My Uncle had the original 850 commando absolute beautiful bike it was ridden behind the Hurse at his funeral I always remember the thud and popping of the exhaust pipe notes hitting our ears as we travelled in the the car behind him.
Norton is doing the same fault like other companies before trying to built classing bikes. Overpriced with old Technik. It looks phantastic, but that's all. Triumph showed the way how to do it, modern reliable bikes you can afford and looking great, nothing left from the old unreliable stuff like my 2 Commandos I had in the eighties. So my next bike will be a Tiger, because I live in Bulgaria now, a Bonneville or whatever will not suit the bad road conditions here. Kind regards
@@ulrichholl364 If I wanted a modern water-cooled retro with reliability, I'd just go for a Kawasaki. It's the classic British bike experience that one seeks in these kind of bikes, and that's where the Norton is miles ahead. So buying a Triumph for the apparent reliability makes no sense to me, just go for the Japanese Z900RS.
I always wanted a Norton. As a young man there was a Triumph/Norton shop in Montvale, N.J. near where I lived. I’d stop by often and just look in the window at the Nortons. I could never afford one. I settled back then for a 1976 Yamaha XS650C which I bought new at 17 yrs. old. Still have it. Needless to say I’d love this new Norton but… The dealer network in Central Florida is just about non-existent. The price is still on the high side compared to Triumph T-120 . This Norton truly is an enthusiast motorcycle. Beautiful!
That dealer was the Sport Spot on Hamburg Turnpike. I bought a Moto Guzzi there in 1989 as they went out of business. I own two Norton 850,s and would buy the new 961 if available in the States!
The Triumph now has a [shudder] car radiator hanging off it. The Norton engine looks beautiful. Just wish they had styled the bike closer to the original Commando.
Charley, I hope you see this. I want to thank you for all the years of motorcycle entertainment you have given the world over the years. Like you, I have been a motorcycle fan since my first Honda Z50 in 1976 at age 10. I love the new Nortons and like you I probably would go for the black bars too. Now I need to get one out to British Columbia without my wife finding out!
Nice machine , I'm old-school all the way (nearly 70) and I really enjoy riding this-style of machine . 70-80hp is ideal in a twin and as you-say , fun to work where you have to put in a bit of effort to get results , adds-up to a lot of fun . My old, modded TR1 is about the same . Dave nz
What I really like about this bike is that they didn't put all the shity tech. No touch screen,no different riding modes,no cell phone hook ups, just get on and ride. Carve the hell out of those back roads. Beautiful bike.
Like the kawasaki w800, while they kept the w800 as a parallel twin and norton designed it opposite to british tradition as an inline twin with 180° crankshaft…. So I thought and I am happy to research and see by actual picture that it is old-school parallel twin inside the engine, too. Wowsers. 2 classic architecture bikes on the road aside moto guzzi v7/v9, simpler indian, royal enfield and harley, sadly all are EURO4 or EURO5 compliant and yes, for that you need a digital box and ODB. “Shity” tech is on them, combustion sensors error-reporting engine lights that report no real engine failure is a feature since EURO4. Go for carbs, then you’re surely classic, but that time has gone in new registered bikes.
Oh, sorry, it seems I saw an original US 961 360° crank before it went (been sold) over to UK (Gardner) as a 270° crank engine architecture, so, no it seems to not be a 360° parallel twin, but a 270° inline twin with 90° firing between 2 cylinders, just like Yamaha’s TRX 850 derived from the old super tenere and used in the TDM. That makes the bike a non-classic at heart, just like any trinkley trump. All that’s left is the “hand-build” burning TVS’ cash for it’s slow procedure having the factory in finger2nose loop-mode.
I love those blunt cheesy ads, it reminds me of 70s TV ads, where Aunty Clara presented her shiny blankets after washing them with CleanBrightSoapBubbles of Henkel or whatever. Charly the island hopper does a great job in repeating moves and monologues so it really doesn’t matter what bike he presents, just replace the bike and the acoustical mentioning of a brand and model with some other. Well done, worth the money.
Great review Charley. I totally get your thought on the bars, I have a 961 Dominator and have swapped the clipons for flat bars for the same reason. Brilliant to see Norton making bikes again, can't wait to see what they bring out in the next few years.
I so wanted the Commando to be even close to being as good as it looks as they've nailed it aesthetically, unfortunately it's overweight, under powered and wildly over priced, people tend to forget that the original Commando and the Bonneville were the R1 and Fireblade of their day, yet 50 years on the "modern" version makes almost identical bhp, less torque and weighs 40kg more than the 1973 850 Commando and price differences taken into account costs twice the price.
I am one of those 'older guys' that appreciate it's heritage appearance and high quality components. However until my lottery numbers come up it is just a little above my budget. 😪
@@winchester92stevebrook44 Looks like the old Honda GB500 that grew up in size and became more rich and sophisticated. 🙂. (Sorry if those are fightin' words to anyone from GB.) No doubt she is a beauty
I've heard the engine needs an anti vibration Quadlock between it and the frame. They're taking the Mickey now, I don't remember the Ohlins being an additional couple of grand. Such a pity, I had high hopes, still it'll look nice in someone's living room. I bet that injured wrist was throbbing after a few miles.
