2003 Lemans Rosso vs. 2005 Norge

[Chuck in Indiana]

Mile High Guzzi sez:

....so here is the deal....you can argue, (but you would be wrong  ).....a Norge handles pretty good, but no way, no how a Norge handles as well as a V11 Lemans.   And you can tour on a V11 Lemans, but no way, no how is a V11 Lemans a better mileage eater than a Norge.  Your decision is easy if you are comparing the two to decide which to enter in either a sanctioned roadrace or an iron butt.

and he's absolutely right.
The stock 07 Norge I had was undersprung and underdamped. Here in central Indiana, it was comfortable, with a cushy ride. Take it south, though, and it would drag parts and the front end would surge up and down. That is *not* good handling. Sure, it is fine on sweepers, but that is about it.
The Mighty Scura (and Rosie) are head and shoulders above that. Again.. you can spend some serious coin and greatly improve the suspension on the Norge. Don't need to on the V11.

[blackcat]

Mile High Guzzi sez:
and he's absolutely right.
The stock 07 Norge I had was undersprung and underdamped. Here in central Indiana, it was comfortable, with a cushy ride. Take it south, though, and it would drag parts and the front end would surge up and down. That is *not* good handling. Sure, it is fine on sweepers, but that is about it.
The Mighty Scura (and Rosie) are head and shoulders above that. Again.. you can spend some serious coin and greatly improve the suspension on the Norge. Don't need to on the V11.

Yeah, I spent about $1,100 bucks on my 07 for suspension upgrades. Worth it at the time because I was going to sell it if I couldn't solve the problem because in the turns the the bike would wag its tail like my dog. Cute on the dog but.....

[not-fishing]

Reading this thread and the infirmities of my advancing age has gotten me to thinking.

I've always taken the punishment for "the ride" but after 6 hours on a Griso going to-from the East Bay (San Jose, Alameda, Berkeley) I think I'm running into my Griso crouch & windblast limitations (85+ sprints, dicey traffic Bay Area Traffic, Ricers passing me on the right at 100+).  and a man's got to know his limitations

So I ask you Social Security age riders how long / far do you spend on a day in a Lemans.  I know the Norge can be ridden longer.

Mark

[Chuck in Indiana]

Reading this thread and the infirmities of my advancing age has gotten me to thinking.

I've always taken the punishment for "the ride" but after 6 hours on a Griso going to-from the East Bay (San Jose, Alameda, Berkeley) I think I'm running into my Griso crouch & windblast limitations (85+ sprints, dicey traffic Bay Area Traffic, Ricers passing me on the right at 100+).  and a man's got to know his limitations

So I ask you Social Security age riders how long / far do you spend on a day in a Lemans.  I know the Norge can be ridden longer.

Mark

I've spent all day.. with breaks. I think 550 miles was the longest.

[kmartin]

I don't have long distance Griso or Lemans experience, but I'm not convince that I could spend a day on the Norge.  Maybe with a tall seat and lower pegs, but certainly not stock.  Shame, it's really a lovely bike.

Keith

[rocker59]

I ask you Social Security age riders how long / far do you spend on a day in a Lemans.  I know the Norge can be ridden longer.

Mark

I'm in my 40s, so don't qualify, but my longest day on the LeMans Nero Corsa was 1025 miles and about 22 hours in The Colorado Classic 1000 of 2009.

Lots of 600 - 900 mile days in the 14 to 16 hour range.

With stock bars, pegs, and seat,  but with an AirHawk.

[Kiwi Dave]

I believe that the first Norge was 2007, you're looking at a 2005?

First released 2006, I saw one at the 2006 GMG rally at the factory (They had a Norge as a spot prize).

Purchased mine late October 2006 in New Zealand.

[john fish]

What kind of fuel mileage did you see from yours?

2000 V11 Sport (shorter and manlier than the LM :)  ).  Consistently in the 40 mpg range.

[MGPilot]

Didn't take too long on the LeMans to decide that it isn't a riding position that I'd prefer. And the Norge is just bigger than what I want right now; it is a 2007 as others have noted.

Both bikes are at Moto International.

The Rosso includes:
- Carbon-fiber performance mufflers
- Power Commander
- Good tires
- CD of Factory service manual
- Heavier bar-end weights for less vibration
- Taller windscreen
- a box of parts that would take it all or mostly back to stock if you wanted.

Will just enjoy my V7-II for now until something leaps out and forces its way home with me.

[nobleswood]

Thats a lot of bike for $5K. What was the mileage?

[bad Chad]

My turn.  My daily ride is b1100, essentially a naked Norge, and 8v, ridden a couple v11s.l

I think I could ride my b1100 about as fast through most all roads, that's not to say that, perhaps a better rider than me could go faster on a v11?  But the b1100 & maybe the Norge is a more versatile sand in my opinion better ride.  But, that's just my take.

[MGPilot]

Thats a lot of bike for $5K. What was the mileage?

