I just wanted to post few words about my very first ride on my Vincent Comet yesterday, 2nd May 2011 in the fortunately pleasant early evening sunshine.
It also happened to be the first time I have ridden a motorcycle on the open road in 5 years so this was going to be an extra special reintroduction to motorcycling. I was not sure what to expect from a marque that has a world renowned reputation for producing an exceptional motorcycle so in truth I was expecting much. And much was delivered.
I bought the machine, a 1950 Series C Comet last October after being taken by the overall design in an advertisement for a twin. I am now at an age where I can appreciate that the way this machine has been designed makes it look eager to perform, balanced and in great proportion as well as a motorcycle which is really quite beautiful to behold. I was really fortunate to find a good restoration for sale.
After priming and a few kicks the engine started and I was on my way. After several hundred yards and a few light corners it was clear to me that the bike handled like it was on a rail, stable and solidly stuck to the mildly arcing B then A roads. One knows quite soon if they can trust in a particular motorcycle's ability to handle the road and the Vincent felt more than trustworthy. I negotiated roads en route to Chipping Ongar from Ilford via Lambourne End, despite the average B road conditions and having to avoid the occasional pot hole and damage caused by last winter's battering of the road surface.
Naturally I took things slowly and carefully at first. I had researched some video clips on 'You Tube' to see how others have ridden a Vincent Comet. There are several clips available but one I have enjoyed several times is of a rider on magnificent roads in Catalonia, Spain though I thought the rider's choice of predominantly lower gears and engine revs was straining the engine. I have an original riders handbook dated 1952 which states that riding 500c.c. models, one should 'Always change to a lower gear when the engine is felt to be labouring.' I kept my engine revs slightly higher by following the handbook advice as well as what felt right to keep relatively tight control of the machine as well as what sounded to be correct engine speed, riding on the legal speed limit which varied between 30 and 60 mph. The engine was responsive and when, after about 20 minutes of light riding and just over 12 miles to get the oil up to operating temperature as advised by E.M.G. Stevens in 'Know Thy Beast' I decided to open the throttle slightly more. I was very pleased by the acceleration delivered by 499 c.c.'s though I did wonder how it would feel to have the power of the extra cylinder beneath me. I entered an area of resurfaced road on the A113 and increased the throttle opening even more as the Comet effortlessly graced gentle leaning corners at 60 m.p.h. which was exhilarating and surely many a motorcylist's delight. I have to confess to some vocal exaltations throughout the run. I can't remember how many times I cheered out loud but the first time was about two minutes after I set out on my immensely enjoyable ride for pleasure. What a way to get back into motorcycling!
As confidence in the machine's ability had grown I found myself overtaking slower moving traffic as well as faster moving vehicles. And then fortunately I found myself with no traffic in front and none behind. I was then overcome with that great feeling motorcyclists experience less often nowadays on our crowded highways - The road was my own! I felt so happy and contented. Unfortunately too soon the sun started to sink low in the horizon and the cooler air was nipping at my knees so I decided to head for home after the extremely enjoyable hour aboard the Vincent.
I never thought I could enjoy riding a British single as much as I did this evening. Thank you Phillip Vincent and Philip Irving, those brilliant engineers as well as the skilled men and women that built these wonderful motorcycles. I consider myself extremely fortunate and privileged to be the custodian of one of your machines. I also want to express my deepest thanks to the previous owner David Williams for the excellent work he has put into restoring this Vincent Comet to it's former glory.
Richard Freeman
It also happened to be the first time I have ridden a motorcycle on the open road in 5 years so this was going to be an extra special reintroduction to motorcycling. I was not sure what to expect from a marque that has a world renowned reputation for producing an exceptional motorcycle so in truth I was expecting much. And much was delivered.
I bought the machine, a 1950 Series C Comet last October after being taken by the overall design in an advertisement for a twin. I am now at an age where I can appreciate that the way this machine has been designed makes it look eager to perform, balanced and in great proportion as well as a motorcycle which is really quite beautiful to behold. I was really fortunate to find a good restoration for sale.
After priming and a few kicks the engine started and I was on my way. After several hundred yards and a few light corners it was clear to me that the bike handled like it was on a rail, stable and solidly stuck to the mildly arcing B then A roads. One knows quite soon if they can trust in a particular motorcycle's ability to handle the road and the Vincent felt more than trustworthy. I negotiated roads en route to Chipping Ongar from Ilford via Lambourne End, despite the average B road conditions and having to avoid the occasional pot hole and damage caused by last winter's battering of the road surface.
Naturally I took things slowly and carefully at first. I had researched some video clips on 'You Tube' to see how others have ridden a Vincent Comet. There are several clips available but one I have enjoyed several times is of a rider on magnificent roads in Catalonia, Spain though I thought the rider's choice of predominantly lower gears and engine revs was straining the engine. I have an original riders handbook dated 1952 which states that riding 500c.c. models, one should 'Always change to a lower gear when the engine is felt to be labouring.' I kept my engine revs slightly higher by following the handbook advice as well as what felt right to keep relatively tight control of the machine as well as what sounded to be correct engine speed, riding on the legal speed limit which varied between 30 and 60 mph. The engine was responsive and when, after about 20 minutes of light riding and just over 12 miles to get the oil up to operating temperature as advised by E.M.G. Stevens in 'Know Thy Beast' I decided to open the throttle slightly more. I was very pleased by the acceleration delivered by 499 c.c.'s though I did wonder how it would feel to have the power of the extra cylinder beneath me. I entered an area of resurfaced road on the A113 and increased the throttle opening even more as the Comet effortlessly graced gentle leaning corners at 60 m.p.h. which was exhilarating and surely many a motorcylist's delight. I have to confess to some vocal exaltations throughout the run. I can't remember how many times I cheered out loud but the first time was about two minutes after I set out on my immensely enjoyable ride for pleasure. What a way to get back into motorcycling!
As confidence in the machine's ability had grown I found myself overtaking slower moving traffic as well as faster moving vehicles. And then fortunately I found myself with no traffic in front and none behind. I was then overcome with that great feeling motorcyclists experience less often nowadays on our crowded highways - The road was my own! I felt so happy and contented. Unfortunately too soon the sun started to sink low in the horizon and the cooler air was nipping at my knees so I decided to head for home after the extremely enjoyable hour aboard the Vincent.
I never thought I could enjoy riding a British single as much as I did this evening. Thank you Phillip Vincent and Philip Irving, those brilliant engineers as well as the skilled men and women that built these wonderful motorcycles. I consider myself extremely fortunate and privileged to be the custodian of one of your machines. I also want to express my deepest thanks to the previous owner David Williams for the excellent work he has put into restoring this Vincent Comet to it's former glory.
Richard Freeman