New to Norton looking at purchasing a 2013 Norton 961

Raincityrider · Nov 17, 2023

Hello,

Been drooling over the 961 Norton for over a decade now and as luck would have it one has come up for sale near me. The previous 961s seem to be plummeting in value, fairly certain I could get this one for around $8000.

Curious to hear thoughts on owning one of the Stuart Garner era bikes. I've read that the new manufacture completely re-engineered the motor, is the older engine that unreliable? The 961 that has caught my eye is a 2013 with 4000 miles on it. The owner is interested in a possible trade, my 2023 Royal Enfield Continental 650 plus cash for the 961. FYI, the Norton would not be a daily rider it would be one of a small collection, stored in doors and used every now and again.
Love to hear thoughts on the older 961.

Thank you!

StuartSF2015 · Nov 17, 2023

When you say ‘older’ do you mean original 961?
Ok, it‘s not a Honda. Owning a Donington 961 has certainly been an enormous pleasure. The looks, the sound, the riding experience, the attention have all been beyond anything else I have owned or ridden. Yes they do have their foibles. Heavy breathing through the air box for some, random bits falling off from time to time and endless polishing of the aluminium bits, especially the wheels. But ownership is like a love affair, and true love hardly ever runs smoothly. If your a ‘dyed in the wool’ Honda fan, you may not like having to love and look after your Donington Norton. If however, your biking passion is led by your heart, jump in and join us. The pool is warm and friendly with oodles of support and advice from around the world. Good luck doing your deal and look forward to seeing a picture when it‘s yours.
New ones from Solihull, Birmingham UK are also available. And in a wider range of colours.
Good luck

BritTwit · Nov 18, 2023

I think before buying a DonComm (Donington Commando) , I would make sure that the original owner has had all of the factory service performed on the bike. And also ask about any warranty work performed that was required to address issues. I have a 2013 CR and have had a number of issues addressed under factory warranty, and my 961 is now a joy to ride. The bottom line is that these early DonComm 961s can work fine, but do your homework to ensure that the bike has been cared for and serviced properly.

TonyA · Nov 18, 2023

Raincityrider said:
Hello,

Been drooling over the 961 Norton for over a decade now and as luck would have it one has come up for sale near me. The previous 961s seem to be plummeting in value, fairly certain I could get this one for around $8000.

Curious to hear thoughts on owning one of the Stuart Garner era bikes. I've read that the new manufacture completely re-engineered the motor, is the older engine that unreliable? The 961 that has caught my eye is a 2013 with 4000 miles on it. The owner is interested in a possible trade, my 2023 Royal Enfield Continental 650 plus cash for the 961. FYI, the Norton would not be a daily rider it would be one of a small collection, stored in doors and used every now and again.
Love to hear thoughts on the older 961.

I have a November 2014 built 961 and after living with it for nearly 10 years and 22,000 miles I can vouch for mine . I have given mine a lot of service , most of it preventative but some won't like hearing that. Have you ever driven one ? Or , the one you are buying ? Have you read through this forum ? Are you prepared to spend another say $3,000 US (maybe more) to get eveything sorted ? Do you do your own work ? If so , you are a good candidate for a Norton 961 - in my opinion .

I have a November 2014 built 961 and after living with it for nearly 10 years and 22,000 miles I can vouch for mine . I have given mine a lot of service , most of it preventative but some won't like hearing that. Have you ever driven one ? Or , the one you are buying ? Have you read through this forum ? Are you prepared to spend another say $3,000 US (maybe more) to get eveything sorted ? Do you do your own work ? If so , you are a good candidate for a Norton 961 - in my opinion .

This is mine , there are more like it but this one is mine :

https://i.vgy.me/kivsVK.jpg

Raincityrider · Nov 18, 2023

Thank you guys for the feedback. I have read a bit through the forum and do most of my on work when it comes to servicing my motorcycles.

StuartSF2015 said:
When you say ‘older’ do you mean original 961?
Ok, it‘s not a Honda. Owning a Donington 961 has certainly been an enormous pleasure. The looks, the sound, the riding experience, the attention have all been beyond anything else I have owned or ridden. Yes they do have their foibles. Heavy breathing through the air box for some, random bits falling off from time to time and endless polishing of the aluminium bits, especially the wheels. But ownership is like a love affair, and true love hardly ever runs smoothly. If your a ‘dyed in the wool’ Honda fan, you may not like having to love and look after your Donington Norton. If however, your biking passion is led by your heart, jump in and join us. The pool is warm and friendly with oodles of support and advice from around the world. Good luck doing your deal and look forward to seeing a picture when it‘s yours.
New ones from Solihull, Birmingham UK are also available. And in a wider range of colours.
Good luck

My first bike was a Honda about 25 years ago, since then mostly older Harleys, Ducatis and Vespas. I love working on my own stuff if I can, rebuilding a motor would be pushing my skills a bit. Anything else I'm good with. Sadly the new Nortons are not yet for sale across the pond... Do I wait or jump for the 2013, that's something kicking around in my head as well. Thank you Stuart for the comment.

