Jan cycle world norton&bmw

Peter Egan writes another classic on the virtues of the 850 Commando and R90s, a must read. Mine came in today's mail, should be in newsstands (?) shortly and maybe on the web already.

On my way to the mailbox for my copy. Egan is a great writer, and loves his Commando too.

The article Egan wrote about his truncated cross-country journey on a new Commando (referred to as "the Manxton Contaminator Twin") was hilarious, but it makes it all the more amazing he ever bought another.

The Commando Peter is riding , in this article was given to him , with the understanding he would restore it ... thank goodness the two testers had their heads on straight ... as the way I read it , the Commando comes out on top ... maybe open to interpretation but that's how I read this entertaining piece on 2 old bikes ... one thing I noticed , when Mr. Egan first put the Norton back on the road ... he reported in CW that he had installed a single Mikuni ... but I see now he has the dual Amal setup and refers to it as original ...
Craig

FWIW this article is now available online at the CW site...enjoyed it a lot as I've owned both bikes.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/12/21/cl ... eter-egan/

With an oil leak like that at the head, Egan will dump this one too.

Bluto,
Thanks for posting that link
Pete

I have owned a BMW 750/5 and I still own a 74 Norton 850. Both of these bikes were built from basket cases by me. I sold the BMW years ago because at a certain point I hadn't ridden it in two years, a friend asked if I would sell it so I said yes. The BMW was pretty boring. I thought I would eventually get a R100RS. I still think I would like one of those. If I had a bigger garage maybe I would have one now. The Norton is not boring, but you do pretty much need to be a mechanical engineer to enjoy one. I am an engineer so I do enjoy my Norton a lot.

I have Krauser luggage on by Norton. Sometimes people mistake my bike for a BMW, because from the back that's what it looks like. For most people the back of my Norton is their usual view.

I really liked the article partly because I've ridden a lot of the roads in the story, and Egan is always entertaining.
I've owned an R100/RS and an R80/6 (fitted with S bars and fairing), and still own a `63 R50/2. They're great cruisers and gobble up the miles but I too found them a little boring. The motors seemed a little too "agricultural" for my tastes. My buddy has an R90S and (to be honest) it felt quite similar to my R80/6. I like air head BMW's but I find the flat twin engine not especially attractive, the power delivery is a bit dull, the exhaust note is forgettable. From my seat of the pants comparison my 850 easily out performs my buddy's R90S in acceleration and is just more entertaining to ride, sounds amazing, and the engine is beautiful to look at. The R90S comes into it's element in fast 80+ mph cruising long stretches of highway for hours. The R90S is a beautiful bike and I might try to find a nice one (or R100S) before I die, but I still think the motor has a face only a mother could love. I'd take the R90S coast to coast in a hearbeat.

I've owned both of them, as well as a couple of others
and I have to say that the article is fairly accurate in it's conclusion.

The Beemers are a more of a refined ride where the Nortons are more tactile.

I had a 75/7 that was the smoothest running bike I have ever ridden.
That motorcycle made me a life long horizontally opposed engine fan.

I do understand what Peter says comparing the two machines. I've owned two 1983 BMW R100RS, one bought new, and also a K75S. The BMWs are gone and a Commando sits in my garage. In fact the current '72 750 roadster I have owned longer than any other motorcycle. Boxer twins are fine machines, but they don't excite like a Commando can.

I read and enjoyed the article, but If I am going any long distance on a bike I choose my Mk 3 Interstate over my other bikes. OK, it's not great at anything , but it's good at everything !
I've never owned and never will own a BMW airhead, they are just too ugly and as for reliability I'd put my Commando (138,000 miles) against one any day.
I have actually ridden an R100RS and thought it was a bag of sh---
sam

Loved my 75/6 with 1000 jugs. Pinned it along the New Brunswick coast at 125 for 2 hours , seeing nobody. Sold for what I paid $4500 to a bud so I can visit any time. He did Winnipeg and back. The Norton MK 111 Interstate will be the new Long distance tourer this season , Nipigon and back to fish. Should be just as good.

I've owned several of both marques, and currently own two Commandos and a 1974 R90S. The BMW is a faithful friend. The Norton is a willing accomplice.

trident sam said:

I read and enjoyed the article, but If I am going any long distance on a bike I choose my Mk 3 Interstate over my other bikes. OK, it's not great at anything , but it's good at everything !
I've never owned and never will own a BMW airhead, they are just too ugly and as for reliability I'd put my Commando (138,000 miles) against one any day.
I have actually ridden an R100RS and thought it was a bag of sh---
sam

Click to expand...

Beauty is subjective and I do agree German esthetics is not for me. The faired airhead models were OK then succeeding models continued to get worse. Still if given the choice on a coast to coast run it's no contest for getting there fast and reliably. Same goes for twisty back roads, the choice is obvious.

Peter Egan is the absolute best.......................

a short video that goes with the story...

http://www.cycleworld.com/videos/latest ... 90s_video/