Ducati Monster Forum

looks like this will actually be available mid 2009, can't comment on anything else but the looks- and it looks GOOD.

(http://www.cexut.com/wp-content/uploads/2009-norton-961commandoc.jpg)
(http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Norton-961Commandoa-small.jpg)

more info: http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Norton-961Commando.htm (http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2009models/2009-Norton-961Commando.htm)

That is really nice.  It looks like they took the retro look and upgraded all parts for safety and performance - braked, shocks, rear tire.  This is where it looks like they have succeeded where Triumph failed in doing their Modern Classics like the Bonnie and the Thruxton.

I like it. 

(http://blogs.southflorida.com/citylink_dansweeney/homer-drool.gif)

Me likey [thumbsup]

 [thumbsup]

Sacrilicious....

gorgeous

Those pictures have been around for at least 4 years now, and while it is a beauty of a bike, that would no doubt be fun to own and ride, we have seen stories touting their production, and soon to be availability for the same 4 years.

I definitely hope it happens.

BST wheels!

I've been saying for years if they make that, I'll buy one.



If they make it-I'll still buy one. Anyone have any info on preordering?


Any info on how to best apologize to the wife?



That is all.

An old Norton Commando has long been on my list of bikes to own. I rode an 850 when I was 15 and LOVED it. this new bike.. if it ever actually gets put into production... has all the styling i love about the old nortons.. I sincerely hope they make it and that I win the lottery so i can buy one


Engine and transmission
Displacement:   961.00 ccm (58.64 cubic inches)
Engine type:   Twin
Stroke:   4
Power:   80.00 HP (58.4 kW)) @ 6500 RPM
Torque:   65.00 Nm (6.6 kgf-m or 47.9 ft.lbs) @ 5200 RPM
Compression:   10.1:1
Bore x stroke:   88.0 x 79.0 mm (3.5 x 3.1 inches)
Fuel system:   Carburettor. Twin 39mm Keihin FCR
Valves per cylinder:   2
Ignition:   Crank fired electronic
Starter:   Electric
Cooling system:   Air
Gearbox:   5-speed
Clutch:   Cush drive clutch

Physical measures
Dry weight:   188.2 kg (415.0 pounds)
Seat height:   813 mm (32.0 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Wheelbase:   1,435 mm (56.5 inches)

Chassis and dimensions
Frame type:   4130 chromoly steel
Rake (fork angle):   24.5°
Trail:   102 mm (4.0 inches)
Front suspension:   43mm Ohlins RSU - Adjustable preload, compression, and rebound damping.
Front suspension travel:   140 mm (5.5 inches)
Rear suspension:   Ohlins reservoir-style twin shocks - Adjstable ride height, preload, compression, and rebound damping.
Rear suspension travel:   102 mm (4.0 inches)
Front tyre dimensions:   120/70-X17
Rear tyre dimensions:   180/55-X17
Front brakes:   Single disc
Front brakes diameter:   320 mm (12.6 inches)
Rear brakes:   Single disc
Rear brakes diameter:   220 mm (8.7 inches)
Exhaust system:   1 3/4 inch header system with merged collector and twin mufflers with catalytic converters.
Speed and acceleration
Power/weight ratio:   0.4250 HP/kg
Other specifications
Fuel capacity:   17.03 litres (4.50 gallons)
Color options:   Black


Two things I don't like off the bat... lack of inverted forks, and lack of fuel injection...

I like it, but I think that exhaust is  [puke]

It looks beefier than the GT1000 which I like. That rugged beefy old school look is sweet.  [thumbsup]

+1. You use BST wheels, and then a conventional fork?  ???

It will be 2010 before the bike is produced as thay have to get the fuel injection sorted for Euro 3 before it can be sold anywhere .But it is happening.

looking forward to that.......... :P

love the look though!

I like the original Nortons.  I loved Kenny Dreer's VR880 Nortons.  I really wanted Mr. Dreer's 961 Nortons to make it to production.  However, as gorgeous as the studio pics looked to me.  There are some angles where I think the bike looks akward.  Here is one:
(http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/typo3temp/pics/ba6adb2dde.jpg)

BTW, the company is back in British hands.  Here is the website:
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/press/press-detail/norton-comes-home/ (http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/press/press-detail/norton-comes-home/)

and a short article about the latest new Norton. 
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2009/march/9-15/mar1309-norton-commando-picture-gallery/ (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2009/march/9-15/mar1309-norton-commando-picture-gallery/)

I'm not getting too exited yet.  The new company may not have even built that bike.  It looks like the exact same bike as built by the Kenny Dreer led company several years ago. The new guys may have simply shipped it over to England and took it around a track to try to drum up excitement & find investors.  Yet they credit someone named 'Simon Skinner' as the designer.  I don't think they should have given Mr Skinner any credit for a design that obviously belongs to Mr Dreer.

