"My TRX trumps new Norton!"

[arrivisto]

UK bikers may be interested to see this week's MotorCycle News (28 April 2010). MCN have been kind enough to publish a letter of mine in the top spot, with the headline "My TRX trumps new Norton!". That's not quite the gist of what I said, but so what; it's always good to see the TRX appear in print.

This is the text of the letter:

"Sir, Your Commando v Bonnie test was an interesting read; and if money were no object, I would love to have a Norton. I'd keep it in my garage alongside my current bike, a machine that is remarkably similar to the Commando. This motorcycle of mine is a big dry-sump multi-valve parallel-twin sports-bike for a solo rider. It displaces 850cc, has five gears, produces 80bhp and weighs 190kg. Yes, it’s a Yamaha TRX, the best-kept secret in motorcycling! Having had 43 bikes to date, I propose to keep my lovely TRX forever. The Commando v Bonnie test showed that apart from being traditional British twins, the pair were like chalk and cheese. Why not test the Commando against a TRX, and see how the two compare? Now that would be a contest!"

Result! ... Also, if you look at the Wikipedia entry on the TRX, you will see that it says: "In a MotorCycle News readers' poll of the “Top Ten Big Twin Sports Bikes" (20 May 2009), the TRX came joint third, beaten only by the joint winners, the Ducati 916 & 748, with 90%. The TRX was rated at 88% (equal to the Ducati 996, Suzuki TL1000S & Honda SP-1). The TRX beat the Aprilia RSV1000 (86%), the Suzuki TL1000R (84%), the Honda Firestorm (82%) and the Aprilia Futura (80%). The rare MZ 1000S was not featured in the poll, perhaps a casualty of the present unpopularity of parallel-twin sports bikes. MCN declared that "Although ... it's a parallel twin and a touch on the bouncy side, the TRX is still a cracking bike. It's stable, handles neutrally and feels like a proper sports bike".

[Red Rex]

Truly a steed for the more discerning gentleman (or lady)

[Mincehead]

As a TRX owner I must be honest and say that the new Norton is a very sexy beast though.
To make a TRX AS sexy requires a few bob, bolt on goodies and some elbow grease/TLC.
That said, I would not get rid of my TRX to solely own a Norton but if some kindly soul wants to buy me the top spec one (with all the best kit) feel free I`ll not refuse it.
Motorcycle Numpties printing a sensible letter? that may just be a first!

[arrivisto]

Having publicly sung the praises of the TRX, I've just gone and bought an Aprilia Falco!
Read what I think in the "General Bike Talk" section:
http://trx850.motomaniac.net/forum/view ... 4&start=15

[arrivisto]

Guess which bike I'm keeping! See ebay item: 180531877191

[Baasm]

Great choice

[Mincehead]

I bumped into someone I had heard a lot about from mates but had never personally met til last week. He told me that he owns the only black engined version of one of these that Norton has built:

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/ ... o%20961SE/

He even promised me a shot on it one of these days.
I`ll report back what I think of it but `Tree` says it handles like a dream and has massive torque so should be interesting.
RPM have a dealership up at Knockhill now:

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/news/

The bikes are kept at their Perth showroom:

http://www.rpm-morgan.co.uk/norton.html

http://www.rpm-morgan.co.uk/gallery.php

http://www.rpm-morgan.co.uk/gallery.php

I love the investment cast yokes, nice and light:

http://www.rpm-morgan.co.uk/gallery.php

Oh, and if anyone wants to see the latest works rotary race get to Oulton Park:

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/racing/

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/racing/NRV588/

Some better specifications and a good read:

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/norton06120100.html