Decision Time

[SIR REAL ED]

More uninformed comment.
This is the thing that makes all that redundant.

That is so extraordinarily clever and totally obvious that I bet an old farmer with arthritic fingers invented that.

[SIR REAL ED]

Well….?  Ahhhhhh
I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.

No hurry on a decision mate.  There's a whole stack of firewood for the campfire right over there....

You know WildGuzzi is a safe space where no one's opinions are ever criticized, ridiculed, or disputed right?

Don't be shy, be brave, speak up!!   

[SemperVee]

    That era of push rod 1200 motors had a high rate of oil pump failure, If I was buying one I would change the oil pump out of paranoia.    there is a old thread on this site that covers the oil pump problem, other than that the engines are long lived.

 Nonsense. Bit of over exaggeration on oil pumps.  -  from where do you quote the info?  It was a small batch of  RED manufactured during Late 06 ONLY as I recall in my reading.
Reports point to a small number of Moto Guzzi Norge oil pump failures, with the clearest cluster affecting early 2006-built red Norge 1200-2V bikes. Factory reported  all red Norges built in 10–11/06 with VINs ending between 112208 and 112309 were problematic, while also noting that not every bike in that range failed and some earlier bikes had issues too.  This is my second 07 Norge, and I was one of the early model RED one's  back then with a keen interest in that bit of info that was current at the time.
What’s known:
There is no precise total count of failures; it describes the problem as affecting only a very small number of bikes rather than a broad model-wide defect. That means the best answer is a handful, concentrated in early production,” not a documented fleet-wide rate.
When it happened
The strongest pattern in the reports is:
   •   Early production, especially 10–11/2006 build dates.
   •   Bikes with VINs ending 112208 to 112309 were singled out as most problematic.
   

[red stripeguz]

I would buy a next edition Stelvio,bigger gas tank and many improvements.Norge is great except for seating position.

FWIW I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam and the Norge (with risers and Honda footpegs) fits me just fine

[kingoffleece]

I would not have commented on dragging the sidestand on early Norge motorcycles unless I had seen many examples at the shop in New England.  Enough to look at my 2014 and find the same result.

They were too soft to begin with-Guzzi went to a higher capacity spring in later bikes-and at any rate an OEM shock will be worn out on an older motorcycle.

[fotoguzzi]

The air filter comment is unadulterated garbage.
Tank off, 10 minutes.
Filter out 5 minutes.
Fairing doesn’t get touched.
Inner spark plugs are piss easy when you do a service.
Replacing the fairing after doing the filter is easy because you actually didn’t take it off…
Get the Teo Lamers dip stick extension and you can check the oil in 30 seconds. I ordered mine two minutes after I got the Norge and received it in one week.
Buy the Norge.

sorry to mislead anyone. Huzo is the expert. My experience with a Norge goes back into a dusty fold in my brain and memory a bit fuzzi. I tried to forget all about that because my ownership was pretty frustrating.here’s an example of why,
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=117948.0

[drdwb]

More uninformed comment.
This is the thing that makes all that redundant.

Huzo, I have the Identical dipstick extension,on my O7 Norge, installed by PO, with the extension on the end of the  original stick, it’s hard to see what the marks for full are. It seems like every time I change filter and oil, even though I use a measuring cup, warm the engine up, bike on wheels on level floor, the level on the stick varies. I believe the PO saw the same thing as the extension stick has multiple scratch marks on it.
Some time when you’ve nothing else to do would you measure up from the bottom of your stick, and provide measurements for full, and low, also where you run yours at?
Thanks

[bad Chad]

I'm 6'6" with a 34" inseam, and had an 07 Breva 1100, essentially the same bike as Norge, minus the body work.   Rider triangle is identical to Norge.   Bike was bullet proof the entire 14 years I owned it.  I raised the bars, and dropped the pegs using Buell pegs and was quite comfortable for long trips.  The knee bend on the Norge is the issue, because they are set back some, as most sport tours are.   Bottom line, if your knees are decent, you will likely be have no issue with the egos.  If your thinking you may need a knee replacement sometime in you relevant future, maybe not.

