What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Craig said:
The KTM ‘s do go , regardless of looks which don’t really appeal to me …. Once you on and rolling who cares what it looks like , it do sound nice as well 😉
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Very true. It’s been said many times, but every biker should try a big bore adventure bike at least once. They are awesome!

From balls out scratching with your mates sports bikes (with the right setup of course) to circumnavigating the continent. I’ve done both over the last 100K Km on this bike. Always intend to have one loitering in my garage.

And let’s face it, you’ve got to have a turn-key bike in the garage if you own a Donington 961!
 
My pick of the Triumph lineup is the Thruxton RS (particularly the TFC) - discontinued for next year of course, which I found difficult to understand - I suppose the sales figures don’t lie.

The 1200RR however is also a pretty sweet looking motorcycle IMO, although I haven’t paid it too much attention since it came out.

I really like the styling and ergo’s however, according to some of the reviews and uncharacteristically for Triumph, it’s getting very mixed ones. An ‘own goal‘ from Triumph? Will be interesting to see what they do with the next iteration of what is one of their premium models. Still really like to ride one though.

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Stephen_Spencer said:
My pick of the Triumph lineup is the Thruxton RS (particularly the TFC) - discontinued for next year of course, which I found difficult to understand - I suppose the sales figures don’t lie.

The 1200RR however is also a pretty sweet looking motorcycle IMO, although I haven’t paid it too much attention since it came out.

I really like the styling and ergo’s however, according to some of the reviews and uncharacteristically for Triumph, it’s getting very mixed reviews. An ‘own goal‘ from Triumph? Will be interesting to see what they do with the next iteration of what is one of their premium models. Still really like to ride one though.

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I like the look, and color as well, that is for a modern spaceship kind of unit.
The half fairing is nice, but if the ergos are not right, then probably it's not going to be a good machine for the road.
I think maybe, add ABM clip-ons for an inch or two more bar height, and mod the fairing for them to fit.
 
BritTwit said:
I like the look, and color as well, that is for a modern spaceship kind of unit.
The half fairing is nice, but if the ergos are not right, then probably it's not going to be a good machine for the road.
I think maybe, add ABM clip-ons for an inch or two more bar height, and mod the fairing for them to fit.
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Agreed BT - I like the fact that it is sporty, but without the full blown race bike look. It‘s modern styling but still has a slight heritage/retro thing going on.

Change the bars and crack on maybe - I’d like to ride one to find out!
 
I had the Speed Triple 1200RS.... it was nothing like the 2005 and 2010 Speed Triples i once had...THEY were great road bikes- loads of low and mid range useability. The 1200 has more power and torque but its all higher up the rev range making it a great track bike, but not so good on the road... you have to go too fast for the bike to be enjoyable, so was very frustrating to ride slow on the roads around me- full of speed camera's and vans !
 
961al said:
I had the Speed Triple 1200RS.... it was nothing like the 2005 and 2010 Speed Triples i once had...THEY were great road bikes- loads of low and mid range useability. The 1200 has more power and torque but its all higher up the rev range making it a great track bike, but not so good on the road... you have to go too fast for the bike to be enjoyable, so was very frustrating to ride slow on the roads around me- full of speed camera's and vans !
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Seems to be the consensus - it’ll be interesting to see how reactive Triumph is to the criticisms. Not something they’d be accustomed to; a very rare miss!

Unlike this beast! Love or hate the styling this must be an awesome machine to give a fist full. Where wheelie control is not just a nice to have:oops:!!

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
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Not your conventional NorVin but pretty special to my eyes!👀 Lots of work and buckets of money spent on this build methinks.

Lovin the style, sweep and swirl of the bodywork. Beautiful engine - form and function in spades. Taill unit looks very reminiscent of the 961. Somebody’s keeper that will never see the market - so by that measure, priceless! Wonder how difficult she’d be to kick over?:oops:

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Stephen_Spencer said:
Not your conventional NorVin but pretty special to my eyes!👀 Lots of work and buckets of money spent on this build methinks.

