Cali 14 or Norge 2014... choices?

[AH Fan]

Hi Guys and Gals............. so if you had the choice of a Cali 14 tour or a Norge of the same year for touring on as well as a general daily runner ......... which would you choose and why?
I know........ their very different but..........

Any and all sound off.

Ciao.

[oldbike54]

 Oh hell 

  Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

I guess it would help to know what you mean by a daily runner. Short commute trips, I would say neither. These are both open road bikes guessing the Norge getting the nod in the twisties. Dusty, you might be able to add to that after the ride a couple of weeks ago at Talanina.
GliderJohn

[ITSec]

It's all about what matters to you. Some can take the riding posture of one of the bikes and not the other. Some believe a large windshield is better than a fairing, others see it in opposite terms. Some do enough miles and enough of their own service that things like a single-side swingarm is preferred; others will point to the extended service intervals of the newer design.

Isn't it nice that we have a choice?

[oldbike54]

I guess it would help to know what you mean by a daily runner. Short commute trips, I would say neither. These are both open road bikes guessing the Norge getting the nod in the twisties. Dusty, you might be able to add to that after the ride a couple of weeks ago at Talanina.
GliderJohn

 Yep , a well ridden Norge can flat out rail in the twisties 

  Dusty

[Gliderjohn]

Well Dusty, you make that Jackal live up to it's namesake. Must be the duct tape seat cover, keeps your ass planted. 
GliderJohn

[oldbike54]

Well Dusty, you make that Jackal live up to it's namesake. Must be the duct tape seat cover, keeps your ass planted. 
GliderJohn

 Hey , I was simply trying to stay outta the way 

  Dusty

[AH Fan]

I guess it would help to know what you mean by a daily runner. Short commute trips, I would say neither. These are both open road bikes guessing the Norge getting the nod in the twisties. Dusty, you might be able to add to that after the ride a couple of weeks ago at Talanina.
GliderJohn

Sorry bout that ........... machine to be used for day trips but used mainly for multi 500 mile day rides... touring.

Ciao

[oldbike54]

Sorry bout that ........... machine to be used for day trips but used mainly for multi 500 mile day rides... touring.

Ciao

 Then probably the Norge . Better touring bike .

  Dusty

[frans belgium]

Try them.
I did.
I was planning to buy the Cali but ended up with the Norge, because on the Cali, my back was killing me.
Never regret buying the Norge, it's a great mile eater, solo or two-up.

[Gliderjohn]

I am 60 tears old and in pretty good shape. I have not been able to ride much this year so I have not been able to build up any riding endurance. That being said When I rode to Talimina it was 400 miles one way and I felt I could have easily done another 100 miles plus. The Norge will just eat miles.
GliderJohn

[Kev m]

Then probably the Norge . Better touring bike .

  Dusty

You see and I'd say the EXACT opposite.

To me the Cali is HANDS DOWN the better touring bike - longer wheelbase (less upset by road irregularities), lower seat height (lower center of gravity is better resistant to crosswinds), more adjustable seating (move your legs to different positions and angles with floorboards).

[oldbike54]

You see and I'd say the EXACT opposite.

To me the Cali is HANDS DOWN the better touring bike - longer wheelbase (less upset by road irregularities), lower seat height (lower center of gravity is better resistant to crosswinds), more adjustable seating (move your legs to different positions and angles with floorboards).

 Woke up feeling frisky there Kev 

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Woke up feeling frisky there Kev 

  Dusty

Yeah, but that was hours ago before the kids got up, now they're at school and she's at work... 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Kev, yer fulla carp.  Cruisers are for bar hoppin, everybody knows that. 
Whew! Got that off my chest.
I had a cruiser for 5K miles, and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Killed my lower back, and I've never had back problems. Had a Norge.. as said above, it's the best mile eater I've ever ridden. Too top heavy for me though, and it left the stable, too. Mine was an 07, and was a mediocre handler, but very comfortable. I've never ridden the new ones, but I understand the handling problems with the early Norges have been addressed.
AH, you're not going to get an answer, it's purely subjective. You are the one that's going to have to ride them and make your own decision.






Get the Norge. 

[oldbike54]

 Wait , are there carp in New Jersey ?

  Dusty

[Kev m]

Kev, yer fulla carp.  Cruisers are for bar hoppin, everybody knows that. 
Whew! Got that off my chest.
I had a cruiser for 5K miles, and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Killed my lower back,

Ha ha, see I'm exactly the opposite. On an RK (or I'm betting a Cali) I'm good for 500-600 miles no worries because I can move my legs around. Whereas on my Breva 1100 (or my R1100RS before it, or Buell S3T after it) my knees start to cramp up after the first 200 miles, then and then at shorter intervals for the rest of the day.

So yeah it is truly:

it's purely subjective.

That's why I put the disclaimers TO ME on my post.

And FWIW, AH can actually get an answer or at least a direction.

He should be hearing from us what the advantages and disadvantages are of each design.

The Norge riding position is excellent, IF IT WORKS FOR YOU LONG DISTANCE. If not that could be a problem.

The same can be said about the Cali.

