2008 Norge fly and ride

[ratguzzi]

I replied to a few of the ads for EVs, Breva and Norge and finally decided on buying "Thunderbutt"s 2008 Norge. Got my ticket bought and plan to fly down to Florida Sunday and take my time riding home.
My main purpose for this bike is I need to work in San Diego for a couple months starting in 3-4 weeks and plan to use the motorcycle. It will be nice to get paid mileage on this bike.
I fly to Poland next Sunday for work, be there for two weeks and will ride the Nevada I bought there last year.
Life is good!
JB

[Lannis]

I replied to a few of the ads for EVs, Breva and Norge and finally decided on buying "Thunderbutt"s 2008 Norge. Got my ticket bought and plan to fly down to Florida Sunday and take my time riding home.
My main purpose for this bike is I need to work in San Diego for a couple months starting in 3-4 weeks and plan to use the motorcycle. It will be nice to get paid mileage on this bike.
I fly to Poland next Sunday for work, be there for two weeks and will ride the Nevada I bought there last year.
Life is good!
JB

That's great to be able to "fold in" some riding along with your work.   I've done some of that (or used to, back when I worked for a living instead of living off the fat of the land).   

I didn't do much overseas work, so never had a real reason to buy a bike there.   And sometimes, I had to take nice clothes and presentation materials with me, so couldn't do it on a bike.  (I assume in your case, you have to take a work van with tools anyhow, so you take the bike along with you and use it at the location .. ?)

But if I had a trip to make where I was just attending training, or overseeing field work, and just had to take regular clothes with me, I'd take the bike every time.    Getting paid $.52/mile (at the time) for riding a motorcycle seemed like the deal of the century.

Some companies disallow using motorcycles for business (they say for "liability" reasons); I never made the mistake of asking what our policy was other than "the less said the better"....!

Lannis

[ratguzzi]

Totally agree! I had a mishap or two while riding for work and went through a lot of pain and grief making sure I didn't lose a minute of work because of being on a motorcycle.
JB

[PJPR01]

You're going to love the bike...and great place to ride!

[Thunderbutt]

Just moving this bike around in the garage was confirmation that I won't be able to ride for several more months. I am so happy this bike is going to a good home and will be out exploring new adventures.
Spent most of the day giving it a bath, changed oil and filter and going over it from end to end to make sure everything is in tip top shape.
Looking forward to meeting you John.

[Muzz]

I am so happy this bike is going to a good home and will be out exploring new adventures.

With JB buying it that I think will be a given.

[Scud]

Let me know when you're in town and if you have some weekends free to ride. I'd be happy to play tour guide or just give you some suggested great roads to explore on your own.

Enjoy the Norge.

And as for riding for work. Yeah, it's cool to get paid mileage... I remember working for a CPA firm after college. I had an airhead BMW at the time. Had to ride from Orange County to Palm Springs and San Diego regularly. I think I "made" a lot of money by commuting on the bike. I like to ride for work instead of fly if the flight is less than 400 miles. Door to door time can be about the same.

[Kiwi_Roy]

With JB buying it that I think will be a given.

I have this image of a Norge with hundreds of holes drilled in the screen and ammo boxes sending out a shower of sparks as JB checks out the drive.

Enjoy the new bike 

[ratguzzi]

I have this image of a Norge with hundreds of holes drilled in the screen and ammo boxes sending out a shower of sparks as JB checks out the drive.

Enjoy the new bike 

Laughing! This bike will remain pretty much like it is. Maybe I'll have the "seat guy" build me a seat. Rosefarm has a used one I may buy later today.
Need to see what's out there for a slip on muffler.
JB

[Lannis]

Laughing! This bike will remain pretty much like it is. Maybe I'll have the "seat guy" build me a seat. Rosefarm has a used one I may buy later today.
Need to see what's out there for a slip on muffler.
JB

After riding a Norge (two up) and hearing other people (like ZZ) talk about it, the only knock many of us seem to have about the Norge is the seat/seating position that sort of locks you into one place.

I've seen Russell seats on Norges but by they time they've made room for you, it's solo only and they're ugly as sin.   Neither of which will be a concern for you, come to think of it ... 

Lannis

[dl.allen]

I added a GPR slip on muffler and map from beetle.
Also you may want to trim the rubber bumper for the center send for more lean angle.  Tried several windcreens and like the MG best.  Have half price cal sci large of anyone wants it.
My bike is 2012

[Muzz]

Laughing! This bike will remain pretty much like it is.
JB

Yeah right! Ammo cans. Drab olive paint job. Patina applied to the exhaust. Holes in windshield. I can see in my minds eye already.

