Just took my
Commando out for a ride this morning.
I noticed that you posted a thread about you desire for a BSA. Can't blame you there as BSA made some really nice machines. I'm particularly fond of the pre-unit twins. I had a Rocket Gold Star for a few years and really enjoyed it.
However, I have to tell you that the
Commando is a far superior machine for most U.S. roads in my opinion. If you plan to do any Interstate or other freeway riding, the
Commando's isolastics make any such journey a joy. The RGS was fun on small, windy roads, but was a torture machine on high-speed roads. The
Commando does both (if you tend to the potential handling issues). The
Commando has a very long list of engineering weaknesses, but has a long list of modifications to deal with them as well. The Norton club has a technical book that lists them.
I have incrementally updated my
Commando over the last ten years or so. Today, it's the single most satisfying motorcycle I've ever owned.
On my ride this morning I ended up at a small fish camp kind of place nearby called the Black Hammock. I stopped to see the birds and alligators. As I started to leave a number of Hardley Ablesons were just arriving. As they walked by me, they glanced at the Norton but walked on by with nary a nod. I pushed the
Commando out into the parking lot and, as I prepared to start it noticed in my rear-view mirror that they had all stopped to watch the kick-start process. I guess most of them just started riding in the last five years and had never seen someone kick-start a bike before. Luckily she started on first kick and off I went.
Hmmm, maybe a B31 and a
Commando too?
![[Linked Image]](http://www.nortonsweden.se/forum/userpix/12_Foto0022_1.jpg)
