Commando Versus Modern

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phil yates

phil yates

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Mar 24, 2014
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Before I get shot down as a traitor for "dinky toy" comments about Commandos, I have to say acceleration and top speed are not comparable to modern high powered bikes. I've had a mix of all sorts of bikes over the years, far more than twenty (I've lost count), mixed with a different Commando at the same time.

I know a lot of guys don't ride a lot these days, and that's fine. But I ride my Commando everyday. Local around town use during the week and country riding some weekends. I don't care how fast a modern bike can go or it's standing quarter time. Nothing will ever be as enjoyable to me as my Commando to ride. Though some shudder at the concept, the electric start is so handy when doing up around 8 start stops per day. It has more acceleration than I can use around town and top speed? Well who cares? All way above legal limits anyway.

With updated mods, the Commando is the best and only motorcycle anyone should be seen on. The rest, lacking complete individuality should be crushed and made into tin sheds for Norton storage. European bikes not included.

Phil
 
I love my Norton, but I also love my new Triumph Thruxton, Nortons were fast when they first came out but to compare then to moden bikes is all wrong, I use to ride my Norton every day for 38 years but now its done its job well and is now semi retired just like me, I want it to last for as long as I am around, so now my Triumph is my everyday ride and when I take my Norton out I enjoy it even more.

Ashley
 
True. Just paid up for Norton Crazy Combat Insurance to commence after BMW expiry May 26 in this hemisphere ,Rallys etc. so here we go ! :wink:
 
the Commando is the best and only motorcycle anyone should be seen on.
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Big call Phil. I love my Commando, but I have a Rickman CR750 which is a good bit of kit as well. And there's also my old Triumph, my mate's Norton F1,etc.etc.
Your sounding like some harley riders I know !

Johno
 
What have I said wrong this time? I'm amazed that anyone in this forum would complain about praise for a Commando. You just can't pick em. There was no comparison as such to modern motorcycles, certainly not that was derogatory to the Commando.

Personally, I wouldn't even park my Commando in a tin shed made from Japanese motorcycles. That would be an insult to its dignity.

During the day, I keep my Commando parked outside the front door, for quick departure and arrival. I can be in and out all day tripping everywhere. I was going to paint the house roof red, but decided BRG is a tad more traditional. Fence also is a light BRG.
This is in keeping with my next BRG MkIII Fastback currently being built in Iowa.

Sounding like a Harley owner?
I don't think so.
I am a Norton Commando owner who loves riding his machine. If you don't, no skin off my nose.

Phil
 

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phil yates said:
During the day, I keep my Commando parked outside the front door, for quick departure and arrival.
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Until the day you come out to find it gone and it is in the back of a van heading interstate.

I like all manner of motorcycles especially British and Italian jobs yet the best all rounder of the 31 bikes I have owned (have only ever sold nine) purchased to date well might be the venerable 08 DR650 (unchanged sine 1996) that has traversed Australia up,down and sideways without missing a beat,definitely a less is more bike.
Show me someone who has only ever had one brand of motorcycle let alone model and you will find someone stuck in the past living a black and white life.
There is no modern bike comparable to a Norton Commando including character.
 
Time Warp said:
phil yates said:
During the day, I keep my Commando parked outside the front door, for quick departure and arrival.
Click to expand...

Until the day you come out to find it gone and it is in the back of a van heading interstate.

I like all manner of motorcycles especially British and Italian jobs yet the best all rounder of the 31 bikes I have owned (have only ever sold nine) purchased to date well might be the venerable 08 DR650 (unchanged sine 1996) that has traversed Australia up,down and sideways without missing a beat,definitely a less is more bike.
Show me someone who has only ever had one brand of motorcycle let alone model and you will find someone stuck in the past living a black and white life.
There is no modern bike comparable to a Norton Commando including character.
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Well they would have to be pretty quick to grab the Commando. When not going here there and everywhere, sitting where it is, I look at it directly through my office window, where I am when not on it riding off on yet another errand. Also have a savage dog who guards it with his life, day and night. But it is safely locked away at night anyway. The Kawasaki Verseys is a very good all rounder. I sold mine to make room in the living room for the Commando, which was later chucked out anyway. The Verseys was never a good seller, apparently because it couldn't do 3000mph. But still would beat most things around town and a good tourer. But from my perspective, steering not a patch on the Norton. Would have made a good chook house, but a very expensive one.

Savage Norton Guard Dog.
Resting up after night shift.
Will be dyed BRG next summer.
 

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petejohno said:
looks like the dog is sick of all your BS as well :mrgreen:
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BS? Never mind slurs on me. Get on that Commando and do some riding.
And just what are you doing knowing Harley riders?
I'm getting a bit worried about you. Very worried in fact.
 
phil yates said:
The Kawasaki Verseys is a very good all rounder.
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It is but about as exciting as being in a coma.
Kawasaki of course have a big part in the contemporary classic twin going back to the W650,if not for that bike there would be no modern Triumph or Norton,they took the risk and paved the way.
Those bikes created a whole new 'scene which included born again bikers being able to ride the time warp with modern conveniences.
I have just come in from working on the Sunbeam,there is no bike like a Sunbeam S7 deluxe either,the single seat,cantilevered,three height adjustable with a plunger and spring that rides inside the frame top tube can't be British surely,pinched off the Germans me thinks.
What modern bike has a seat like that ?
 
