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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mayor_of_BBQ on January 20, 2015, 06:48:49 PM

Title: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Mayor_of_BBQ on January 20, 2015, 06:48:49 PM
http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/2014-moto-guzzi-norge-gt-8v-road-test-review.htm/

Dang didn't call it quirky once! Or use the "T-Word"


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Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: radlefty on January 20, 2015, 07:12:47 PM
" On very rare occasions, however, a motorcycle will blow away preconceived guesstimates and flat-out dazzle you with some two-wheeled magic once you’re out on the road. Luckily for us, the Moto Guzzi Norge GT 8V sport tourer is one such machine."

Great review. Have to admit that color doesn't do much for me.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: rboe on January 20, 2015, 07:23:17 PM
Dang!
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Guzzistajohn on January 20, 2015, 07:26:09 PM
That is s sweet ride I don't care what the dude says! I'll be patiently waiting a couple of years while one of you guys "sort one out" for me to buy ;D
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: bad Chad on January 20, 2015, 07:33:14 PM
That's about the most positive review of a Moto Guzzi I have ever read!  Great news, hope it helps sell some of these wonderful machines.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Waterbottle on January 20, 2015, 08:24:40 PM
Yes , good to see a positive attitude from the writer  ;-T
The spec sheet is a bit puzzling though " Wet Clutch"  has it a leak already  :D
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Doppelgaenger on January 21, 2015, 02:18:17 AM
I read that article the other day, I hope guzzi comes out with something new and awesome next year to build on the success
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: lucydad on January 21, 2015, 05:41:06 AM
Splendid review.

Hate the color.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Gliderjohn on January 21, 2015, 08:44:49 AM
Quote from Guzzistajohn:
Quote
I'll be patiently waiting a couple of years while one of you guys "sort one out" for me to buy Grin

Ya....I had to do a lot of sorting, retighten some fasteners and change windscreens. Now it is well sorted and no, it is not for sale. :BEER:
GliderJohn
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: kingoffleece on January 21, 2015, 09:43:04 AM
New dealer in Buffalo NY has a 2014 white one on the floor.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: not-fishing on January 21, 2015, 09:57:11 AM
What happened to the obligatory 1st gear "Clunk" comment?   

This writer obviously has to get with the politically correct journalist's Guzzi comments.   :beat_horse

Of course I find it interesting how if I only pull in the clutch about 4 seconds or so before shifting to let the gearbox calm down before shifting to first at a standstill there is no clunk.

When I "clunk" the Griso and I still do occasionally I look at it as "rider error".
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: ItsForrest on January 21, 2015, 10:03:48 AM
Quote from Guzzistajohn:
Ya....I had to do a lot of sorting, retighten some fasteners and change windscreens. Now it is well sorted and no, it is not for sale. :BEER:
GliderJohn

Same story with my 8V. The only other thing I've done that counts as sorting and not accessorising or personalising would be going to lighter fork oil.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Gliderjohn on January 21, 2015, 11:17:13 AM
Quote from ItsForrest:
Quote
The only other thing I've done that counts as sorting and not accessorising or personalising would be going to lighter fork oil.

Did the fork oil change make a noticeable difference? How light did you go?
GliderJohn
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: jdgretz on January 21, 2015, 11:55:34 AM
I like my '07 so much that I keep putting off riding a new one.  I'm afraid the improvements will make me want one.

Brown can be a problematic color - it either sucks big time or is dynamic.  From my perspective, Piaggio got this one right.  The bike looks very good in person - much better than I expected.

Nice write-up.

jdg
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: segesta on January 21, 2015, 12:58:04 PM
That root-beer brown is the, uh, fashionable color for luxury cars these days. In the last year I've seen an Aston Martin and a Bentley in roughly the same color as the Norge.

Face it, sometimes you gotta buy something ugly to fit in with the Cool Guys.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: segesta on January 21, 2015, 01:01:49 PM
PS hey Norge owners, how are the pillion accommodations? That is a Key Buyer Value for me; well, specifically, for the person who will complain at me endlessly if it's uncomfortable...
Maybe I'll trade in my beloved California 1400 sometime.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: ItsForrest on January 21, 2015, 02:51:40 PM
Quote from ItsForrest:
Did the fork oil change make a noticeable difference? How light did you go?
GliderJohn

I went to Bel Ray 10 wt. It smoothed out the ride noticeably but it is still firmly enough damped for some spirited riding.
Note that when experimenting with oil weights, all brands are not equal so stick with the same brand for trackable results. Somewhere in these forums is a link to a chart that shows that one brand's 10 wt can be the same as another brand's 15 wt.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: ItsForrest on January 21, 2015, 02:59:30 PM
PS hey Norge owners, how are the pillion accommodations? That is a Key Buyer Value for me; well, specifically, for the person who will complain at me endlessly if it's uncomfortable...
Maybe I'll trade in my beloved California 1400 sometime.

That was a key concern for us as well. We are both in our 50s and have done a few 400 or 500 mile days with no complaints from swmbo.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: jdgretz on January 21, 2015, 04:04:22 PM
PS hey Norge owners, how are the pillion accommodations? That is a Key Buyer Value for me; well, specifically, for the person who will complain at me endlessly if it's uncomfortable...
Maybe I'll trade in my beloved California 1400 sometime.

My wife's complaint is that she gets a good deal of wind buffeting at freeway speeds.  On back roads and secondary roads this is not an issue, or if we're attacking a bunch of sweepers - then she is enjoying the ride more than being back there on the boring interstate.  I've tried a couple of different windshields but so far nothing protects like the old C-10 Connie did.  My sweetie is 5'7" if that makes a difference.  Seat comfort, however is fine for her.

jdg 
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Stormtruck2 on January 21, 2015, 04:04:47 PM
PS hey Norge owners, how are the pillion accommodations? That is a Key Buyer Value for me; well, specifically, for the person who will complain at me endlessly if it's uncomfortable...
Maybe I'll trade in my beloved California 1400 sometime.

