Geese reliability

[ZZRider]

I'm thinking about a new Norge.  It looks like it has everything I want.  And I've always loved the sound a goose makes.  BUT . . . I have two concerns:

(1) long term reliability - how many miles?  How much maintainence can an average m/c mechanic do?

(2) dealers - looks like the closest one I have is about 75 miles away.  In traffic, that could be three hours.

I'm also thinking about the standby (BMW RT), but I've already been down that road.  Looking for something different.

Comments?  

[Orson]

There are 2 Norge owners on the V11lemans.com forum and they've posted their initial impressions.

Both have favorable comments other than the centerstand touching down on sharp corners. One said that the RT is probably a better overall package but that the Norge was a excellent first effort to go head to head with the RT.

Of course, the Germans still haven't figured out how to engineer any character into their products  

Since the new Breva line came out, on which the Norge is based) I haven't read about any reliability issues.

[Daniel Kalal]

when you reach the point when you're not trying to decide between a Guzzi and a [anything else], you'll be ready.  A Guzzi--particularly the big block engine Guzzi--is a very reliable motorcycle.  The company is way too small to be doing anything radical from year to year, so even on the new Norge, you can spot things that have not changed in 30 years.  there are a few things about the Norge that are new, so I cannot speak to how reliable it all may be, but you can be sure that the basic engineering is sound--even if sometimes the quality on the factory floor isn't always as consistent as you'd want.

This is a simple air-cooled machine.  Basic maintenance is easy.  And, if you do buy one, you'll find out very quickly that the support network of Guzzi owners is perhaps the best reason to ride a Guzzi.  You will not be alone.  My touring Guzzi now has over 280K miles and is still running with the original rings (and most everything else).  The basic machine is very sound.

Remember; Guzzi sells nationwide what a handful of Honda dealers will do all by themselves.  So, you should not expect the dealer and parts network that Honda or BMW have.  On the other hand, they don't offer what Guzzi has...

[Aero]

I have had three Guzzis in the past 25 years and I have found them to be very reliable. I once bought a 1979 SP1000 with 60,000 miles on the clock and put another 60,000 on it before selling it on. It needed nothing other than routine maintenance in that time apart from new shocks when the old ones wore out. As far as I know it is still being used. I don't have a Guzzi now but I intend to buy another soon, they are great bikes. The tourers can be hustled along at a pace that can embarrass more sporting oriented bikes without getting tied in knots, the Italian handling is always there. Maintenance is a breeze with screw and locknut valve adjustment. I love 'em!  

[c_galardi]

Basic maintenance is all simple stuff, well within the reach of the owner.  Valve adjustments every 6000 miles are dead simple and take less than an hour.  Oil filter changes on the new bikes can now be done without dropping the sump (i never had a problem with that but some folks don't like having to fiddle with the 18 sump bolts just to get at the oil filter...I always considered it more "bonding" with my bike   )  Gear box oil change and CARC drive oil change are a breeze as well.  

There's not really anything else to do for basic maintenance.  Just make sure you get the bike's fuel injection set up properly by your dealer from the get go.  The dealers now use a tool called the AXONE to make certain everything is dialed in properly.  My 06 Breva 1100 is perfect right from the factory....the same factory on the shores of Lake Como that has been assembling these bikes for 86 years now  

The likelihood is you will enjoy a looooong lasting and trouble free relationship with a bike that will quickly become your best pal  

p.s. lots more info at the forum at this site...  http://mggriso.guzzitech.com/

[Dr Gil]

I'm thinking about a new Norge.  It looks like it has everything I want.  And I've always loved the sound a goose makes.  BUT . . . I have two concerns:

(1) long term reliability - how many miles?  How much maintenence can an average m/c mechanic do?

(2) dealers - looks like the closest one I have is about 75 miles away.  In traffic, that could be three hours.

I'm also thinking about the standby (BMW RT), but I've already been down that road.  Looking for something different.

Comments?  

I'm fairly new to Guzzi myself (2 years) and opted for an '02 Le Mans which I promptly crashed.  Being a moderate sort of mechanic myself and the fact that my "local" Moto Guzzi dealership is 250 miles away I was initially concerned about support...I figured I was really screwed when faced with putting the bike back together.  

It turned out to be okay.  Inside of 9 months I had all the parts I needed for the repair (this was during the change of ownership of the company and new parts were almost impossible to get), mostly used from the "Guzzi Network" Daniel referred to.  I have never seen the support for ANY bike that Guzzi people give.  Any time I was stumped on how to do something the good people from the V-11 forum stepped right up with their know-how and walked me through the operation.



My Le Mans has been back on the road for almost a year now, I've put about 12K of trouble free miles on the odometer since my fall.  

[kevin_stevens]

A goose is good for two long trips a year.  Anything apart from that is kind of iffy.

Oh, you meant a Moto Guzzi!!  Those are fine.  

KeS

[ZZRider]

Thanks for the input.  Its about what I expected.

Of the two or three Guzzi riders I've known, if BMW riders are a different lot, the Guzzi's were a suspect lot.  

I've been very happy with the ZZR; never owned a bike that was so fast.    But, it is a watch, lacking in soul.  And, with 60,000 miles on the clock, it's starting to breath a little hard.  The last Beemer I owned had character: it was one stone cold bike.  That is except when the electric gremlins came out to play.  

I rode with a Guzzi V-11 a few weeks ago and just loved the sound.  I think I'll probably make another decision with the heart and get the Guzzi.  

Thanks for push.

[kevin_stevens]

My V11 with M4 exhaust and Stucci crossover sounds like a Chevy smallblock - email me and I'll send some clips I made yesterday - no way to post them here that I can find.

KeS

[Aero]

My V11 with M4 exhaust and Stucci crossover sounds like a Chevy smallblock - email me and I'll send some clips I made yesterday - no way to post them here that I can find.
KeS

I'll second that. I put Stucchi production race exhausts on my Mk2 Le Mans (nice throaty sound but not too loud) and when the engine was revving over 5000rpm it really reminded me of a V8 at the drag strip under acceleration. Fond memories...

[Orson]

and when the engine was revving over 5000rpm it really reminded me of a V8 at the drag strip under acceleration. Fond memories...

mmmm...5000 rpm  

 

[zoid]

I own the exception to the rule. After only about 300 miles, my 03 LeMans would start to sputter, backfire, and cough once it got hot. I trailered it back to the shop, they worked on it and told me it was the tps synchronization that was giving me the problems. It wasn't. Long story short, it was the computer. They swapped one off of a demo they had on the floor and filed warranty on that bike. I had the old tank suck problem. No big deal. That's a quick fix. My first speedo quit after 25000 miles. The second speedo quit after 7500 miles. The rocker arm thrust washers wore out after about 25000 miles. My kill switch quit after 500 miles. My fuel level light quit after the first tank. The dealer that I bought the bike from is no longer a Guzzi dealer(and for this we can be thankful) and Gaylen and Ace at Jackson Cycle in St Jo Missouri have gone far beyond what I would ask of anyone to trying to take care of my warranty problems. But I found out why my bike is having so many problems. Guzzi says my bike was never made. Honest. They have no record of my serial number in America or in Mandello del Lario. For a bike that was never made, I sure do love riding a bike that doesn't exist. And in spite of all of this, this Guzzi is part of the permanent stable. I'll own this and my old R100/7 beemer till the day I die. I think it is shimmed into shape now and I don't even worry about a long trip. Guzzi  

[Chronic]

A goose is good for two long trips a year.  Anything apart from that is kind of iffy.

Oh, you meant a Moto Guzzi!!  Those are fine.  

KeS

  .    Damn!!  Now that was funny.