| Author | Message | ||
     Blake |
Thanks for your thoughtful post Crusty. I enjoyed reading it. Would be interesting to hear your impressions of the 2010 Buell XB12XT. Duc, You are way out of line and owe Crusty and Jay Hawley a sincere apology. Gossip sucks, especially negative gossip. | ||
| Aesquire |
I have never had the chance to ride a modern Guzzi. I had a friend with a CX500 that I liked a lot, and always thought Honda missed a trick by not following up on it after the turbo. A "CX1000" would have made a nice touring bike. Some machines have cult followings, Honda ST's for example are loved by the owners while other Honda riders look at them like they are nuts. Buell's are like that. I mean, we know that a razor handling bike with scads of torque that gets high MPG and can go hooligan in a heartbeat is nigh perfect. But there are other wants & desires to consider. I'd happily take my Cyclone on a 500 mile trip, even with a very light ( but sturdy ) female passenger. But If I want to haul a large passenger, ( I take up most of the allowable load ) or tow a trailer, or go 140+ mph, I'd pick a different machine. If I wanted to go cross continent on a regular basis, there are lots of machines that would be more comfortable, ( Mine isn't bad! I have a S3T fairing & bar ) or be better suited to hanging with a particular group. ( examples: Superslab runs with Iron Butt types or a group of Honda Helix riders ) I'm curious how well the Guzzi does in todays market. | ||
| Ducxl |
I thought i'd made my last post here but Blake has called me back. To Crusty and Jay Hawley i do apologize. 'Nuff said? | ||
| Cyclonedon |
hey Crusty, did you get a chance to test ride that Nordge this past weekend? inquiry minds want to know! | ||
| Patches |
Buy Shovelhead, after the first time you ride it you will not want to turn it loose. | ||
| Crusty |
Don: I didn't take one out. The shop was closed for business; they were just open for their benefit ride. I did talk to Allan (the shop owner), and he does have a demo bike. I'll go back over and do a demo ride this Saturday. He has a suggested demo route that's about 30 miles long. It encompasses lightly traveled twisty back roads through the Berkshires along with some busier main road and a few miles of Interstate highway. It's long and varied enough to give you a realistic evaluation of the bike. I'll post back after I've taken the ride. Patches; I put 72,000 miles on a Shovelhead. It was a nice bike, but it didn't corner for shit. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Crusty lets us know what you think about it after riding it this weekend. I like the looks but haven't seen on in person yet. I must have just plain missed the Norge at the Chicago IMS this year. There is a Moto Guzzi dealer about 40 miles west of where I live but I haven't got out there yet to look at that bike. I still think Buell needs to produce a pure Sports Touring Motorcycle. I was riding my Uly to work and got caught in the rain, I would like to have some more wind protection. | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
+1, I'd like to hear your impressions. The Norge isn't my kind of thing, but I've always liked Guzzi's and would like to hear what you think of a current model  | ||
| Ulynut |
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| Crusty |
Somebody else's opinion: http://www.twowheeloklahoma.com/labels/bikes.asp I'll form my own this Saturday. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Good thing I built the 'ulybolt', or I'd be *REALLY* tempted by the Norge. A Vtwin sport touring bike, with hard bags, and full fairing? What more could one want? | ||
| M2statz |
How about a M2 with a S3T fairing and hardbags?  | ||
| Crusty |
All right, I took pictures, but for some weird reason, my computer won't down load them. Anyway, Terri and I rode out to A-J Cycles and I took a Norge out for a test ride. The Demo bike was a 2007 model. Even though I was advised to have the suspension set for me, especially on a ’07, I didn't ask Allan or David to set the suspension, because the place was jumping and they were both pretty busy. I figured that if the bike wallowed, I'd just come back some time when they weren't so busy. Any way, I did the demo loop they recommended. Rt. 63 North to the blinking light; then go left and follow that road to I-91 South to Rt. 2 East; and back to the shop. I think it was about 28 miles. I like the way the Norge looks. It's a very pretty motorcycle. The seat felt comfortable, and it's lower than the seat on my XT. I like the adjustable windshield. It works. I raised and lowered it, and at 85 MPH, the wind noise and turbulence could be adjusted right out. The Guzzi doesn’t make as much power as my XT. However, both engines have very similar power characteristics. Both make very pleasing sounds, as well. I have to give this nod to the Buell. However, the Guzzi has a much smoother shifting transmission, and it has a six speed box. A six speed tranny is kind of a waste, though. The Norge would work well with a five speed box. I wish my Buell had a six speed. Then the factory could come up with better ratios so that first would be lower (higher numerically). The XT is more nimble than the Norge. I've read that Roadsmarts make the bike feel better than the stock Metzelers do (I have Roadsmarts on my XT and I like them), but even with Dunlops, I'd give the handling nod to the Buell. I didn't notice any shaft induced jacking, so I guess the CARC does what it's supposed to. The Fuel injection felt flawless on the Norge. It works much better than the injection on my Buell. The instrument panel gives so much information, I couldn't figure out how to toggle from one screen to another. I could go forward and backwards through the various screens, but I didn't know what I was doing. I need to sit down with a manual and study it. I really like the fact that the toggle for the display is in the left switch pod. I didn't have to take my hand off the bars to hit it. A few people have put Heli bars on their Norges, but I didn't find the bar position to be uncomfortable. My XT (like all Buells) shakes a lot at idle, but it gets smoother as RPMs rise. The Norge is smooth at an idle, but a vibration builds as the revs climb. The Buell is smoother at 80 MPH than the Norge, but the vibration isn't bad at all. So; what else is there to say? It seems that with Buell, the Factory goes above and beyond for the customers, while the dealers are less than, um, enthused (not true of all dealers). With Guzzi, it’s just the opposite. There