Time Warp said:
phil yates said:
The Kawasaki Verseys is a very good all rounder.
Click to expand...

It is but about as exciting as being in a coma.
Kawasaki of course have a big part in the contemporary classic twin going back to the W650,if not for that bike there would be no modern Triumph or Norton,they took the risk and paved the way.
Those bikes created a whole new 'scene which included born again bikers being able to ride the time warp with modern conveniences.
I have just come in from working on the Sunbeam,there is no bike like a Sunbeam S7 deluxe either,the single seat,cantilevered,three height adjustable with a plunger and spring that rides inside the frame top tube can't be British surely,pinched off the Germans me thinks.
What modern bike has a seat like that ?
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None that I care to think of.
Verseys performance similar to Commando, but using six speeds. Very good as general usage bike. Pillion seat too high, as most modern Japos. Norton seat low and easy mounting by pillion. Jap bikes require a step ladder for pillion rider. Then sit high like a monkey in a tree but with knees crushed into jaw. All for styling.

Sunbeam? Try another forum.
Less exciting than being in a coma.
 
Time Warp said:
What modern bike has a seat like that ?
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A 1922 Indian.
And a BSA Bantam.
We may have to stretch the 'modern' bit to cover them though...

Come to think of it, Beams were made by BSA,
is the seat mechanism common ?
 
Rohan said:
Time Warp said:
What modern bike has a seat like that ?
Click to expand...

A 1922 Indian.
And a BSA Bantam.
We may have to stretch the 'modern' bit to cover them though...

Come to think of it, Beams were made by BSA,
is the seat mechanism common ?
Click to expand...

We are not even past page one and have gone from riding Commandos to seat mechanisms on a Sunbeam.

Les!! Come over here and sort these boys out.
They've gone stark raving crazy!
Next post will be on horse saddles.
 
We are discussing how features on modern bikes have regressed, rather than progressed.

Please keep up !
 
P.S. I've been for a ride in a car (yes, embarrassing) that could start at the push of a button.
And it had neither a starter motor, nor used a crank handle.
And it was 100 years old last year.

Marvellous feature, why did they do away with stuff like that.... ??
 
Rohan said:
We are discussing how features on modern bikes have regressed, rather than progressed.

Please keep up !
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Well played Rohan.
Did you know the aftermarket seat business is probably a multi million dollar a year enterprise.
I looked up those seats they look to have vertical springs like many other single saddles.

If you are going compare it needs to be Commando verses contemporary classics,I think even today the Commando (in fine fettle) could run with any of them as long as you remember they are up to 46 years old.
The best representative might be the 850 any year,coast to coast no problem.
 
Rohan said:
We are discussing how features on modern bikes have regressed, rather than progressed.

Please keep up !
Click to expand...

I'm struggling Rohan, you know I have limited concentration and brain capacity.

I've just dug out of my very old tucked away Norton files a very interesting dual road test from 1971 on the Roadster and Production Racer. It's in Motorcycle Sport Quarterly (which is American, but can't change that :)). I was at the Motorcycle Motorshow back then and they were handing copies of this thing out at the Norton stand. You would never buy any other bike after reading this article. I'll photograph it and post under this topic (if Les hasn't chucked us out by then for skirmishing) on the weekend. It makes fascinating reading and takes one back to the heady days when the Commando was king of the road. It's still king of the road in Mittagong and reputed to be even faster than a Sunbeam with missing seat.

Phil
 
Time Warp said:
Rohan said:
We are discussing how features on modern bikes have regressed, rather than progressed.

Please keep up !
Click to expand...

Well played Rohan.
Did you know the aftermarket seat business is probably a multi million dollar a year enterprise.
I looked up those seats they look to have vertical springs like many other single saddles.

If you are going compare it needs to be Commando verses contemporary classics,I think even today the Commando (in fine fettle) could run with any of them as long as you remember they are up to 46 years old.
The best representative might be the 850 any year,coast to coast no problem.
Click to expand...

Well played Time, you are back on track.
I don't think it needs to be versus contemporary classics. But it of course does need to be something similar in the modern breed. Not 1973 super bike versus 2014 super bike or something similar. That would be ridiculous. That's why I mentioned the comerised (your thoughts) Verseys which has similar performance. Depends on your riding of course. For me it's around town and day trips out in the country. For this sort of riding the Commando is impeccable, individual and looks so special. I never had people taking photos of the Verseys. Not that that in any way relates to riding. But an indication of the interest in Commandos.

So I don't care what anyone thinks (never did) the Commando is the perfect machine for me.
And another big feature - it is a Norton.

Phil
 
Time Warp said:
I looked up those seats they look to have vertical springs like many other single saddles.
Click to expand...

Mmmm, maybe it was the DKW original that had that.
Indian and other bikes back before then had that system
 
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