Stelvio or a Norge

[Mizzou]

Which one for long distance rinding.  Riding from from VA to Fl then through AL and back.

[SLK50]

  While I've done the S-T thing ( more than once ) I could see myself on a Norge.

  BUT, it's the Stelvio that grabs my attention. I'd go for the standard version

with the cast wheels and and add  the panniers from the NTX.

  It's mostly about how I'd use it, any road, anywhere, any time, loaded for bear.

[Thunderbox]

Which one for long distance rinding.  Riding from from VA to Fl then through AL and back.

They will both do a great job of that.  Just pick one.  Sounds like you have a preference for the Stelvio, so go fo it.

[Biking Sailor]

You need to ride them both!  The Stelvio is taller and little less protection from the elements, or at least seems so.  The Norge sits lower and has the more substantial fairing/plastic up front and around the engine.  Stelvio for unpaved and gravel, go anywhere mentality.  The Norge for a more refined mile eater.  Both will work quite nicely when the pavement gets a bit twisty.  All IMHO of course.  

[WitchCityBallabio]

I have to say that other than my Ambassador with that lovely spring seat, the Stelvio is the best long distance machine I have ever owned. It has a very comfortable riding position, can haul a ton of gear, and the suspension makes most road imperfections just disappear.

[radlefty]

I have 28,000 miles on my Norge and have done 700+ mile days on it with no problem. I've never ridden a Stelvio but as others have said it should be quite capable of touring many miles. I sat on a Stelvio and as Biking Sailor noted, it sits a bit taller then the Norge and it also puts your feet more underneath you, whereas the Norge puts your feet slightly back creating a slight forward lean in the spine. For me, I prefer the ergos and the styling of the Norge, but everyone is different in that regard. Both great bikes, pick the one that fits you best.

[tdeboeser]

 


Us Guzzi wantabe noobs need pic!!

[Dean]

If it were me I'd go with the Stelvio.


Dean

[falconati]

My favorite is the Stelvio, but the Norge sounds better for those roads.

[radlefty]

 


Us Guzzi wantabe noobs need pic!!


Ok, here you go.

[Biking Sailor]

I've seen that pic before, and it still makes me want to run over to NW Arkansas for some "spirited" touring!  

[Mizzou]

How about the Breva 1100?

[Daniel Kalal]

The current Stelvio has a larger fuel tank than most anybody should ever need, but all the earlier models have a rather limited range (measured only by the context of a long trip across remote wastelands).  The Norge doesn't let you move around much at all (it is, after all, at heart a full-dress Breva), but if where you are is where you ought to be; that's fine.

Me?  If this is the only choice, I'd get the new big-tank Stelvio, a taller shield, raise the seat and probably never bother with the bags.

[Thunderbox]

The current Stelvio has a larger fuel tank than most anybody should ever need, but all the earlier models have a rather limited range (measured only by the context of a long trip across remote wastelands).  The Norge doesn't let you move around much at all (it is, after all, at heart a full-dress Breva), but if where you are is where you ought to be; that's fine.

Me?  If this is the only choice, I'd get the new big-tank Stelvio, a taller shield, raise the seat and probably never bother with the bags.

I believe the Norge is a dressed 1200 Sport not a Breva.  2 different beasts.

[Dean]

I believe the Norge is a dressed 1200 Sport not a Breva.  2 different beasts.

You wish.

Dean

[Mizzou]

Dean

Then what is it?

[Dean]

Dean

Then what is it?

It's a Breva with another 100cc of engine and a better set of forks that's it guys. It ain't a Lemans for GODs sake. I won't argue the fact that it's nice. What's even better and what I'd like to own is a 1200 8V Sport set up like my Breva with the cam that the Stelvio and the 8V Norge has, more power in the mid range.

Dean

[Daniel Kalal]

...are 2 different beasts.

You might be thinking Griso?  

1) The Breva/Sport/Norge are esentially same beast with different body panels (and on staggered years, picking up the improvements in the engines from year to year).
2) The Griso has a perimeter frame (not shared with anything else) and generally top-shelf suspension components.
3) Of course, the small-block Breva is an altogether different bike than the big-block Breva.

[Pete Roper]

Yup, that's about it. 1200 Sport and Norge are now available with the 8V motor. Norge, because of its vast and all enveloping fairing also has a thermofan  for the oil cooler (Once again highlighting the fact that the motor is in fact liquid cooled, its simply that the cooland is its own lubricating oil.).

