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| | | | Road test: Moto Guzzi Norge 1200-Guzzi back with new Grand Tourer |  Written: 22/05/2006 : 12:58. Read 33435 times (22/day). | Norge is Norwegian for Norway and how appropriate it was that Moto Guzzi launched the bike at just Norway’s national day, May 17th. Moto Guzzi literally invented the Grand Turismo for long journeys on two wheels with the 1928 Norge GT 500. Guiseppe Guzzi invented swing arm mounted rear suspension just for that GT. After making a 4000 mile journey from the home of Moto Guzzi in Mandello del Lario to the arctic circle in Norway, he was so happy with his new suspension system that he called the GT Norge. In 2006 Norge is back in the shape of a fully faired 1200cc tourer. The world launch took place in Mandello del Lario at the foot of the Italian alps, but the launch did not last long enough for us to reach the arctic circle this time.
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In 1928 Moto Guzzi had been in business for only six years and Norway as we see it today for thirteen years-Both young at the time and both very successful today. Moto Guzzi has more than doubled production since the Breva 1100 launch in 2005 after the Piaggio take-over in December 2004. For this reason Moto Guzzi is turning into Piaggio’s gem stone and investment in future Guzzi models are just as important for the two-wheel juggernaut as the investments made in Aprilia. The money is not quite the same as Moto Guzzi is not racing at world level with high technology and expensive racing machines, however let’s put it this way; Moto Guzzi can launch whatever and how many new models as it likes in the coming years.
Norge 1200 is the first really big effort since the Breva/Griso launches and the sector of touring machines is one that Guzzi really wants to do a comeback to. The new model has been developed at record speed and was first going to be called Breva GT. This was not really going to reflect what the Norge 1200 is all about as it is a brand new motorcycle with a brand new 1151cc engine and the first full fairing from Moto Guzzi in yonks. So the story goes that the product development manager and head designer took a stroll through the Guzzi museum and stumbled across the old Norge GT 500. There and then it was decided that the comeback to the full blooded tourer segment would be named Norge 1200 after the first Norge.
Armed with the Norwegian flag, helmet and leathers I entered the seat of Norge 1200 for the first time. The seat is on the soft side and comfortable at first sight. I activated the Tom Tom Rider navigation system and since we are in Italy everything is in Italiano, also the GPS. But by using my logical sense I managed to at least type in Mandello del Lario which did not help me until I was heading back. If the system had only had an easy way of finding the English setting I would have played more with it. We headed into the Italian Alps on a 160km trip and on my way back I fell in love with GPS. Not just the Tom Tom fitted to the Norge, but all GPS systems on touring bikes. All touring bikes should have one fitted as standard! The Tom Tom fitted to Norge 1200 works by touching the LCD screen and it is easy to operate at least with summer gloves but I suspect it could be a pain with thick waterproof winter gloves.
The windscreen protects most of the upper body from the wind and is manually adjustable in two steps-High and low.    
that can be deactivated with a button on the left fairing side. I rode several miles both with and without ABS. The Brembo brakes are powerful whether you use ABS or not but the Norge 1200 is a bike that weighs a claimed 246 kilos in its most basic set up and the benefits of turning the ABS off is limited. For this reason and particularly if fully loaded with panniers, top box and pillion leaving the ABS on is the preferred option. ABS is automatically activated each time you start the bike and has to be deactivated by pressing the ABS button. Norge 1200 is stable when braking hard and the weight is not an issue. The Metzeler Roadtech Z6 tyres takes care of grip and along with the steel tubular frame and very short wheelbase (1495mm) the Norge handles like a sports tourer. On the twisty roads we sampled in the Italian Alps the handling came to its right. On these roads there were some incredibly tight hair-bend corners that were tackled much easier than anticipated. The short wheelbase contributes but Norge 1200 still works at its best in more flowing and faster corners. Shaft drive is always going to have a slight effect on how smooth the up gearing is felt. Norge 1200 rises a bit on each step up towards sixth gear and if short-shifting the torque surge amplifies this sensation. As such it is not different from the big BMW touring bikes.
