Will have to give up on MG, crying shame

[Lcarlson]

NP leaves out the new V9 models, which slot in between the V7s and the 1200s & cruisers. The 55 hp rating for the V9s is a little underwhelming, but I haven't seen the torque figure yet. It's true that the naked/cruiserish configuration may not appeal to the OP, but MG does have the size range pretty well covered.

Also found the recommendation of the Rocket Three Touring initially baffling, as I assumed that was the TRIUMPH Rocket Three, the one with the 2300 cc car engine!

[malik]

Solution 1.  Nimble for Europe with it's teeming millions is still a smallbolck. I've toured 2 up on the V7 comfortably, but neither my pillion or me are vertically challenged or particularly heavy & I do tend to pack light. I have a vertically challenged friend with a V7-ised Nevada, but has retained the Nevada seat as it is a lot lower. The 750 Breva weighs in at 180kg, and there are options for lowering the seat height below the stock 790mm.

Solution 2. If, with your experience of the smallbolck in mind, they just don't cut it, test ride the 1200 Sport with your pillion. Another friend, significantly heavier than me, had to sell the Cali he got for touring with the wife, because she wasn't prepared to give up the comfort of the 1200's pillion seat. Just loves it. The Sport is 229kg with an 800mm seat height stock - should be able to reduce that & it does have more than enough grunt for any purpose, especially once tuned properly. If you still fancy a Guzzi, It's worth trying out, at the very least.

[canuguzzi]

The V9 doesn't seem much like a gap filler. What is the roamer offering IP that the V7 doesn't except for a styling experiment that pigeon holes the bike to an even smaller market?

The 8V engines are about 102-110 HP, the V9 is 55 just a few more than the V7, not even close to being in the middle of anything.

Motorcycling is more about wants than needs. More people want more power than the V7 puts out. The V9 is hardly an answer for them.

I am not saying anyone needs more HP but once you go down the road of needs testing HP that can apply to everything else too. The speed limit is what it is, do you need a bike that can go faster?

[oldbike54]

 Yep , another episode of Green Acres 

  Dusty

[canuguzzi]

Green Acres got cancelled. Too many farm implements.

[oldbike54]

Green Acres got cancelled. Too many farm implements.

 Might have been cancelled on TV , alive and well here 

  Dusty

[bad Chad]

I agree with the possibility of a v9 Romer.  I don't expect that guzzi I s only going to leave the v9 in two variations either..  How much torque does the v9 carry on with?

[canuguzzi]

Might have been cancelled on TV , alive and well here 

  Dusty

You're lucky then, most every place else is concrete and asphalt. They'll never get my tractor unless they make me put a cat on it.

Not to twist the thread too much but happened to see an Andy Griffith show the other day and thought it should be required watching for anyone elected to anything.

[JeffOlson]

The V9 motor, according to Moto Guzzi:

"It was developed with the explicit aim of maximising torque and elasticity, key aspects for ensuring riding pleasure and on road fun... The unit is capable of 62 Nm of torque at just 3,000 revs/min, with a maximum power of 55 HP at 6,250 r/min, figures ​​that show Moto Guzzi's commitment to achieving high levels of torque even at low rpms."

62 Nm = 45.7 ft-lbs.

[kingoffleece]

For the second time-the R3 was a joke.  Ha ha ha

[leafman60]

The V9 doesn't seem much like a gap filler. What is the roamer offering IP that the V7 doesn't except for a styling experiment that pigeon holes the bike to an even smaller market?

The 8V engines are about 102-110 HP, the V9 is 55 just a few more than the V7, not even close to being in the middle of anything.

Motorcycling is more about wants than needs. More people want more power than the V7 puts out. The V9 is hardly an answer for them.

I am not saying anyone needs more HP but once you go down the road of needs testing HP that can apply to everything else too. The speed limit is what it is, do you need a bike that can go faster?

"the V9 is 55 just a few more than the V7, not even close to being in the middle of anything"

ditto

I just don't get it.

[mjptexas]

After more than 15 years of riding MG, I'm forced to look elsewhere for a new bike.
Been riding Florida, Nevada, California, Breva and now Norge. With age however, Norge + passenger + luggage have become more than a handful, especially since I have to tiptoe it - being vertically challenged 
No problems riding it, but slow maneuvering and treacherous situations became a bit of a problem.  No more feeling 100% at ease. You know the drill.

If you really like the Norge, why not have it lowered an inch?  I think you can do this with a special shock and moving the forks up in the triple tree.  I've never ridden a Norge, but I assume even with an inch less clearance it will still out corner any traditional cruiser.

Or a Harley 1200 Sportster (I know, I know...) Plenty of power, a myriad of options for seats, bags, windscreens, foot position, belt drive, reasonable range with the 4 gal tank....  A properly set up Sporty (shocks, forks, seat) is an all day ride. 

