NEW MEMBER, THINKING OF A NORGE

[timc490310]

New member and thanks. Came across a 2014 norge for sale and before I really look into it was wondering if they had any issues I should consider. I know the older ones had some engine issues with the tappets. I even like the older ones but the tappets worry me and I am not sure when they say take the valve cover off and see if they were replaced with roller tappets but going to look into that as well. I can do some work, I took off the stator cover and used JB Weld to secure the magnets in place, common on the Vstrom 1000 to slide together. I had 2 that broke free and were touching together. I also like the Stelvio as well and here in the states both bikes are kinda rare.

[delrod]

Welcome to wildguzzi! I'm sure others will be along shortly. I am currently riding an 07 Norge and loving it. What part of the world are you in? Have you ridden a Norge yet

[timc490310]

Pittsburgh Pa. No I have not ridden a Norge yet. I currently have a Honda NT700 and vstrom 1000. Been looking at a Norge and Stelvio for awhile and even looking at a BMW F800 St but I like the GT model better.  But its a great deal on the st but the lean over might bother the wrists and back some on longer rides.

[Dave Swanson]

By 2014 all 8 valve engines had roller tappets from the factory, so no worries.  I have a 2015 Norge and it is a great bike.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[Deno]

I bought a 2016 left over last year. The miles are not too high yet, but I am enjoying it a lot. I put the lower seat on it as I am a bit on the short side. Other than hat it is the stock bike.
I had an electronic glitch early on that was looked into and seems to be resolved. It made the bike run rough as if it was misfiring.
Good luck with your decision. Welcome to the group.

[Bulldog9]

Welcome to WG.

The Norge is a great bike. Not the best at any one thing, but does almost everything well. 2014's are safe from the roller tappet issue, it was only for the first couple years of the 8V motor. The older 2007-20010/11(?) 4V motors are generally considered rock solid.

The 8V motor brought upgrades to the suspension and fairing, maybe a few other changes. Is the Norge you are looking at the Mahogany Brown or Pearl White?  I liked my Norge, was a sweet ride. I had knee and hip issues that made the ergos a bit uncomfortable for me. I was thinking about lowering the footpegs and getting risers, but then got bit by the MGX-21 bug only to sell it within a year due to weight (and knee/hip issues)  Starting to regret selling it....

[Dave Swanson]

Starting to regret selling it....

Which one?  The Norge or the MGX21? 

[Gliderjohn]

The Pearl White is beautiful in the sunlight. Mine is a 2011 and I had to have the tappet job. The first 12,000 miles presented several annoying more than serious problems, such as leaking oil lines, center stand coming loose, muffler trying to come apart and body work touching hot header.
Have changes out the windscreen to a medium Cal/Sci brand and like it better than stock. For me at 5'10" and 165 pounds the bike fits me well and I find the seat very comfortable. Great mile eater and very capable on seriously curvy roads if you keep a firm hand with it. For me anyway the brakes and suspension work great.
GliderJohn

[Bulldog9]

Which one?  The Norge or the MGX21? 

The Norge............. lol.   I KNOW that a 4V is in my future.... I don't miss the MGX at all. I liked it when I was riding, but otherwise, it was too big, too complex, too awkward at city/town/parking lot speeds, and as smooth and powerful as it was, I enjoy the V7 and Griso FAR more.

[Trialsman]

I live in Pgh also and have a '14 white Norge.  The bike is great.  I had a Stelvio and now a V85 for normal riding, but for trips the Norge is the way to go.  I came across Canada from Colorado, around the Great Lakes, to Wisconsin, then back to Pgh two years ago.  Days were typically about 500mi and was comfortable on the "stock" seat.  I did add 1/2" foam and a heater to the OEM seat.  I lowered a set of Goldwing pegs and made a set of risers for the bars.  I also have the Cal-Sci windscreen.  If you have questions or want to see how something is in person I am local for you.  The bike also handles exceptionally well on sections such as 129 "Dragon" or Tazwell - Marion's 16.

