MOTO-GUZZI NORGE (2006 - 2011) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £210 |
| Power: | 95 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
| Weight: | High (542 lbs / 246 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThere are few bikes as comfortable as Moto Guzzi’s Norge. Soft suspension and a relaxed riding position lets you take full advantage of its 200-mile plus tank range with no aches or pains, while the loud mechanical Italian exhaust note reminds you that you’re riding something with huge character and charm.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineIn a straight line few machines offer up such a silky smooth ride but show the Moto Guzzi Norge a corner and its soft suspension gives up and turns to jelly. Even on a fast gentle motorway sweeper the Guzzi breaks into a weave and in tighter bends, although nimble, it ties itself into knots.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Moto Guzzi Norge’s air-cooled 1200cc V-twin is surprisingly smooth and so crammed with grunt that once you get going you rarely need to change gear. The new BMW-style shaft drive system running through the single sided swingarm is so good you’d easily be fooled into thinking it was a chain.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueClattering, agricultural old Moto Guzzis are now a thing of the past. The Norge has an air of quality about it, is beautifully built and has some nice touches like Brembo brakes and unmistakable Italian styling. Like all new Guzzis built under Piaggio ownership the engines are smooth, gearboxes slick and shaft drives unobtrusive.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentCosting £8657 the Moto Guzzi Norge is epic value for money when you compare it to the BMW R1200RT. The big Beemer is two-grand more in standard form and over four-grand more if you tick all its options boxes. If you’re serious about big mileage the Norge could be a great companion. Find a Moto Guzzi Norge for sale.
Equipment
Compared to its biggest rival, the BMW R1200RT, the Moto Guzzi Norge doesn’t have too many bells and whistles on offer. You get panniers, a manually adjustable screen, ABS and a power socket but that’s about it. It would be nice to have fully adjustable suspension to give you more choice for set-up; and a radio.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 1151cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 4-valve V-twin, 6 gears |
| Frame type | Tubular steel cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 23 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 246kg |
| Front suspension | Preload |
| Rear suspension | Preload, rebound |
| Front brake | 2 x 320mm discs |
| Rear brake | 282mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 17 in |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 17 in |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 47 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £101 |
| Annual service cost | £210 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £4,900 |
| Insurance group |
13 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 95 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 78 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 126 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.3 secs |
| Tank range | 235 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2006: Moto Guzzi Norge launched.
2011: Renamed Moto Guzzi Norge GT
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the MOTO-GUZZI NORGE (2006 - 2011)
10 owners have reviewed their MOTO-GUZZI NORGE (2006 - 2011) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your MOTO-GUZZI NORGE (2006 - 2011)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £210 |
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £100
Comfort, long distance tourer, superb on the fast A roads and motorways. Easy to maintain, early 2 valves per cylinder engine does not have any reliability issues.
Great handling on road pilot 4 tyres in dry and wet. Easy to do 400 miles in a day. Brakes are superb, loads of feel.
Loads of torque, overtaking is a doddle. Clutch is noisy when disengaged and cold (dry plate design). Not an issue on the move, but a bit irritating if waiting at lights, etc. Gearbox has a very positive clunky action.
No problems so far
Do my own servicing, very straightforward. Fuel consumption is around 45mpg on a long run.
Heated grips are very good, fairing is excellent. The standard luggage is very well designed and uses same key as ignition.
Buying experience: Second hand from dealer who claimed to have done a service but clearly had only changed oil.
Year: 2008
Annual servicing cost: £150
I love the bike for its comfort and uniqueness unfortunatly it's probably not as reliable as some Japanese bikes but has a deal more character and no chain to adjust, check and oil and replace fequently
240 miles tank to tank across Europe with no twinges
will pull away in sixth gear if required
When I brought it in 2014 it had been in the dealership without moving for some time the drive shaft UJ failed within two months of ownwrship No major problems since but she must be maintained regularly
serviced by owner with support from owners club
luggage and sat nav although supplied TomTom Rider has been replaced by upgrade The moto guzzi club GB is a vibrant club with a quality magazine and enthusiastic membership
Buying experience: brought from a dealer secondhand £6k
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £200
Excellent bike for everyday and distance touring work. Love it.
Excellent Brembo brakes and it handles well for a big bike.
A strong torqey unit which runs well.
No problems ,runs reliably.
Low maintenance and reliability are good.
Fairing and seat are very good. Paniers good for touring.
Buying experience: I have had this bike for 3 years and use it everyday for work. Also have toured on it to France and Scotland and it is a brilliant bike...love it !
