Norton Commando 961

[Don G]

Anyone here have any experience with the 961 Norton Commando? I would like to aquire one but would like to hear if that would be a mistake or not, any info appreciated.  Thanks DonG

[menzies]

Try Jerry Doe's Norton Access Forum, many experienced Norton riders who own or know folks who do own the 961. You can do a search, it will pop right up.

[tonyduc]

The Jan/Feb issue of Motorcycle Classics magazine discusses one guy's experience with purchasing a new Commando. Other than a long wait, it seems that he likes the bike.

[jw]

would this be the recent models or a vintage Norton?

[leafman60]

would this be the recent models or a vintage Norton?

I'm sure the reference is to the new 961 being produced in England-

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/

3 years ago, I wanted to buy one.  I've seen them and they have a lot of appeal.  Beautiful bikes.  I was on a waiting list for at least a year when the dealer himself advised me to give up.  He didn't have much hope of ever seeing one. I pulled out and only recently they are finally trickling in to North America.

I'm over them now.  (I think.)

The upcoming new Triumph 1200 Thruxton R trumps the Norton in my book.

The Triumph will not be as exclusive or rare but it should have superior performance, renowned reliability and an extensive network of dealer and factory support.

If you are horned-up for the Norton, I fully understand and I've not heard many bad things about them.

Look at one in the flesh, though.  They look a wee-bit different in the real. The tank sides are sculpted really deep for the knee pockets. You don't see the effect in most pictures.

[rocker59]

They have them at RPM in the DFW.



I love 'em, but the upcoming Triumph Thruxton R would make buying one a little tougher decision, for the same reasons guzzinista noted...

[jas67]

They have them at RPM in the DFW.



I love 'em, but the upcoming Triumph Thruxton R would make buying one a little tougher decision, for the same reasons guzzinista noted...

+3

 

[jw]

I too was jonesing for the new Norton - I love the way the engine is the central focal point - but the peripheral issues scared me away from ever getting one.  Bottom line, Norton is underfunded as a corporation and prob will not survive (IMO) UNLESS Polaris or somebody buys them.  But then the MG Calif 1400 came along and it was love at first ride/sight.  I usually love certain aspects of a bike and then find faults that I then fixate on.  So far I am 100% crazy about my new Cali 1400.  My previous (and still current) steed was the Yamaha Raider SCL -- 1854 cc of wonderment.  But, for some reason I just never developed that man/machine connection.  A truly great bike that just never really got me excited like the guzzi. 

I think the 2016 Triumph Thruxton R is gonna kill most 'potential' Norton sales!  (IMO)

[Rox]

Norton missed their mark. They stalled their debut with so many people waiting to the point people said "screw it" and took back deposits . Then they come out with a 20k $ 90hp twin when Triumph is going to be releasing a 1200 r version with better components for 3k $ cheaper (by the way Triumph can go to hell).
   They've been out almost 2 years and I'm yet to see one on the road....

[Kiwi all]

I had a very short ride on one here in New Zealand that was a private import, really amazing to ride but at $42,000 NZD it was way too much for me and like others have said the new thruxton would be a far better bike in my opinion.

[PeteS]

The 961 is over $30000 here so will have stick to my two 'vintage Commando's.
They seem to have overcome a lot of the glitches with the contemporary model but not sure where the Commando bit is based on the name.

 

Those are some fine examles Les. My Fastback looked like that once. How many miles on the bike and have you restored it? Mine still has the original fiber glass bits though repainted. Most every other component has been replaced or modified. As much as I could see a modern Norton in the garage its hard to argue against the new Thruxton as a bigger bang for the buck.

Pete

[leafman60]

http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/bikes/Classics/Thruxton/2016/thruxton

Of course, again, the Norton 961 will always be a more exclusive and rare machine than will the Triumph. You also will not see the 961 on a regular basis.  I expect we will see the new Triumphs much more often because I expect a lot of them will be sold.

If you value rareness, maybe even collector value, the Norton may be worth consideration over the Triumph.

[Rough Edge racing]

 To keep going with what Pete S said above.......You can pick up an 850 Norton engine for about 1500 bucks, Add a $1500 for an available 270 degree crank to deal with the a non rubber mounted engine. Add another 5 grand for performance parts and machine work. Then build or buy a sturdy modern rolling chassis, some Aussies use  modern Japanese sport bike frames...Then assemble all the parts and fabricate what's needed.. Assuming you can do all the work at home the tab should be about 8-10 grand for a one off machine...