That's a sweet looking bike. As much as I love the look of modern sportbikes, nothing can come close to the awesomeness of the old-school Euro bikes!

I am gettin' tired of seeing this bike pop up all the time.



I'll believe it when I see it for sale

looks 1000000% better then those new ducati monsters that look like legos

I could not agree more...and I work for LEGO quite often ;)

the 696 is totally fixable...check out mine.

although i cannot WAIT until this thing is released. im on it.

I want 1

Buy it first ask forgiveness later.  :D

Love the look of the classic cafe racers.  It would be sweet if the Norton actual went into production.

Here's another beauty to drool over.

http://www.triumphrat.net/news-room/105665-bike-of-the-month-march.html (http://www.triumphrat.net/news-room/105665-bike-of-the-month-march.html)

 

I still want one but if I recall correctly the price is going to be staggering

+1
Very nice, they got it right that's for sure.... at least in the looks/chassis department. it is a very nice looking bike and nothing cheap about ti.
Hopefully the motor is designed so that they can get it up to about 1100/1200 cc
If they could sell it for something in the $15K range it would be OK as a 80HP bike
Upwards of $20K I'd be wanting it to have the ummph it would only get by being considerably over the 1000cc level

 [puke] Does it come with a drip-tray? I never understood the Brit-bike thing..... (even tho I is one, Old Chap).....  To me it looks like it's daiper is full. 

Did anyone read the March issue of MCN?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K80gXKSZTI# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K80gXKSZTI#)

I was trying to check out the Norton Motorcycle site but apparently someone hacked it.

The site is down right now and I found a link with in the site saying it was hacked with the persons calling card.

You can read it here on this page.  You'll have to scroll down and then click on the magazine.  The article is on pages 2 & 3.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2009/March/mar1009-video-world-first-ride-on-new-norton/ (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2009/March/mar1009-video-world-first-ride-on-new-norton/)

I can't stop drooling...

Edit:  Buy her a shiny new bike of her own.

I like the looks of the Norton, but I think I'd try to clean up or smooth out the lines of the exhaust system.  And I hope they didn't make too many compromises in weight in order to get the appearance.  That's  my main issue with the new Triumph's - they just seem  heavy.

And, there's been lots of progress with tubeless wire spoke wheels and being old school myself, I personally prefer them.  But that may or may not be a weight issue.

I think it will be heavy ,look at that motor ,it won't be light ,brakes are the same as on a 6 year old monster
CF wheels are they stock? will cost
And it are Brits writting about a Brit bike what can you expect  [drink] ,thats wy  they like it

Looks exactly like the Norton that a guy on the west coast was going to produce a couple of years ago. I remember reading about it in Cycle World or some other mag. He was a very well known Norton restorer and bought up the name and copywrite rights in an effort to get production rolling. This looks like a pic of the bike he made and that was tested by the magazine. The magazine write up was very positive. I read later that his funding dried up and the project died. In this economy I wish the new Brit group lots of luck. [thumbsup] [moto] Does look pretty cool.

The new Norton plans to produce the 961 but also a road version of their NRV588 rotary race bike.  Here are a couple of new videos of the NRV588.

video with lots of screaming rotary noises on the dyno 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph-n7-naQxo#ws-lq-lq2-hq-vhq (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph-n7-naQxo#ws-lq-lq2-hq-vhq)

The team at Donnington race track
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seSUqyoAi8M#ws-lq-lq2-hq-vhq (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seSUqyoAi8M#ws-lq-lq2-hq-vhq)]Norton

A shiny new bike of her own will do just fine. ;)

I recieved an email from the company asking if I wanted them to send me brochures and such just today. 

And that NRV588 was a pretty formidable motorcycle  as I recall.  It may make a good platform for a road bike.

LA

Until they post pricing, I wouldn't get too excited. It is a beautiful bike though. I'm leaning towards a duc gt-1000, but it would be a harder call if this norton were in production.

