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Touring on the Norge

I took a ride from Tallahassee, Florida to Salt Lake City, Utah in the summer of 2008. I purchased the Moto Guzzi Norge in Jacksonville in July of 2007 and had just broken in the motorcycle before they stopped servicing guzzi's. Left Tallahassee at 4AM in the fog. Standard lights weren't very effec...tive at cutting through the fog. High beams, as expected but you just try anyways, increased glare. Night riding without the fog was fine. On small rodes and in the twisties at night, I'd like more light. The ride was fine through 1000 miles and into Missouri. I had heat shielding taped under the seat. I also took the tool kit out and drilled holes through a plastic plate behind the battery. There is no airflow in the stock setup under the seat. Additionally, the seat is hard after a few hundred miles. Couple that with the heat and you're in for an unpleasant ride. The Alaska model sheep skin helps. Also borrowed a gel pad for the ride, but a later ride with an Airhawk was better. Next day, another 900 miles or so. Uneventful along a straight stretch of freeway. Rested a day and got up for the Utah 1088. Rode 90mph+ to Wendover, NV. Gassed up and forgot my wallet. Had some cash, so picked up a receipt and sped back to the hotel, thankfully within 2 miles of my route to the first checkpoint. Through to southern Utah and on to Las Vegas in 112 degree heat. Bike did super. Personal problems at the casino. Not all casinos play Keno I found. Back through to Utah with 700 miles behind me when a van rolled on the opposite side of the freeway. Pieces flew through the guardrail fence while I ducked behind the windscreen. Shook up now and riding slower, I got off the freeway and rode 30 miles on backroads before checking the GPS and figuring out I wouldn't be making the 3rd checkpoint at 2am in the northeast part of the state. Wind was up and gusting hard, trying to separate me from the road when I phoned it in and pulled out. Still over a 1000 miles, but a DNF. Day later spent heading back to Florida. The southern wind was tiring while heading east from Utah. Couldn't take anymore and headed south in Nebraska. Incredible thunderstorms through north Texas. The Norge was fine. Briefly thought the new model may have electrical problems in the downpour. No trouble. The Garmin Zumo was a big help figuring a way around the major part of the storm. I had used Amazing Goop to stick the Zumo windshield mount disc just forward of the gas cap. The windshield mount held up well in the rain even though it wasn't meant for it. The ABS system took some time getting used to. It will at times pulsate. It's easy to shut down by holding the ABS button down while its cranked, but an idiot light will flash annoyingly..the whole time its off. It doesn't bother me much now. Also, during a hard stop for a jaywalker with the ABS off, I did slide a couple of feet. I think the back end must be too light when not geared up. And the Norge will carry quite a bit. I'm 6'1" and 210lbs. I've got a big Ryobi tool bag tied down across the back when on long rides. The cigarette lighter under the seat is nice. I run a splitter for the GPS and phone. You need to keep an eye on the negative terminal while you're under the seat. Oxidation does build and the terminal is too close to some other line. Oil changes are nuts. You can read about it elsewhere but when you do it yourself, you'll find the fairing pieces resist going back on. The oil filter doesn't twist on hand tight either. I leaked oil all through the Blue Ridge finding that out. Adding oil was a MacGuyver problem using a funnel, tubing, tape and a notched dowel rod. The center stand grinds in turns and worse when loaded. Cutting down the rubber stopper helps, I've heard, but the loss of horizontal lines isn't appealing. Center stand is a nice touch since other bikes haven't had one. I love this motorcycle. Getting to where I trust the bike more too, having ridden Hondas most of my life. On this ride I put just over 5000 miles on the Norge in 8 days. Performed wonderfully. Over 200 miles between fillups and a nice exhaust note. Love at first sight. Thank you Rider magazine. I do hope that Guzzi pulls it together and supports the existing dealers. I did a 900 mile turn around trip to Lenoir City, Tennessee a couple of weeks ago for an oil change, tires and brake pads. Read Full Review