0
Going on season number 4 of observing motards, grand total is 2 blown engines. That's got to be less than 2% of the field...
Central Mass Powersports #123
1000rr, zx10r, rmz450, RE classic, r6, S4Rs, xr123, sv650(2), cr250 and a box truck that leaks power steering fluid.
Who said anything about blaming the MFG? We're talking about taking bikes and putting them into roles where they were never intended to be.
Back on topic......
On 2nd thought...this bike blows.
Copy of a Spondon frame. Aprillia engine, Ohlins suspension, aftermarket wheels.....what did Norton even do?
They just slapped together a bunch of other manufacturers parts, made the front bodywork look like a 675R and put their name on it.
Lame.
On the other hand, the new Norton Commando cafe racer....Id like one of those
Er, it's not a copy of a Spondon, Norton OWNs Spondon so it's the real deal. Motor is an inhouse design, inspired by the 'priller maybe but I doubt you'll find any parts that'll swap.
Ok, so then i was mistaken.....bike is much cooler now.
Back to Scottie starting from pit lane.....
The norton has a parts bin look to me. I see triumph 675 tank and even the frame, gsxr/busa nose, etc. While I agree to an extent that focused market segments tend to arrive at similar designs, I don't think all bikes in the segment look like parts bin specials. The Aprilia, Ducati, Yamaha, and even the Honda at least look like one integrated design.
I think the commando is a much better example of that.
Clarkie, mad tinkerer? He does his maint religiously and I've not seen anything close to radical out of his builds.