Such a joy that British bikes are back! The really do capture that feeling of nostalgia. I’m a Triumph rider and I have people chatting to me in traffic to enquire about my bike. Bring Norton to South Africa 🇿🇦
This new bike is a significant improvement from the Garner era, but I agree that compared to other bikes in its category, others do it better. Perhaps another way of expressing how Norton could get the Commando so right while allowing the negative sentiment and symphony of noise to effectively kill any chances of selling a new or used V4SV or V4RC. The V4SS issue will not stop haunting Norton until they stop burying their heads in the sand and pretending they can tough it out when it's evident that they are hurting more than the V4SS owners. Is Norton really that different under TVS than it was under Garner, as it's once again a brand attracting attention for all the wrong reasons and with a product line-up that does not quite make it?
Youve lost the point. Its not about BHP but feel and how the experience is. Keanu Reeves understands what im talkin about. The commando was flawed and prone to go bang but no twin could touch it for the addiction to a bike ride in the early 1970s.
@@Ian-bq7gp No, the original was famous because it was a very fast bike in its day - the new one is not. The original was also surprisingly smooth and vibration free, which the new one is not. A buyer of the original got a state of the art high performance bike, the new one is just a shadow.
@@parsivalshorseHey, Whoa! If that 961 vibrate's 📳 the sale is off. The original Norton Commando frames mounted the engine and transmission on Isolastic rubber mounts! Smooth 🍦! That's a Real Norton it's Not to Vibrate 😤 🫨 I'll research this Thanks👍
@@timothyvaher2421I have ridden 3 of these Nortons, they suffer from harsh vibration, and feel underpowered to me, as always take one for a test ride and make your own mind up, but I was not impressed!
@@benkelly2190 no I haven’t. The Thruxton is 30kg lighter, significantly more powerful, cheaper to buy, better to ride and also with a British badge on the tank. The Norton brand is unproven in the hands of its new owners and yet another update of the prototype the two owners ago American owners displayed before the previous Norton brand owners made badly. You would have to SERIOUSLY want a Norton badged machine to shell out 20k for a reworked leftover design with less power than a T120.
@@Celtictribes Reviews like this are for the average person to experience a bike that most of us aren't willing to stretch our budgets to buy. There are plenty of reviews for the FZ07/MT07, SV650's, etc. that the average person is willing to buy and own. We want to see the fantasy bikes too, (On car reviews I love to watch Porsche reviews but doubt I'll ever own one.)
@@pcthayer Nonsense ! Motorbikes & cars are made to be ridden/driven not for old men with too much money to drool & wank over ! All this classic garbage has destroyed motorcycling & driving for normal people.
@@Celtictribes When people have too much money, someone is going to come up with a product to take it from them. (Unfortunately people don't always give their excess money to charities rather than spending it on themselves.) What they do with that product in the privacy of their garage is their own business. (It is cheaper than a mistress and a divorce though.)
Haha, just picked up a cafe racer/mad max modded ER-5 Kawasaki for a friend and I did that 5:28 peg flip like 4 times by accident on it. Its not my bike so I didn't check if its spring loaded with the spring missing but exact same "problem" with it 😅
So does my old Norton mate, and I can achieve all that myself and have, personally I love the old Twin's regular beat and growl, tired of copycats just building 90deg Twins when that's not the entire solution anyway and only an easy approximation. Been there and done that, 50 years ago with a 500cc Norton Domiracer, then our racing club, at the time Banned them, but let out CB450/500 Twins, which I happen to love, but they were banned back in the day? So I built a 1955 wideline 500cc short-stroke engine with a 650cc SS head, retarded cam timing, and when it came on it flew all day at 8,000 rpm and still is, all these years later. Peter Williams went over that Bike, are you really telling me TVS know so much more?
These bikes are so rare and expensive, I might as well be watching an AVAILABLE super model dating site. I think I'll go look for Rolls-Royce discounted models.
What a pleasant suprise 😊! After all the financial twists & turns... Norton Is Back! Owned a new 72’ Norton 750 in high school. The 961 is its evolution 🧬 from the Cloud ☁️! That's the Ticket 🎟️ Thanks for the Goal. 🥅 😁
Great to see you on a Norton Commando 961 Charley ....lovely looking motorcycle have test ridden the union jack paint limited edition ...just looks and feels very so authentic. Lovely review video.Please do keep more videos on some retro classic motorcycles coming...Cheers 🍻
Dear Charley Thank you for making another helpful presentation of your thoughts on this one. All Happiness to you and your family Until next time Take Care my Friend 🙋♂️
Great looking bike already a classic bike but even with its looks its going struggle against the Thruxton RS ,even though the Thruxton is a little bit fake classic , but wouldn't mind Norton in my garage alongside my Thruxton though if I had the money to spare
I can believe that - haven't ridden the RS, but even the Thruxton R is a _lovely_ bike... Handles like a dream and it's making the best part of 100 gee-gees. The Norton does look lovely though 😎
A stunningly beautiful bike.. but that riding position is excruciating after a few miles… why on earth are they rearset like a sports bike on a 77bhp retro… I would buy one today if the pegs were set similar to a T120 Bonneville… such a shame.
Great looking bike, I am sort of interested in getting one however I don’t think it’s a wise move. Can’t find hardly anyone who’s bought, little to nothing on forums and it seems only 3 have been sold this year. So. Big gamble.