Keep the Cali 1400 for pillions.  Much more room than the Norge.  I have a Norge, and being of the economy size, there is not a lot of room for a pillion.   If you are of the average Italian, or smaller American size it will have room for two. But sadly I am twice the man I was while in the Navy, so I leave little room for a pillion.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: moltoguzzi on January 21, 2015, 09:18:37 PM
Keep the Cali 1400 for pillions.  Much more room than the Norge.  I have a Norge, and being of the economy size, there is not a lot of room for a pillion.   If you are of the average Italian, or smaller American size it will have room for two. But sadly I am twice the man I was while in the Navy, so I leave little room for a pillion.
The average Italian from where the Norge comes from is 3 inches taller than the average American at 6'1"+, look up Dinaric Alps. FYI
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Muzz on January 21, 2015, 10:42:37 PM
Good review. ;-T

We had a review on the Grease-O in our local rag last weekend.  Very positive.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: 56Pan on January 21, 2015, 10:59:55 PM
I went to Bel Ray 10 wt. It smoothed out the ride noticeably but it is still firmly enough damped for some spirited riding.
Note that when experimenting with oil weights, all brands are not equal so stick with the same brand for trackable results. Somewhere in these forums is a link to a chart that shows that one brand's 10 wt can be the same as another brand's 15 wt.


What is the weight of the oil in the forks from the factory?
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: ItsForrest on January 22, 2015, 12:02:55 AM

What is the weight of the oil in the forks from the factory?

The shop manual says 15 wt but I don't recall if it says what brand.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: ItsForrest on January 22, 2015, 12:06:27 AM
My wife's complaint is that she gets a good deal of wind buffeting at freeway speeds.  On back roads and secondary roads this is not an issue, or if we're attacking a bunch of sweepers - then she is enjoying the ride more than being back there on the boring interstate.  I've tried a couple of different windshields but so far nothing protects like the old C-10 Connie did.  My sweetie is 5'7" if that makes a difference.  Seat comfort, however is fine for her.

jdg 

I have a Laminar Lip on the stock shield. The GF tells me that the buffeting is not bad with the lip and the shield all the way raised but if I lower the shield she does complain about the wind. She is 5'8" and I am 6'.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: frans belgium on January 22, 2015, 01:27:31 AM
http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/2014-moto-guzzi-norge-gt-8v-road-test-review.htm/
Dang didn't call it quirky once! Or use the "T-Word"

Didn't say it has 'character' and only mentioned once that it flipped over when you blip the throttle.
HE ACTUALLY LIKED THE BLEEDING THING! ???

See to it he gets a statue in his birth place
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: segesta on January 22, 2015, 10:16:59 AM
The average Italian from where the Norge comes from is 3 inches taller than the average American at 6'1"+, look up Dinaric Alps. FYI

Good point. Though my wife is a Palermitana and therefore teeny tiny. And waving her hands and angry all the time. Mostly about moving to the United States.  ;D

I'll have to keep the Norge in mind, though Legendary Jim at Rose Farm doesn't get many in stock.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: 56Pan on January 22, 2015, 11:47:11 AM
The shop manual says 15 wt but I don't recall if it says what brand.

Haven't had this new Norge for very long, but the front suspension seems a little too stiff to me.  Before I change to the lighter oil, do you think it will loosen up some with a few thousand miles on it?  Last thing I have to compare it to was a Panhead and it's stiffer than the old Glide front end.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: frans belgium on January 22, 2015, 11:55:00 AM
Haven't had this new Norge for very long, but the front suspension seems a little too stiff to me.  Before I change to the lighter oil, do you think it will loosen up some with a few thousand miles on it?  .
no, get the lighter oil
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: Bill Hagan on January 22, 2015, 12:15:32 PM
Good point. Though my wife is a Palermitana and therefore teeny tiny. And waving her hands and angry all the time. Mostly about moving to the United States.  ;D

I'll have to keep the Norge in mind, though Legendary Jim at Rose Farm doesn't get many in stock.


[WARNING: INTENTIONAL THREAD DRIFT!] 

As a Norge owner, however, I am unapologetic.   :D

Segesta, did not recognize that word, Palermitana, tho should have.  Doh. 

Anyway, now that I've looked it up, wondering if you all are fans of this show, http://www.montalbano.rai.it.

I've borrowed three episodes from a (retired) Atlanta "commissario" whose family is from the Abruzzo.  The show is probably ridiculous on many levels, but it's fun, and I am near addicted now.  Watching Katharina Böhm sans her clothes adds to the series' charm, of course, but as "the Inspector" is married to Luisa Ranieri, I'm doubting that the latter doesn't worry much about her Luca straying for an Austrian.   ;)

BTW, I plan to ride, trailer, or truck my Griso out to RFC in early April for (Legendary) Jim to touch it.   ;D 

Bill


Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: 56Pan on January 22, 2015, 03:33:35 PM
no, get the lighter oil

Okay.  Thanks.
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: bad Chad on January 22, 2015, 03:47:45 PM
If you want a Norge, and Jim Barrons shop doesn't happen to have one on the floor, I can assure you he can get one for you in short order!
Title: Re: RootBeer Norge gets shining review
Post by: guzzi ride on January 22, 2015, 06:39:03 PM
Nice write-up in the Rider mag. I'm not to crazy about the color though. MG needs to do a nice tri-color for the Norge.