Exploring The Norton Commando 961 Sp: Test Ride & Factory Tour

#noobiker #nortonmotorcycles #nortoncommando
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Embark on a journey with me as we delve into the heart of Norton Motorcycles, exploring the new TVS-owned factory. Witness the meticulous build quality of the Norton Commando 961 SP and hear the distinctive engine notes that define its character. Join the ride as I share insights into its dynamics, the thrill of cruising on a Commando, and the symphony of its exhaust. From evaluating the braking prowess to discussing the bike's overall value, we leave no stone unturned. Discover who the Norton Commando is tailor-made for and gain a firsthand understanding of its ergonomic design. This is more than a test ride; it's an immersion into the sensations and heritage of the Norton Commando. Join me for an exclusive experience.
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0:00 intro
1:30 Norton Factory and TVS
5:00 Norton Commando 961 SP build quality
5:35 Commando engine noise and vibration
6:25 Commando footpegs weak spring
7:17 What it feels like to ride a Commando
9:00 Commando exhaust noise
10:21 Commando brakes
11:05 Commando value
13:20 Who would buy a Commando
14:50 Commando ergonomics
15:42 Sensations from riding a Norton Commando
16:20 Outro

[@jfro5867]

May I commend you on (IMHO) by far the best review of this bike. Great footage, clear sound, no camera F ups. You explained why the bike is more expensive than it’s competition, SVA, in a way that no one else has, it’s UK only, no export, no Euro regs. It’s basically a custom build for every bike. Makes much more sense now.

[@jfro5867]

May I just ask, if anyone reading this has bought a ‘new’ Norton, did you have any issues getting insurance because of the SVA and obvious rarity? Was the premium much higher than what you expected? These are the additional details you only find out after you’ve taken the plunge. TIA.

[@NooBiker]

Thank you very much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@varnatkins6584]

There was a few weeks additional wait for bike delivery after dealership procurement for SVA however no probs with insurance. I now have 1000+miles and there isn't that much vibration and I get 50% more mpg than factory claim.

[@NooBiker]

@@varnatkins6584 so the vibrations die down after running it in? That's great to know 👍

[@cams2575]

​​@@jfro5867 No problem with insurance. Was cheaper than my previous bike. Which was £5K cheaper! You will need to have it registered before it can be insured. Takes about 3 weeks. Dealer and Norton do everything. You just sit and wait. Great price from Bennetts.

[@peterogden9608]

Great video. I have two 961s and I think they are ‘a work of art’ fabulous bike. I wish Norton all the success for the future.

[@NooBiker]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Always great to have feedback and insight from a long term owner. I wish them all the best too. Have a great 2024

[@Banditmanuk]

I think it is a very fair assessment. I have mixed feelings over the machine as we did have dealings with Garner's Norton. Honestly, I think TVS way overpaid for what they actually got. Virtually everything has had to be re-enginered. That bike is still old tech for new tech money. Norton need to come out with something new. I honestly do wish them success. They are building in the UK. They're just not building anything I want or can afford

[@NooBiker]

I think you've summed it up pretty well. I also wish them success. It won't be easy.

[@davidforsdike4343]

I love mine . Is old fashioned engine with great suspension and amazing brakes. The roads and speed limit are still the same as 1967. No motorways with in 70 miles of me. So enough power for me really. 4:03

[@andrewchrysanthou1744]

Really enjoyed that. 😉👍✨ love the sound of them.

[@NooBiker]

Makes me very happy to read this comment 😊

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You did a great job on the vid. The Sport and Cafe Racer are real beauties. There are four retros I would/did choose first before I add Norton. Thruxton, R9T, Royal Classic 500, Kawasaki Z900RS . I spent a decade building missiles used to shoot down ICBMs and we found the best way to get quality was lock down the processes used to build the parts once you get them just right. Doing alot of inspections just has you chasing issues and negatively impacts costs and schedule. The Norton would be nice if you had several other bikes kinda like a Royal Enfield Classic 500 on steroids....a beauty but a shaker if you push it. Unfortunately Norton burnt too many dealers and of age appropriate buyers in the U.S. under Garner and I can't see riders under 50 giving this bikea 2nd thought especially for it's cost.

[@NooBiker]

Thanks for that, Jerry. Yeah this is a bike for those buying with their hearts, not with logic. It sure is a pretty thing and would nicely round up a garage with a few other bikes in it already

[@driesdebruyn4372]

what no guzzi?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@driesdebruyn4372 I just sold my Moto Guzzi Sport 1200. The closest dealer now is 300 miles away.