[holabird]

Just to clarify, I'm 6'2" and 230 so not that concerned about the size but I am also 70.  The Stelvio would fit me ok if I decide to go that way.  It seems in the pictures that the Norge does have the oil stick extender so that is good also.  Prices are the same but the Norge is badly in need of two tires so that is a big concern.  Waiting on the test ride as both are over 3 hours from me.  I am not overly mechanically inclined so I am not looking for a project bike that needs constant wrenching.  I have had  8 different Ducati's so I'm aware of Italian bikes.  Probably going to be my last bike so I want to be happy with it.  Thanks everyone for their (expert) opinions.  Nobody has bashed me yet and that is a very positive thing as we all know how Facebook groups have a tendency to do that.

[Dave Swanson]

Just to clarify, I'm 6'2" and 230 so not that concerned about the size but I am also 70.  The Stelvio would fit me ok if I decide to go that way.  It seems in the pictures that the Norge does have the oil stick extender so that is good also.  Prices are the same but the Norge is badly in need of two tires so that is a big concern.  Waiting on the test ride as both are over 3 hours from me.  I am not overly mechanically inclined so I am not looking for a project bike that needs constant wrenching.  I have had  8 different Ducati's so I'm aware of Italian bikes.  Probably going to be my last bike so I want to be happy with it.  Thanks everyone for their (expert) opinions.  Nobody has bashed me yet and that is a very positive thing as we all know how Facebook groups have a tendency to do that.

You are on the right track and now much more well informed.  Forewarned is forearmed as they used to say.

Regarding the tires.  I will say again that over the life of owning a bike, tire replacement expenses are like changing oil and filters- not all that relevant. 

New good tires will be a real treat and a great way to increase you enjoyment of the Norge out of the chute.   

Please report back with pictures of which one followed you home. 

[azccj]

I owned a 2007 Norge that I bought new in 2008. I really liked that bike for long trips, but I would not buy another one as mine had all the common issues to that model.

Pimply gas tank bumps, swelled up fuel filter and gas tank swelling, all thought to be caused by ethanol in fuel these days.
Cracked exhaust pipe.
Startus interuptus.
Cracking lower body panels that didn't even last 1000 miles, twice.
Water in the instrument panel.
Evap canister making the bike run rough.
Pain in the aXX to add oil to the engine.

Buy a V85tt instead. Much newer and better thought out design. Mine has been the most reliable MG I've ever owned.

[Dave Swanson]

I owned a 2007 Norge that I bought new in 2008. I really liked that bike for long trips, but I would not buy another one as mine had all the common issues to that model.

Pimply gas tank bumps, swelled up fuel filter and gas tank swelling, all thought to be caused by ethanol in fuel these days.
Cracked exhaust pipe.
Startus interuptus.
Cracking lower body panels that didn't even last 1000 miles, twice.
Water in the instrument panel.
Evap canister making the bike run rough.
Pain in the aXX to add oil to the engine.

Buy a V85tt instead. Much newer and better thought out design. Mine has been the most reliable MG I've ever owned.

There is a cheap as chips V85TT on Marketplace right now.  Depending on how deadly his wife is with a rolling pin, it could be had for even less.   

https://www.facebook.com/share/18WFz1Hk6a/

[Huzo]

I would not have commented on dragging the sidestand on early Norge motorcycles unless I had seen many examples at the shop in New England.  Enough to look at my 2014 and find the same result.

They were too soft to begin with-Guzzi went to a higher capacity spring in later bikes-and at any rate an OEM shock will be worn out on an older motorcycle.

Another thing that comes into play is the mounting plate for the sidestand. It is attached to the frame with bolts and these can work loose over time, resulting in the stand hanging down to some extent. If guys are managing to drag their side stands, then they are quicker than me, or they are sitting up straighter and leaning he bike more…
Dunno.

[kingoffleece]

Got my Norge from Hamlin Cycles-Jim sold a LOT of them.  New England guys grow up in some of the best mountain roads anywhere.  Like most, my front and back were completely reworked by the master Hamlin.  When bikes came in for service it was very unusual to find any chicken strips on the Norge bikes.

Mounting plates were secure.  Mine was ground down pretty far from many trips to WV.  A well set up Norge can really boogie.

