961 is back !

on the recent factory visit that I reported on, there was a pretty heavy hint that the Commando will continue as a model, and I would say from that verbal statement that one of the new models in development will be that bike. They also said that the current Commando can be modified to meet US and Aussie regs.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Ok, the guy is nice and ‘chirpy’ and overall he says nice things about the 961.

But frankly I think it’s a pretty poor review. He had the bike for TWO weeks FFS and frankly it looks like he put the video together in two hours.

Really quite uninformative IMHO.
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A quick introductory vlog only I think FE, as he says - only so much you can cover in 10 mins. He indicates at the start that there are other videos to come, as you’d expect if he had the bike for a couple of weeks. Let’s see what else they come up with.

Good to see more and more outlets covering the bike though and that Norton Birmingham has enough confidence in it to be providing it to moto journalists for prolonged periods.

Just watched it again - what he covers I think he does reasonably well. Especially in taking the time to describe the intangibles that people who are looking at stats and pounds only may not get.
 
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Fast Eddie said:
But he didn’t cover anything !
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It left me wanting for more as well.
Only a long-term use review will be of any real interest.
We know it has classic good looks, we know it has Olins suspension, we know it has only 80 hp, we know Thaiumphs have more hp, we know other classics cost a whole lot less (Royal Enfield) , yada, yada, yada......
Let's see a daily use report over a month or two, good weather, bad weather.
Were there any electrical issues, EFI issues, starter issues, clutch issues????
In other words, a meaningful report.
 
BritTwit said:
It left me wanting for more as well.
Only a long-term use review will be of any real interest.
We know it has classic good looks, we know it has Olins suspension, we know it has only 80 hp, we know Thaiumphs have more hp, we know other classics cost a whole lot less (Royal Enfield) , yada, yada, yada......
Let's see a daily use report over a month or two, good weather, bad weather.
Were there any electrical issues, EFI issues, starter issues, clutch issues????
In other words, a meaningful report.
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Yep, that would be great and no doubt will occur in the fullness of time - they’ve only just released it of course. I guess this type of motovlog content is not really aimed at those that have been living and breathing 961 since it was first released.
 
Did Stu get his test ride? Never heard of this initiative before?

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Stephen_Spencer said:
Yep, that would be great and no doubt will occur in the fullness of time - they’ve only just released it of course. I guess this type of motovlog content is not really aimed at those that have been living and breathing 961 since it was first released.
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I agree.
They are targeting folks who may like the idea of owning one and may want to know a little bit about it.
A little tease to raise the interest of some.
 
How about enough with the teasing and tell everyone of the 300 important improvements they claim they made. That’s a step in the right direction to attracting new customers and buyers.
 
Voodooo said:
How about enough with the teasing and tell everyone of the 300 important improvements they claim they made. That’s a step in the right direction to attracting new customers and buyers.
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Yeah but how about a 5 way long term test:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Triumph 900 Street Twin
Kawasaki W800
HD Nightster
Norton 961

Test 'em for a couple of weeks, give the good and bad of each.
 
BritTwit said:
Yeah but how about a 5 way long term test:

Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Triumph 900 Street Twin
Kawasaki W800
HD Nightster
Norton 961

Test 'em for a couple of weeks, give the good and bad of each.
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Of all the bikes you mentioned here, all can be bought now and spare parts can be easily had.
Oh wait, I’m wrong, the Norton 961 can’t be hard and no spares to be had.
 
Stephen_Spencer said:
Did Stu get his test ride? Never heard of this initiative before?

View attachment 103340
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To be fair to Norton, they've tried to contact me twice in the past few days, but I've been too busy with customers each time to take the call.
To be honest, I kinda lost interest, in that I've seen and heard them now...so didn't see the need to ride one. If people are interested in my view of them, I'll get back in touch with Norton and arrange something.
I may be able to get some answers to the questions I put to John Hogan on here, if I visit the factory again. I didnt bother chasing it up during the NOC tour as he enough on his plate with the 90 odd visitors wanting to talk to him.
 
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Stu Bodycote said:
To be fair to Norton, they've tried to contact Mr twice, but I've been too busy to take the call.
To be honest, I kinda lost interest, in that I've seen and heard them now...so didn't see the need to ride one. If people are interested in my view of them, I'll get back in touch with Norton and arrange something.
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Well, I for one would value your opinion Stu, and I’m sure I’m not alone.
 
Stu Bodycote said:
To be fair to Norton, they've tried to contact me twice in the past few days, but I've been too busy with customers each time to take the call.
To be honest, I kinda lost interest, in that I've seen and heard them now...so didn't see the need to ride one. If people are interested in my view of them, I'll get back in touch with Norton and arrange something.
I may be able to get some answers to the questions I put to John Hogan on here, if I visit the factory again. I didnt bother chasing it up during the NOC tour as he enough on his plate with the 90 odd visitors wanting to talk to him.
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Stu your opinion is invaluable, almost the only one that matters really, given the fairly meaningless waffle that the average ‘tester’ creates these days.

You could give a properly informed opinion on the ride, the mechanical noise, the fuelling delivery, etc, etc.

And as you say, you would also hopefully get the chance to ask meaningful questions, and obtain informative answers, regarding what has actually changed.

And it’s a good opportunity for you personally to start building a bridge with TVS Norton as they really should start seeing you as an ally with regards to helping legacy owners.

Jus’ ma thoughts…
 
Stu Bodycote said:
To be fair to Norton, they've tried to contact me twice in the past few days, but I've been too busy with customers each time to take the call.
To be honest, I kinda lost interest, in that I've seen and heard them now...so didn't see the need to ride one. If people are interested in my view of them, I'll get back in touch with Norton and arrange something.
I may be able to get some answers to the questions I put to John Hogan on here, if I visit the factory again. I didnt bother chasing it up during the NOC tour as he enough on his plate with the 90 odd visitors wanting to talk to him.
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Yes ,Please ride one and give it a good thrashing . My interest is in the feel of the engine vibration , same , better , worse . It would take me 5 minutes on that bike to know . Someone who rode one and reported here there was one spot of vibration and then clear above and below that rpm (4000 to 4500) . This is my main interest .
 
Stu
Test ride a new commando.
Take it to your shop and swap the new 961 motor with a Donington motor then return the bike back to TVS.

Then tear down the new 961 and report back. 🍿
 
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