- Joined
- Jan 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,006
Just wondering,
Do folks here use their Nortons for regular riding or are they an occasional-use/special occasion bike?
For 8 years in Mexico my Commando was my only motorcycle. A couple of years ago I bought an BMW R9T there because I thought it looked cool and I rode that most of the time. Oddly enough, the Norton actually handles the mixed road environment much better than the 9T - mostly, I suspect, due to narrower wheels/tires, especially tires, but the old Norton suspension (with faith fork mod) handles the potholes/speedbumps better than the 9T did originally OR currently with 3k USD (ouch) worth of Ohlins front/rear suspension mods. The Ohlins greatly improved the 9T handling on good surfaces but didn't do much at all for cobblestones/dirt/gravel.
I'm selling the 9T when we get back to Mexico (if I can - I suspect there will be virtually NO interest in it there) and reverting to the Commando as my only moto in Mexico which would make it, once again, a "daily rider."
So, again, just wondering if most of the Nortons here see routine service or if other bikes are normally ridden and the Norton just for specific "occasions."
On a side note, have to admit I'm considering my first Japanese bike in many, MANY years - a Kawasaki Z900RS. When a friend said, "Oh, you are interested in retro bikes, " I said, "No, I'm interested in bikes that look like motorcycles, not like insects!"
Do folks here use their Nortons for regular riding or are they an occasional-use/special occasion bike?
For 8 years in Mexico my Commando was my only motorcycle. A couple of years ago I bought an BMW R9T there because I thought it looked cool and I rode that most of the time. Oddly enough, the Norton actually handles the mixed road environment much better than the 9T - mostly, I suspect, due to narrower wheels/tires, especially tires, but the old Norton suspension (with faith fork mod) handles the potholes/speedbumps better than the 9T did originally OR currently with 3k USD (ouch) worth of Ohlins front/rear suspension mods. The Ohlins greatly improved the 9T handling on good surfaces but didn't do much at all for cobblestones/dirt/gravel.
I'm selling the 9T when we get back to Mexico (if I can - I suspect there will be virtually NO interest in it there) and reverting to the Commando as my only moto in Mexico which would make it, once again, a "daily rider."
So, again, just wondering if most of the Nortons here see routine service or if other bikes are normally ridden and the Norton just for specific "occasions."
On a side note, have to admit I'm considering my first Japanese bike in many, MANY years - a Kawasaki Z900RS. When a friend said, "Oh, you are interested in retro bikes, " I said, "No, I'm interested in bikes that look like motorcycles, not like insects!"