The only down side? I get the distinct impression I won’t have the only one in town!

First, 180W of power is a lot of stuff. Second, the warning to use the outlet when the bike is stopped is to protect goofy people from plugging stuff in and using it while the bike is running (what do you mean I can’t use my hair dryer while I ride?). Do not leave the item connected and ON refers to the above scenario — bike stopped, Power on.

If you’re just worried about the Garmin and the outlet, Just do this. Walk into your quality Moto Guzzi Dealer of choice and say “I’ll buy a bike from you today if you’ll hard wire up a Garmin outlet for me.” I also don’t know where position “1″ is. Is that the accessory position? Makes sense then that the fogs would cancel the power socket in that case.

You think anyone’s going to turn you down? The fogs take a lot of juice, but not when you’re running. They suck power when you’re sitting at stop lights. I think you have some valid questions — talk to your dealer about them. The Norge is a fantastic bike, but it seems like you like the cruiser models and I can’t say that I blame you. They sure as heck aren’t the same, and they are both fantastic for different reasons.

12V power outlet («A» in fig. 14)
It is at the centre, on the left-hand side, it is useful for
small 12 Volt electric items with max. power of 180W.
WARNING!
Use the power outlet when bike is stopped
only.
CAUTION
Do not leave any electric item connected
and ON for too long or the battery will run flat.
Using key «1» fig. 3 in « » position and
additional fog lights on, 12V power outlet
«A» is not powered.

totally fixed it, thanx!!

GPS just doesn’t draw enough power to even think about this. We’re talking cell-phone power. Not a blip on the radar, I mean like 9 volts at 1 amp if that? Check the manual for the draw, it’s nothin. That motor supports heated handgrips, and they draw power like the Las Vegas Strip in comparison.

The difference between a Rocket III and a Guzzi in my opinion is this. The Rocket III is a battleship. Friggin gigantic. Sure it’s got the 2600 motor and it’s a great bike, but I want to see someone backing it uphill on a steep parking lot. It’s Gold Wing big, bragging rights big. It’s a battleship — big guns, but it’s not going to move out of a straight line nearly as fast.

Guzzi motors are less than half that size, because you’re running a LOT less weight. Different bikes. Not a lot of inertia to move around in comparison. It’s a destroyer — fast, armed well enough and highly maneuverable.

You’re going to notice this in the twisties and the fun stuff. If you’re just going to get on I-10 and go to LA, it doesn’t matter. If you are going to be cruising with your friends and want to walk away from them on every highway on-ramp, the Guzzi’s your bike. The frame on it is nearly identical to the early hot-rod Le Mans and a very worthy bike. The fact that it’s a cruiser just makes it cool.

You’re going to notice a different riding position on both. The Guzzi isn’t the typical arm-chair cruiser. You don’t sit “down in” the bike. You sit in a more standard position — much more “cop-like”. I find it very relaxing over long distances since you’re very neutral with your weight on the bike.

It also “looks” like every person’s idea of a cop bike. Don’t discount this. Splitting lanes in LA, I found them to part like the Red Sea for Moses when I was on the CalVin.

I too think they are a bargain. You won’t get the equipment combination at a base price on any other brand like the Guzzi, and that is amazing. Once you dial in the Marzocchis and enjoy the stability of those amazing brakes, you’re going to be sold. Plus those hard bags can pack a lot of gear and look great.

If you look at the Motorcyclist Magazine from last year, I don’t remember which issue, they compared cruisers. The Guzzi was second place, beating out everyone but the Rocket I believe, and that was only because they were worried about the dealer network.

I for one have absolutely no desire to be the “biggest kid on the block”. I like being different, maybe crave it. I won’t sacrifice quality for it though, and the CalVin spoke to me from that standpoint. I guess it needs to fit your bill. Like I’ve said, I don’t tell everyone to buy a Guzzi, just make sure it’s in the mix when you’re considering a bike. They will challenge your decision in a very good way.