So, here it is. It’s been a long wait. I had planned to replace the R1150RT back in 2005, but events dictated otherwise. A house in France and self-employment put paid to any notion of a new bike and likewise a new car for Mrs L (who, by the way, is now asking about when she can have a new Clio Renault Sport – shame I won’t be able to put that down against tax).
Belatedly then, the 1150 now has a successor and what a wonderful machine it is. There’s something vaguely reminiscent of my Yamahas about it – maybe that wet clutch or perhaps the self-cancelling indicators. Either way, this is very much a modern motorcycle and isn’t that fly-by-wire throttle responsive? I’m going to have to watch that.
I didn’t realise until I collected it that it has been data-tagged. This is standard practice with new BMWs apparently. I figured I’d better let the insurance company know as they had asked and I had said that it wasn’t protected by Datatag. Also, I noticed on the policy documents they had me down as not having a post-test competence certificate, whereas I have an IAM one. After last week’s fraught episode, getting a £9 refund was a small compensation. Well, you take what you can get, don’t you?
that’s a beautiful machine.
If I could A/ Afford one and B/ still had the ability the one I dream to own is.
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/Norton%20Commando%20961%20Sport/index.php#.UzMYq_l_vkY
I still have a hankering for the original Commando. Not enough money and not enough garage space.
Ah the joys of keeping the Isolastic engine mounts set up properly, or else it’ll handle like a pig… And you’ll be wanting to replace the main bearings with those modified ones that allow for the crankshaft whip. Two of my friends had them back in the 70’s, and when running well they would leave Jap stuff for dead on anything except straight roads. Of course that was dependent on them being able to kickstart the bloody things into life first!
Er, you did mean the NORTON Commando, didn’t you?
Yes, I meant the Norton Commando. Very much a motorcycle that reminds me of my youth. I wanted one so much back then. One day, I will have the time, money and garage space to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.
I never was a big fan of BMWs, preferring various Kawasakis, but that’s really nice. Am I too old at 65 to start biking again?
My father has just traded his Deauville for a Kawasaki ER600 as it is a bit lighter. As he is 80, at 65, you are a spring chicken…
I’ve been a BMW man since buying one back in the early nineties. Every time I decide to look at a new bike, I always check out the options and I always come back to BMW. They seem to have the combination of quality control and concept together so much better than their competitors – and they are generally better value for money. Would I buy another Japanese machine? Yup, probably, but I would never be without a BMW in the garage and this couple of weeks without one felt that something was missing.
Now That’s a special bike.
My ex brother in law had the 961SE but when he married his newest wife he was told to dispose of it and get a proper car.
I have no idea what he got for it in the end but I know it was a lot of money.
It was a fantastic bike to look at and the engine sounded amazing, we always knew when he was pulling up outside the house.
In the end he managed to persuade his wife to let him get another bike but it was a mainstream Yamaha I forget what it was now as it was not really that memorable.
My wife has never told me to give up the bikes. She knew from the outset that I came with a bike – love me, love my bike as it were. Likewise, I have never told her to give up smoking.
My ex was the one told me I could no longer ride bikes 🙁
A bit odd as he loved bikes and had one, but there you go.
The roads are so dangerous these days I’d be petrified to ride now.
But I loved it whilst it lasted.
The modern Commando is very nice but I don’t think that it is worth double the price of the modern Bonneville Thruxton.
http://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/motorcycles/bike-categories/classics#Thruxton-2014
Very nice your new BMW, as for a Norton Commando…..I have a Meriden Trident, it is so modified that for less I could have bought that new BMW of yours……..but I’m not very practical when it comes to my dream bike. A Commando runs rings around a triple for reliability and durability but they don’t have the chassis, not that any of this old, old stuff is anything more than something to bimble a few hours away on. For serious mileage I have an old Yamaha TDM 850 and now a Honda 750/4 of 34 year vintage; can’t compete with the modern stuff but is a rideable bike in it’s own right and despite the crap FVQ shocks is ALMOST a modern bike something the Trident will never be.