Roadster vs Interstate - opinions?

Hi All,

Just curious about how changing from Roadster to Interstate affects the handling?
It seems that most folks here (myself included) have Roadsters, but I'm wanting to do some miles this summer, and being a bit on the long and gangly side (6'10"), the idea of having the seat further back has its attractions, as well as the obvious range improvement.

Anything I need to consider?

Handling is not directly affected in any way.

A taller person can appreciate the seat further back. That places rider weight further back, INDIRECTLY affecting handling.

Bars make a much bigger difference on ergonomics, and a windscreen is a must for extended highway riding with relative comfort. I like smallish quarter fairings for looks over plain windscreens on Nortons.

Rearset or custom mounted/placed footpegs round out the ergonomics. Some folks can't handle the standard pegs for long distances.

I've had both and prefer the Interstate ergo's, The seat feels like a piano bench and it's the only seat I've seen that feels like it tilts backward, but it suits me better. Bars and pegs are probably as important, the UK/Euro bars with rearsets on the Interstate are my current favorite, even for long distance. A better seat design would complete the package.

bpatton said:

Bars and pegs are probably as important, the UK/Euro bars with rearsets on the Interstate are my current favorite, even for long distance.

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+1

I-state tank, EU bars, rearsets, and a hard Corbin seat makes a 1,000 mile day much easier on a Commando. I'm 6'-0", weigh 200#, and don't run with any sort of fairing...I'd rather have a constant wind "pressure" on me.

I'm 6'6" and have been modifying my '72 Combat over the last 38 years to make it more comfortable--otherwise I look and feel like a parade Shriner on a minibike.

Currently the front forks are about three inches over, the back end is raised two inches, and the footpegs are lowered three inches. Tall people are surprised how normal it feels--it's just a taller bike.


Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

If I could find and afford (2 important parts of the equation) I would opt for a spare Interstate tank for the long rides.
I'd probably paint it to match my yellow side covers so I could do an inexpensive swap over.
My replacement stepped roadster seat is much more comfortable than stock. If the tank fit w/ this seat even if there was a gap between the two, I'd run with this step up.
Extra fuel is good
Marshal

My current street Norton is a MK3 Interstate, but I've had several other Roadsters and Interstates over the years. I find the Roadsters to be more comfortable, mostly because of the narrower tank and the more forward seating position. I'm more comfortable on either one with the pegs moved a bit further back. When I get around to rebuilding the MK3, I plan to relocate the foot pegs to suit me. I used to also prefer lower bars, but now that I'm an old geezer, my back dictates otherwise.

Concerning handling, I can certainly feel the difference from the more rearward weight bias on the Interstate. The front end pushes more in "brisk" cornering, and the front wheel is a little more vague feeling over bumps. Still, it's nothing you can't adjust to, and the larger tank capacity is nice.

Ken

I changed over at christmas time, would never go back,I found the standard seat tiring ,very hard to grip with your thighs because it was so wide ,felt like I had been riding a horse all day.Found a Hyde stepped seat so much better, no need to hold on with your legs,I uped the rear spring rating a bit as you now sit over the rear shocks , havn't noticed front wheel vaugeness but the could be why my front wheel has gone all fuzzy, but the rear wheel seems located to the road better, the biggest plus is you can now drive past a servo :!:

Handling is not directly affected in any way.

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I have to disagree somewhat here. Six gallons of fuel that high on the frame definitely affects handling. A full tank on my Interstate is quite noticeable in slow or tight turns, feeling slightly topheavy. The Roadster doesn't seem that way even with a full tank. That being said, I built my Interstate with rearsets and Euro bars, which give a riding position I much prefer to the higher, wider bars and stock pegs of my Roadster. I surmise a Roadster with Euro bars and rearsets might give the riding position without the topheavy feel, but I would miss that extra range. YMMV

I use the Interpol tank, 3.5 gal and a seat half was between the roadster and Interstate position, seems a good compromise as the roadster is comfortable but low range and the Interstate is too much of a reach for a shortarse 5' 8" and the orginal pegs which are too far forward for the Interstate.

