Test Riding Other Brands

[Mike_H]

Has anyone ridden a Victory Vision or a Moto Guzzi Norge? If you have, please tell us your impressions.

Thanks.

Michael

[MattKas]

Has anyone ridden a Victory Vision or a Moto Guzzi Norge? If you have, please tell us your impressions.

Thanks.

Michael
I rode Victory Vision. It is a smooth bike but puts a lot of heat on the legs. I do not think it is any better than LT or GoldWing. But Harley ElectraGlide guys may want to switch to Vision. :-)

[patrick2000]

I've ridden the Guzzi Norge on several occasions. It is a fun and interesting machine. Lots of Italian (moxy) heritage feel about it. If you love Italian machinery it would be easy to overlook its quirks.
My perspective is based on mostly BMW ownership, so I admit I am biased toward the German mark. However, the fit and finish of the Norge IMO somewhat sloppy. The engine and driveline perform like dated (mid 1980s +, or -)technology inside a modern skin. OTOH it has a unique personality that is impossible to convey in a post like this. If it was a choice between the Norge and the present competition -- excluding BMW-- then the Guzzi Norge would easily entice me.

[DakotaDude]

I had the opportunity to ride both of these bikes at Sturgis this year. The Vision is certainly a unique bike that incorporates a lot of high tech features (like BMW's machines). I, and a friend who is a R1200C rider, rode the Vision and neither of us was impressed with the bike. It is underpowered, doesn't handle particularly well in the twisties, although the slow speed handling is much better than my 2000LT. The Vision is a well balanced bike and does not feel as heavy at slow speeds as its 820 lb weight would seem to indicate, but overall, it felt as though I was piloting a draft horse. I think it would be relatively comfortable for rider and passenger on a long haul but, it just is not a very inspiring ride.

The Guzzi Norge is a very stylish looking bike and I have to admit, because I like almost all things Italian, I really liked the appearance of the bike, but I was not as enamored with the bike's performance as much as with it's looks. The twin cylinder engine vibrates at low to mid-range rpm more than I am accustomed to, the suspension feels too mushy (although the handling in the twisties was suprisingly solid and tractable given the mushy feel on the straight sections of the ride), and the engine power/performance was barely adequate. If looks were the determining factor, I would buy the bike. With all things I consider as inadequacies, I would not purchase the Guzzi. A far better choice for a sporty, well handling sport-touring bike would be a Ducati ST2 or ST4, Honda ST1300, Kawasaki ZZR1200, Triumph Sprint, or if you like cruisers, a BMW R1200C.

[tkramer]

I have a 2007 Norge. I bought it because I've always wanted a Guzzi and I was willing to go for it as long as it was a second bike to my LT. My only complaints are the poor paint quality (after BMW what brands even compare). And the weak suspension. The springs, both rear and front, are the same as those from the Breva 1100 and, as such, are inadequate for a heavier bike sold with standard saddle bags. I can compensate by using up all the pre-load, but that's at the expense of travel. I'll be replacing the springs when some aftermarket comes available.

Otherwise, it's a great bike to ride. Smoother than a boxer (and sounds much better, too), comfortable and unique. It's really the first bike I've ever bought that was purely emotional with no cold analysis going in. Every other bike had a good "reason" for its purchase. I just wanted the Norge.

Compared to the LT, it's bronze age technology: air cooled, push-rod valve train. But the flip side is it's likely to be more reliable. Heck, I could adjust the tappets on the side of the road in less than an hour if I needed to!

As for the Victory Vision. I'm not sure I'd even want to be seen riding one. :histerica

[Newf]

I have an appointment to try the vision 16 Oct when the local dealer gets them in. I dought it will replace the LT but I like to try them out.

[tkramer]

I have an appointment to try the vision 16 Oct when the local dealer gets them in. I doubt it will replace the LT but I like to try them out.

There's a local Victory dealer in my town. I haven't stopped by to ask about the new Vision. I was only joking about not wanting to be seen riding one. I'll reserve judgment 'til I see it in person. from the sound of things, it looks like you'll have to vent the wallet a few more thousand $ to get sufficient power upgrades a'la Harley.

[BMWphreak]

I have a 2007 Norge. I bought it because I've always wanted a Guzzi and I was willing to go for it as long as it was a second bike to my LT. My only complaints are the poor paint quality (after BMW what brands even compare). And the weak suspension. The springs, both rear and front, are the same as those from the Breva 1100 and, as such, are inadequate for a heavier bike sold with standard saddle bags. I can compensate by using up all the pre-load, but that's at the expense of travel. I'll be replacing the springs when some aftermarket comes available.

Otherwise, it's a great bike to ride. Smoother than a boxer (and sounds much better, too), comfortable and unique. It's really the first bike I've ever bought that was purely emotional with no cold analysis going in. Every other bike had a good "reason" for its purchase. I just wanted the Norge.

Compared to the LT, it's bronze age technology: air cooled, push-rod valve train. But the flip side is it's likely to be more reliable. Heck, I could adjust the tappets on the side of the road in less than an hour if I needed to!

As for the Victory Vision. I'm not sure I'd even want to be seen riding one. :histerica


So the Norge is basically a crappier version of the RT? If you think there aren't many BMW dealers encountered in a cross country trip, try MG dealers! There IS something about an Italian however...

[patrick2000]

It's really the first bike I've ever bought that was purely emotional with no cold analysis going in. Every other bike had a good "reason" for its purchase. I just wanted the Norge.

Compared to the LT, it's bronze age technology: air cooled, push-rod valve train. But the flip side is it's likely to be more reliable. Heck, I could adjust the tappets on the side of the road in less than an hour if I needed to!


I can relate. I think it's the quirks are what make it such an intoxicating ride. I cannot logically explain why I would buy one. However, it is second on my list of desirable rides.

[Newf]

There's a local Victory dealer in my town. I haven't stopped by to ask about the new Vision. I was only joking about not wanting to be seen riding one. I'll reserve judgment 'til I see it in person. from the sound of things, it looks like you'll have to vent the wallet a few more thousand $ to get sufficient power upgrades a'la Harley.

That is one thing I like about the LT. The power is there. And when I try a bike that is one thing I look for.

[Newf]

Well I went out on the Vision today. Not bad overall. It does not compare to the LT. But I liked it better than the HD I tried last year. I liked the lower seat with my 29" inseams.