Guy Martin on the Britten at Manfeild - 23rd Dec 2014

[@viennapalace]

That's not just a motorcycle, that's art. Rest in peace Mr. Britten.

[@scottyskydog]

Mechanical Art! Exquiste!

[@viennapalace]

@@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...

[@carlstyth8368]

.......if God had an engineering dept.......

[@takingafence]

I'm biased as heck and I'll say this bike is a step up of a generation as it was from horse to car! It was built in way back in the 90's and it could pass today for a modern super bike. NZ has seen some of the greatest individuals in motor sport history, Bruce Mclaren, John Britten, Burt Monroe. All make me proud and this video, to see one of the greatest road races of my generation (track doesn't count in my books) Guy Martin to say these things about a bike that was made when he was a kid and ride it now makes me feel fucken proud! Kiwi mate!!!!!!

[@fnq-8890]

iWonaMathDebate .. Yes Mate and you should be proud, you probably live in the best country in the world with all those amazing riders, when the late Great Robert Holden with Dave & Neville Hiscock raced in Oz you couldn't have haven't met nicer blokes or harder riders & the upshot these days is you guys don't have to leave what with your economy & the world comes to you. Pains me me a bit to say it but it's true

[@warrenholmar1129]

I'm even more biased Manfield is in the town where I was born 😃

[@martinward7239]

Chur Bro

[@JETJOOBOY]

I just read about this ride in Martin's 2nd book.. He was very impressed.. he even said if he ever had a kid, he wouldn't let it ride anything on 2 wheels that had telescopic forks.. he said he'd build mountain bikes with the front end design of the Britten for it! Reason being any experienced rider can't get the most out of the strange feeling it gives but someone hat had only ever ridden this style of front end would be massively faster.. cos science!

[@JETJOOBOY]

I saw the one on that podium in the Wellington Museum! It is beautiful....

[@waynesmith2287]

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.

[@ibrarsiddiqi8948]

Britten was a genius, has to be said.

[@ihateeverything3972]

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.

[@shaftdrive7567]

No frame!

[@RogerBarraud]

@@ihateeverything3972 Learn more about John, and you probably won't have to hate everything anymore :-)

[@RogerBarraud]

@@shaftdrive7567 Motor == Frame.

[@derekderek2570]

@@ihateeverything3972 this bike is old enough to be my dad

[@Cantabinexile]

You can tell Mr Martin was impressed as it's the longest time I have seen him go without saying anything ;)

[@RogerBarraud]

Takes some doing :-)

[@Zi9makin9]

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.

[@rogerthat10-47]

He did, the "Recipe" for this, nothing like it before, nothing like it since. what a tragic loss of both man & machine.

[@MarkoVukovic0]

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.

[@XBullitt16X]

Same lol

[@mariewebb7183]

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.

[@BlandNutz]

That's a big moment for guy he`s wanted to ride that for years.

[@nategray77]

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!

[@ttkiwis6980]

Thank you!

[@SloopJon]

My thoughts, exactly, Nate :-)

[@martinjohnson9316]

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!

[@PedroNZ1965]

I was at Jurby too. It made those two Ducatis 851 and the 888 sound very limp wristed.

[@DennisMerwood-xk8wp]

@FITNESSOVER45 NO

[@MrCpolzin]

Awesome upload.It's gotta be the best bike in the world still today.Bless John Britten,what a genius.

[@ttkiwis6980]

MrCpolzin Thanks!

[@MrCpolzin]

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.

[@ttkiwis6980]

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.

[@MrCpolzin]

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.

[@didge0913]

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.

[@willbest1547]

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.

[@ronaldrussell5481]

I was at Daytona too when it ran.

[@joechancio5177]

Totally agree. All handmade in a garage. Thid bike is worth 1million now.

[@clivedavies5618]

A wonderful wonderful racing motorcycle! Guy's ride is a tribute to John Britten and everybody who keeps this beautiful machine on the track!

[@ShadowtheRagdoll]

Very lucky man, few have ever got to ride a bike of such legendary status, Thanks for uploading.

[@ttkiwis6980]

You are most welcome. Glad you enjoyed the clip.

