Maybe MG will drop the Norge or Stelvio? ( title change)

[canuguzzi]

When the Norge got updated to the 8V engine, much of the bike changed too. An engine change is a pretty big deal. Ergos changes quite a bit too.

The first gen and 2nd gen Norge's look similar but are quite different.

Your point is well taken though and does support the idea that it could be updated yet again and still retain its roots.

[ohiorider]

Probably the wrong place to interject this, but ...... if (IF) I was looking for a Norge, I'd very likely go to the lower performance 2v engine, probably a 2008 or 09.  Why? ..... only because I so much like the way my 2v 1200 Sport performs.  I'm not a full fairing rider, but if I was (were?), a two valve Norge in the copper color would do it for me.

I've experienced the 4v (8vSE) engine for nearly 10,000 miles, totally loved the rush of power, but for a relatively light large cc touring bike, the 2v Norge would do it for me.  Sort of an old pushrod dude here!

[keener]

just a quick little interjection but......as far as ST bikes go from any mfg and for what they are intended to do "sport touring"
Any larger cc adventure touring bike will do that just as well and in some cases better IMO
..for example my good friend tours with his Triumph Explorer 1200 , full luggage all the farkles  with a pillion in near total comfort..and his bike has never seen gravel...he is not alone many GS riders do the same...another reason the ST sales are down..
If i was MG ...Id concentrate on the Stelvio 

[kingoffleece]

I went that route for years.  Tiger 1050.  Time for a full faring bike-so Norge got the buy as it provides the most breeze for a big of that type while still offering full coverage.  That was a big part of the decision.  BMW and Triumph block too much wind for my taste.

[rocker59]

ST sales are down..
If i was MG ...Id concentrate on the Stelvio 

That's not a bad idea.  The former Sport-Touring customers seem to be migrating to the street-oriented ADV-styled bikes.

A more road-going Stelvio, and a more off-pavement-oriented Stelvio would match what others are doing.

[canuguzzi]

That's not a bad idea.  The former Sport-Touring customers seem to be migrating to the street-oriented ADV-styled bikes.

A more road-going Stelvio, and a more off-pavement-oriented Stelvio would match what others are doing.

Probably the smartest thing they could do. Sometimes what everyone else is doing isn't wrong.

Notice though, the others aren't dropping ST models, they are adding a new style of bike, the cross tourer style.

[rocker59]

they are adding a new style of bike, the cross tourer style.

Yeah.  And I wish it had a distinct name.  One magazine is using "Adventure Sport Touring" for the Adventure-styled bikes that are more pavement-oriented.  17 inch wheels, shorter suspension, etc.

Up until now, companies have just been lumping them into the Adventure Touring lineup, since they're largely derived from them, and styled like them.

[George_S]

Probably the smartest thing they could do. Sometimes what everyone else is doing isn't wrong.

Notice though, the others aren't dropping ST models, they are adding a new style of bike, the cross tourer style.

Great idea. Especially since 90% of all adventure bikes sold so far will never be taken off pavement.

[canuguzzi]

Yeah.  And I wish it had a distinct name.  One magazine is using "Adventure Sport Touring" for the Adventure-styled bikes that are more pavement-oriented.  17 inch wheels, shorter suspension, etc.

Up until now, companies have just been lumping them into the Adventure Touring lineup, since they're largely derived from them, and styled like them.

Exactly. And when does a bike derived from one but blended to do something else become something else? Let me explain.

Remember the Enduros? From that came the dual purpose bikes, they looked a lot like Enduros but were sort of washed down so they could do street duty. Couldn't really call them Enduros (at least not in the presence of Enduro owners ).  Cafe racers in the US became sportbikes ( Starbucks missed the times).

Are ADV bikes that are more street tuned ADVs or STs? "Sport" covers a lot as does "Adventure" but the latter tends to mean more other road than paved.

Then there is Hondas entry, that V4 engined thing that is quite heavy but clearly designed for road duty. Wouldn't that be more of a Sport Tourer that just happens to look a little different than an oversized sport bike?

Then "Street" means anything that doesn't fit elsewhere but can get a license plate.

Then there are the baggers, shaggers and laggers so anything can be anything depending on if you can ride it for more than 15 minutes (the length of time it takes a poseur to ride from home to the nearest tea party?)

All darn confusing it is.

[PJPR01]

All darn confusing it is.

Sounds like you need to go for a ride, a LONG Sport Touring ride on your beloved Norge and get some positive waves back Moriarty! 
Take some