Moto Guzzi Norge first impressions

[g®eg]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

I like your mirrors.
I use the Cali Science taller windscreen and it can give me plenty of protection. In fact the windscreen gets taller when we ride 2 up.

I have those same mirrors now too.... they actually work (the chrome ones were shit).
I have never been bothered by the screen size, I like to be out in the wind. For me that's part of riding a bike. When I do ride two-up my g/f has never commented about buffeting but then again I haven't asked her.

[wannaklr]

Damn JDG, That's a heck of a good photo!!

[richarddacat]

Another inexpensive throttle lock

love the Norge

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by wannaklr

Damn JDG, That's a heck of a good photo!!

Thank you - but all I did was keep from falling down The top one was shot by Paul Herold of Rock Store Photos and the other is from Jon Cossentine (Victory Jon) of Highway Photos. Both were shot on Mulholland Highway - the first one on the area known as the Snake and the other further south near Malibu Creek State Park.

The mirrors are the 1200 Sport mirrors - $51/pr from your favorite Guzzi dealer. They greatly reduce or eliminate the vibrating mirror syndrome of the chrome mirrors.

I find it interesting that when riding with the taller windshield the wind noise is so different that I have to adjust my riding to the quieter ride and watch my speed more. I had not realized how much I key on the wind noise and feel to manage my speed.

jdg

[Scott of the Sahara]

Do you notice a difference in fuel economy when you are riding two up? I am noticing it this summer, but maybe I was pushing the bike too hard. I just did about 130 miles today and I got 43mpg US.

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

Do you notice a difference in fuel economy when you are riding two up? I am noticing it this summer, but maybe I was pushing the bike too hard. I just did about 130 miles today and I got 43mpg US.

Not really - but then we haven't been doing a lot of long rides together. So much of my riding is mixed around town and playing in the Malibu Alps with occasional PGR escort rides that my mileage is not all that great. According to what I have logged on Fuelly, my average is 40.5 with a high since April of 48.2 so your 43 is not bad.

I probably get better mileage 2-up as I'm not riding as aggressively with a passenger which offsets the additional weight.

jdg

[Radiator]

Hey folks-

I have been interested in the Norge for awhile...there are some great deals out there on leftovers (don't care about 2V vs 4V horsepower). I really like the red that is available. So, I have seen a couple leftovers, a red 2008 and a black 2009. They are the same price. I would prefer the red, but I wonder, what changed from 2008 to 2009. Does anyone here know? The only other concern I have is the lack of Guzzi shops around me...I can wrench a bit, but seldom have time for it...

Rob

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by Radiator

Hey folks-

I have been interested in the Norge for awhile...there are some great deals out there on leftovers (don't care about 2V vs 4V horsepower). I really like the red that is available. So, I have seen a couple leftovers, a red 2008 and a black 2009. They are the same price. I would prefer the red, but I wonder, what changed from 2008 to 2009. Does anyone here know? The only other concern I have is the lack of Guzzi shops around me...I can wrench a bit, but seldom have time for it...

Rob

I'm not sure, but I think the only changes from '08 to '09 were the colors available - sort of like the old Kawasaki C-10s - you could tell the year of the bike by its color .

The '07s (first year in the US) sort of came in two flavors - the early ones had a smaller spring on the rear. In '08, the big change was the addition of the oil dipstick access plug and a pull out dipstick rather than the screw-in version. '08 brought the Black to market for the first time. I'm not sure if the Champaign (gold?) came out in '08 or '09. No '10s were imported to the US and you know the story on the 2011s.

jdg

[Radiator]

Originally Posted by jdgretz

I'm not sure, but I think the only changes from '08 to '09 were the colors available - sort of like the old Kawasaki C-10s - you could tell the year of the bike by its color .

The '07s (first year in the US) sort of came in two flavors - the early ones had a smaller spring on the rear. In '08, the big change was the addition of the oil dipstick access plug and a pull out dipstick rather than the screw-in version. '08 brought the Black to market for the first time. I'm not sure if the Champaign (gold?) came out in '08 or '09. No '10s were imported to the US and you know the story on the 2011s.

jdg

Thanks a bunch for the information. Now, if only I could find a place close by where I can sit on one...

[Scott of the Sahara]

Sitting on one did it for me. I have pretty short legs; 29" inseam. So when you have these 32" seat height touring bikes, it becomes hard for me to touch the ground.
When I was visiting my friend in Wenatchee one of his fellow workers came out to look at the Moto Guzzi. When he climbed onto the bike, he was struck by how nice the seat height was. He had just bought an FJR and the seat height is miserable for him.
Moto International has a fly and ride program, but Florida is a long way away.

[g®eg]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

Sitting on one did it for me. I have pretty short legs; 29" inseam. So when you have these 32" seat height touring bikes, it becomes hard for me to touch the ground.
When I was visiting my friend in Wenatchee one of his fellow workers came out to look at the Moto Guzzi. When he climbed onto the bike, he was struck by how nice the seat height was. He had just bought an FJR and the seat height is miserable for him.
Moto International has a fly and ride program, but Florida is a long way away.

Interesting you say that.. I have a 34" inseam and I actually still find the Norge very comfy....

[Radiator]

Originally Posted by Scott of the Sahara

Sitting on one did it for me. I have pretty short legs; 29" inseam. So when you have these 32" seat height touring bikes, it becomes hard for me to touch the ground.
When I was visiting my friend in Wenatchee one of his fellow workers came out to look at the Moto Guzzi. When he climbed onto the bike, he was struck by how nice the seat height was. He had just bought an FJR and the seat height is miserable for him.
Moto International has a fly and ride program, but Florida is a long way away.

I also have a short inseam of 30 inches, and am only 5' 6". My Triumphs are good for that, having the speedmaster and thunderbird triple, but I'd like to get something more adept at the distance rides, hence the interest in the Norge....plus, it just plain looks good. They are not too tall, and I would expect a bit lighter than the competition, since its a twin, and air-cooled...

I'm in no hurry, though...

[jdgretz]

Originally Posted by Radiator

I also have a short inseam of 30 inches, and am only 5' 6". My Triumphs are good for that, having the speedmaster and thunderbird triple, but I'd like to get something more adept at the distance rides, hence the interest in the Norge....plus, it just plain looks good. They are not too tall, and I would expect a bit lighter than the competition, since its a twin, and air-cooled...

I'm in no hurry, though...

I had a young lady (hell, they're all younger than me these days ) of about your height sit on my a week or two ago and she was amazed how good it felt to her. She had been looking at an FJR, but her initial impression of the Norge was it felt lower and better balanced.

jdg

[Radiator]

Originally Posted by jdgretz

I had a young lady (hell, they're all younger than me these days ) of about your height sit on my a week or two ago and she was amazed how good it felt to her. She had been looking at an FJR, but her initial impression of the Norge was it felt lower and better balanced.

jdg

Yeah, its tough being so short...at least insofar as motorcycle selections go. I guess I could go sit on a FJR...they just look kinda big to me. Thanks for the info...

[Scott of the Sahara]

Just got back from over 800 miles of riding in 3 days. My mileage was from 47.5 to 51 Wow! We were not taking it easy by any means. lots of 60 mph roads and 70 mph freeway home.