NEW 916 COMMANDO

mcmarvelous · May 28, 2009

I quite agree, but that market is full of Triumphs and Sportsters, 'classic Ducatis', all with evocative names and Histories. Moto Guzzi are upping their game and they have brought out a V7 lookalike. All of these look good, go well and except the Ducati, you could ride away for £5000-6000.
I remember Hesketh (are they still going, has anyone ever seen one or ridden one)? They looked good but gearbox problems if i recall and very expensive.

The top line suspension and carbon wheels are great, but not really needed on a road bike in Britain. i just sprained my ankle walking on the road outside my store so Carbon wheels would worry me and you would not get the benefit unless you were cahsing Spock at warp factor 9 on a race track.

The problem with most goods is usually the price, so I hope they have got it right or they have something up their sleeves with another model.

grandpaul · May 28, 2009

Well, I recommend that they offer a "Roadster" (maybe that one should have the carbon wheels & trick suspension), "Interstate" with more plush and generous seating, suspension & ergos (possibly some matching bags), and a "Low Rider" bobber/cruiser style (High Rider would never sell).

Coco · May 28, 2009

I don't know. Inverted forks always seem to ruin these "classic" remakes for me. It's like putting combat boots on a ballerina.

For that kind of cash I'd rather buy another two commandos and an old slabside shovel head.

grandpaul · May 28, 2009

Coco: that's true enough. I struggled to find a decent set of "standard" modern forks for a reasonable price, but couldn't find anything close to the deal i got on the inverted set.

Seeley920 · May 28, 2009

McMarvellous

Yes, there are a few Heskeths around, a friend of mine has one, and an F1 Norton! He rides them regularly, and will probably bring at least the F1 to Donington...is he mad??...well, he used to race an Ariel Arrow, need I say more ??

swooshdave · May 28, 2009

grandpaul said:
Well, I recommend that they offer a "Roadster" (maybe that one should have the carbon wheels & trick suspension), "Interstate" with more plush and generous seating, suspension & ergos (possibly some matching bags), and a "Low Rider" bobber/cruiser style (High Rider would never sell).

My guess is that eventually there will be two distinct lines like Triumph, Retro-ish (961 and related) and Race (Street versions of the Rotary).

Coco · May 28, 2009

grandpaul said:
Coco: that's true enough. I struggled to find a decent set of "standard" modern forks for a reasonable price, but couldn't find anything close to the deal i got on the inverted set.

Yeah, but your bike rocks and you're not trying to reinvent the wheel.

Most of these new bikes look like super motard bikes to me with the aggressive stance. I guess that would make them "motarded". :mrgreen:

grandpaul · May 28, 2009

Coco:

"motarded"

PERFECT!!!!!

I need to borrow that phrase. I must admit, my '03 Kawasaki ZRX 1200R is awfully close to the line with it's tail "up there", the rest of the bike is as classically styled as anything else available out there (well, it's no longer available in the 'States, but let's not quibble).

Cookie · May 28, 2009

Occasionally I wonder if I'd save money by just buying a new collector bike. I've been doing that sort of thing with my BMW roadster but the high initial price will take a long time to equal out.
It does seem that the price is going to be so high that it will appeal only to the folks who bought a Hesketh.

Mr Bean · May 28, 2009

grandpaul said:
Coco: that's true enough. I struggled to find a decent set of "standard" modern forks for a reasonable price, but couldn't find anything close to the deal i got on the inverted set.

Don't put your bike down Paul, I think the modern forks are just right for that bike. You've got the styling just right :wink:

BillT · May 28, 2009

I wish the new Norton venture every success.

As to the merits of the Ducati Monster, I found the riding position a little too cramped for my taste. The Triumph 'Speed Triple', however, has the ideal riding position for some who's around 6'0" tall and 200 lbs. The Triumph is also a good deal less expensive than the equivalent-performing Ducati Monster or Streetfighter.

The current Speed Triple is about $12000 US, and would probably run rings around the new Menard-engined Norton. The Norton looks good, though.

Norton 961 from their website_________________________________2009 Speed Triple

BrianK · May 28, 2009

Nice looking modern bike.

Me, I have no interest in modern bikes. More power to those who do, it's just not what turns me on.

Triton Thrasher · May 29, 2009

swooshdave said:
My guess is that eventually there will be two distinct lines like Triumph, Retro-ish (961 and related) and Race (Street versions of the Rotary).

My guess is "Norton" won't make many of any kind of bike.