[Don G]

Thanks for the replys. I found a couple of 2013 961's for $20,000.00 blow out price. I also considered the original Commando as well as I have had a number of those, a man can build a couple of real good older bikes for the price of a new model, but then again the new version of the Commando is superior due to its suspension, brakes, fuel injection etc. I will have to contemplate....  DonG

[roofus]

I have 2013 961 SF

It is a wonderful bike, looks great, handles very well, it's reasonably comfortable, awesome brakes (one finger!)

It will get a lot of attention wherever you go! It's even better looking in the flesh.

Make sure you get one with the gearbox vent (or get a kit from Norton Canada) otherwise you will likely blow some oil on longer rides. Also make sure you have the latest map to ensure smooth performance. Also you may want to go to bar-end mirrors because the stock mirrors are not a beautiful as the rest of the bike. The Dunlop tires are crappy in the rain, but great on dry roads.

Have fun!

[rocker59]

the new version of the Commando is superior due to its suspension, brakes, fuel injection etc. I will have to contemplate....  DonG

Yep.  Sorta like the difference between a 1970s Eldorado and a new 1400cc Eldorado.

The vintage Nortons are cool, but the new 961s are modern motorcycles with great suspension and brakes.

[pyoungbl]

My friend, John Snead, owns two of the new Nortons.  He is racing one.  Here's a link to the race team, Nearly Normal Norton (N3):
https://www.facebook.com/n.cubed.racing/?fref=ts

I'm sure John can answer any questions you might have about the bike.  BTW, John is helping develop a reliable E-Start for the Commando line.  He's doing this in cooperation with Matt Rambo of Colorado Norton Works.
http://coloradonortonworks.com/

Peter Y.

[jw]

Norton missed their mark. .... Triumph is going to be releasing a 1200 r version with better components for 3k $ cheaper (by the way Triumph can go to hell).
 

Ok, just curious but why the vitriolic Triumph comment?

[jw]

I have 2013 961 SF

It is a wonderful bike, looks great, handles very well, it's reasonably comfortable, awesome brakes (one finger!)

Congratulations on getting your Norton.  One of the few bikes I know that looks equally good in photos and in real life.  How about eventually a long term review.  Better yet, let's just ship it to Louisiana and I'll do the review for you :) - cause that's how I roll

[jlburgess]

http://www.gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=1086
here's a 2014 at GP motorcycles in San Diego for $21.5. They've had it for a while so I'd bet they are willing to deal.

[jw]

http://www.gpmotorcycles.com/bikes/inventory_Detail.php?id=1086
here's a 2014 at GP motorcycles in San Diego for $21.5. They've had it for a while so I'd bet they are willing to deal.

No offense, but you will turn must as many heads with a guzzi, for a lot less dough -- also, Henshaw's of Tacoma WA had a couple of new Nortons -- I tried to get a deal from them after noticing the bikes were on the sales floor for I'm thinkin a couple years -- they would not budge a single penny --   I have to say I really think at this point a thruxton - R would be the way to go. 

[Don G]

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

[Rough Edge racing]

 To me the Triumph pictured above looks like a styled mass produced bike ... The 961 Norton looks more hand made. The original Norton Commando has the conservative classic British styling...I don't believe they are interchangeable and each has their own character..
 If you need to turn heads...riding naked on a 500 buck Honda will do the job without breaking the bank...

[ritratto]

From seeing ( and hearing) two bought by friends, my impression was a beauty and a beast. Great looking bike with problems from the start and the loudest gearbox you ever heard. One guy even bought a very open exhaust system to out-volume the tranny.

[jw]

the loudest gearbox you ever heard. One guy even bought a very open exhaust system to out-volume the tranny.

  Funny comment coming from a guzzi guy --- my 2008 Breva was embarrassingly loud also - especially at stop lights - found myself saying to perfect strangers " not broken, just fine, please don't call a tow truck"

[ritratto]

Wait till you hear one.... you will think Guzzi is quite!

[lucian]

Don, this one popped up on Me. CL yesterday.
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/5441005033.html

[oldbike54]

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

 NO NO NO NO NO NO ! No one wants to see me riding naked lol .

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

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. 

[molly]

Never seen one in the metal and I live close to the factory. The people that  buy them seem to be the type that lock them away most of the year. Certainly wouldn't  choose one over a Guzzi or Triumph.