What’s the best none Norton Norton ?

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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Starting this to take the ‘traffic’ off of other threads.

Ok, to get us started:

Indian FTR: Too heavy? Handling ??

Kawasaki Z900 retro thingy: Seriously? I mean they were called ‘UJMs’ back in the day, in part due to their bland capableness.

Thaiumph Speed Twin: ...

And...
 
Fast Eddie said:
Starting this to take the ‘traffic’ off of other threads.

Ok, to get us started:

Indian FTR: Too heavy? Handling ??

Kawasaki Z900 retro thingy: Seriously? I mean they were called ‘UJMs’ back in the day, in part due to their bland capableness.

Thaiumph Speed Twin: ...

And...
Click to expand...

Ah yes, "bland". I seem to remember, back in the day, when the critics couldn't find anything wrong with a machine it confounded them, so they described it as "bland"!
 
Best non Norton Norton.......hmm this could mean a couple of things ie the best resurrection of brand such as Indian, Triumph..........the bike that comes closest to the current Norton.......a bike that most resembles what Nortons were back in the day
 
I haven't ridden the FTR yet but aim to after social distancing ends and dealers open.
I like the basic design, have issues with aesthetics like the exhaust system, radiator, license plate holder.
The trellis frame is a plus for handling, but the frame and radiator hide the engine.
For me a modern classic has to display the motor conspicuously, it's the centerpiece of the entire bike.
The 1200 mill is attractive, but it's shrouded under all that "stuff".

The Thaiumph Speed Twin - Lousy seat, 97hp instead of the FTR's 120hp.
Other than that, there ain't nothing else I don't like.
I give the boys at Hinckley a grade of "A" on the looks.
I gave the now deceased 961 a grade of "A+"

Z900 - When your front wheel is in the air you're too busy to notice how bland the bike's appearance is.
The bike is all about adrenaline rush.
 
Neil Graham (The Blue Groove) say Indian “botched it” regarding the FTR he thinks instead of building a replica of the successful flat track racer , Indian ended up building a Ducati Monster clone .... that is what he said not what I know .... tried loading “the Blue Groove” yesterday and it seems like maybe he offline for now ....
 
Craig said:
Neil Graham (The Blue Groove) say Indian “botched it” regarding the FTR he thinks instead of building a replica of the successful flat track racer , Indian ended up building a Ducati Monster clone .... that is what he said not what I know .... tried loading “the Blue Groove” yesterday and it seems like maybe he offline for now ....
Click to expand...

I can see that, but it might be by design, and not by mistake.
The bike could draw attention from flat-track fans, and Ducati fans.
It could improve sales.
 
The bike that reminds me most of my Commando is my MG Griso 1100 , while it a sort of modern twin , with FI, EI and an ECU it does have retro engine design character , plus engine is the centre piece of bike , the ride is not ‘bout top end , more riding the torque on the back roads around where I live , have made hot runs on twinned highways and it is doable , just not as comfortable as bombing a two lane country road , all day comfortable there and so far dead reliable with easy to do basic maintenance .... it will be first bike ride for me this year ...
 
Guzzi's are definitely cool.
Love the V-Twin motor sound of guzzis and ducatis.
I would buy a modern Guzzi LeMans like the '78 LeMans.
Tiny bikini fairing, tomato red/black body work, and basso profundo 850 motor.
Head-on appearance of Guzzis is something else - cylinders and pipes comin' at ya.

What’s the best none Norton Norton ?
 
Craig said:
The bike that reminds me most of my Commando is my MG Griso 1100 , while it a sort of modern twin , with FI, EI and an ECU it does have retro engine design character , plus engine is the centre piece of bike , the ride is not ‘bout top end , more riding the torque on the back roads around where I live , have made hot runs on twinned highways and it is doable , just not as comfortable as bombing a two lane country road , all day comfortable there and so far dead reliable with easy to do basic maintenance .... it will be first bike ride for me this year ...
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I was looking at a used 1100 Sport just last month, that and the Griso could easily tempt me..... but both are classic as opposed to modern retro. Once we are out of this lockdown I will go visit my Triumph dealership, not for any of the twins, had one and moved on, but for a tripple.... the new Rocket 3 :)
 
MxMartin said:
I was looking at a used 1100 Sport just last month, that and the Griso could easily tempt me..... but both are classic as opposed to modern retro. Once we are out of this lockdown I will go visit my Triumph dealership, not for any of the twins, had one and moved on, but for a tripple.... the new Rocket 3 :)
Click to expand...
I always said I would never buy anything of such a weight that I couldn't pick up. Sadly that weight gets less by the day!
 
Weight can be deceptive. I tipped an HD Road King over and it took me and the missus to get it up again. Last Winter I tipped over a Guzzi 1400 California and was amazed at how easy it was to get back upright, all down to distribution and leverage I guess..... if only the dealerships would allow you to try the tipover test in the showrooms :)
 
Best none Norton? First one I thought of was a Molnar Manx. Completely oil tight!!!!
Then I realized it was asked in the modern part of the forum. So I'd say Triumph Daytona.
Or Ducati. Their owners are as loving of the brand as we are of Nortons. Also bikes with a lot of curios flaws, just like a Norton.
 
I also have a Ducati ST3s same year as Griso , honestly once I had it set up to my liking , I have found no “flaws”.... not exactly sure what you were getting at , yes the Italian bikes have personality but not so many issues these days or at least mine so far don’t seem to , I am member of local Duc club and for the most part other than the inevitable mods and regular maintenance not much goes wrong , both the Duke and Griso remind me of the Commando when out on back roads no doubt on that ....
Griso - 528 lbs road ready
Ducati ST3s bags , road ready 500lbs
 
Craig said:
I also have a Ducati ST3s same year as Griso , honestly once I had it set up to my liking , I have found no “flaws”.... not exactly sure what you were getting at , yes the Italian bikes have personality but not so many issues these days or at least mine so far don’t seem to , I am member of local Duc club and for the most part other than the inevitable mods and regular maintenance not much goes wrong , both the Duke and Griso remind me of the Commando when out on back roads no doubt on that ....
Griso - 528 lbs road ready
Ducati ST3s bags , road ready 500lbs
Click to expand...
I agree,
My Ducati ST3s was fantastic,once the suspension was set it was safe and fast,
Unfortunately on holiday in Austria the engine let go,6000 miles on clock.
More normal than you would like to think.
Big ends went,started with a small ticking noise then got louder and louder.
Had to hire a K1200GT BMW to complete holiday.
 
robs ss said:
How's that naked - with all that plastic work all over the front of it?
It's like a strip show where the girls only get down to their evening wear!
Click to expand...
In today’s modern bike it’s not 100% Naked. But compared to most it is.
It’s still considered a neo Classic. And it’s definitely lighter than most other modern bikes.
 
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