The CR in that silver has to be one of, if not THE best looking bikes around. Nice to see someone enjoying it instead of crying about the vibes or the indicators.
i bought this model in May of this year and its not as fast and certainly not as comfortable as others but i love being out on it, feels and sounds great and as soon as i stop it attracts people from all ages like nothing i have ridden before. good honest review.
Nice video, Dan. It's good to hear someone talking about the engagement with the machine and the visceral pleasure from riding, the tactile nature of controls etc., the more refined and clever bikes get, obviously they are 'better' machines, but some of that is removed from the experience and there is certainly something to be said for a bike with a power level that you feel like you're enjoying ringing its neck but not at silly speeds
Thanks for the video it's about time someone didn't keep saying you need 200 bhp you don't need alot of power to go out & enjoy a lovely little ride & anybody who's any good it's not about being fast it's being smooth
It’s all about how it makes you feel it’s all subjective gold forks or in the hedge I’ll take good brakes and flashy forks any day of the week great review Dan 👍
Hello, I recall when the Norton 750 Commando, the Kawasaki 500 H 1 Mach III, and the Honda CB 750 were considered to be the first three " Superbikes "!
With ref to the price, dealers give £2000 plus 'contribution' which helps. I have the sport model, and feel its the English Harley.. big, loud, torquey engine, but in a chassis that handles and stops well, unlike a Harley. To make a RE 650 handle and go like the 961 would cost so much, would be cheaper to buy the Norton. As you mentioned, its a bike that's fun to ride at half way sensible speeds, unlike most modern sports bikes.
Nice, and I like the "English Harley' description. And absolutely right on the RE as well. I often wonder why they don't offer a *slightly* better version of the Conti GT with some half-decent suspension and brakes - could still undercut the Norton by a big margin and deliver a chunk of the same thrills. But you're right, to do it yourself would put you into Norton money anyway.
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclist Yes I have considered doing a restomod on a 70's 850 Commando, but then TVS made one already.. BTW I recently bought a Shoei Glamster, matches the black 961 well.
Dan that’s very good down to earth review, you have nailed it. I’d love to see a you do a comparison between a Norton 961, 2006/7 Ducati sport classic and a 2011 XRX 1200 sportster as they are all similar in many ways as they nail the modern retro classic but retain the old school vibe.
Tires, suspension and brakes are actually the technologies which have improved most. But ergonomics are also important and in that respect this doesn’t seem to do so well. I prefer lowest handlebars myself but they work best with a finely tuned combination with rear sets forming the right triangle. As far as that price goes: Rediculous!
I think I'd buy a moto Guzzi and save a load of money. I have a Bellagio 940cc which I converted to look like a v7 and it has comparable bhp to the Norton i.e. 75bhp, sounds awesome has Brembo brakes and modern suspension and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. Nice review though, but I can't help but think, the fact a classic goes up in value and a new bike goes down, is another good reason to just buy the classic Norton Commando 750 / 850 or the Dominator.
Norton has announced 6 brand new models which will start production in 2025 at the TVS manufacturing plant in India mostly mid capacity 750cc motorcycles, competing with RE 650s & BSA goldstar 650 also there was some news that they have a Norton Combat name registered too.
@eddiemizen3703 Don't think they make a pushrod engine, in Thailand. I do have a Bonneville as well. Norton is in a different league. They are not for everyone.
I rode a few, they feel underpowered, I could live with that but they vibrate horribly, that’s inexcusable on a machine being produced in 2024, Norton were famous back in the day for its isolastic engine mounts which reduced vibration, why don’t Norton do something similar??, anyway it’s overpriced with some very tacky switchgear etc, it vibrates so much your fingers go numb after 50 miles, can’t wait for Norton to bring some more new models out and retire this overpriced under engineered inherited stop gap. PS why is the engine so disappointing?, well it was just poorly designed, it noted as being so before even Garner took it over, and clearly the improvements TVS have made haven’t addressed its basic flaws.