Lovin the style, sweep and swirl of the bodywork. Beautiful engine - form and function in spades. Taill unit looks very reminiscent of the 961. Somebody’s keeper that will never see the market - so by that measure, priceless! Wonder how difficult she’d be to kick over?:oops:

View attachment 111589View attachment 111588View attachment 111591 View attachment 111590
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this started as a modified Norvin with altered lower frame rails to get engine lower, which is rarely done, but desirable. Then Stile Italiano did the complete restyling thing.
 
jan nelder said:
this started as a modified Norvin with altered lower frame rails to get engine lower, which is rarely done, but desirable. Then Stile Italiano did the complete restyling thing.
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I think it’s a stunner - retained classic looks but with a styling I guess only the Italians have mastery of. How do ya know the history Jan?
 
The proportions and styling of this Triton make this a real winner for me - not sure I’ve ever seen better! A ‘Made in Metal’ offering

What a machine - would dearly love one of these if I had any room left in my garage! And an unlimited supply of wonga of course!

www.essentialmoto.com

Made in Metal: Triton — Essential Moto

Norton + Triumph = Triton. The guys at Made in Metal have built a completely custom, custom. I say this because the Triton was always a mash-up that was never endorsed, but always admired. No finer an example could be had than what is currently being ridden by "Jim from Cheshire". With t
www.essentialmoto.com www.essentialmoto.com

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?


What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
The proportions and styling of this Triton make this a real winner for me - not sure I’ve ever seen better! A ‘Made in Metal’ offering

What a machine - would dearly love one of these if I had any room left in my garage! And an unlimited supply of wonga of course!

www.essentialmoto.com

Made in Metal: Triton — Essential Moto

Norton + Triumph = Triton. The guys at Made in Metal have built a completely custom, custom. I say this because the Triton was always a mash-up that was never endorsed, but always admired. No finer an example could be had than what is currently being ridden by "Jim from Cheshire". With t
www.essentialmoto.com www.essentialmoto.com

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Very nice and all that
But a unit engine in a featherbed is always a compromise with such a short engine
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
The proportions and styling of this Triton make this a real winner for me - not sure I’ve ever seen better! A ‘Made in Metal’ offering

What a machine - would dearly love one of these if I had any room left in my garage! And an unlimited supply of wonga of course!

www.essentialmoto.com

Made in Metal: Triton — Essential Moto

Norton + Triumph = Triton. The guys at Made in Metal have built a completely custom, custom. I say this because the Triton was always a mash-up that was never endorsed, but always admired. No finer an example could be had than what is currently being ridden by "Jim from Cheshire". With t
www.essentialmoto.com www.essentialmoto.com

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View attachment 111661
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I have seen a Cortina 4 in a featherbed too - not good
Someone will do a CBX featherbed one day too - meh!

Why are Triumph engines always trying to be shoehorned into Norton frames?
Has it ever been the other way around?
Noriumph doesn't really have ring to it.

Please don't say shithouse engines, that's not kind. Although 38 degrees advance does say something about the engine's performance!
 
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Stephen_Spencer said:
A compromise in what way Baz - short engine? I feel like I should know this but compromised handling, performance or both?
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You need the motor all the way forwards to get the handling
That makes the chain extremely long
Move it back for better chain run and loose the handling
A unit motor always looks/ is too short for a non unit frame
That's why you end up with huge engine plates
 
baz said:
You need the motor all the way forwards to get the handling
That makes the chain extremely long
Move it back for better chain run and loose the handling
A unit motor always looks/ is too short for a non unit frame
That's why you end up with huge engine plates
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OK, first time I’ve understood that properly Baz - thanks!

Call me shallow though, that is one smokin lookin Triton - maybe perfectly proportioned for me! If I were to ride it, would I notice any inherent flaws? I’m really not expecting a ‘Gixer’!

Gonna court some controversy here - do any of these heritage bikes of that given era actually handle? In modern terms? So what ‘really matters’ with the bikes we covet is authenticity, originality and heritage - the rest is bollox right? Speed and handling being relative?

Which leads me to an even more contentious statement. Is this the fastest, best performing and sexiest looking production Norton motorcycles ever built?

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