Norge upgrade?

[Eric]

Lori and I went out for a ride in southwest Minnesota and southeast Wisconsin this last weekend, she on her f800r and me on my 07 Norge. I had not taken the Norge on really challening roads in a while and I forgot what fun it was and how much I like it. It still has that weird snatchy-ness at low rpms that can make it really exciting in sharp low-speed corners but nothing is perfect. I heard that there are a few 2012 and 13 old stock Norges around and I wonder if it might be an idea to upgrade to the 8V. Thoughts on whether or not this is a good idea? What might be a good price for a new 2012 or 13 Norge.

[Vasco DG]

Well worth upgrading IMHO but ensure that the bike you buy is a roller tappet bike, change occurred mid 2012.

Pete

[Eric]

Well worth upgrading IMHO but ensure that the bike you buy is a roller tappet bike, change occurred mid 2012.

Pete

ah. thanks Pete. Is there a way to find out if this the case? I get the feeling the dealer won't know. The one I am looking at is stacked to the gills with other brands and may not know what kinds of tappets it has.

[Vasco DG]

Pretty sure someone put up the engine number changeover points for all models in another post, sorry, I forgot to bookmark it for easy reference. Look at the recent 8V tappet issue and rollerisation threads, it's in there somewhere.

Pete

[Eric]

found a bunch of stuff already. It's never easy, is it? Like they say among the Ural crowd: "It's always something easy, but it's always something."

[Eric]

think I found it: AA's AA*12214 on up Made 4/18/12 and later 8V Norge's

Any other thoughts on the upgrade? Pricing suggestions?

[Vasco DG]

Trawl through this lot.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78879.0

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=78664.0

Upgrading on your own dime probably would negate any savings from buying a flat tappet model which is why I'd recommend going for a roller bike.

Pete

[ITSec]

I'm gonna weigh in on the other side. I have a well-sorted out 2v Norge, and I wouldn't buy a newer one unless this one were to suffer something terminal. The new one is better - many of the things I've done to this one aren't needed on the newer design. It just doesn't seem enough better to be worth shifting.

Now, if I were to suddenly be in the market (my Norge stolen and trashed, for example), would I buy a new or newer one? In a heartbeat.

[canuguzzi]

Brand new 2013, expect to pay around 11-11.5, not much more. That would include a top case. I can't speak to anyone's elses negotiating abilities though.

[Eric]

The only real issue with my Norge is the on-off attitude of the throttle at low speeds. I have a more recent map that I'll install and see if that works. If not, it would be nice to get rid of that and then, perhaps, the other little annoyance would be resolved - hard to read computer screen, for example. $11,000 seems low for a brand new 2013. Nada puts the average retail of a used one at $11,300.

[tris]

Well worth upgrading IMHO but ensure that the bike you buy is a roller tappet bike, change occurred mid 2012.

Pete

Pete
What makes the 8v better?
I have authority to get a 2nd bike and am leaning towards a Norge but I think a roller 8v might be out of the budget

Cheers
Is there anything fundamentally wrong with the older 4v bike

[canuguzzi]

The only real issue with my Norge is the on-off attitude of the throttle at low speeds. I have a more recent map that I'll install and see if that works. If not, it would be nice to get rid of that and then, perhaps, the other little annoyance would be resolved - hard to read computer screen, for example. $11,000 seems low for a brand new 2013. Nada puts the average retail of a used one at $11,300.

NADA means very little, just a guide. You can get a brand new 2013 Norge for the price I posted. At lot does have to do with where you are buying it. It isn't like you can go in offering 10 something for sure but stick to your guns and what you can buy for is amazing. Just take a little effort and the willingness to walk away.

You'll hear all kinds of things like that is below invoice or what they paid for it. Ignore it. Anyone with a new 2013 Norge really needs it gone. They need it gone more than you need to buy it.

Like Pete said, check for rollers. If it has flats, maybe $9500 and they put in the roller update before you take it.  Don't worry if you're told you can't get one at those prices, the peach someone didn't get is always sour.

[Eric]

They need it gone more than you need to buy it.

Not sure about the first part. This dealer buys a lot of non-current bikes and moves them pretty well.  But I certainly don't need to buy it so, in that sense, it's true. I imagine if I decide to go down that road, it will be a simple offer. Here's my 07 Norge and here's a check. It's the best I can do. By the way, is Piaggio preemptively replacing the flat tappets? I've read a dozen threads and it seems a bit confused. Does one wait for a failure to get it done on Piaggio's dime? Forgive me if this has been answered deep down in some thread but I just can't find it.

[Eric]

Ok, I think I have it. They won't replace the tappets unless there is a failure, something unlikely to happen inside the warranty and perhaps forgotten outside the warranty. End result - get a 2013. It has the roller tappets, or have them check the 2012.