@@scottyskydog Frankly, even if it weren't a functioning motorcycle (ie. a balsa wood mock-up), it would still qualify as art because of it's sheer beauty. The fact that it goes as good as it looks was never a consideration in my assessment...
I love Guy saying "I've got to get this picture. It's never going to happen again is it." sitting on bike with helmet off. Just shows how he really felt.
Shit why have I never heard of him or this bike. I better learn and do the man some justice. Honestly I thought this was a small manufacturer modern bike, it sounds so refined and the build quality looks great. I was expecting this to be along the lines of something like Suter where they're making a few track only bikes, I'm amazed that this thing has been around longer than I have.
Brilliant! What a bike, what a rider! To see Guy so impressed with the Britten shows how genius John's design still is today. Many thanks for the upload!
Having watched racing bikes like the Honda's, MV's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's etc., and being impressed to the greatest degree by them since the sixties until now, there isn't one I'm more impressed with than the Britten! Sheer brilliance! Thank you John.
I saw a combination of two of my favourite NZ exports in 2013, at the Isle of man (Jurby airfield track)....Bruce Anstey riding the Britten V twin. Bruce is so understated, yet so capable and the Britten was wonderful and an excellent example of minimalist but effective engineering design. Respect from the UK!
TT Kiwis Mate,thank you.It was so nice to see the Britten bike again.Will or can it ever be reproduced ? I mean the bike is so awesome if made available for customers it could and probably would change the way all bikes are designed if not built.The thing is ridiculous.Its way more than just another bike.Is it possible without John ? There has to be a way doesn't there ? Cheers bro.
MrCpolzin Anything is possible, but since there are intellectual rights involved, it's not as simple as just copying (or reproducing commercially) the bike. Also, to compound issues, many of the original molds/drawings for the bike parts (bodywork and the like) were lost in the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. As for other manufacturers using the ideas on the Britten, Ducati did (apparently) use some of the rear suspension ideas from the bike in some of their machines (this is only what I have been told - I am no expert in this area). It's kind of cool that the Britten stays unique, I think.
Bloody hell.What a story and turn of events.It's almost as if the universe ensured this bike's fate to stand alone,totally unique,so far ahead of all other bikes produced.You're right,that is really cool.The bike industry has so much catching up to do.I guess it's one of those things.It is what it is... Mate thank you for your response.The name Britten will always curl my smile a little and once again it is so lovely to see her in use.Warm wishes for you my brother.Col.
I stood next to the Britten at the GOMA in Brisbane for the 100 motorcycle display,I must have stood at the Britten for at least 40 mins gazing at what I considered to be art and vision with a lot of genius added to the mix..John Britten simply brilliant ..
Still one of the most amazing bikes ever. The sound on the recording doesn't do the beast justice, but glad to see it nonetheless. Saw it's predecessor run at Daytona before it broke. Shame that man was stricken down so early in life. What a genius.
*So good to see & hear the V1000* I still think the Britten V1000 is one of the most beautiful bikes ever built. Such a shame that Cancer struck John down before he could fulfil his complete dream. Great video. Thanks for the upload. #WoMoCo Tim Lane billy robson Rodger Lyon Cycle News
Did not know of this bike so did a quick google around. Brilliant man whose life was so cruelly cut short. I wanted to get this book "Britten Motorcycles: The John Britten Sto", but sheesh, so very spendy. goo.gl/EZKjqG
IIRC, it was in the pit area at '93 USGP. The first thought I had when I saw the bike was - this thing is a T-rex. It looked small in photos, but quite larger in person, with matching presence. You couldn't help but to stop and admire. Strolling pass might not be possible. What a stunner.
Jesus what a bike. John Britten should go down in history as one of the greatest Kiwis ever. He built this ( with the help of a lot of dedicated people) in his garage!! It was gut wrenching to see him cut down by cancer well before his time... leaving not only his family, but a bike which was still basically in its infancy. Where NZ would be today in the world super bike scene if John was still alive will never been known. As a young bike enthusiast growing up in New Zealand in the 90s ..... This bike was the pinical of bike development. Forget ya factory Ducatis etc.... This was the most beautiful machine ever created ... with performance that bettered the competition. Truly inspirational.
