Questions for Norgians

[dl.allen]

So I have a nice 2004 Lemans but am wanting to do some longer trips.  My local dealer has a really nice used 2011 Norge for sale that I want to test drive next week.

Couple of questions:

1.  How hard is it to get the plastic off and tune the bike and adjust the valves?  Basically how difficult is maintenance on the bike?
2.  Will my Knight Design lowered pegs fit on the Norge?
3.  Will my Givi tank bag the one that mounts on the gas ring fit it?
4.  How difficult is it to take the hard bags off and on?
5.  Is there handle bar mods out there?

Thanks for any general thoughts on Norge ownership.  I will report back next week after the test ride.

[guzzisteve]

Before you do anything ask the dealer if it has been rollerized. Flat tappets & cams replaced.
Body work comes off fairly quick.
Bags come off in a snap.
Bar risers are out there.
The rest I haven't dealt with.

[dl.allen]

What year is roller tappets?

[guzzisteve]

2013, some made in 2012

If they want to deal, they can put the stuff in, parts are free, labor is 4hrs

[Gliderjohn]

Sometime parts are free but not always. Harpers were unable to get Guzzi to do anything when I rollerized my 2011. I had to pay full boat. BTW ride it a while before deciding to put on bar risers. I like mine stock.
GliderJohn

[drdwb]

I met a guy at the Mn Guzzi rally this summer he had the Givi Tank bag with the ring that went around the tank filler, he was from Southern Iowa his wife rode a 750 Breva, don't know his name sorry.
He said he found the ring on line made by a outfit in Pakistan,cost him 20-25 bucks with shipping I think. There are cheap options and expensive options on bar risers,I went cheap off E-bay they work ok.

[PJPR01]

So I have a nice 2004 Lemans but am wanting to do some longer trips.  My local dealer has a really nice used 2011 Norge for sale that I want to test drive next week.

Couple of questions:

1.  How hard is it to get the plastic off and tune the bike and adjust the valves?  Basically how difficult is maintenance on the bike?  A bit of effort, but once done one time, quite easy. 
2.  Will my Knight Design lowered pegs fit on the Norge?  Yes...but you may want to make sure you get the rubberized ones and if you do lower the pegs, you'll have to shave off a diagonal bit from the side stand to avoid it touching and creating more vibration.  Another alternative are the Gold Wing 1800 lowered pegs...still have to shave off, but they are wider, flatter and also rubberized
3.  Will my Givi tank bag the one that mounts on the gas ring fit it?  Not sure...using the Guzzi tank bag with straps which works well.
4.  How difficult is it to take the hard bags off and on? Need 1 lesson to do it well, then easy.  It's a 3 step process...turn the key, lift the safety snap, pull back.  Reverse when putting on, but no need to turn the key.
5.  Is there handle bar mods out there?  For early models there was a Heli Bar option, but that was essentially incorporated into 2011 and newer...made need to go after market for this from Ebay.

Thanks for any general thoughts on Norge ownership.  I will report back next week after the test ride.

[atavar]

Maintenance on the bike is not hard.  Gaining access tot the bits to do maintenance is not hard but can be tedious.  Basically they started on the left side installing the tupperware and went around to the right side making sure each bit overlapped the last, so no matter what you want to do you have to start at the left and take off all the plastic bits in sequential order. 
I have no problem doing things like valve adjustments without removing any tupperware at all.  If anything taking out a couple fasteners and lifting the tank a bit is all that is required.
The biggest PITA IMHO is checking and filling the oil.  They were not kind when they set that up.  Again, it is not hard, but very tedious to get the bits off to easily access the oil filler area.   
The bags are a piece of cake to get on and off if you have the OEM kit. 
All in all it is very worth it.  The Norge is a great bike.  Just be patient and not in a hurry when working on it. 

[twowings]

LOTS easier to start on the RIGHT and work around to the left to remove...start on left to reinstall 

[atavar]

You may be right on that and I may have my head up and locked as I do know there were a lot of bits to take off to expose the oil fill area.

[PJPR01]

A funnel with a long narrow flexible spout is all that is needed to fill the oil, you can easily spin off the plastic threaded piece that the dipstick locks into without taking off the fairing...just remove the rubber access cover.  Since that plastic threaded item is not going to be heavily torqued down, it can be easily taken off and replaced with a minimum of effort...I can't remember the size at the moment, not sure if 32mm was the right socket, but at any rate...once that's off, filling with oil is a piece of cake.

Taking off all the plastic bits to get to the engine and other stuff is a bit time consuming, pays to keep track of the holes that the multitude of screws goes into by just replacing the screw back into the hole, otherwise it's a little bit of a guessing game since many are similar.