FWIW looking at the pics of the new Cali my guess is that what people are presuming is a 'water' radiator is simply a larger and more visible version of the oversized, fan forced, oil cooler radiater as used on the Norge. Apart from the enormous, ugly, rocker covers the head and barell look identical to the current 8V motor. My guess is that the next generation motor, which people are saying will be needed to meet Euro4 regulations, will have water/glycol cooling and probably DOHC valve operation. Due to the position of the motor in the frame, if they retain shaft drive they will either stick the throttle bodies and injectors in the valley, (Begging the question of where the alternator will be placed. If they want to keep the motor short it would be unwise to go back to crank mounting it.) and exhausts exiting on the sides of the heads or, if they keep the side-draught design they'll have to run a chain drive up the side of the cylinders like the current Hi-Cam motor and then somehow turn drive through 90 degrees in the head to drive the cams. The alternatives would be horribly comples and power-sappingly heavy, although with those weird rocker covers on the new Cali who knows whats happeneing underneath them!

Pete

[Gee-Tee]

If your trip has no gravel or dirt roads a Norge will suffice. If you want to occasionally venture off the beaten path I'd go for this.



I even extended my range with 2.4 gallons by adding this.



Or you can wait for the 2nd generation Stelvio with it's 8.5 gallon tank.

[Rincewind]

Nice looking Stelvio there, Gee-Tee.  

To the original question - I would go with the Stelvio as well.

If your trip has no gravel or dirt roads a Norge will suffice. If you want to occasionally venture off the beaten path I'd go for this.



I even extended my range with 2.4 gallons by adding this.



Or you can wait for the 2nd generation Stelvio with it's 8.5 gallon tank.

[WitchCityBallabio]

 


Us Guzzi wantabe noobs need pic!!

[Bravnik]

Looking at maybe getting a Stelvio myself to replace my VFR800. What kinda price are they pulling in the US? I have looked locally and nobody has one on the floor and seem hard to find and I presume there is a markup to get one?!

Thanks much in advance.

[WitchCityBallabio]

I got a pretty good deal on mine for 12,900 with all the bags, guards, cover, alarm, and aux lights. I'm pretty sure there are still deals to be made, especially with the new version coming.

Try the usual suspects like Moto International in Seattle. They probably have one. They seem to have everything. They're the perfect shop to do the setup too!

Just looked, and they have two for 10,900! Great deal.

They also have a fly and ride deal. They'll pay your air fare to come and pick one up and ride home. Great deal.

http://www.motointernational.com/HDB_7_05.htm

[Biking Sailor]

If my garage wasn't totally full right now, and my bank account wasn't totally empty , $11K + a little would be a pretty good deal.  A fly and ride sounds like fun, and I can vouch for MI and Dave R getting bikes set up right.  They did a good job on mine before shipping it to me.

[Bravnik]

Just the replies I was looking for   Thanks guys so much!

[Calabrese]

You might be thinking Griso?  

1) The Breva/Sport/Norge are esentially same beast with different body panels (and on staggered years, picking up the improvements in the engines from year to year).
2) The Griso has a perimeter frame (not shared with anything else) and generally top-shelf suspension components.
3) Of course, the small-block Breva is an altogether different bike than the big-block Breva.

Daniel there is a first for everyone, and I am sorry but your opinion here is a bit biased toward standards. The Breva is being trashed here a bit too much without merit. First off the breva frame is the most engineered and tested frame of any Guzzi, ever. designed to be the platform for many Guzzi to come with no emphasis on true sport as that's Aprilia's game, instead designed as a Guzzi, with balance between comfort and handling. The Norge is not a Breva as stated, it has a full frame mounted fairing to keep heat and wind away from rider, full luggage, oil cooler with fan, and different suspension for their stated missions, as can't have all of both. So the only thing the Breva and the Norge share is frame and engine with minor differences. Look at OEM suspension on the Goldwing which like the Norge was set up for long distance touring, but people started to push the Goldwing and the Norge out of their intended roles and then started bitching(In both camps) the suspension isn't good enough. Well don't buy an Excursion and bitch about gas mileage or handling. BTW the Stelvio has a modified Griso frame to make it more flexible for touring and aspired off road excursions, look at it, its a perimeter frame. The move around part is depended on the size of the ass,    I'll leave here. Enjoy the the riding weather.  

[Orson]

So the only thing the Breva and the Norge share is frame and engine with minor differences.

I'm under the impression that that is whut Daniel meant  

[jfusaro]

Norge for a mile eater and comfort

[Daniel Kalal]

Daniel there is a first for everyone, and I am sorry but your opinion here is a bit biased toward standards. The Breva is being trashed here a bit too much without merit.

Errr;  what?

I like the Breva.  I like the Norge.  I like the Sport.  I like the Griso.  I like the Stelvio.  I'm not even sure which way I'd be biased if I were forced to pick.  (but, probably I'd be leaning towards the Griso)

Well, ok; I'm not real thrilled with the small-blocks...

