G81 Can Cycle
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2012
- Messages
- 471
I took the new 961 up to the Barber Vintage Festival in Alabama. Actually I went up one week earlier to start the break-in process on some nice mountain roads.
I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.
Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.
First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL
Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)
The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)
Current Opinion: I love this bike.
Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton.
On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth /
50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:
Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?
I scouted a great loop to ride (about 70 miles). 2 lane road through the mountains, new asphalt, minimum cross traffic, nice elevation changes, and lots of curves.
Each day of the break-in rides it was 60 to 65 degrees F. Perfect days with no clouds.
First day, took it easy, checking out the bike, and working hard at remembering that I needed to shift on the left side. LOL
Each day the loop became more and more of my personal race track. Top speed on the loop was about 60 MPH, so it was easy to keep the motor under 3500 RPM for break-in. There were several hairpin turns where 30 MPH was close to dragging a foot rest (although twice I did discover that they fold, instead of dragging)
The loop gave a great work out to the gearbox. It was smooth and precise. Combination of gearbox and clutch was one of the nicest I have operated (although I have no other modern bike experience)
Current Opinion: I love this bike.
Now: On to Barber / I camped trackside with other vintage Norton riders. Everyone was impressed with the bike, and upset with me that I would not let them ride it :mrgreen: I had a pit pass, so I rode the 961 through the pits to see some friends who were racing. I could not get 50 yards without someone stopping me and wanting to take pictures or discuss the "New" Norton.
On Saturday, the INOA had their traditional "Turn 6" lunch. The 961 was proudly displayed in front of the tent area. The group next to us was the Vincent Owners Association, and there were about 50 magnificently restored Vincents on display (I need a calculator to figure how much money that was worth / 50 Vincents = ?,???,???.??) But I think there were more pictures taken of the 961 than of the Vincents. :shock:
Questions: I am NOT near any Norton dealership. I bought this from an individual, so I have no dealer loyalty issues. Of the Norton dealers in the USA, who is doing the best support job? Are any of them able to do remapping yet? What about different exhaust systems, which dealers are selling and supporting the upgraded Norton systems?