I wonder if anyone makes a metal threaded insert to replace the plastic one where the dipstick locks into...anyone seen an after market one?

Cheers.

[twowings]

1" or 24mm will do it, IIRC....I use small adjustable spanner...plastic piece shouldn't be torqued down too tightly, anyway....I have a small bungee cord with my long-necked funnel that hooks to the fairing to help hold it upright when the oil is poured in...

[MGrego]

I have an 03 LeMans and a 2012 Norge --

As mentioned previously, if you are thinking of getting an '11 Norge, it will have come from the factory with the flat tappets. You will want to install the roller tappet kit if it hasn't already been done.  The tappet issue is your biggest concern --  this forum has a tremendous amount of information on this, check it out before buying !!!

In regard to your other questions :

No, taking off the fairing isn't a big deal
Yes, There are a couple of options for lowering the pegs
Yes, the givi "tank lock" bags will work.  There is a guy in Turkey that manufactures the tank ring that goes on the bike.  He sells them on Ebay for $50 or so with shipping.
The bags come on and off very easily and quickly
Yes, there is a handle bar riser solution. There used to be a guy on the forum named "Norge Pilot" that described how to add spacers to raise the bars. Just search for that, total cost is a few bucks for bolts and spacers. I noticed someone on Ebay making a riser that is essentially the same thing for over $100.

Hope that helps !!

[flip]

3.  Will my Givi tank bag the one that mounts on the gas ring fit it?

http://www.guzzitech.com/store/product/gt-givi-tanklock-adapter-ring/

I got the plastic version of that off of eBay. I can try to find contact info if you need it.

[Huzo]

Would you consider a 2V head one ?

[atavar]

I love my 2008 2V.  Never a spot of trouble.  Valve adjustments are easy peasy.  It can go faster than I do.

[Huzo]

I love my 2008 2V.  Never a spot of trouble.  Valve adjustments are easy peasy.  It can go faster than I do.

Yep, 103,000 and running great

[dl.allen]

Rode the bike its like new
Asked about tappets
They would never have mentioned it if I didn't
They said they would inspect it and request the parts from factory and let me know
They really need to resolve it to sell it with a conscience

Good news is I really liked riding it
We will see

[dl.allen]

Everything I read was 2v had really soft suspension that people spent lots of money upgrading?
I know its personal preferences but the 2011 was super

[Bulldog9]

1. Lower fairings come off with little drama, just take your time. Right side is much easier, left side requires you to remove the lower chin /oil cooler scoop before removing lower fairing.  Valve adjustments and TB sync/balance are no brainers. As for oil change, the 2011 (I think, I have a 2014) has a little door and you can do the oil change with a little creativity. A 1" socket removes the dipstick flange, and allows you to use a small 'auto trans' funnel. My MG dealer sells a perfectly shaped and bent funnel, but I just use my little funnel.

2. The KD pegs will work, but depending on the drop will interfere with the side stand and may not sync up well with the gear and brake levers. You can adjust the shift lever, but not brake (c'mon guzzi). I have 1.5" drop KD on my Griso. They work but are kid of ugly IMHO.

I used these on the Norge they work well, look stock, lower about 1" without interfering with the side stand and work with the brake and shift levers. Pegs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Front-Footpeg-Rider-Peg-Footrest-for-Honda-Goldwing-GL1800-2001-2010-02-03-/221484729980
Will need these springs: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171381243861?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

3. No idea, but others have answered this.

4. As others have said the bags are genius

5. I'm sure there are risers, but I would ride it for a bit, the Norge is about perfect.

As others have said, you need the rollerization done. 

I love my Norge, just came off the last 9 years on an FJR, and while the Norge gives ground on power, when not riding balls to the wall, it is much more comfortable, stable, nimble and 10X more enjoyable.
 

So I have a nice 2004 Lemans but am wanting to do some longer trips.  My local dealer has a really nice used 2011 Norge for sale that I want to test drive next week.

Couple of questions:

1.  How hard is it to get the plastic off and tune the bike and adjust the valves?  Basically how difficult is maintenance on the bike?
2.  Will my Knight Design lowered pegs fit on the Norge?
3.  Will my Givi tank bag the one that mounts on the gas ring fit it?
4.  How difficult is it to take the hard bags off and on?
5.  Is there handle bar mods out there?

Thanks for any general thoughts on Norge ownership.  I will report back next week after the test ride.

[dl.allen]

Those are good looking pegs bulldog
Are they.about.an inch lower?

[Bulldog9]

Those are good looking pegs bulldog
Are they.about.an inch lower?

Yes, just over an inch.