Yes, they are pretty new to the market. Having taken over from Stuart Garner. They have been spending a lot of time changing them to how they like that. So I think they haven’t been selling the bikes for very long. I think it will be interesting to see what happens in time. Fingers crossed they’ll make a good goal of it.
Used to own a 961 commando mk 2 from the Stuart Garner era . I regret selling it but needed the money at the time as it was a great bike . My only criticism was I felt the bars were bit too low Plenty of Norton Dealers to test ride the new machine from TVS.
@@davidchampkin5999 Hi David. Gorgeous looking bike. What bothers me is aftercare, parts, warranty issues. The relative lack of performance I could live with. I’m yet to be convinced it’s going to be there if there’s a problem. Realise someone’s got to be the first to buy and build up some confidence in the brand but I don’t think it’s going to be me. If it was £7k a la new BSA probably would, £17k mmmm not yet anyway. Maybe next year.
Thanks for sharing Charley. Unfortunately I don't have much nice to comment about it. The price is a bit ridiculous. I'd rather have a Thruxton R all day. The name was prestige doesn't fit the look of the Bike. Should have been called the Norton Hornet instead. Also no US option.
Some dont understand how nice the commando is to ride. I rode a few fastback 750s years ago and its the nicest bike to ride ever and the engine and exhaust note is the best apart from manx norton.
Charley, any insight from the factory as to when we might expect this bike here in the USA? I own and ride multiple bikes both on and off road here in Nevada, California, Baja, Utah and the surrounding mountains. I had a 1972 Commando when I was is college in the late 70's and early 80's that I wish I had never sold. Current bikes in my garage - 2016 BMW r1200rs, 2022 Triumph Speedmaster, 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660, 2017 Husqvarna FE450, 2001 Kawasaki W650 custom cafe and a 2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic. Not like I need another bike but I am certain you understand the desire for just one more. Keep the content coming, your perspective is always appreciated. Cheers from across the pond.
@@Brit_Toolmaker A friend loaned me a Harley for an 1800 mile group ride to Key West and back, which took in Daytona week. I came to the conclusion that a lot of Harley owners don't like to ride (why would they. They are horrible bikes). They just like being part of a "club" that they think makes them "edgy". Most of the Daytona bikes were trailered there, not ridden.
All and sundry keep harping on about how Norton have strived to retain a sense of the old Norton charm and ethos of appealing to the everyday working mans motorcycle, but have forgotten the one main factor to achieving this, 'The Price!'. . . The new Norton has achieved the status of being an elitist brand only, the type of bike that only the likes of Mister Boorman can afford to own.
You can't pitch this bike to the main stream because of the price. It's double what it should really be. Norton always gets shafted by stupidity and greed.
Eer.. Sorry Charlie but Norton Isn't 125 years old, That's like saying we've raised Lazarus From the Dead, he's alive, So he's 2000 years old today lmao 🤣 So Sorry Norton Is NOT as old as 125 years, there's been many gaps in-between, Royal Enfield hold's that Continuous Manufacturing record 👍 Plus the longest production 350 Bullet. 👍 Cheers Paul
Simply cannot believe the amount of negativity this bike is receiving from, I suspect, a proportion of fine, upstanding, patriotic Englishmen. Wow! Instead of running it down, how about showing some belief in the company and willing it on? After all, it's what some of the flag sha***ng Brexiteers bleat? 'Believe in Britain!' Well, believe in Norton! (Unless, of course, you're just Triumph fan boys who are perhaps feeling a little threatened now there's potentially a new kid on the block?)
Brexit? Seriously. What’s that got to do with anything? There’s next no market for this bike, unless you are a well off Norton fanatic that’s not already been badly burnt by the last sorry mess Norton turned into. That’s the problem. Royal Enfield hit the bullseye with their entire range of classic/nostalgia bikes that are by any measure good value for money AND very nice to ride, now selling by the truckload. BSA are late to the party but probably going to do well. That’s good. Yes the Norton looks great, but reliability is completely unknown at this stage, there’s next to no dealer network and its performance is poor. £18k buy’s you a lot elsewhere and often much cheaper (for one example the Thruxton). No I don’t own a Triumph either, I’m not a fanboy. Moto Guzzi make great, wholly authentic bikes for half the price with similar performance. Brits are not anti Norton they’re just not stupid. If you know you want one get one, enjoy it, doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
@@jfro5867 Oh my! Did everything I said just go in one ear and come straight out the other? I've highlighted the Norton's flaws and stated that it's not perfect. My whole point, again, is give the company a chance instead of running it down. Give it encouragement instead of comparing it to products that are already established. Triumph in the late 80s, early 90s had their hiccups, did they not? Look at them now. Every Joe and his granny rides them. RE has only, 'hit the spot' because of a price point that's appealing. Think they'd be as popular if they were expensive? No, I don't either. Don't you think that Norton deserves to be given a chance to prove themselves instead of being the subject of the barely concealed ridicule I've seen in some comments? Brexit? Come on, we all know there are those in the Brit biking community who unbelievably and stupidly think they're back in the glory days of Brit bikes once more. As I've said on other channels, they need to take their rose tinted specs off and see they're on machines manufactured in India and Thailand. Look at the so called new Gold Star. Made in India with an engine originating from Austria. Wow! That's magnificent, don't you think? Meanwhile, the Norton is manufactured in the UK. It can claim to be.....'Made in England'. That, for me, is worth its weight in gold considering the sh*t state this country is presently in. One more time......give Norton a chance. It's the patriotic thing to do, wouldn't you agree?
