Morris Sod

V85 TT Having recently replaced my '12 Stelvio (burn't in fires) with a '19 Model new V85TT I;m really enjoying the new steed. However I appreciate the cube reduction from 1200 to 850 will have an affect on overall performance, but, have any other V85 riders found any great improvement in putting on a new exhaust system to open up breathing. Also air filters. Is the engine improvement worth the expense of the upgrade? Any thoughts?

From the grumblings and rumblings here in Oz,things don't sound too bright for MG in the near future. With a major change in distributorship and discussions with organisers of the Sydney motorcycle show, it sounds as if future of Guzzi distribution here is limited to the short term. Dealers have been told they will be serviced by the new Peter Stevens Group distributorship "for the near future' Already the latest Stelvio will not be imported to Australia. Is Piaggio heading in a totally different direction or just keeping their hands close to chests at the moment?

Crap. Mileage affects value? I have a 2000 Mandello Rosso with 59,000KM on it, for a Guzzi would you call that big mileage or just run in. She runs, idles, rattles the clutch and generally sounds just like the V11 models should. IMO having had Guzzi with over 200k on them and the bores still as unmarked as new, I wonder at the concern so many have at "big mileage" machines. What do you call BIG MILEAGE for a Guzzi?

I know I am well out of date, but time travels slow down under. I have #201 here in NSW Australia and have owned it since 2005. Second owner. Still going strong apart from general wear and tear. I run a 12 Stelvio as my main ride.

This one works fine, just don't forget you've got it on, could prove embarrassing. Sent from my LG-H340 using Tapatalk

I don't think I'd like to do log hopping with it but gravel hills 2nd/3rd are fine depending on grade. I'm afraid I am bit of a woose in getting the feel of the big girl on dirt, so traction control has stayed on totally minimising wheel spin. My DR Suzuki has a higher first gear than the Stelvio, was built for high speed dirt roads by previous owner. I must change sprockets. A mate (a Griso rider) and myself did a back to back run on my Rosso Mandello and the Stelvio through the valley the other day and his comment was........"its a bit like riding an old Manx Norton really, ya gotta really muscle it" referring to the ride on the V11 compared to the ease of handling of the Stelvio. However, on a smooth road I really do like the manners of the V11 as you feel like you've got the front wheel between your wrists and feel heaps more confident into the corners than the upright Stelvio. She doesn't like bumpy corners though.

US fuel is generally less octane than ours, 87RON being their standard, premium flat out to be 95ron. there fore probably we are getting better performance than the Yanks as long as you stay away from Ethanol.

Hi PDoz, Just returned from a 1100/1200km trip to Sydney and back just before Christmas. 36degree temps down the slab and massive traffic on Pennant Hills Rd. Bike was hot, I was hot and the pipe was fine, seemed to help with the slow speed hunting from previously, although I'm told this can be dialled out on a ECU reset. Speedo kept recording 4.3L/100 so I don't believe it really. Always seem to get 430km to a tank with 8 litres left at fill up. Went the long way home, some popping, (not bad) on overrun into corners also a nice addictive crisp delivery from the pipe with power on. Need to keep a check on pipe clamp as can slightly loosen on a trip. Maybe the cause of popping. No vibrations I noticed, still with good midrange and the 5500 rush is still there. I really love the 5kg weight reduction. I hope this helps

I have been a proud owner of a MY12 Stelvio bronze for the past year. Having sold the Griso SE and crashed the V Strom I decided I liked the Stelvio now with 22k on the clock I have recently replaced the standard pipe for a fully homologated MIVV pipe from Italy. This dropped 5kg from the weight and sounds even crisper than the standard pipe. Better with the Dc killer left in as it seems to allow the mapping to work better, specially a low speeds. This is a most comfortable and effortless bike to ride considering the weight which literally disappears on the move. However, I am yet to embark on a more serious off road trip to the out back, having only done it on the V Strom. I still have my 2000 V11 Rosso Mandello for those Sunday fun runs up the Oxley highway for a bit of adrenalin stimulation, although the Stelvio is none too shabby on the twisties also. I try to be very careful where I pull up on the Stelvio due to the height factor and watch for loose gravel under boot. Although not too tall '176cm I have become used to and comfortable on the bike with the lower seat setting. My only concern is the cam follower issue and have to be very vigilant about the change of sound from the engine. So far so good.

Have now completed 18k on the /12 Stelvio. A recent ride of 1300km caused both exhaust gaskets to blow on the crossover section of pipe. Has anyone else had this problem on what I would regard as a relative new bike?

