Question for Norton riders ?

Knucles · Jun 2, 2021

Do most people cruise longer distances on their Norton or another bike ?
what other cruiser do you ride?
maybe when carrying a passenger a larger cruiser is better?

concours · Jun 2, 2021

I've ridden the Commando on multiple 2000 mile trips.
Two up though, I use a bigger bike

lazyeye6 · Jun 2, 2021

My Norton is strictly used to carve local backroads. Longer distance riding I ride my
Triumph Street Triple. I never ride 2 up any more. It defeats the purpose of a motorcycle.
When I did, it was with a BMW R1200R that I had. Now I have a BMW M240i for
stylish high energy 4 wheel riding and comfort for driver and passenger, not to mention
a state of the art sound system.

jbruney · Jun 2, 2021

The Commando is only for short jaunts mainly because my back, neck, and my old ass just can't do what it does 40+ years later for any distance. My old GL1000 does anything over 35-40 miles.... The 850 is still the love of my life though, and receives preferential treatment and preservation. It is the most lovely bike I've ever been privileged to own and ride.

Torontonian · Jun 2, 2021

jbruney said:
The Commando is only for short jaunts mainly because my back, neck, and my old ass just can't do what it does 40+ years later for any distance. My old GL1000 does anything over 35-40 miles.... The 850 is still the love of my life though, and receives preferential treatment and preservation. It is the most lovely bike I've ever been privileged to own and ride.

Went with the wifey on the back of the MK111 to Manitoulin and back no problem . With tent and gear too. Doing it again this season. Just know when to avoid rain and hole up for that scenario. Check weather forecasts every day.

Knucles · Jun 2, 2021

I guess as we get older , the comfort of a big cruiser is nice.
I do many 200-350 mile trips thru the desert , to Los Angeles , Utah and Arizona . Always on my Victory vision tour .
my running around town bike is a 1200 sportster , until I get the Norton going .

trident sam · Jun 3, 2021

I use my Mk 3 Interstate or my 990 T160 for all long trips, don't have a bigger or modern bike. ( except a small Honda errand bike ) Both bikes have been all over Europe and the UK. The old bikes will do the trips, just a bit slower than a modern. I do look at modern bikes but the only one I seem to like is the Africa Twin, which is so expensive it remains just a look at bike.

Richard Tool · Jun 3, 2021

Commando for shorter rides & occasional day trips - Honda ST 1300 for longer journeys.

Onder · Jun 3, 2021

I cannot imagine riding or rather driving one of the illustrated monster tour bikes. If it fell over I could not lift it back up. How does one turn it about in the garage? I have enough trouble with the T150v which is one reason I am aboard the Rickman more often than not.

Mart UK · Jun 3, 2021

I was comfortable on a 200 mile ride last week.

In 1999, 10 guys, 10 sports bikes on our first annual tour. 1500 to 2,000 miles. 22 years later, 10 old guys, no sportsbikes! I'm off to Wales and Scotland in just over 2 weeks time. I am sorely tempted to take the Commando, but have decided I'll stick to the Harley. Next year, after a year sorting any more issues, should be reliable and game on...

Flatspot · Jun 3, 2021

The Commando is simply my “ride to bike nights“ to show off with others on old bikes. The occasional 60/70 mile round trip of a summer’s evening across Dartmoor.

Anything longer, or less laid back, then it’s either my ZZR1400 or perhaps my 1999 show condition Hayabusa.

gortnipper · Jun 3, 2021

I have no qualms riding a couple thousand miles on my Commando, and I find it fun, relaxing and mostly quite comfortable.

Collarbone notwithstanding.

I would rather ride it that far than my modern Ducati.

acadian · Jun 3, 2021

I've done coast to coast on the Norton, and a 2 month road trip to Mexico and back on my T140... all many years in the past. Don't think I would attempt it now. Current long haul bike is my Speed Triple, but even that's becoming a bit of a stretch. I'm seriously considering a new Tiger 800... with a screen!

MikeG · Jun 3, 2021

I have no fear of riding my Commando anywhere, especially now since I've put an Interstate tank and seat on and lower bars and rear sets, its all day long comfortable. The only limitation is what roads I travel on. Todays traffic flows at a much faster pace than when the bike was designed and it's just doesn't feel good trying to keep up. For those times when I do need to make time or keep up with other riders on newer bikes I take my 07 Suzuki Bandit. Probably the most capable, comfortable, sharpest handling and fastest bike I've ever owned.

baz · Jun 3, 2021

I use my commando or trident t160 for long trips (if you can call 200-250 miles a long trip)
I use my BSA A10 for local trips only
I have an Indian bullet for commuting
And a rigid BMW chopper for fun

Richard Tool · Jun 3, 2021

Onder said:
I cannot imagine riding or rather driving one of the illustrated monster tour bikes. If it fell over I could not lift it back up. How does one turn it about in the garage? I have enough trouble with the T150v which is one reason I am aboard the Rickman more often than not.

The ST is a brute to move around but I have a routine for getting it pointed in a direction where it can move under power . It would be nice if it had an electric reverse like the Goldwing . I have only dropped it once ( more like easing it over gently) when trying to put it on the lift by myself. It came to rest with the left mirror on a chair and broke the mirror but that’s all. I had to get help to pick it up.
Once rolling it is a joy however - nimble , FAST , smooth, quiet and comfortable. It is an amazing motorcycle but the first one in my stable I would sell.

alan hodge · Jun 3, 2021

commando/1972 triumph t120/1968 bsa a65 for country road rides avg. 50-60 miles solo have Honda Shadow Aero for rides with wife

maylar · Jun 3, 2021

I only have one motorcycle, a 74 MKII. I'd be willing to take it anywhere, though my old body limits me to about 100 miles a day nowadays. When I "toured" with it, I fit panniers and a windscreen and GPS on it. Even in Roadster trim, a Commando is very versatile.

TheCounty · Jun 3, 2021

Built my "73 750 MkV in 1991 & still my main ride. Other than this 2 year hiatus ( job/heath/etc) I'm recently retired & about to add to 50K + miles I've racked up on it.
Local day rides with the wife 2-up is perfect. She can nearly nod off cuddled in behind. (ps she is the most awesome pillion rider! Almost as if she is not there.)
Alone, usually less than 200 km from home. Time due to work and family responsibilities.
To and from work for 28 years from thaw to freeze-up, never an issue. Never did any long distance touring though, but that may change soon. Yes, I have done days on other bikes new and old, but haven't switched horses yet. ( Hayabusa's and GSX1000RR's are damn fun and tempting though.)
Cheers

milfordite · Jun 3, 2021

I've ridden mine across country, east west, north and south. Cruises at 70 very smoothly. I do stick to two lanes mostly because the expressways are crowded, noisy and boring. Being retired, I don't need to keep to a tight schedule any longer. The bike has never left me stranded, at least not yet! My other bike I ride a lot is a 2016 Triumph Bonneville. Good two up bike and the missus loves it. We took it to Europe and spent 6 weeks there, doing the TT and a MotoGP race as well as goofing around in the Alps and Dolomites.

Question for Norton riders ?

Knucles

concours

lazyeye6

jbruney

Torontonian

Knucles

Attachments

trident sam

Richard Tool

Onder

Mart UK

Attachments

Flatspot

gortnipper

acadian

MikeG

baz

Richard Tool

alan hodge

maylar

TheCounty

milfordite

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