My infant son was given permission to be posed on Britten #10 and it’s a photo I treasure - I’ve tried to explain to the now 16 year old how absolutely stunning a machine it was and is, but I don’t think he quite gets it still. What an accomplishment and what a visionary John Britten was. Legend.
I seen the Britten at Eastern Creek several years back and I watched Guy on the Island in 2014, it would have been great to see Guy on the Britten, RIP John.
I was at the IOM in 1993 when the Britten pulled out and it stopped in front of me John Britten turned up within minutes and stood over his bike keeping people away.He made the carbon fibre wheels himself and baked them in his home oven. In those days few people used or would trust carbon fibre wheels on the IOM as it can be rough and bumpy. The man was a genius RIP.
Wynkin de Worde Having had the privilege of hanging around the Britten a little bit, I can tell you that the wheels are often a topic of discussion with riders and enthusiasts alike. Apparently the construction of the wheels is not as it would appear. The 'spokes' on the wheels are just 'covers' for the real load-bearing structure underneath (which I have not yet seen). At least that is what the owner and mechanic say..... But the whole thing is a real work of art.
I used to work for Kevin , the owner, and had a look through his bike collection years back. Even without the Britten it would have to be one of the most impressive bike collections in the world!
In early 1995 I had a crazy idea to call the Christchurch NZ telephone operator and ask if she had a Britten listing. "Would you like the office or workshop number?" I chose the latter. The phone rang a couple times and then picked up, "Hello, this is John." My call was simply to ask if he'd be at Daytona in March, if so I'd make the trip to check it out. John said yes they'd be there, and asked where I was calling from. Upon hearing California, he said isn't that quite a long way to go just to see a motorcycle? I said sure, but you guys are traveling a lot further to race it! Chuckling in agreement Britten said, OK, see you there! It was a great adventure to see the team, so glad I did it because a year later he was gone.
Just like I went to see my 2 hero's in '87, while he was at the top of his game in the US. Don't know if you've heard of him... BOB GLIDDEN and Oh, he won, and so did the red head... BILL ELLIOTT !!
I built a similar suspension system for one of my my bikes, and the transition from brake to gas he mentions, and quickness to go in to corners, was exactly the goal. It's not a powerful bike, (is an xj750, and power / weight specs are near stock) but it is a HUGE improvement in stop and go traffic & general urban riding.
We can only imagine how motorcycles would have progressed had Britten not passed on. He was the single most important engineer of our motorcycle time. We will never know how his passing slowed our progress.
He lives-on in modern-bikes, the Big Bike Manufacturers were 'All-Over' that bike with it's innovative-engineering . He definitely impacted bikes of Today. Dave NZ
I can’t understand how this bike was not more successful? I’ve followed bike racing for almost 50 years yet know very little about it! How was it not a worldwide phenomenon on and off track? The sound does not do justice to the performance That’s some machine and it’s 30 years old wow just wow !
I don’t know how you didn’t know about it. But better late than never. The front end lifting as it passed the Ducati at Donington is still just a chilling victorious sight.
Guy Martin is the type who doesn't bullshit, speaks his mind but knows when he's in front of something special & a Britten is special. RIP John Britten.
Guy is like my hero …not only a incredibly talented rider /racer,but is content in his skin ..not bothered by a inner pressure is how I interpret the videoS I have seen of him ,just enjoying life….and in this skilled contentment gets opportunities like this which further his happiness
That shot where you went underneath the front fairing… Wow, he designed the front wheel hugger to direct air into the ducts below the fairing. He was so visionary when it came to giving parts extra functions!
Seeing Guy Martin ride the Britten has to be a dream come true for him. video listening to Him talk he didnt want to get off without picture Awesome. , Duane
This and the ducati supermono were my faves during the Battle of the Twins races in Assen. Still to this day the Britten is one of the most beautifull bikes and this is how a motorbike is supposed to sound.
Off topic a bit, watching Guy put his gloves on just before mounting the bike. If you've never raced a Superbike or been on the track, that feeling is almost undescribable. Looking so forward to getting out there but still having butterfly a bit in the stomach. I so miss racing. This bike is a work of art. I saw a documentary once about how it was constructed. Just insane how far ahead the technology was for the time.