@@markfranks1329 You are just contradicting yourself. Norton HAS to hit the ground running because it’s such an expensive bike. With RE and BSA for that matter people can and do make allowances. You can’t expect people to shell out £18k and do the same, it won’t wash. Norton is just a brand name, it’s got nothing whatsoever to do with the 1970’s original British biking industry, that died 50 years ago. It’s like Triggers broom. Yes the factory is based in the UK, clearly a good thing. Do I hope it’s a success, well yes, why wouldn’t I but the product has to at least meet the expectations of the potential customer. If not they won’t buy, no matter how pretty it is. What you perceive to be negative comments from some doesn’t mean they are not valid comments. Norton does indeed deserve a chance, on that we agree.
@@jfro5867 'Norton does indeed deserve a chance'. Right, how is that achieved? How do they go about being successful in such a competitive environment? I'm sure the board of directors, particularly those in sales, has given great thought to resolving that little enigma. How about just being positive about the company, for starters? Not too much to ask for, is it? Is that too difficult to comprehend? The obstacles this company has to overcome after it's recent debacle is huge but, I believe, not insurmountable and it would help greatly if those out there who love motorcycles, particularly those from the UK, got behind it instead of being negative about it. Incidentally, when did I compare, in my previous comments, this present company with that of the one 80/90 years' ago? Yes, Triumph is a 'brand' name. Yet, it doesn't appear that too many folk are particularly bothered about its rather high pricing policy or service costs, are they? Please, enlighten me then. How, in your opinion, do Norton navigate the tempestuous and competitive world of bike sales in order to flourish and be successful?
My Uncle had the original 850 commando absolute beautiful bike it was ridden behind the Hurse at his funeral I always remember the thud and popping of the exhaust pipe notes hitting our ears as we travelled in the the car behind him.
Original was 750 no?
Justifying the price is very hard, even with the heritage bikes.
Forsen
Norton is doing the same fault like other companies before trying to built classing bikes. Overpriced with old Technik. It looks phantastic, but that's all.
Triumph showed the way how to do it, modern reliable bikes you can afford and looking great, nothing left from the old unreliable stuff like my 2 Commandos I had in the eighties.
So my next bike will be a Tiger, because I live in Bulgaria now, a Bonneville or whatever will not suit the bad road conditions here.
Kind regards
@@ulrichholl364 If I wanted a modern water-cooled retro with reliability, I'd just go for a Kawasaki. It's the classic British bike experience that one seeks in these kind of bikes, and that's where the Norton is miles ahead. So buying a Triumph for the apparent reliability makes no sense to me, just go for the Japanese Z900RS.
A Thruxton is just over £14k, I think a 3-5k premium is justifiable for wealthier buyers that want something a bit more exclusive.
@@quacktac If I'm going for a British icon I'm not plumping for the one with the Morris Minor car radiator hanging off it.
I always wanted a Norton. As a young man there was a Triumph/Norton shop in Montvale, N.J. near where I lived. I’d stop by often and just look in the window at the Nortons. I could never afford one. I settled back then for a 1976 Yamaha XS650C which I bought new at 17 yrs. old. Still have it. Needless to say I’d love this new Norton but…
The dealer network in Central Florida is just about non-existent. The price is still on the high side compared to Triumph T-120 . This Norton truly is an enthusiast motorcycle. Beautiful!
That dealer was the Sport Spot on Hamburg Turnpike. I bought a Moto Guzzi there in 1989
as they went out of business. I own two Norton 850,s and would buy the new 961 if available in the States!
The Triumph now has a [shudder] car radiator hanging off it. The Norton engine looks beautiful. Just wish they had styled the bike closer to the original Commando.
Thanks Charley, I wish them luck, but predict an uphill struggle to make this successful.
A friend of mine has it. I would always choose the Triumph Thruxton 1200 RS over it.
Looks beautifully finished.
Beautiful bike,price is high🥹
Charley, I hope you see this. I want to thank you for all the years of motorcycle entertainment you have given the world over the years. Like you, I have been a motorcycle fan since my first Honda Z50 in 1976 at age 10. I love the new Nortons and like you I probably would go for the black bars too. Now I need to get one out to British Columbia without my wife finding out!
It's a looker that's for sure
Nice machine , I'm old-school all the way (nearly 70) and I really enjoy riding this-style of machine . 70-80hp is ideal in a twin and as you-say , fun to work where you have to put in a bit of effort to get results , adds-up to a lot of fun . My old, modded TR1 is about the same . Dave nz
What I really like about this bike is that they didn't put all the shity tech. No touch screen,no different riding modes,no cell phone hook ups, just get on and ride. Carve the hell out of those back roads. Beautiful bike.
Like the kawasaki w800, while they kept the w800 as a parallel twin and norton designed it opposite to british tradition as an inline twin with 180° crankshaft…. So I thought and I am happy to research and see by actual picture that it is old-school parallel twin inside the engine, too. Wowsers. 2 classic architecture bikes on the road aside moto guzzi v7/v9, simpler indian, royal enfield and harley, sadly all are EURO4 or EURO5 compliant and yes, for that you need a digital box and ODB. “Shity” tech is on them, combustion sensors error-reporting engine lights that report no real engine failure is a feature since EURO4. Go for carbs, then you’re surely classic, but that time has gone in new registered bikes.
