Possibly selling my 50th Anniversary CR...

I don't want to upset the H-D crowd nor do I want to knock your experience gained from your R66 trip.... I too yearned for a big tourer, got me a 1340 Road King, 95th anniversary model, all the luggage capacity I could muster. I ran the king for a year but the 'bulk' on British roads got tiresome and I yearned for a 'proper' bike and bought a Buell. I couldn't fault the king, nor the Buell, but then went on to buy a 1584 Fat Bob 'cos the Buell felt too small.... then bought the Triumph 'cos the FB felt too heavy.... us 'bikers' are a fickle bunch, never really satisfied with what we have!
 
Fast Eddie said:
Of course you’re right Sam, I ‘toured’ on my SS50! I toured quite a lot on my Tiger Cub. I toured a heck of a lot on my (totally unreliable according to popular opinion) TSS. So yes, the 961 can tour, as Blighty has showed us.

My current ‘urge’ is more than just wanting a tourer, I’m afraid I enjoyed riding the 107ci Hardly Dangerous a little too much.

It may surprise some to hear this part: jumping off a 107 onto the 961 makes the 961 feel slow!

The urge may pass before I act, we’ll see...
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You think the 107 makes the Norton feel slow, you should test ride the 114 Soft tail. I love Harleys, however, do I really want to back 900lbs out of the paddock just to ride to the beach? Then again, there IS that Beemer 1200RT. Sporty and comfy all in one package.JAWOL!!
 
Well I did it. Upon arrival in Colorado with my 2 commandos and Aprilia Shiver. The Aprilia is/ was like a commando on Steroids, however my 750 might be faster. Anyway heading east long straight roads and heading west mountains. I decided I needed to get a touring bike, mainly so I can go back to California on it. Here it can get boring on a sports bike or Commando. I read all the reviews on the 107 Ultra and was pleasantly surprised when I test rode it. I sold my Aprilia and purchased the Harley about 600 miles ago. I used to be a Harley hater because they are always in the way, but not anymore. I put it down to the riders, because I dont hang about on mine. Its a 2018 Ulta Classic and I am super impressed. It has a stage 1 screaming eagle. It handles much better than I thought, liquid cooled, great suspension and brakes and is super comfortable. Sounds great. Incredible torque. Great electronics, sat nav etc. Yes its heavy, but once moving no problem with that. I have ridden through 2 hail storms already and even though I had all my gear packed, I did not even get wet. Its so heavy cross winds dont affect it at all and it simply eats the road up. Its really well made too, so there you have it I own a Harley now and loving it.

I am still riding both Commandos all the time. The MK3 is coming down for maintenance soon. Still living the life!!

Nigel where are you in the UK mate? I was brought up in Maldon near Colchester. Good luck with your choice. You might have trouble fitting a Harley Electra in the shed. They are pretty big.

Cheers
 
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Maybe it time you had another look at the Griso or a Cali. Custom , you can find lots to read on the Griso Ghetto forum .... the Cali. Custom I think would make a great tour bike though out of production since ‘14 for me better than the Cali. Touring monster still being made ... the Custom might be a bit lighter than the Harley but sure it will out perform it in every aspect , plus several features come as standard that are extra on Harley .... last Sunday on way to Ingonish Cape Breton Island to see my daughter , had parked Ducati after gas up for a P break , when I came out guy with General Custer facial hair and Harley badges was admiring the Red one , he say like your bike , I say I like your RK and that I like all bikes , he say nice to be on same page , me and some friends are doing a day tour of bottom part of Island you welcome to join us .... I had to decline as still couple hrs from destination , nice to know there are still real bikers out and about ....
Craig
 
Jerry Doe said:
Nigel where are you in the UK mate? I was brought up in Maldon near Colchester. Good luck with your choice. You might have trouble fitting a Harley Electra in the shed. They are pretty big.

Cheers
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Jerry,
Just spent a sunny afternoon in Maldon! Walking along the prom - fish and chips lunch, beer in the old ship....
Fantastic late summer afternoon,
 
Jerry,
Just spent a sunny afternoon in Maldon! Walking along the prom - fish and chips lunch, beer in the old ship....
Fantastic late summer afternoon,
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Very cool. I left there in my early twenties and did not go back too much (worked at sea). I miss Maldon, but when I go back I dont miss it anymore after a few days, I get too drunk as too many pubs to go see old friends in. Still got many friends there I keep in touch with. We used to go to a weekly bike night at the ship and anchor. I am heading back for a quick visit next year. Was a great place to be when young, although I used to ride to Chelmsford / Colchester to local watering holes a lot, great parties etc. Maldon is at the end of the road and when I was young London had not expanded that far yet. I would never have thought that I could end up here.

Cheers
 
Jerry Doe said:
Well I did it. Upon arrival in Colorado with my 2 commandos and Aprilia Shiver. The Aprilia is/ was like a commando on Steroids, however my 750 might be faster. Anyway heading east long straight roads and heading west mountains. I decided I needed to get a touring bike, mainly so I can go back to California on it. Here it can get boring on a sports bike or Commando. I read all the reviews on the 107 Ultra and was pleasantly surprised when I test rode it. I sold my Aprilia and purchased the Harley about 600 miles ago. I used to be a Harley hater because they are always in the way, but not anymore. I put it down to the riders, because I dont hang about on mine. Its a 2018 Ulta Classic and I am super impressed. It has a stage 1 screaming eagle. It handles much better than I thought, liquid cooled, great suspension and brakes and is super comfortable. Sounds great. Incredible torque. Great electronics, sat nav etc. Yes its heavy, but once moving no problem with that. I have ridden through 2 hail storms already and even though I had all my gear packed, I did not even get wet. Its so heavy cross winds dont affect it at all and it simply eats the road up. Its really well made too, so there you have it I own a Harley now and loving it.