[@jimsadler8704]

As ER said I do have a soft spot for Nortons, Noob, as my first bike in 1962 was a Norton ES2 500cc single. This was followed in 1963 by a 650SS which, if I recall correctly, cost just under £400 new. I wish the new Norton company every success but I feel that for 17 grand they are grossly overpriced. Modern motorcycles with balancer shafts shouldn't make your body parts feel like they don't belong to you, and those cheap and nasty plastic fluid reservoirs. Great review and I can see you were impressed.

[@NooBiker]

I did enjoy it. I guess I need to be more detail oriented and notice more of these things... Yes, they're overpriced, but as I say this is going to be aimed at those with more money than sense and making a decision with their heart not their head. Neither of these apply to me (I hope!)

[@neilmackinnon3371]

Wonderful! In 1978, at the age of 19 I bought myself a Commando 850 mk3 Interstate... in black. I rode a lot of miles on it but sadly had to sell it in 1981 when I got married and needed the cash. In 1992 I bought a 750 Commando and was deeply disappointed and so have resisted the temptation to try / buy another Norton, but the 961 certainly tugs at the old nostalgic heartstrings. I'm at the NEC in a week or two, I think I'll have a chat with the guys at Norton and see about a spring demo ride. Thanks for taking us along.

[@NooBiker]

Definitely have a chat with them, a very nice bunch to deal with. I'm sure you'll enjoy your test ride

[@neilmackinnon3371]

@@NooBiker I'm also sure I would enjoy a test ride.... that's the worry!

[@NooBiker]

@@neilmackinnon3371 😂😂 definitely an important consideration

[@neilmackinnon3371]

@@NooBiker the nearest dealer is only 38 miles away. 😧And they have an ex demo commando with 350 miles on the clock.😱 I...must....be.... strong. I ...must....re...sist!

[@NooBiker]

@@neilmackinnon3371 relax and enjoy... I warn you now : you'll scare a lot of horses in that bike!

[@davidtait7407]

I had a test ride in July in about the hottest day of the year and no overheating issues even when in the occasional standing traffic. I’m 56 I’ve had my license since 1984 , in that time owned many litre sports bikes going at stupid speeds. This day and age I wanted a back to basics, forgot your traction control, gear indicator and slipper clutch. This bike reminds you how to ride motorcycle, so with all top suspension and brakes you have the best of both worlds. Overpriced?? Perhaps and definitely not your only bike.

[@NooBiker]

Thanks for the information on the hot day riding. It certainly makes for a fun (if very expensive) addition to the garage for some lucky owners 👍

[@seanheadley7090]

Went on a test ride, deposit made and bike arrived, love it for what it is, had faster and better, but thats not what it’s about.

[@NooBiker]

Congratulations! Here's wishing you many miles of smiles on your new steed.

[@clique53]

I went on a test ride, loved it!

[@NooBiker]

It's a very nice bike and enjoyable for a sunny day ride. Are you thinking of buying one?

[@greywolf9292]

The one aspect which really stood out were the vibrations, you could see them in the bars, the mirrors the clocks, even hear them in your voice. It's a good job you were filming using the Insta One R which has excellent image stabilization, otherwise we'd all be a bit sea sick. I wanted to want one of these bikes but I'm afraid TVS have missed the mark, the old ones at least had rubber mountings. If they put a really wide barrel on the front they could sell them to Tarmac as vibrating road rollers 😂

[@NooBiker]

Maybe there is an untapped market with the ladies?

[@greywolf9292]

@@NooBiker I was thinking that exact thing myself, I couldn't help but notice how much your lead rider was enjoying herself 😰😮😍😂

[@NooBiker]

@@greywolf9292 I thought that was due to my charming and exciting personality 😂

[@greywolf9292]

@@NooBiker Aye but it wasn't your personality she was interested in, it was something to go with the "Good, Good, Good, Vibrations" 😂

[@NooBiker]

@@greywolf9292 😂😂😂

[@exeterrider]

Very good video Noob. The Norton looks like a really nice machine that has kept some rumbling character.....Jim Sadler has a soft spot for a Norton & this would be right up his street I expect. Very nicely made,

[@NooBiker]

Thank you, ER! I think a lot of people will have a soft spot for this bike.

[@bikerbuddy3166]

Was good to meet you glad you had a good day , was good to see a honest review from a man that just loves motorcycles 😎🤘❤️

[@NooBiker]

It was an honour to meet with you, Lee. Looking forward to seeing you again at events in 2024. Wishing you a Merry Christmas 🎄

[@_Ulisses_]

Nice video...great bike. Keep it up.