Raincityrider · Nov 18, 2023

TonyA said:
I have a November 2014 built 961 and after living with it for nearly 10 years and 22,000 miles I can vouch for mine . I have given mine a lot of service , most of it preventative but some won't like hearing that. Have you ever driven one ? Or , the one you are buying ? Have you read through this forum ? Are you prepared to spend another say $3,000 US (maybe more) to get eveything sorted ? Do you do your own work ? If so , you are a good candidate for a Norton 961 - in my opinion .

This is mine , there are more like it but this one is mine :

https://i.vgy.me/kivsVK.jpg

I have not yet driven one hope to next week. I've looked through the forum a bit should probably dig more into it. I try to do all my own work. Once I ride the Norton and look it over then I'll decide if spending $3000 more would be worth it. Fingers crossed! Thank you for the comment.

Raincityrider · Nov 18, 2023

Raincityrider said:
I have not yet driven one hope to next week. I've looked through the forum a bit should probably dig more into it. I try to do all my own work. Once I ride the Norton and look it over then I'll decide if spending $3000 more would be worth it. Fingers crossed! Thank you for the comment.

Gorgeous Norton you have there by the way!

StuartSF2015 · Nov 18, 2023

Raincityrider said:
Thank you guys for the feedback. I have read a bit through the forum and do most of my on work when it comes to servicing my motorcycles.

My first bike was a Honda about 25 years ago, since then mostly older Harleys, Ducatis and Vespas. I love working on my own stuff if I can, rebuilding a motor would be pushing my skills a bit. Anything else I'm good with. Sadly the new Nortons are not yet for sale across the pond... Do I wait or jump for the 2013, that's something kicking around in my head as well. Thank you Stuart for the comment.

New to Norton looking at purchasing a 2013 Norton 961

Your welcome. ‘DomComms’ at the Shirley Temple. Mine is the Silver one. “Do it, Do it Now” as Arnie would say.

🏍

cliffa · Nov 18, 2023

Raincityrider said:
Hello,

Been drooling over the 961 Norton for over a decade now and as luck would have it one has come up for sale near me. The previous 961s seem to be plummeting in value, fairly certain I could get this one for around $8000.

Curious to hear thoughts on owning one of the Stuart Garner era bikes. I've read that the new manufacture completely re-engineered the motor, is the older engine that unreliable? The 961 that has caught my eye is a 2013 with 4000 miles on it. The owner is interested in a possible trade, my 2023 Royal Enfield Continental 650 plus cash for the 961. FYI, the Norton would not be a daily rider it would be one of a small collection, stored in doors and used every now and again.
Love to hear thoughts on the older 961.

Thank you!

@Raincityrider As others have said, check the bikes history, and really push hard on the price. Personally if you can afford or want to, I would keep the RE, as I reckon they will hold their value in the long term. If you can post some pics of the bike in question we can tell you if some of the upgrades have been done. One really important thing to check is the wheel hubs, as the early bikes had UK made Talon versions, which were over machined on the sidewalls and can burst the spoke housings. See this thread , However I would not hesitate to buy one at the right price.
I don't believe the new TVS 961's are completely re-engineered. They have made some logical and quality improvements, which says a lot about the basic design. I have ridden a TVS 961, and to me, compared to my very early (2011) bike, it was not that much different.

Harry_J · Nov 19, 2023

I was in your position a short while back and I made a similar post on here, I was given some great advice by the members here and being in the UK I guess we are lucky to have Stuart from Motorvated around - he is a really nice guy and very approachable. Here is what I have found so far after purchasing a 2017 Commando 961 with 3k miles on it.

-Ally is pitted badly on the wheels and has taken me hours to get it even near right (this is down to the previous owner so not a specific Norton issue - just something to check when buying)
-The steel box under the rear seat unit that holds the ABS pump and ECU had the powder coat flaking off which when removed has revealed it happening on the swing arm and other bits of the bike, I have removed all the stuff I can and taken it to the powder coaters.
-Small oil leak from the head gasket, will need to re torque the head bolts.
-Genal tidying up and going over, odd nut or bolt loose.

In essence these bikes are great but they do require a bit of looking after and are not free of their faults.. the best advice is have a good look at it and then look again, if you can get it for the right price and you don't mind the odd bit of maintenance you will be fine.

I will upload some pics of my little Norton Project when I get a mo.. Good Luck!

