Norge 8V thoughts...

[Cool Runnings]

Heated grips, nice

Turn signals, they suck

Riding ergonomics, stock, they are horrible for a ST bike

Handling, wonderful

Controls for windscreen, who really cares

$16k bike and no CRUISE CONTROL 

Brakes, what can I say, there brembo

Fit & finish, nice, very nice

Styling, come on, it's Italian 

Panniers, latching is kind of quirky but I like em, lot's of storage

Instrumentation, MG needs some refinements

Engine, love at first twist  (no it's not an FJR)

Throttle response, 1st gear is notchy, major notchy

Transmission, spot on

Controls, shifting and rear brake are  ridiculously tiny

Gas tank range, love that 6 gal tank


Please add comments.........

[canuguzzi]

Turn signals are OK, the controls need help.

First gear throttle isn't perfect but is good, have yours checked and maybe adjusted.

Control for rear brake and gear selection are tiny but I use third mostly, then when going faster 6th. Quick shift through 2nd and the 4th and 5th. About as close to auto as I can get.

6th could be a bit taller though and space out 4-5 a bit.

Agreed on windscreen adjustments, just leave it down and ride. If still air is needed, there is always the car.

Side bag locks are good, removing them is a pita. Could be a lit easier.

Dump the metal tabs on the brake and clutch master to allow easier adjustments of controls. Once the controls are properly adjusted it makes a world of difference.

It's a $9999 bike with a $16k msrp, pay the $9999 and then all that other stuff doesn't matter too much.

[Dave Swanson]

Get one from Moto International like I just did and be happy!  They have a few left at this price, but probably won't last too long. 


http://www.motointernational.com/catalog/hot-deals/2015-moto-guzzi-norge-1200-gt-8v

[jim_W]

  It is probably not a  $16,000 bike but it sure is the most motorcycle you can buy for $9999.  I agree with the OP on most all of his observations but I'm very happy with my decision to buy one.  Don't think I need cruise control and the seat will probably get replaced. Foot peg location is a bit high but not sure if I will lower them.  Dash has lots of info that I probably don't need and it's a bit hard for this old guy to learn to operate............ ...... Somehow I reset my trip meters when I don't intend to.
  Fly to Seattle, ride the long way home. It's part of the adventure.

[canuguzzi]

 :1:

Buy for $9999 and with 6 grand you could pretty much get anything you wanted changed...changed.

You'd still be at msrp but could have cruise, a new seat, new windshield, lower footrests, risers, gps..

And have plenty left over for maintenance, gas and oil for a few years. You'd have a hard time duplicating that with any other bike and then that is what you'd have, any other bike.

Doesn't mean having something else in addition is a bad idea.

[JeffOlson]

All good comments. For $9,990, you simply cannot beat it! Heck, for more than that, you still cannot beat it.

For the BMW R 1200 RT that I fancy owning some day, I would need to spend $24,000. In the meantime, and for less than half that amount, I have a ridiculously beautiful and capable motorcycle.

[ITSec]

In 2011, I bought a 2008 for $9500. I used about $3000 to upgrade the bike, and the rest to go riding. My $13,000 bike has electronic cruise control, Heli-bar risers, a really good Russell Day-Long saddle, GPS, SPOT satellite tracking, two windshields, and a bunch of other stuff. If I'd spent the same amount on any other sport-tourer available in 2011, I would have spent more (all told) and gotten less (other than HP, and that's minimal in the real world use).

While there have been things that have been less than ideal (startus interruptus, etc.), I have a bike that now has 110,000 miles and is good for another 100,000 and more - and all for a competitive price. Not to even mention the incalculable value of all of you to talk to! 

[Cool Runnings]

With trade in, my 2014 was $9,000.

This is the first bike ever in which I luv to ride without ear plugs. 

[rocker59]

(no it's not an FJR)
 

Thank God and Carlo for that!   

[MGrego]

Norge 8V thoughts ??

It's my favorite bike !! ( -- I hope my V11 doesn't catch wind of that....)

[esmurrell]

I have a 2012 Norge GT and a 2014 R1200RT.  On Good Friday, I took a 450 mile trip along the Talimena trail with the R1200RT and had a good time.  About three weeks ago, I took the same trip (backwards) with my Norge GT.  I can't believe it but I prefer the trip with the Norge.  Sure, it doesn't have all of the fancy gadgetry the R1200RT does but when it gets down to the basics of riding and enjoying the ride, it is the superior bike.  I almost can't believe I'm saying this but from my perspective, that's the truth.  The Norge GT is quite the enjoyable ride.  It feels like a bike should, has great visceral feedback and handles very well.  It does have it's weak spots (inaccurate fuel gauge, old technology, etc.) but for pure riding pleasure, it's hard to beat!  Just my two cents.

[JeffOlson]

I have a 2012 Norge GT and a 2014 R1200RT.  On Good Friday, I took a 450 mile trip along the Talimena trail with the R1200RT and had a good time.  About three weeks ago, I took the same trip (backwards) with my Norge GT.  I can't believe it but I prefer the trip with the Norge.  Sure, it doesn't have all of the fancy gadgetry the R1200RT does but when it gets down to the basics of riding and enjoying the ride, it is the superior bike.  I almost can't believe I'm saying this but from my perspective, that's the truth.  The Norge GT is quite the enjoyable ride.  It feels like a bike should, has great visceral feedback and handles very well.  It does have it's weak spots (inaccurate fuel gauge, old technology, etc.) but for pure riding pleasure, it's hard to beat!  Just my two cents.

