I'm fairly new - joined last month when I bought my first MG. a "new" 2015 Norge. Got the first service done, and headed to North Carolina for an annual week's ride on the great roads in that area. I've done the last 7 years on Ducatis, so this was my first on a Guzzi. Here are my impressions...
The bike has good torque/grunt. I ride with a buddy who has a KTM 1190 Adv. VERY nice bike, but too tall for me. He has about 50 HP on my Norge, but I hung with him on all roads but the Dragon (which I don't care for on any bike because of all the squids riding on it!). Honestly, I think the Norge is capable of the tight stuff, but all the stuff hanging off the bottom scraps and slows it down. I did crank up preload on the front and back to cut down on dive/mush - that helped stability too.
Before I left for NC, I removed the footpeg feelers, because I was scraping them on local twisties (so, I knew it would be a problem in NC!). I really didn't scrape too much on the stands in NC, except for the tight stuff (my buddy's KTM has the added advantage of excellent clearance). In sweepers like on the Cherohala, it did real well - maintaining 65-75 mph through most of it. Feeling confident, with good grip (I managed some gummy Pirelli STs). We usually keep a fast "pace," not going crazy on straights, but keeping it quick in the curves - good lean angles. The Ducs did superb at this, vs the Norge, hanging with the KTMs (SMT, Super Duke, 950 Adv from years past - and his new 1190 Adv). I did scrape the center stand a few times... see pic. We were never passed for the 1000 miles we rode for the week - the one exception - a motard came up behind me on the dragon, and I motioned him around. Anyway, yup, that kind of pace. The point being, the Norge is a capable bike! Just too much hanging off the bottom to ride it like I'm used to.
That said, the
reason I bought it is comfort. It excelled at that for my 5'8" 170 lb self. We did 1000 miles over 4 days. The Ducs, though fun to ride, would have me gulping Naproxin, and getting a massage at the end of the week (honest, I did that last year, and it was heaven!). The Norge feels about the same as the Ducs from the hips down, but the arms, neck and back are much more upright/relaxed and happy! So, the trade off is worth it for me.
I checked the oil when I got home (1000 miles on this change, and hard riding since!)... It was right to the top of level, and golden yellow and clear! Motorex 10-60.
The things that bugged me:
- neutral light goes out, and I have to engage the clutch, even when in neutral, to start. Seems to happen most when hot/riding. No problem when cold. Stopped in to ask the dealer about it yesterday. He said we'll file a warranty claim and get it addressed/covered at the 6k service.
- low clearance/scraping. I might have improved that when I stopped at the dealer (Cadre Cycles, Cincinnati) and asked if there is anything that could be done. The owner quickly trimmed a good 3/8" off the rubber center stand stop, and ground off the area I had scraped to a flatter surface - then painted it. See pic.
- the last day, the bike seemed to run rough, and cold starts resulted in stalling and having to restart, mult times. This turned out (as best I can tell) to be due to either bad gas, or high ethanol content. Many of the gas stations in the areas we ride sell that 15% ethanol crap. Once I filled up back at home, things smoothed out again
.
- there does seem to be a buzzy bar vibration... Maybe even more so on the left handle grip. Pull in the clutch while riding and it goes smooth, so it is motor/frame centric.???
Consensus - I love the lines of this bike. I love the comfort. The Agostini can sounds good and saves some weight. Runs very good for a 100+ HP engine - great torque. Handles better than the frame design allows. Good grip and inspires confidence when pushing it. I think I'll like Pilot Road 4 tires (my favs on my ST3s ABS) better than the Angel STs - adding a smoother transition from center compound to outer compound). I do notice the torque steer from the CARC drive (accel and decel), and there is a top heavy sensation (vs what I'm used to), but I'm adjusting. So far, so good - no regrets! And the guys at Cadre have been great. Guzzi buyers get preferred service
Scraping the center stand:
Dealer did some shaving:
1190 and Norge:
Old Texaco station on RT 315 in Reliance, TN - heading toward GA, and taking a selfie with my buddy:
Me on the Norge on HWY 28:
Tires getting a workout:
If anyone has any insight to the intermittent neutral light issue, there
may be others who could benefit as well
.
Thanks, ciao!