[@68404]

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!

[@webmasterguru7799]

This is by far my favourite bike of all time.

[@lordlouis2168]

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.

[@rogerthat10-47]

What a "Spectacular" piece of kit, it took on the world & was built in a shed.

[@MilesB1975]

Love Guy Martin, "Ee, Fookin Ell it goes dunnit!?"

[@nealefrazer4247]

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 ..

[@anythingbutthehighway867]

Love Guy Martin what a character, pity he never got to meet John Britten. Two legends :)

[@vfrexup]

What a genius John Britten was ! - Guy Martin a great guy too .

[@GoofieNewfie69]

John Britten lives forever in that bike. Imagine what he would have built if he had lived.

[@erniemckrackin9520]

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.

[@kdsowen2882]

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

[@joechancio5177]

This bike was created and handbuilt in a garage. Its worth 1million today.

[@Ultra80s]

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.

[@lllllllllllllllll161]

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.

[@atomicorang]

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.

[@fw1421]

What an honor to ride. A piece of motorcycling history! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@alexstewart9068]

Thirty years on and it still looks futuristic.

[@WiggysanWiggysan]

*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

[@teamcharm911]

Nice!

[@VictorHenderson]

Wonderful to hear the interfacing between them after his ride. Great stuff.

[@SpeedTripleR1200GS1]

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

[@WiggysanWiggysan]

Speed Triple & R1200GS Try this for an education my friend : kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2qxYpqcgbZgY80

[@SpeedTripleR1200GS1]

Woot... found the documentary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qWPcq4J5gsR-ia8

[@justindaley2460]

I remember Andrew Stroud racing this bike at Brands Hatch in '95. He absolutely flogged the competition........

[@christopherpearson1752]

Andrew is still very much pushing this bike at demonstrations

[@davidburne9477]

i’m a big fan of Stroudy but that’s not my recollection. Won? Yes! Flogged ‘em? No.

[@justindaley2460]

@@davidburne9477 - it was a genuine flogging

[@thethirdman225]

Brands Hatch might be the best illustration of what this bike was really about. Most will rave about the engine - and with good reason because John Britten built it himself in his garage - but Brands is as much a chassis circuit as anything else. You can’t just go there and win because you’ve got a strong motor. The Britten’s chassis was totally unique and Stroud’s descriptions from the era make it clear the chassis was every bit as special as the engine. There are pictures of him passing bikes at Paddock Hill Bend, FFS! Who passes _there?_ You can only do that if you have an exceptional machine.

[@wynkindeworde6504]

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.

[@ttkiwis6980]

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.

[@wynkindeworde6504]

Interesting.....

[@RickyJr46]

As astonishing as it is in pictures, seeing a Britten V-1000 in person will really blow your mind.

[@BahWeepGranahWeepNiniBong]

Legend riding another legend.

[@scottyskydog]

Could only imagine how this bike would have evolved if John hadn’t passed! God love him an this truly magnificent creation!

[@PorradaVFR]

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.

[@MICHAEL-ys3pu]

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.

[@EDcase1]

Wow, look at the pipework on the exhaust manifolds.

[@pauloconnor7951]

A fitting bike and rider combo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love to see you guy !

[@RickyJr46]

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.

[@arkhsm]

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 !!

[@TheButlerNZ]

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)...

[@dk2614]

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!

[@TheButlerNZ]

@@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.

[@rjung_ch]

Great to see Guy take it out and loving it. What a beautiful bike. What a marvel.

[@Gary-ys9be]

It was a mind blowing machine in the day . RIP John and thanks for the memories.

[@banarne71]

Great guy and a great bike. Saw the film about Britten and it was really interesting.

[@fnq-8890]

Kiwi brilliance again in action, for a Country with less people than Sydney they sure do punch above their weigh on a regular basis.

[@ryancaugust]

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!

[@sebwiers1]

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.

[@iulian2548]

Less is more was the philosophy of the Britten bike. Wonderful machine!

[@vicpnut1]

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

[@schr4nz]

Guy is awesome, he's such a little kid sometimes, so cool... Sick bike.