[Moparnut72]

Man, that V85 is an absolute steal. I can't believe it has been on the market for a year, at least that is what the ad says if I read it right. The dealer, Razees has been around forever with a primo reputation. They were in business when I lived in the area back in the mid 60's.
kk

[Rocket Rod]

Picked up a Norge in December. It had some deficiencies, mostly little repairs that had been neglected. Changed the oil and filter, new rear tire and I'm clearing the punch list while I ride it.

It might be a keeper except for the missing lower fairing bits that allow the Bessemer furnace of an engine to fry my lower appendages. That was great in December. I rode a couple of hours to the Blue Ridge Parkway and love the way it rides (a previous owner installed Matris in the forks and I think it's got an aftermarket rear shock), but at 83 degrees F ambient temperature the heat was somewhat uncomfortable.

I'm considering having the header pipes coated by Jet-Hot in Greensboro NC. They gave me a reasonable quote and claimed a 65% reduction in surface temperature at the headers.

[SemperVee]

Picked up a Norge in December. It had some deficiencies, mostly little repairs that had been neglected. Changed the oil and filter, new rear tire and I'm clearing the punch list while I ride it.

It might be a keeper except for the missing lower fairing bits that allow the Bessemer furnace of an engine to fry my lower appendages. That was great in December. I rode a couple of hours to the Blue Ridge Parkway and love the way it rides (a previous owner installed Matris in the forks and I think it's got an aftermarket rear shock), but at 83 degrees F ambient temperature the heat was somewhat uncomfortable.

I'm considering having the header pipes coated by Jet-Hot in Greensboro NC. They gave me a reasonable quote and claimed a 65% reduction in surface temperature at the headers.


OR you can slice off her skirts like I did to free you from the heat and make access much easier.. Less is more and exposing that beautiful motor.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Not that I'm a fan of the look but might exhaust wrap reduce the surface temp.?

[Rocket Rod]

Mine looks just like yours. I'd bet money that the bodywork keeps heat away from the rider (especially considering the heat transfer from radiation now has a direct line to the pilot).

[Rocket Rod]

Not that I'm a fan of the look but might exhaust wrap reduce the surface temp.?

I agree, but hate the look. I'm even afraid to try it temporarily for fear it would discolor the pipes permanently.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Yup, I've seen a few bikes for sale where it's obvious the pipes were wrapped. On bikes that still have it on, I always think "wonder what state the headers are in, that needed hiding". (I'm a pessimist.) I do have them on my V50 pipes but they're stuffed to the back of the garage, 'cos I sourced much better stainless ones. 

I'm even afraid to try it temporarily for fear it would discolor the pipes permanently.

That's what Yoshimura Stain Magic is for.

[Huzo]

Well…? 
Did you do the right thing, or get the Stelvio ?

[SemperVee]

 
   Original Author probably ran for the hills after all this info mostly batted around tween the SME's herein.   He has not chimed in.

[azccj]

Picked up a Norge in December. It had some deficiencies, mostly little repairs that had been neglected. Changed the oil and filter, new rear tire and I'm clearing the punch list while I ride it.

It might be a keeper except for the missing lower fairing bits that allow the Bessemer furnace of an engine to fry my lower appendages. That was great in December. I rode a couple of hours to the Blue Ridge Parkway and love the way it rides (a previous owner installed Matris in the forks and I think it's got an aftermarket rear shock), but at 83 degrees F ambient temperature the heat was somewhat uncomfortable.

I'm considering having the header pipes coated by Jet-Hot in Greensboro NC. They gave me a reasonable quote and claimed a 65% reduction in surface temperature at the headers.

When I owned my Norge I never had any heat on the legs issues, and I live in the Pheonix area.

Before you send off those headers to get them Jet-Hot coated, take a temperature reading on the headers while riding around using a laser temperature gun. Then after installing the newly coated headers take the temperature again. Just curious if mister Jet-Hot is exaggerating the reduction of heat due to the applied coating.

[Dave Swanson]

After 1 year being for sale the CHEAP V85TT is now sold.  Maybe the OP snagged it!!?

11,500 miles.  Ask was $5000.  Looked minty

[DoubleGuzzi]

Looked minty

Cool mint blue colour, or perhaps you mean mint, as in like an immaculate coin straight from the mint?