Guy should buy one of these from the owner of one of the remaining ones stuck in private collections, gathering dust and un used never to be thrashed around tracks in front of appreciative fans again, he clearly really gets how special the Britten was/is. we can only guess what Britten would have gone on to dream up after the learning experience of the short time developing this bike. he clearly was not restricted by the normal tried and trusted ways of thinking and building bikes, or anything else. we need these bonkers, one off thinkers to progress sometimes.
Guy says "it's more settled than a modern bike" and "no massive transition from braking to power". That's all because there's no tele forks. It's a hub centre steered Hossack front end. Theres no dive on the brakes so you can power on or off mid bend and not worry about it.
I have had the pleasure to sit on and admire the engineering skills of this once ducati beating beast of A bike,such a shame that " mr Britten" went to the great racetrack up above,I wonder where his skills would of taken him!! R.I.P John
I watched Andrew Stroud run the Britten round Ruapuna in a thunder storm. There was lightning striking all round the horizon, the sweeper into the main straight had a 200mm puddle in the bottom... there was even some hail.... and Andrew put the front wheel down every now and then to get through the tighter corners. A beautiful bike. A friend was invited to a tour of the factory (farm :-) ) as a teen and was given a part of an early setup of the britten "signed" by John himself..... Its a rear axle adjuster... and its signed "LH" q8D (Apparently I was told the huge axle tubes are that size... because he had a lot of that pipe sitting around... Typical Kiwi 'Waste Not' attitude right there)...
The first time the Britten raced Daytona they had everything set except for a muffler. One of the mechanics went out and bought a can of beans. Opened the can presumably eating the beans, then poked a bunch of holes on the bottom and clamped it on the end of the exhaust pipe. It was said the tech judges might have felt sorry for them and let it pass tech anyway! Little did they know they were looking at genius pure genius! Not just John Britten but the whole lot of his friends that helped all along the way!
@@dk2614 I forgot to mention the LH means.... Left Hand.... q8) I mad a modification on my mates race bike mid race-day... He had a VFR400 and was hitting his foot on the ground cornering... His footpegs were 3 botl triangke mount so I think I moved them up to 2, rotating them... then flipped the gear leaver upside down so he had one up the rest down... Apparently it worked a treat... Same guy, different bike on a ride 200k away from home broke his throttle cable... It was a CBR250rr so had a return throttle cable... We disassembled the bike on the side of the road, swapped the cables over (of course they didn't fit) so... a piece of fence wire, duct tape and one of those half heart necklaces later... we reversed the throttle and he rode 200k home with a push-to-accelerate throttle. I was an IT tech back then, now a maintenance engineer.. go figure.
Yep, we screwed it up. It is what it is. We placed this up knowing it was seriously flawed, yet the comments from Guy and the owner are interesting, so we figured it was worth doing so. Cheers.
@@mikejones-go8vz I'd like to think this is a case of "substance over beauty". Thanks for the support! In our defence, I asked the TV3 News camera crew who shot the event if they had any good footage of Guy out on track as ours was crap, their camera operator got back to me and said that their footage was no better than ours (they'd had the same issues we'd had - it was all very rushed etc). Knowing what I know now, I'd fight more for a better set-up for some aspects of this shoot. The main organiser is a great guy whom I have worked with a lot since then (and continue to work with), but the quick drive around the track in the 'camera truck' with Guy just didn't work out. As I say, I would do things very differently now. Thanks again.
Nice enough bike, but all of the “innovations” have precedence elsewhere. Hugely talented Britten was, but he’s basically the Sir James Dyson of motorcycles...taking existing ideas and putting it in one package.
4:20 they caught him in neutral around the corner and heard it; straight up I would have played it of lol . Regardless he admitted so he could learn . Guy is really cool ✊🏾
That was very very good. Guy is a very interesting man who excells at genius. In my opinion he is an ambassador for our beloved sport. I bet he couldn’t believe he was riding John Britten creation. Love the Kiwi.
People don't appreciate the significance of this motorcycle. Every motorcycle designer, engine designer, or mechanical engineer is in awe of this machine, as they understand what went into it. It is a mindfuck!
I found out about this bike yesterday and after looking at 2-3 videos about it and recreating the suspension linkage on my pc I can easily say that this is one of the coolest bikes ever. John was an absolute god for building this entire thing by himself. The fact that he died at only 45 is awful, I bet he had so much more to give.