Oh, sorry, it seems I saw an original US 961 360° crank before it went (been sold) over to UK (Gardner) as a 270° crank engine architecture, so, no it seems to not be a 360° parallel twin, but a 270° inline twin with 90° firing between 2 cylinders, just like Yamaha’s TRX 850 derived from the old super tenere and used in the TDM.
That makes the bike a non-classic at heart, just like any trinkley trump. All that’s left is the “hand-build” burning TVS’ cash for it’s slow procedure having the factory in finger2nose loop-mode.
Just the price of 2 modern superbikes
@@GiancarloBenzina An "inline twin" would be a Harley...the Norton is still a parallel twin.
Totally agree. What a beautiful machine.
Very nice review Charlie. Tiny point but it would have been nice to hear the engine note under load.
Nice to see! Missed my yellow S for decades
Loved my original 850 the most fun of all my motorbikes.
I love those blunt cheesy ads, it reminds me of 70s TV ads, where Aunty Clara presented her shiny blankets after washing them with CleanBrightSoapBubbles of Henkel or whatever. Charly the island hopper does a great job in repeating moves and monologues so it really doesn’t matter what bike he presents, just replace the bike and the acoustical mentioning of a brand and model with some other. Well done, worth the money.
Great review Charley. I totally get your thought on the bars, I have a 961 Dominator and have swapped the clipons for flat bars for the same reason. Brilliant to see Norton making bikes again, can't wait to see what they bring out in the next few years.
I so wanted the Commando to be even close to being as good as it looks as they've nailed it aesthetically, unfortunately it's overweight, under powered and wildly over priced, people tend to forget that the original Commando and the Bonneville were the R1 and Fireblade of their day, yet 50 years on the "modern" version makes almost identical bhp, less torque and weighs 40kg more than the 1973 850 Commando and price differences taken into account costs twice the price.
Very nice overview.
She is a beauty!
Quite fantastic looking bike that stands out in the crowd.
It looks a lovely bike and premium. 19k is a lot, but it is specail and a lot of older guys will like it
I am one of those 'older guys' that appreciate it's heritage appearance and high quality components. However until my lottery numbers come up it is just a little above my budget. 😪
@@winchester92stevebrook44 Looks like the old Honda GB500 that grew up in size and became more rich and sophisticated. 🙂. (Sorry if those are fightin' words to anyone from GB.) No doubt she is a beauty
It looks just like a pieced together Triumph !
Yes, please
I really like that you wear American made boots. I have the same Thorogood boots in black.
I've heard the engine needs an anti vibration Quadlock between it and the frame. They're taking the Mickey now, I don't remember the Ohlins being an additional couple of grand. Such a pity, I had high hopes, still it'll look nice in someone's living room. I bet that injured wrist was throbbing after a few miles.
Such a joy that British bikes are back! The really do capture that feeling of nostalgia. I’m a Triumph rider and I have people chatting to me in traffic to enquire about my bike. Bring Norton to South Africa 🇿🇦
It's about as British as a Suzuki !
@@Celtictribes Norton’s are made in Solihull and my Triumph in Hinckley. I didn’t see those places on a map of Japan.
@@arceyes triumph is made somewhere else. Thailand I think. And Norton owned by an Indian company. We live in a global world.
@@bulthaosen1169 Norton is handmade in Britain, and I don't care where the funds to make it come from.
@@elemental9039 so you only care where about where it's made? I guess you are like those harley fanboys.
How much! OK it has the Norton badge and Ohlin's but this can't be the way forward.
Thanks Charley. Nice quick, little sales pitch there 😉 It worked!!. I just bought the SP in Black 😊
Haha good on you.
Well done Charley. Excellent bloke. 😊
This new bike is a significant improvement from the Garner era, but I agree that compared to other bikes in its category, others do it better. Perhaps another way of expressing how Norton could get the Commando so right while allowing the negative sentiment and symphony of noise to effectively kill any chances of selling a new or used V4SV or V4RC. The V4SS issue will not stop haunting Norton until they stop burying their heads in the sand and pretending they can tough it out when it's evident that they are hurting more than the V4SS owners. Is Norton really that different under TVS than it was under Garner, as it's once again a brand attracting attention for all the wrong reasons and with a product line-up that does not quite make it?
Thank you Charley
Me dad had a Norton Commando before I was even born in 77
Love the vids and the high production values of the camera work👌🏽
Only the camera zoom/ focus could have done with an anti vibration Quadlock, I'm off to take some motion sickness pills 😂
Pure bike and thats good ,charlie i liked you in the emerald forest ,by eny means ,the long way round was down ,en i like you as bike tester
beautiful bike
I cant help but think how much better in every possible way a 900rs would be for half the cash
Youve lost the point. Its not about BHP but feel and how the experience is. Keanu Reeves understands what im talkin about. The commando was flawed and prone to go bang but no twin could touch it for the addiction to a bike ride in the early 1970s.
@@Ian-bq7gp No, the original was famous because it was a very fast bike in its day - the new one is not. The original was also surprisingly smooth and vibration free, which the new one is not.