I'm not suggesting that the Norton is a value proposition, but a RE interceptor is not in the same league. The Norton obviously provides a special experience..... Out of my budget; wish it wasn't.
Mind you, they're £10k apart. By the time you added a 865cc big bore kit, inc s1 Camshaft, lost some weight with exhausts, ditch the centre stand, had some 17 inch wheels built for you to improve the handling, and went to town on brake and suspension upgrades, you got far more comparable bikes and still £5k+ in the bank.
Probably the last motorcycle with british made engine to ever be manufactured in England. TVS want the Norton name. But they did honor the deposits paid to the previous company, which went bankrupt. Love mine.
@chrissunde1104 RE Interceptor 650 is the closest you can get to the raw character of the Commando 961, you almost get 70% of the performance, character and rawness ,both have stayed true and honest ,no frills, no nonsense electronics,air-oil cooled with some soul compared to rest of the motorcycles which pretend to be retro classics. Moto Guzzi are great too in same category the RE Classic 350s too are small but really characterful motorcycles. Cheers
Hi I am glad this bike exists, it is a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, for the price, I am not sure the build quality is there yet. I have seen two reviews where the bike failed which isn’t an endorsement. Good review.
You comparison to R/E Continental is not really valid, give the massively better componentry enjoyed by the Norton. For the pragmatists among us it may work, but for the more educated, it's more of an Apples and Road Apples likeness. Likewise the price thing. Producing it in England with local labour would be far more expensive than using Indian labour with similar skills in an Indian plant, where union stoppages are non- existent and labour is plentiful and easily trained to high skill levels. Personally, I'm surprised that they decided to go this way with production and maybe they'll eventually move it to the sub continent once they've established the illusion that it is an "English" Norton motorcycle. Hopefully, with this as the production figurehead, they'll follow Triumph and produce some inexpensive, good quality, smaller capacity models. God save us from "cruisers" though.
A true 77bhp sheep in wolf's clothing.... I agree these bikes aren't really worthy of the name. Then again, that rebranded Aprilia they do is even worse. Triumph lead the way in British modern retro.s BMW for European ones.
@davidforsdike4343 Absolutely. I own a 2023 Bonneville T120 and love it ..however, the Commando is a sensory delight ! I am soon swapping the T120 for the Commando 961 sp
I don't even think it looks "right". The top half of the bike - tank, seat, tail, bars light and clocks - seem to hover about 3 inches too high. That engines too tall for the bike frame, and in not wrappting the frame and exhausts round the crankcase, along with the 17 inch wheels - it looks like 2 bikes joined togther, but horizontally. Bin some boutique parts a 77 hp aircooled bike doesnt need, drop the price and get some savings for economy of scale. And redesign the engine or lower it slightly so the bike looks right, and "complete", like a Bonneville, Interceptor or W650.
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (2/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qbHbshrA1f0/mqdefault.jpg)
![[UNCUT] The Loyal Pin ปิ่นภักดิ์ EP.15 (1/4)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TLBjiHvkKtE/mqdefault.jpg)
The CR in that silver has to be one of, if not THE best looking bikes around. Nice to see someone enjoying it instead of crying about the vibes or the indicators.
i bought this model in May of this year and its not as fast and certainly not as comfortable as others but i love being out on it, feels and sounds great and as soon as i stop it attracts people from all ages like nothing i have ridden before. good honest review.
Nice video, Dan. It's good to hear someone talking about the engagement with the machine and the visceral pleasure from riding, the tactile nature of controls etc., the more refined and clever bikes get, obviously they are 'better' machines, but some of that is removed from the experience and there is certainly something to be said for a bike with a power level that you feel like you're enjoying ringing its neck but not at silly speeds
Thanks for the video it's about time someone didn't keep saying you need 200 bhp you don't need alot of power to go out & enjoy a lovely little ride & anybody who's any good it's not about being fast it's being smooth
It’s all about how it makes you feel it’s all subjective gold forks or in the hedge I’ll take good brakes and flashy forks any day of the week great review Dan 👍
Definitely my dream bike!
