Norton Commando 961

[jas67]

If you need to turn heads...riding naked on a 500 buck Honda will do the job without breaking the bank...

Non-pixelated versions of this pic exist, but, I thought that might draw the wrath of the moderators. 

[roofus]

It isnt about turning heads, at least not for me anyway. How is it for taller riders, I am 6"2" tall, I cant go look at one cuz the so called dealer close to me has no stock and the one I am thinking about is a couple of provinces away, and this bike is $10,000.00 cheaper than a 2016 model. DonG

I am 5'10" with a 29" inseam. I can almost flat foot it because the bike is very "Wasp-waisted"

Seat height is approx 32". Unless you have really long legs you should be fine.

[blackcat]

Non-pixelated versions of this pic exist, but, I thought that might draw the wrath of the moderators. 

"Gilda Texter riding her Honda 350 Scrambler in the 1971 movie 'Vanishing Point' (with Mississippi Queen as the soundtrack)..."

Dated movie with Barry Newman and Cleavon Little, Two Lane Blacktop is better IMO for that period, but no naked girls riding Honda's in that film.

[alanp]

I usually love certain aspects of a bike and then find faults that I then fixate on. 

Guzzinista, what a great comment.  That probably explains why I have owned dozens of motorcycles.  You get attracted by the positive features; power, handling, great looks, whatever.   But at least in my case, you get soured by the faults.  Looking back on it, the best bikes I have owned have not been the ones with "the best" attributes, but the ones with the fewest faults. 

The Guzzi I most regret selling was a 2002 California Special Sport.  I decided I was not a "cruiser" guy, and there wasn't much to love about it EXCEPT, it had no major faults.  It was reliable, ran well, not fussy, reasonably comfortable, simple.

There is wisdom in the words you wrote, and many of us would do well to think about the important role the seemingly little faults will play after you have had a bike for a year or two.  After reading your post I am going to try to look for the faults in something before I think too hard about the positives, because it is the faults that are going to end up mattering.  This concept probably has something to do with buying a Norton.....

[Don G]

Thanks for your input Roofus, much apreciated.  DonG

[Arizona Wayne]

Hey I get all kinds of looks whether riding or stopping on my MP3s.  Talk about chick magnets!   They want their own.     Young or old people, it doesn't matter. 

[jw]

When I first saw the new Norton in a shop - at least one model had carbon fiber wheels --- after that - the wheels were swapped to metal.  I asked the dealer about it and they acted like I was mistaken or crazy, but honestly, how do you forget carbon fiber wheels?  My guess is the earlier ones had CF wheels, but as Norton ran into financial difficulties they switched over. 

[V7Sport73]

A few years ago(3?) I saw a new 961 Triumph in the flesh at the Datil, NM Guzzi rally.  It was beautifull !!  Talked to the owner about it.  He started it up (trailered it to rally).  It was so fricken quiet you couldn't even tell it was running!    He said he was going to put a louder exhaust on it.  Saw him the next year @ the same rally(no 961).  He said the motor self destructed but he got a new 1 under warranty.  Some times what we see and hope for doesn't pan out. 

Hello all!  I also own the 961.  I took it up to the Datil rally a few years ago.  At 300 miles, they did have to replace the motor under warrantee.  I will say it was done quickly and professionally.  I haven't had any problems since.  It's been about two years now and still running great.  The only negative thing I would have to say about owning the Norton 961 is that the bike is underpowered for its chassis.  The bike has top notch frame design and suspension.  You can pretty much keep the throttle pinned all the time.  I didn't want to upgrade the bike and void the warrantee.  However, I think it's time to start putting modification on it.  Other than that they are great bikes.  I never get tired of looking at it.  Enjoy the new 961!

[jw]

.  I never get tired of looking at it.

  Ditto that, I never get tired of looking at the new Norton also