Correct. For both. So a fair comparison IMHO.Almost all power to weight ratios are given as weight of riderless bike ÷power. I'm guessing that is how you calculated the 110 rwhp figure?
The power to weight ratios change quite dramatically when you add in the rider.Correct. For both. So a fair comparison IMHO.
Sounds like a go on that bike may have gotten expensive for you.Well I had a very interesting event yesterday…
At Cadwell Park with my 920 Commando, which really doesn’t hang about.
I accidentally had the gearing just about perfect, hitting peak rpm in top at the end of the straight (on a good lap).
I rode behind a friend on his 4 valve Manx for a bit. On the straight, starting from right behind him, I could just about get my front wheel along side him, no chance of getting past him.
And that’s on my 920 with the gearing cock on for max speed down the straight.
I was amazed. Yes the Manx is perhaps 100lbs lighter and yes it’s fully faired, but still, I really wasn’t expecting it to be that quick.
Then it turns out his bike was running rich and not even revving out fully FFS !
And then… he let me have a go on it... oh my word… suddenly my Commando felt like a Transit van !!
I recently watched a tuned Black Shadow racing against Manx Nortons at Donnington.
The Black Shadow did not win.
The surprising thing was the Manx acceleration out of the corners.
You would think that a 1000 cc Vincent would at least have them there.
Nope.
Glen
I have long admired the Manx too but had never actually ridden one until earlier this year when I had a ride on a top spec 4 valve Molnar Manx, exquisitely built and prepared by Martin Page at Minnovation Racing.In my garage is a 2019 Husqvarna 701 Vitpilen- a bike I became enamored with because of its vague resemblance to a proper Manx and it’s shared single cylinder engine.
Mine has had its exhaust changed and a power commander fitted- its a very strong running bike, and weighs in at about 345lbs all up. It is a terrific ride, and only makes me want a Manx more.
The bike trains the rider . Manx Norton's overseer as they accelerateYes I think your right there, but when there is such a large margin of difference to begin with, even adding my 95kg into the equation, the Manx still wins.
However, if we were talking a road going Manx with more weight and less power, they‘d probably be neck and neck.
On the road there’s no doubt (in my mind) the Commando would be, by far, the nicer bike to ride. In fact I could easily imagine a Manx would be quite horrid on the road.
But on the track, the light weight of the Manx must give huge dividends in terms of handling and braking even if you ignore the power to weight ratio!
When I first started racing, a chap called Doug Jones (RIP) was racing one of the first Molnar Manxes (stock bore and stroke too). He’d enter it in all sorts of classes just for fun. The lads in the Pre 72 unlimited class even complained about him “it’s not fair, it’s a GP bike” even though they were on Tritons, Nourish engines, Commandos, Tridents, Rob Norths, etc !
As a mate of mine who’s spent decades racing Commandos, but recently added a Manx to the stable said “it’s just a marvellous thing to ride. It makes me a better rider”!
As you can tell, I’m quite smitten !!
The bike trains the rider
With a fast bike it is OK to join the procession out wide then blast down the straight.The Manx was the first bike I rode which oversteered except for my T110 when I carried a pillion passenger. In that case it was unsafe. But with a slow race bike it is important that you do not run wide in corners as you accelerate through them.