Time for Another Moto Guzzi

[JeffOlson]

I am probably going to dump my 2018 BMW RT. It is an efficient bike, but it lacks character, my wife hates it, and I do not trust it....

My wife refuses to ride on it with me. She says, "It is an old man's bike." I am only 61, so I guess I am not yet an old man. She much prefers the Ducati ST2 that we had and the two Norges.

Also, the RT was in the shop for three weeks for a broken valve spring: $3,000 worth of repairs, fortunately covered under warranty. (It was probably not a German-made valve spring; it was probably sourced from some low-cost supplier far from Germany, far from the USA...)

So, I no longer trust it. I have ridden it nearly 8,000 miles in less than a year, but I think it is time to replace it.

I am on the hunt now for another white Norge, or perhaps a left-over Griso, or maybe even an Eldorado... More to come.

[antmanbee]

Well it's good to know somebody in the your family has good sense and taste. 

[Bulldog9]

Not sure if it is what you're interested in, but there is a dealer in North Carolina selling an mgx with 500 miles on it for 12990. That's a killer price, they had it listed for 15990 for a long time.

I had a couple BMWs over the years and was not enamored with them. Most of the people I know with modern BMWs 2014 and on have had tons of reliability issues.

[Bert Remington]

This White 2014 Norge has been offered for several months and as I recall the price dropped about $1K over that time and they are now considering offers: https://www.gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=2705

[Dilliw]

Yep it's Griso time!  Character for characters

[SmithSwede]

Broken valve spring?  Seriously?   Might be better off with your desmo Ducatis. 

[JeffOlson]

Yep it's Griso time!  Character for characters

That is a beautiful bike!

[JeffOlson]

Broken valve spring?  Seriously?   Might be better off with your desmo Ducatis.

Yes. Crazy, huh?

I was simply minding my own business, riding on the freeway in 6th gear at 75 or so. All of a sudden, it sounded like someone had put a playing card in my bicycle spokes. Power dropped significantly, and I wondered if it was the ghost of my Norge’s crappy spark plug boots. Fortunately, I was near home.

Unfortunately, I had to have the bike towed to the nearest dealer and then light a fire under BMW with an Oregon Lemon Law letter to get them to make prompt repairs.

[JeffOlson]

Looks like I may be acquiring another (new!) Norge this week. More info soon...

[Huzo]

Well it's good to know somebody in the your family has good sense and taste. 

Touche’

[blu guzz]

Jeff:  Good luck going forward.  I have had 4 bmws.  My first was an airhead and that had more character and more reliable than the other 3 put together.  How many times on this forum does someone say "I wish I still had it".   I have never had a Norge or even ridden one, but they must be something great given the loyalty.

[Huzo]

I am probably going to dump my 2018 BMW RT. It is an efficient bike, but it lacks character, my wife hates it, and I do not trust it....

My wife refuses to ride on it with me. She says, "It is an old man's bike." I am only 61, so I guess I am not yet an old man. She much prefers the Ducati ST2 that we had and the two Norges.

Also, the RT was in the shop for three weeks for a broken valve spring: $3,000 worth of repairs, fortunately covered under warranty. (It was probably not a German-made valve spring; it was probably sourced from some low-cost supplier far from Germany, far from the USA...)

So, I no longer trust it. I have ridden it nearly 8,000 miles in less than a year, but I think it is time to replace it.

I am on the hunt now for another white Norge, or perhaps a left-over Griso, or maybe even an Eldorado... More to come.

So ok Jeff...
You’ve been relatively complimentary to me in the past, so I’ll TRY not antagonise you..
But..Ummm
How is the bike different now than when you “test rode” it ?
Or is it just the valve spring thing ?
Or,  have you got your eye on a V85...?

[kingoffleece]

We can wait to hear from Jeff but I have an idea.  Initial test ride feedback is often biased, and unintentionally.  Not until we live with something for a while is it's true character made known.

Having led hundreds of demo rides and worked those events, listening to initial rider feedback and then the follow up, and personal experience suggests the first few miles are not always representative of the long term view.  I freely accept the fact that this may be, well, I'll let Pete come up with another one of those glorious descriptive terms he has such a beautiful way with!

[JohninVT]

We can wait to hear from Jeff but I have an idea.  Initial test ride feedback is often biased, and unintentionally.  Not until we live with something for a while is it's true character made known.

Having led hundreds of demo rides and worked those events, listening to initial rider feedback and then the follow up, and personal experience suggests the first few miles are not always representative of the long term view.  I freely accept the fact that this may be, well, I'll let Pete come up with another one of those glorious descriptive terms he has such a beautiful way with!

Very true. People also tend to unconsciously self-validate major purchases in the first phase of ownership.  They convince themselves they made a good choice even when it turns out ultimately that they didn't.  It's human nature.   

[Lcarlson]

Not sure if it is what you're interested in, but there is a dealer in North Carolina selling an mgx with 500 miles on it for 12990. That's a killer price, they had it listed for 15990 for a long time.

I had a couple BMWs over the years and was not enamored with them. Most of the people I know with modern BMWs 2014 and on have had tons of reliability issues.

