Moto Guzzi Norge VS Sport 1200?

[JBBenson]

Did the tappet failure only apply to the 4V heads only the 2V twin spark, or both?

Pete Roper would be the authority on this I would guess....

[Chuck]

None of the 2 valve engines have the tappet problems.

[JesterGrin_1]

Thank You all for the good information.

 

But come on to recommend a Honda or Kawasaki for reliability over a Moto Guzzi. They can not be that bad?

[footgoose]

Thank You all for the good information.

 

But come on to recommend a Honda or Kawasaki for reliability over a Moto Guzzi. They can not be that bad?

 

 

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

[JesterGrin_1]

 

Thank You all for the good information.

 

But come on to recommend a Honda or Kawasaki for reliability over a Moto Guzzi. They can not be that bad?

 

 

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

 

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

 

Are we heading to battle?

[Scud]

Don't let people scare you off. From what I can see, most Guzzis will "soldier on" for a very long time. Especially the 2V big blocks.

 

Will you have to work on it more than a Honda? Probably.

Will you enjoy working on it more than a Honda? Probably.

Will it die in the middle of the desert? I doubt it.

 

You've come to forum that's pretty focused on the V11 Sport and LeMans series by Moto Guzzi. The V11 LeMans fairing is between the 1200 Sport and Norge touring fairings. It provides ample protection at the speeds you mentioned. You could probably pick up a 2003 or 2004 LeMans for less than the Sport - and there are some special editions with Ohlins suspension. These later years seem to be the best-sorted from the factory.

 

Instead of one of those new-fangled CARC bikes, can we interest you in a V11?

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5691

[JesterGrin_1]

 

Thank You all for the good information.

 

But come on to recommend a Honda or Kawasaki for reliability over a Moto Guzzi. They can not be that bad?

 

 

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

 

 

Since you brought up this Poem here is one I wrote of which some consider harsh while many others do not understand but I have a feeling that you will and will not think it harsh?

 

If one sits in thundering quiet the soul dies slow instead of yell to the heavens for all to hear and behold the righteous and upstanding and ones of which should be held with tales of woe.

[JesterGrin_1]

Don't let people scare you off. From what I can see, most Guzzis will "soldier on" for a very long time. Especially the 2V big blocks.

 

Will you have to work on it more than a Honda? Probably.

Will you enjoy working on it more than a Honda? Probably.

Will it die in the middle of the desert? I doubt it.

 

You've come to forum that's pretty focused on the V11 Sport and LeMans series by Moto Guzzi. The V11 LeMans fairing is between the 1200 Sport and Norge touring fairings. It provides ample protection at the speeds you mentioned. You could probably pick up a 2003 or 2004 LeMans for less than the Sport - and there are some special editions with Ohlins suspension. These later years seem to be the best-sorted from the factory.

 

Instead of one of those new-fangled CARC bikes, can we interest you in a V11?

 

http://www.v11lemans.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5691

 

What I like about the Moto Guzzi of which I maybe wrong about newer models was what I would call ease of maintenance. Such as the valve are easy to get to for adjustment as well as carburation.  Of which I could also be wrong but if one keeps up with fluid changes and to keep moving parts greased along with valve adjustments as well with other basic mechanical duties the Moto Guzzi should become a reliable old friend?

 

 

I have had many motorcycle designs. But have never really liked bucket and shim valve adjustments as one is stuck with having to find these shims of the correct size.

 

The closest things I have had to a Moto Guzzi were an old BMW R90 and a 78 BMW R100S. The R90 was better lol. But at the time I could not bring myself to really like the ole Beemers. They were ok but would porpus at speed badly and were not exactly powerful bikes. But far better than the inline 4 Indian lol and Harley Davidson Flat Head 74 and Pan Head along with my Current 74 FLH that I built from the bare Frame. But it is a semi restored ole Shrine Family bike. But no fun to ride not to mention very heavy maintenance and O handling lol. I was big into the Ole Honda CBX 1000 with lots of mods to my 78's but due to no frame they also had high speed handling issues and also high maintenance to valve adjustment of which is bucket and shim and let me tell you when there is 24 of them puppies and you have to pretty much remove the engine to do it they are no fun. especially every 4-5,ooo miles. But I will stop with the back ground. My current riding bike is a Trusty Ole 96 Kawasaki KLR 650 Thumper of which is known for reliability. But am looking for something more.