For normal thrilling Commando handling on normal paved roads
there is nil detectable difference in tank sizes no matter the fuel
load.
But once the surface gets off road rough or loose the Roadster
tank does not allow effective knee grip to hold piolt stable.

Also I found out once a low rear rod linkage installed that allows
extremely stable lean angle loads under traction breaking power
the IS tank can be very dangerous when the fuel level gets
to ~4 gallons. This ONLY appears suddenly out to the blue
when doing harsh swtich back chicanes in badly slopped
turns. Then fuel slosh can jerk the front opposite the way
you aimed it. W/o the rear rod linkage a Commando
can not be thrown hard enough to notice gas slosh as iso hinge
wobble sets in first. A full-ish IS tank ain't got slosh space enough
to feel the impact nor is less than 4 gallon enough mass to matter.

As to the front feeling vague under strong cornering loads, duh,
the front is unloaded almost to fork top out on any leaning
wheather powered or not. I think this is the bain of all
motorcycles - trying to depend on front traction to turn.
Conflict of traction crisis. Biasing load on fork unloads
rear to slide out too easy to keep on good power.

There is a solution I've found but no one believes me
nor has yet tried the rear low rod links to test themselves.
I'm hunting up tank foam to solve the surprise slosh uspet.

hobot

You may be able to tell the difference in handling between an Interstate with a full tank compared to a Roadster with a quart or two left.

My buddy's Combat Interstate feels lighter and more nimble than my 850 Roadster, but I suspect that's more in the geometry of the 750. He has lower bars (Euro) for his long arms and that helps too. I prefer the more upright Roadster position personally.

[Sup, Steve?]
drc

slightly on topic...My first Interstate was a '74 850, purchased in 1977. The handlebars had been swapped out for some that were raised about 3-inches. I went back to stock only to discover that I liked the raised bars on extended rides! Go figure.

Russ

The Interstate tank is longer but of course the standard footrests remained too far forward making the riding position uncomfortable for me. The long stretch to the bars is fine but having the feet then pulled forwards as well seems designed to keep osteopaths in business.

Are fibreglass Interstate tanks baffled internally ?

I have a roadster mk3 and have just put an interstate on it, and apart from the bulk of the tank i haven't noticed much on the handling front. The major issue for me was the handle bars. With the roadster bars the front felt a bit light, so I have some wider , flatter bars on it and it feels fine-when it works...

hobot said:

There is a solution I've found but no one believes me nor has yet tried the rear low rod links to test themselves.

Click to expand...

I believe you.

Triangulation of "rose" joint steadies (front, top & lower rear) would be the ultimate Commando conversion. Not that hard to do, not that expensive, and with dramatic results.

The law of unintended consequences.

Different seat and bars to give you comfort on long rides WILL result in different handling due to changes in weight distribution.

Can be worse, can be better, depending on rider weight and preference in handling "feel".

Deal with it!

I have never ridden any Norton except for my own Interstate, but I can tell you that friends on new Ducatis and Triumphs are always surprised that they can only get away from me on long straights, that on the twisties I'm right there with them, so I can promise that the Interstates are still a fine handling bike. And none of them can do 500km between fuel stops

Having owned both my observations are, and these are mine alone, that the Roadsters feel more lithe, and, with the Corbin seat can be used most comfortably with the standard footpeg arrangement. A beautiful arrangement. With the Interstate tank, the bike feels much different, more top heavy, which may be the impression you get because of the big wide tank. Also, with the Interstate tank, the footpeg position is a joke and rearsets are a must. Euro bars or flats are the go with the Interstate as well. I use the standard Euro bar (2" rise?) with the Roadster and all is good.

I must say though, that in this big country, the Interstate tank is king for fuel range. The beauty is in the easy interchange if you so desire. The Fastback setup may be the best compromise of all in the standard offerings.