Moto Guzzi Norge 1200: First Ride Report

[SouthernCruizer]

Moto Guzzi Norge 1200: First Ride Report

Click here and read the article from Yossef Schvetz.

(Reprinted with permission from Yossef Schvetz)

 

[sgoat]

Love it. She's a beauty. Can't wait till all six (just kiddin' but not too far off) U.S. dealerships has them for sale. Hopefully parts and accesories will follow................ <_<

 

[yellowmagnaman]

I went on a club ride last week and a guy had a Guzzi. Its a nice bike, it was a late

70's model. It kept up with the RT's and my FJR pretty good. I hope the Norge is a hit in the

USA. It is a tough market to crack when bikes like a FJR can be sold for 2K below list. They

have to price the bike around 12K with ABS,Bags, etc... to hope to sell a lot.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I like the styling. It is obviously more slanted toward the FJR than the BMW, but the writer could only mention the FJR once in the entire article. So, back to the bike rather than the dumbshit writer. Looks nice, probably funnish to ride, but having a bike that pulls at all RPMs and goes up to 9k is something I cannot give up. I rode a 5k redline bike recently and I hated it.

The writer seems to think this has the best handling in it's class. Better than the Triumph ST? That much better? Sure. I don't believe it.

Of course I want a Norge, just because I want one of everything, but I would wager they have a long way to go to get my real interest (like at least 50 hp and 4k rpm higher redline). oh...and the FJR has 99 foot pounds of torque, so like the Guzzi guys like to say, "You need to get an understanding of torque."

The headlights are way too close together, more Suzuki-like than FJR like.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't got more attention. The thing that I like most about this bike is how another company looking at the BMW designs is puking and not going that way.

 

[Hoog]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't got more attention. The think what I like most about this bike is how it is another company looking at the BMW designs and not going that way

Unless Guzzi has someone on the inside at BMW, this bike was penned long before the GT was revealed. I actually think the K1200S is a very nice looking ride, the K1200R is a little edgy, but the GT looks like it got beat with the Bangle stick. I'm holding on to my LT for now, waiting for the redesigned model. I hope to God they don't follow the GT line of thinking (or lack thereof).

That Guzzi is sweet looking, but there just isn't the support available for me give it even a second glance. I will test ride it at Biketoberfest if they show up with one though.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I'm surprised this thread hasn't got more attention. The think what I like most about this bike is how it is another company looking at the BMW designs and not going that way

Unless Guzzi has someone on the inside at BMW, this bike was penned long before the GT was revealed. I actually think the K1200S is a very nice looking ride, the K1200R is a little edgy, but the GT looks like it got beat with the Bangle stick. I'm holding on to my LT for now, waiting for the redesigned model. I hope to God they don't follow the GT line of thinking (or lack thereof).

That Guzzi is sweet looking, but there just isn't the support available for me give it even a second glance. I will test ride it at Biketoberfest if they show up with one though.

Agreed. I even agree with your taste. I like the k1200s, and I like the previous rounder k1200gt, and the RT is..well...okay but not great. I like the LT, always have and it was in the running when I bought the FJR. This lower power Guzzi might fill a niche...kinda like a new Concours...not overwhelmingly powerful...but enough to do the trick.

 

[tripletango]

I have a couple of Guzzis. They are different, well engineered, easy to maintain and the V11 cafe sport has a ton of torque and is quite quick, it is very easy to ride fast and smooth. Lots of carbon and all Olins suspension.

The thump of the big V twin is real motorcycle "feel".

The norjay (Norge = Norway) Is one hell of a nice bike. Don't get me wrong I love my FJRs but am really looking forward to test riding the loaded edition of the Norge. Guarantee you one thing it will have that wonderful Guzzi character.

You can't help falling in love with these bikes. They are magnificent machines.

 

[3dogs]

I second Tripletango's view on the Moto Guzzi. I had a 2000 V11 Sport Moto Guzzi and put 35,000 miles on it. Great V-twin character. I was able to keep up with most sport bikes in the twisties. It really comes down to the rider's skill level in the corners. The Guzzi had the great V-twin grunt when pulling out of corner exits. Yea the FJR is "turbine smooth" has more power/torque but its engine is bit boring/buzzi, typicle Japaneese 4-cylinder etc... I have put 27,000 on my 05 FJR and it's a great bike but would think seriously about the Norge as a replacement.

 

[DucatiSSsp]

I second Tripletango's view on the Moto Guzzi. I had a 2000 V11 Sport Moto Guzzi and put 35,000 miles on it. Great V-twin character. I was able to keep up with most sport bikes in the twisties. It really comes down to the rider's skill level in the corners. The Guzzi had the great V-twin grunt when pulling out of corner exits. Yea the FJR is "turbine smooth" has more power/torque but its engine is bit boring/buzzi, typicle Japaneese 4-cylinder etc... I have put 27,000 on my 05 FJR and it's a great bike but would think seriously about the Norge as a replacement.

There's just something about a Italian V or L twin motor :yahoo: Gives you a nice firmy....and then the styling just makes you want to pull up a nice.....tall......erect.....wheelie! :yahoo:

Sure, power all around is nice, but with a nice twin and a decent rev range, you don't need a powerhouse motor. And with less weight, come less wait. I'll bet the Guzzi will trounce a FJR through the twisties.

Besides what sounds better than a Italian twin with a set of carbon fibre cans on it???????

