4V vs 8V Norge

[FJFOOL]

Curious on the comparison between the two from a riders perspective. I've owned a 4V, 2008 and am looking at getting another Norge and thought I'd ask the group about it. The cam issue aside, any input between the two ?

Thanks !

[p6x]

1 hour ago, FJFOOL said:

Curious on the comparison between the two from a riders perspective. I've owned a 4V, 2008 and am looking at getting another Norge and thought I'd ask the group about it. The cam issue aside, any input between the two ?

Thanks !

I have been considering a Norge also. However, I have an issue with space to garage it. I own a Quota and a Le Mans; I thought the third motorcycle should be one that is a tad more engineered for long distance travel. Not that I have not travelled long distance with both the Quota and the Le Mans. Also, I think a 1200 8 valves should complete my selection of Guzzi. Initially, I was dead set on the Griso, but I realized that it was too close to the Le Mans, spirit wise.

The Norge seemed the perfect choice. Unfortunately, the 1200 8V models do not offer the large color selection their earlier sisters did. If you opt for the latest Norge, you only get Black or White.

I spent time studying the various models and did not find anything that has not been reported in this forum before.All the main defects have been described such as the CARC bearings, and the few electrical quirks that affect almost every Guzzi, one way or another.

I also got from @PJPR01, that the front fairing leaves the shoulders a bit exposed. All the rest is very acceptable, considering the model age and older conception.

Additionally, all the motorcycles are usually tuned to meet the EURO environmental regulations, and Guzzi went through those by playing with the FI on these air cooled engines. That equated to a lower mpg. For a bike meant to tour, it is a drawback. According to the available litterature, at cruise speeds, you will get to 170 miles on a tank. If you really ride it hard, then it will be about 140 miles.

That can be improved by remapping the ECU.

[GuzziMoto]

My somewhat educated opinion is if I was buying a Norge I would rather buy the 8V version. But that is in part driven by already owning a 2V Griso. The 8V engine is not exactly the pinnacle of design engineering, but it does make more power then the older 2V engine and in a more interesting way from what I understand. It does tend to get worse fuel mileage than the 2V engine, it seems to lack the combustion efficiency of the 2V engine, so if fuel mileage is more important to you then power that could be a consideration. But for me I can't imagine wanting to ride more than 160 miles before stopping anyway. I get that some do, but I need an occasional stop, might as well be for fuel.

[Twin AH]

Owned a 2014 Norge and had it for around three years before I moved on to a Stelvio.

If your leggy you might find the cockpit a little snug but these machines are much better in the twisties than what many riding acquaintance's had thought.

Very good all day high speed touring tool IMHO.  I did a beetle flash and left everything else factory stock.

 

Ciao

[Lucky Phil]

On 2/14/2025 at 12:11 AM, FJFOOL said:

Curious on the comparison between the two from a riders perspective. I've owned a 4V, 2008 and am looking at getting another Norge and thought I'd ask the group about it. The cam issue aside, any input between the two ?

Thanks !

Depends on what 8 valve model you chose. The 2010-2013 had the notorious flat tappet issues and even if they have been rollerised a later model would be a safer bet. Remember if it's a flat tappet engine then it's going to fail guaranteed. I think either 2012 or 2013 was the last model from the factory with the flat tappet engine.

Phil

[pete roper]

I think my definitive guide to rollerisation is posted here. It covers which models the factory say were flats but experience says some later than listed 2012 engines were still flat tappet. I’ve never heard of a 2013 plated bike with flats.

In my experience unless a flat tappet motor is really ‘Ridden to Death’ rollerisation fixes the problem safely and effectively. For the layman I would say yes, seek out a post-‘12 model but as someone who has more experience than most of this issue I would say there is nothing to fear from a flattie engined bike as long as it was addressed when first the problem was detected via either noise or inspection. If it’s just some poorly maintained and neglected dunger that has been owned by Cletus the pig-f*cker and maintained by his seven toed cousin from the next holler over I’d say run a mile but there are numerous ‘Tell Tales’ that are easily checked on inspection that will enable you to easily identify if it’s likely to be a ‘Good-‘un’ or a ‘Bad-‘un’.

Probably time I did a proper write up on that.

Personally my opinion is that if you’ve ridden a properly tuned and mapped 8V you’d never look at a 2V the same way again..

And don’t get all ‘In my face’ over the odd numbering nomenclature. It’s just the way it is. Get over it. Even I’ve managed to…..

