bb49
Tuned and Synch'ed
Just signed on here and if my wishes come true I'll have a Norge in my driveway this spring.
I currently have a 1800 Gold Wing but plan on downsizing to something smaller. The Wing has been a fantastic bike for me, 150,000 km on it and I smiled through everyone of them. Great protection, comfort, reliability, handling and fantastic power. But my wife won't be riding anymore and since I recently retired, I've lost some upper body strength. And bringing a 900 pound bike to a stop on questionable surface has it's challenges. Therefore it's time to downsize.
I've looked at a lot of bikes, the Honda CTX700 had the comfort but sadly lacking in power. The VFR1200 had oodles of power but not the comfort I've become used to. Your standard, everyday V-twin cruiser wasn't given a second thought, so that left the Moto Guzzi Norge.
Though I haven't ridden one yet, I'm pretty sure it has the comfort I'll want, and there's no issues with the power or handling.
It'll be a couple of months before I'm actually able to purchase a bike. There's still snow on the ground here, and I'll have to sell the Wing in order to have the money for another bike. But I have been looking and there are a number of used Norges on the market, private and at dealers. Though it's unlikely they'll be around in March, I'm hopeful there will be others to choose from.
So what should a guy be looking for in a used Norge? What years have the issues that have made them unpopular? If there are any. I understand there were upgrades around the 2011 model year. Does that mean the 2007 to 2010 are better, or are the 2011 and later better?
Thanks for any tips you can pass on. As for doing any work on a bike, it's pretty well left to oil changes and nothing more. I don't do wrenching, but there is a Moto Guzzi dealer not too far away.
I currently have a 1800 Gold Wing but plan on downsizing to something smaller. The Wing has been a fantastic bike for me, 150,000 km on it and I smiled through everyone of them. Great protection, comfort, reliability, handling and fantastic power. But my wife won't be riding anymore and since I recently retired, I've lost some upper body strength. And bringing a 900 pound bike to a stop on questionable surface has it's challenges. Therefore it's time to downsize.
I've looked at a lot of bikes, the Honda CTX700 had the comfort but sadly lacking in power. The VFR1200 had oodles of power but not the comfort I've become used to. Your standard, everyday V-twin cruiser wasn't given a second thought, so that left the Moto Guzzi Norge.
Though I haven't ridden one yet, I'm pretty sure it has the comfort I'll want, and there's no issues with the power or handling.
It'll be a couple of months before I'm actually able to purchase a bike. There's still snow on the ground here, and I'll have to sell the Wing in order to have the money for another bike. But I have been looking and there are a number of used Norges on the market, private and at dealers. Though it's unlikely they'll be around in March, I'm hopeful there will be others to choose from.
So what should a guy be looking for in a used Norge? What years have the issues that have made them unpopular? If there are any. I understand there were upgrades around the 2011 model year. Does that mean the 2007 to 2010 are better, or are the 2011 and later better?
Thanks for any tips you can pass on. As for doing any work on a bike, it's pretty well left to oil changes and nothing more. I don't do wrenching, but there is a Moto Guzzi dealer not too far away.
The Norge actually can work as a sport touring bike. From what I've read, the newer versions have addressed short comings/complaints over the earlier model years. But, as noted the Norge is going away. That's too bad, but might get you a good price! Good luck!
-- bds has it (mostly) right. 
; I am ... erm ... not. 
She also brings along enough gear to sustain a six-week-long safari. 
-- in rocking & rolling terrain, and the turn-in and other handling traits of the MPR4's are reassuring.
) out for the first ride of the season tomorrow.
