G12 vs BSA Road Rocket A10

[Matchymarty]

Hi all,

Well, Seems the bug has fully bitten and I'm loving owning and riding my '56 and '55 compy 500's, and have actually, much to my disgust, my '49 G80S for sale, so I can move on to a Twin to share duties as a daily ride to work a couple or more times a week and maybe double as my touring bike.

My heart says G12 Matchy, as I have the winged M in my blood, but cannot deny liking the idea of an A10 Road Rocket Beeza with its genuine 100mph performance and from what I can gather, 5hp advantage. Does anyone know actual perfomance between the two bikes?

I'm not likely to be cutting 1/4 mile runs, or laying flat on the tank pullin' the ton all the way to work, but would like a bike that will easily run at 100 - 110kph (60-70mph)

I need the bike to be comfortable to run @ 60mph all day.... are the G12's happy doing that? I sure know my Compy G80CS's aren't!
I'd like to think I can have a '58 ish model, as i'd like my bikes all to be 50's models.

Thoughts?

[Rob Harknett]

Consider, The 1963 G12 CSR was the first road bike to do 100 miles in one hour. ( Note 100 miles in one hour not 100 MPH ) It also took the first six places in the Thruxton 500 mile race.

[Matchymarty]

Consider, The 1963 G12 CSR was the first road bike to do 100 miles in one hour. ( Note 100 miles in one hour not 100 MPH ) It also took the first six places in the Thruxton 500 mile race.

Hmm.... it's just not 50's... hehehehe.

[robcurrie]

Consider, The 1963 G12 CSR was the first road bike to do 100 miles in one hour. ( Note 100 miles in one hour not 100 MPH ) It also took the first six places in the Thruxton 500 mile race.

Correction: Only AJS 31 CSRs were entered for the Thruxton races and only the 1960 race was won by an AJS 31 CSR. In subsequent races they led in earlier stages, but ran out of brakes, then boot leather.

Rob C

[Matchymarty]

Consider, The 1963 G12 CSR was the first road bike to do 100 miles in one hour. ( Note 100 miles in one hour not 100 MPH ) It also took the first six places in the Thruxton 500 mile race.

Correction: Only AJS 31 CSRs were entered for the Thruxton races and only the 1960 race was won by an AJS 31 CSR. In subsequent races they led in earlier stages, but ran out of brakes, then boot leather.

Rob C

Good to know... ahahahaha.

[JEAN-NOEL]

A road test by MOTO REVUE in 1961 for the G12CSR = 180 KPH - It was the fastest bike ever tested by them (including BSA, TRIUMPH, NORTON, R.E....).
You can see this road test, translated in English, in Jampot number 588 - July 2001.
Just a question : what is the distance from your home to your office ?
In 1965 I had a 1957 600 AJS 30 wich runned easily on rather long distances between 110 et 140 Kph,(no speed limits in France at this time !) and was very confortable, with a nice handling. The top speed was 156 Kph, exactly as a 99.
1958 G11/30 have alloy primary chaincase.
But obviouly the G12/31 have more torque.

[Rob Harknett]

Consider, The 1963 G12 CSR was the first road bike to do 100 miles in one hour. ( Note 100 miles in one hour not 100 MPH ) It also took the first six places in the Thruxton 500 mile race.

Where did I get that from??? I must had read it somewhere or was told fibs.

[JEAN-NOEL]

French championship 750 cc sports :
1962 Jean-Pierre BELTOISE - MATCHLESS G12CSR
1963 Jean Pierre BELTOISE - MATCHLESS G12CSR
1964 1rst VIRGITTI (Norton) 2nd Bernard KRAJKA (MATCHLESS G12CSR) - 3rd MARTIN (MATCHLESS G12CSR)

[John Jarrett]

Rob H,
I think that you may be referring to Vic Willoughby's 102.9 miles in an hour in 1958 on a G11CSR. It is referenced in this site http://www.jampot.com/article_print.asp?id=20

Rob C,
It is not correct to say that all of the AMC entrants in the open class of the Thruxton races were branded AJS. In 1960, there were 4 Matchless and 3 AJS. In 1961 all 3 entrants were AJS. In 1962 there were 2 Matchless and 3 AJS. In 1963 there were 3 Matchless and 3 AJS and in 1964, 1 Matchless and 4 AJS. Of course, I am ignoring Norton.

Kind regards,
John

[robcurrie]

Thank you for that John.
Rob C