G'day to all
I have been living in Thailand for two years riding a little Scoopi around town which I enjoy.
I would like to invest in something to do a little touring on or just getting out on the weekend around the neighboring countryside.
I come from Australia and rode bikes there for about 20 years, my greatest treasure being a Norton Commando 850 Mark 2A. I rode Ducatis, Laverdas, Moto Guzzis and jap bikes but the Norton was something that made me feel special. A truly superb machine which had a 2 year rebuild with only improvements and no major changes made. It had so much torque, superb handling and excellent presence on the road. So easy and a joy to ride.
I have not been riding for quite a few years (I am now in my mid 50's) but would enjoy getting around Thailand on something enjoyable to ride. I am not near major cities so it is not easy to go for test rides although obviously this will have to happen once I make some initial decisions about what to ride.
I have made enquiries about the new Norton 961 but the sales service is abysmal from Norton in England and their agent in Bangkok. Extremely frustrating. They do not even bother to answer emails in Bangkok. (They did once after I finally got Norton in England to request them to do so but that was their only attempt at generosity in customer service).
Does anyone have suggestions about bikes to try?
I am not interested in bikes that can only impress with straight line acceleration. The Norton felt better in corners than in a straight line and the motor and gearbox were a joy to use. It was at home on the extremely winding roads of Tasmania, on straight roads in the outback or a treat on the dirt. I am not interested in Harleys and Triumphs did not do much for me back in the days of Tridents etc.
I would like to stay within a reasonable budget. At a wild guess the new Norton would probably have been around one million but this is the only bike I would pay this much for. Something used in good condition for 250,000 would be good. Are Yamahas a better feeling bike than a Kwaka? (I do not want to sound picky but those old SR 500 singles were so tinny they felt like they came out of a cornflakes packet). I understand Yammies are more expensive. Are they worth it?
Thanks for your interest
I have been living in Thailand for two years riding a little Scoopi around town which I enjoy.
I would like to invest in something to do a little touring on or just getting out on the weekend around the neighboring countryside.
I come from Australia and rode bikes there for about 20 years, my greatest treasure being a Norton Commando 850 Mark 2A. I rode Ducatis, Laverdas, Moto Guzzis and jap bikes but the Norton was something that made me feel special. A truly superb machine which had a 2 year rebuild with only improvements and no major changes made. It had so much torque, superb handling and excellent presence on the road. So easy and a joy to ride.
I have not been riding for quite a few years (I am now in my mid 50's) but would enjoy getting around Thailand on something enjoyable to ride. I am not near major cities so it is not easy to go for test rides although obviously this will have to happen once I make some initial decisions about what to ride.
I have made enquiries about the new Norton 961 but the sales service is abysmal from Norton in England and their agent in Bangkok. Extremely frustrating. They do not even bother to answer emails in Bangkok. (They did once after I finally got Norton in England to request them to do so but that was their only attempt at generosity in customer service).
Does anyone have suggestions about bikes to try?
I am not interested in bikes that can only impress with straight line acceleration. The Norton felt better in corners than in a straight line and the motor and gearbox were a joy to use. It was at home on the extremely winding roads of Tasmania, on straight roads in the outback or a treat on the dirt. I am not interested in Harleys and Triumphs did not do much for me back in the days of Tridents etc.
I would like to stay within a reasonable budget. At a wild guess the new Norton would probably have been around one million but this is the only bike I would pay this much for. Something used in good condition for 250,000 would be good. Are Yamahas a better feeling bike than a Kwaka? (I do not want to sound picky but those old SR 500 singles were so tinny they felt like they came out of a cornflakes packet). I understand Yammies are more expensive. Are they worth it?
Thanks for your interest