I am still riding both Commandos all the time. The MK3 is coming down for maintenance soon. Still living the life!!

Nigel where are you in the UK mate? I was brought up in Maldon near Colchester. Good luck with your choice. You might have trouble fitting a Harley Electra in the shed. They are pretty big.

Cheers
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Indeed, I was a Harley Hater for many years, now I’m a Harley ponderer as I’m frequently to be found pondering the purchase of one!

And yes, these days the thing go, stop and corner WAY better than most folk realise.

We’ll see where this one goes this time!

BTW Jerry, I’m in Oxford.
 
I had an 883 low, baby harley I suppose. I dont think i would get one again, far too much chrome. Quite like the look of some of the Indian bikes, is it the bobber scout which looks quite cool (for now). What I would like though is something from the Russ Mitchell Exile Motorcycles stable, I could live with one of those. However, after 3+ hours in the saddle today, I am happy with my 961 but my ears are aching
 
Jerry Doe said:
Well I did it. Upon arrival in Colorado with my 2 commandos and Aprilia Shiver. The Aprilia is/ was like a commando on Steroids, however my 750 might be faster. Anyway heading east long straight roads and heading west mountains. I decided I needed to get a touring bike, mainly so I can go back to California on it. Here it can get boring on a sports bike or Commando. I read all the reviews on the 107 Ultra and was pleasantly surprised when I test rode it. I sold my Aprilia and purchased the Harley about 600 miles ago. I used to be a Harley hater because they are always in the way, but not anymore. I put it down to the riders, because I dont hang about on mine. Its a 2018 Ulta Classic and I am super impressed. It has a stage 1 screaming eagle. It handles much better than I thought, liquid cooled, great suspension and brakes and is super comfortable. Sounds great. Incredible torque. Great electronics, sat nav etc. Yes its heavy, but once moving no problem with that. I have ridden through 2 hail storms already and even though I had all my gear packed, I did not even get wet. Its so heavy cross winds dont affect it at all and it simply eats the road up. Its really well made too, so there you have it I own a Harley now and loving it.

I am still riding both Commandos all the time. The MK3 is coming down for maintenance soon. Still living the life!!

Nigel where are you in the UK mate? I was brought up in Maldon near Colchester. Good luck with your choice. You might have trouble fitting a Harley Electra in the shed. They are pretty big.

Cheers
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I"ve ridden the Ultra. The newest, a '13. I can't believe how well I can corner with that thing. Not fast, but torquey. That said, I like smaller bikes and I'm not good for more than 300 miles in a day. And that's on the two bikes you see upper left. I'll be getting a tourer soon enough.
 
Welshrugby said:
I had an 883 low, baby harley I suppose. I dont think i would get one again, far too much chrome. Quite like the look of some of the Indian bikes, is it the bobber scout which looks quite cool (for now). What I would like though is something from the Russ Mitchell Exile Motorcycles stable, I could live with one of those. However, after 3+ hours in the saddle today, I am happy with my 961 but my ears are aching
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Only your ears?! The combination of cool weather, Cafe Racer riding position and a couple of hundred miles made quite a few things ache for me!

But, like you seemed to, I had a great ride! I consider it fully run in now, good job really as I was with 2 Ducati Monster riders. The 961 was not left wanting...
 
Fast Eddie said:
...like you seemed to, I had a great ride!
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My ride home was again one of the best runs. I don't know if it is the full tank of BP from Castle Donington instead of the cheap ASDA stuff, or the cool air, or the much quieter roads but the 961 seems to breathe much, much easier on these late evening runs and I was treated to a full on roller-coaster ride in 4th gear once I got off the dual carriageways. Main beam is pretty good as well but that high/low switch is in an odd place, I keep hitting the horn button lol!!
 
Interesting you say that, I only ever put super unleaded in from known brands. I don’t know, but would guess, it makes a difference.

And yes, I struggle with the dip switch too!
 
I bet you all had to look up the word immutable (I did). Is it an american word and not one from our very own Bill Shakespeare
 
So - Nigel, what have you decided?
Are you going for a sale?
I love the “ look of your classic Norton” if you go for the HD I
fhink that the sale of your 961 May resolve your angst!
John
 
Fast Eddie said:
Now then Gents, this is a tough one.

My Aniversary CR 961 (number 50) has been an absolute peach, I had my doubts as I know many have had issues, but mine has been as trouble free as a Honda!

And, it’s great fun to ride (for short distances).

But I have a couple of problems:

1. I have 3 bikes of the same genre as the 961 (uncomfortable cafe racers that are fun for short distances, and I can only ride one at a time.
2. I have limited shed space.
3. I have a yearning for something that will do more distance more comfortably as I wanna do more long distance touring.

Mulling it all over, I am seriously considering selling my 961.

So, don’t fall over if you see it appear in the for sale section soon...

Then again, don’t be surprised if I change my mind completely either...!
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