jenkinov Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 I appreciate that we dont own these bikes for their performance .....But interested in understanding how the bikes rated in both acceleration and top speed ... Is there a top 5 for acceleration and speed ? How does the triumph 3sw and HW perform with the smaller engine Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big ray Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I have a Harley/Davidson WLC 750 s/v a BSA M20 500 sv a 2000 Indian built Royal Enfield 350 ohv and a 1942 Royal Enfield WD CO 350 ohv........... and the WD.CO easily out performs the other 3 bikes, and the gearbox is fabulous, Enfields own box, not a clunky Burman..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Jenk. Matchless probably produced some of the highest powered WW2 WD bikes. The G3L gave 16 BHP and probably about the same if not more for the previous model G3. Closely followed by Triumphs 3HW at 15.8 BHP. Velocette's at around 15 BHP Ariel W/NG at 12.5 BHP. BSA M20's and Norton 16H's at 12 BHP and the Triumph and Enfield 350 SV down to about 10 BHP. I haven't got the figure for Enfields WD.CO but between 13-14 BHP I'd guess. The standard gearbox fitted to Enfield's during this period were supplied by Albion although some CO's were fitted with Burman box's (WD.CO/B's). Due I think to the Luftwaffeter's attempt to bomb the Albion factory. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commander Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I have a Harley/Davidson WLC 750 s/v a BSA M20 500 sv a 2000 Indian built Royal Enfield 350 ohv and a 1942 Royal Enfield WD CO 350 ohv........... and the WD.CO easily out performs the other 3 bikes, and the gearbox is fabulous, Enfields own box, not a clunky Burman..... And I have a Norton 16H which he would love to swop Commander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 (edited) Interesting question, But Ron, only looking at horsepower is not all of it, the 3HW is a lot lighter, so competative with the G3WO. In my opinion: 1 Matchless G3WO 2 Triumph 3HW 3 Matchless G3L 4 Velocette 5 Ariel WNG 6 Royal Enfield CO 7 Triumph 5SW 8 Norton 16H 9 BSA M20 10 BSA C10 11 Triumph 3SW Have ridden all of these bikes at some point in time, but am riding one of my G3WO's almost daily, on and offroad, on the circuit, etc. etc. and love every minute, especially the supurb brakes! Cheers, Lex ps, I know there's more models and makes! Edited May 7, 2013 by welbike insert picture link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 (edited) Yes I would more or less agree with your findings Lex. I only quoted BHP figures as I have no other performance figures available, and of course there is a power to weight issue. However I would like to see a Triumph 3HW and Matchless G3L in a straight race!! The Matchless's always seem to do best during the laps we are aloud to do at 'Goodwood Revival' Mind you we are not supposed to be racing!!! Just don't tell his Lordship! Ron PS. Oh and I would have put a 5SW above a WD/CO Same size engine as an M20 in half the weight of frame. Edited May 8, 2013 by Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 All of the WD bikes (nowadays) on modern fuels and arguably in far better loving condition are all around the same in terms of performance...........my 16H Norton easily out-paces the Ariel W/NG in terms of bottom-end "grunt" and top-speed (she will do a genuine 75 mph) and although heavier and a 500cc sidevalve, she out-performs the 350cc OHV Ariel everytime..........I find the Norton more "brutal" than the Ariel, and far less "gentle".............if that makes sense..... I've owned and ridden extensively at one time or another all of the common WD bikes...........a good M20 is reliable and quick, if very heavy.......a G3 Matchless heavy but rather quick and far better than the G3L..........but I did over 20000 miles on a 250cc sidevalve Enfield WD/C as daily transport 20 years ago now, and although her top speed was only about 55mph she was very sweet and reliable................ Always remember that "factory" performance figures were often based upon pre-war models, bereft of later pillion and pannier kit and steel instead of alloy fittings.............and the 3HW is not all that light in weight either...........but in my own humble experience has an engine and gearbox which in good condition leaves a G3L far behind........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 There's a good book you should read Steve! It's called 'British Forces Motorcycles' It will explain to you how a Royal Enfield WD/C is a 350 SV, not 250! Ha Ha. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 There's a good book you should read Steve! It's called 'British Forces Motorcycles' It will explain to you how a Royal Enfield WD/C is a 350 SV, not 250! Ha Ha. Ron Anyone can hit the wrong key Ron !!!! Especially with my dodgy fingers, worn out after years of typing........