[@NooBiker]

Thank you 😊

[@Harjot_legend_singh]

Lov the look of those bikes 😍😍😍😍

[@NooBiker]

Yes, very classic look 👍

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Noo . love the video and the bike great camera work love the sound quality bike very nice indeed Il have 2 😂😂

[@NooBiker]

Awesome! Thanks for the kind words. Since you can only ride one of them at a time, let me know if you want someone to ride the other one 😂😂

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

@@NooBiker Ofcourse lol 😂

[@Saddlebags73]

Excellent viewing 👌🏼 It sounds gorgeous. Needs a pair of socks on those fluid reservoirs though 🤪

[@NooBiker]

Lots of people commenting on the reservoirs . I must say I didn't particularly notice them.

[@NooBiker]

Thank you kindly 😊

[@Saddlebags73]

I'm sure given time you would. The one on Nikita used to niggle me until I covered it. It looked like an afterthought.

[@NooBiker]

@@Saddlebags73 there's one on #Frankie that's always been there and I hardly ever notice it other than when I'm checking fluid levels (always good to keep an eye on that as well as the colour of the fluid)

[@Saddlebags73]

@@NooBiker If my brakes don’t work, and I survive, I’ll get them looked at 🤪

[@tojj29]

Great vid Noobs, but I was begging you to open it up so we could hear it growl. Nice looks, and that old school feel. A very niche market I would think. Cheers, stay safe mate

[@NooBiker]

I wanted to open it up too, but the route didn't have any NSL roads 🤔 so that was all the throttle twisting I could do 😔

[@markpercy4277]

Excellent review, were your feet numb at the end of the ride with those vibrations and would you buy one if money wasn't a problem

[@NooBiker]

Yes, my toes were getting a bit tingly. Money no object and if I had a space in the garage, I'd have one for sunny summer day blasts 👍

[@HippoDrones]

Nicely done NooB 🙂

[@NooBiker]

Thank you, buddy 👍

[@stephenspencer2134]

Hi NooBiker - great vid! Can you confirm whether the 961 figures for 2023 (700 total) are build targets or bikes sold? Thanks. Steve

[@NooBiker]

Hi Stephen, thanks for the question. I had a chat to Keith at the factory, and asked him how many were being built. He told me that in total for 2023, 700 Commandos were planned to be built, out of which 400 were the SP variant (the rest would be the CR cafe racer). Hope this helps. I know there's been some discussion in a forum regarding this video. I'm reluctant to get involved there because I'm not an expert on Norton, just someone who loves riding motorcycles, had an enjoyable (and yes, chaperoned) test ride and wanted to share my experience and whatever information I gathered with others. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with, and thanks for watching.

[@stephenspencer2134]

@@NooBiker Thanks mate. That clarifies - just trying to get a handle on how many 961’s had sold. Looks like these figures are manufacturing projections. The numbers sold not clear at present. Thanks. Keep the great vids up and enjoy.

[@jfro5867]

@@stephenspencer2134 If you look online at DVLA websites, as a guide, end of 2023 figures are 124 Sport and 3 Cafe Racers sold.

[@georgehatcher8867]

Easy on the eye

[@NooBiker]

Yes, very nicely sculpted. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@jjnewman65]

Found neutral! Sums the bike up really 😂 It’s a garage Queen. The 1200cc Thruxton is in a different league. Not only in performance but fit, finish and price. Although sadly Triumph are stopping production now. I guess due to low sales. Nice review Angelo. Good detail.

[@NooBiker]

Aha! What threw me off is that the gear lever still clicks down when in first with the clutch pulled in. So I was looking for first before trying to pull neutral and just kept pressing down and down... like a dodo 😂 I get you on the comparison, but it's really apples and oranges. A state sheet is not where a decision is going to be made on buying this bike.

[@davidforsdike4343]

Sadly all Triumphs made by Ladyboys in Thailand now.

[@h2allan]

yes @jjnewman65 .... prospective thruxton buyers changed their mind and bought Nortons.... 🙂

[@davidforsdike4343]

Triumph is just a far eastern mass produced bike.

[@EpicAdamMotovlogs]

That's my kind of bike. I hope Norton can shake off their bad history. I'm sure it will.

[@NooBiker]

Hoping so. It's very dear for what it is, though

[@UncleLongbeard]

nice, I like those Nortons really but I don't think at the same time they are good bang for your money

[@NooBiker]

Oh they are most definitely not good bang for money, but that's not their point

[@miyumiyu7089]

Did you think it was in need of a six speed box?

