Norton Commando - how much has it changed in 40 years?

[@deirdre108]

I bought a brand new 1973 Commando (Orange) when I was stationed at NAS Whidbey Is, WA. I rode that bike all over the islands in the Salish Sea and the North Cascades mountains. Both the bike and I enjoyed the mountain roads, but especially the the wide open highways of British Columbia. Of all the bikes I've owned, that's the one I'd want most to still have.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Wow that's very cool, thanks for sharing.

[@FrankBonessa]

I've always favored British bikes from way back. Trident, Rocket 3, Norton 750/850. I have too many bikes as it is and would be tempted to get a new Norton, but even new bikes have problems and i don't want to wait all riding season for parts. In Idaho these people probably never heard of a Norton and the riding season is short. I should buy my next door neighbor's '73 T150 750 triple. Needs a top end job, but the sound is incredible. Anyways, great video good man.

[@johnnyolskool4200]

Nortons were made by Kenny Dreer at Norton U.S.A. In Milwaukee, Oregon, in the late 90’s to early 00’s. I was fortunate enough to live close enough to see the bikes evolve from the modified commando to the beginnings of what you see today. I was working at a Harley dealership and we had a set of sportster engine cases that had to be sent back for warranty. Kenny was basing the transmission on the sportster five speed he needed the case for CAD/CAM measurements we couldn’t let them leave the shop. Due to Harleys warranty procedure, But Kenny was friends with the owner and one day those cases came up missing for a day or so. I’m guessing he got his measurements.

[@NortonUnofficial]

What a great story! I’m hoping to do some research into Dreer’s Commando 952 and make a video about it soon.

[@swooshdave]

I always get a chuckle watching Norton videos and seeing myself. That’s me in the yellow helmet starting a 961.

[@cavscout62]

Grew up with the 750 & 850, would love to see a 140hp modern Commando built with a 6 speed etc.. Having been sold on it by that Model in the original ad I must say I hope she comes with a new one!

[@freemenofengland2880]

Even 110bhp would be awesome for the road. I suppose 140 would put it alongside an old Speed Triple.

[@pauldow1648]

Traded my 70 bsa 650 lightening in on a 71 gold/yellow fastback and some cash at Norton dealer in grand prairie,Texas in 1971.This while I was drafted army near there. Didn't know what I had at the time (in the long view), but I can in my memory say it was a reliable looker and relaxing bike to pilot.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Hi Paul thanks for your comments. I hope to own a “classic” Commando one day. I do believe Norton will release the 961 in America in the not too distant future. Might be worth checking them out if they do! Greetings from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Cheers Jonathan

[@chhindz]

I bought 72 750 in London about $1,375.dollars, drove 2,500 miles in Europe, then shipped to USA Chicago for $300. Kept 40 years.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Incredible, I bet you had some amazing times with that bike! Thanks for sharing!

[@MrTonyharrell]

I’ll take one of each, thank you. 😎

[@NortonUnofficial]

Yeah me too! They are both cool bikes, in their own way. One day…

[@bruceferguson6637]

I had a ‘71 Commando, which I’d gotten from a fellow whose ex-girlfriend tried to burn it. After a new wiring harness and other things were sorted out it was roadworthy and I enjoyed that bike more than the others before or after. I don’t know if I’d enjoy the latest incarnation, let alone that there’s no distributor here in the US. A pre-water cooled Thruxton would fit the bill I think, with the 360 degree crank and that glorious sound.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Oh wow! What a great story, thanks for sharing

[@nounoufriend1442]

Great looking bike the 961 really captures the look of the Commando 750/850 ,but I do hate them ugly 3 bolt exhaust flanges on the headers , couldn't it have finned flange like on the Triumphs . I know its not as authentic as the Norton but the Thruxton R is a more sorted and easy to live with bike imo

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks for your comment. The 961 is definitely not an easy bike to live with, especially the Donington ones. I hope TVS can make the Commando into a more sorted bike, like the Thruxton.

[@freemenofengland2880]

The old Commando was available as two distinct models - The Roadster and The Interstate. The Interstate had the biggest fuel tank of its era at just over 5 gallons.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks for your comment, that’s good to know. I don’t know so much about the original bikes so was just going by what I found on the internet. Thank you 🙏

[@freemenofengland2880]

@@NortonUnofficial Unfortunately the internet is slowly degenerating as a source of valid and reliable information. Great Video BTW, you're really good at this - What bike are you going to tackle next? And what Video editing software are you using? 👍👍

[@markmath2883]

I had a 1974 Mark II HI-Rider with a 2.4 gallon tank.

[@freemenofengland2880]

@@markmath2883 That was a unique model wasn't it, with its own seat, bars and tank. I remember seeing one about '74 riding towards Blackpool. I thought it looked pretty cool, although even at 14 I was a 'Roadster man'. 👍

[@markmath2883]

@@freemenofengland2880 I bought mine in 1985. The seat had been replaced by a standard seat and I replaced the high handlebars with normal bars. It was a great soundtrack and handling bike-very smooth as well. Maintenance was a PIA though.

[@grumpsrides42]

Getting to be a bit of a Norton specialist?! Another great video mate 👍

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks mate, much appreciated

[@johandewitt9911]

I love Norton.

[@my2cents395]

I prefer the look of the 1972. The new one should be better 50 years later. They both are works of art.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks for your comment. Yes they are both great looking bikes in their own right. Would be interesting to know what people think of the new one in 40 years time, but I won’t be around to know!

[@jamesputnam4639]

Why didn't you use the 850

[@Comm0ut]

To sell today a motorbike must be reliable and performant by modern standards while buying the trademark legitimizes repeating the glorious styling of the originals. See modern Triumph Bobbers for a spiritually similar 6T clone.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Yes. Unfortunately despite all Norton’s recent efforts to improve reliability, I am still hearing concerns from owners of brand new bikes. I do hope those problems get remedied otherwise the situation will get worse for Norton.

[@pdm2201]

The 961 is probably more reliable. The 850 Roadster better looking.

[@ashleyhoward8926]

A shallow & misleading account of the originals. At one time I had a 750 & 850 MKIII side by side & both were great, but different. Different gearing made the 750 accelerate better, whereas the 850 was a highway cruiser. I found them both reliable as did many other riders. I still own the MKIII 850, having bought it aged 18 in 1977, I'm 65 this month. In those days, a QEII silver jubilee Bonneville cost £749, but a Commando cost £1,600.

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks for your comment. I readily admit I am far from an expert and this was never meant to be an "in depth" look into both bikes. Certainly never intended to mislead anyone. I did it partly to educate myself, so thanks for your comments about the classic Commandos (interesting to note the price premium Triumph vs Norton - which still exists today), and partly to get the word out that there's a modern take on the Commando available. I bet you have some great stories about the MKIII, especially having owned it for 40+ years. Ride safe.

[@robertshepherd3832]

The video was advertised as an original Commando vs the 961 until the original started and you can hear it gasping for mixture. Sure enough you show us a non original Commando with a single Mikuni carb on it. Sounded terrible. Puff puff, wheeze wheeze, gasp gasp. No Commando experts here.

[@snakeplissken5480]

you can hardly compare the old bike without mentioning it came in 5 or 6 various styles though you may want to ignore the hideous hi-rider

[@NortonUnofficial]

Thanks for your feedback

[@robertshepherd3832]

That Hi Rider, the now very collectible one ?