God I miss my Duc sometimes

Bryce

 

[tripletango]

I second Tripletango's view on the Moto Guzzi. I had a 2000 V11 Sport Moto Guzzi and put 35,000 miles on it. Great V-twin character. I was able to keep up with most sport bikes in the twisties. It really comes down to the rider's skill level in the corners. The Guzzi had the great V-twin grunt when pulling out of corner exits. Yea the FJR is "turbine smooth" has more power/torque but its engine is bit boring/buzzi, typicle Japaneese 4-cylinder etc... I have put 27,000 on my 05 FJR and it's a great bike but would think seriously about the Norge as a replacement.

There's just something about a Italian V or L twin motor :yahoo: Gives you a nice firmy....and then the styling just makes you want to pull up a nice.....tall......erect.....wheelie! :yahoo:

Sure, power all around is nice, but with a nice twin and a decent rev range, you don't need a powerhouse motor. And with less weight, come less wait. I'll bet the Guzzi will trounce a FJR through the twisties.

Besides what sounds better than a Italian twin with a set of carbon fibre cans on it???????

God I miss my Duc sometimes

Bryce

What's that about a firmy no wonder i got one!

 

[DucatiSSsp]

I second Tripletango's view on the Moto Guzzi. I had a 2000 V11 Sport Moto Guzzi and put 35,000 miles on it. Great V-twin character. I was able to keep up with most sport bikes in the twisties. It really comes down to the rider's skill level in the corners. The Guzzi had the great V-twin grunt when pulling out of corner exits. Yea the FJR is "turbine smooth" has more power/torque but its engine is bit boring/buzzi, typicle Japaneese 4-cylinder etc... I have put 27,000 on my 05 FJR and it's a great bike but would think seriously about the Norge as a replacement.

There's just something about a Italian V or L twin motor :yahoo: Gives you a nice firmy....and then the styling just makes you want to pull up a nice.....tall......erect.....wheelie! :yahoo:

Sure, power all around is nice, but with a nice twin and a decent rev range, you don't need a powerhouse motor. And with less weight, come less wait. I'll bet the Guzzi will trounce a FJR through the twisties.

Besides what sounds better than a Italian twin with a set of carbon fibre cans on it???????

God I miss my Duc sometimes

Bryce

What's that about a firmy no wonder i got one!

Yeah!....Now that's what I'm talkin' about! :clapping: :clapping: :yahoo: :yahoo: :lol: B)

Bryce

 

[okmac]

I have a couple of Guzzis. They are different, well engineered, easy to maintain and the V11 cafe sport has a ton of torque and is quite quick, it is very easy to ride fast and smooth. Lots of carbon and all Olins suspension.The thump of the big V twin is real motorcycle "feel".

The norjay (Norge = Norway) Is one hell of a nice bike. Don't get me wrong I love my FJRs but am really looking forward to test riding the loaded edition of the Norge. Guarantee you one thing it will have that wonderful Guzzi character.

You can't help falling in love with these bikes. They are magnificent machines.

I was interested in the Guzzi a while back and someone told me that in order to change the oil filter you had to drop the oil pan. Please tell me it isn't so.

mac

 

[JohnB]

If I didn't already have an Italian bike (Ducati) and all the idiosycracies that go with it, I would have considered the Norge over the FJR. But, for its intended purpose (sport-touring with the emphasis on touring), I think the FJR is a better choice (for me anyway).

 

[bramfrank]

Just got this from the Concours owner's Group - someone test rode a Norge in the UK. Here's what he posted:

-----Original Message-----

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of pcollinswood

Sent: 12 August 2006 17:28

To: GTR Europe

Subject: [COG-EU] GTR1000 v Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 - no competition !!!!

The Norge is getting good reports here in England. So to see what it's all about, I managed to get a two hour ride on one (fairing but no panniers). Brand new with 1.2km on clock.

The GTR has nothing to worry about! The Norge is a "small" bike (smaller than BMW RT1150/1200) and is more sports than it is touring - fairing is too small (bad wind blast even when adjusted to its highest), small handlebar mounted mirrors that you can't see behind with, a very lumpy engine (on tickover and at speed) and, in my case, my left knee was constantly resting on the left hand cylinder. At 120km/hr, absolutely no grunt in 5th or 6th gears (need to be in 4th) whereas as least the GTR has some get up and go!

In it's favour, the bike handles well but it's a bit like riding an big traillie but with a shaft (similar to chain driven bikes such as the Aprillia Caponord or the much bigger Honda Valdereo). BMW shouldn't have anything to worry about.

It ain't a cheap bike even in naked form at £8690 - the same dealer had a brand new unregistered ZZR1400 for £8999. What would you have??

So the winner for me is my 1990 A5 - smoother, handles as well, better wind protection and more comfortable. Until you try something else, you don't realise or appreciate how good the GTR is! Roll on the GTR1400.

Paul Collinswood

 

[Diesel]

I was interested in the Guzzi a while back and someone told me that in order to change the oil filter you had to drop the oil pan. Please tell me it isn't so.
mac

It isn't so.

There is a access port on the bottom of the oil pan that one unscrews to get to the oil filter.

.....but it's dirt simple to drop the pan anyway so whichever way you look at it it's no big deal.

My current Guzzi.

Prior Guzzi. Sold to get the FJR.

 

[MSLPILOT]

My current Guzzi.

Now that's a nice looking bike.

 

[yossef]

regarding OrangevaleFJR's comments

the dumbshit writer which in this case is me, is first of all quite upset about copyrighted material from a pay site bein published and forum master not doing a thing about it.

second, the dumbshit writer has tested extensenvly the Triumph ST and thinks the Norge and the ST are not in the same class at all. see my milan-barcelona-milan test on the ST in the site the Norge story has been stolen from.

Thanks for the kind words

The dumbshit writer

 

[Mogambo]

How bout this weather lately?

Anybody wanna get a cup of coffee?

Its been quite a day here in FJRforum land.