Raincityrider · Nov 19, 2023

cliffa said:
@Raincityrider As others have said, check the bikes history, and really push hard on the price. Personally if you can afford or want to, I would keep the RE, as I reckon they will hold their value in the long term. If you can post some pics of the bike in question we can tell you if some of the upgrades have been done. One really important thing to check is the wheel hubs, as the early bikes had UK made Talon versions, which were over machined on the sidewalls and can burst the spoke housings. See this thread , However I would not hesitate to buy one at the right price.
I don't believe the new TVS 961's are completely re-engineered. They have made some logical and quality improvements, which says a lot about the basic design. I have ridden a TVS 961, and to me, compared to my very early (2011) bike, it was not that much different.

Thank you for the input cliffa. I will certainly take a good look at those wheels. I'd upload some pictures but I'm having a hell of time trying to do so! Have a few photos on my computer but can't seem to load them up on the forum. I'm very low tec.

Raincityrider · Nov 19, 2023

Harry_J said:
I was in your position a short while back and I made a similar post on here, I was given some great advice by the members here and being in the UK I guess we are lucky to have Stuart from Motorvated around - he is a really nice guy and very approachable. Here is what I have found so far after purchasing a 2017 Commando 961 with 3k miles on it.

-Ally is pitted badly on the wheels and has taken me hours to get it even near right (this is down to the previous owner so not a specific Norton issue - just something to check when buying)
-The steel box under the rear seat unit that holds the ABS pump and ECU had the powder coat flaking off which when removed has revealed it happening on the swing arm and other bits of the bike, I have removed all the stuff I can and taken it to the powder coaters.
-Small oil leak from the head gasket, will need to re torque the head bolts.
-Genal tidying up and going over, odd nut or bolt loose.

In essence these bikes are great but they do require a bit of looking after and are not free of their faults.. the best advice is have a good look at it and then look again, if you can get it for the right price and you don't mind the odd bit of maintenance you will be fine.

I will upload some pics of my little Norton Project when I get a mo.. Good Luck!

Thank you Harry_J. Hopefully I'll be able to look the bike over and take it out for a spin on Tuesday. If you have steps to upload photos please let me know. I can't get them to load on here.

Stu Bodycote · Nov 19, 2023

I wouldnt read too much into the factory servicing schedule......most of it was copy and pasted from a Triumph 675 manual

Actually not joking either!

Harry_J · Nov 19, 2023

Raincityrider said:
Thank you Harry_J. Hopefully I'll be able to look the bike over and take it out for a spin on Tuesday. If you have steps to upload photos please let me know. I can't get them to load on here.

I think you need to be a VIP member to upload pics directly, I will host them somewhere and share a link.

cliffa · Nov 19, 2023

Harry_J said:
I think you need to be a VIP member to upload pics directly, I will host them somewhere and share a link.

Correct. If you are a paying member (VIP) you can cut and paste straight into a thread. If not you need to upload the pics to a hosting site, and paste the link to them into the thread. I personally like Google drive as you can zoom into the pictures.

Edit : I just found the old thread….

Picture Hosting Tutorial with Imgur

@Jerry Doe @L.A.B. feel free to move this post wherever you would like. Do not use Photobucket for photo hosting. I think we all learned our lesson there. Shoot, I got burned by Flickr too. I use Imgur, it's 100% and will never go away (as soon as I say that it'll get bought by Google and...

www.accessnorton.com

Fast Eddie · Nov 19, 2023

Paying doesn’t really make you a VIP !

It makes you a supporter… ie someone who’s happy to support this facility that we all enjoy and bennefit from.

Jus’ sayin’ …

Harry_J · Nov 19, 2023

Fast Eddie said:
Paying doesn’t really make you a VIP !

It makes you a supporter… ie someone who’s happy to support this facility that we all enjoy and bennefit from.

Jus’ sayin’ …

VIP or not it's literally called VIP membership...

Fast Eddie · Nov 19, 2023

Harry_J said:
VIP or not it's literally called VIP membership...

I am aware of that.

Raincityrider · Nov 19, 2023

cliffa said:
Correct. If you are a paying member (VIP) you can cut and paste straight into a thread. If not you need to upload the pics to a hosting site, and paste the link to them into the thread. I personally like Google drive as you can zoom into the pictures.

Edit : I just found the old thread….

Picture Hosting Tutorial with Imgur

@Jerry Doe @L.A.B. feel free to move this post wherever you would like. Do not use Photobucket for photo hosting. I think we all learned our lesson there. Shoot, I got burned by Flickr too. I use Imgur, it's 100% and will never go away (as soon as I say that it'll get bought by Google and...

www.accessnorton.com

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13QqsWAoI4LwTKKoTohJgx6_4OHd7LTfJ?usp=drive_link Thank you. See if this works. Here's the Norton, please let me know if these photos do not show up and I'll give it another try or become a supporter/VIP.

kommando · Nov 19, 2023

You need to make the link public or you will need to grant access to every request.

Or post them at postimages.org and put the links in the thread.

New to Norton looking at purchasing a 2013 Norton 961

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