are some really good dealers who carry the torch, but Piaggio seems to act like selling you one of their bikes is granting you a big favor (once again, not true of all dealers). Buell consistently has much better prices on parts, and their Customer Service is the best in the Industry. Piaggio’s Customer Service is somewhat less renowned. Buell is very innovative. The fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm, underslung exhaust, and ZTL front brake are all Good Ideas. However, there are some aspects of their engineering that I don’t care for. The lack of a cassette type of transmission bothers me. I just think it’s wrong to have to completely disassemble an engine, should there be a problem with the transmission. I also don’t like the idea of having to rotate the engine down, should a rocker box gasket need replacing. Guzzi is more conservative, but the advantage is that proven designs usually have the bugs worked out. Allan quoted me a very attractive price for the Norge. I probably would have bought it today, but my furnace died this past week, and it’s going to cost me four grand to replace it. I have four payments left, and the XT will be mine with a clear title. So with a little financial juggling, maybe I can work out a way to get the Norge before the end of December; so I can take advantage of the tax incentives. I’m going to buy one. | ||
| Doerman |
Thanks for the report, Crusty! Very informative. I know you will like the Norge when you take delivery. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Crusty, you had better get that furnace fixed because winter is coming!!! are you going to trade your Uly for the Norge? Or just but the Norge outright? | ||
| Froggy |
Screw the furnace, just wear your heated gloves 24/4 | ||
| Crusty |
I have to buy the furnace; Terri hates the cold. The good news is the furnace will pay for itself in five years figuring the amount of Natural Gas saved and inflation. I'm keeping the XT for now. I'll buy the Norge outright. Once the XT is paid off, I'll just apply that money toward the Guzzi. I won't be buying a new car for a while; but hey, I got my priorities, right? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Sounds like you have it sussed mate, enjoy. As we'll be moving to right near the Alps at Christmas, if you come & visit, we can pop over to Italy for any bits you might want.  | ||
| Etennuly |
As we'll be moving to right near the Alps at Christmas, if you come & visit, we can pop over to Italy for any bits you might want. That is awesome!  .....from all angles! Crusty, the Guzzi that Terri had at Homecoming a couple of years ago, that was a 750 wasn't it? Beautiful looking bike. How did that stack up to Terri's Buell for her? | ||
| Crusty |
Vern; Terri's Guzzi was a 750 Breva. It was a good bike, and she put 36,000 miles on it. However, there's no comparison with Terri's Ss. The Lightning is a better bike in almost all aspects. Terri absolutely loves the Ss. Now that we've got it set up for her, she's completely happy with it. It handles like a dream, is comfortable enough to ride all day long, and makes more than enough power for real world riding. She has no interest in getting rid of it. | ||
| Anonymous |
Erik who has an MV, Crusty? If you are saying Erik Buell, I can assure you he does not. | ||
| Court |
>>>If you are saying Erik Buell, I can assure you he does not. That is an accurate statement. I know EVERYTHING (including the cats) in the Buell garage. There are no MVs among the mess. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I know EVERYTHING (including the cats) in the Buell garage. There are no MVs among the mess. maybe he calls one of his cats MV agusta!!!  | ||
| Crusty |
I could very well be wrong. But I seem to remember a post on here a couple of years ago from somebody who would know stating otherwise. My intent was to point out that buying a bike other than a Buell does not make me a "traitor" or mean I'm turning my back on Buells. If such was the case, then this board would be populated with traitors. So instead of playing a politicians game, how about if I change the name of the bike to Yamaha instead of MV. I saw a Yamaha at the farm in '03. However, if vilifying me for my purchasing decisions makes somebody feel better, have at it. | ||
| Ducxl |
nope.Now i AM sorry  . Good read tho,regarding the Guzzi.I ride a Ducati. Saw a fellow  run across a black cat yesterday while on my 12r.It didn't make it RIP | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I don't blame Crusty ONE BIT for buying the Guzi. Like I said, if I hadn't built the Ulybolt two years ago, I'd seriously look at the Norge. And this is after having the vast majority of my employment for the past 6 months because of Buell & HD tooling. Crusty is just wanting a bike that fits his needs. Buell still hasn't built a bike that will sway the S3T faithful 100% back to a Buell. The Norge is a better replacement for an S3T than the XT is IMHO. Buell could, quite easily, make a "REAL" replacement for the S3T. Take the XT. Lower it about 1/2" to 1". Add an 1125R based full fairing. The only thing that would worry me is the lack of Guzzi dealers in this area. But Crusty has claimed in the past he's had VERY good luck with his local Guzi dealer. | ||
| Anonymous |
Whoever on the board should have known, actually didn't know. No MV. Just setting the record straight, not attacking the purchase of a Moto Guzzi. But I guarantee the Yamaha you saw was a dirt bike not a street bike and if the Buell dirt bike program had happened, the Yamaha would probably be gone! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Crusty, I LOVE Guzzis. I have actually been lusting after the Breva Sport 1200. That is a damn fine looking steed. I also love the new Griso 1200. The Norge is pretty. The Stelvio on the other hand..... | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Crusty is just wanting a bike that fits his needs. Buell still hasn't built a bike that will sway the S3T faithful 100% back to a Buell. The Norge is a better replacement for an S3T than the XT is IMHO. +1 I agree with Steve. While the Ulysses makes a good all round motorcycle, it still lacks wind protection for the highway riding and doesn't make for a very good replacement for the S3T. Buell still doesn't have an answer to riders who want to tour long distances on their motorcycle. Maybe someday Buell will change that but for now, it forces riders to look at other motorcycles to fit their needs. | ||
| Crusty |
Anonymous; Monday, May 22, 2006 - 06:28 pm: |
