Would you be happy to have a Norton 961 in your shop?

After watching mostly critical reviews of the Norton 961 I certainly could see the points they were making. Then by chance I stumbled upon a Norton Forum and saw what the people who owned them thought about them and I now I am open to purchasing one of them someday.
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[@scottdonbrosky5968]

I have a 2016 Commando SF 961 and a 2017 Dominator Naked 961. You’re more than welcome to come check them out if you’re ever in the Detroit area. Sure they vibrate, sure they’re lower power and torque, but as you say, that’s not why I bought them. I bought them for the brand name, heritage, simplicity, and beautiful looks. Not to mention, nobody in my area that I ever seen has one. If you were to find a clean, low miles Donington Garner era bike here in the States, I’d buy it. If and only if it fits your criteria. As I said, you’re welcome to come check mine out if you’re ever in the Detroit Michigan / Toledo Ohio area. Going solely off of one or two man’s opinions means nothing. Much like women, what I find attractive on the inside of a person, may not always be the same for you or someone else. We all have different views, opinions and experiences. The 961 is basically a restro-mod bike. Classic looks and performance with modern suspension, brakes and EFI.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Lucky man. I'll take a rain check on the Detroit visit the last I've I was in Detroit was 1996.

[@scottdonbrosky5968]

@@flatcapcaferacer lol. Ok. I actually don’t live in Detroit, I live about 45 minutes south of Detroit. Good luck with your search

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Thanks Scott

[@Wachuko-1]

Buying or owning bike, to me at least, is about how it makes me feel when I see it and when I ride it. That simple. That Norton checks a lot of areas for me...

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I knew you were a man of distinction 👍

[@danielgriffis9759]

I believe they are a very sharp looking bike. If course, I'm a Norton enthusiast. If I could afford this model, it would be for emotional reasons more than logic. They r sexy, Jerry! 😊❤

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Nothing with that, a lot of people will buy a bike without riding one.

[@Motoramblings]

I definitely think we should ride a bike before we let others judge it for us. Just because someone else doesn’t like it, doesn’t mean we won’t love it!!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I agree 100 percent. But I might be in a minority on this bike sometimes little disagreement is a healthy thing.

[@Motoramblings]

@@flatcapcaferacer I agree with that!!

[@fazerstorm-oap]

I would love one if I had the money and the room for an extra bike. I only took 3 photos at the recent bike show in Birmingham, and two of them were of Nortons! They do like lovely, but I just couldn't live with riding it out every day in all winds and weathers, as I do with my tiger 900.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Your right Chris the Norton probably is a Sunday afternoon ride out for lunch so it's parked so you can look at it while eating.

[@exeterrider]

I totally agree, yes it vibrates alot but sometimes that's not a negative, a bit like when I ride the Ccm, it really added to the bike. I would expect the Norton would be the same. I think many get frustrated when they like the bike, but it's out of reach for the money they are asking. It's in "rich man's" territory, when people want a Norton for royal enfield money. I'm the same, I like it alot, but just look at what else you can get for that money an HD in most case other bikes do more. Your buying the name with this bike. I like it alot🎉

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Fair points ER. I expect it would fit better for a person with multiple motorcycles and yes more disposable income.

[@Banditmanuk]

Carol came very close to buying a Norton a few years back. She had a deposit on the Atlas Scrambler that was going to use basically one bankof their V4 superbike engine. We were hoping for a modern water cooled retro. Sadly the 961 for us represents what Stuart Garner was offering out years ago. He was putting these things together in an old coverted office building 20 mins up the road from us. Yes, it's a nice looking bike. I just think it's old tech selling for premium money. Owners are buying exclusivity. One person's anoying vibration is another's 'Character' The bike doesn’t meet European emissions regulations, so cannot be sold outside the UK. I do have hopes new Norton will develop new models. They binned the Atlas bikes, such a shame in my opinion.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Richard I remember the video when you guys gave Stuart the deposit at one of the shows. I think I might have made a comment then I thought he was a little shady.

[@Banditmanuk]

@@flatcapcaferacer I'm afraid it's probably tainted our view of Norton. Garner's chief designer is still there. Lots of lies were told. Lots of people lost money. New Norton is trying to sort things out but certainly here in England, it still has to regain the trust of the buying public.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@Banditmanuk If Norton cannot regain the trust within the UK it is doubtful they will do it elsewhere. I would have thought TVS would have wanted to clean house especially at the top. Integrity is something few people, businesses and companies value until they lose it.

[@Banditmanuk]

@@jfro5867 Yep 👍👍

[@flatcapcaferacer]

If we only buy motorcycles with the best specs then we all would ride Ducatis or based on value for money then we would all ride Royal Enfields.

