Commando vs Atlas?

Quite some time ago I had a Mk3 Interstate and a 99 in my garage. I found myself "resting between engagements" and one or other had to go. The Interstate went. The 99 eventually acquired an Atlas engine.

The Interstate is a big, smooth mile-eater but it is a slightly more complex bike to maintain - think isolastics and wiring.

The Atlas is physically smaller, not as smooth and has the leak-prone tin chaincase.

The 99/Atlas suits me just fine but it's very much a personal choice.

I have a Commando so i am on the side if isolastic smoothness and the ability to easily buy any part no matter how big or small should you need it not to mention the availability of up grades.

But I would say that the choice is yours and you must think of your own budget as well as what features you like or dislike about either model. Add to that what use you may have for the bike you eventually get say short gentle ride now and then or regular mile muncher. Then your physically size and ability to start the thing (options for electric leg). These things only you can really answer for yourself and then you may choose and find an example of the other model turns up that is just to good not to get.

Hi Kevin!

When I rode an Atlas in France I was fascinated by the handling. The featherbed frame is far better than the Commando frame. If I had the choice I'd go for the Atlas despite the vibrations. There is an electronic device available for better sparking so rely on your leg to get the engine started.

On www.mobile.de is an Atlas for sale (in the Netherlands) for 6650 â?

Good luck!

Hans Heitmann

I've had both an Atlas and a Commando albeit the Atlas was a long time ago. I sold the Atlas in 1973 and bought the Commando. The Atlas was far better for handling than the Commando and had a lower seat height than the Commando. However, having owned the Commando for nearly 44 years now I would not swap it for another Atlas. With modern tweaks to improve the handling on commandos they are fine for their speed (not as good as my Honda though).

My 750 Commando with the interstate tank is great for long runs and Commandos are very smooth to ride once the revs get above approx 3500 rpm. No tingling fingers or toes like my Atlas gave me. Not all Atlas's will vibrate as bad but as mine used too but a well sorted Commando is a pleasure to ride and new spares are very easy to get.

I know a lot of Atlas owners might not agree with me but at the end of the day it's personal choice. My advice is to have some test rides of both bikes then make your own mind up.

happy testing, cheers Don

Perhaps a better choice would be a Commando and an 88SS.

The Commando model I would choose is a 1972 Roadster ( I realise you like the Interstate model) that has plenty of power but isolates you from the vibes of a tuned Atlas engine... The 88SS with it's lighter crank is also the smoothest Featherbed model (commensurate with performance), being revvy and fast with its tuned engine, but you have the superb handling that feels very different to a Commando. If you go with a Commando and Atlas, the Featherbed framed bike is not shown at its best.....Les

Les, I always believed that the 650ss was the optimum F/bed?

Hi Neil...Yes, up to recently I would have chosen the 650SS, it's that after renovating my Model 7 I reckon a twin cylinder of just 500cc can provide adequate performance (enough for me nowadays) especially if the engine is quite highly tuned as it is in the 88ss. The bonus is that it is slightly lighter and quite a bit smoother. It certainly doesn't have the brute strength of the 650ss so acceleration is not as quick but an all round sweeter bike perhaps...and contrasting better with the Commando? ....That's how I weighed it up and only my view of course....All the best....Les

PS: maybe if I had the chance to ride and compare really good examples of both the 650SS and 88SS it might update my memories of both machines and end up with a different conclusion.......