It looks like the first Norton 961 has rolled out of their factory.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/First-rides--tests/2009/November/nov2009-norton-commando-961-first-ride/ (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/First-rides--tests/2009/November/nov2009-norton-commando-961-first-ride/)
(http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/260408/images/Norton-PW0186.jpg)

conventional forks still? I figured that would be sorted out by now.  Waiting for the full write up

I would like better to see a Truxton with Ohlins' and more sporty Wheels..

Nice!

I'm a true Ducatisti, but that Norton is sexy.

nice, don't think I'd buy it. but very sexy

that 588, 170bhp.....rotary 600 goodness  ;D

First 200 of the new Norton 961 special edition with CF wheel,Ohlins etc all sold out at $25000 delivery starting February , next year a cheaper standard version will be produced  for about $16,000 with showa forks and alloy wheels  also a cafe racer version with upside down forks , fisrts year about 1200 bikes will be built says UK press releases.
I want one but will wait till some second hand ones come available in about 4 years time.

Ask and you shall receive.
(http://hellforleathermagazine.com/images/2009_Triumph_Thruxton_ohlins.jpg)

And another Thuxton with Ohlins suspension and sporty wheels.
(http://www.triumphrat.net/memberalbums/data/500/July_2008_02.jpg)
(http://www.triumphrat.net/memberalbums/data/500/July_2008.jpg)

I wanted one and I waited

and waited

and waited

and waited


and then thelocal Duc dealer had a new 08 Hyper cheap.

I'm not waiting anymore.

Awesome, in my opinion much better than the Norton one!

Well the Triumph is a very expensively customized bike so it should be better in some ways.  However, unless some serious work has been put into that engine the Norton will be a lot faster.  Also the Norton is probably still quite a bit lighter than that customized Triumph. 

I do agree that the Triumph looks gorgeous. 

I wouldn't kick either one out of bed

Is Kenny Dreer still part of the Norton revival?

the norton will run rings around it, just like the Commandos always did over the bonnevilles...

Oh, me likey!  Me likey A LOT!!!

And we need upside-down shocks why?  These look exactly right on this bike, and I'm certain the performance is quite adequate thank you very much.

They're just missing the gators.  ;D

No, that company died a while back when investors stopped investing because the profits weren't rolling in.  This British guy bought the remains and is trying again to put Norton back together.  The latest company is obviously using the Kenny Dreer designed 961 as their first model.  Here are a couple of articles about it.
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=90 (http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=90)
http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=424 (http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=424)

not gonna check the whole thread.....but its usually easier to get forgiveness than permission.

These kinds of Bikes (like ours) hate Euro 3!!!!
(less problems with buzzzzziiiiiinnnggggg  3Cylinders Jap's bikes...)

From the articles it's not clear that this will get off the grown, which is a bummer since that bike looks nice.

Those articles were just to about the end of Kenny Dreer's efforts to revive Norton.  That effort fell apart in 2006 or 2007.  The remains of Kenny Dreer's company were purchased by Stuart Garner around 2008 and this latest effort is based in England.

I do believe that South Bay Triumph is either this importe or the first dealer is the U.S.

The owner Matt Capri does some serious mods to the Triumphs.

I also wanted one when Dreer was trying to get it up and running.

I think Dreer now works at Latus HD.

Kenny Dreer is not involved anymore ..also although Stuart Garner bought the designs the Motor has been redesigned for production and Euro3 with EFI.The factory has $10m of new cachine tools for the motor production 85% of which is UK supplied.Bikes are being produced as we speak .The bike delivers 85hp at rear wheel with more possible , only a heavily modified Hinckley Bonnie could match that  and $10,000 would need to be spent , i recently saw such a Bonnie in UK with a Dyno 85BHP at rear wheel  after $10,000 spent on the engine.new FCR carbs  bumpy cams, big valves ,larger pistons ,lightened crank ,skimmed heads  ,exhaust system and new race ignition module plus the chassis mods to make it handle the power ,new braked springs schocks etc etc etc etc , the Norton does that out the Box.

Jerry the monsterman

I really dig the bike, but the price tag reflects a liberal use of unobtainium in the design....   [coffee]

Major ditto... I vividly remember seeing the black pic when I was a freshman in college... in 2003.

I don't like the tail of the 2009 Norton 961...

From certain angles the tail does look a little too long and too stylized, but from most angles I think it looks good.  I think the body work looked better on the earlier VR880 bikes.  The body work on the 961 sitts higher up on the frame or maybe because the engine is bigger and taller the tank has to sit higer up.  

