MOTO-GUZZI NORGE GT 8V (2011 - on) Review

I have changed the shock for a Maxton and thats great! Good balance at low speed. The 280 kg talks seriously to you on mountain roads. Ok on gravel.

A muffler from Mistral! Lovely! Vintage gearchanging..

Done 47000 km since I bought the bike new in 2017 without faults! After 100000 km without issues I give 5/5!

Same use of petrol as my 2005 1200GS. Does not use oil.

ABS and hot grips!

Very comfortable. I find it very solid on corners, as if on rails.

Lovely big V twin.

Great rich deep paintwork. Needs care in a UK winter. Electrics always let down the old Guzzis, these are top notch. Mine is the 90th anniversary model which comes in a nice red, but hard to find a matching paint.

Quite an easy bike to work on, except the second spark plugs.

I find the electronic information a bit tedious to set up and fiddly.

Brembo's front and rear. Great feel. Unobtrusive ABS.

Smooth, strong, broad torque range.

Excellent fit and finish.

Quality saddlebags, excellent factory tank bag.

Excellent brakes (Brembo). Progessive with a non-intrusive ABS system. Rear brake is stronger than I am used to. Front brakes have smooth initial bite.

Needs another 20 HP and another 10 lbs. of torque.

No problems so far. Paint is superb.

Do my own service - engine, trans, rear oil changes. Filter easy to reach. Comes with a factory center stand. Rear tire change is a breeze with single sided swingarm.

Factory tank bag is excellent, as are the factory saddlebag liners. The saddlebags are wonderful - large, watertight, and easy on and off. Double latches for security.

Good ride, not a sports bike but still possible to have fun, and some adjustability in the suspension. Feelgood factor is way up there compared with most tourers (or even most sports tourers). Feels very different and so a little bit 'special'.

Character!! A rare thing. Vibey at low revs, but feels fab, and smooth when you get into the higher rev ranges.

Quality is excellent in terms of fit and finish. There is an issue with the cam followers, as at 2016 we are on I believe the 3rd fix, which now WORKS!!. If that has been done it better bike, feels smoother and dare I say it it more powerful. So if the cam followers sorted it is also reliable... if they haven't it would be a 2* if they have a 5* so you decide. Don't let that put you off, it IS a great bike, just make sure it has been done. I assume models from 2015/16 will come with done already, otherwise check as it is a £1500 fix. MG may pick up part of the cost but not all of it.

36/42 mpg average. Servicing very reasonable. Depreciation seems to have been lower than other bikes, (subjectively). I bought mine used as a 12 month old bike. That was 4 years ago, and it seems to be worth more now than I paid for it.

Great, although most bikes in this bracket are well equipped anyway. Traction control and gear indicator are the two things missing.

She is best touring and on longer runs. very comfy and I have ridden 500 miles non-stop apart from re-fuelling no problem.

No issues here- she has plenty of grunt and pulls away very smoothly.

I have had a problem with the oil light coming on which needed a new switch and some over-heating problems, so is back in the garage to try to find the fault. A previous owner didn't look after her very well and I might have to change the disc's to get through the MOT.

No major issues and she is quite cheap to run compared to other major competitors.

Equipment level is fine. I don't think all the fancy stuff and electronics you get with BMW are really necessary anyway.