I have owned five BMWs manufactured between 1995 and 2016, all but one of which I bought new. All of the bought new bikes have been reliable and mostly trouble free. The one I bought used (2006 K1200GT) was a superb —if slightly automotive — machine, but did require some expensive repairs (new clutch at 16,000 miles, later ABS pump, ball joints, engine oil weep). Since I don’t know how it was ridden or maintained by the original owner, I consider my experience with the others as more instructive. FWIW, the GT was ridden 1200 miles from PA to Florida before the break-in service was performed.

OGC: my Cali 1400 was also without significant problems during the 16,000 miles I put on it.

[LowRyter]

Broken valve spring?  Seriously?   Might be better off with your desmo Ducatis.

I hope that you're right.   

[JeffOlson]

So ok Jeff...
You’ve been relatively complimentary to me in the past, so I’ll TRY not antagonise you..
But..Ummm
How is the bike different now than when you “test rode” it ?
Or is it just the valve spring thing ?
Or,  have you got your eye on a V85...?

Good question! Having lived with two Norge's over 20,000 miles and the BMW RT for about 10,000 miles, a few thoughts occur to me...

Initial impact: Both were good. Perhaps it was the smell of the "new car seats" that attracted me to the RT. Perhaps it was all the bells and whistles it comes with.

The motor: The MG lump has character, and prodigious engine braking. It is the sort of engine the makes one smile. The BMW engine is nice, in an efficient Germanic sort of way, but it does not have as much character, and it has little engine braking.

The sound: The MG, especially with a Mistral or Agostini can, sounds the way God intended a motorcycle to sound. The BMW sounds nice, but it does not put hair on my chest.

The looks: The MG makes me want to look back as I walk away. The BMW does, too, but not as much, and it looks more transformer-like than seductive Italian beauty...

We shall see. Hoping to close the deal today and have the bike picked up on Friday. Fingers crossed!

PS: There is one more new Norge in the USA if anyone is interested.

[inditx]

We can wait to hear from Jeff but I have an idea.  Initial test ride feedback is often biased, and unintentionally.  Not until we live with something for a while is it's true character made known.

Having led hundreds of demo rides and worked those events, listening to initial rider feedback and then the follow up, and personal experience suggests the first few miles are not always representative of the long term view.  I freely accept the fact that this may be, well, I'll let Pete come up with another one of those glorious descriptive terms he has such a beautiful way with!

  Absolutely spot on!

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've had two Bavarian Money Wasters.  I'm a slow learner..

[blu guzz]

I hadn't heard bavarian money waster before.  Too funny. 

[Daleroso]

There's a silver left over @ Reno Eurosport.

[kingoffleece]

BringMoreWallet

[Dilliw]

I've had two Bavarian Money Wasters.  I'm a slow learner..

I've got a car with the famous (infamous) N63 "Hot V".  They wanted $4k for an extended warranty that had a page of exclusions and since I have a good privateer I decided to roll my own.  So far I'm ahead but there's still time on the clock 

[JeffOlson]

Incoming from Jim Hamlin. Shipping tomorrow!

[Huzo]

Incoming from Jim Hamlin. Shipping tomorrow!

Good stuff mate..!
Congrats.

[Deno]

I was at Jim's and saw the bike. It is terrific. I bought the demo Norge he had on the floor. I really like it but it is heavier than I am used to.
Good luck.
Dino

[twowheeladdict]

This White 2014 Norge has been offered for several months and as I recall the price dropped about $1K over that time and they are now considering offers: https://www.gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=2705

That's crazy money for a bike equipped like that!  How is the weather protection on a Norge?  Heat management?  I find fully faired bikes too hot to ride comfortably here in the southeast if you wear protective riding gear.  That sure is a good starting point to negotiate a purchase for a new experience.  Mmm.

[SLDMRossi]

https://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2007-Moto-Guzzi-BREVA-1100-5007706078

No connection to Seller, etc...but I do know it's on Consignment, so there might be some good wiggle room.

Steven Rossi
East Haddam, CT

[Bulldog9]

Incoming from Jim Hamlin. Shipping tomorrow!

Great news, you will love it. The Norge is a sweet bike. I really liked mine, but got the bug for an MGX, and couldn't add to the herd.  An issue of space and tolerance...  Space in that I have a 1 car garage with all  my tools/storage and 3 bikes, tolerance from SWMBO... The fact I have several old Yamahas tucked away didn't help 

If you need more leg room, a cheap and very good alternative is the Goldwing GL1800 footpegs. They give you about 3/4" more leg room, wear well and give a great peg platform. Look good too. You can use the stock peg springs if you screw a small set screw between the peg pivots, otherwise you will need to source new springs.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Front-Footpeg-Rider-Peg-Footrest-for-Honda-Goldwing-GL1800-2001-2010-02-03/221484729980?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I have the Large MG screen left over from my Norge, shoot me a PM if your interested and its yours for shipping cost.

[vhntr1]

I rode Harley's for 18 years,got the BMW bug a couple years ago,I bought an 05 r 1200 RT like the bike,it is very good at eating miles on the highway.Then l meet a guy with a guzzl Stelvio,that's all it took,I bought a new Stelvio the next week!this bike as a soul I can't get enough of it!