[docc]

4 hours ago, pete roper said:

I think my definitive guide to rollerisation is posted here. It covers which models the factory say were flats but experience says some later than listed 2012 engines were still flat tappet. I’ve never heard of a 2013 plated bike with flats.

. . . there are numerous ‘Tell Tales’ that are easily checked on inspection that will enable you to easily identify if it’s likely to be a ‘Good-‘un’ or a ‘Bad-‘un’.

Probably time I did a proper write up on that.

Personally my opinion is that if you’ve ridden a properly tuned and mapped 8V you’d never look at a 2V the same way again..

And don’t get all ‘In my face’ over the odd numbering nomenclature. It’s just the way it is. Get over it. Even I’ve managed to…..

Yes, please, on the "Inspection" write up!!

Pinned topic at the top of "Newer Models" . . .

 

[PJPR01]

I love my 2008 2V Norge, have had it since new, and it's a spectacular machine.  I also love my 2015 4V/8V Griso, also had it since practically new with just a few hundred miles on it.  Both are outstanding bikes.

Mileage wise...I get about 40-42 mpg on the Norge consistently and 42 MPG on the Griso, although having recently put on a Termignoni pipe, for some reason I'm now getting 45 mpg...not sure why yet...but it sounds great, and getting better MPG...why should I complain?  Both bikes are set up for touring with side bags, tank bag and rear bag/case.  Both are running Beetle maps and are properly tuned with Guzzidiag and regular maintenance which is spectacularly easy to do.

 

If I had to describe the difference, I would say the 2V engine has to work just a bit harder at higher speeds, but is an all day bike and loves to run, never gets tired, it does like higher octane gas or preferably ethanol free or Top Tier gas.  The 8V engine has gobs of spare power, lopes along very easily so you're never really using all of its capability.  The "sweet spot" on the 2V engine is around 4k rpm, the sweet spot on the Griso is 5K and above.

Norges are spectacular touring bikes...you will need to customize it a bit with the proper windscreen, seat, possibly Helibar risers on the earlier models, maybe lowered foot pegs (not too low or it will bump into the side stand).  Both models are keepers, if you're truly interested in a Norge, and you're reasonably mechanically inclined, it would depend more on the quality of the bike cosmetically and mechanically that would make the difference in buying between the 2V or 4V models, but I do give the 4V a slight edge in terms of performance.  Prices are very reasonable on both models.

 

Range wise...the Norge easily gets 220 on a tank...one time I stretched it to about 240...I was on fumes by then.  The Griso I believe has a gallon less, so 160-180 is probably realistic...I usually tank up around 150...have never pushed it to the limit completely.  Either way, by then I'm ready for a stretch! 

Edited Saturday at 09:40 PM by PJPR01

[activpop]

@PJPR01 That's a pretty glowing review! Especially considering you have that Gold Wing. There is one 50 miles away from me for sale, looks very nice. When the weather improves I plan on a Stelvio run to see it. I don't see it as a fast mover, saleswise.  I was surprised how many I saw at the National Rally, from all over. I don't think I have ever seen one around here on the road. A woman who is well known in the rally circles won Longest Distance award. She rode from New Hampshire on her Norge. If I remember correctly there was a husband/wife team that rode one each there. 

 

 

[pete roper]

On the subject of flat tappet inspection there is a video in my YouTube feed of me pulling the left hand cambox on an 8V Griso that I made after some poor bloke on another board was told that his shop was going to charge him $2,000 just to inspect the tappets! A figure so mind numbingly absurd I felt compelled to react! The video from the point where I started on the motor, (Having removed the ‘Wing’ before the filming started. The ‘Wing’ is retained by three fasteners.) is thirteen minutes long to the point where the cambox was disassembled on the bench! Working on the dodgy shop’s pay scale that would put me at being able to bill myself out at $8,000 per hour! I would have liked that! I’ll see if I can link it up here later. I wasn’t rushing either.

[docc]

Is it this one, Pete?

 

[pete roper]

Yeah, that’s it.

[audiomick]

14 hours ago, pete roper said:

... Cletus the pig-f*cker and ... his seven toed cousin from the next holler over...

So they'd be good mates of yours, I suppose...

Brilliant typification.

Edited Sunday at 01:57 AM by audiomick

[FJFOOL]

Thankyou all for the replies ! As I mentioned, I did own a 2007 and loved it but sold it, rode a Road King for a while then a Triumph Tiger 1050. Great bike, now a Triumph Tiger 800 but really miss that Norge. I'm short and ergonomics were fabulous ! Guess it depends on the bike when I find it, 4v or 8v.

Edited Monday at 12:28 PM by FJFOOL
entered wrong year