Norton Commandos

**Paul in NZ** · 27th May 2011, 18:18

Originally Posted by Edbear

My Mum borrowed my T500 one weekend to visit her Mum and when she returned I asked her how fast she'd gone. See sheepishly replied, "I didn't take it over 90..."

It would indicate 112mph flat out. Never tried it against a Commando though. Like all young guys I had the adverts on my wall, though...

Haven ridden both - be assured a Commando would kick a T500's arse..... A good one is a very good thing indeed and remember that these things won bike of the year 5 years in a row in the UK....

**eelracing** · 27th May 2011, 18:19

Originally Posted by Edbear

My Mum borrowed my T500 one weekend to visit her Mum and when she returned I asked her how fast she'd gone. See sheepishly replied, "I didn't take it over 90..."

It would indicate 112mph flat out.

Your Mum sounds pretty darn cool...my Mum always said if you come home bleeding then don't expect any sympathy from me

**Edbear** · 27th May 2011, 18:27

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Haven ridden both - be assured a Commando would kick a T500's arse..... A good one is a very good thing indeed and remember that these things won bike of the year 5 years in a row in the UK....

Possibly, but for how long...? With cold plugs in, (I ran Champion L78's), I could ride it hard out for as far and as long as I wanted... It would do 105mph forever. NOt dissing the Commando, I loved them but couldn't afford one.

Originally Posted by eelracing

Your Mum sounds pretty darn cool...my Mum always said if you come home bleeding then don't expect any sympathy from me

I learned to ride on her BSA Bantam. She's still pretty cool even though she'll be 80 next Feb. She loves my C50T and is very sympathetic that I can't ride again.

**Grumph** · 27th May 2011, 19:29

Back in the day when we used to run at Canterbury Car Club standing quarters, Bill Jefferies (Eric Wood's shop manager, 5 1/2 stone dripping wet) turned up with a full house Dunstall 810 at one meeting.
We finished up running off for top bike on the day. I was deliberately letting him get the light so as to watch the Dunstall's antics off the line....both sides of the lane plus some of mine too....Bill admitted it was a little scary as he didn't really know which way it was going next.
My Mach 3 would mow it down at the top end anyway - 12.9's easy.
I'm pretty sure they reshimmed the isolastics before selling it....or riding it again.

**Voltaire** · 28th May 2011, 20:16

Originally Posted by Edbear

Possibly, but for how long...? With cold plugs in, (I ran Champion L78's), I could ride it hard out for as far and as long as I wanted... It would do 105mph forever. NOt dissing the Commando, I loved them but couldn't afford one.

I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....

I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.

**shafty** · 28th May 2011, 20:55

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....

I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.

Nice thread Guys, - who doesn't love Nortons! Cheers

**Edbear** · 29th May 2011, 15:51

Originally Posted by Voltaire

I bought mine in Jan and ran it up the North Island, seemed happy enough to run a 70 mph all day....even the odd spot of 90 on the empty bits.
I've ridden an 850....hard to believe they are the same bike....no where near as quick or revvy. Dunno about doing 105 forever.... I find it pretty hard to run a naked bike fast for too long....

I wanted one for 20 years and I'm not dissapointed...I do however like spannering.

Yeah, well I was a lot younger then....

**Voltaire** · 29th May 2011, 16:11

Originally Posted by Edbear

Yeah, well I was a lot younger then....

I used to be able to keep up 80mph on the R75/5 all day on the Autobahn.....
in a few years it will be...." I could keep up 100mph all day on the Autobahn.... "