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Newb in need of help

G

GGely

Just got it firing!
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Hello, all! I'm a lurking wannabe who is finally about to pull the trigger on either an '00 Jackal with 40000km or an '08 Norge with 63000km. The Norge has been dropped at least once, with a bit of fairing damage but otherwise looks in good condition. The Jackal looks pretty much stock, other than a shield and some cool looking saddle bags.

Unfortunately, I can't afford both and although I realize they ostensibly have nothing in common, I can see either in my garage.

I have experience with everything from a CB350 through to an RG500 and on to an RJ1100 and then a 1200. Everything Japanese would be accurate. The problem is that I've always wanted a Moto Guzzi, and now I have enough spare cash to afford one, however used. Ann-Margaret may have influenced that perspective.

My intent is two fold:

1. Spend quality time with my grand kids exploring the Ontario back roads near our home, which is the highest priority

2. Travel to my corporate offices in Ottawa, Markham, Waterloo and Windsor. One of these is 1hr away; 2 hrs away to another and 4 hours or so to the two farthest. Not so high a priority, though...

I am reasonably proficient with wrenches, very functional with electronics and computers and unafraid of remapping anything.

Ideally, I would not wrench but ride but every bike I've owned required an investment in time, if not money. So I'm prepared to invest in this ride.

Thanks for your time and attention. I hope I'm not wasting anyone's time by inadvertantly repeating another post. If I have, I apologize.

G
 
Howdy.

You sound like most of us ... well, except for those without grandbabies (yet). ;)

As a guy with a 98 EV and 07 Norge (and a 10 Griso), I also know how wonderful each of your choices are and how different.

Others similarly experienced or situated may answer here with all you need to know, but I'll just offer -- in order to save myself, selfishly, to have you call sometime at convenience to chat.

Bill
404eightzeroeight8486
 
The simpler bike would be the Jackal, and probably less money as well. As to longevity, a friend of mine put over 200K miles on one with no engine issues. There was a problem with the gearbox input bearing and some leaking from the rear main carrier (the bottom two bolts) but other than regular maintenance and a timing chain change and tensioner upgrade at about 90 K miles. He also always rode it like he stole it the whole time.
 
If you are new to Guzzi, the Jackal would be the best choice. Confirming what John wrote above, they are by far the simplest and most basic to own and wrench without special tools or needs. The Norge has a handful of small problematic issues, and is a bit more frageelleee (fragile) in many aspects. I bought my (first Guzzi) Jackal new in Sept '99, and I've been trying to break it since then, including track days and mostly long abusive high and low temp rides, including a 16k mile cross country trip. It sits at 165k+ miles, and will never leave my garage.
 
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