The Moto Guzzi Norge is a capable shaft drive sport tourer that is full of character and a whole lot of fun! The Norge is a 1200cc (1151cc to be exact) oil cooled, fuel injected 90 degree transverse V-Twin. It is a typical Guzzi engine installed in a sporty frame that offers a surprising amount of comfort and performance! I bought this bike in Florida from a retired long rider in 2022, and put about 15,000 miles on it before selling it in 2025. I took this bike on a few trips throughout the southern USA and it never gave me any problems.
The Moto Guzzi Norge 1200 was produced from 2006-2016. During its ten year run the bike essentially remained unchanged. There were a few issues in the earlier models that were addressed in later models. Although it’s technically classified as a bonafide sport tourer, I would classify it as something slightly different. It’s sort of a hybrid between a scrambler or a cafe racer and a sport tourer. There is literally zero storage besides the two removable panniers. Yet it does have an adjustable wind screen and heated grips.
Comfort – The Norge is a surprisingly comfortable bike! I’m 6ft tall and I could ride the Norge pain free for about two hours at a time before I needed a break. One thing to note is that the bike is definitely on the smaller side. For example the Honda ST1300 is a large bike and very comfortable, you can scoot back and forth on the Honda and stay comfortable for a long time. On the other hand the Guzzi is quite a bit smaller, you can’t really move while seated yet it is still quite comfortable. You are in a relatively upright position while riding, and the only real discomfort comes from the heavy throttle. Over time my right hand and forearm would begin to cramp. The wind protection is decent but not as good as the ST or the RT. The heated grips work, but they are hardly noticeable unless you have the setting on high. Speaking of heat, the engine heat is definitely an issue on warm days. My 2009 was one of those early models where the oil cooler was located on the top part of the engine. This caused hot air to travel through the engine valley and right on to the riders thighs. Winter riding was great! Summer riding was not fun. My Norge had a Corbin saddle which enhanced the comfort.
Engine – The 1200cc Guzzi engine is a great engine and quite reliable! It has plenty of low end grunt, and it enjoys the higher revs. That said the Guzzi’s early fuel injection systems weren’t all that great. The throttle is twitchy and abrupt at low speeds. A Bren-tune helped smooth the abruptness, but it definitely took some adjusting to get it right. The other achilles heel for the Norge is the vibration. My old Guzzi California doesn’t have the vibration that the Norge has. In fact, my old California seems to be smoother and less vibey when the RPM’s are higher. The Norge is the opposite, open her up and she will vibrate your teeth out! But it’s not all bad. Highway speeds are very enjoyable and the vibrations are negligible unless passing cars or at wide open throttle. Plus the exhaust note is absolutely fantastic! I never got tired of hearing that beautiful Guzzi engine.
Handling – This is where the Guzzi really shines! The bike is relatively light, flickable, and very nimble. The character of the engine and the smaller frame makes you feel very connected with the bike. I absolutely loved the Norge in the twisties of the Appalachian Mountains! I believe I had a Texas sized grin while zipping through the country side on this bike. It is a blast! The suspension is firm, and the brembo disc brakes stop the bike easily.
Lights – The Norge lights are not the greatest. Once the sun went down I just switched on the high-beams and left them on…I was never flashed by oncoming traffic. The high beams on the Norge are equivalent to the low beams on the Honda ST1300. However the tail light, brake light, and rear turn signals were fantastic! Very bright and noticeable.
Brakes – The Norge has brembo ABS linked brakes and they work well. I never had an issue with them and you can easily bring the Norge to a quick stop using two fingers on the lever. They are not super advanced, but they work well.
Tech – Not a whole lot of tech with the Norge. No cruise control, ride modes, or fancy info screen. It has an antiquated LCD screen that never seemed to work right when trying to cycle through the menu. The guages are analog, and I actually appreciated that! It wasn’t meant to provide all the bells and whistles like some of the other bikes in this segment. The Guzzi is all about the experience!
When I sold the Norge the odometer just passed 70,000 miles. The bike ran fine and everything mechanically worked well. It is a bike that will last a long time with proper maintenance. And maintenance is super easy on these bikes. You don’t see them too often and I got a lot of compliments while riding the Norge. It’s a great looking bike and that beautiful Guzzi sound will turn heads! If you’re thinking about a Norge I can assure you won’t be disappointed.
Sport Touring Cycle Adventures 