New Norton Commando 961
Added on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor | No Comments
New Norton Commando 961
The revived Norton brand is one of the undoubted highlights of the 2009 Carole Nash International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, held at the NEC until this weekend. Alastair Walker tested the reaction to the new Norton at the show.
The new Commando 961 twin took pride of place on the Norton stand and the small Derbyshire based company received a positive reaction from visitors and press.
James Robinson from The Classic MotorCycle magazine commented, ” It looks really well made, a great looking bike with good brakes and suspension fitted. It’s one of the best retro modern motorcycles around.” Meanwhile on the opening public day Clive Williams from Brierley Hill reckoned the new Commando was better value for money than the old model back in the 70s;
“When you think back to how much a grand was back in the mid-70s, then compare the £12,000 tag today you realise it’s probably around the same cost – half a year’s average wages – but the bike now has Ohlins suspension, brilliant brakes and hopefully, electrics that work. The old one handled superbly so I hope this new Commando has the same quality. That’s what Nortons should be all about.”
The base model 961 will retail at £11,995, with the yellow Cafe Racer variant costing £13,495 featuring USD Ohlins forks plus a fly screen and sports exhaust. Both the new 961 Commando models make a claimed 80bhp at 6500rpm and have Brembo brakes. Colour options are red, yellow, black and silver.
Norton also launched a range of clothing and accessories at the NEC show this week, with leather jackets, T-shirts and designer watches all in the catalogue. It is a strategy that Bob Holt, Head of Prototypes at Norton, says is necessary to develop the Norton brand worldwide;
“We need to make good motorcycles for sure, but like Triumph, or Harley, Norton is a brand name with a fantastic history and some bikers will simply want a Norton T-shirt or belt. It’s a kind of aspirational purchase for many people, they think `one day I’ll own a Norton’ so they want a product with the name on it. We’re already looking at exporting as many products as possible overseas as sterling is low, this is a great opportunity for Norton to build up a fan base worldwide.”
Interestingly, although the Norton rotary was on the stand, there seemed to be little indication that a road version might appear soon. Given the difficulty in selling rotary engined bikes in the past, with Suzuki, DKW and Van Veen all struggling to sell serious volumes, perhaps it is more likely that the Commando will form 90% of Norton’s production in the near future.
Find more at; wwwnortonmotorcycles.com
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