Britten dirtbike?

[Norm]

I was checking out the Britten website today and read the following.

Britten Prototypes Ltd is involved in the development of a single moto-x bike - the protoype bike is built (and has been tested with an ordinary engine) and work has commenced on its own engine - it was originally to be a 600cc but they are now developing something new but with a smaller cc.

This release was dated May 2000, so this is kind of old. I was wondering if anyone, especially the Kiwis around here, have any more info about this bike. The roadracer looks so cool, I'm dying to see what they would dream up for a dirtbike.

For those of you that haven't heard about Britten, it's a homebuilt roadracer created by John Britten of New Zealand. The bike has some amazing technology built into it, and has been successfully raced against the major manufacturers. Click here to check out their website.

Norm

 

[Michelle]

I haven't heard anything about a Britten dirtbike. Last thing I heard they were busy with trams in the city of Christchurch. I'm not even sure the company's still running, but the Christchurch members probably hear more about them than us northerners.

It would be interesting to see, as then people would be asking how much input John Britten really did have. Will let you know if I hear anything, though.
Michelle

 

[JuliusPleaser]

I remember the Britten. I saw it doing wheelies on the banking at Daytona. That thing was incredible. Britten passsed away a couple of years ago, didn't he?

 

[Michelle]

Yeah, he died a while ago, not sure of the year, but think it was around 97/98, but they carried making on the bike for a while. Beautiful piece of machinery. I saw it going around a track over here, but have to admit the MV Augustas won the horn on wheels stakes (sorry, using my husband's terminology). The sound of the old triples going round the track was just mind-blowing - vintage meeting, but the Britten had to be shown off, of course ;)

The one thing I've never liked about the Britten is the colour scheme - I'm sorry, but I really do hate pink. I thought a nice deep red or blue would've been better. I've met someone who owns a Britten & he just takes it around to shows, don't think he ever rides it, but could be wrong. He had it at a pub once, and was worried about security (these bikes are big bucks), but everyone who was staying in the pub just slept around the bike lol
Michelle

 

[Norm]

Thanks for the replies. I also heard that Britten died a few years back, and I was unclear what the future of the company was. It sounds like they kept going after his death to finish the 10 bikes they had planned to build. The news release I quoted in the original post mentioned several future plans, including the bit about the dirtbbike, but the site hasn't been updated in about a year. I hope they're still going...

Norm

 

[JuliusPleaser]

Barber Motorsports Museum

(Click Me) has a Britten, along with 1200 other motorcycles in their collection. The Britten has been on an international tour for the last year or so, and I haven't had the opportunity to see it.

Barber is buliding a 40 million dollar roadcourse/museum complex that will do his collection justice. It should be open by Spring 2003. I'll be there with camera. :cool: