji, but we established that this time it's not a filter, but the loss of oil from another part of the engine. They cleaned and checked the engine and oil and then we went back to Zagreb, but the rear part of the motorcycle and rubber were covered with oil enough to slip and fall. It becomes clear that this time is something more serious, although motorcycle self-diagnostic was silent.

Another visit to the service on Pešćenica and overwhelming result - a rubber gasket (semering) between the crankshaft and the dry clutch was broken and the oil went out form engine to clutch „room“ and out to the ground. Interestingly, the clutch, although covered with oil, did not show a tendency to slip. The repair took a long time (Stelvio was near 8000 km), also we discovered bad material on the spark plug cables, which were also replaced.

Because of this failure, and re-assembling the engine we conducted a regular service that would otherwise be at 10,000 km. After reparation Stelvio was driven without any problems to a final 10.000 km.

Because of the long servicing period we lost our opportunity to gather more kilometers and we entered into the second year of test. Also, Moto Guzzi for 2009. presented a more processed model NTX, so in consultation with Piaggio Hrvatska we decided to shorten the planned 25,000 kilometers to 10,000 KM. It was obvious that Italians have changed some things that bothered us on the „new“ model.

Finally we conclude, returning to the beginning of the mentioned conflict. Endurance test of this motorcycle did not go as we predicted. For this we can partly blame, a motorcycle factory, which in our opinion has not checked up this model in detail before launching it on the market. Despite the great components that are installed, Stelvio as a bike was not at the proper level. Also, frequent visits to services and changing between them did not help at a time when it was necessary to solve our problems. We thank the authorized service Skutermoto Pešćenica from Zagreb, but generally speaking - diagnosis and solving of deficiencies must be faster and more efficient.

Because the whole set of circumstances with the Stelvio we were literally under the definition of conflict of attraction and rejection. When we had to visit the service, we were completely disappointed, but the next day we have already missed the Stelvio and vice versa.

We can't predict the future, but one thing is certain - after 10,000 kilometers of correcting all the childhood problems on our Stelvio, it just became ready for "action" and it is likely to drive for a long time. With how many allusions to the conflict from the beginning – we do not know.

Defects

During the test we have eliminated several major and minor defects. Most of them could be removed in several minutes, and from experience, they are common on many bikes. Therefore, we present their overview.

1st The brake oil, which remained above the rubber seal in oil tank leaked out through small channels at the cap. During a faster run the oil ends up on the driver’s left sleeve.

2nd Rubber seal under the lid of the tank cap increased in diameter and came out of the slot and it was necessary to repeatedly remove the lid and return it in place.

3rd After a trip to Italy, we probably lost one of two main engine bolts

4th Most of the bolts on the frame and motor showed traces of corrosion.

5th Oil filter leak left greasy marks on the asphalt.

6th Plastic sump protection very quickly showed its true black color under the protective gray.

7th We always had some oil leaking at the CARC shaft casing.


Services and costs

Because of the specific test flow all the regular services that should be done in the first 10.000 kilometers were done during the reparations. Because of initial problems with high consumption it is also impossible to give a complete cross-section of average fuel consumption. Therefore, we can calculate an average consumption of six liters per 100 km, the highest consumption at high speed on the highway was 7.8 liters and the minimum average run of the open road was just 4.6 liters.

The whole Stelvio test was done on its first tires pirelli scorpion sync, which are an excellent combination for its handling and mass. At the end of the test they are ready for changing, especially the rear, which was rapidly worn due to a lot of miles on the highway. This Pirelli's model remains our recommendation for Stelvio.