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks to all for the comments and top 5/10 listing ...Must admit to a bit of disappointment that the 3sw is near the bottom of the list but its not much lighter than the other bikes and is 350cc ,,,,, OK lets change to off road ............Which are the top 5/10 for fieldwork.... Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks to all for the comments and top 5/10 listing ...Must admit to a bit of disappointment that the 3sw is near the bottom of the list but its not much lighter than the other bikes and is 350cc ,,,,, OK lets change to off road ............Which are the top 5/10 for fieldwork.... Jenkinov 1) SWD Big 4 Outfit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Thanks to all for the comments and top 5/10 listing ...Must admit to a bit of disappointment that the 3sw is near the bottom of the list but its not much lighter than the other bikes and is 350cc ,,,,, OK lets change to off road ............Which are the top 5/10 for fieldwork.... Jenkinov Well, I rode a friends 3SW a couple of times, and found it completely gutless, on the other hand, a Dutch chap rode his to Normandy and back, complete with tent gear etc. on the back, so it cannot be completely useless! Cheers, Lex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welbike Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) 1) SWD Big 4 Outfit Totally agree Rik!!! see pictures: Edited May 22, 2013 by welbike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenkinov Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 A good friend has a Norton big four ...a civilian model C1938 but must admit I never considered it as an off road bike ... I see the military used it pre war and up to dunkirk , but Sdecars appear to disappear of the inventory in favour of 4wd jeeps and Bikes ... great looking kit though ... Regards Jenkinov Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Yes the Big 4 with side-car wheel drive was considered as our light reconnaissance off road vehicle. Last ones built in 1942 and given up in favour of the Jeep. Ron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
79x100 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 It's the sidecar wheel drive of the WD version that make it an off road vehicle and in the right hands, it can go to places that a Jeep can't but it requires more specialised skills to drive well and of course carrying capacity is less. I had a day out in Lex's chair and we crossed terrain that brought all of the solos and Russian BMW copies to a halt. I was expecting to have to push but I was able to sit there with my feet up emptying the hip flask. Apart from the side valve engine, the WD 16H was very close to Norton's pre-war trials machines and they entered an army team on them in the Scottish Six-days trial. The pre-war tests were very much off-road biased and based in the sandy ground around Aldershot The choice of the Norton as the main service machine in the late 1930s was probably based on that. The Ariel has a good name as an off-road frame and on fast ground, the Matchless Teledraulic forks would probably give an advantage. There is quite a difference between 1939 and 1945, not least because of the extra rear-end weight of the pannier racks and pillion equipment. The skill level of the rider also plays a part. The Instructors made it look easy but the recruits needed something stable and not too powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 I always like this picture of an experienced instructor on a 16H. I think it's the only time I have ever seen a fire extinguisher on a bike. Ron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdbikemad Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 I always like this picture of an experienced instructor on a 16H. I think it's the only time I have ever seen a fire extinguisher on a bike. Ron This well-known photo reputedly shows Canadian's under training circa 1941...........you can see here the good ground clearance of a sidevalve 16H compared with the ground-hugging M20 !! This scene has also been described as being near Frensham/Bordon (Hants) but I suspect that it is more likely Aldershot.......going by the sandy terrain and background landscape features..........just to the west of Aldershot are military training areas, including a very steep ridged hill just like the one in the photo called "Caesars Camp".......and the ridge in the background looks like the ridge for "Sandy Hill" just above Farnham on the Hants/Surrey border............the landscape hasn't changed much today save for additional foliage............I know it well from years of patrolling/trudging around there !!! :undecided: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.