He didn't build the entire thing by himself. Don't forget the team of volunteers and engineers behind the scenes working tirelessly to fulfil Joh's vision.
I was fortunate enough to witness Andrew Stroud doing wheel stands down the straight at Ruapuna race track. Impressive to say the least. It has also appeared in the Isle of Man. Found that out today.
Even after 20+ years this bike still gets me excited whenever it fires up ! Hand made carbon fiber everything, including the steering head tube, which bolts to front of motor, no frame to be found.Classic! John Britten was a genius.
To be fair ,my old Yam XV1000 TR1-Roadster steering-head , bolts to the front-cylinder ...and Yamaha 'Borrowed' that (amongst other things ) directly from the Vincent . Not knocking his overall-genius though , his bike is living-proof of that : Art on Wheels . Dave NZ
itsa bit ofa monster! as the kiwi lads say, come on Giuy, shes your monster, just rein her in, she will wanna light up! iduno,iwant you to make something of our girl,your babe!!!
great kiwi made bike!!! poor old Guy, got to ride his fav bike of all time with a new motor needing run in, i think we should get him back to give it full noise/snot!
That's not just a motorcycle, that's art.
Rest in peace Mr. Britten.
Mechanical Art! Exquiste!
@@scottyskydog Frankly, even if it weren't a functioning motorcycle (ie. a balsa wood mock-up), it would still qualify as art because of it's sheer beauty. The fact that it goes as good as it looks was never a consideration in my assessment...
.......if God had an engineering dept.......
I love Guy saying "I've got to get this picture. It's never going to happen again is it." sitting on bike with helmet off. Just shows how he really felt.
You can tell Mr Martin was impressed as it's the longest time I have seen him go without saying anything ;)
Takes some doing :-)
Britten was a genius, has to be said.
Shit why have I never heard of him or this bike. I better learn and do the man some justice.
Honestly I thought this was a small manufacturer modern bike, it sounds so refined and the build quality looks great. I was expecting this to be along the lines of something like Suter where they're making a few track only bikes, I'm amazed that this thing has been around longer than I have.
No frame!
@@ihateeverything3972 Learn more about John, and you probably won't have to hate everything anymore :-)
@@shaftdrive7567 Motor == Frame.
@@ihateeverything3972 this bike is old enough to be my dad
That's a big moment for guy he`s wanted to ride that for years.
Brilliant! What a bike, what a rider! To see Guy so impressed with the Britten shows how genius John's design still is today. Many thanks for the upload!
Thank you!
My thoughts, exactly, Nate :-)
Having watched racing bikes like the Honda's, MV's, Yamaha's, Suzuki's etc., and being impressed to the greatest degree by them since the sixties until now, there isn't one I'm more impressed with than the Britten! Sheer brilliance! Thank you John.
I saw a combination of two of my favourite NZ exports in 2013, at the Isle of man (Jurby airfield track)....Bruce Anstey riding the Britten V twin. Bruce is so understated, yet so capable and the Britten was wonderful and an excellent example of minimalist but effective engineering design. Respect from the UK!
I was at Jurby too. It made those two Ducatis 851 and the 888 sound very limp wristed.
@FITNESSOVER45 NO
It's such a joy to see the recognition of the intricacies of the Britten and the delight of Guy in having the opportunity to play with it.
Awesome upload.It's gotta be the best bike in the world still today.Bless John Britten,what a genius.
MrCpolzin Thanks!
TT Kiwis Mate,thank you.It was so nice to see the Britten bike again.Will or can it ever be reproduced ? I mean the bike is so awesome if made available for customers it could and probably would change the way all bikes are designed if not built.The thing is ridiculous.Its way more than just another bike.Is it possible without John ? There has to be a way doesn't there ? Cheers bro.
MrCpolzin Anything is possible, but since there are intellectual rights involved, it's not as simple as just copying (or reproducing commercially) the bike. Also, to compound issues, many of the original molds/drawings for the bike parts (bodywork and the like) were lost in the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. As for other manufacturers using the ideas on the Britten, Ducati did (apparently) use some of the rear suspension ideas from the bike in some of their machines (this is only what I have been told - I am no expert in this area). It's kind of cool that the Britten stays unique, I think.