 Al

[Leo]

Mine is a 2015 Norge that I bought new from Dave Richardson at Moto International a few years ago. I have about 9,000 *knock wood* trouble free miles on the bike, and I really love it. It seems that by 2014/2015 the various issues were well sorted out, and I had very few teething problems. When I got it there was an annoying rattle in the dash and a few bolts loose (on the center stand as well actually), but fixing that was as easy as asking my local MG dealer to thoroughly go over the bike and "tighten-everything," which took I think an hour or an hour and a half of shop time.

The bike eats serious miles with ease, has plenty of power and inspires confidence on the highway; the top gear is tall enough that there's not a lot of vibration at highway speed but click down two gears roll on the throttle and next thing you know you're passing everyone. The Norge is not a V7... it's a big bike, but it is still surprisingly fun on back roads, just not in the same way as a smaller motorcycle would be. The only time I don't feel 100% comfortable is on dirt and especially gravel... of which there is a surprising amount in the back roads of NY and CT where I ride.

The Norge has a tall profile (especially with the bags) which is great for being seen. Visibility is terrific and the riding position is comfortable, though I do find myself leaning a bit too much on my arms, which is more a function of my height (I'm 5'9). I've done a few long trips with 8+ hours in the saddle, and I also commuted on the bike to work for a while. The luggage is great (side case fits helmet and the trunk fits... a ton of stuff), and between the upright seating position and the full faring and moving windshield it makes the Norge extremely practical. I do wish it had cruise control, but I'm in the process of getting an Excel Throttle Control so that's fixable.

Riding two up is great as well - I don't think I notice the weight of the passenger at all, and the rear seat has been getting great reviews: comfy, roomy, but secure, with the two grabrails well positioned. We went out to a farm stand yesterday (see photo below!) for groceries and even on the bumpy dirt track and potholed asphalt leading up to the farm my passenger reported a lovely ride.

[kingoffleece]

I have a 14 Norge with 13,000 miles.
Zero trouble and I've seen 95 degrees and 27 degrees.  It has plenty of everything.

[LongRanger]

I wouldn’t put the F800ST/GT in the same category as the Norge. It’s smaller, less roomy, less comfortable, buzzier, and much lighter (which you can feel in crosswinds). In Europe, it might be considered a “touring” bike, but in the U.S., I think it’s best considered a sporty commuter.

[blu guzz]

in beemer land, the norge is much more like an RT then the parallel twins.

[JeffOlson]

I am on my third Norge, all bought new, all white.

My first two were 2014 models. The first one was totaled at about 10,000 miles by a speeding school teacher who failed to stop for the school bus that I has stopped for. I almost immediately replaced it with another new 2014.

After putting about 10,000 miles on my second Norge, I traded it in for a 2018 BMW R1200RT. While putting 10,000 miles on the RT, I realized that I missed the Moto Guzzi. The RT was great, but the Norge was more fun. So I sold the RT last year and bought the second to the last new Norge in the US (from Jim Hamlin!).

It should be clear that I have a thing for the Norge!

[Deno]

And I believe I have the last one. Also bought from Jim Hamlin. It is white as well.

[kingoffleece]

My Norge is from Hamlin also.
BTW-he has a nice used White Norge at his shop for sale that he's worked thru.  You could do a LOT worse that purchase a bike that's been "Hamlinized".

[SemperVee]

 As an Owner of both an 07 Norge and 07 Vstrom I can talk about both.    Norge is purely more physical and beautiful to look at.  The VStrom 1000 is faster and handled better, No question.  If I were to purchase another Norge it would definitely be the newer 2012+ model especially that white color.   :^)   I'm done with Vstroms now after having 2 and done 45,000 miles on them.   

[Huzo]

Why not just get that red one at Fayetteville.
They seem to do ok in the main..

[SemperVee]

 As an Owner of both an 07 Norge and 07 Vstrom I can talk about both.    Norge is purely more physical and beautiful to look at.  The VStrom 1000 is faster and handled better, No question.  If I were to purchase another Norge it would definitely be the newer 2012+ model especially that white color.   :^  I'm done with Vstroms now after having 2 and done 45,000 miles on them.   