[brlawson]

Good Morning Bruce, it's good to hear from you.

As far as the R Bike -- it's ~1 1/4" shorter WB than the Stelvio with more upright forks and 17" rubber on both ends, 180 size on the rear.  It handles tight, twisty stuff better and can still move well in the long sweepers (the Stelvio's cup-of-tea).  This bike was equipped with Ohlins on both ends, so it handles a lot like a sport bike with rear cases.  The two bikes are geared about the same -- 4000 in 5th is 61 MPH, 4000 in 6th is 71 MPH (GPS readings).  The Beemer has the Hex-Head engine (I think that's the nomenclature) and it revs very easily, probably quicker than the Stelvio, with certainly less vibration in the h'bars.  The shorter WB translates into a little tighter compartment for me and my gear (about an inch shorter), but the space is very adequate.  This bike was equipped with a Russel DL, so long distance riding is easily in the picture.

About all for now.  Hope to see you down the road this year.  Are you planning on John Day in June?

Ride safe.

Actually, I know the young lady you bought the bike from and had been to several rallies with those folks so I know the bike well and know it to be a quality ride. As for John Day, only you retired folk can make time for an epic journey like that.

[oldbike54]

For the second time-the R3 was a joke.  Ha ha ha

 Until you whacked the throttle open ... Oh wait , I'm having a Green Acres moment 

 Dusty

[kingoffleece]

I remember Green Acres-used to watch it with my mom!
I'm missing the joke, though.  Be so kind as to inform me?  Not above laughing at myself.

[frans belgium]

I'm missing the joke, though.  Be so kind as to inform me?  Not above laughing at myself.

Phew, thought I was the only one.
Didn't even dare to ask what or who green acres is ;-)

[blackcat]

If you really like the Norge, why not have it lowered an inch?  I think you can do this with a special shock and moving the forks up in the triple tree.  I've never ridden a Norge, but I assume even with an inch less clearance it will still out corner any traditional cruiser.

Or a Harley 1200 Sportster (I know, I know...) Plenty of power, a myriad of options for seats, bags, windscreens, foot position, belt drive, reasonable range with the 4 gal tank....  A properly set up Sporty (shocks, forks, seat) is an all day ride.

Two up on a Sportster for a long trip would not be fun. I'd lower the Norge.

[Kev m]

Two up on a Sportster for a long trip would not be fun. I'd lower the Norge.

It depends.

Back in the 90's my ex and I used to do it, long distance, 2-up, loaded with camping gear etc. The solidmount Sporty was so uncomfortable she said to go ahead and buy any bike I want that was better. I did.

Starting in 2004 the Sporty got a LOT more comfortable with the rubbermounting. It's still a chassis on the smaller side, but it's approaching Tonti California dimensions and comfort. Especially considering you can get a variety of aftermarket touring seats right out of the box. Heck, in some ways the current Sportster 1200s are almost the size of the early FX models.

But the Norge is a step further into capability and comfort. So yeah, I understand suggesting he lower the Norge.

[blackcat]

It depends.

Back in the 90's my ex and I used to do it, long distance, 2-up, loaded with camping gear etc. The solidmount Sporty was so uncomfortable she said to go ahead and buy any bike I want that was better. I did.

Starting in 2004 the Sporty got a LOT more comfortable with the rubbermounting. It's still a chassis on the smaller side, but it's approaching Tonti California dimensions and comfort. Especially considering you can get a variety of aftermarket touring seats right out of the box. Heck, in some ways the current Sportster 1200s are almost the size of the early FX models.

But the Norge is a step further into capability and comfort. So yeah, I understand suggesting he lower the Norge.

Sure it can be done but a Road King would be better as I think he wouldn't be happy going from a Norge to a smaller bike and the Road King has a pretty low center of gravity with a seat height of 26", plus it has hard bags.

[Kev m]

Sure it can be done but a Road King would be better as I think he wouldn't be happy going from a Norge to a smaller bike and the Road King has a pretty low center of gravity with a seat height of 26", plus it has hard bags.

Well, that's why I said "it depends" but it's more feasible than not, varying with a lot of things including both the OP's size and desires.

I mean, it's not like the Breva or Norge is really equivalent of an RK either in terms of comfort or size. And sure the RK might have a shorter seat height, but it's also wider, and heavier by a good 200+ pounds.

And a Sportster can have hard bags too... not that I'm suggesting a Sportster for the OP, just noting that it's not a crazy suggestion and there's no reason it has to be uncomfortable on a long ride, even 2-up.

Again, my XL1200Lr and my Jackal were VERY COMPARABLE in size and capability, one of the main differences being the XL was more comfortable.