Bloody hell.What a story and turn of events.It's almost as if the universe ensured this bike's fate to stand alone,totally unique,so far ahead of all other bikes produced.You're right,that is really cool.The bike industry has so much catching up to do.I guess it's one of those things.It is what it is... Mate thank you for your response.The name Britten will always curl my smile a little and once again it is so lovely to see her in use.Warm wishes for you my brother.Col.
Very lucky man, few have ever got to ride a bike of such legendary status, Thanks for uploading.
You are most welcome. Glad you enjoyed the clip.
A wonderful wonderful racing motorcycle! Guy's ride is a tribute to John Britten and everybody who keeps this beautiful machine on the track!
Love Guy Martin what a character, pity he never got to meet John Britten. Two legends :)
I stood next to the Britten at the GOMA in Brisbane for the 100 motorcycle display,I must have stood at the Britten for at least 40 mins gazing at what I considered to be art and vision with a lot of genius added to the mix..John Britten simply brilliant ..
Still one of the most amazing bikes ever. The sound on the recording doesn't do the beast justice, but glad to see it nonetheless. Saw it's predecessor run at Daytona before it broke. Shame that man was stricken down so early in life. What a genius.
I was at Daytona too when it ran.
Totally agree. All handmade in a garage. Thid bike is worth 1million now.
What a "Spectacular" piece of kit, it took on the world & was built in a shed.
Thirty years on and it still looks futuristic.
As astonishing as it is in pictures, seeing a Britten V-1000 in person will really blow your mind.
*So good to see & hear the V1000*
I still think the Britten V1000 is one of the most beautiful bikes ever built.
Such a shame that Cancer struck John down before he could fulfil his complete dream.
Great video. Thanks for the upload.
#WoMoCo Tim Lane billy robson Rodger Lyon Cycle News
Nice!
Wonderful to hear the interfacing between them after his ride. Great stuff.
Did not know of this bike so did a quick google around. Brilliant man whose life was so cruelly cut short. I wanted to get this book "Britten Motorcycles: The John Britten Sto", but sheesh, so very spendy. goo.gl/EZKjqG
Speed Triple & R1200GS Try this for an education my friend : th-cam.com/video/m9N1gfLQ--k/w-d-xo.html
Woot... found the documentary: th-cam.com/video/s2yzOCM_KSM/w-d-xo.html
IIRC, it was in the pit area at '93 USGP.
The first thought I had when I saw the bike was - this thing is a T-rex. It looked small in photos, but quite larger in person, with matching presence. You couldn't help but to stop and admire. Strolling pass might not be possible. What a stunner.
Jesus what a bike. John Britten should go down in history as one of the greatest Kiwis ever. He built this ( with the help of a lot of dedicated people) in his garage!!
It was gut wrenching to see him cut down by cancer well before his time... leaving not only his family, but a bike which was still basically in its infancy.
Where NZ would be today in the world super bike scene if John was still alive will never been known.
As a young bike enthusiast growing up in New Zealand in the 90s ..... This bike was the pinical of bike development.
Forget ya factory Ducatis etc.... This was the most beautiful machine ever created ... with performance that bettered the competition.
Truly inspirational.
What a genius John Britten was ! - Guy Martin a great guy too .
My infant son was given permission to be posed on Britten #10 and it’s a photo I treasure - I’ve tried to explain to the now 16 year old how absolutely stunning a machine it was and is, but I don’t think he quite gets it still. What an accomplishment and what a visionary John Britten was. Legend.
I seen the Britten at Eastern Creek several years back and I watched Guy on the Island in 2014, it would have been great to see Guy on the Britten, RIP John.
Could only imagine how this bike would have evolved if John hadn’t passed! God love him an this truly magnificent creation!
I was at the IOM in 1993 when the Britten pulled out and it stopped in front of me John Britten turned up within minutes and stood over his bike keeping people away.He made the carbon fibre wheels himself and baked them in his home oven. In those days few people used or would trust carbon fibre wheels on the IOM as it can be rough and bumpy. The man was a genius RIP.
Wynkin de Worde Having had the privilege of hanging around the Britten a little bit, I can tell you that the wheels are often a topic of discussion with riders and enthusiasts alike. Apparently the construction of the wheels is not as it would appear. The 'spokes' on the wheels are just 'covers' for the real load-bearing structure underneath (which I have not yet seen). At least that is what the owner and mechanic say..... But the whole thing is a real work of art.