Hopefully the new owners give Dreer some props since that was his baby. He had passion for the marque, I'd bet the new guy just wants to make money but we'll see.

I guess a few more have rolled off of the assembly line. 
This one is called the Commando 961 Sport.  The only difference between this one and the Special Edition is the substitution of spoked wheels for the carbon fiber wheels of the SE. 
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/RD350b/CafeII/sport1.jpg)
(http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/sport2.jpg)

They have updated their website with the latest models.
http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/ (http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/bikes/)

There is also a model called the Commando 961 Cafe Racer with USD Forks, radial brakes and a little hat.
(http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cafe1.jpg)
(http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/cafe2.jpg)

Norton 961s on display this past weekend at NEC in the UK.
(http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/77/cimg6119medium.jpg)
(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1991/cimg6112medium.jpg)
(http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/6494/cimg6111medium.jpg)
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3058/cimg6107medium.jpg)
(http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3848/cimg6116medium.jpg)

The SE above has the inverted forks of the cafe racer, I hadn't seen that yet on the SE
maybe it's only the standard that gets the traditional forks

Love the frenched tail light.

Here is the latest "test" video of the Cafe version.  I like this version a lot.  It sounds much better with the performance pipes.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2010/February/feb2410-video-norton-cafe-racer-world-first-ride/ (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2010/February/feb2410-video-norton-cafe-racer-world-first-ride/)
The bike looks awesome from the rear 3/4 view with the rider on it.  Check it out around 1:26.

You cannot place orders at present as all current production is sold out....until September 2010,  But they will be ramping production up to 1500-2000 bikes a year soon.

i think i like the right side up forks..... anywho i will take the cafe racer in black

After seeing that video, I soooo wish they would sell those here.

They do sell the new Nortons here.  If you are bold enough and have the money just call South Bay Norton.  It may take a year or more to be in your driveway, but it could happen.  For now there is one importer/dealer in the U.S.
http://www.southbaynorton.com/ (http://www.southbaynorton.com/)

Yeah, well, I live in Florida. I was hoping for a dealer a little bit more "local."  [cheeky]

Good luck. Before it hits FL, they will open a dealer in NY and work their way dog. Noston's will have to sell almost mainstream before they open a dealer down here.

Yeah, yeah, I know. "Cold day in D.C." Around these parts we're lucky we even have Ducati. The nearest BMW dealer is over 2 hours away, and there's no place local where MV or Aprilia can be had. Heck, we may not even have Suzuki much longer.

New Norton vs. Triumph video with a retro 70's vibe.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid711883929?bctid=78236115001 (http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid711883929?bctid=78236115001)

That Norton looks and sounds so much better.

Agreed.  The only place you can even hear the Triumph is around 0:57-1:03.  The Norton makes good sounds.  The stock Triumph sounds weak.  Although, I have heard Bonnevilles on YouTube with aftermarket exhausts that sounded nice. 

Evidently a stock Norton 961 just made some sort of record at Bonneville this August.
The story is now on their website. http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/ (http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/)
(http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/dsc_0069-webcopy-1024x680.jpg)

Bringing this thread back from the dead seems somehow appropriate; an interesting interview with Norton's Stuart Garner about the future of Norton. Norton has a future, you say? Fair question. Still seems mighty slippery, but I'd love to see the marque back on the road:

http://rideapart.com/2013/05/stuart-garner-on-nortons-future/ (http://rideapart.com/2013/05/stuart-garner-on-nortons-future/)

This is my own spin, of course, but Nortons just stir feelings from back in the day.

I think it's because many grizzled veterans, many on this forum, were schooled on the British bikes of the '60s. Triumphs, BSAs and Nortons spring to mind.

Then this same group caught the Japanese wave of the '70s and rode it all the way to families and other "respectable" commitments. At that point, many were knocked out of the saddle.

But the memories of youth are strong, and here we are today admiring simple mechanical beauty and considering the possibilities....

/End of wishful thinking....

It sounds like these new Nortons will always be built to order, which means they will not sell in big numbers. If they ever do start being shipped to the U.S. nobody will ever have a chance to ride one unless you are the person who orders the bike.  This is probably the only way a small maker can come close to staying profitable.

This sounds like a personal "story". 8) You survived a CB500 and she made you sell it?! She must be one hell of a cook! ;) Mine wasn't, so I ditched her and kept the kid for "ballast". And He was BIG, so rode on the back with full gear from age 4.

