Touring bike ramblings

[Bulldog9]

Being that you are from Norway, the Norge should have a heightened appeal.
I did Nordkapp on my ‘07 and it seemed somehow fitting. I certainly considered this as a sign that I was

on the right path.

I'll be launching on the Norge tomorrow for a 7-10 day 3000 miles +/- Jaunt across the south terminating in East Texas. Other than a stop in near Fort Polk, we havent decided what is next. Trip started with 5-6, now down to 2. Really need this trip, and the Norge with small screen will be perfect. I like the V85, but not ready or acclimated to it for a trip like this. I need the sweet old reliable BGNS CARC chassis. No superslab planned, all back country and state roads. 1

SWMBO and family and house repair issues have ruined my spring riding, but I love my family so it has been good. I barely got the break in miles on the V85 plus a few hundred more in between obligations. I totally missed the GA Suches Rally and an opportunity to visit Vagrant as my life has been OBE, but they are all first world problems. We are blessed.

Hope to have a clearer view of the route, but know that we are targeting Ken Hands place in East Texas. From what I understand we are heading from VA to WVA, across to TN, maybe the Natchez Trace, then West and into LA/TX.

Point is, the Norge is a fabulous long distance bike.  I've gone cross country, up to the Far North East and West of North America including looping all of Van COuver Island, which was to my surprise mostly dirt and gravel roads other than the main spine. It is a do it all relatively light long distance sweet natured motorcycle. I'll ride and keep mine till I can't throw a leg or handle it safely.

Faffi, the big deal is the variations in Chassis/Body and Motor. The switch to 8V brought a better suspension, luggage, wind protection and a few other things along with the 8V motor. I prefer the 4V motor over the 8V unless I plan to live above 6500K RPM. Knowing your penchant for 'lugging'  I think a well cared for 4V can't be beat and would check every box for you.  Plus as some of my friends here would say "They are Cheap as Chips" I'm only at 52K miles or 83K miles but the bike runs and rides as new. I fully expect to hit 100K miles.

What are you waiting for? 

[DoubleGuzzi]

@Bulldog9
Fabulous looking tourer and would've been a great successor to my Sprint ST; if only I had a bit more height & fitness, to cope.
The bodywork looks pretty clean after traveling some distance.
Are the white ones comfier than the faster red ones? 

[Bulldog9]

@Bulldog9
Fabulous looking tourer and would've been a great successor to my Sprint ST; if only I had a bit more height & fitness, to cope.
The bodywork looks pretty clean after traveling some distance.
Are the white ones comfier than the faster red ones? 

LOL, if waxed and clean without a doubt.............. .....

It's my second Norge, my first was a 2014 I bought in 2015 and foolishly traded for an MGX-21 in 2019.  Missed it immediately. It can be top heavy when it has a full tank of fuel, but I'm back in the gym, and if it feels heavy I'll just fill 1 gallon short of full. At 40MPG +/- 160-180 miles is more than enough range.

I picked up this from a friend after it sat for a couple years having gotten too heavy for him. Is a 2012, and was rollerized early and properly. I got it with 44K and now have 52. As for the paint and body work, its definately a 10 footer............. But I don't mind patina on a 14 year old motorcycle.

[Tkelly]

You must not dislike heat to take a Norge south this time of year.

[Guzzidad]

You must not dislike heat to take a Norge south this time of year.

    I had a 2012 Norge here in Florida for several years and I never felt any heat. Though I've read some people do.