A buyer of the original got a state of the art high performance bike, the new one is just a shadow.
@@parsivalshorseHey, Whoa! If that 961 vibrate's 📳 the sale is off. The original Norton Commando frames mounted the engine and transmission on Isolastic rubber mounts! Smooth 🍦! That's a Real Norton it's Not to Vibrate 😤 🫨 I'll research this Thanks👍
@@timothyvaher2421 Exactly.
@@timothyvaher2421I have ridden 3 of these Nortons, they suffer from harsh vibration, and feel underpowered to me, as always take one for a test ride and make your own mind up, but I was not impressed!
Had one of the old ones in the 70s', but I would not change my current Duke 890 R for one of the new ones. :-)
Very enjoyable. More engine noise please.
when you feel a sty coming use vaseline overnight and it will not develop. Only had one and learned this lesson . Never had another, so it works!!
The thruxton 1200 whoops this things backside.
You have missed the point…
@@benkelly2190 no I haven’t. The Thruxton is 30kg lighter, significantly more powerful, cheaper to buy, better to ride and also with a British badge on the tank. The Norton brand is unproven in the hands of its new owners and yet another update of the prototype the two owners ago American owners displayed before the previous Norton brand owners made badly. You would have to SERIOUSLY want a Norton badged machine to shell out 20k for a reworked leftover design with less power than a T120.
@@Theoriginalramjammerchasing horsepower is for bragging rights in the pub. More than enough power for the road, it's more about the experience.
@@TheoriginalramjammerNo, it ain't perfect yet. How about giving it a chance and wishing the company well instead of playing Top Trumps.
@@Theoriginalramjammer point missed again!🤷🏼♂️
What a work of art. It is almost too nice to be someone's daily ride. That is something to take out only on weekends or "special occasions".
And that's the problem, where are the bikes for normal people to ride.
@@Celtictribes Reviews like this are for the average person to experience a bike that most of us aren't willing to stretch our budgets to buy. There are plenty of reviews for the FZ07/MT07, SV650's, etc. that the average person is willing to buy and own. We want to see the fantasy bikes too, (On car reviews I love to watch Porsche reviews but doubt I'll ever own one.)
@@pcthayer Nonsense ! Motorbikes & cars are made to be ridden/driven not for old men with too much money to drool & wank over ! All this classic garbage has destroyed motorcycling & driving for normal people.
@@Celtictribes When people have too much money, someone is going to come up with a product to take it from them. (Unfortunately people don't always give their excess money to charities rather than spending it on themselves.) What they do with that product in the privacy of their garage is their own business. (It is cheaper than a mistress and a divorce though.)
Every day is a special moment .
Haha, just picked up a cafe racer/mad max modded ER-5 Kawasaki for a friend and I did that 5:28 peg flip like 4 times by accident on it. Its not my bike so I didn't check if its spring loaded with the spring missing but exact same "problem" with it 😅
Hi Charlie, not seen you since we met in Afghan, nice review of a classic bike. Looks lovely in the black and gold.
Great review, very well presented angles. aesthetics 100
Hello Charley! Greetings from Vancouver Canada!
Beautiful bike… but the price is double a Moto Guzzi V7 850 Special, which is just as pretty. I’d still like one though 😁
This is a two wheels history- Lovely bike
So does my old Norton mate, and I can achieve all that myself and have, personally I love the old Twin's regular beat and growl, tired of copycats just building 90deg Twins when that's not the entire solution anyway and only an easy approximation. Been there and done that, 50 years ago with a 500cc Norton Domiracer, then our racing club, at the time Banned them, but let out CB450/500 Twins, which I happen to love, but they were banned back in the day? So I built a 1955 wideline 500cc short-stroke engine with a 650cc SS head, retarded cam timing, and when it came on it flew all day at 8,000 rpm and still is, all these years later. Peter Williams went over that Bike, are you really telling me TVS know so much more?
I can see people paying the premium, but I'll be sticking to Triumphs for now.
I would have liked a more upright seating position
Looks beautiful Charlie , but bit pricey 🤷🏼♂️
These bikes are so rare and expensive, I might as well be watching an AVAILABLE super model dating site. I think I'll go look for Rolls-Royce discounted models.
TVS 200 million investment really paid off..love what Indians did to revive Norton.
Fell for iT at First sight ,
I’ll take Both Colours,
Review 👌
What a pleasant suprise 😊! After all the financial twists & turns... Norton Is Back! Owned a new 72’ Norton 750 in high school. The 961 is its evolution 🧬 from the Cloud ☁️! That's the Ticket 🎟️ Thanks for the Goal. 🥅 😁
Can we have a machine made, as opposed to handmade, version so it’s affordable for most 😊
Gorgeous bike
Great to see you on a Norton Commando 961 Charley ....lovely looking motorcycle have test ridden the union jack paint limited edition ...just looks and feels very so authentic. Lovely review video.Please do keep more videos on some retro classic motorcycles coming...Cheers 🍻
that's a beautiful bike!
Dear Charley
Thank you for making another helpful presentation of your thoughts on this one.
All Happiness to you and your family
Until next time
Take Care my Friend 🙋♂️
This is class, Love it.
A better review than Andy's,I don't think he gets it
I agree, I think it flew completely over his head and yet he gets Harleys, a bit weird that methinks!