I guess I'm lucky that the riding position of the Cali seems to fit me because I prefer the other characteristics of it (low center of gravity/seat height, long wheelbase, etc.) - or maybe I prefer the other characteristics because the ergos work for me, chicken/egg, not sure, guess it doesn't matter.

[rocker59]

I've ridden both Norge and Cal 14 over short distances and like them both.    I'd probably pick Norge for multiple 500 mile days.

As much as I like the Cal 14, I don't know if my back would hold up to the FF seating on a week filled with those kinds of days.

I know the Norge's seating position works for me, based on other bikes I've owned with similar seating, which I've ridden lots of miles.

 

[Scott of the Sahara]

I think it really depends on if you are a cruiser guy or a sport touring guy.

[AH Fan]

Thx all................ .......

 

[elvisboy77]

I really love the Norge but it was not comfortable for me.  Would up getting an Eldorado, very comfortable over distances, and handles great.

I would sit on both and see which speaks to you, both are great bikes.

[Dean Rose]

Apples/Oranges

It's which one spins your crank. I've got an '02 EV in the garage that is way more comfortable to ride than my Breva 1100 but I ride the Breva almost all of the time. Go figure?

Dean

[tiger_one]

Yep, I like my feet under me, but I have never ridden either of those bikes.  So why did I answer, beats me?   

[mjptexas]

Haven't ridden the Norge so I can't comment on that.  I've done a couple of 700 mile days on my Cali Custom, with no extraordinary aches and pains.  IMHO the big Guzzi is a gem out on the open road, be it straight or otherwise.

I guess it comes down to what fits you.  The Cali Custom may be the only bike I've ever owned that was an 'off the rack' fit.

[Lcarlson]

I bought a new Cali 1400 Custom this summer after spending a week on a Road King in Utah in June. The RK reminded me of what I like about big cruisers: the the laid-back, spread out riding position, and the lazy cadence of a big V-Twin motor.   I recently rode to Vermont & back, taking the long way (about six hours) in each direction. The Cali was all-day comfortable.  That said, most of the dozen or so motorcycles I've owned have not been cruisers.

Whether a cruiser works for you as a tourer probably depends on your physiology. Your legs will thank you, but your back may not. Full disclosure: I have never ridden a Norge, so I can't comment on the merits of that particular bike.

[bouts]

I've had Sport Tourers for all my last bikes, just came off a 2006 Kawa Concours.   Loved it, went all over Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia.  When it came time to replace it, I decided on the new Norge. Sat on it and the seating, handlebars, pegs all felt just like the Concours.  Then one day I went to a Demo Day at the local dealer.  Rode a Stelvio, and didn't like it, then switched over to a Cali custom.  Loved it, it was a perfect fit at first try!  With the Concours, I would ride for 1-2 hrs, then when I'd stop, my knees would be stiff and sore.  With the Cali Touring there is no such discomfort.  Ride for the same period, and when I stop and get off, my legs and knees are working just fine!  Added a set of highway pegs to give me more options for my foot placement.  Very happy with the Cali for longer rides.  Like others have said, very personal, very subjective.  My back does OK, on the Cali, adding a rider backrest this winter.  That should provide the support.

[LowRyter]

I'd recommend the Cal 14 for 2-up riding and overnight trips.  For 1-up Sport Touring, the Norge or any of the other St bikes.

For cruising around town, picking up a 6 pack or groceries, day trips 2-up, I'd get an EV with HB bags on it. (and you thought I'd say V7)
 

[Nick]

I have a Norge and an EV.  Have never ridden a 1400.
If the road to my destination, regardless of total miles, involves mostly slab, I’ll take the EV. If it involves mostly twisties I’ll take the Norge.

BTW, during the NC Guzzi rally I personally witnessed the former US Piaggio Brand Manager Rick Panettieri and his 1400 handle Rt. 209 on the way to Hot Springs, and that bike “ain’t no slouch”!!!

Just get one of each 

[rocker59]

For cruising around town, picking up a 6 pack or groceries, day trips 2-up, I'd get an EV with HB bags on it. (and you thought I'd say V7)
 

d00d!  My V7 Special with triple H+B bags is a great "grocery getter" !!!  Hauled home a case of Gatorade in the topcase last week!

[AH Fan]

All good stuff gentlemen.......... ... It would be an interesting conversation to know how many owners of the Cai 14 bought it for long distance running .. As It appears to be touted as M/Gs touring flagship ( however it does appear to have the stance and demeanor of a cruiser ) even though the Norge is  their Touring  iron....Interesting .

Not trying to be coy.......... I have owned a Cali 14 for two years now and have been fortunate enough to have been able to put 22K on the odo ........... It is in my humble opinion an incredible long distance runner and have had no body aches or discomfort putting down 5 - 600 mile days up to 9 days in a row.

It has not been without its issues of course but for the type of riding I have found myself involved in it is most definitely a little plump and loves to drag very heavy parts at times. read many times.
Have got this curiosity going with the latest generation of the Norge ............ unfortunately where I'm from you buy before you try........... hence the interest in the comparison of the two models which there doesn't seem to be much info on through out the years??

Ciao.