That is quite a compliment for the Norge!

[Gliderjohn]

Took a pretty "spirited" ride last fall with my Norge on the Tailimena Trail. For a big girl she dances well! You just have to lead.
GliderJohn

[twowings]

I certainly can't find any fault with mine...it's everything I wanted in a bike..locomotive torque, a good gearbox, big tank, and a fairing...I know taller guys have some issues with seat-to-footpeg dimensions but those are easily solved...looking forward to a long-term relationship...

[canuguzzi]

The Norge fuel gauge is as accurate as can be. There is a dealer fix for it. Takes about 30 min and is covered under warranty if you're not averse to using it.

[esmurrell]

The Norge fuel gauge is as accurate as can be. There is a dealer fix for it. Takes about 30 min and is covered under warranty if you're not averse to using it.

I'm out of warranty on my Norge GT.  Do you mind sharing the fix for the fuel gauge?  Mine worked until a few weeks ago.

Thanks,

Eric

[canuguzzi]

I'll dig up the repair ticket.

[oldbike54]

I have a 2012 Norge GT and a 2014 R1200RT.  On Good Friday, I took a 450 mile trip along the Talimena trail with the R1200RT and had a good time.  About three weeks ago, I took the same trip (backwards) with my Norge GT.  I can't believe it but I prefer the trip with the Norge.  Sure, it doesn't have all of the fancy gadgetry the R1200RT does but when it gets down to the basics of riding and enjoying the ride, it is the superior bike.  I almost can't believe I'm saying this but from my perspective, that's the truth.  The Norge GT is quite the enjoyable ride.  It feels like a bike should, has great visceral feedback and handles very well.  It does have it's weak spots (inaccurate fuel gauge, old technology, etc.) but for pure riding pleasure, it's hard to beat!  Just my two cents.

 So you're riding the Norge to the Okie in October ?

 

Took a pretty "spirited" ride last fall with my Norge on the Tailimena Trail. For a big girl she dances well! You just have to lead.
GliderJohn

 OK John , you lead this year 

 Dusty

[esmurrell]

So you're riding the Norge to the Okie in October ?

 
 OK John , you lead this year 

 Dusty

Pardon my ignorance, what's the Okie???  If it works in my schedule I'd be glad to join.

Eric

[oldbike54]

Pardon my ignorance, what's the Okie???  If it works in my schedule I'd be glad to join.

Eric

 That would be the JN Smyth memorial Oklahoma camp out , Oct 7-9 , Talimena State Park . Otherwise known as "the Okie" . Details available .

 Dusty

[twowings]

http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/interpretive-guide/the-drive/

Visualize!

[esmurrell]

At this point I don't see why I can't make the Okie.  After all, I'm from Okc.  Just live in the Dallas area.  I don't claim Texas (though my wife and kids are native Texans). 

Eric

[oldbike54]

At this point I don't see why I can't make the Okie.  After all, I'm from Okc.  Just live in the Dallas area.  I don't claim Texas (though my wife and kids are native Texans). 

Eric

 We won't hold that against you  We have several Texans that attend the Okie , so far no fist fights have broken out 

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

The shift and brake pedal foot pins are on an adjustable cam, that may make using them easier with a bit of trial and error.

[Cool Runnings]

The shift and brake pedal foot pins are on an adjustable cam, that may make using them easier with a bit of trial and error.

an they are tiny little baby pegs, lousy for a ST bike!

[canuguzzi]

an they are tiny little baby pegs, lousy for a ST bike!

 :1:

One does do the footrests hunt, it feels like your boots are always on the outer edge of the footrests, about to slip off.

BMW gets it, footrests slightly angled and with enough length for a secure plant. The OPs comment is spot on and while you can change them it really shouldn't be necessary.

[JeffOlson]

I like the stock foot pegs and toe pegs. They work perfectly well for me.

However, I use special boots: Danner, with Norwegian welt construction. That means that the sole of the boot extends out beyond the side of the boot and provides a very convenient ledge for easily flicking the shift lever toe peg upwards.

Downwards is still the same for either toe peg using the sole of the boot, but the ledge makes it very easy to use smaller toe pegs.

[esmurrell]

Hey guys,

I thought one of you was going to look up the fix for the fuel gauge.  Mine no longer registers a full tank.  It goes to about 5/8 when I fill up and sits there until the actual fuel is below that level.  If there is a straightforward fix for this, I would love to know it.

Thanks,

Eric

[canuguzzi]

Just gotta dig up the repair order. Hold the horses, not close to the paperwork.

Here. The part you need is:

1 ea. Pompa Immersa Benzina. Part# 978825

Also known as fuel level sensor, some were made with too high a resistance and this give inaccurate readings. This according to MG.

It takes a bit of fiddling to swap it out, much of that plastics removal and reinstall.

It solves the problem.

[MGrego]

Hey guys,

I thought one of you was going to look up the fix for the fuel gauge.  Mine no longer registers a full tank.  It goes to about 5/8 when I fill up and sits there until the actual fuel is below that level.  If there is a straightforward fix for this, I would love to know it.

Thanks,

Eric

Mine does nearly the same thing, the gauge only goes to 7/8 when full, then reads normally when the actual fuel is below that.  It doesn't really bother me too much, I'm just going to let that problem ride for now ....