I think that massive chunk of gold on the front destroys the looks.
Just found your channel - stoked! Liked and subscribed. Keen to keep up with the great content!
nice bike charley ill need to win the lotto lol 😊 hope the eye gettings better soon maximum vision on the motorcycle your riding all best
No Commando Girl?
Greetings from Georgia, USA 🍑
Thanks for the review!
It's a beautiful bike and I wish the new Norton owner's/company a long and prosperous future.
🪶
👍👍👍👍
Great looking bike already a classic bike but even with its looks its going struggle against the Thruxton RS ,even though the Thruxton is a little bit fake classic , but wouldn't mind Norton in my garage alongside my Thruxton though if I had the money to spare
I can believe that - haven't ridden the RS, but even the Thruxton R is a _lovely_ bike... Handles like a dream and it's making the best part of 100 gee-gees. The Norton does look lovely though 😎
So by my calculation its approximately £250 per horsepower. Stunning bike nonetheless.
When's The Nod podcast coming back?
Needs more HP or a lower price, lovely bike though
I wouldn't exactly call 'upside down' forks a "heritage" or "old school" look.
A stunningly beautiful bike.. but that riding position is excruciating after a few miles… why on earth are they rearset like a sports bike on a 77bhp retro… I would buy one today if the pegs were set similar to a T120 Bonneville… such a shame.
It is truly one of the best looking bikes around. Too bad the U.S. wont see it for a long time, probably about the time the outlaw petrol bikes😂😂
Really beautiful bike. Hope you and Ewan do another trip.
Is this a review or an advertisement or perhaps, to be generous, an opinion piece?
Regardless of any other concern, it is a beautiful bike, makes my Roadking look like a dump truck
A beautiful sexy looking bike
Great looking bike, I am sort of interested in getting one however I don’t think it’s a wise move. Can’t find hardly anyone who’s bought, little to nothing on forums and it seems only 3 have been sold this year. So. Big gamble.
Yes, they are pretty new to the market. Having taken over from Stuart Garner. They have been spending a lot of time changing them to how they like that. So I think they haven’t been selling the bikes for very long. I think it will be interesting to see what happens in time. Fingers crossed they’ll make a good goal of it.
Used to own a 961 commando mk 2 from the Stuart Garner era .
I regret selling it but needed the money at the time as it was a great bike .
My only criticism was I felt the bars were bit too low
Plenty of Norton Dealers to test ride the new machine from TVS.
@@davidchampkin5999 Hi David. Gorgeous looking bike. What bothers me is aftercare, parts, warranty issues. The relative lack of performance I could live with. I’m yet to be convinced it’s going to be there if there’s a problem. Realise someone’s got to be the first to buy and build up some confidence in the brand but I don’t think it’s going to be me. If it was £7k a la new BSA probably would, £17k mmmm not yet anyway. Maybe next year.
Thanks for sharing Charley. Unfortunately I don't have much nice to comment about it. The price is a bit ridiculous. I'd rather have a Thruxton R all day. The name was prestige doesn't fit the look of the Bike. Should have been called the Norton Hornet instead. Also no US option.
That is a lot of quid to have a pair of hideous-looking brake/clutch reservoirs from the Dark Ages in your face.
I would have liked you to start it and here the engine exhaust Charlie, but no doubt a wonderful bike if you can afford it.
Nice but way too expensive.
Some dont understand how nice the commando is to ride. I rode a few fastback 750s years ago and its the nicest bike to ride ever and the engine and exhaust note is the best apart from manx norton.
The seats they are making these days are so un comfortable. You can’t ride more than 30 minutes without thinking that you’ve got to get off soon.
Charley, any insight from the factory as to when we might expect this bike here in the USA? I own and ride multiple bikes both on and off road here in Nevada, California, Baja, Utah and the surrounding mountains. I had a 1972 Commando when I was is college in the late 70's and early 80's that I wish I had never sold.
Current bikes in my garage - 2016 BMW r1200rs, 2022 Triumph Speedmaster, 2022 Aprilia Tuareg 660, 2017 Husqvarna FE450, 2001 Kawasaki W650 custom cafe and a 2011 Moto Guzzi V7 Classic. Not like I need another bike but I am certain you understand the desire for just one more. Keep the content coming, your perspective is always appreciated. Cheers from across the pond.
Seriously over priced, good looking bike spoiled like many today by those discoloured down pipes. They should double skin and chrome them.
Not enough power for a 960 ccm and much too expensive. I would prefer a Triumph 1200.
You sold it well Charlie , but just to much money 😏
230 kg, 80 HP and pushrods. Are you kidding? For less price I get a beautiful Triumph
It's for norton enthusiasts.
Lets see, underpowered, overweight, with a lot of vibration and an odd riding position, oh yes, and expensive. Now, why don't I want one.
You could be just as well be describing a Harley and yet plenty of folks like them!
@@Brit_Toolmaker A friend loaned me a Harley for an 1800 mile group ride to Key West and back, which took in Daytona week. I came to the conclusion that a lot of Harley owners don't like to ride (why would they. They are horrible bikes). They just like being part of a "club" that they think makes them "edgy". Most of the Daytona bikes were trailered there, not ridden.
Oh no I switched off as soon as the American music started. Why!!
A beautiful bike to be sure but a tad underpowered and a good bit overpriced. Nostalgia is expensive.
