Norge Review

[vitaminC]

A nice review of the Norge in today's LA Times

IN these days of GPS, ABS, push-button this and turn-a-knob that, it isn't enough to build a mere touring bike anymore. It has to be a luxury tourer — a motorcycle so cush it does everything but leave a pair of chocolates on the saddle.

Anyone on this board have one of these yet?

[Dr Gil]

That is a nice review and I was surprised that the author had actually ridden the bike and that she was a woman.  Nicely done.  

And no, I don't have one yet.  

[vitaminC]

And no, I don't have one yet.  

What are you waiting for?      Maybe you could trade in the Triumph...

And why don't M-G's hold their value better than this?

[Dr Gil]

I see that listing has been removed.  It was actually too good of a deal and smelled.  

That bike should have been going in the $7-8K range.  I'd never seen that color scheme on a Guzzi before and suspect that it had been wrecked and possibly had a salvage title on it.  

Something was wrong...very wrong.  

[vitaminC]

I see that listing has been removed.  It was actually too good of a deal and smelled.  

That bike should have been going in the $7-8K range.  I'd never seen that color scheme on a Guzzi before and suspect that it had been wrecked and possibly had a salvage title on it.  

Something was wrong...very wrong.  

Actually, I think the ad was legit. It's been posted for quite a while, and the same guy has listed a few other bikes, too. Wasn't that the same color as Ken's M-G? A little cheaper and I might have considered it!  

[Baz]

I was able to sit on one at our local bike show in Jan.

It was ok, but lets just say that the love affair I had with it when I saw the 1st picture faded.

[jhampshire]

I test rode the Norge as soon as it came out.  My impression can only be compared with a Concours and Harley Dyna T-Sport but here goes.

It has the nice V-twin rumble I am used to.  The dry clutch is noisy and abrupt but that is different, not bad.  Power comes on real nice.  It revs nice above 2500 RPM.

Brembo brakes, front and rear anti locks standard.  Very nice.  Wind protection is really good.  

I rode on a damp road with some real nice curves and hills.  Looked down at the speedo entering a turn  I normally take at 50-55, was doing 80.  tapped the front brake and wheeled on through like it was mine.  When I got back the salesman said I had the new top speed (97 MPH).  I was embarrassed and amazed that I went that fast on the first ride.  It has a max speed indicator.

This thing has lots of sex appeal but it is different.  I wonder if the Norge will depreciate as fast as other Guzzis.  I hope so.

[GS1100GK]

I test rode the Norge as soon as it came out.  My impression can only be compared with a Concours and Harley Dyna T-Sport but here goes.

It has the nice V-twin rumble I am used to.  The dry clutch is noisy and abrupt but that is different, not bad.  Power comes on real nice.  It revs nice above 2500 RPM.

Brembo brakes, front and rear anti locks standard.  Very nice.  Wind protection is really good.  

I rode on a damp road with some real nice curves and hills.  Looked down at the speedo entering a turn  I normally take at 50-55, was doing 80.  tapped the front brake and wheeled on through like it was mine.  When I got back the salesman said I had the new top speed (97 MPH).  I was embarrassed and amazed that I went that fast on the first ride.  It has a max speed indicator.

This thing has lots of sex appeal but it is different.  I wonder if the Norge will depreciate as fast as other Guzzis.  I hope so.

How was the level of vibration?  The article said there was enough to blur the mirrors, but was it bothersome?

[Dean Rose`]

How was the level of vibration?  The article said there was enough to blur the mirrors, but was it bothersome?

The people who write these test articles generally ride Jap bikes and most of them don't know how to ride a Guzzi. It is a different animal all together. The more you ride one the better they get. Hell they don't start to get broken in until 10,000 miles, you can almost feel it do that it's like it took a breath and wants to impress you by running better. There is nothing on this planet like a Guzzi.  

[GS1100GK]

The people who write these test articles generally ride Jap bikes and most of them don't know how to ride a Guzzi. It is a different animal all together. The more you ride one the better they get. Hell they don't start to get broken in until 10,000 miles, you can almost feel it do that it's like it took a breath and wants to impress you by running better. There is nothing on this planet like a Guzzi.  

Hmmmm...I've heard the same thing about BMW boxers too.  Must be an air cooled twin thing? 

[desert_rider]

"Mirror to mirror it's about 37 inches wide — the same width as the saddlebags, which are roomy enough to carry a whopping 18 gallons of marinara."

Does anyone know what the maintance schedule is on the Norge?

[GS1100GK]

"Mirror to mirror it's about 37 inches wide — the same width as the saddlebags, which are roomy enough to carry a whopping 18 gallons of marinara."

Does anyone know what the maintance schedule is on the Norge?

Don't quote me but my local dealer said 4000 miles for valve adjusts which I thought was pretty close considering the bike is meant to tour on.

[NickDC]

Don't quote me but my local dealer said 4000 miles for valve adjusts which I thought was pretty close considering the bike is meant to tour on.

According to the owners' manual it's every 10,000 km/6,250 miles/12 months

[Dean Rose`]

According to the owners' manual it's every 10,000 km/6,250 miles/12 months

Most likely it's just a check, after they are broken in they hardly ever need adjustment.

[wvrider]

Are they (the valves) still screw and locknut like the BMW motor or have they gone shim? The BMW motor is stone simple to adjust. If the Guzzi motor is similar its cake.

Phil

[c_galardi]

Are they (the valves) still screw and locknut like the BMW motor or have they gone shim? The BMW motor is stone simple to adjust. If the Guzzi motor is similar its cake.

Phil

Yes, they are screw and locknut, and yes, they are as stone simple to adjust as they have been for many years.  Easy and quick.  That's one of the major strong points of Guzzis....simple maintenance that a fella can actually do at home in his own garage and be back riding in short order.