[@orangelion03]

Enjoyed this. One wonders what Britten might have accomplished if he'd lived longer...

[@ttkiwis6980]

Thanks. It's amazing to me that a bike that was built in the early '90s still looks futuristic today.

[@SloopJon]

TT Kiwis Yep, it's still got it and will have it for a lot longer to come, I reckon.

[@kieranh2005]

From what I've read his next motorsport project was a 6 valve supermono

[@paulthomas3374]

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 !

[@AveragePicker]

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.

[@kirkbennett3927]

That bike is Priceless! Literally. I would be so scared to ride it!!

[@gs1100ed]

Fantastic! Makes me want MORE! Wish there was some on bike camera footage.

[@robtonge5516]

Timeless masterpiece 🏁🏁🏁

[@fretstain]

holy shit that's cool. So glad I stumbled onto this.

[@turboslag]

Guy you lucky bast!!! That is my favourite bike of ALL time!!

[@nickacelvn]

a cpl of legends right there

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

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.

[@kdsowen2882]

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

[@duaneaguilera7963]

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

[@ec3489]

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

[@75IFFY]

awesome upload, thanks very much!!

[@ttkiwis6980]

+75IFFY Thanks, we're glad you enjoyed it.

[@Charlemagne1367]

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.

[@XBullitt16X]

If anyone deserves to ride these legendary bikes, it's Guy.

[@Luke-Harno3]

Britten a Masterpiece Bike !

[@johnpartridge7623]

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.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

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!

[@EarlRausch]

Wow what a bike!. F.ckn Cancer. All you riders wherever you are,ride safe and have fun.

[@stevel6939]

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.

[@johnfitzgerald4206]

Amazing vid Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

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.

[@dave5194]

The sound is incredible! It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie

[@LuciferMorningstarDanny]

And still 27 years on I’m in awe

[@SeeBird686]

Genius is a combination of things. Intelligence, Drive to get it done, Perseverance to keep working on it when things broke, Open mindedness to see the big picture and not get bogged down on the little stuff, trust in those around you that share the dream and most importantly of all Being NOT scared to do what it is you want to do, even in the face of the NZ knocking machine. Genius Mr Britten, thank you,,,

[@joechancio5177]

One of the best riders riding the best machine belt for its day. Million dollar bike now.

[@TXLorenzo]

Can you imagine this bike with thirty more years of development?

[@karlosvulture5014]

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

[@RocketDog-vz1ln]

That guy had a gift 🙌 what a talent

[@boohooo6381]

Cool video and what a bike... 👍

[@wonkylommiter6364]

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.

[@aeror115]

Two crazy machine Britten/ Martin

[@nathanpeachs2704]

top bloke, I looked up to him as a kid, I wonder what bert monroe would think of this bike 😅😅🇳🇿

[@arkhsm]

That Guy looks right proper on a Britten V1000 !!

[@indorider]

Love that bike!

[@andrewford80]

Id have travelled to see this!

[@Black-Dragon-Media]

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 ✊🏾

[@andremarz5665]

the Britten was way Way ahead of its time..

[@_trudge]

really nice hearing them talking at the end

[@pouetgiigle4178]

Damn why did he had to die so soon. This man was really Brilliant (genius seems the good term). What a sound!

[@Jmememomo]

he still alive ang kicking

[@Jmememomo]

@Ed Kemper ohh okay

[@wewd]

@@Jmememomo He means John Britten, the maker of this bike. He died of cancer a few years after making it.

[@Mtlmshr]

Two legends!

[@Dave5843-d9m]

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.

[@MrDevo5]

ive seen this bike being raced at the tt

[@Rwecosher]

Guy and a bike like that - pefect match

[@nealW2904]

best ike in the world with the best rider love to see this combo at isle of man

[@Straightleg55]

Great combo...

[@PedrSion]

Saw Nick Jefferies riding it in 93/94 at the NW200. Mark Farmer was killed on it at the 1994 TT. He was killed in practice in the Glen Helen section. John Britten was devastated.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Legend.

[@jonplayle6954]

Wow man just 👌

[@alxx1378]

It was awesome bike then and still is.

[@jasonstechman5841]

Legend enough said