For that price point, I don’t think it’s too much to expect a 6th gear. That’s disappointing.
All and sundry keep harping on about how Norton have strived to retain a sense of the old Norton charm and ethos of appealing to the everyday working mans motorcycle, but have forgotten the one main factor to achieving this, 'The Price!'. . . The new Norton has achieved the status of being an elitist brand only, the type of bike that only the likes of Mister Boorman can afford to own.
A very wealthy man trying to sell over priced garbage.
Oh my! And what garbage do you ride then?
Please, enlighten me.😂
@@markfranks1329 Why would i give some prick on UA-cam personal information, bog off !
You can't pitch this bike to the main stream because of the price. It's double what it should really be. Norton always gets shafted by stupidity and greed.
Eer.. Sorry Charlie but Norton Isn't 125 years old,
That's like saying we've raised Lazarus From the Dead, he's alive,
So he's 2000 years old today lmao 🤣
So Sorry Norton Is NOT as old as 125 years, there's been many gaps in-between,
Royal Enfield hold's that Continuous Manufacturing record 👍
Plus the longest production 350 Bullet.
👍
Cheers Paul
Simply cannot believe the amount of negativity this bike is receiving from, I suspect, a proportion of fine, upstanding, patriotic Englishmen. Wow! Instead of running it down, how about showing some belief in the company and willing it on?
After all, it's what some of the flag sha***ng Brexiteers bleat?
'Believe in Britain!'
Well, believe in Norton!
(Unless, of course, you're just Triumph fan boys who are perhaps feeling a little threatened now there's potentially a new kid on the block?)
Brexit? Seriously. What’s that got to do with anything? There’s next no market for this bike, unless you are a well off Norton fanatic that’s not already been badly burnt by the last sorry mess Norton turned into. That’s the problem. Royal Enfield hit the bullseye with their entire range of classic/nostalgia bikes that are by any measure good value for money AND very nice to ride, now selling by the truckload. BSA are late to the party but probably going to do well. That’s good. Yes the Norton looks great, but reliability is completely unknown at this stage, there’s next to no dealer network and its performance is poor. £18k buy’s you a lot elsewhere and often much cheaper (for one example the Thruxton). No I don’t own a Triumph either, I’m not a fanboy. Moto Guzzi make great, wholly authentic bikes for half the price with similar performance. Brits are not anti Norton they’re just not stupid. If you know you want one get one, enjoy it, doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.
@@jfro5867 Oh my! Did everything I said just go in one ear and come straight out the other?
I've highlighted the Norton's flaws and stated that it's not perfect. My whole point, again, is give the company a chance instead of running it down. Give it encouragement instead of comparing it to products that are already established. Triumph in the late 80s, early 90s had their hiccups, did they not? Look at them now. Every Joe and his granny rides them. RE has only, 'hit the spot' because of a price point that's appealing. Think they'd be as popular if they were expensive? No, I don't either.
Don't you think that Norton deserves to be given a chance to prove themselves instead of being the subject of the barely concealed ridicule I've seen in some comments?
Brexit? Come on, we all know there are those in the Brit biking community who unbelievably and stupidly think they're back in the glory days of Brit bikes once more. As I've said on other channels, they need to take their rose tinted specs off and see they're on machines manufactured in India and Thailand.
Look at the so called new Gold Star. Made in India with an engine originating from Austria. Wow! That's magnificent, don't you think?
Meanwhile, the Norton is manufactured in the UK. It can claim to be.....'Made in England'. That, for me, is worth its weight in gold considering the sh*t state this country is presently in.
One more time......give Norton a chance. It's the patriotic thing to do, wouldn't you agree?
@@markfranks1329 You are just contradicting yourself. Norton HAS to hit the ground running because it’s such an expensive bike. With RE and BSA for that matter people can and do make allowances. You can’t expect people to shell out £18k and do the same, it won’t wash. Norton is just a brand name, it’s got nothing whatsoever to do with the 1970’s original British biking industry, that died 50 years ago. It’s like Triggers broom. Yes the factory is based in the UK, clearly a good thing. Do I hope it’s a success, well yes, why wouldn’t I but the product has to at least meet the expectations of the potential customer. If not they won’t buy, no matter how pretty it is. What you perceive to be negative comments from some doesn’t mean they are not valid comments. Norton does indeed deserve a chance, on that we agree.
@@jfro5867 'Norton does indeed deserve a chance'.
Right, how is that achieved? How do they go about being successful in such a competitive environment? I'm sure the board of directors, particularly those in sales, has given great thought to resolving that little enigma.
How about just being positive about the company, for starters? Not too much to ask for, is it? Is that too difficult to comprehend?
The obstacles this company has to overcome after it's recent debacle is huge but, I believe, not insurmountable and it would help greatly if those out there who love motorcycles, particularly those from the UK, got behind it instead of being negative about it.
Incidentally, when did I compare, in my previous comments, this present company with that of the one 80/90 years' ago?
Yes, Triumph is a 'brand' name. Yet, it doesn't appear that too many folk are particularly bothered about its rather high pricing policy or service costs, are they?
Please, enlighten me then. How, in your opinion, do Norton navigate the tempestuous and competitive world of bike sales in order to flourish and be successful?
@@jfro5867 What on earth is, 'Triggers broom'?
You got me there.🤭