[blackbuell]

I've had 2 Norges and I do own a BMW F800GT. I put 55,000 miles on the first Norge (silver 2009), totaled it on a deer. Bought 2nd one (red 2007) with only 2,300 miles on it; now has 26,000 miles on the odo. Though I have had a few issues with the bikes, (brake rotor, muffler, startus interruptus, oil pressure sensor, side and center stands rattling loose), neither has ever stranded me. I have taken 5 different cross-country trips on the bikes; they handle highway miles very well, yet are fine on the twisties. I am considering buying another as soon as the current crisis eases.

The BMW F800GT is a very competent bike. Handles better than the Norge, but is a bit buzzy at interstate speeds. I have taken a cross-country trip on it; handles touring duty fine if you are a relatively small person; gets 60 mpg. It lacks the "soul" of the Norge.

Jon

[grebmrof]

I've never owned a Norge, but those have got to be one of the most gorgeous motorcycles ever created.  They are drop dead beautiful.  I would worry about all of the plastic, but you have a Honda NT700, so you know what a fully shrouded bike is like - don't dump it anywhere/any time.  Best of luck with your decision and riding your new machine!  Guzzis are fantastic machines - I've had them for 35 years, just great bikes.

[kingoffleece]

All the discussion about handling goes out the window when trying to pace Hamlin or his riding crew when Jim's on any bike-Norge included.
I've never seen him bested and few (NOT me) are his equal.  I'll never ride that pace on a public road but Jim on his white Norge just lays everyone to waste.

NOT that it really matters, but in the hands of a top pilot.............. ...................

When I ride with him I have a general idea where to go, know the end point, and meet them there!  I dough this helps but what the heck..............i t's FINALLY sunny today.

[craigclu]

I've got a white 2014...  Loving it.  Freed up the exhaust a bit (GPR Albus) and Beetle-mapped it.  Cal Sci medium shield, Fastenal riser adjustment and lowered pegs have me uncoiled a bit and relaxed the riding position for me.  It pulls nice from low rpm to redline and I couldn't be happier with the tuning.  I've had zero issues (shouldn't have said that!).... 

[Gliderjohn]

From grabmrof:

don't dump it anywhere/any time.

You would be surprised how well a Norge tolerates drops. Two weeks after I bought mine new I dumped it on some fine silt maneuvering into a parking space and about a month later trying to enter my drive (both road and drive non-paved) right after the roader grader had left a berm across my drive that I foolishly thought I could ride through. Just has left some scuffs, mostly on the bags. Don't really even notice them unless washing the bike. I found out I could pick it up on my own on pavement but not on dirt.
GliderJohn

[kingoffleece]

More info on raisers for the 14 Norge, please.

[Bert Remington]

I have them on my 2012 Norge: http://motobits.com/guzzi.htm

[Bert Remington]

GliderJohn -- I wasn't so fortunate.  Even though from the beginning I always let the engine warm up while I was putting on my riding suit, I decided it really didn't need all that idle time.  I was squeezing between wife's car and fence post with full right lock and the engine hiccuped.  So I have a big patch of white missing from the right side of the gas tank and scratches along the bottom edge.  But you're right -- nothing broke.

Anyway home life changes have nixed any overnight or away rides so I don't need a 600lb freeway cruiser plus I need to downsize to one car and one motorcycle (I just gave two track cars to niece and nephew ).  I'll be listing it soon at $4K maybe less as market is falling off a cliff.  The BMW is going also (probably part it out) and a local oldster says they want the hotrod RE (the engine needs assembling).  If they meet my big bucks ask then I'm looking at an RE Himalayan or MG V9.

[timc490310]

Great info guys, really enjoy reading and taking in the info. My buddies and I rode about 130 miles on Sunday, turned out to be a nice afternoon. I rode my vstrom, love the power, once you get over 3500 rpms its smooth. Hard to keep it under 80 in overdrive. The Norge would be a fly and drive home deal, not afraid of those. I have done 2 of those for cars. So what about the 4v models? I have been looking around on marketplace and craigslist as well. Thanks

[kingoffleece]

http://hamlincycles.com/used-bikes/

Fly and ride?  You'll KNOW you're getting a perfect bike.