The better comparison might be against the original Commando.
Kenny Dreer's idea was to build a Cafe racer version of the original Commando with a bit more power and good reliability. He had already tried modifying the original bike. He found extra power but the engines wouldn't hold together. Had the engines held, the gearbox would have quickly failed.
If the 961 could be made to be as reliable as the most reliable versions of the original Commando and run as smoothly as they do, but offer a bit more power, then I suspect there is still a sizeable market for that. That market probably isn't as big as it once was as Triumph has exploited it quite successfully.
I'm pretty sure that if Captain Rambuctious reviewed a nice running original 750 or 850 Commando he would heap great scorn and ridicule upon it for many reasons.
Nonetheless there is a strong market for 750/850 Commandos.
Glen
I get your point Glen, but I’m guessing some may contest that’s where we are already. The Donington 961‘s, whilst significantly flawed, can be made reliable - many have proven it. Especially if first fettled by the mythical spanners of
Sir Stu of Bodycote.
Despite reports of a few initial faults (dodgy set of clocks on the OP are example - it’s only the faults that you hear about), I think it more likely that the Solihull 961’s will prove reliable in the long run. Only time will tell of course. We‘ll have a bloody good idea by the end of the 2 year warranty period.
Does it
need a bit more power? Personally I would
want more, as would most bikers, mainly because we’ve been conditioned by the market (and our thrill seeking younger selfs) to always seek more. There’s plenty enough ‘uuuuumph’ in the 961 to have plenty of fun; if an owner wants much more they’re probably on the wrong bike IMO. The OP‘s claim of ‘gutless’ is just plain rubbish.
Smooth? A matter of preference, perception and opinion. If Solihull could have resolved one issue though, that puts the most prospective buyers off, it would be primary clatter. Terminal no. Off putting for some - definitely. If they could have resolved it with reasonable cost/effort it was a (big) mistake not to do so.
I’d take longevity over more power any day. But if someone were to introduce a supercharger
!?
The video bashing though, is less about their style (which is entertaining enough) and more so the content.