Not being cheeky to individuals, but I wouldn't advance them any of my money.

bigstu · May 29, 2009

I agree Triton Thrasher, They probably won't make many, but that could be the reason for someone with loads of dosh to buy one...They will be rare, and highly collectable in the future. Not for me...I like the old one I can spend more garage time twiddling and tweaking.
I think that Grandpauls bike looks great, Norton could do a lot worse than follow his lead, which is kind of similar to the Dreer Norton style? My only comment would be it looked a tad messy around the Headstock department, with all those cables and wires....always difficult to make this area look clean. Maybe a little nose pod would work, classic styled, of course.
By the way, whats your Triton? I have a '56T110 with a Splayed head in a '58Wideline with 3134 cams both sides and monoblocks on...do you know what jets to use? I am mucking about at the moment looking for better running.
Stu.

mcmarvelous · May 29, 2009

It's funny about bike styling, it's rare to look at a bike and like everything about it in my experience. A local Honda has a Tiumph T100 in cream and orange with all sorts of spangly bits on it, plus a noisy pipe which looked just right but when I rode one i thought it was so bland, compared to my commando.
I like bikes with a bit of character and have never bought 'the current craze' except a GPZ 550 years ago, which never let me down, went well, carried the mrs and me everywhere but I never liked the thing! Couldn't point to anything in particular...
I would like a 'modern' take on a 1930's v twin BSA or Brough. Now I would buy that. Would have to have a big headlamp though....

Perhaps at Donnington there will be more news on the range and prices but this year won't be a new bike buying one for me as trade is tough

grandpaul · May 29, 2009

BillT: You can see the obvious dillema for the new norton when it's 961cc lump puts out 80 HP, and must compete with 1000cc bike that pump out in excess of 130 HP; then you look at the price tags and wonder what the ...?

It's all down to uniqueness, rarity and style. I don't like the ST at all, but would probably keep one if it were given to me.

bigstu: my bike isn't "similar to the Dreer Norton style", it IS Dreer stuff with a Kawi front end. The new Norton was entirely the brainchild of Kenny Dreer, so the styling you see IS his.

For those of you commenting on what you perceive to be me "putting down" my bike, I'm just downplaying my part in conceiving it, designing it, and creating it, I essentially just took stuff that Kenny Dreer did, and put it together into a running bike. As far as how I feel about it, it'll be the last bike I ever sell (probably my kids will sell it after I'm gone).

Hortons Norton · May 29, 2009

How would you like to adopt me Paul? I agree about the style of bikes but total H.P. won't matter to me or I would buy a hyabusa or something like that. As I look at the speed triple it kinda looks like the stack of money in the Geico commercial to me, Very nice looking from the headstock back. But those bulging eyes on the front just don't work for me. I guess we all have a different take on style but the Norton and it's design do look good, To me.

MichaelB · May 29, 2009

BillT said:
I wish the new Norton venture every success.

As to the merits of the Ducati Monster, I found the riding position a little too cramped for my taste. The Triumph 'Speed Triple', however, has the ideal riding position for some who's around 6'0" tall and 200 lbs. The Triumph is also a good deal less expensive than the equivalent-performing Ducati Monster or Streetfighter.

The current Speed Triple is about $12000 US, and would probably run rings around the new Menard-engined Norton. The Norton looks good, though.

Norton 961 from their website_________________________________2009 Speed Triple

I do also.

After I ventilated the lower end of my Dreer, I went shopping and bought this

I loooove this motorcycle.
I am 6'1", 210 lbs.
Riding the 'T' now is alot like riding a Commando in the 70's.
It's unique, it's at the top of it's game, don't see them everywhere, people do double takes all the time.

However it's obvious I still have Norton DNA in me, so...

Hortons Norton · May 29, 2009

Now that's a sharp looking bike Mike. Eye candy for sure.

BillT · May 29, 2009

MichaelB said:
BillT said:

I wish the new Norton venture every success.

As to the merits of the Ducati Monster, I found the riding position a little too cramped for my taste. The Triumph 'Speed Triple', however, has the ideal riding position for some who's around 6'0" tall and 200 lbs. The Triumph is also a good deal less expensive than the equivalent-performing Ducati Monster or Streetfighter.

The current Speed Triple is about $12000 US, and would probably run rings around the new Menard-engined Norton. The Norton looks good, though.

Norton 961 from their website_________________________________2009 Speed Triple

Click to expand...

I do also.

After I ventilated the lower end of my Dreer, I went shopping and bought this

I loooove this motorcycle.
I am 6'1", 210 lbs.
Riding the 'T' now is alot like riding a Commando in the 70's.
It's unique, it's at the top of it's game, don't see them everywhere, people do double takes all the time.

However it's obvious I still have Norton DNA in me, so...

Nice Aprilia, Michael.

When I bought my Speed Triple, I looked at every naked bike available in the US, Including Aprilia, Benelli, KTM and Moto Guzzi. I liked the Aprilia Tuono, but the only area dealer at the time was 50 miles away, and seemed on the brink of closing (which it did). The Triumph was, for me, the perfect blend of fit, performance, style and price. And its British - built in Hinckley, Leicestershire, not too far from Triumph's old Meriden plant.

Though the Norton has only half the power of the Triumph, it is just as much fun to ride in its own right.

NEW 916 COMMANDO

mcmarvelous

grandpaul

Coco

grandpaul

Seeley920

swooshdave

Coco

grandpaul

Cookie

Mr Bean

BillT

BrianK

Triton Thrasher

bigstu

mcmarvelous

grandpaul

Hortons Norton

MichaelB

"Sons of Arthritus"

Hortons Norton

BillT

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