Author Topic: Norge GT 8V: Do I take the plunge? (Read 5804 times)

glashab · « **on:** July 01, 2016, 12:32:43 PM »

Hi everybody,

I have heard amazing things about this forum and have just joined. Apologies in advance if this topic has been covered. I tried to do a search and could not find anything relevant. I am seriously considering buying a Norge GT 8V. I understand that servicing is patchy and that they will not run like a Japanese bikes, but are Norge's really a complete gamble with reliability? Would you be able to recommend a dealer or recommend which ones to stay away from if you are able to? I have looked on Cycle Trader and there are some OK prices. I am looking to buy new and waiting for the prices to come down before I am able to commit. To give you some background I have had a BMW R850 GS, Ducati 900SP and Yamaha XT ZE600 Tenere in the past. Due to an old herniated disc injury, a passion for always wanting a Moto Guzzi and it being shaft drive this bike is my number one choice. I would love to hear back from any owners that have the GT 8V with regards to reliability (Or not!) as well as what its like on the shoulders and back and insurance cost ( I am 45) I was able to test one in the UK briefly before I came to the US but it was only a 10 minute ride round the block. Thank you so much for any feedback at all and sorry for the long post.

Dean Rose · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2016, 12:39:03 PM »

No test ride under a hundred miles would be sufficient for a Moto Guzzi. You have to experience the use of that V-twin to really understand why we love the brand. The are many owners of the Norge on this board who will answer your questions.

Dean

glashab · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2016, 12:43:44 PM »

Thank you very much Dean!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2016, 12:55:59 PM »

What part of the country do you live? That will help steer you to a dealer.

Stick to 2013 and above to avoid the flat tappet problems and you should be good.

I have only had my 2015 Norge a few weeks but it is a very fine motorcycle. Probably the best I have ever owned, but will need more time with it to make that definitive.

rocker59 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:00:07 PM »

Quote from: glashab on July 01, 2016, 12:32:43 PM

I understand that servicing is patchy and that they will not run like a Japanese bikes,

are Norge's really a complete gamble with reliability?

Would you be able to recommend a dealer or recommend which ones to stay away from if you are able to?

Servicing a Norge is not harder than any other Guzzi, once you remove the plastics. OH, you probably mean dealer servicing is patchy. Yes. Some are dealers in name only, and don't sell enough Guzzis to know how to properly deal with them.

No, Norges are not "a complete gamble" on reliability, or anything else. They're very nice, underrated sport-touring machines.

A better descriptions of your location, rather than "United States" will help people with recommendations. There are good Guzzi dealers spread out across The Country. You may be lucky and have one close by*.

*"close by" being within 250 miles!!!

glashab · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:07:37 PM »

Thank you ever so much for the info Dave. I did not know of the issues before the 2013 model that is already a great start. Apologies I did not put the location. I guess I am as far away as anywhere from a dealer as I am in New Orleans. I visited a place in Baton Rouge (when it was dealer called Moto Rouge), I guess they are no longer a dealer as it is not on the Guzzi site anymore. The salesman tried to keep selling me a BMW GS instead :( so I left.

Thank you too rocker59!

ITSec · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:09:35 PM »

I have a 2v rather than an 8v. It's been horribly unreliable - I only have 113,000 miles on it in 5 years.

I have no qualms about jumping on it for a ride around the city - or around the continent.

I think there is a dealer in the Florida panhandle that can help you, and there are certainly some to the north of you that are good.

twowings · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:14:23 PM »

To paraphrase Rick Blaine in 'Casablanca':

"If that Norge leaves the dealer and you're not on it, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life."

BTW, just got home from riding my 2008 4,648 miles to John Day, OR, Lolo Pass, Beartooth Pass, and Chief Joseph Highway...one of the very finest experiences of my life and the bike ran like a champ the whole way!

glashab · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:15:54 PM »

Hahhah! ITSec :) Good to hear and thank you for the recommendations :) Wow 113,000!

glashab · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:18:16 PM »

You are right twowings. Once they are gone they are gone and I would love to be on one! I just have to make sure. as this will probably be the last bike a purchase (in a good way!) What an amazing trip you had! Thank you.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:30:44 PM »

Start doing your research and check in here with what you have found for advice. As you can tell there is plenty of that around here!

Also any questions you may have along the way can be answered. We have a number of Guzzi gurus hanging about on WG.

glashab · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:35:07 PM »

Thanks a lot Dave! And thanks to everybody as well, it is greatly appreciated and a Happy upcoming July 4th to you all :)

twowings · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:41:16 PM »

The dealer from Portland, OR (IIRC) had a beautiful white '14 demo Norge available for rides at John Day...it was very popular...

lost · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2016, 01:51:33 PM »

In my experience the Norge is a fantastic bike to ride. It wants to eat up the highway. I have no concerns about taking it on the road. Just be sure to keep it serviced and you will be happy. The main hang up is parts which can take forever to get. Once in, I have had no problems getting it serviced quickly. So plan ahead for the really long rides and you will be happy.

