2015 Norton Commando On Craigslist

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks, My son brought this bike to my attention.It is located close to us, and he is interested in it. He wants me to go look at it with him on Saturday. Do any of you folks know anything about these bikes? Any advice, opinions ,much appreciated.
I think it looks cool, thats about all I know...
Rick.

https://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/d/huachuca-city-2015-norton-961-se/6925870691.html

[CT Dharma]

here's another one in CO for reference; been for sale on craigslist for awhile now. More money but less than 1000 miles

https://cosprings.craigslist.org/mcy/d/louisville-2015-norton-commando-961/6898228906.html

[oldbike54]

 First off , not that it matters all that much , but the Springsteen/wire wheel thing is probably nonsense . Fairly certain all of those came with wire wheels , that kinda raises some questions . Besides that , Bruce has millions and millions of dollars , it seems odd that he would become impatient , it isn't like he doesn't have other bikes to ride .

 That said , the New Nortons are kinda cool and seem to perform well , although the company could disappear at any time leaving you with no parts back up . I'm always a bit leery of those situations , especially on a $12K purchase .

 Dusty

[jas67]

Those are cool, but, I'd rather buy a Thruxton R.   At least then, I know that a parts supply is relatively certain, and I also know they're made well, and will be reliable.   

[rschrum]

The Norton is cheaper on e-bay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-Norton-961-SE-Commando/264401203179?hash=item3d8f8a2feb:g:9B0AAOSw6eJdHL3l

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks guys for the replies. I agree about possible future parts availability issues, etc. I showed my son all the responses, and the fact that the bike is on ebay( we didnt know). One thing my son noticed is on this bike the forks are set up in the conventional way, most of the others I have seen have USD forks....I wonder what is up with that?
The Thruxton is a gorgeous machine,and would probably be my choice, but my son likes the exclusivity of the Norton, and the fact they are a limited production. My son also has a  2011 KTM RC 8 that he likes due to the fact that you dont see them very often.
Rick.

[oldbike54]

Thanks guys for the replies. I agree about possible future parts availability issues, etc. I showed my son all the responses, and the fact that the bike is on ebay( we didnt know). One thing my son noticed is on this bike the forks are set up in the conventional way, most of the others I have seen have USD forks....I wonder what is up with that?
The Thruxton is a gorgeous machine,and would probably be my choice, but my son likes the exclusivity of the Norton, and the fact they are a limited production. My son also has a  2011 KTM RC 8 that he likes due to the fact that you dont see them very often.
Rick.

 It is kinda hard to determine a few things about the new Nortons because they were really developed by Kenny Dreer here in the states . The English company refuses to even mention that fact . I do know that the Dreer Nortons used conventional forks , the more I learn about this bike, the  shakier this gets .

 Dusty

[swooshdave]

It is kinda hard to determine a few things about the new Nortons because they were really developed by Kenny Dreer here in the states . The English company refuses to even mention that fact . I do know that the Dreer Nortons used conventional forks , the more I learn about this bike, the  shakier this gets .

 Dusty

On Monday I was on a radio show and we interviewed one of the engineers who worked with Kenny at Norton America. Interesting insights. I'll be putting together a video of that interview in the next couple weeks.

Link to interview archive (note that this is the second half, the full interview will be posted in a few days). https://xray.fm/broadcasts/29931

I was also involved in a never released documentary about Kenny. We gathered some fascinating info.

Now to the bikes, make sure that you go over to AccessNorton first and read up on them. There are some VERY knowledgable people on the modern Nortons.

I've ridden one and they are very fun. More in the V11 Sport side than the new Thruxton (which will blow it out of the water).

The new Commandos will be phased out soon. Norton can't make an air cooled bike pass emissions. Nor can any other bike manufacturer.

They had a lot of teething problems. The later ones are probably better. I wouldn't take an early one for free.

That is the soundest advice I can give.

[pete roper]

I followed one of those on my local test track a couple of weeks ago. Pretty little thing, it even handled reasonably for a twin-shock shitter but you could see it get twitchy when pushed a bit on stuff the Griso just floated over. Certainly it is a thousand times better looking than anything Guzzi is currently pushing out the door.

