Roadster vs Interstate

nortriubuell · May 24, 2020

Ok, I have to know. What say the forum users of their "preferred" Norton model ? And which one has higher resale/value? Thanks all.

lazyeye6 · May 24, 2020

Begging the question. Why?

Stephen Hill · May 24, 2020

One of each model is preferred.

grandpaul · May 24, 2020

100% personal preference. Either one can be made to FEEL exactly like the other simply with a handlebar change!

Scout63 · May 24, 2020

I like Interstates. I used to think they were ugly. Now I like mine. The tiny clearance between the bars and tank scares me though.

Nortoniggy · May 25, 2020

I think the Interstate looks better balanced but mostly like the fact you can pretty much ride all day and not have to worry about refuelling. I doubt there is any difference in value. That's more to do with condition.

Fast Eddie · May 25, 2020

Scout63 said:
I like Interstates. I used to think they were ugly. Now I like mine.

I can relate to that, I used to think Interstates were well fugly !

But now I like them, I like the riding position too and the fact there’s something between your knees other than the headwind.

But I also love a nice Roadster !

Fortunately, if you’ve got a tank and seat you can swap over quite easily, two bikes in one.

I’ve got an Interstate set up for mine that will go on one day, but whilst its in clip-on and rearset trim the extended range is a rather academic point as the Roadster tank range seems well suited to my own endurance !

I reckon an 850 Interstate and a 750 Combat Roadster would be an ideal combo.

kommando · May 25, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
I’ve got an Interstate set up for mine that will go on one day, but whilst its in clip-on and rearset trim the extended range is a rather academic point as the Roadster tank range seems well suited to my own endurance !

If you do put the Interstate tank on then leave the rearsets in place and only change the handlebars, the Interstate moves the seat well back and the std footrests are then too far forward.

gortnipper · May 25, 2020

Agreed. An Interstate with UK bars and rear sets us a good road tripper. I ran my bike for a long time like that.

Fast Eddie · May 25, 2020

That‘s not always the case chaps. I’ve got a Roadster and an Interstate Corbin. The Interstate version is essentially a Roadster version with the front chopped off. The rest of the seat, and therefore, the riders arse, is in the same place on both.

Gadge · May 25, 2020

gortnipper said:
Agreed. An Interstate with UK bars and rear sets us a good road tripper. I ran my bike for a long time like that.

Running my Interstate with that set-up and single humped seat. Works well for me.

Am planning to try a set of M bars on it but it's a bit of a faff with brakelines and master cylinder fit so might be a while before I can be bothered.

cliffa · May 25, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
That‘s not always the case chaps. I’ve got a Roadster and an Interstate Corbin. The Interstate version is essentially a Roadster version with the front chopped off. The rest of the seat, and therefore, the riders arse, is in the same place on both.

That's interesting Eddie, I didn't know Corbin make a seat for the bouser.

Leonc · May 25, 2020

Alright, lets mix it up, I like an Interpol tank with Interstate seat. Good fuel range with a reference back to Dominators.

Fast Eddie · May 25, 2020

cliffa said:
That's interesting Eddie, I didn't know Corbin make a seat for the bouser.

They don’t anymore due to high variation in a interstate tanks. It folk like Matt at cNw will custom modify a seat to suit a specific tank.

cliffa · May 25, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
They don’t anymore due to high variation in a interstate tanks. It folk like Matt at cNw will custom modify a seat to suit a specific tank.

Ah, ok thanks. I have no complaints on the standard seat anyway, but i do like the Corbin style.

kommando · May 25, 2020

Leonc said:
Alright, lets mix it up, I like an Interpol tank with Interstate seat. Good fuel range with a reference back to Dominators.

Got one exactly as you describe, moved the Interstate seat ears back to bring the seat forward.

Result is longer range and the right sized tankbag has its own custom perch so is not going anywhere.

Fast Eddie · May 25, 2020

Nice blue pipes... looks like it gets USED !!

kommando · May 25, 2020

Never restored just maintained, when I got it I lived in a terraced house with a 6ft garden, it was parked overnight out in the open for its first few years. Greasing the rims just before winter kept them rust free, looks good from 5ft, not so good close up

grandpaul · May 25, 2020

kommando said:
...looks good from 5ft, not so good close up...

Don't let people get closer than 5 ft!

baz · May 25, 2020

Best looking is a roadster with a Corbin
Best touring is an interstate with higher bars because of the footrest position
Best all round is a fastback with the seat ears cut off, roadster side panels rear sets and flat bars and only ridden solo