Hi Nosezwind, I have been lucky enough to own both of these darlings. Bought the '10 Giso SE after seeing in a mag, just had to have it. I was not disappointed. Went like the wind much to constable plods dismay. Handles well but I still think the Rosso Mandello handles better, more feel from front end. I kept it for 2 years but kept getting tickets, so decided on the Stelvio after crashing the V Strom. Bought a 2 year old demonstrator, gold as per photo. It had 200km on the clock. I have now done 10K kms and love it. You do get used to the weight, but it handles itself very lightly on the move. Very good handling and suspension but have yet to do some serious off road work as yet, that is coming. It's very comfortable to ride, screen is good but I have improved it with a deflector, heated grips, engine bars. Its easy to ride slower, so as to keep licence intact.

Hi Jerry just read your post re the Ballabio, would you be interested in a very tidy 2000 model V11 Rosso Mandello Ltd Ed for $10500 AUD located on the mid North Coast NSW - Morris

Hey Pete, I knew I could count on you. Do I have to go and get the computer reset to eliminate the failure warning on the dash board or will it go away when the sensor drys out. Will the sensor dry out or should I blow dry it? If I have to get it reset, and there is no actual part to replace, how does Guzzi accept this as a waranty claim. I need to travel up to Coffs for the computer hook up, is there another way?

I have joined the ranks of new Griso owners in March this year with the SE model. (beautiful) 3K later I have no longer a speedo that tells me the speed. Just 00kph. Also the dash displays a SERVICE sign and the little red triangle warning light stays on. I ran a diagnostic check on the dash and found the ECU display showed file #56 had a cross against it. According the dealer this inicated SPEED SENSOR was at fault. All this occurred after giving Griso a bath. I am particularly careful about taping up orifices so as to reduce penetration of water during baths. In this case it appears that the SPEED SENSOR connection may have got wet, consequently I dutifully located What I thought to be the offending sensor connection and sensor and gave it a good dose of electrical cleaner spray. I even checked all the fuses and sprayed them also. Unfortunely to no avail. The warning still stays on. I have even tried to cancel the fault alarm through the dash diagnostic file. Hey Pete maybe this is one for you. You being a multi Griso owner? Any suggestions as to how to get my speed back? Just as an aside. I have to relate this. I took the tappet covers off to check tappets at first service. I had no problems with the spark plug cover as I had been warned. I shone a torch into the tube of of the plug and could see some foreign object next to the plug. This bike is brand new mind, only 1546km on the clock. I extracted from the tube with long wire tweezers a complete intact Monarch butterfly, slightly dehydrated to the max but complete. Where did he come from I asked, was this a new way of exporting an over supply of Monach butterfly from Italy, if so it failed dismally. If anyone can answer my puzzles I'd be most pleased, Cheers Morris

I've had Shoeis, AGV's and an Arai which was the only one that hurt my left ear constantly even though the initial feel was firm and snug. I can't beat the Nolan 102's with the flip up front as they are perfect for touring when photo opportunities continually present themselves. It was particularly good in India as the photo shots just kept coming around every 2nd corner, so easy to stop, flip lid pull camera from pocket and shoot. It was also a bonus during extreme heat of the plains to be able to ride with the front raised for the cooling breeze, not recommended I know but good none the less. At one stage we had the opportunity to ride 15km to a monastery and decided to go helmetless, because over there you can, what a buzz, just so nice to get the full essence of the breeze in your face, the sounds and smells were just magic, not something I make a habit of, but fun. All the local residents seem to ride without helmets although often carry them strapped to their bikes. It is not uncommon to see a turbaned Sikh hooning down the road with saried wife on the back cradling a suckling baby in the arms at about 80kmh in thick traffic.

I have had 3 Nolan N102 helmets now and have road tested 2 of them. Once at 25kmh knocked out but no bbbbbrain ddamage thhat I know of and once in India at 80kmh with no ill effects on head even though I hit head fairly hard, so I bought a 3rd one and I hope not to road test this one. BTW Casey Stoner wears one so they must be good. Cheers

Many thanks for the replies guys all points duely noted. I found no sign of dryness or corrosion in the axle and inner spac ers as has been mentioned before, every thing looked nicely lubed. I was having oil or grease escaping from the RHS seals onto my rear wheel RHS which used to make cornering interesting to say the least, I hope the new seals do the trick. Thanks for the info on the progressive wound springs, I replaced a set on my T5 some years ago and found a vast improvement in ride and handling. Does $230 sound about right for the springs from Ikon? Fork oil weight, 10W or 7.5W? I weigh about 80kg Cheers

Just to add to the RM register. Mine is #201 2nd owner, living in Kempsey Australia. Some touch up paint would be handy as scarlet finger nail polish doesn't quite cut the mustard. Stone chips mainly. Morris Sod

Just a quick question. I have just replaced the two inner seals within the rear transmission on a 2000 Rosso Mandello. That is the the larger and the smaller seal. When reassembleing, is it necessary to grease the needle rollers prior to bolting everything back together, or is the oil in the transmission sufficient to keep this all well lubricated. I use Redline fully synthetic transmission oil which is supposed to be the ducks guts as far as transmission oils go. One other question, has anyone put progressive wound springs in the Mazzochi front forks to help suspension characteristics.