Pete

[twowheeladdict]

If the Springsteen name is attached to it I would stay clear of that bike.  So much for supporting American workers that he sings about.   

With no proof, just a nice story to try and gain some interest in the bike.  Even if it were true, Springsteen never owned it or even touched it. 

[Ratso88]

Have a look over at: AccessNorton.com

They have a section for the "new" Nortons.

[JJ]

Best line of the ad...

Forced to sell do to monetary strain LOL :o( 

I've suffered from monetary strain for years!!

[oldbike54]

If the Springsteen name is attached to it I would stay clear of that bike.  So much for supporting American workers that he sings about.   

With no proof, just a nice story to try and gain some interest in the bike.  Even if it were true, Springsteen never owned it or even touched it.

 Dude , really ?

 Dusty

[Cam3512]

If the Springsteen name is attached to it I would stay clear of that bike.  So much for supporting American workers that he sings about.   

With no proof, just a nice story to try and gain some interest in the bike.  Even if it were true, Springsteen never owned it or even touched it.

Where does it even say that?  Not in the ad.  Bruce does have a Guzzi, Billy Joel gave it to him a couple years ago.  It left him stranded on a road in NJ.

[twowheeladdict]

Where does it even say that?  Not in the ad.  Bruce does have a Guzzi, Billy Joel gave it to him a couple years ago.  It left him stranded on a road in NJ.

Seriously? 

Also, when I bought this bike, I was told it was a special order by Bruce Springsteen, note the wire wheels/rims. But it took to long to get here from England and he decided to by another bike.

[rocker59]

One thing my son noticed is on this bike the forks are set up in the conventional way, most of the others I have seen have USD forks....I wonder what is up with that?
The Thruxton is a gorgeous machine,and 

Rick, 

Different models available:

conventional forks on the 961 Sport:
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/commando-961-sport-mk-ii.html

USD forks on the 961 Cafe Racer:
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/commando-961-cafe-racer-mk-ii.html

[Cam3512]

Seriously?

I was looking at the wrong ad. 

[PeteS]

From what I have heard they have a few things with vintage Nortons. Lots of fun to ride but reliability is poor. A local guy said he had to send his motor back to England twice. Its working now but I wouldn't take this on a cross country trip. Dealer network is almost non existant. As much as I love Nortons, I would buy a Retro Triumph today.
Pete

[oldbike54]

Seriously?

 If you had bothered to read the thread I mentioned very early on that the Springsteen thing was probably bogus . It was the last part of your comment that was troublesome .

 Dusty

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks Guys! I appreciate the links, and info. I have been earning a bit about these Nortons in the last couple of days, and I can see that ownership of these bikes may be frustrating, to say the least.  :wink:I will bring all this info to my son's attention so he can be prepared before we see the bike Saturday.
Thanks to all!
Rick.

[twowheeladdict]

If you had bothered to read the thread I mentioned very early on that the Springsteen thing was probably bogus . It was the last part of your comment that was troublesome .

 Dusty

Even if it were true Springsteen never owned it or even touched it was troubling to you.?   

[LowRyter]

Just curious, do these Nortons have 360, 180, 270 cranks? 

Almost all the new parallel twins try to Guzzi us.   

The new Nortons also have pushrods

[swooshdave]

Just curious, do these Nortons have 360, 180, 270 cranks? 

Almost all the new parallel twins try to Guzzi us.   

The new Nortons also have pushrods

https://www.cycleworld.com/2015-norton-commando-961-sport-standard-motorcycle-review-road-test/

270

[Tom]

MV Augusta F4.   

[Motormike]

I'd be careful about the newer Nortons. I think the fuel tanks are roto-mold nylon, just like the ones Ducati (and Guzzi) used.  Ethanol gas will deform them in short order.  (DAMHIK) If you are sure you can always burn non-ethanol gas, then fine.  If not, well, it's a lot of money to spend just to watch your fuel tank turn into Quasimodo.