Norge vs V85 TT

[MGrego]

I spent the weekend touring around Texas on my Norge.  The weather was great.  I love my Norge, not much to criticize.  However --  it is a big heavy motorcycle, and the legroom is a little cramped for me, even having swapped out for Goldwing foot pegs. 

On a long stretch of highway this got me wondering if the V85 TT would be a comparable touring bike.

Just wondering if anyone had experience with both machines and what their experience was.  Sorry is this has already been discussed, there are a lot of Norge vs "XXX" threads.

[blu guzz]

My only complaint about my v85 (and for texas folks, this is a big deal) was on a trip down the interstate lightly loaded, at 75 and up, the gusts from trucks pushed it around like the 500 lbs bike that it is.  Until this bike, all of mine have been 630 lbs and up.  On the return trip, I set the cruise for 65 ran in the slow lane, let everyone zoom past and had a great ride.  Over the 110 miles, I took 15 min longer.

[Stanok666]

Blue buzz, could you please comment on vibrations at speed of 75+ ? Thanks.

[NWrider]

I happen to have a 2009 Norge and a 2013 norge (traded my 2207 Norge after 15000k and regretted the move).   I'm in the same position as you in that I've modified the foot pegs on both Norges with the GL1800 pegs and a taller seat + Heli bars on the 2009.   I purchased a V85 a year ago last August and have put just over 5000k miles on it.   Just before leaving on a two day 950 mile trip on the V85, I installed some SW Motech Evo adjustable foot pegs.   I also have added an Airhawk + Alaska sheep skin on top of the stock V85 seat.  I completed the ride with minimal discomfort and appreciated the increased leg room and cruise control on longer straight stretches compared with the Norges.   The wind management is superior on the Norges but not too  bad on the V85.  Both Norges and the V85 have aftermarket windscreens and, although the windshield system is different on each bike, they function very similarly -- i.e. not perfect, but they don't beat you up after a long day either.  On the V85 I'm using the extra tall Cal-Sci + an MRA touring wing. (32" inseam and 6'1").

A final comment.   At 75, my long days on the Norges are limited due to the more cramped leg room whereas the V85, I expect to be able to continue to do longer rides as before.  I do not regret buying the V85 -- in Oregon and Washington, I rarely ride over 70 mph.

 

[blu guzz]

It's smooth at all speeds, on a back road, 75 is not an issue at all, or faster for that matter.  It is only the blowing around on the interstate which frankly, isn't terrible, but I had the 1400 right before, 700 lbs 67 inch wheelbase, so not too much blowing around on that big boy.  For me, loosing 200 lbs was a fair trade and that one small issue does not dampen my enthusiasm at all.   

[Huzo]

I’ve got an ‘07 Norge and a V85..
I weren’t in love with one more than the other, I’d say the V85 edges out the Norge because of the lower pegs.
The perceived lack of overtaking power and the indisputably shorter legs that the ‘85 possesses, is not a deal breaker.
The V85 has more than enough for anyone wanting to keep their licence here in Oz.
So as I said..
If I were not in love more with the Norge than the ‘85, I’d have to say the trail bike wins..
However I am in love more with the Norge than the ‘85...So it doesn’t.
If I had to witness one of them mechanically explode and catch fire..?
I’d wish death on the V85 first.
My Norge has an intoxicating blend of velvet like liquidity to it’s power and legs like Grace Jones...(long that is..) ..(Suddenly I feel like playing “Stairway to Heaven” but don’t know why..)
But I digress.
For me @ 5’8” the Norge is perfect but I can see why anyone would disagree...(of course they’d be wrong.)

[Trialsman]

I had a Stelvio but it was a little too tall and top heavy for me.  I now have the Norge and a V85.  I have modified both to suit my needs and there is a lot of overlap.  I was even thinking of selling the Norge but I just can't.  On the Norge I have a tall Cal-sci windscreen, I machined 1-1/4" risers on the bars and harmonic stabilizers within, GL1800 footpegs lowered by 1-1/2", and I put in an extra 1/4" foam and heating foil into the seat.  The V85 has the Guzzi tall windscreen which I raised an additional 1-1/2" with brackets and kicked out the bottom 1/4", the bars are Pro Taper Honda CR-High bars cut to 31" with 2" riser blocks I machined and harmonic stabilizers within the bars.  The footpegs are lowered SW Motec without the rubber inserts.  The seat I shaved the front rubbers and added the heating foil.  Both bikes run a Sit and Fly cover for cooling and they work very well.  My inseam is 30" and height is 5' 10" age 68.  I have done many 600+ miles/day on the Norge and an 850+ mile day on the V85.  The Norge is a little better for the comfort on the highway, but the V85 really shines when you get off the 4-lane and into the mountains.  I guess I will keep both as they each have their own charm.

[MGrego]

Thank you for the replies, those are some good insights !  I didn't realize the V85 had a cruise control, that would be nice.  It sounds like with all things its a trade off.  Norge has a little better wind protection, larger engine, but V85 has more legroom, about 100 lbs lighter and a cruise control.  The Norge has tubeless tires which adds the plug and go convenience when you get a flat.  That's happened to me at least 3 times on the Norge.

I'll keep an eye out in my neighborhood for a lightly used V85 and see if it fits me.  I'll be sticking with the Norge for now, but it sounds like the V85 would make a fine touring bike as well.

[Trialsman]

You can make the V85 rims tubeless with the 3M5200 as several of us have done.  The closest the Norge came to cruise was a Cramp Buster on the throttle but you could install a throttle lock.

[MGrego]

You can make the V85 rims tubeless with the 3M5200 as several of us have done.  The closest the Norge came to cruise was a Cramp Buster on the throttle but you could install a throttle lock.

True, I do have a Throttlemeister on my Norge, but holding the throttle in a fixed position does not translate to a constant speed of course.  True cruise control is superior.   I have read of a few guys on the forum that have added cruise control, but I just dont want to hassle with that