Norton 961 Commando a keeper?

BikerBore · Apr 4, 2020

There are a few threads around at the moment about how terrible it is with what's happened with Norton, this is something I agree with. There is also talk of how terrible the 961 is, this is something I do not agree with.

My 961 I'm hoping is a keeper. To me it looks gorgeous and is a joy to ride. It gives me that feel good feeling I've not experienced with other bikes and I've owned quite a few, enjoyed them, but the 961 is special.

I brought it knowing there will be niggles being hand built, but still believe if you experience those niggles, they are all fixable and once done you have a lovely motorbike. It's also a simple engine, so not that much to go wrong!

So I'm looking forward to years of pleasuable riding.

Hopefully as we are actually allowed out, we will see more posts and pictures of members enjoying the great machines!

MAK · Apr 4, 2020

BikerBore said:
There are a few threads around at the moment about how terrible it is with what's happened with Norton, this is something I agree with. There is also talk of how terrible the 961 is, this is something I do not agree with.

My 961 I'm hoping is a keeper. To me it looks gorgeous and is a joy to ride. It gives me that feel good feeling I've not experienced with other bikes and I've owned quite a few, enjoyed them, but the 961 is special.

I brought it knowing there will be niggles being hand built, but still believe if you experience those niggles, they are all fixable and once done you have a lovely motorbike. It's also a simple engine, so not that much to go wrong!

So I'm looking forward to years of pleasuable riding.

Hopefully as we are actually allowed out, we will see more posts and pictures of members enjoying the great machines!

I couldn’t agree more.

BritTwit · Apr 4, 2020

I don't consider the 961 to be a terrible bike.
It's truly a beautiful machine, that is pretty simple to maintain.
The riding experience is like nothing else on the market, vibes and all.

Does it run like a Honda?
No, and what is great about the 961 is what you can't get from a Honda, or Yamaha.......
The timeless look and feel of a classic britbike.

It's a keeper.

Britfan60 · Apr 4, 2020

When I got my bike in 2014 in the US, It was love/hate. Tranny blew, rings burning oil, starter was bad and leaky etc. etc., but I always loved it. I was just pissed off all the time. It was so new in the states, I couldn't even get a loan for it. I was calling Norton a Ponzi scheme by 2015. It was more the factory and the dealership not wanting to deal with the factory, nor me. Ducati and Beemer was their priority. With a side of Triumph.
I'm not a good mechanic. But...after 4 years, I'm finally getting full seasons out of it. It broke down and sat at the dealership for months at a time, but I would manage to put over 2K on it in the freezing temps. So yea. I'll keep it until I can't fix it anymore and sell it cheaply to somebody that can and will enjoy it. Its an awesome bike. Oh...and currently, its running quite well.

Fast Eddie · Apr 4, 2020

Mine was a keeper.

But then I sold it...

Al's#5 · Apr 4, 2020

Britfan60 said:
When I got my bike in 2014 in the US, It was love/hate. Tranny blew, rings burning oil, started etc. etc., but I always loved it. I was just pissed off all the time. It was so new in the states, I couldn't even get a loan for it. It was more the factory and the dealership not wanting to deal with the factory, nor me.
I'm not a good mechanic. But...after 4 years, I'm finally getting full seasons out of it. It broke down and sat at the dealership for months at a time, but I would manage to put over 2K on it in the freezing temps. So yea. I'll keep it until I can't fix it anymore and sell it cheaply to somebody that can and will enjoy it. Its an awesome bike.

Thank god for that, the best bike in the world is the one that suits you, you're mood, you're expectations. For me my 961 isn't the best but it's damn close .

Al's#5 · Apr 4, 2020

BikerBore said:
There are a few threads around at the moment about how terrible it is with what's happened with Norton, this is something I agree with. There is also talk of how terrible the 961 is, this is something I do not agree with.

My 961 I'm hoping is a keeper. To me it looks gorgeous and is a joy to ride. It gives me that feel good feeling I've not experienced with other bikes and I've owned quite a few, enjoyed them, but the 961 is special.