Interesting.....
Less is more was the philosophy of the Britten bike. Wonderful machine!
holy shit that's cool. So glad I stumbled onto this.
It was a mind blowing machine in the day . RIP John and thanks for the memories.
I used to work for Kevin , the owner, and had a look through his bike collection years back. Even without the Britten it would have to be one of the most impressive bike collections in the world!
Great to see Guy take it out and loving it. What a beautiful bike. What a marvel.
Wow, look at the pipework on the exhaust manifolds.
In early 1995 I had a crazy idea to call the Christchurch NZ telephone operator and ask if she had a Britten listing. "Would you like the office or workshop number?" I chose the latter.
The phone rang a couple times and then picked up, "Hello, this is John."
My call was simply to ask if he'd be at Daytona in March, if so I'd make the trip to check it out. John said yes they'd be there, and asked where I was calling from. Upon hearing California, he said isn't that quite a long way to go just to see a motorcycle? I said sure, but you guys are traveling a lot further to race it! Chuckling in agreement Britten said, OK, see you there!
It was a great adventure to see the team, so glad I did it because a year later he was gone.
Just like I went to see my 2 hero's in '87, while he was at the top of his game in the US. Don't know if you've heard of him... BOB GLIDDEN and Oh, he won, and so did the red head... BILL ELLIOTT !!
That bike is Priceless! Literally. I would be so scared to ride it!!
Enjoyed this. One wonders what Britten might have accomplished if he'd lived longer...
Thanks. It's amazing to me that a bike that was built in the early '90s still looks futuristic today.
TT Kiwis
Yep, it's still got it and will have it for a lot longer to come, I reckon.
From what I've read his next motorsport project was a 6 valve supermono
Fantastic! Makes me want MORE! Wish there was some on bike camera footage.
I built a similar suspension system for one of my my bikes, and the transition from brake to gas he mentions, and quickness to go in to corners, was exactly the goal. It's not a powerful bike, (is an xj750, and power / weight specs are near stock) but it is a HUGE improvement in stop and go traffic & general urban riding.
Amazing vid
Thanks for sharing 🙏
We can only imagine how motorcycles would have progressed had Britten not passed on. He was the single most important engineer of our motorcycle time. We will never know how his passing slowed our progress.
He lives-on in modern-bikes, the Big Bike Manufacturers were 'All-Over' that bike with it's innovative-engineering . He definitely impacted bikes of Today. Dave NZ
Can you imagine this bike with thirty more years of development?
I can’t understand how this bike was not more successful? I’ve followed bike racing for almost 50 years yet know very little about it!
How was it not a worldwide phenomenon on and off track?
The sound does not do justice to the performance
That’s some machine and it’s 30 years old wow just wow !
I don’t know how you didn’t know about it. But better late than never. The front end lifting as it passed the Ducati at Donington is still just a chilling victorious sight.
Guy Martin is the type who doesn't bullshit, speaks his mind but knows when he's in front of something special & a Britten is special. RIP John Britten.
Wow what a bike!.
F.ckn Cancer.
All you riders wherever you are,ride safe and have fun.
Guy Martin is the man. One of my favorite riders. He’ll ride anything fast. And I mean fast. And I can listen to him talk all day. Lol
Guy is like my hero …not only a incredibly talented rider /racer,but is content in his skin ..not bothered by a inner pressure is how I interpret the videoS I have seen of him ,just enjoying life….and in this skilled contentment gets opportunities like this which further his happiness
The sound is incredible! It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie
And still 27 years on I’m in awe
the Britten was way Way ahead of its time..
That shot where you went underneath the front fairing… Wow, he designed the front wheel hugger to direct air into the ducts below the fairing. He was so visionary when it came to giving parts extra functions!
Seeing Guy Martin ride the Britten has to be a dream come true for him. video listening to Him talk he didnt want to get off without picture Awesome. , Duane
Guy you lucky bast!!! That is my favourite bike of ALL time!!
This and the ducati supermono were my faves during the Battle of the Twins races in Assen. Still to this day the Britten is one of the most beautifull bikes and this is how a motorbike is supposed to sound.
Off topic a bit, watching Guy put his gloves on just before mounting the bike. If you've never raced a Superbike or been on the track, that feeling is almost undescribable.
