Some one recently referred to the British Motorcycle Industry, so I thought it might be interesting to post some info on a real motorbike, the Norton NRV588:

http://pnwriders.com/general-discussion ... 009-a.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48foOHK2 ... re=related

http://pnwriders.com/general-discussion ... 009-a.html

Or for some footage of an Isle of Man - (Manx) Grand Prix race:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-fY-9xM8aQ

My old man was a staunch british motorcycle fanatic - that was until i got my first proper motorbike - a very handsome kawasaki Z650. This piece of "jap crap" as he put it did not upset the old lady by dripping oil on the driveway, it had decent baffles, DOHC, 120mph plus - in 1977, electric start, and no need to "gunk" the filthy engine every week.
Anyway, after seeing my fine machine he was straight away converted to the "jap crap" and bought a yamaha RD400 which he swapped with me and eventually he retired with a German BMW RS1000 - and imo a very nice ride indeed - well balanced (bit ugly though).
In recent times Triumph and Norton have brought out some great machines, - although, if these companies are still British owned I am unsure.

just a bit of a waffle by OT....

What a machine the Z650 easily the best motorcycle to come out of japan with the yamaha XT500 i had the pleasure of owning the latter,also had a BSA M20 and a 1976Triumph T140E Bonnie 750cc which i bought in Barnet london and drove it back to ireland,lot's of motorway stops to let her cool down all excellent bike's that gave me hour's of fun.

That "Fly by wire" throttle idea scares the sh@t out of me I know they use it in Aircraft but I just put it out of my mind when flying

My Honda thinks its English, as it likes to dump oil on the driveway.

I like the double vented disks on the front wheel compared to little/bugger all on the rear wheel - a very good motorcycle for front wheel wheelies.. great fun..

thats a very nice bike , but totaly useless in thailand . where are you going to put all the kids , and grandma ??? and wheres the basket on the front for your skid lid ? even though theyve fitted stabalisers , i still dont see a 10 year old being able to ride it to the market . like i said pretty , but pretty useless .

Hi,
You could not beat a Manx Norton frame with a Triumph engine, IMO.
Cheers Doug.
P.S. Watch the Isle of Man TT races in June to see proper bikes. M.G.P. a lot slower. Mainly amateurs.