My first large bike was a Norton 750 I replaced all the front end due to the forks moving like a turning fork. Third year of my toolmaker apprenticeship I learned that it was the materials and wall section design etc. excellent podcast
I’m amazed that not only do you have encyclopedic recall, but you can recall which year it occurred. Amazing, or lots of careful research beforehand! Thank you so much-
Aftermarket rear shock, new fork springs/emulators then some Michelins and call it a day. Rake a trail come into play, Duacati had adjustable steering heads back in the day.
All I know is, good handling is what I looked for when buying a motorcycle . That was number one. Styling got my attention but handling was why I bought a bike.
My XB9 was the best handling motorcycle I've ever ridden, it would absolutely tear up my CBR929RR on the winding mountain roads where I live, get them out where you've got big straightways and the CBR would needless to say leave that Buell behind but if you were tied up in the twisties, forget it, that CBR didn't stand a chance.
Bikes like Ninjas and Gixxers are great but I always thought some bikes are too damn fast for public roads. I'm no Ralph Nader fan but I think 100+ HP bikes are nutty and completely not needed. Having said that there's a GS1000 in my shed.
My BMW R1200R has Telelever front end. Its anti-dive geometry works extremely well on hard braking. But,...... You feel nothing through the palms of the hands. This takes away a lot of the fun on canyon roads.