The 1151cc 90 degree V-twin is now a classic Moto Guzzi feature and the tops stick out over the side fairing. Norge 1200 has received the most powerful version built to date with a claimed 95bhp @ 7.500rpm and 100Nm @ 5.800rpm. In top gear cruising at 62mph the engine revs at 3.600 rpm completely unstressed. The engine causes a fair amount of vibration to the handlebars and this is tiring on a longer journey where my hands got a bit numb. The fuel injected engine develops a lovely sound unique to a Guzzi and it is considerably more powerful than the Breva 1100. But I am not sure how much of those 95bhp that actually reaches the rear wheel. The midrange is strong and only the vibrations disturb relaxed riding at the high gears. The big air-cooled engine breaths freely, but generates loads of heat. The test bike had the leg guards (the lowest part of the fairing sides) fitted that leads the hot air from the cylinders straight to your legs. In sunny Italy it got uncomfortable after riding through a couple of town centres. Moto Guzzi claims that the leg guards should be removed in the summer but that there are no problems with overheating the engine with the guards fitted. I reached a top speed of around 210km/h with the wind screen in its lower position. Remarkably there was almost no turbulence or helmet buffeting at these speeds. Norge 1200 is built solidly and is stable even at high speeds with panniers fitted. After not too many miles the soft seat made my bum hurt which was surprising on such a prestigeous range topping tourer. I was longing for a gel seat too early on the test ride. Of other practical details it is worth mentioning that a 12 volt power socket is fitted for power needs on the move.
Conclusion
I had high hopes for the Moto Guzzi return to big touring bikes. The vibrations to the handlebars, soft seat and excessive heat generation were disappointing. Handling, brakes and a good wind screen are strong points along with a strong engine with plenty of torque. Norge 1200 handles like a sports tourer but is still a few bhp down on most of the sports tourers. The ergonomics are good for many miles, however that soft seat and vibrations to the high handlebars needs some more work. The styling of the bike is also spot-on where the aerodynamic and aggressive front fairing is a striking feature. All in all Norge 1200 is a good package with the right accessories, but I am not sure how well it will handle a direct comparison with the refined air-cooled tourers from Bayern. But as we say in Norway on 17th of May, Hoorah for Norge and welcome back to Moto Guzzi.
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Brakes
Handling
Styling
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Vibrations to the handlebars
Soft seat
Excessive heat reaches the legs
Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Milagro
The photo gallery is here
NORGE 1200 Technical Specifications
ENGINE
Type: 90° V-Twin, 4 stroke
Cooling system: air cooled
Displacement: 1,133 cc
Bore and stroke: 95 x 80 mm
Compression ratio: 9.6 : 1
Valve gear: 2 overhead valves operated by light alloy push-rods and rockers; exhaust valve maximum lift: 106° B.T.D.C. of overlap inlet valve maximum lift: 104° A.T.D.C. of overlap
Maximum power: over 65 KW (90 CV) at 7,500 rpm
Maximum torque: over 95 Nm at 6,800 rpm
Fuel system: Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection with stepper motor control
Starting: electric
Ignition: inductive discharge, digitally controlled, electronic twin spark ignition
Exhaust system: stainless steel, 2 in 1, with tree ways catalyser and Lambda probe oxygen sensor
Homologation: Euro 3
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: 6 speed
Internal ratios:
- 1^ 17/38 = 1 : 2.235
- 2^ 20/34 = 1 : 1.700
- 3^ 23/31 = 1 : 1.347
- 4^ 26/29 = 1 : 1.115
- 5^ 31/30 = 1 : 0.967
- 6^ 29/25 = 1 : 0.862
Lubrication: splash
Primary drive: helical gears, ratio 26/35=1 :1.458
Final drive: CA.R.C. Compact Reactive Shaft Drive; double universal joint with floating bevel gear, ratio 12/44 = 1:3.667
Clutch: dry
CHASSIS
Frame: double cradle, in high tensile strenght tubular steel
Wheelbase: 1,495 mm
Trail: 120 mm
Steering head angle: 64,50°
Steering angle: 32°
Front suspension: telescopic hydraulic fork with Ø 45 mm, preload adjustable
Front wheel travel: 120 mm
Rear suspension: single arm suspension progressive linkage, rear shock absorber adjustable in rebound ad pre-load (hydraulic)
Rear wheel travel: 140 mm
Front brake: twin Ø 320 mm stainless steel floating discs, four piston calipers
Rear brake: single Ø 282 mm steel disc, 2 piston caliper
Wheels: three spokes light alloy wheels, gravity casting
Front wheel: 3.50” x 17”
Rear wheel: 5.50” x 17”
Front tyre: 120/70 ZR17”
Rear tyre: 180/55 ZR17”
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
Voltage: 12 V
Battery: 12 V – 18 Ah
Alternator: 12 V – 540 W
DIMENSIONS
Lenght: 2,195 mm
Width: 870 mm
Height: 1,125 mm
Seat height: 800 mm
Ground clearance: 185 mm
Rider footrest height: 377 kg
Dry weight: 246 kg
Fuel tank capacity: 23 litre
Reserve: 4 litre
Technical specifications of Norge 1200 may change without notice.
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PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP susbcription !!!
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- you benefit from a 20% discount when renewing your subscription,
- a pop-up navigation window is available for easy access to your favourite functions,
- and last but not least, you are really involved in the life of M-O and its content.
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