 

As for the V11 I am not stuck on any certain Moto Guzzi as I mentioned I am brand new so I am open to designs. Thank You 

[JesterGrin_1]

I went to that V11 breakdown page and I have to admit the Tenni and the Le Mans Sure look good. Maybe a bit taller of a wind shield.

[H-E-Ross]

Did the tappet failure only apply to the 4V heads only the 2V twin spark, or both?

This failure is known to occur on the 1200 4v pre-roller models. Best to buy a post 2012 or an earlier model that has been "rollerized". There is lots of info regarding this issue on Wild Goose & GRiSO Ghetto forums.   

[Scud]

I had a 1981 R100CS for a long time. You should find a way to get yourself a ride on a V11. To me, the V11 has everything I liked about that vintage airhead - and so much more. V11 valve adjustments are rocker-arms - you just need some tools and a feeler gauge.

 

The Tenni is lovely, but has 1 potentially serious problem (which is shared with the Scura and Rosso Mandello) - it has a fragile flywheel that is coupled to a single-plate clutch. But it can be remedied by installing a standard dual-plate clutch and flywheel. Tennis are also quite rare (I think under 200 worldwide) - but if you wait a while you can probably find one with the clutch already updated.

 

If you want a bit more windshield than the standard LeMans fairing offers, you can put a laminar lip on it.

 

Here's a low-mile 2002 LeMans for sale.  Fly and ride.   http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/5753347690.html

[H-E-Ross]

I went to that V11 breakdown page and I have to admit the Tenni and the Le Mans Sure look good. Maybe a bit taller of a wind shield.

I loved my Tenni , but after crashing I bought a GRiSO. It is a different ride though I am quite happy with it. I missed the protection the fairing on the Tenni provided as well as the handling. I have since added the "large screen"(no longer available from Guzzi) but there are other aftermarket options out there. You may want to check this model out.

[docc]

 

 

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

 

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

 

Are we heading to battle?

 

I'm always one to try decent tune up first! 

[GuzziMoto]

Thank You all for the good information.

 

But come on to recommend a Honda or Kawasaki for reliability over a Moto Guzzi. They can not be that bad?

No, by and large Guzzi's are not that bad. And when properly cared for they can out last a Honda or the like.

Plus, they are more fun to ride.

Every now and then Guzzi gets one wrong. It seems (although there is mixed opinions on this) that they got the newer 8 valve motor (which has 4 valves per cylinder but is referred to as an 8 valve motor to distinguish it from the earlier attempts at a 4 valve head) wrong. Perhaps they used valve springs that were too stiff, or the geometry of the valve train was wrong. Whatever the cause, the early 8 valve motors had issues eating the valve train until they switch to a roller set up. That switch seems to have occurred mid 2012, some 2012's got the new valve train and some did not. Many that did not get the new valve train have since been converted to roller tappets, they have kits for that. 

Aside from that issue, I have very good experiences with Guzzi reliability, I have taken many long trips with the wife, both of us on Guzzi's. We have never been stuck, stranded, or otherwise SOL, in many tens of thousands of miles.

I do own a Honda, but I am trying to sell it. It is boring, it has no soul.

[Chuck]

 

 

The closest things I have had to a Moto Guzzi were an old BMW R90 and a 78 BMW R100S. 

 

Where's that :hurl: emoticon?    I've had two Beemers, too.. but I'm a slow learner.  The two valve Guzzi (pick one) is head and shoulders above them, JUST MY HONEST OPINION. No offence intended to those poor deluded souls that actually like them.

Guzzis routinely go over 100K miles without even doing a valve job.. if properly maintained. 

I had an oil head when I first rode a Guzzi. Unloaded that sucker and have never looked back. 

Chuck, Deacon,

Church of Guzzi