Britain's Best New RETRO Motorcycle? | Norton Commando 961 Review | King of Old School
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- Опубликовано: 6 июн 2024
- Norton Commando 961 Review | King of Old School
Norton Commando pure sounds, seat height and full review
A full in-depth review of the Norton Commando 961. As part of a visit to www.wmgusedcars.co.uk/norton/ I look at their classic collection after i compare the 961 to an 850 I used to own
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:06 - Overview
2:50 - Seat height
3:43 - Start up
4:15 - On the road
6:40 - Pillion
7:05 - Vibrations
10:10 - On the Road Part 2
12:48 - Classic Nortons
14:41 - Norton Manual
15:40 - 961 CR
16:58 - Motorway, Suspension and Luggage 
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Nice review thanks. I've just taken delivery of a 961 Cafe Racer and have done a few hundred miles now. I find the sound and vibration of the bike to be part of its charm and interest.
Thank you! Certainly gives it a raw feeling! I read some great articles on access how different pegs do help ease it a touch. I guess in time once run in it would be better also
100% agree, love mine
One of the better reviews I’ve seen. 🙌 Bought an SP (brand new)last Saturday and on Sunday did over 400 miles in just over 12 hours.
Loved every mile, What a machine. Good video.🙌👍Cheers .
Great review, hopefully we start seeing a few more of these on the road.
Thank you! Yes I hope so, it’s quite an event when you spot a Norton of any age! Couldn’t believe one road past while doing my video
Great review thanks, it sounds awesome and looks stunning which to me are 2 important factors, will now go and test ride one, cheers
Thank you! Let us know how you get on with the test ride
Another great review Bren, keep up the good stuff.
Thanks mate! How are you keeping?
@pintsizedbiker All good thanks mate. Always on RUclips watching campervan stuff as doing a DIY conversion at the minute. So it's nice to see a familiar face on here 👍 Hope the channel goes from strength to strength bud 👌
@@paulwiles5797 Sean is thinking of doing that soon. What van you got?
Left a comment on AccessNorton... you did a nice review, great video/sound quality. Also liked your spirited but controlled ride. While there are natural jitters about the company history/background, these appear to be nice bikes, and cost aside, a great option if you are looking for a retro bike.
Thank you Bruce, really appreciate that and fully agreed. I hope buyers aren’t put off by the last ownership. I do feel the current dealers need to do a little more to say ‘hey this is good’
I would like more time with the bike. I think maybe the vibrations would ease off with more miles or maybe once warmed up more as I didn’t go that far really
Hi first time watching. Good review, what a fantastic sound that bike gives and as 5 ft 6inch rider l am able to ride. I have a bmw1250rs but thinking of going back to an electronic free bike taking me back 40 years to my Honda 500/4 type machine.
Love a Honda 500/4! I think I prefer it over the 400 and the bigger ones. I recall my dad saying the same
It's about the same price as a BMW R9t with a few extras on it. But it looks and sounds so much better!
Very nicely presented 👍👍 Hopefully the reliability under new management will improve and justify the premium price. I would like a little less vibrations to eliminate some the fatigue on the bike components. I think I would add one to my garage only because I have other bikes to use in longer and higer speed rides.
Thank you! I have heard a few niggles on some of the groups but I think it’s better than it was.
What other bikes are in your stable?
@@pintsizedbiker Thruxton R, Tiger 900, Honda Monkey, Royal Enfield Classic Chrome 500, Kawasaki Z900 RS SE. Just sold Moto Guzzi 1200. Sport and had a BMW R9T/5 stolen just over a year ago
@@flatcapcaferacer that’s a fantastic collection! Sorry to hear about the BMW 😞
Nice review, thanks. You really are talking my language here; I have a new Triumph T100 like yourself, have had it 12months now and really enjoy it. Love the look of the Commando and would like to get on one. How does it compare to the T100; cornering, turning circle, general handling etc? Interesting comment about upgrading your T100 rear suspension. Appreciate it to hear your opinion.
Thank you Peter! Glad to hear you are a fellow happy T100 owner.
Norton vs T100. Cornering the Norton is unquestionably better, I’d put it down to the superior suspension it just seem to find a groove very easily.
General handling is a closer call, because the t100 does everything very well. The higher bars, better pegs of the T100 certainly help this.
The turning circle on the Norton isn’t great. It nearly caught me out when I took a wrong turn, I jumped off and put it on the side stand before pushing it round. But I had no confidence in the side stand either.
It’s kind of like when you hear a supercar is amazing but actually has a few annoying niggles that make you think ‘why’ but despite it you would still consider it.
Thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated. Stay safe :-)@@pintsizedbiker
What a beautiful sounding and looking bike, reference rain modes etc , got it in my triumph but never used it , just slow down increase your distance Simples , ps again lovely bike 😊😊👍👍😊
You are spot on Tony, just learn wrist control 😂
Did anyone at Norton ever say - this bike looks great but it really needs gold forks. Seems doubtful.