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £200
Great bike for either everyday or touring use. A great comfortable bike to ride miles on !
A comfortable bike with a great seat.
A very torquey engine with a relaxed riding manner. It requires very little reving to get a move on !
Has been reliable and it is a solid bike.
Genarlly reliable, no real issues here.
Great panniers and fairing.
Buying experience: I bought fine second hand 3 years ago and love the bike. I use it everyday for work and have toured France and Scotland on it. Overall a great bike.
Version: GTL
Year: 2007
Annual servicing cost: £300
So, so close. Guzzi have come off the blocks with an excellent alternative to BMWs, with more verve and style. It all works together and with the best looks on the market: sure there are criticisms, that need addressing for subsequent models, and if so developed will be THE tour de force.
Brakes are fabulous and very predictable. Lots of feel. Switchable ABS standard. Soft rear end can be dialled out as can the bottoming some mention when 2 up. The centre stand ground clearance can also easily be improved
Just stonking. How can 77 bhp at the back wheel be so enthusiastic? Smooth, grunty and very reliable. Gearbox smooth and light when warm. Otherwise a little clonky, but no worse than some Oriental offerings
Mechanically excellent, not a fault in 7 years. Electrically as good as any other bike, but the relays can cause problems for some. Battery has lasted 7 years. Finish is good to excellent on most components, but some plastic on the fairing is flimsy as are the panniers and top box Headlights are superb.
Every 6000 miles Rear tyre 6000 miles, front 10000 miles. Fuel consumption 50 mpg, 200 miles to reserve is easy.
Everything you'd expect inc 12 volt socket, GPS, voluminous QD luggage, albeit slightly flimsy and panniers can leak. Heated grips and manual or electric (on GTL) screen
Buying experience: Excellent from Haywards of Cambridge (new)
Version: TL
Year: 2009
Annual servicing cost: £300
Great motorcycle. Mine has some electrical issues with the sensors that causes the service light to come up. Everything else on this bike is awesome.
Electrical problems cause the service light to appear
Buying experience: Dealer. Used for 7000£
A great solo touring option. Extremely comfortable over any distance, the fairing will let you sit out in the breeze or raise the screen and you are in a completely protected bubble. Lots of toys including ABS, heated grips, power socket etc. It is surprisingly stable and easy to manouevre feet up at low speed and the seat height is such that I (5' 10'') can get both feet down whenever the need arises. The engine will pull in any gear at any revs and it sounds amazing, although top gear is only useful once you are above the legal limit. It also seems happy to go round corners as fast as I shall ever need. The lights are extremely good, at least as good as my car, and do not limit your speed on unlit country roads. Above all it is engaging - even when you stop for traffic lights you can feel all manner of stuff happening under you. I haven't tried it with a pillion - not sure there is enough room for their feet if you have the panniers on. Mine came with a dodgy fuel gauge which is not uncommon but was fixed under warranty. The panniers are a bit fiddly until you get the hang of it. Sidestand is a long way forward and can be a bit of a stretch sometimes. I love it !
Good bike, previously owned V50III (when less than half my age!, Honda XBR500, Honda CBX250, Honda CB1, Guzzi V11 sport, Guzzi Cali Titanium, Ducati GT1000 and then the Norge. For the two-up riding I do with my wife it is great. I wanted a real motorbike (air-cooled engine) but with comfort and reasonable build quality (huge improvement). Clocks are at the wrong angle to see easily and Sat Nav doesn't charge on the bike (dealer couldn't fix) but basic package is cheaper than BMW for same spec (everything you could wish for is standard on GTL) with more character and nice, easy handling. Engine has plenty of torque. I do miss the 12v socket from the Cali Titanium though for easy battery topping up in winter. All in all, give this a chance - it's really good if you hate the arm ache from all the ugly paint crotch rockets that have zero charisma or style. Steve H from T. Wells
Awesome bike. I've tested loads of bikes over the years and this is the only one I didn't prefer my old bike over. I've done 8600 miles in 7 months including Rome and back. It's the sort of bike when you're potentially arriving early you find some more side roads to ride. Downsides? Suspension is too soft for two up riding. The Italians don't do good production engineering (fairing niggles), but whereas that would drive me ballistic with a Jap bike, the soul that the Norge has more than compensates
Moved from BMW to Guzzi and am glad I did. The overall package is superior. Shame though there are only 2 models to choose from as would have preferred the GT. You can ride this bike (as I have) all day. Sounds good too. The only niggle is that there is no grab bar to aid putting the bike on centre stand, this is even more awkward with panniers fitted. That said, I love this bike.
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