As for the ride, I am one of those rapidly approaching old age and have more than enough aches and pains. For me I find the sport touring position to be the best ride for my back. The arms can ache a little but I have found ways to ride that don't bother me. I find the stock seat comfortable enough I have not been out looking to improve it. On a long day it begins to feel a little more padding for my fat "A" would be nice but it is still tolerable. Mine is a 2012 Norge that I had rollerized and it runs great. I'm 6' at about 250 lb to give you an idea to compare stats compared to you. Short 30" inseam but bike is no problem. If legs cramp up I just stand up for a bit and all is well.

Jim

kingoffleece · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:19:45 PM »

I'm quite fond of my 14 Norge. So much so that I sold a perfectly modded and fabulous Tiger 1050 to get it. That was I bike I never thought I'd get rid of.

kingoffleece · « **Reply #15 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:21:58 PM »

You could do a fly and ride. For another Moto Guzzi I had Jim Hamlin at Hamlin Cycles in CT ride the bike and break it in for me so I could ride it 400 miles home. I'm sure you could ask either dealer. The other is Moto International. I hear great things about them.

samfrank · « **Reply #16 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:25:55 PM »

Cleveland Moto Guzzi has two new ones (brown) and is selling my 2013 on consignment for me. It's a white one with 15k miles. Has side panniers, top case, and tank bag. Brand new tires and KnN air filter. The price is very reasonable at $8500.
Sam

bad Chad · « **Reply #17 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:35:57 PM »

Great bike. Go get one. But o dont think your going to find prices droping.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2016, 02:52:04 PM »

I don't think you will ever find better pricing than now. I have a 2011 and had the tappets replaced with the rollers. Other concerns have had to mostly do with fasteners coming loose. My muffler outer shell welds broke and the muffler started coning apart but that was fixed with rivets. Other than that my tires do not like to stay round as I have had four flats in the first 12K miles.

The stock seating works well for me. I am 5'10" with a 32" inseam and 160 pounds. It handles tight twisties much better than it should for it's size. It is rock solid at any speed and I have had mine up to 140 indicated with the bags and trunk on.
Highway mileage around 40 (75-85 mph cruising speed). If you do a lot of city riding it may be the best choice as mileage drops into the 20s. Also it does not really like hot city riding (above 90 degrees or so) as the motor does okay but just isn't very happy and as smooth as otherwise.
Overall very happy with the bike and really, really like how it handles as speed and in the curves.
My 2.5 cents worth, YMMV.
GliderJohn

sbaker · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2016, 03:16:40 PM »

The only problem I have had with either my 4V or 8V was keeping my wrist out of it!!!!!! ..... It runs so smoothly and true you will not realize how fast you are really going until you get a 'performance award' ....... OOPS!!!

Smooth, powerful, stable, long legs.... never left me stranded!! .. a great bike!

glashab · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:26:21 PM »

Gosh I am so thankful to you all for the input! That helps me so much as I only knew what I knew from all the short reviews that don't say much and there aren't that many.

The information you have provided me is invaluable. Thank you all for tellng me about your individual experiences as well as dealer recommendations and what to look out for and stay away from. I am so glad I found this forum as when I go into a motorcycle shop here (I am from Britain) when they say what bike am I considering and I say Moto Guzzi they look at me like I just came from outer space. Its true what they say about Guzzi owners you guys are great! I shall be looking around for a new Norge in the mahogany colour around this US. Any excuse to see your beautiful unique country works for me:)

glashab · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:31:28 PM »

Thanks Sam for letting me know about your bike. That is great deal if I wasn't looking to buy a new one. Thank you.

twowings · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:32:44 PM »

Call Dave at Moto International...ask about a fly-'n'-ride....

http://www.motointernational.com

glashab · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:36:35 PM »

Thanks for the contact twowings!

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #24 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:50:26 PM »

Fly and Ride, or take the wimpy way as I did, Haul Bikes will deliver it for $450 and they did a very good job.

http://haulbikes.com/zonemap/

glashab · « **Reply #25 on:** July 01, 2016, 04:57:29 PM »

Thanks a lot for the delivery / logistics options! I handy even thought of these logistics! I just saw the norge that's it!

blackcat · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2016, 06:09:48 PM »

Pensacola dealer has two Norge's in white and mahogany. Two and a half hour ride for you and they will probably let you ride one too. Tod the manager is a good friend so talk to him as he is the only sales person there who really knows Guzzi's.

http://www.adventuremotorsportsofnwf.com/default.asp?page=xNewInventory#page=xNewInventory&make=moto%20guzzi&d=on&t=new

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2016, 06:22:03 PM »

Mahogany in stock! Sounds like glashab has a plan! Time to jump into action!! Let us know how you like it!

twowings · « **Reply #28 on:** July 02, 2016, 02:19:23 PM »

I LOVE spending other people's money!!

Hugh Straub · « **Reply #29 on:** July 02, 2016, 03:47:19 PM »

You're right about no New Orleans dealer. However, Chuck House at Chuck House Motorsports in Old Jefferson is quite expert and very helpful regarding most everything Moto Guzzi. You'd not be alone.

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Author Topic: Norge GT 8V: Do I take the plunge? (Read 5804 times)

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