[@Grumpy-Goblin]

I really want Norton to succeed and I think this bike sounds and looks fantastic but I have misgivings that they have just missed the mark. If I wanted the authentic feeling including the vibrations I would buy the original and I think most of us who ride modern clasics want a little hint of the sound and character but we want it to be a useable modern bike that doesn't rattle our fillings out. I'm also not sure that a 76bhp bike that weighs 230kg needs all the jewellery of radial brembo brakes and ohlins suspension and it seems to me that they have added these as headline grabbers but then cheaped out on those hideous plastic reservoirs for the brake and clutch master cylinders that are on brackets that look like I made them in my shed and that is a real shame because you are looking at them the whole time. I really think they needed to match Triumph for refinement and performance if they were going to charge this amount of money. It will, no doubt, sell in very small numbers but I don't think they've created the object of desire that they hoped for.

[@NooBiker]

Those are all very fair comments. I think they're only making about 300 at the moment, so maybe they'll sell that many? 🤔🤞

[@jfro5867]

Don’t disagree Mike but having owned Guzzi’s of both 750 & 850 capacities, the new V7 850 especially has more than enough oomph for modern roads and traffic at real world speeds. The 961 has approx 110cc more than the Guzzi of similar wet weight so that in itself wouldn’t put me off. When I look at the 961 through the lens of literally being made one by one as custom builds I do ‘get’ the idea more clearly now. Even though it is a great deal of money there are many bikes way more expensive nowadays. TMF wasted a whole heap of money he’ll never ever get back absolutely ruining a RE650 Interceptor. This 961 is about the same price as what he’s ‘lost’. I know which I’d rather have and it’s got Norton on the tank. Anyway, I think it’s a bike you just know you want, comparisons are a bit meaningless, just like an ugly dog, if it’s yours you just don’t care, you love it regardless.

[@RonnieM]

It's a shame it has abs in the non euro compliant release. If I lived in the UK and it had no bs, I'd be heading to the dealer. I'm just done fighting electronics. I also like vibrations on a bike. I bet this bike has more character than most.

[@NooBiker]

There aren't many people left who object to ABS. Bearing in mind this isn't a bike you'd rag on track where ABS would likely interfere...

[@RonnieM]

@@NooBiker yeah I'm practically a dinosaur.) By the way, I could stop laughing at the tunnel part of your video. I certainly have to do the same thing in tunnels while on twins.

[@NooBiker]

@@RonnieM 😂😂😂 it's the law on tunnels! I'm sure you could pull the fuse on the ABS if you really wanted to...

[@davidforsdike4343]

I love mine . You have to remember it is a pushrod air cooled bike. That is what makes it special. Pointless comparing with far eastern mass produced bikes like triumph.

[@NooBiker]

Yes, I think that's the point I was trying to get across. Forgot to mention it's push rod, though. Thanks for correcting that. When did you get yours and how has ownership been so far?

[@davidforsdike4343]

@NooBiker I got mine this November. Still running in. Pleased with it so far. I have wanted one for years, followed the American chap who redesigned the commando in the 90s. The first bikes made at Donington were not bad. This reincarnation of Norton is a whole different thing, with some real investment .

[@NooBiker]

@@davidforsdike4343 yes indeed. 100%. Congratulations on your purchase. May it bring you many miles of smiles.

[@PeterRichmond-vh7mk]

What? No oil leaks?

[@NooBiker]

Amazing, isn't it? Another guy on the ride owns a Norton from the 60s and said riding this was like riding the original, "except everything works, the brakes stop, the oil doesn't leak and the gear lever is on the standard side" 🤣😂

[@garyives1218]

The hideous gold forks just make them look like all the other "retro" bikes with hideous gold forks. IMHO the parking lot resembles a basement full of bowling trophies.

[@NooBiker]

😂😂😂🎳

[@Achilles22]

It’s still way too much money for mediocre performance. Get a shave and a haircut, you’d look years younger 😂😂

[@NooBiker]

Beauty tips. Whatever next...

[@jocktigernuts680]

An over priced naked bike with no weather protection whatsoever, there are many other bikes out there with better value for your money🤨

[@NooBiker]

Aye, as I said this bike won't be sold on reason/logic and specs, but to people who will buy it on emotion and nostalgia

[@richardcrighton8079]

you are so way off beam with this pathetic attempt? it's like rishi sunak trying to conduct a wake. your marketing dept should be fired. norton is the jewel in the crown. what is THIS?

[@NooBiker]

😂😂😂