[OrangeOkie]

  While I've done the S-T thing ( more than once ) I could see myself on a Norge.

  BUT, it's the Stelvio that grabs my attention. I'd go for the standard version

with the cast wheels and and add  the panniers from the NTX.

  It's mostly about how I'd use it, any road, anywhere, any time, loaded for bear with beer!

There . . . fixed it for you.

[Attack Pug]

I'm obsessed about a Guzzi   but the so called dealer here for MG doesn't even keep any in stock
I'm taking a trip back east next week and hope to check some out at the dealer in Christiansburg Va
a demo would be great too .....I've never rode one

[SLK50]

There . . . fixed it for you.

  Wow! I love it  

  Lots of bikes turn my head but this one really holds my attention.

[BobW]

Stopped by the shop in Hendersonville, NC yesterday. They have a new white Stelvio and a new white Norge (also a consignment 2010 Stelvio that's loaded. p/o is older guy getting out of riding). I love the ride the Stelvio offers, but that new Norge looks fantastic. I wasn't sure if I would like it from the internet photos, but if I were to be looking today it would be much harder to decide especially with the new motor in the Norge. I hope MG keeps on track as they are putting a nice group of bikes out there to consider (just need the Bellagio to come to the US too).

Cheers

[coho]

Stelvio is a cool bike, but the Norge in white is  

[Hambonee]

Stelvio is a cool bike, but the Norge in white is  

HOTTTT!!

[crispiegee1]

I love the Norge, except for the fact that they covered up the Guzzi engine with plastic. (Plus, I've heard that the plastic is a real pain to take off.) On the up side, the bars are higher than my other favorite sport tourer, the Triumph Sprint ST.

I like the idea of the Stelvio, not only because it's great looking, but I could do oil changes without removing bodywork and trying to get it back on. The down side is that I don't think the wind protection is probably as good as the Norge.

But then, if I wanted to adventure tour, why not get the Tiger 800XC and save a whole bunch of weight (80-90 pounds)? I'm totally confused.

[Biking Sailor]

I have ridden both a 2010 Stelvio and a new Tiger 800XC.  Of all the triumphs, that Tiger is the one I would go after (and I really think the Street triple R would be a fantastic commuter tool).  Both bike have great upright ergos and excellent suspensions.  I really think Triumph is doing a great job of putting some top shelf bikes out there!

But for the type of riding I do, superslab commuting between towns, the heavier Stelvio with the 8V motor wins hands down.  It carried it's weight well and I am partial to the sound and feel of the big Guzzi V twin over the triple.  One thing I couldn't help but notice was the cam gear whine of the new triples I have ridden (which include Tiger 800XC, Speed T, Street T, and Street T R).  The sound of the gear whine was bothering me a little, but I had just gotten off my 1200 Sport, so I was spoiled by the Guzzi!

When the New Gen Stelvios, with the big tank, get to my dealer and I see it in person I may have a serious bank account issue!  

[crispiegee1]

The sound of the gear whine was bothering me a little, but I had just gotten off my 1200 Sport, so I was spoiled by the Guzzi!

I love the sound of a triple, but the cam gear whine on the Triumphs - as much as I love their bikes - does get a bit intrusive. I've been lusting for a Sprint for years now, but after sitting one the other day, the bars are just as low as my YZF600R, and I just don't like touring that way anymore.

The only thing I hate about all the adventure bikes is that the saddle bags/cases stick so far out from the sides of the bike! Couldn't they tuck them in a LITTLE bit closer? Not only does it make the bike harder to thread through narrow places (either off-road or in traffic), but affects aerodynamics which impacts fuel economy. (Yes, I know, probably only a mile per gallon, but still... why not try to get them an inch closer on each side by using a smaller muffler and the catalyst up front?)

That said, I really, really want to take a Stelvio (and a Norge) for a ride. I wish Guzzi had demo days.

[OrangeOkie]

Stelvio is a cool bike, but the Norge in white is  

If I were to buy a Norge it would be the white one.  The paint has a sparkling, pearlescent sheen to it.  Really attractive.  That said, all white is a bit boring, so I would do a custom job on it with the same theme as the V11 Coppa Italia "LeMans."

[Flightar]

Stelvio all the way...that way a trip to Alaska, Canada, Central or South America could be in order for sometime in the future.

[SummerLove]

Having ridden the Norge and being short myself.. Norge. Pretty awesome bike.. I might own one in a few years.. it might be the new old stock 08 ABS one sitting in the garage right now.. who knows.
 

[tixen]

I might own one in a few years.. it might be the new old stock 08 ABS one sitting in the garage right now.. who knows.
 

No way. Amy and I are going to ride the distance of a trip to the moon before I even think about selling her.  I love her too much.