What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Fast Eddie said:
I would try it, I believe you!

But I share your thoughts about the limitations of the whole package, and add one… I’m just over 6ft and the new Sporty is TINY !
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The Sportster S is small. I’m 6’ with a 34” inseam (at least that’s what Levi’s tells me)
I felt like I was on a 19” bmx bike.

I do like the sportster s, just wish it was slightly bigger, Lighter, and I’ll never understand Harley’s dislike of Ohlins or even adjustable suspension.

Why is it that they can’t get with the times and add a handling suspension and race inspired brembos?
 
I’ve got 200k on Ducati’s including a coast to coast ride on the ST3s , have yet to be stranded by lack of parts/breakdown … closest was a plugged fuel filter day before long ride to our east coast club AGM , used a new Napa filter and o-ring from local auto parts store …. guess I just lucky , or …. the newer over equipped bikes with all the rider aids, electronics etc. are a much different story I’m sure , at least in local group they are , more trouble then I think they worth plus very costly to purchase ….
 
Craig said:
I’ve got 200k on Ducati’s including a coast to coast ride on the ST3s , have yet to be stranded by lack of parts/breakdown … closest was a plugged fuel filter day before long ride to our east coast club AGM , used a new Napa filter and o-ring from local auto parts store …. guess I just lucky , or …. the newer over equipped bikes with all the rider aids, electronics etc. are a much different story I’m sure , at least in local group they are , more trouble then I think they worth plus very costly to purchase ….
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I’m not saying anyone is going to break down. But in the event if one does, you still can’t say it’s easier to get parts for a Ducati.

I have a new 2022 Harley low rider ST and a 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260s. If I were to go across country on a months long trip, I’d definitely take the Harley.
If anything were to break, I can get the parts at nearly any town.
And the fact that the Diavel looks hideous with side bags.
 
Voodooo said:
I’m not saying anyone is going to break down. But in the event if one does, you still can’t say it’s easier to get parts for a Ducati.

I have a new 2022 Harley low rider ST and a 2021 Ducati Diavel 1260s. If I were to go across country on a months long trip, I’d definitely take the Harley.
If anything were to break, I can get the parts at nearly any town.
And the fact that the Diavel looks hideous with side bags.
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Yeah but it wouldn’t break! It’d do it without breaking a sweat !!
 
I have to admit only Ducati engine I have experience with is the the bullet proof 992 , one 3V and two 2V …. the 3V was in ST3s and made more hp and it came with abs , both I ride now are a/c 2V with zero rider aids , both around the 400lb sweet spot and both put out more speed than most sane riders need , so far all three have needed only regular maintenance which is an afternoon on 2 I have now , the ST3 with all the plastic took much longer and the 3V head was more difficult to measure and shim …. I don’t get the new frameless Dukes without Desmo system at all , just a Italian version of lots of other brands …. the Diavel is sorta kinda interesting Duke and am surprised folks still buying …. Same as the new 4V multi , makes no sense to me to take a 200hp bike off road , thus all the nanny electronic trickery …. I’’m too old for this game , 100 hp still seems over powered to me …
 
Craig said:
I have to admit only Ducati engine I have experience with is the the bullet proof 992 , one 3V and two 2V …. the 3V was in ST3s and made more hp and it came with abs , both I ride now are a/c 2V with zero rider aids , both around the 400lb sweet spot and both put out more speed than most sane riders need , so far all three have needed only regular maintenance which is an afternoon on 2 I have now , the ST3 with all the plastic took much longer and the 3V head was more difficult to measure and shim …. I don’t get the new frameless Dukes without Desmo system at all , just a Italian version of lots of other brands …. the Diavel is sorta kinda interesting Duke and am surprised folks still buying …. Same as the new 4V multi , makes no sense to me to take a 200hp bike off road , thus all the nanny electronic trickery …. I’’m too old for this game , 100 hp still seems over powered to me …
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The fun just begins at 100hp.:p
 
Sure ! Although for me 100 mph is still fast enough and you don’t need 100hp to see that …. Why buy 200hp so your rider aids can save you , try less with no aids to check your skills ….
 
Fast Eddie said:
The Harley! If you’re doing coast to coat, that’s the bike.
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Not bashing Harley here but just this past Saturday I took a ride with my buddy - he on his Harley - don’t know year or model but it has the twin cam motor - and I on my Commando . On our return route we had to go slow and look out for parts of his forward controls that had fallen off . True story and of course this has never happened to a Norton….
 
Richard Tool said:
Not bashing Harley here but just this past Saturday I took a ride with my buddy - he on his Harley - don’t know year or model but it has the twin cam motor - and I on my Commando . On our return route we had to go slow and look out for parts of his forward controls that had fallen off . True story and of course this has never happened to a Norton….
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Fair point… but… I was referring to Scott’s brand new 117” Harley. I’d put my mortgage on that going cross country, and back again, without missing a beat.

Don‘t know anything about your mate, or his bike, but could it be his wrenching skills that are the point ??
 
Fast Eddie said:
Fair point… but… I was referring to Scott’s brand new 117” Harley. I’d put my mortgage on that going cross country, and back again, without missing a beat.

Don‘t know anything about your mate, or his bike, but could it be his wrenching skills that are the point ??
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Ha - could be Nigel . Hmmm - did I help him on this bike ? Can’t recall- LOL
 
Craig said:
I have to admit only Ducati engine I have experience with is the the bullet proof 992 , one 3V and two 2V …. the 3V was in ST3s and made more hp and it came with abs , both I ride now are a/c 2V with zero rider aids , both around the 400lb sweet spot and both put out more speed than most sane riders need , so far all three have needed only regular maintenance which is an afternoon on 2 I have now , the ST3 with all the plastic took much longer and the 3V head was more difficult to measure and shim …. I don’t get the new frameless Dukes without Desmo system at all , just an Italian version of lots of other brands …. the Diavel is sorta kinda interesting Duke and am surprised folks still buying …. Same as the new 4V multi , makes no sense to me to take a 200hp bike off road , thus all the nanny electronic trickery …. I’’m too old for this game , 100 hp still seems over powered to me …
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How far have you ridden your Ducatis
 
BritTwit said:
The fun just begins at 100hp.:p
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The fun begins and ends in the twisties right? The ocassional full-horsepower-hyper-hoon in a straight line is exhilarating, if you can avoid PC plod, but you don’t need high hp in them thar’ hills!! ;)

PS. That said, if some legend did develop a Supercharger for the 961 I’d be at the front of the queue! Call me hypocrite, with a capital HP !!
 
Richard Tool said:
Not bashing Harley here but just this past Saturday I took a ride with my buddy - he on his Harley - don’t know year or model but it has the twin cam motor - and I on my Commando . On our return route we had to go slow and look out for parts of his forward controls that had fallen off . True story and of course this has never happened to a Norton….
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Am I reading this right? Are you being sarcastic?
A Norton without a broken foot controls? Or are you meaning “forward” controls.
 
Roughly 200k kms , so about 120k miles ….. if that what you are asking spread over the 3 of them ….
 
Longest day during cross Canada ride was just shy of 700 kms , was 6C-7C all day in north Ontario along shore of Superior …. ST3s
 
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