I brought it knowing there will be niggles being hand built, but still believe if you experience those niggles, they are all fixable and once done you have a lovely motorbike. It's also a simple engine, so not that much to go wrong!

So I'm looking forward to years of pleasuable riding.

Hopefully as we are actually allowed out, we will see more posts and pictures of members enjoying the great machines!

Tomorrow's forecast looks good, racking my brains for an excuse!

MAK · Apr 4, 2020

Al's#5 said:
Tomorrow's forecast looks good, racking my brains for an excuse!

Have beer it’s predicted to be hot,
Oh and also torture not been able to get out on the bike!!

Fast Eddie · Apr 4, 2020

Al's#5 said:
Tomorrow's forecast looks good, racking my brains for an excuse!

You got kids? Or Grandkids?

I did 70 miles today looking for Calpol (

) cos all my local shops had sold out.

Didn’t find any.

Will have to try again tomorrow...

Al's#5 · Apr 4, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
You got kids? Or Grandkids?

I did 70 miles today looking for Calpol () cos all my local shops had sold out.

Didn’t find any.

Will have to try again tomorrow...

1 & 3, daughter and grandsons. No oldies, apart from us but just remembered an old friend that needs checking out across the York. Moors

EstuaryBoy · Apr 4, 2020

It seems the RAC will still rescue those in need (not that we would!), BUT... Due to 'social distancing' they may ask you to stay in your vehicle whilst being towed..... That's gonna be fun on a bike!

MxMartin · Apr 4, 2020

It's a keeper if my pension recovers otherwise.....

Welshrugby · Apr 5, 2020

Lovely spin out today, nice empty roads except for a few mamils and horse riders. Mine is staying, an absolute pleasure to ride, ton up club again, all those empty roads, would be foolish not to.

ntst8 · Apr 5, 2020

MxMartin said:
It's a keeper if my pension recovers otherwise.....

Here's hoping for an eventual recovery.

Bernhard · Apr 5, 2020

BritTwit said:
Re; Does it run like a Honda?
No, and what is great about the 961 is what you can't get from a Honda, or Yamaha.......
The timeless look and feel of a classic britbike.
It's a keeper.

It was just built by someone called Stuart Garner. . . . . .

MxMartin · Apr 5, 2020

Welshrugby said:
Lovely spin out today, nice empty roads except for a few mamils and horse riders. Mine is staying, an absolute pleasure to ride, ton up club again, all those empty roads, would be foolish not to.

You naughty, naughty boy

I peeped under it's dust sheet today, boy those spiders have been busy! I think this week will be the week to drag her outside, give her a scrub up, a bit of spit and polish.... then when the missus is done I will start on the CR

MxMartin · Apr 5, 2020

ntst8 said:
Here's hoping for an eventual recovery.

It undoubtedly will, those investors/gamblers need somewhere to put their money, under the mattress isn't an option for them

Clive · Apr 6, 2020

Damn these empty roads - at least when there was traffic around I had an excuse not to blast around everywhere at warp factor 11. Empty roundabouts all in a row seductively inviting the caress of knee sliders...….

Fast Eddie · Apr 6, 2020

Take extra care Clive. I’ve done quite a bit of ‘shopping for essential supplies’ by motorcycle of late!

Its great, but I have noticed a growing tendency of motorists, cyclists, even pedestrians to behave as if they’re expecting no one else on the road.

I very nearly killed an idiot cyclist the other day, he suddenly served into the middle of the road (directly in front of me) in order to overtake another cyclist AND maintain his social distance of 2m !

Obviously, being run over and killed is now officially less scary than the 0.007% chance of dying from covid19...

It’s at times like that that I become quite convinced Darwin was wrong...

Clive · Apr 6, 2020

Wise words indeed Sir! Some motorists/pedestrians/cyclists camel drovers(where did they all come from??) seem to think there has been a suspension of the highway code.

And the last place you want to end up is in A&E hospital at the moment.

Norton 961 Commando a keeper?

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