Ride Review: 2015 Moto Guzzi Norge 1200GT 8V (used)

2015 Moto Guzzi Norge 1200GT 8V (used) Ride Review:

The Norge visually looks & feels compact & taught, with its 23 litre fuel tank rising in front of you & decent tolerances on the bodywork with the add-on front fender extender just touching the extended lower cowling behind the wheel…the bags, which require a specific procedure to open & remove/install  (not intuitive, had to look it up), integrate well into the body work minimizing the lard ass look a little of some tourers from the back….they are single walled & the lids flex/flop about a little when opened to the restraining straps….elasticized X straps help secure loads in the inner clamshell…but do feature a 2nd latch at the back that should assist with water tightness.

The center stand is missing…a replacement is approx $180-$200 us on ebay. Some of the cable routing may need minor rerouting/zip ties to prevent rubbing/chafing…the left grip cable/wiring harness drops into the narrow space between the bar stem & the faring. Paint seems good quality with glossy metallic, more brown than red mahogany colour (visualize Chocolate Milk)…shows marks easily, but they polished out easily as well…clear protectors for the top/sides of the bags would be an asset. Other than one blemish on the left side faring near the tank, 2 pieces of damaged faring that were glued back in place poorly (see pic, didn’t notice it with inside lighting, but very noticeable outside) the bike is clean, even in the hard to get to places….likely never ridden in the rain. The tank protector was installed tilted with a minor bubble….easily corrected.

A few other small issues were identified: the front brake line cross tube located under the headlight nacelle was misaligned in its bracket & making contact with the protruding steering lock stop…easily corrected. The right bag sits canted outward at the bottom more than the left back…suspect some misalignment/looseness of the 3 point mounts.

The instruments are traditional dial gauges for tach & speedo combined with a partial integrated/offset square digital display with info that can be toggled…very basic but with small lettering that requires a focused look…not sure how well the orange lighting will work at night or in direct sunlight. ABS is switchable, but no rider modes & NO gear indicator, just neutral, no self cancelling turn signals & just to remind you she’s an Italian the windscreen up/dn buttons are on opposite handgrips…fortunately the up is on the left, but going down requires removing your hand from the throttle…which brings up the glaring omission of NO cruise control…the new V85 has CC! The fuel gauge showed no fuel with the fuel light on when I first started it even after lifting her off the side stand to upright, after the dealer added fuel & claimed it showed between ¼ & ½ …after riding it around the side of the bdlg & then upon restarting…the display corrected to match what the dealer had observed…Italian electrical gremlins??

The headlights look awesome with 4 projector beams – 2 full on low + 2 full on high…YES! Guzzi certainly paid attention to detail with much of this bike…the decals, the tail light & turn signal design is clean & modern & shall we say Italian chic! Even the tailpipe treatment shows some thought & style. Wind management seems good , but I did not get in an extended hwy ride…the faring & protruding cylinders coddle you in still air from your shoulders down to your feet…the oem windscreen is too short & narrow for my frame (adjustment range is only approx 2, maybe 3”), with a relatively smooth airflow hitting me about the chin in the high position with surprisingly little buffeting. Did not feel any heat off the cylinders compared to the V85 I rode next…likely a result of the enclosed faring/bodywork which will make some servicing a chore because of removal.

You are positioned intimately (not a bad thing) for my 6’ 1” 200 lb frame to the front of the bike…you sit IN this bike, integral with it, but with your knees high like an adult sitting in a toddlers chair, on a very soft, comfortable, stepped 1 pc king/queen seat that delineates the rider position with about an inch of forward/back room, w/raised pillion seat that is equally wide & long….koodos on the seat! No aftermarket tweaking likely required unless more rider height required. The foot pegs feel higher than any bike in recent history (removal of the rubber inserts via 2 nuts/peg would regain approx 1” of leg room & lessen knee/hip bend). Your hands fall comfortably at the pleasantly high, moderately wide bars that provide good leverage for counter steering & moving the bike around in the garage.

The 1st few stops in traffic found my left knee making light contact with the left cylinder (which is more rearward than the right) & shin contacting the protruding edge of the lower faring when putting my feet down…by the end of the ride I had adapted to eliminate it….most of the time. My size 12 feet in hiking boots had unencumbered access to the shifter & brake lever…but the side stand tang is hidden under the left footpeg, so had to use my heel on the stand in front of the peg during deployment.

While sanitized by the oem epa 1 sided large exhaust, that caused moisture build up in the left saddle bag from heat soak (very little clearance with no heat shielding), the Norge has a pleasant soundtrack & burble that works up to a subdued snarl as revs climb….should be nice decatted and/or with aftermarket pipe….just a little decal pop at low rpms.

Moto Guzzi has instilled a classic motor design with enough modern tweaks, broad torque, refinement, power & quickness to entertain….I’m not sure it encourages the hooligan to play, which is not its mission, but is certainly capable of a quick pace with satisfying urgency & good off idle roll on with an impressively broad powerband that pulls without much fuss <2k rpm up to 4th gear….5th & 6th gear provides low rpm loping for a relaxed, non stressed feel. This is a bike that can actually be ridden & enjoyed like a large displacement twin at real world speeds!

The bike seems more infused with endearing pulsation than fatiguing/objectionable vibration…it is not that it is devoid of sensation….your direct interface is smooth muted pulses via the grips…along with some shimmy, roll & shake….I believe this falls into the ‘Character’ category. The loppy idle, shaking bars & slight torqueing to the right with throttle blip is more charming than annoying. The overall mechanical clatter is subdued enough to fade into the background.

Starting in 2nd gear is only an issue because it is so easy to do you will get lazy & not bother with 1st…which sometimes can be a good thing because consistently finding neutral requires acclimation to pass as a seasoned Guzziphile. The dry clutch is light with predictable feel & engagement point, the tranny shifts reasonably light & smooth except when putting it into gear from neutral which is followed by a ‘Guzzi’ industrial clunk that is felt & heard. The shaft drive is smooth & neutral in handling, however the chassis can be upset with abrupt/choppy on/off throttle inputs that exposes some driveline lash...more pronounced at slower speeds & not too dissimilar from many epa lean new bikes...although the new V85 was better.

The suspension is cushioned & controlled (except for a little dive induced by firm brake application) that does an admirable job of filtering out road irregularities...she rolls down the road with a solid, planted feel devoid of harshness & drama…hmm, a relaxing almost cosseting ride. The brakes, while predictable with decent feel & stopping power seem a little soft, minus the strong initial bite that most reviewers comment on…perhaps a freshening of the pads and/or bleeding.

The Norge 1200 GT 8V is a bike that really comes into its own >80kph where it settles into a sort of synergy….it does have a few quirks…er character traits & the effects of the longitudinal crank are inherent…mostly at idle & in directional stability at speed...if you're looking for a long term relationship with Italian flair & a less frenetic V twin demeanor than Ducati I suggest that you test ride the Norge GT.