It's about 25k. IMO--about right. No garage queen, but a lotta life left in it.

Guys in the shop are pretty straight. Said they did most of the work on it. Seems like it's in good shape and has been maintained properly. Previous owner died of unrelated health issues.  So, the bike's looking for a new home. I don't think there's a record of previous service. Were I buying it, changing all fluids (esp. flushing the brakes) would get done promptly. But the bike doesn't seem to need anything.

(I was over there today expecting it to follow me home. Just not the right riding position for me.)

[Chuck in Indiana]

It's about 25k. IMO--about right. No garage queen, but a lotta life left in it.

Guys in the shop are pretty straight. Said they did most of the work on it. Seems like it's in good shape and has been maintained properly. Previous owner died of unrelated health issues.  So, the bike's looking for a new home. I don't think there's a record of previous service. Were I buying it, changing all fluids (esp. flushing the brakes) would get done promptly. But the bike doesn't seem to need anything.

(I was over there today expecting it to follow me home. Just not the right riding position for me.)

I'm confused. So you're saying that they have a fairly low mileage Rosso for 5 K???  And people aren't standing in line to buy it???
<scratching head>

[john fish]

Buell footpegs fit and are 1 inch lower. Verlicchi swan necks on mine are hugely adjustable.

It's Gods own motorbike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Buell footpegs fit and are 1 inch lower. Verlicchi swan necks on mine are hugely adjustable.

It's Gods own motorbike.

True.. true.

[LowRyter]

Reading this thread and the infirmities of my advancing age has gotten me to thinking.

I've always taken the punishment for "the ride" but after 6 hours on a Griso going to-from the East Bay (San Jose, Alameda, Berkeley) I think I'm running into my Griso crouch & windblast limitations (85+ sprints, dicey traffic Bay Area Traffic, Ricers passing me on the right at 100+).  and a man's got to know his limitations

So I ask you Social Security age riders how long / far do you spend on a day in a Lemans.  I know the Norge can be ridden longer.

Mark

first, I am only 61 and I ride a V11 Sport with a flyscreen on it.  I've done several 450 mile days, like back roads from home to Austin, Springfield Mo to Springfield IL, ridden it to North Carolina, Springfield IL to Harrison ARK.  I will admit I don't like to go more than 100 miles without stretching my legs. 

The flyscreen works great.  Bike has been converted to wide flat bars and are a long reach.  I've read that Buell footpegs makes a big difference in the riding position.   The only negative is when loaded with my HB bags the bag will weave at speeds above 85 or in high wing and semis; the LeMans have a little less aggressive steering head geometry and are considered more stable.  But I can't really say.

I've ridden the 8v Norge and it's more agile than a Connie 14 due to it's light weight.  Compared to the Sport, the Norge has top end power vs V11 midrange but doesn't seem any faster.  So far as handling in the twisties, I've not ridden any bike I like better than the Sport.  I get about 33-36 mpg, power commander, pipes and KN air filter.

[Chuck in Indiana]

first, I am only 61 and I ride a V11 Sport with a flyscreen on it.  I've done several 450 mile days, like back roads from home to Austin, Springfield Mo to Springfield IL, ridden it to North Carolina, Springfield IL to Harrison ARK.  I will admit I don't like to go more than 100 miles without stretching my legs. 

The flyscreen works great.  Bike has been converted to wide flat bars and are a long reach.  I've read that Buell footpegs makes a big difference in the riding position.   The only negative is when loaded with my HB bags the bag will weave at speeds above 85 or in high wing and semis; the LeMans have a little less aggressive steering head geometry and are considered more stable.  But I can't really say.

I've ridden the 8v Norge and it's more agile than a Connie 14 due to it's light weight.  Compared to the Sport, the Norge has top end power vs V11 midrange but doesn't seem any faster.  So far as handling in the twisties, I've not ridden any bike I like better than the Sport.  I get about 33-36 mpg, power commander, pipes and KN air filter.

Naturally, I've ridden it, and don't care for the wide bars. Makes the steering too sensitive for my taste. I much prefer clip ons with some rise. I agree about the flyscreen. It's one of the reasons I decided to keep the Mighty Scura instead of the Rosso. Like Goldilocks said.. it's just right.

[LowRyter]

The clipons seem to be a more natural fit when I tried them but I'd like to keep the lane splitter mirrors.  The wide bars give good leverage.

I've looked for narrower style of ProTaper but not had any luck.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The clipons seem to be a more natural fit when I tried them but I'd like to keep the lane splitter mirrors.  The wide bars give too much leverage.

I've looked for narrower style of ProTaper but not had any luck.

FTFY 

I have lane splitters with adjustable clipons on the Mighty Scura..

[LowRyter]

you had to narrow the bar end / isolator bars in the clip ons?

That's what Docc did to his.

[Chuck in Indiana]

you had to narrow the bar end / isolator bars in the clip ons?

That's what Docc did to his.

They and the rubber chicken were on it when Jon wheelied it out of his shed, covered with protective dust..