Looking so forward to getting out there but still having butterfly a bit in the stomach. I so miss racing.
This bike is a work of art. I saw a documentary once about how it was constructed. Just insane how far ahead the technology was for the time.
Guy should buy one of these from the owner of one of the remaining ones stuck in private collections, gathering dust and un used never to be thrashed around tracks in front of appreciative fans again, he clearly really gets how special the Britten was/is. we can only guess what Britten would have gone on to dream up after the learning experience of the short time developing this bike. he clearly was not restricted by the normal tried and trusted ways of thinking and building bikes, or anything else. we need these bonkers, one off thinkers to progress sometimes.
Timeless masterpiece 🏁🏁🏁
One of the best riders riding the best machine belt for its day. Million dollar bike now.
Cool video and what a bike... 👍
Guy Martin having a fan-girl moment over the bike,... there's something very right about that, and his respect for the design and engineering.
really nice hearing them talking at the end
Id have travelled to see this!
Britten a Masterpiece Bike !
Two crazy machine
Britten/ Martin
Guy says "it's more settled than a modern bike" and "no massive transition from braking to power". That's all because there's no tele forks. It's a hub centre steered Hossack front end. Theres no dive on the brakes so you can power on or off mid bend and not worry about it.
I have had the pleasure to sit on and admire the engineering skills of this once ducati beating beast of A bike,such a shame that " mr Britten" went to the great racetrack up above,I wonder where his skills would of taken him!! R.I.P John
I watched Andrew Stroud run the Britten round Ruapuna in a thunder storm. There was lightning striking all round the horizon, the sweeper into the main straight had a 200mm puddle in the bottom... there was even some hail.... and Andrew put the front wheel down every now and then to get through the tighter corners.
A beautiful bike.
A friend was invited to a tour of the factory (farm :-) ) as a teen and was given a part of an early setup of the britten "signed" by John himself..... Its a rear axle adjuster... and its signed "LH"
q8D
(Apparently I was told the huge axle tubes are that size... because he had a lot of that pipe sitting around... Typical Kiwi 'Waste Not' attitude right there)...
The first time the Britten raced Daytona they had everything set except for a muffler. One of the mechanics went out and bought a can of beans. Opened the can presumably eating the beans, then poked a bunch of holes on the bottom and clamped it on the end of the exhaust pipe. It was said the tech judges might have felt sorry for them and let it pass tech anyway! Little did they know they were looking at genius pure genius! Not just John Britten but the whole lot of his friends that helped all along the way!
@@dk2614 I forgot to mention the LH means.... Left Hand.... q8)
I mad a modification on my mates race bike mid race-day...
He had a VFR400 and was hitting his foot on the ground cornering...
His footpegs were 3 botl triangke mount so I think I moved them up to 2, rotating them... then flipped the gear leaver upside down so he had one up the rest down...
Apparently it worked a treat...
Same guy, different bike on a ride 200k away from home broke his throttle cable...
It was a CBR250rr so had a return throttle cable... We disassembled the bike on the side of the road, swapped the cables over (of course they didn't fit) so... a piece of fence wire, duct tape and one of those half heart necklaces later... we reversed the throttle and he rode 200k home with a push-to-accelerate throttle.
I was an IT tech back then, now a maintenance engineer.. go figure.
That Guy looks right proper on a Britten V1000 !!
When it comes to bad camera work tho is up there
Yep, we screwed it up. It is what it is. We placed this up knowing it was seriously flawed, yet the comments from Guy and the owner are interesting, so we figured it was worth doing so. Cheers.
@@ttkiwis6980 it’s ok to me mate 👍🏽
@@mikejones-go8vz I'd like to think this is a case of "substance over beauty". Thanks for the support! In our defence, I asked the TV3 News camera crew who shot the event if they had any good footage of Guy out on track as ours was crap, their camera operator got back to me and said that their footage was no better than ours (they'd had the same issues we'd had - it was all very rushed etc). Knowing what I know now, I'd fight more for a better set-up for some aspects of this shoot. The main organiser is a great guy whom I have worked with a lot since then (and continue to work with), but the quick drive around the track in the 'camera truck' with Guy just didn't work out. As I say, I would do things very differently now. Thanks again.