[ratguzzi]

Well, I got back from the fly and ride last Thursday. Jerry "thunderbutt" picked me up from the airport Sunday and was a pleasure to meet. The bike was spotless and exactly as he stated. He had his Triumph Trident sitting out which was a treat to look at. His wife offered up some sweet tea as we finished up business. I left Clearwater to be treated to a couple of accidents so it took about an hour just to get east of Tampa. I had plans in Titusville so I stayed there Sunday night. Monday, I did the Daytona beach thing to watch the sunrise and then took SR100 west. I then took US 90 and stayed at a friend's house about 10 miles northeast of Tallahassee. Harold needed to meet a guy at a backwoods fish camp where they had a deer's ass mounted on the wall. Headed to Clemson, SC Tuesday, keeping the day slab-free. Bike just ran perfect. Wednesday was the mountains, pretty much SR28 to US 129 through the dragon. It's good to ride a new bike there so you can get a real feel for a bike. I realized the center stand was a bit low as it scraped in the twisties. Outside of Alcoa, I rode over to US27 then US127 to Frankfort, KY.
Thursday was boring slab to home.
I left my driver's license at home accidentally so it was tough sticking to the speed limit!
I am very glad I bought it. It will make my San Diego trip pleasurable next month.
JB

[Lannis]

Only thing better than a "ride report" is a "Fly'n-Ride Report"!

You're DEFINITELY going to have to get to work with an angle grinder on that centerstand - Killboy was probably saying "Those sparks are coming WAY too soon - this can't be JB!"

Thanks for the travelogue ...

Lannis

[guzzisteve]

Keep an eye on centerstand as the bolts do come out unless loctited. Funny thing JB, the guy who tuned your first Guzzi has tuned your last one.

[PJPR01]

Looking good there...may have to name the bike Sparky!  Silver Norges are gorgeous indeed (I'm a little biased!)

[ratguzzi]

Looking good there...may have to name the bike Sparky!  Silver Norges are gorgeous indeed (I'm a little biased!)

Yeah, Steve, I remember!
20 years ago and about 800,000 Guzzi miles later.
It's been a blast!
JB

[Huzo]

Looking good there...may have to name the bike Sparky!  Silver Norges are gorgeous indeed (I'm a little biased!)

Absolutely.
Second best looking ones out there.
Just as an aside, those headers look like they've been getting a getting a bit warm, mixture ok ?

[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks, JB.. great report.  You'll love the Norge.

[blackbuell]

How's the windscreen, JB?

[twowings]

Excellent! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine! Good to see it go from one loving home to another...

[Huzo]

What's the name of the screen ?
Will you be doing the startus mod and checking the swingarm and shock linkages ?
What map does it have and how's the fuel usage, you were on the speed limit for a long time, what mileage did you get from a tank ?

[ratguzzi]

I will try and answer a few posts. Screen works well, would like to add an inch and I can easily still see over it. It looks aftermarket but no time to look close, I fly to Europe tomorrow. Not sure if it's been remapped. Runs better than any fuel injected Guzzi I have owned so hard to believe it's a stock map. Clean running, no burps, etc. Mileage in the mid 40s at speed. 225-250 miles per tank on my return from Florida.
JB

[Gliderjohn]

 
GliderJohn

[guzzi ride]

Congrats on your new to you Norge Great bikes as I own one as well and yes the silver ones are the fast ones.

[Thunderbutt]

Huzo- not sure what the brand of the wind screen, it was already on the bike when I bought it.  As for fuel mileage, I routinely got 49-51 mpg (US) last year when we rode up to Nova Scotia.
The pipes were always that color from day one.  Definitely a hot spot back at the elbow going into the muffler/converter but a plug checked did not indicate a lean condition.
I am so glad to see the bike being used as it was intended.  I still say the Norge has to be one of the most underrated bikes on the market!
Safe travels John.

[drdwb]

Nice ride nice ride report. Brought back memories of my 07 Silver Norge fly and ride adventure. Nice to see pictures of someone using the whole tire, in the four years I’ve had mine I think I’ve probably only touched the center stand once or twice, my hat is off in admiration of your skill level.
Enjoy the Norge,I certainly do mine.
Dave

[Huzo]

 

Huzo- not sure what the brand of the wind screen, it was already on the bike when I bought it.  As for fuel mileage, I routinely got 49-51 mpg (US) last year when we rode up to Nova Scotia.
The pipes were always that color from day one.  Definitely a hot spot back at the elbow going into the muffler/converter but a plug checked did not indicate a lean condition.
I am so glad to see the bike being used as it was intended.  I still say the Norge has to be one of the most underrated bikes on the market!
Safe travels John.

Thanks mate..
Fly/ride stories are among my favourites. They remind me of the privileged lifestyle I/we enjoy. That screen looks interesting.
I'd have one if I didn't have electric function on mine, but find that occasionally bringing it up a bit is all I need @ 5'8"" tall.
Very nice unit you have, if you do the startus mod and TB balance and swingarm greasing, you're gunna' be set like a jelly...

[ratguzzi]

Well, flew to Berlin and trained it to Poland and now riding my 750 Nevada. Not a favorite of mine but cheap enough to have here when I only use it a few weeks a year.
JB

[Huzo]

 

Well, flew to Berlin and trained it to Poland and now riding my 750 Nevada. Not a favorite of mine but cheap enough to have here when I only use it a few weeks a year.
JB

Went through Berlin on mine last year.
Jeez, the traffic was horrendous...!