[@Motoramblings]

Snow! A four letter word for motorcycle enthusiasts!!😂😂

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I've seen you ride in most any weather, so a little snow would not slow you down.😀

[@Motoramblings]

@@flatcapcaferacer 😂🤣 I have had my share of encounters with problematic weather!!

[@billdee9622]

Put the door down ! You know how amazing the smoothness of the 1200 Triumph twin is. Why did Norton not make theirs smooth ?

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Celebrate the differences Mr. Bill, besides I don't have a answer for that question. 😄😄 Here is question for you. Why did some bikes have keyless ignitions?😄

[@aussiesam01]

If it was smooth it wouldn't be a Norton. The shame is that it doesn't have a 360 degree crank.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I've had several bikes with 360 and 270 cranks and initially I missed the 360s but now not so much. I guess on the Norton I would have to ride both back to back.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I think until we actually ride any bike we should keep an open mind and NOT dismiss it out of hand.

[@NooBiker]

I have a review video of the Norton 961 on my channel. I don't think I was negative about it. I think we agreed, it will be about an emotional purchase, not a logical one. If I had the spare cash, I'd buy one as a long term investment.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

You did a fine and fair review on it this bike a couple months ago. Link below. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqPXf4yIqsakaLcsi=Xsi0R7NJhmfLTFYA

[@presstodelete1165]

I have little interest in the new Nortons but I do agree with you that reviewers are not a good guide. They generally follow the Journalism mindset which looks at comparisons of specs. This I think is derived from the marketing mindset that is used to sell us the latest/greatest. I gave up on motorcycle journalists decades ago as they rarely know that much about any specific bike, their expertise is in the realm of generalism. They have ridden everything but experienced little. Since I changed my viewpoint I started realising I could enjoy any bike if I allowed it to show me what it can do. If you ask a bike to do something it is not suited for you will quickly get frustrated with it. Yes, this is a long winded way of saying 'horses for corses'. Ride what floats your boat and damn the critics.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Well said👏

[@rogerinwales]

Beautiful bike, but if you could only have one bike, would it be the Norton? That was my dilemma, in the end I've put a deposit down on the Thruxton FE.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

No I don't think the Norton would be a great choice as the only bike . The Thruxton FE will be a better all rounder than the Norton. I'm pretty old so I'm limited to about a four hour days on my Thruxton, so I need something more comfortable for longer rides . The FE would come in first followed by the BMW R9T, then Kawasaki Z900RS and finally the Norton .

[@BlakesPipes]

I just like looking at, hope they do bring them to the states. But I will be honest. I don't think I would buy one, as I don't stuff for a logo anymore.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I can understand, this bike certainly won't be most riders cup of tea. Perhaps a few of us older riders who couldn't afford one back in 1969 and who have some extra garage space and some money stuffed away would enjoy a sunny Sunday ride down the nearest mountain road.

[@billdee9622]

I suppose you have the funds for it. But have you looked at your man-cave. It is kind of full.

[@glenbreaks5448]

The big problem with the 961 has been breakdowns, very serious ones. Frames breaking, fork triple tree breakage,starter ring gear coming off and seizing the rear wheel at speed and so on. Also nuisance problems like intermittent won't start, won't idle, low power, engine cutting out and gobs of oil in the airbox. If the new bikes have fixed all of that, then they have a shot!

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@billdee9622 My buddy has a gold supply and there is always room for one more.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@glenbreaks5448 Glen those are some significant and numerous issues. I know they took some corrective actions and changed some parts out but I'm not familiar enough to know how many of those issues have been corrected.

[@michaellilley6725]

There's no doubt it's a nice looking bike but looks alone don't make it all that it could and should have been, especially at its price point. Even the old Norton's had a rubber engine mounting to soften vibrations. I have no doubt owners will cherish them but let's face it not many will be using them as daily riders. Most at best will venture to the nearest cafe on a sunny Sunday. I sorely considered one myself for nostalgia and as an investment, however on both those counts I'd be better with an old one. That said, once ICE vehicles are banned and petrol discontinued, vehicles will be worthless however vintage they are. As I see it, it would appear that TVS aren't so much selling you a motorcycle, more of a two wheeled pipe dream.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Michael the riders who own the current Nortons on the forum I mentioned convinced there is more to the bike than beauty and a great sound. I'm now more open to giving them a chance to determine if that how I intend to ride and use the bike is worth a try. It is understandable most riders would eliminate the bike from consideration just based on price never mind other shortcomings.

[@TR5T]

Having owned a 750 and 850, knowing many in our club that ride Commandos I will stick with the original. Much better retros with better dealer support out here. Thruxton 1200 for one. Sorry Norton.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Are you part of the Oregon Norton group? Fair comment. I'm not much on carburetors with today's gas.