@@ttkiwis6980 any footage of this bike and these guys is a treasure , could of been worse, you could have added loud music 😳
@@mikejones-go8vz Haha, yep. Cheers Mike.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Gets on goofy-foot.
Nice enough bike, but all of the “innovations” have precedence elsewhere.
Hugely talented Britten was, but he’s basically the Sir James Dyson of motorcycles...taking existing ideas and putting it in one package.
Someone is a little jealous
BUT, a guy and his mates put ALL THOSE PIECES together in a suburban garage mate !!
Completely clueless comment, well done mate....
A wonderful wheelman, but has the worlds worst sideboards. At least he doesn't have a mullet!
Guy and a bike like that - pefect match
what ever happened to his mongrel he finished for pikes peak ?
GIVE EM A TASTE A KIWI ! ! !
4:20 they caught him in neutral around the corner and heard it; straight up I would have played it of lol . Regardless he admitted so he could learn . Guy is really cool ✊🏾
My god
That sound !!!!!!!!!!
Coming from a guy has a Ducati and RC51
They pale in comparison
Gone way to young was John Britten
... way to young
RIP
I need to understand why this bike has not been put into production. it would be a boon for New Zealand.
A fitting bike and rider combo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love to see you guy !
That was very very good. Guy is a very interesting man who excells at genius. In my opinion he is an ambassador for our beloved sport. I bet he couldn’t believe he was riding John Britten creation. Love the Kiwi.
Never seen or heard one in real life... But its on my bucket list.. What a machine!! What a waste of a N. Z. GENIUS
Love Guy Martin, "Ee, Fookin Ell it goes dunnit!?"
How does he get all the 1970's hair in that helmet?
This is by far my favourite bike of all time.
Kiwi brilliance again in action, for a Country with less people than Sydney they sure do punch above their weigh on a regular basis.
What an honor to ride. A piece of motorcycling history! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
What type of money this bike worth, million region?
YEP !!
People don't appreciate the significance of this motorcycle.
Every motorcycle designer, engine designer, or mechanical engineer is in awe of this machine, as they understand what went into it.
It is a mindfuck!
You lucky bastard! You lucky jammy bastard! Newt i wouldn't do!
Legend riding another legend.
the Pink Floyd of that walle!! lol
Guy is awesome, he's such a little kid sometimes, so cool... Sick bike.
I found out about this bike yesterday and after looking at 2-3 videos about it and recreating the suspension linkage on my pc I can easily say that this is one of the coolest bikes ever. John was an absolute god for building this entire thing by himself. The fact that he died at only 45 is awful, I bet he had so much more to give.
He did, the "Recipe" for this, nothing like it before, nothing like it since. what a tragic loss of both man & machine.
He didn't build the entire thing by himself. Don't forget the team of volunteers and engineers behind the scenes working tirelessly to fulfil Joh's vision.
Same lol
I was fortunate enough to witness Andrew Stroud doing wheel stands down the straight at Ruapuna race track. Impressive to say the least. It has also appeared in the Isle of Man. Found that out today.
Even after 20+ years this bike still gets me excited whenever it fires up ! Hand made carbon fiber everything, including the steering head tube, which bolts to front of motor, no frame to be found.Classic!
John Britten was a genius.
To be fair ,my old Yam XV1000 TR1-Roadster steering-head , bolts to the front-cylinder ...and Yamaha 'Borrowed' that (amongst other things ) directly from the Vincent . Not knocking his overall-genius though , his bike is living-proof of that : Art on Wheels . Dave NZ
This bike was created and handbuilt in a garage. Its worth 1million today.
I'm not so sure that old geezer should be telling Guy Martin how to ride a motorbike.
@@TheTazzietiger Fair enough.
That's a proper noise!
Легендарный мот, Великого Человека.
He was indeed. So unfair...
Cameraman needs to be sacked, what an occasion ... yet the filming left a lot to be desired.
itsa bit ofa monster! as the kiwi lads say, come on Giuy, shes your monster, just rein her in, she will wanna light up! iduno,iwant you to make something of our girl,your babe!!!
great kiwi made bike!!! poor old Guy, got to ride his fav bike of all time with a new motor needing run in, i think we should get him back to give it full noise/snot!
John Britten lives forever in that bike. Imagine what he would have built if he had lived.