Which would YOU have......?

Lincolnshire Poacher said:
I thought this wasn’t a particularly useful video made possibly over a day. If you are going to do a comparison I reckon you need to live with the bike for a good few thousand miles- and face up to the ‘characteristics’ of the bike!
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How so? Moto Bob has ridden both of these bikes numerous times. I have a hard time understanding why people get so sensitive when someone doesn’t pick their like.

This is a Norton forum and we own 961s. Of course we’re going to be biased, but you can’t deny the performance for the money of the speed twin.
 
Voodooo said:
How so? Moto Bob has ridden both of these bikes numerous times. I have a hard time understanding why people get so sensitive when someone doesn’t pick their like.

This is a Norton forum and we own 961s. Of course we’re going to be biased, but you can’t deny the performance for the money of the speed twin.
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I am surprised that Triumph didn't win the handling score also. Just make it a clean sweep for team T . ;)
 
TonyA said:
I am surprised that Triumph didn't win the handling score also. Just make it a clean sweep for team T . ;)
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He's just throwing Norton a bone ! We all know that team T is the winner ! Go team T ! Did anybody hear about team T making a motocross/supercross bike ? They hired Ricky Carmichael too , and there is a video on you tube ! Team T is going to blow Honda , Kawasaki , Yamaha , Suzuki and KTM into the weeds ! Go Team T !
 
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TonyA said:
I am surprised that Triumph didn't win the handling score also. Just make it a clean sweep for team T . ;)
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It did, but they had to say something nice about Norton. If they just were honest and say its a fun bike to ride but don't compare it.

It's funny, I've ridden more types and sizes of motorcycles than I can possibly remember but I always come back to comparing the 961 to the first iteration of the Ducati Monster. The frame, the noise, the ride. It was a cheaper, unique bike of its time. 1993 circa
 
City Garage said:
It did, but they had to say something nice about Norton. If they just were honest and say its a fun bike to ride but don't compare it.

It's funny, I've ridden more types and sizes of motorcycles than I can possibly remember but I always come back to comparing the 961 to the first iteration of the Ducati Monster. The frame, the noise, the ride. It was a cheaper, unique bike of its time. 1993 circa
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I still think the Norton 961 looks better .
 
TonyA said:
He's just throwing Norton a bone ! We all know that team T is the winner ! Go team T ! Did anybody hear about team T making a motocross/supercross bike ? They hired Ricky Carmichael too , and there is a video on you tube ! Team T is going to blow Honda , Kawasaki , Yamaha , Suzuki and KTM into the weeds ! Go Team T !
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Team T as in Team Tony?
I’ve been reading up on that when the information is available. Can’t wait to see more. Team T knows how to make announcements.
 
Decent comparison and they differentiate them well enough - the Triumph looks like great hooligan fun.

They may have been better off using the Thruxton RS as a more valid match up though -closer price range comparison; certainly once you’ve visited the Triumph bling catalogue :oops: ! As they said in the vid, the Triumph Speed Twin is engineered down to a price point, the Norton isn’t.

The other factor for me would be whether the owner would likely be viewing the bike as a potential keeper, as opposed to just the next bike. I think the ubiquitous Triumph would more likely be a couple of years great fun before moving it on for the next bike. Changing up bikes gets expensive, so maybe alters the cost benefit ratio a little.

I won’t be swapping any time soon - but I guess you knew that!

IMG_8100.jpeg
 
It’s a bit like comparing a Morgan with a …. (insert any number of modern cars).

Those who want a Morgan pretty much want a MORGAN. And would probably argue that there is nothing else on the market that compares or competes with one.

Those who want the best spec per £ ratio, and want to carry things, and pets, and passengers, and want to park it outside in all weathers, are pretty much not gonna give a Morgan a second glance !

Yes they both have old names on the tank and yes they are both (different takes on) retro, so for some people it will be a choice between them. But for most they’re two entirely separate genres really.
 
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City Garage said:
It did, but they had to say something nice about Norton. If they just were honest and say its a fun bike to ride but don't compare it.

It's funny, I've ridden more types and sizes of motorcycles than I can possibly remember but I always come back to comparing the 961 to the first iteration of the Ducati Monster. The frame, the noise, the ride. It was a cheaper, unique bike of its time. 1993 circa
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Totally agree with the early air cooled Monster comparison.... and also a 750SF Laverda... Like most of you, i've owned many bikes..some of which handled very well, The TVS 961 i test rode a month back probably handled the best of them all... it was set up perfectly for me for both rough and smooth roads. I own a 2021 (new model) Speed Twin and although it is obviously a much 'better' bike, it lacks the sound, feel and visceral experience of a 961. I am currently on the path of 'Nortonising' it :cool:
 
961al said:
Totally agree with the early air cooled Monster comparison.... and also a 750SF Laverda... Like most of you, i've owned many bikes..some of which handled very well, The TVS 961 i test rode a month back probably handled the best of them all... it was set up perfectly for me for both rough and smooth roads. I own a 2021 (new model) Speed Twin and although it is obviously a much 'better' bike, it lacks the sound, feel and visceral experience of a 961. I am currently on the path of 'Nortonising' it :cool:
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C’mon Al…
You own both bikes !
How about a bit more of an objective comparison…?
 
961al said:
Totally agree with the early air cooled Monster comparison.... and also a 750SF Laverda... Like most of you, i've owned many bikes..some of which handled very well, The TVS 961 i test rode a month back probably handled the best of them all... it was set up perfectly for me for both rough and smooth roads. I own a 2021 (new model) Speed Twin and although it is obviously a much 'better' bike, it lacks the sound, feel and visceral experience of a 961. I am currently on the path of 'Nortonising' it :cool:
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If visceral means sound then stick a de cat on the Triumph and go.
I've got one here but I can't bring myself to installing it as the bike gets used on a lot of long runs. Pretty sure the extra noise would be annoying and tiring on a 500 mile day. If visceral means adding vibration then I'm out of ideas. Im not at all fond of bikes that vibrate a lot, but we must put up with a certain amount of it on the old solid mounted parallel twins. I have a couple of those in the shed and they are OK for short low speed stuff once in awhile, that's about it.
If I actually want to travel somewhere- give me a bike that is as smooth as possible. Nowadays I will add relatively quiet to the list of preferences.
Number 1 ahead of everything is that it has to get there and back under its own steam!

Glen
 
TonyA said:
I am surprised that Triumph didn't win the handling score also. Just make it a clean sweep for team T . ;)
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For sure, are far as I'm concerned the Triumph wins in the handling department.
Low speed, and high speed, and especially in the steering lock area.
I may be a bit off the mark cause I have a CR with clip-ons, but my 961 requires more effort to turn in at speed than my Speed Twin. Both are rock steady in a corners at speed. Around town, the Speed Twin's steering is quick and precise, with plenty of lock to maneuver around traffic easily. The 961 with clip-ons is something else.
I love the stance of the Speed Twin.
The 961 wins the appearance award, hands down.
 
You know if you really are honest a bike for long distance has very few advantages any more v. an auto. MPG my car does as well as my Commando. It carries whatever dry and secure. It sure is safer. Bike has the advantage in tailbacks and parking and in summer that is not insignificant.
I take one of my four old bikes out as often as possible when the weather is good. All else it is the econopod.
No doubt, I am now old.
 

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