New member - 750 or 850

Hello everybody,

I am a new member on this forum. Perhaps a little introduction. I am from Belgium and I love motorcycles :wink: ... I have a guzzi le mans 1 in standard trim and one in caferacer trim :twisted: .

I would also like to buy a commando 750 or 850 . Can anybody tell me what the main differences are between the 750 and 850?
Riding?
Reliability?
Is it correct that a 750 has more power as an 850?
Is a 750 more wanted as an 850?

Thanks for your help.

Geralduzzi

IMHO the 750 is a little more sprinty for around town while the 850 is more torquey for hiway touring.

As long as it says norton thats the main thing

Welcome to the forum

Hi Geralduzzi,

In very brief summary - the early '69 - '71 750 Fastback with drum front brake is historicaly desirable (in my opinion) this was followed by the Roadster and Interstate (ideal for long distance 24L tank) in both 750 and 850 models. The final version was the 850 Mk3 with electric start.

The early 750 had weaker crankcase and crankshaft main bearings, but modern improvements have made them reliable and suitable for all types of riding. The most sporty of all Commandos is the 750 Combat. This has high compression head and a semi-race camshaft. The 850 is overall the strongest engine in terms of durability. It has the same HP as the 750 but more torque making it relaxed, but sporty enough for street and highway rides.

With the many tune up options, you can make an 850 a powerful bike with reliability, so the original factory specification is somewhat irrelevant if you consider that after 30 years, many bikes have been modified and generally improved in someway such as electronic ignition, belt drive transmission, other carburettors and better disc brakes etc'.

Nortons are about style, mechanical interest and riding fun, they certainly get lots of admiring looks!

Mick