Nice honest BS free review, pleasant change. What surprises me is why this bike doesn’t have Isolastics all things considered. Also, why it’s so viby for a 270 crank? I thought the whole point was to quell vibes with a 270 so it’s pretty shocking your 1974 850 over 3k was smoother.
Thank you Simon! On access Norton forum there is some really good solutions to the vibes but agreed it doesn’t make a lot of sense
Great looking bike
Certainly is that Rory! Thanks for watching
3:31. It would be nice if the Norton logo was centralised between the handlebar clamps. QC?
Yes I spotted that in the edit! Not sure if sticker error handlebars slightly out
Wish they had styled it more like the 70's Commando...had they done that, and a few thousand dollars cheaper they would have absolutely cornered the recent 20-25 year rise of the retro.
I agree, especially on the saddle front. Being a bit more pillion friendly would of made me buy one
Awesome motorcycle and great review , the best true retro style motorcycle in production 👌 Cheers
Thank you! It’s a great bike, would love more time with it!
@pintsizedbiker I test rode it in 2019 Feb the Union Jack on fuel tank limited edition, it is one of the best motorcycles with loads of character . Looking forward to more such videos Cheers
@@blrmotorcyclesinc. Thanks for the support! I will try my best!
Bought mine 961 sp just waiting for spring
Nearly there mate!
You will love it for what it is, of that I have no doubt, it’s one of a kind in the classic sector for sure.
@@seanheadley7090 if it wasn’t for the fact I am unsure of the pillion suitability for us I think I’d snap one up
is it still only a 5 speed?
For me, just a bit too high and I'd be worried about that low-slung Cat catching on Humps in the road. That price point is getting closer to Triumph which is interesting as they are a little bit more authentically British. Still, What do I know, I've just bought a BSA.😉
I see your point, it does hang low there doesn’t it.
You should have a lot of fun on the BSA!
Great review. How tall are you?
Thank you Annabel! I am 5ft 3 inches
@@pintsizedbiker Thanks.
What year did the new company start producing bikes ?
Last year they started selling them
I found it interesting that this ‘Norton dealer’, (or is this actually Norton’s own retail outlet?) are offering brand new 961s at a discount if 8 understood you correctly? Slippery slope that one and so early in their new ownership. Also no sign of the Ltd Editions, what’s happening there?
It’s a fair point.. that said adding additional cost for things like pin striping was silly.
No ltd editions, my understanding is these are on tour around the dealerships for event days. They had been at this one the week before
Do you know if Norton plan building 125 Ltd in total or of each individual option? If the latter that, at the asking price, current sales and discounting sounds ambitious to say the least.
@@simonwalker7957 I am not sure. My guess would be 125 in total but i haven't followed the ltd that closely.
@@simonwalker7957 Noobiker did a good video and if I recall correctly comment was made that planned 961 production was 400 SP and 300 CR. No way that many have been bought, my guess maybe 125 in total? Hence I think the ‘’Special Editions’ are just a way of clearing stock. Cynical maybe but that’s what I think is going on. A £4K premium for a different paint scheme is a bit salty. The silence from Norton and any motorcycle journo’s is deafening.
You don't actually say how tall you are... at 5'3" and inside leg od 30" I find most modern bikes a challenge..... but i love this Norton so ..... is it possible?
What size inside leg are you and is the leg position comfortable
About 27.5 inches. Do you mean leg position on the bike or at stand still?
Position when riding are the pegs sports bike high or relatively relaxed
@@georgearcher5696 leaning on the sporty side. Especially compared to original which were much further forward. But I didn’t find them uncomfortable though
Thruxton RS is made in Britain.
This looks like the dealer that VikingVenturesUk went to and wasn’t impressed. Anyhow, million dollar question. Are you buying one?
They have only been open a month, not sure if it’s same one?
No, the pillion set up isn’t good enough or not on first evidence at least. We gel with the triumph. If I was solo and had the money then possibly
@@pintsizedbiker No problem. Compliments on the review though, clear sound, crisp footage, nice pace to it, It was a nice watch.
@@jfro5867 thank you, if I had more time with it I think there is solutions for the pillion side of things.
"Stunning-looking machine." Really? Compared to what? Don't even try to compare it to the original Commandos.
Well that is the beauty of personal opinion. I owned an original as it was my dream bike, my dad had one from new. And I’ve been a die hard fan since I was 6 or 7 so I very much love the original and of course that’s the best.
But they aren’t going to just copy that, Norvil can make that (or they certainly used to) for those that want it.
Compared to other ‘modern classics’ I say it’s very good looking
I agree, it’s bloody lovely..
Not a single old bike had a gaudy AF, hideously flashy gold fork. Old School my ass.
The gold forks would of once bothered me. But I don’t notice it as much now. But it is a different bike to the original and after riding it the suspension is brilliant, but yes it could be black. Or maybe not upside down fork either.
But then buying the original is an option also
Ive heard its a pile of crap
Almost impossible to resell
well the 961 is not even fit for the road I have riden one its a bag of rubbish
Thanks for watching though!
Serious question. Why didn’t you like it?
@@jfro5867 that’s a damn good question!