Simply the greatest motorcycle ever built. Created by one of the most inspirational Men ( and his team) this fine country has ever produced. John Britten has always been my personal hero. What he achieved with the limited resources he had was simply mind-blowing. It was utterly gutting to see his life cut short- to leave a beautiful family without a father and husband. And to see only 10 V1000 bikes built..... To think what he would of achieved by now if he was still alive. I went to TePapa a couple of years ago.... Literally spent hours just staring at his bike there.Total work of art. They were arguably was better than factory Ducatis of the day. One mans Dream. RIP JB.
I took the bike to John Brittens memorial in Pukekohe after he died , for security purposes it was hidden in my mother’s garage the night before . As I drove my falcon ute to the pukekohe race track , bike on back , I had 100s of cars and bikes follow me in , one of my proudest moments of my life . RIP John , still greatly missed
John Britten is one of my top 5 inspirators in this world. I used to visit the factory a number of times and talked with him. He inspired to understand there are others ways to achieve challengers in life and to always think outside of the box. We lost such a great inventor and I am always saddened knowing how much the world has lost in engineering design for things from motorcycles to life saving medical implements. He will always be remembered in my mind. Would love to see a John Britten Annual Inventers Competition in New Zealand schools to help children understand that you do not need to be in schooling. John used his mind to create the Britten Motorcycle, not pen and paper. That and the fact that a Kiwi designed and built the fastest bike in his home garage, when millions of dollars are wasted with large manufactures around the world who are stuck in their mental square box. RIP John Britten.
Wonderful. Matching tyre warmers 🥰 … someone mentioned how light it was. Yes it is. I used to have a TZR250 and at the time I got to have (too short) a ride on Nick Jefferies TT Britten in 1994. I remember comparing the weight to the TZR yet it felt even slimmer due to the configuration of the engine and tank shape. It was a ridiculous experience. I didn’t really realise just how lucky I was at the time although I knew it was special. I’ve lived my life hearing my mum always say it’s better to be born lucky than rich. Yep. I’m still not rich financially but definitely have that as a rich experience.
Not many people can say they have ridden a Britten. A rare treat indeed. I was a marshall at Glen Helen during TT 1994. Getting up before dawn to ride out there on my TZR 125 before the roads closed. Flask of tea and a sandwich in my rucksack that mum had made for me. I was 16 at the time. I'll never forget hearing and then seeing the Brittens coming through on that morning practice. John was a true visionary and an absolute genius. I was devastated to learn of his passing the following year.
Never got to ride one, but I did get to meet John Britten and he was so generous with his time. Me is just a spectator. I asked about some of the suspension in the rear so he bounces the bike on the front end and basically it stood up and he’s holding it with one hand, explaining how the suspension setup worked on the rear end, so yeah obviously pretty light.
@malcolmwhite6588 wow that's incredible... no wonder they could mono on demand with that combo of power to weight.... From memory 163kg ?? P.s. I checked that weight, it's actually only 138kg superlight.
Always struck me as a ball-buster given the total absence of any seat cushion, and yet still remains what I consider to be the most beautiful motorbike in the world. From the colours to the lines to the innovative engineering, it's simply a masterpiece.
Saw a Britten on display at Barber Motorsports Museum. The man was a genius. There were so many trick designs and parts that went in building the bike. Nothing else like it! Thanks for posting!
There is/was one at Tepapa museum in Wellington,not sure if its still there,and his eldest Daughter has on on display in the refurbished homestead that John built by himself,used to be a stable i believe she,and her husband's had redone up,after the Christchurch earthquake,back to its original condition,with some minor changes,so beautiful, RIP John, you're missed by us Kiwi's as well,and I'm sure,the World as well
I saw John and the boys run it at South Eyre Rd years ago on timed speed runs. It was awesome to hear it cranked out with rider standing it up on one wheel as he took off from the start...unforgettable to watch
Yeh they only took one in 1993 I think. Two in 94, I was there 94 supporting Nick Jefferies (who was my then boss) it was a bitter sweet experience, watching Nick race it was ace but the team lost Mark Farmer the same event riding the other one.
@@stevenbailey1863 he did indeed, actually I think it was called the ‘Formula 1’ back then. It was classed as the main race of the TT I think, a bit like the Senior is now. He was Joey’s team mate, both riding the Castrol Honda RC30. He’s an incredible knowledge on the event and circuit.
I actually met nick in a cellar bar /club in Douglas can’t remember the name of the place but remember we had to go down stairs to get in on the Saturday evening @@TheRiderGuider
Was 100k usd I believe when they were made. Whatever that equates to in today's money it is huge. The cost could have dropped significantly if there was a production line and maybe some taxpayer investment to get it started. Such a shame John Britten died and the nz govt has always lacked any vision.
@@9.5to1 excellent I recognise where it’s filmed from now. The big marquee kind of folded me a wee, but I wondered whether it was at cemetery circuit with Suzuki building in the background but it didn’t look right and it also didn’t look like man field to me but now you say I can hundred percent visualise that the angle that you’re filming from sort of towards the front straight from the dummy grid area
Not the most expensive to build, but possibly the most expensive to buy. John was surrounded by professionals in every aspect of making this motorcycle. most were kiwis and most were passionate about making this dream come true and did not charge huge rate for works taken. Mike Brosnan was the main engineer from start to finish.
i reckon that if you're starting John Britten's mechanical masterpiece, you should have a less shitty starter ;-) a guy i know went to EnZed for a holiday and posted a picture of himself in a motorcycle museum,, next to a Britten. he didn't even know what it was. probably was a good thing it wasn't me. i would have had about 500 photos and a mini meltdown trying to explain to my wife how cool it is
@9.5to1 so we New Zealanders have the world's fastest indian, the best race bike for that time, and the F1 McLaren to add to an already impressive list of achievements. Excellent.
What do you want me to do instead? Whip it out and start humping it? If you are smart enough to read a title of the video then you won't have been disappointed
Everything was weird ! Like the little fat guy in black leathers ? The old lady who decided to start a conversation as soon as the bike was ready to go, then after all that, it didn’t go.
@@WhiskeyGulf71 somebody had crashed on the track so they had to postpone it coming out. Not sure about the guy in leathers haha. Probably just wanted to watch like me. I just thought people might want to see the start up procedure of the legendary bike
I remember one of these being shown off at my highschool in the early 2000s. They started it up in our performing arts center and i remember the vice principal and a caretaker rushing to open the doors to release any exhaust fumes. Thing was absolutely awesome and loud. R.I.P John Britten
These were awesome to watch at Bathurst races in 1994 , On Mountain Straight McEwen and Stroud were on the back wheel most of the straight on some laps , There 8 valve ducati's trying to keep up with them and just got smashed , at the end of the straight the Ducati's were 1/3 of the length of the straight behind the Brittens. Pity one Britten was retired due to big end bearing wear but it was like nothing else existed on the track while they were racing.
Wonderful to see one of Johns Bikes still being ridden and not a showpiece. £1 million worth of Bike being held up by 3 pieces of wood, love it. R.I.P. John, you were a Genius.
My memory might be off but I'm pretty sure I saw Gary Goodfellow ride one of the Brittens at Westwood in the late 80s or early 90s at some point. Possibly hopeful memories, too far back to be sure! Amazing bike!
