Nortons and BMWs

I notice quite a number of Norton owners who post here also list BMWs in their motorcycle collection. I, too, have a BMW alongside my Norton in my garage. When you think about it, it's a rather odd combination. Hardly any commonality between the two brands. In my case, my K75 RT represents rock solid reliability. Maintenance is minimal. The Norton seems to protest unless it's regularly fondled. Just wondering why other Norton owners choose a BMW as a stablemate.

I don't know, but I'll bet the rest have hondas.

Greg

I had a 1980 RS100R while I was rebuilding my Norton, just sold it about 2 months ago so I can start on the other project bike (650 Manxman). had the BMW for 7 years without much troubles.

Ashley

It’s a logical pairing of opposites. The BMW is male. It's practical, strong, dependable, and low maintenance. The Norton is not.

OTOH, many of us here also own Ducatis... :roll:

Funny thing though: I've always considered my Nortons to be of the male gender...

Debby

debby said:

OTOH, many of us here also own Ducatis... :roll:

Funny thing though: I've always considered my Nortons to be of the male gender...

Debby

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Yes---correct. Have been around all three many years---late 70's---lots of BMW owners have both Ducati and Nortons tucked in their garages. Me as well.
why?---Because they make me happy- I can afford them--their fun to ride--demand your full attention and they are twin cylinder machines.
I have never named any of my bikes nor thought of them in any gender sense---don't see the need to.---But, on occasion I have called
them unpleasant names--like a "GDPOS" which is gender neutral----- I think.

I only do "old bikes" (in my world a "proper" motorcycle has spokes and drum brakes), my 1973 BMW R75/5 has spokes, drums, an electric starter AND turn signals! (it's my "modern bike").

Vince

debby said:

Funny thing though: I've always considered my Nortons to be of the male gender...

Debby

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Maybe you need to redo the isolastics to get rid of the vibration.

I hope you have a sense of humor Debby.

I'm into total abuse as I have an Aprilia with electrics akin to our friend Lucas :cry:

I am currently searching for a BMW R1200RT Police retiree. WHY? Two cylinders, a lot of h/p, windshield,heated grips, anti lock brakes, saddle bags, electric start, and wind protection. Did I mention I am getting old, stiff, tired, and taking too long to fix or repair stuff. Same sorts of reasons why I got rid of all my British sports cars and love riding in my 93-97 Lincoln town cars. I don't think I would ever sell my Norton, but if you are a Triumph collector, you can have my T120RT to help finance this new endeavor.

Funny thing, The Norton I call "The Beast" because it is.
The 5T I call Rosie, because she's my sweetheart. (and because of the colour)
The R1200 I call the Beemer ... Not much personality ... (for sale) Although good for long miles.
The T100 Bonnie, an extension of my self. ( the perfect allround bike, in my opinion )
The Gas Gas ... good fun !!!
The only one that I don't feel a real connection with is the BMW ... Maybe my strong aversion to technology ....
Maybe I need help. Who knows.... Just my thoughts.

Hi
Triples T150 T160

Didn't like my BMW Harley sportster or 600 Ducati pantha.

Chris

JimC said:

I notice quite a number of Norton owners who post here also list BMWs in their motorcycle collection. I, too, have a BMW alongside my Norton in my garage. When you think about it, it's a rather odd combination. Hardly any commonality between the two brands. In my case, my K75 RT represents rock solid reliability. Maintenance is minimal. The Norton seems to protest unless it's not regularly fondled. Just wondering why other Norton owners choose a BMW as a stablemate.

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I guess the question is--"which came first"----the Norton or the BMW.
For most I would guess a British Bike---Norton--Triumph---BSA---started the whole process. Then, as time went on---destinations became further and further away---it dawned on most that a long distance---more reliable---more comfortable---more??????----whatever---motorcycle was needed to fill that requirement. Not that some British bikes couldn't do this---but most could not. After all---these bikes were designed and originally intended for European conditions. Shorter distances to destinations either in the British isles or on the "Continent"-- France--Germany--Italy--Spain.
So, another bike was required to fulfill this need. And--here lies the choice. Keeping with a relatively lightweight--easy to maintain--reliable motorcycle---BMW was there to fill the bill. This was the choice for the more serious long distance riders. Of course Moto Guzzi was also one to consider .---But---the dealer network was to be considered as well.
Now for the rebuttals to come a gushin.
This brief response to the question is my own personal viewpoint---from years of observations and having known many people who have traveled this path---this transition. Remember---the British bike industry ended in the mid 70's----to continue the motorcycling life---one had to select a different make----for some the bikes from
the east just didn't fulfill that same riding experience--the same feel---the ???? --whatever.

gjr said:

I don't know, but I'll bet the rest have hondas.

Greg

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How about four of them ....three are 70's era four-cylinder CBs'.... :mrgreen:

1973 CB 350F

1975 CB550K1

1977 CB750F

1981 CB750F DOHC

They are all very reliable, easy to work on and fun to ride.

Ray

i got some of the old....Norton Commando
and some of the new....Victory Vision.

The Vic will be going to Prudhoe Bay AK this summer from Key west, Fl, a 12000 round trip. Its the most Nimble, powerful, comfortable tour I have ever ridden, yes I have tried them all. 72,000 miles on my 08 Vision and still love it.
The Commando is for my local rides to the Blue Ridge Mountains , all nothing but pleasure day trips. Love the Commando for these days

more of an age thing i think, most norton owners are getting up there in years and BMW's are kinda "the" geriatric motorcycle ( aka a geezer -pleazer) :mrgreen: :shock:

I got my first BMW (a '75 R90S) partly because my first Norton (a '69 Commando) was a mechanical nightmare, replaced the R90S with a K100 because I thought I needed the power at the time.

mikegray660 said:

BMW's are kinda "the" geriatric motorcycle ( aka a geezer -pleazer) :mrgreen: :shock:

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I haven't heard that one before, lol. Could be true, but I think there are some young fellers who like them too. There will be a whole new generation of vintage bike owners to take our place when we all die off.

I've always thought it would be fun to have an old airhead in the garage. I kind of like the toaster tanks now, although back in the day I thought they were hideous. Funny how tastes change over the years.

They're all vintage so they're all good! :mrgreen:

BMWs are a little hard to figure, since they have probably changed the most in their emphasis and product line since the glory days of the airhead. Still a lot of airhead fans, and always will be. I think very fondly about the travels my wife and I did back on my 78 R100. 500 mile days in relative comfort at interstate speeds was no big deal. No extra gadgets, simple to service, and lot of little touches that only BMW did at the time. I could see the virtues of the air-heads meshing nicely with a Commando owner. I've owned several air-heads, and loved them one and all. Currently have a F650 Dakar I stash at my mother-in-law's home in Arkansas. It's the perfect bike for plodding around down there when we are on one of our many visits, but I often wish I was on an air-head. An R90S was a simple, sporting beast in its day. The new stuff like the six cylinder BMW mega-dollar tourer is also a BMW, but even my wife looks at those and asks "what happened?" She used to (patiently) listen to me tout the virtues of BMW simplicity, and now sees something that looks like the kind of stuff I turned my nose up at back in the day.

The Commando is, in my opinion, the best looking of the 1970's British Motorcycle breeds.

The BMW R1100rt is as easy to work on as the Commando and I wouldn't hesitate to pack it up and ride it 2000 miles.

The BMW K1300s is a refined sport bike for those of us at 50+ and it can startle the bejesus out of you when you crack open the throttle.