What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Got to agree with you there Nigel, they are a big unit when in the garage, that was the main reason I got rid of my BMs, the GS is a good bike though. A friend of mine had an 800ish twin BMW and I believe they do that as an adventure type bike, that would probably be a better bet if someone wanted a BMW.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MAK
Got to agree with you there Nigel, they are a big unit when in the garage, that was the main reason I got rid of my BMs, the GS is a good bike though. A friend of mine had an 800ish twin BMW and I believe they do that as an adventure type bike, that would probably be a better bet if someone wanted a BMW.
I rode a BMW 800 GS for a few days about seven years ago when I was riding as a Paramedic for the "Tour De Yorkshire" cycle race events. When I was given the bike, I thought that as I would normally never consider a bike like this, maybe fate was intervening to show me how good it was. Overall the bike was nice, light flickable and easy to ride, but when you gave it the beans, there were two absolutely horrible periods of vibration. The first was somewhere in the mid-range and the second dose as the red line was reached. To me it was horrible and spoilt the bike completely. I don't know if BMW has improved the later ones?
 
I do like the BMW 1250 GS, looks like an excellent well built bike and the shaft drive I think is must for an adventure bike, I like the looks of it better than the KTM but, it won't have quite the fun factor and exclusivity.

Of course there are sonme other good bikes out there like the Multistrada V2 and Triumph Tigers. Even the MV Agusta but bit pricey for what it is
 
I do like the BMW 1250 GS, looks like an excellent well built bike and the shaft drive I think is must for an adventure bike, I like the looks of it better than the KTM but, it won't have quite the fun factor and exclusivity
Shaft drive is nice, but it’s not a must. Modern high quality chains go a LONG way between adjustments.
 
Ive ridden an 04 BMW1150 GS and a 2016 BMW r1200rt. Both bikes surprised me with their light handling. Parked beside my Triumph Thrux they are huge, but on the roll they aren't half bad. Vibration was quite severe with both bikes, especially under acceleration.
Interestingly, the 1150 is rated about 80 hp and the RT is 110 with weights similar. The RT might have had slightly more acceleration right in the last 500 rpm, but not much.
Going by the numbers it should have been much stronger than the older bike, but the reality was that they were about the same, neither one overly peppy. After the 1200 rt owner fitted a performance exhaust, he asked to run the 1200 against the 1200 Triumph for fun ( and hopefully a win) Weight with riders is about the same as he is about 175 lb to my 230 and BMW claims 505 lb for the RT.
With 110 HP to 97 the BMW should have prevailed,but it wasn't even close, the BMW was left in the dust at every roll on, no matter what speed.
Shows how numbers on paper don't always translate into performance.

The RT had a real problem with slow speed lurching, horrible in town traffic or putting thru a busy parking lot. It's a fueling problem combined with driveline slack in the shaft drive, very common with that version RT.
Like all brands and models, the people who own them love them.
 
They’re old ‘uns though Glen.

The current R1250 Adventure is 591lbs wet claimed (90lbs more than the Africa Twin).

And that’s without the aluminium panniers and top box favoured by most, or the steel scaffolding required to mount them etc!
 
600 lb for a semi-off road bike does sound like an Adventure, possibly including a visit to the local Emerg!

Glen
 
Anyone know more about this bike?

 
Anyone know more about this bike?

Molnar Manx kinda money.

Doubt they’ve jumped through the legal hoops for US, so dunno how you’d put one on the road over there?
 
Last edited:
Molnar Manx kinda money.

Doubt they’ve jumped through the legal hoops for US, so dunno how you’d put one on the road over there?
Based on an Italian 2stroke engine I seem to remember. Dunno about anywhere else in the world but here in the UK we got a 'you can't get these any more so I want one and weren't they great' nostalgia things going on for 2 strokes at the moment. These fads are usually driven by a generation who never experienced what a pain in the arm they could be.
 
Based on an Italian 2stroke engine I seem to remember. Dunno about anywhere else in the world but here in the UK we got a 'you can't get these any more so I want one and weren't they great' nostalgia things going on for 2 strokes at the moment. These fads are usually driven by a generation who never experienced what a pain in the arm they could be.
The only stroker I’d happily have in the shed is an RG500, but have you seen the price of ‘em these days :oops: obvioudly fuelled by the points you made.
 
Molnar Manx kinda money.

Doubt they’ve jumped through the legal hoops for US, so dunno how you’d put one on the road over there?
I just can’t believe they were even able to get a Smokey 2 stroke to pass emissions.
 
Fuel injected 80something horsepower engine from Vins Motors. Don't know what effect the 2-stroke oil has on the emissions test...
 
Fuel injected 80something horsepower engine from Vins Motors. Don't know what effect the 2-stroke oil has on the emissions test...
2 strokes are not clean burning. They’re limited on dirt bikes. How can A street bike pass a emission tear with one
 
Some clues....

 
The site is ambiguous, showing a machine with a headlight, but in the text they say the first model is a "track weapon."
Doesn't mention anything about euro emissions certification.
If it were easy, and cost effective to clean-up 2 stroke exhaust, the Japanese big 4 would have done it by now.
Can it be that the EU regs would allow a very low volume manufacturer to produce a dirty 2 stroke for sale and licensing?
 
2 strokes are not clean burning. They’re limited on dirt bikes. How can A street bike pass a emission tear with one
No street legal two strokes sold new in US today. Aprilia made the RS125 two-stroke up until around 2012 and it was Euro3 compliant at the end. They were sold in US until about 2009 as track-only bikes with 17-digit VIN#'s that were pretty easy to title and register in most states. Aprilia sold a street kit of lights, turn signals & mirrors you could purchase. I have 2 friends that own them and ride them on the street. Super lightweight, great handling - about 30HP. Today, they sell used for more than original MSRP.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
No street legal two strokes sold new in US today. Aprilia made the RS125 two-stroke up until around 2012 and it was Euro3 compliant at the end. They were sold in US until about 2009 as track-only bikes with 17-digit VIN#'s that were pretty easy to title and register in most states. Aprilia sold a street kit of lights, turn signals & mirrors you could purchase. I have 2 friends that own them and ride them on the street. Super lightweight, great handling - about 30HP. Today, they sell used for more than original MSRP.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
That’s great history.
But they are selling a low production brand new motorcycle today and it’s a dirty 2 stroke. Don’t see how they got it to pass enough to sell 1000 bikes.
 
That’s great history.
But they are selling a low production brand new motorcycle today and it’s a dirty 2 stroke. Don’t see how they got it to pass enough to sell 1000 bikes.
The bottom end on this engine oils like a 4 stroke . Oil is pumped into the bearings down there.
 
Back
Top