What a great video to wake up to on a Sunday! Brilliant video Dan.
Haha, thanks! Still buzzing from making it to be honest.
Bought the SP, love it for all the reasons you raised, just makes you feel good
Moto Guzzi v7850 special deserves a look. A beautiful heritage design evolved into a retro classic. You got a lot of bike for the money.
Have got a V7 and had a RE 650 GT.
All great bikes .
The Norton is in a different league.
Not for everyone.
Hello, I recall when the Norton 750 Commando, the Kawasaki 500 H 1 Mach III, and the Honda CB 750 were considered to be the first three " Superbikes "!
Sounds fantastic ❤
With ref to the price, dealers give £2000 plus 'contribution' which helps. I have the sport model, and feel its the English Harley.. big, loud, torquey engine, but in a chassis that handles and stops well, unlike a Harley. To make a RE 650 handle and go like the 961 would cost so much, would be cheaper to buy the Norton. As you mentioned, its a bike that's fun to ride at half way sensible speeds, unlike most modern sports bikes.
Nice, and I like the "English Harley' description. And absolutely right on the RE as well. I often wonder why they don't offer a *slightly* better version of the Conti GT with some half-decent suspension and brakes - could still undercut the Norton by a big margin and deliver a chunk of the same thrills. But you're right, to do it yourself would put you into Norton money anyway.
@@midlifecrisismotorcyclist Yes I have considered doing a restomod on a 70's 850 Commando, but then TVS made one already.. BTW I recently bought a Shoei Glamster, matches the black 961 well.
Yep, been there, done that. Cost to make the R.E. Continental roughly competitive doubles the bike's initial price. TANSTAAFL.
Dan that’s very good down to earth review, you have nailed it. I’d love to see a you do a comparison between a Norton 961, 2006/7 Ducati sport classic and a 2011 XRX 1200 sportster as they are all similar in many ways as they nail the modern retro classic but retain the old school vibe.
@@nicklockyer6895 Thanks! And that sounds a great idea as well…
Gold forks? Tacky!
Tires, suspension and brakes are actually the technologies which have improved most. But ergonomics are also important and in that respect this doesn’t seem to do so well. I prefer lowest handlebars myself but they work best with a finely tuned combination with rear sets forming the right triangle. As far as that price goes: Rediculous!
I think I'd buy a moto Guzzi and save a load of money. I have a Bellagio 940cc which I converted to look like a v7 and it has comparable bhp to the Norton i.e. 75bhp, sounds awesome has Brembo brakes and modern suspension and puts a smile on my face every time I ride it. Nice review though, but I can't help but think, the fact a classic goes up in value and a new bike goes down, is another good reason to just buy the classic Norton Commando 750 / 850 or the Dominator.
@@paulcooper5610 That’s a good shout, actually - thanks for flagging!
Got a test ride of a SP at Krazy Horse I’ve got a feeling that it’s going to be love or hate.
excellent thks
Norton has announced 6 brand new models which will start production in 2025 at the TVS manufacturing plant in India mostly mid capacity 750cc motorcycles, competing with RE 650s & BSA goldstar 650 also there was some news that they have a Norton Combat name registered too.
Might consider, only if they drop the gold fork nonsense.
now this bike, does not rattle, I've ceen to videos, whare the top end sounds out ov adjustment 🤔, nice video
Think microphones don't always pick up the true sound.
Is a push rod engine
Just like the original
bike it plays homage to.
@@davidforsdike4343 triumph do , they don't rattle 🪇
@eddiemizen3703
They are not push rod engine.
Just mass produced far eastern made clones.
@eddiemizen3703
Don't think they make a pushrod engine, in Thailand.
I do have a Bonneville as well.
Norton is in a different league.
They are not for everyone.
I rode a few, they feel underpowered, I could live with that but they vibrate horribly, that’s inexcusable on a machine being produced in 2024, Norton were famous back in the day for its isolastic engine mounts which reduced vibration, why don’t Norton do something similar??, anyway it’s overpriced with some very tacky switchgear etc, it vibrates so much your fingers go numb after 50 miles, can’t wait for Norton to bring some more new models out and retire this overpriced under engineered inherited stop gap.
