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.
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. It is a simple system but Guzzi has also developed electrical button adjustment. At the factory we got to sample how the new system works on a prototype. Lower the windscreen from the left button on the left handlebar and raise it from the right button on the right hand handlebar. This will be a much better solution as there are no steps involved and you can adjust perfectly whilst on the move. In one month this system will be ready for production. All in all you will be able to choose from four different versions of the Norge 1200. The Norge 1200 TL and GTL will feature the electrically adjustable windshield whilst the Norge 1200 T and GT will feature the manual one tested in this article. The test bike had all the features and accessories fitted except for heated grips and the top box. To sum up the most important differences: Norge 1200 T is the most basic model where it is stripped of the luggage option, foot guards and Satellite navigation system. The T model is the cheapest of the four at 13.500 Euro in Italy. Norge 1200 TL features the electrically adjustable windshield rather than the manual adjustable one on the T. Norge 1200 GT features the full fairing including leg shields and splash guards at the rear, heated grips and panniers as standard but only the manually adjustable windscreen. Norge 1200 GTL is the luxury option and is priced at 15.500 Euro in Italy. All the accessories are fitted as standard from the factory except for the low seat option, tank bag, electronic anti-theft system and the dedicated bike cover. GTL is also the only version that is delivered as standard with the Tom Tom Rider system and top box in addition to the panniers. The panniers have got a capacity of 36 litres whilst the top box adds another 44 litres of carrying capacity.
All versions feature ABS brakes 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 flat 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 prestigious 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.