Here are some old pics that tells a little bit of the story the first from a "relative size" perspective, the others from potential touring set-ups.










Ha ha - to emphasize how similar they in some of those pics the Jackal and the XL are LITERALLY wearing the same 45L Topcase AND THE SAME Progressive 412 Shocks (which I moved to the XL after putting something different on the Jackal toward the end of the time I owned it). Heck, the Jackal in those shots has a Sportster rear fender too.

[mjptexas]

Two up on a Sportster for a long trip would not be fun. I'd lower the Norge.

Not as bad as you think - some of the touring seats are really pretty comfortable.  I've done 2-3 hours with a pillion with no complaints.  Vibration not an issue with the rubber mounts.  There are so many options for tailoring the fit that you can make one work for virtually anyone (6ft or under).

[oldbike54]

I remember Green Acres-used to watch it with my mom!
I'm missing the joke, though.  Be so kind as to inform me?  Not above laughing at myself.

 Think about this for a moment .

 Eva Gabor as Lisa Douglas , "You knew when you married me I couldn't cook , or sew , or keep house.
All I could do was talk Hungarian and do imitations of Zsa Zsa Gabor .

 Eddie Albert as her husband Oliver , "Who?"

 Anyway , most of the humor was based on miscommunication or some completely ridiculous scenario involving a talking pig named Arnold , who apparently besides Oliver was the most intelligent character on the show .
 
 Dusty
 

[Waltr]

Phew, thought I was the only one.
Didn't even dare to ask what or who green acres is ;-)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058808/

[frans belgium]

For the few that might be interested:
After a long evaluation between Triumph 800, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda 700 ncx, Kawasaki Versys and the Beemer f700 gs,  I ordered the latter.
Main reason: nearness of dealer, 4 years factory warranty all over Europe, free aid on the road for 5 years all over Europe and carries 500 lbs - by far the most of the above bikes.  Important since I plan to use it for long hauls as well, fully loaded and with passenger (we're both not skinny).
Useful torque at low rpm's.
Interesting feature is the possibility to electronically change the rear damping while riding.  I realise that saying that in a Guzzi community is like swearing in church 

[Kev m]

For the few that might be interested:
After a long evaluation between Triumph 800, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda 700 ncx, Kawasaki Versys and the Beemer f700 gs,  I ordered the latter.
Main reason: nearness of dealer, 4 years factory warranty all over Europe, free aid on the road for 5 years all over Europe and carries 500 lbs - by far the most of the above bikes.  Important since I plan to use it for long hauls as well, fully loaded and with passenger (we're both not skinny).
Useful torque at low rpm's.
Interesting feature is the possibility to electronically change the rear damping while riding.  I realise that saying that in a Guzzi community is like swearing in church 

Enjoy!

[canuguzzi]

For the few that might be interested:
After a long evaluation between Triumph 800, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda 700 ncx, Kawasaki Versys and the Beemer f700 gs,  I ordered the latter.
Main reason: nearness of dealer, 4 years factory warranty all over Europe, free aid on the road for 5 years all over Europe and carries 500 lbs - by far the most of the above bikes.  Important since I plan to use it for long hauls as well, fully loaded and with passenger (we're both not skinny).
Useful torque at low rpm's.
Interesting feature is the possibility to electronically change the rear damping while riding.  I realise that saying that in a Guzzi community is like swearing in church 

:1:

[pauldaytona]

For the few that might be interested:
After a long evaluation between Triumph 800, Suzuki V Strom 650, Honda 700 ncx, Kawasaki Versys and the Beemer f700 gs,  I ordered the latter.
Main reason: nearness of dealer, 4 years factory warranty all over Europe, free aid on the road for 5 years all over Europe and carries 500 lbs - by far the most of the above bikes.  Important since I plan to use it for long hauls as well, fully loaded and with passenger (we're both not skinny).
Useful torque at low rpm's.
Interesting feature is the possibility to electronically change the rear damping while riding.  I realise that saying that in a Guzzi community is like swearing in church 

Frans with a 75 horses bike, loading so much you think it will be fun? I hope you have fun with it, as I wish everyone who buys whatever, why not.

[bad Chad]

Have fun with your new whore!  You'll be back within three short years.

[frans belgium]

Have fun with your new whore!  You'll be back within three short years.

Ouch ...Classy 

[frans belgium]

Frans with a 75 horses bike, loading so much you think it will be fun? I hope you have fun with it, as I wish everyone who buys whatever, why not.

We'll see, Paul.  Hp and torque/weight ratio are pretty equal to my present Norge and net loading capacity is higher.  Actually, I had to put new rear suspension (Hagon) under my Norge for that reason. And if not, well beemers have a pretty high resale value