PS why is the engine so disappointing?, well it was just poorly designed, it noted as being so before even Garner took it over, and clearly the improvements TVS have made haven’t addressed its basic flaws.
So are you buying one?
I'm not suggesting that the Norton is a value proposition, but a RE interceptor is not in the same league. The Norton obviously provides a special experience..... Out of my budget; wish it wasn't.
Mind you, they're £10k apart. By the time you added a 865cc big bore kit, inc s1 Camshaft, lost some weight with exhausts, ditch the centre stand, had some 17 inch wheels built for you to improve the handling, and went to town on brake and suspension upgrades, you got far more comparable bikes and still £5k+ in the bank.
Love both of them.
Probably the last motorcycle with british made engine to ever be manufactured in England.
TVS want the Norton name.
But they did honor the deposits paid to the previous company, which went bankrupt.
Love mine.
@@jujuUK68 No
@chrissunde1104 RE Interceptor 650 is the closest you can get to the raw character of the Commando 961, you almost get 70% of the performance, character and rawness ,both have stayed true and honest ,no frills, no nonsense electronics,air-oil cooled with some soul compared to rest of the motorcycles which pretend to be retro classics. Moto Guzzi are great too in same category the RE Classic 350s too are small but really characterful motorcycles. Cheers
Hi
I am glad this bike exists, it is a thing of beauty. Unfortunately, for the price, I am not sure the build quality is there yet. I have seen two reviews where the bike failed which isn’t an endorsement. Good review.
Really Where ???
Mr Darcy and the Old Man. Can’t remember the other one. In that one the reviewer went to pick it up from the dealer and it wouldn’t start.
You comparison to R/E Continental is not really valid, give the massively better componentry enjoyed by the Norton. For the pragmatists among us it may work, but for the more educated, it's more of an Apples and Road Apples likeness.
Likewise the price thing. Producing it in England with local labour would be far more expensive than using Indian labour with similar skills in an Indian plant, where union stoppages are non- existent and labour is plentiful and easily trained to high skill levels.
Personally, I'm surprised that they decided to go this way with production and maybe they'll eventually move it to the sub continent once they've established the illusion that it is an "English" Norton motorcycle.
Hopefully, with this as the production figurehead, they'll follow Triumph and produce some inexpensive, good quality, smaller capacity models. God save us from "cruisers" though.
Not a fan of the new Norton, they need to make a bike at a relisted price 🤔💭🏁🏍️🛺🐑🇵🇭🏴
Je deplore que norton n'ait pas ressuscité la 750 commando 1974 en l'améliorant .ce serait plus efficace qu'un 960 avec ohlins à 20000 euros
Only 5speed? Heavy and too expensive
A true 77bhp sheep in wolf's clothing.... I agree these bikes aren't really worthy of the name. Then again, that rebranded Aprilia they do is even worse. Triumph lead the way in British modern retro.s BMW for European ones.
@hgm8337 I have a 961 and a modern Triumph.
The Triumph feels very bland and boring compared with the Norton.
Is not a bad bike . Just boring.
@davidforsdike4343 Absolutely. I own a 2023 Bonneville T120 and love it ..however, the Commando is a sensory delight ! I am soon swapping the T120 for the Commando 961 sp
The gold fork is hideous. It destroys the looks of an otherwise beautiful bike.
I don't even think it looks "right". The top half of the bike - tank, seat, tail, bars light and clocks - seem to hover about 3 inches too high.
That engines too tall for the bike frame, and in not wrappting the frame and exhausts round the crankcase, along with the 17 inch wheels - it looks like 2 bikes joined togther, but horizontally.
Bin some boutique parts a 77 hp aircooled bike doesnt need, drop the price and get some savings for economy of scale. And redesign the engine or lower it slightly so the bike looks right, and "complete", like a Bonneville, Interceptor or W650.