You've only had 4 bikes? I'm on #35. 8) Not everybody went Jap though. In the '60's I had a 250 Sachs, 175 Tiger Cub, 250 Ducati Diana factory race bike, and R26 and an R69S.

As my kid reminds me, a lot of old bikes were pretty awful and reliability was dicey. A pal's 650 Bonneville went OK but reminded me of a Jeep Wrangler. At the time I was on an early R90S with 40mm Dellortos which needed little.

One of my Benz mechanics rode an 850 Commando which seemed reasonable and had that trick frame so that it didn't shake both itself and the rider apart! HE carried spares and knew how to keep it going and took some long tours on it. Just to REALLY mess up your head, have a look at this hedge fund guy toy! ;D http://coloradonortonworks.com/about-us/photo-gallery/?album=1&gallery=59 (http://coloradonortonworks.com/about-us/photo-gallery/?album=1&gallery=59)

As for the new ones, IMO that's a lot of scratch for an unknown quantity which can't touch your Evo and might not be around in a few moons.

Four years ago I broke my shoulder bigtime (don't ask) and could no longer handle my K100RS 16/ABS. I needed a "standard" motorcycle to have something to ride. I bought a T-100 because it was cute and I could manage it. Was $7,800 with warts and $1,200 later it's rideable and a nice "cruiser" in the vein of an R90/6. The engine is delightful, very understressed, and they go 100,000+ miles with minimal maintenance.

When Bloor, who has tons of cash, decided to revive Triumph, he did not make the mistake of starting with a "retro" but waited to establish a good reputation first. Bonneville came back in 2001 and was an immediate hit, perhaps because Japs didn't offer a "standard" except for the W650. On balance the T-100 is better. It has remained relatively cheap and popular with minor updates, but it weighs a ton!

This 961 has a nice chassis and components but still weighs a lot more than your Evo. I'd be tickled if my T-100 only weighed that though!

IF..., Triumph made a hot-rod Bonneville based on the current bike, with premium components and a double cradle which wasn't made of water pipe and had alloy spoked wheels, I might have paid $12,000 for that. Fact is..., not enough people would buy it, even though a huge number buy "little" Harleys. Lots of people have $20,000 in their Bonnevilles and are still stuck with the water pipe chassis. All that stuff is SOOO much cheaper for a manufacturer to buy from scratch. Mine's still nice on bad backroads now that I've partially "fixed" the suspension. It's also a pleasure in town because that engine has so much low end torque. (Vibes don't start until 5,000 RPM = 80 MPH.) Over 70 MPH it's pretty windy though. My 796 is dead calm at 80 relatively speaking.

After this ramble..., my point is..., this 961 has limited appeal IMO to many besides bond traders. Not sure they're enough to float new Norton's boat! [roll]

NB, upside down forks also look funny on a retro IMO. I see they fixed that on the "Sport".

It is  :)

She was... And still is.  [wine] She was also one hell of a passenger.


Hey, a 32 year gap will do that to you. [cheeky]

CB500  to an Evo and you're still alive too! ;D I'm impressed!!! ;) You probably think you died and went to heaven...

Aren't you going to call Colorado and order one of those hedge fund Nortons? 8)

I was mighty fond of that CB500. It started life as a normal street bike, got converted to a long-distance cruiser for two, and ended life as a cafe racer. It was versatile enough to cover the full spectrum, and I wouldn't mind having one today.

Truth is though, I always wanted a Ducati. I almost fell for the Street Triple R, but the heart won out over the head, and so here we are....

The Evo scared me on my first test ride when I grabbed a big handful of throttle for the first time "just to see what this baby can do." But I survived and it's been all gravy since. I consider it a superb machine. but that's another thread....

Back to the Norton; I agree with what you said about it and, no, I'm not calling Colorado. But wouldn't you just love to spend a day with one?

Hmmm... I had an R75/5 with large tank and Euro bars when you had that orange thing. Seems "cruel and unusual" to me. ;)

The one in the pictures on the link I posted is very cute, but a "mantelpiece" IMO. The reality would still be harsh. I could still ride my R90S though, or this /7 R100S Motorsport I saw last weekend. I had an RS and know everything it needs to be quite useable today! http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/352118-1/1978-R100S-Motorsport.jpg (http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/352118-1/1978-R100S-Motorsport.jpg)